The introduction of fan-flued gas appliances in the mid 1990s allowed gas central heating boilers to be installed away from external walls. This meant that builders could design new-build and refurbishment properties with boilers being installed on internal walls to make better use of the available space. The flues to these boilers were, in some cases, routed through voids in the ceiling space (and through stud walls) between properties above.
On 2nd October 2008 the Health & Safety Executive issued a safety alert to raise awareness of the potential dangers from certain types of flues connected to gas-fired central heating installations in some properties (particularly, but not exclusively, a large number of flats and apartments completed since about 2000) that may not have been installed properly, or may have fallen into disrepair.
To comply with The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (GSUR), a flue must be visibly inspected throughout its route, but if built into a ceiling void, the ability to do so is impaired unless inspection panels are part of the construction. In November 2010 the Health and Safety Executive issued new guidelines and a Landlord has until 31st December 2012 to arrange for inspection hatches for such flues. After 1st January 2013 any gas engineer working on a system where the complete flue is not visible will advise the landlord that the system is ‘at risk’ in accordance with the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) and with the owner’s permission will turn off the gas supply to the boiler so it cannot be used.
Urgent action needs to be taken as after the 31st December 2012 any appliance where the complete flue is not visible will be condemned and disconnected.
Although the gas boiler and flue may be condemned this does not mean that the system needs to be condemned. By installing an electric boiler the homeowner will benefit from the same controllability and flexibility that their gas heating system offered. As electric boilers are silent in operation and do not require flueing it can be located in almost any room within the property. Furthermore, as there is no annual safety inspection required on electric boilers there will be significant cost savings to private and social landlords. With electric boiler outputs from 4kW to 14.4kw on single phase electricity and 3-phase 24kW and 36kW outputs, The Electric Heating Company (EHC) can offer a central heating solution to most properties. There is a misconception in the market that electric heating is expensive to operate however EHC offer impartial advice on the best electricity tariffs within the UK to ensure that running costs are kept to an affordable level.
For more information on the comprehensive range of electric boilers from EHC please contact them on 01698 820533 or visit their website at www.electric-heatingcompany.co.uk
