unvented hot water cylinder for old dewelling

[mark_mc]

do you have to tell building control if installing a unvented cylinder in an old dewelling>

 

[stevetheplumber]

never have in 35 years

 

[tamz]

Allegedly. And the water board.

 

[fagsanbooz]

Supposed to, most small traders don't, but the only ones who regularly do are the larger companies, 'building sites' and 'developers'. Most don't but you can join a competence persons scheme and sign them off yourself although paying through the nose to join'em. I think most councils charge quite a bit to do it though.

 

[Reg Man]

I know many may not seek approval, notification or certification, but, The Water Supply (water Fittings) Regulations 1999 & Water Bylelaws 2000 (Scotland) Reg 5 give a list. Item 3 in the table state a material change of use of any premises. I thought at first Oh going to change a shop to a residence. No it does not mean this. It means a material change of use to the water system. Open Vented hot water changed to Unvented hot water falls into this requirement. So you are required to seek permission from the water undertaker for this work.

In addition to this you have to get building regulations approval and consent through you local authority building control office. Alternatively, if you are registered with a goverment approved, competent person scheme, you can self certificate the work through the scheme notification process.

 

[dontknowitall]

Once registered you then have to keep records of customers names and addresses and goodness knows how much other paperwork too.

 

[fagsanbooz]

I know many may not seek approval, notification or certification, but, The Water Supply (water Fittings) Regulations 1999 & Water Bylelaws 2000 (Scotland) Reg 5 give a list. Item 3 in the table state a material change of use of any premises. I thought at first Oh going to change a shop to a residence. No it does not mean this. It means a material change of use to the water system. Open Vented hot water changed to Unvented hot water falls into this requirement. So you are required to seek permission from the water undertaker for this work.

In addition to this you have to get building regulations approval and consent through you local authority building control office. Alternatively, if you are registered with a goverment approved, competent person scheme, you can self certificate the work through the scheme notification process.

Sorry reg man, but I'm pretty sure 'material change of use' does mean changing the use of a premises. i.e. House to flats, house to retirement home etc

 

[Reg Man]

Not much different from Landlord Gas safety Checks. I have Purchase order, Invoice, Gas Safety Record and service logs for each appliance for the property. Its all on file for Gas Safe Register, HSE or the tax man if they wish too view.

So not that much different for a unvented hot water plumbing install.

I get comfort that all paperwork is in order, because if challenged, I know exactly what I did and have documents to show that I dealt with it proffesionaly.

 

[Reg Man]

Sorry reg man, but I'm pretty sure 'material change of use' does mean changing the use of a premises. i.e. House to flats, house to retirement home etc

Yer I get your point. But the regulations state provided there is no material change of use of premises or increased backflow risk. An unvented system requires a mechanical check valve, where, as an open system has a phsical air gap. Therfore is this risk increased?

Think this could be a good debate point. Kirkgas is good at putting forward a good interpretation.

In any event, it requires building regs certification.

 

[kimbo]

When you do your training to qualify to fit these they tell you that it is notifiable and that now includes vented option do I detect some are not qualified to fit them and are doing so. I know in my area very few are qualified and there are loads of oil boilers fitted by unqualified people. I suppose rules were always meant to be broken.

 

[Reg Man]

The customer may come back to the installer if they sell the property and the solicitor asks, where is the building regs cert for this unvented hot water system/oil boiler/gas boiler/ consumer unit/ rewire/ windows/ conservatory and on and on. Building Regs, Part L Part G Part J Part P part F.

If the person who carried out the work has not certificated through an official channel then they could have a problem.

If they are proffesional, they will be registered with a goverment approved competent person scheme or go direct through building control office.

 

[tamz]

So are you saying it is now notifiable to change a vented????? Never heard of this one. Next i'll have to notify a toilet break.

 

[Reg Man]

I will share an experience with you: I was going through a property purchase last year and found no building regs compliance on the oil boiler (OFTEC) or electrical distribution board (NICIEC or equivalent). Became a little concerned and dug deeper. Found major building works carried out on a Grade 2 star listed building with no compliance and a previous refusal. Also covered by english hertitage. Had no choice other than to pull out of the deal. Cost me loads. But not as much if I had done the deal.

 

[Reg Man]

So are you saying it is now notifiable to change a vented????? Never heard of this one. Next i'll have to notify a toilet break.

Just thought I would let you know. I am going for a crap. Oh no who do I register it with LOL

 

[Reg Man]

I will make some enquiries as to vented hot water and feed the answer back. Don't think this is applicable.

 

[tamz]

I wouldn't think so but you never know in this cya age!
I self cert so although it shouldn't affect me it would be good to know. I'll enquire too as i've never heard.

 

[GrahamM]

It is my understanding the installation of an unvented cylinder over 15L MUST be notified to Local Authority.

 

[kimbo]

I re did my unvented less than 12mths ago and as my previous post it covers vented. I also believe you should also notify if you install a bathroom suite and also supply electronics to an outside shed. These were examples given to me by a competent persons scheme touting for business.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

as i understand it you don't need to notify a new bathroom suite if it is a straight swap i.e. not a completely new bathroom in a new location in the house. as for unvented they should be notified to building control probably so that they know where any potential bombs are located!

 

[kimbo]

April 2010 part g amended to include all vented and unvented with less than a 15ltr vessel there is also a lot more which is required.

 

[stani]

Kimbo is spot on, I have just booked my G3 refresher with Baxi and the material they have sent me now includes vented equipment as well, previous course was unvented equipment only