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DO I NEED FLUE INSPECTION PANELS?
If you have a modern room sealed fan assisted boiler (typically installed from 2000
onwards) and the boiler flue goes through a ceiling, floor or loft you will probably
need to have flue inspection hatches or access panels fitted.
This is because boiler flues are normally made in 1 metre sections, so there will
probably be joints between the sections of boiler flue in the void.
These boiler flue joints can become separated, corroded or deteriorate through age,
so from 1 January 2012 you must have inspection hatches or access panels beside each
boiler flue joint so that service engineers can examine them.
WHY DO I NEED FLUE INSPECTION PANELS?
Boiler flues take away poisonous Carbon Monoxide gas, so it is important that service
engineers can check there is no gas escape from your boiler flue.
If the flue from your room sealed fan assisted boiler goes through a ceiling, floor
or loft void then service engineers will need some means of examining the condition
of the flue joints inside the void.
WHEN DO I NEED INSPECTION PANELS?
From 1 January 2012, if you have a room sealed fan assisted boiler you must have inspection
hatches or access panels within 1.5metres of each concealed flue joint so that engineers
can check the boiler flue joints when servicing or repairing your boiler.
Room sealed fan assisted boilers are relatively modern, so if your boiler is of the
older open flue type then, as long the engineer can perform the normal safety checks
on the boiler flue, the new rules should not affect you.
If your room sealed fan assisted boiler does not have flue inspection panels fitted
across a void a service engineer will be required to classify your boiler as ‘At Risk’
to life or property, which can lead to disconnection of the boiler to protect your
safety.
However, there is a short period of grace for the installation of flue inspection
panels.
You can continue to use your room sealed fan assisted boiler during 2012, but from
1 January 2013 you MUST have inspection hatches or access panels at each boiler flue
joint in a void.
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WHAT TYPE OF PANEL DO I NEED?
Normally the inspection hatch or access panel for a boiler flue should be at least
300mm x 300mm.
Boiler flue inspection hatches or access panels should be fitted within 1.5metres of
each boiler flue joint along the entire length of the void so that the engineer can
examine each flue joint to ensure that it is not leaking.
A 300mm x 300mm inspection hatch or access panel similar to the once shown above will
typically be suitable for most boiler flues.
Special inspection hatches or access panels will be required if the ceiling, wall
or floor in which the inspection hatch or access panel is to be fitted is fire retardant
- the inspection hatch or acess panel will need to have the same or greater fire resistance
as the rest of the wall, ceiling or floor.
WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
If your boiler is on an exterior wall, the flue goes straight out through the wall
and you have not covered the flue (for example, with a box section or decoration),
you probably don't need to do anything.
If your room sealed fan assisted boiler flue goes out through your ceiling or floor,
or through a loft space, or if you the flue is in a box section or other decoration
that creates a void, you probably do need to have flue inspection hatches or access
panels.
You should also install a carbon monoxide detector in each room along the length of
the flue.
We can help you determine if you need flue inspection hatches or access panels. To
book your free inspection just call or e-mail us.
More information is also available from the Gas
Safe Register.
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