Son’s Kitchen #1 Boiler enclosure

[Calculus]

My son and his wife recently bought a house and have asked me several DIY questions about the kitchen. I need advice on all of them, so I will submit them as a series of posts (6 in all) starting ‘Son’s Kitchen’. As a general comment, this house was extensively renovated by the previous owner, a builder. The renovation includes this kitchen.

First question is about the plywood enclosure round this gas boiler. My son asked me if I could make a door to finish it off. The hinges you can see on the picture show there must have been some sort of door at one point. But I am dubious about closing in a gas boiler. The boilers I have seen in kitchens and utility rooms have always been unenclosed, I would have thought for ventilation. Advice appreciated.

Mark_Boiler_Enclosure.JPG

• Calculus
• 10 Jun 2024

 

[Elkato531]

The manufacturers instructions will have minimum clearances for the sides, top, bottom and front so no problem enclosing in a cupboard. Needs better access for service and maintenance though which should be as easy as making the door bigger.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The manufacturers instructions will have minimum clearances for the sides, top, bottom and front so no problem enclosing in a cupboard. Needs better access for service and maintenance though which should be as easy as making the door bigger.

Or even better, make the entire cupboard, removable as a unit. I adapted a kitchen base unit, for that, using a full height door.

 

[Calculus]

Thanks Alkato and Harry. I'll ask Mark what the boiler make and model is.

 

[Madrab]

Could be a Vokera boiler from the looks of it.

Agree with the removeable option - couple of hangers to allow the whole cabinet to be lifted off and (edit) gives unfettered access and makes our life a whole lot easier. Try and make the cabinet as light as possible too. That one looks like it's a frame with ply screwed to it ATM.

 

[Calculus]

Madrab is right. It is a Vokera Vision 25C. I have found a spec for it that the site will hopefully let me post. On page 10, section 2.6 Clearances, it lists 12mm for the sides, 150mm for the bottom and 600mm for the front. That last figure would appear to be problematical for the enclosure. If I am understanding those figures correctly, the bit of plywood below the opening (at the very least) will need to come off.

https://www.vokera.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Vision-Combi-25-30C-User-Installation-and-Servicing-manual.pdf

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If I am understanding those figures correctly, the bit of plywood below the opening (at the very least) will need to come off.

Those figures are the minimum, to allow it to be serviced. If panels are removable....

 

[Calculus]

Those figures are the minimum, to allow it to be serviced. If panels are removable....

I don't know what the builder was thinking of, putting a permanent enclosure round a boiler that was going to need servicing. But he seemed to have a predilection for boxing things in. He put in a WC upstairs and enclosed the cistern in a plywood cabinet. I was called upon to replace the inlet valve (this forum advised me on that job) and the enclosure was a considerable hindrance.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

But he seemed to have a predilection for boxing things in.

Was he related to Barry Bucknell?

 

[Calculus]

Was he related to Barry Bucknell?

I had to google Barry Bucknell! I found a Youtube clip of him (apparently seriously) improving a panelled wooden Victorian door by screwing a piece of hardboard onto it, so I can see the resemblance