Boiler fumes

[johnyreb]

A friend's neighbour has just had a new gas central heating system installed including a condensing combi boiler. The boiler has been installed in an upstairs bedroom cupboard with the flue terminal fixed flush on the outside wall approx 200 mm below the wooden boxed in section beneath the drainpipe. Depending on the wind direction the fumes are unable to rise clear but are driven along the bottom of this wooden box section and into my friends bedroom window just further along.

Is there anything he can do about this.

 

[Puddle]

Your friend should ask the neighbour to get a plumage kit fitted to the flue,this can take the plumage above the soffit,to stop it running along it,as it is doing

 

[johnyreb]

Thanks for the reply, my friend does not wish to fall out with his neighbour who had his system installed by sub contractors. If his neighbour or the contractors refuse to do anything about it is there anything further can be done, ie is there anyone who could come out to inspect it as a health issue. Another thing that concerns him is that the boiler safety valve outlet pipe terminates a couple of feet above the entrance to his front door.

 

[Mike Jackson]

You can complain to Gas Safe about the flue position if the flue gasses are causing a nuisance. All of the distances that the flue must be from openings, parts of the building, other properties etc. are all in the manufacturers instructions but there is normally also a note that they shouldn't cause a nuisance. This can be open to interpretation but with products of combustion entering a property it sounds fairly clear cut to me.

The safety discharge pipe should not terminate above a door or window.

 

[mikegas]

If their not already tell them to Keep the window shut till its sorted

 

[CMairiD]

I really doubt that Gas Safe will do anything unless the neighbours grant access for the 'free' inspection. I would first speak with the neighbours and explain the concerns, and see if you can reach an amicable solution.

If no budge from neighbours and/or their contractors, then Environmental Health is the next port of call. Flues can be perfectly installed to manufacturer's clearance; however there's always that little line about not causing a nuisance. If an Environmental Health Officer deems the flue position a nuisance, then they can force the neighbour to rectify or shut down.