ILFE Fire / Flue analyser

[amy]

Hi,
Is there a specific procedure for testing ILFE fires with an analyser.
Thx.

 

[GrahamM]

In some instances it is not possible to take a combustion reading as it will not be possible to place the probe in the combustion stream without removing the appliance. In these cases you will need to rely on your other tests and eyes to declaire the appliance safe. For fires you want your readings taken at least 200mm above the draught diverter or 200mm up into the chimney.

 

[amy]

Thx for that, I will now go a little deeper.

If for arguments sake I had to do a risk assessment on a ILFE fire after servicing the boiler ( following temporary interuption of gas supply , ie tightness test )
I can't assess the flame picture as its ILFE , I can't bang my analyser up for a reading.
1, The coals look a little iffy but are placed correctly as per manufacturers instructions?.
OR
2, The coals look a little iffy and customer has no manufacturers instructions?.
No signs of spillage. (obviously if signs of spillage then ID ).
What would your actions be?.
Thankyou very much,
AMY.

 

[mikeygas]

As part of a service you would do a flue flow test and spillage test, if it passes then all good (don't forget to check in the loft). If coals are iffy then find out who the manufacturer is and order a new set.

 

[amy]

Sorry, let me clarify,

The ILFE is not the appliance that has been serviced.

Lets say only the boiler has been serviced ( including tightness test ).

The ILFE fire is just a visual risk assessment.

Amy.

 

[buckley plumb]

Hi amy.a tightness test should not count as an interuption to the supply .if you were asked to only service the boiler then the fire would be visual re lite only .i would check for signs of spillage .when i am called to service the boiler only and they dont want the fire serviced i try my best to explain the fire is the most dangerous item being opened flued, and try to get them to agree to a service ir they dont i just do the bopiler and put on my sheet fire re lite only.I check for signs of spillage and do a spillage test just for my piece of mind .

ant

 

[amy]

Hi,

Concerning an interruption of the gas supply, page 93 of the 'GIUSP 6th edition' clearly states that,

" following the interruption of the gas supply ( e.g. following a gas tightness test ) "

Thx,
Amy.

 

[CMairiD]

That's an interesting one to debate because the wording isn't that clear!

Earlier in that paragraph, it says: or as a part of a "check and relight" procedure following the interruption of the gas supply (e.g. following a gas tightness test) and there is a need to re-establish the gas supply.

When I first read this, like you, I took it to mean that a tightness test was classed as an interruption of the supply. But if you remove some of the extra bits of the sentence, you are left with: or as a part of a "check and relight" procedure following the interruption of the gas supply and there is a need to re-establish the gas supply.

So what they are describing, is "purge and re-light" of which tightness testing is a part of the process. If you look further in Unsafe Sits to the Visual Risk Assessment (Following temporary interruption of gas supply) they give the example of meter exchange which would require purge/re-light + the 6 trigger points.

I had this debate with CORGI back when they were registration holders because I was concerned that our engineers weren't doing flame picture on tenant cookers following a tightness test. They came back with a simple tightness test, without cutting into the supply or removing the meter (introducing air), wasn't considered an interruption of the supply.

They also said that if a tightness test was considered an interruption of supply then any time a customer turned off the ECV or a pre-payment ran out of gas, then the 6 trigger points would be required. Imagine that being requirement!

I do think the way they've worded it is confusing and wish it was worded in a better way. It would also be interesting to hear other engineers' opinions on this.

 

[amy]

Hi,

Very pleased you have pointed that out , I thought it a little strange that I could find no other reference to this in several reference books. The wording is very poor. THX

Amy.

 

[mikeygas]

If I'm doing a service I get the customer to turn on each gas appliance to show me that it's working (or not!) before I do anything in their prop. After I've done the service and my second and final TT, I get the customer to relight their appliances.
I was also under the impression that a TT is classed as an interruption of the gas supply and such you have to do a relight.

 

[buckley plumb]

Hi amy i cant see how it is possible to purge after a tightness test as to purge at a boiler if there is no other appliances then you would have to crack a nut to purge and then need tightness test again as you have undone a fitting and dont know if its sound now once tightened .you would be going around in circles.I agree the gas regs should be made simple it would make things clearer and safer.

ant

 

[mikeygas]

Buckley, you only need to purge after a TT if you have broken into the Gas line, i.e cut into it to alter pipework etc.
Once you have purged (say at the boiler union for example)the way you check that the carcus is gas tight is to apply leak detection fluid on the union. Simples. So no need for another TT.