not as stupid as it looks more reliable than cysten mates and less install cost then ir detectors some where that only gets used a couple of times a week its a great simple way done the same in a storage place and a church annexe
a house i used to look after in highgate had a cysten in the loft with a small pond pump in it which when the switch in the toilet was pushed pumped water over the syphon and made it flush house got sold to the saudi king so not a dump
Could it be the sprinkler system water supply, but due to being on a meter rather than an uncontrolled expensive deluge of water, the occupier has to nip into the loft, flush the handle, this then discharges a controlled amount of water onto the fire thus saving the property and a huge water bill.
Wales and west had turned it off as CO detector kept going off. Flue in void. No access. BG had serviced it in April last year.
Service form said
flue safe no
Appliance safe to use yes
Sand in condense trap and flue. God knows whats happened to the terminal as no access