With the introduction of fan flued gas appliances in the mid 1990’s installers were able to install boilers away from external walls freeing up valuable space. With gas boilers being able to fitted to internal walls and flued through ceilings and stud walls the design of new builds and renovated properties could make better use of space. The practice of flueing gas appliances through ceilings and walls became more popular from 2000 onwards and now many new flats and apartments have concealed flues.

Gas Engineers are legally required to check the flue after any work on a gas boiler or gas appliance; this also includes a visual inspection of the flue. Also when fitting a boiler the installer must be able to inspect the flue to ensure that it does not constitute a danger to anyone.  The installer and subsequent engineer performing periodic services and maintenance must be able to check that:

• The flue is continuous throughout its entire length
• That all joints and properly connected and appropriately sealed
• And that the flue is adequately supported throughout its entire length

Unless the engineer can make these checks they cannot ensure that the flue from the boiler is safe for use, in compliance with their legal duties. Therefore this necessitates the need for appropriate inspection hatches whereby the flue is concealed.

The original industrial technical guidelines advised that where a boilers flue was concealed with the ceiling or wall void and could not be visually inspected it should be accesses as being ‘not too current standards’ (NCS) in accordance with the ‘Gas Industry Unsafe Situation Procedure’ (GIUSP). This is dependent on the boiler not having any other risk present which may make it unsafe for use.

Therefore because of the issue of not being able to visually inspect concealed flues revised technical guidelines are being introduced. Homeowners are now required to have inspection hatches fitted into ceilings and stud walls to allow for visual inspections to be made by 31^st December 2012. Any engineers performing work on any affected systems after the 1^st January 2013 will advise the user that the system is ‘at risk’ in accordance with GIUSP, and with the owner’s permission will turn the gas supply to the boiler off so it cannot be used.

During the interim period whereby inspection hatches have not been fitted the gas engineer will undertake a simple risk assessment which will ensure the risk of CO expose is managed in the short term. This risk assessment includes:

• Looking for signs of leakages along the entire length of the flue
• Carrying out a flue combustion analysis check
• Checking for the presence of appropriate audible CO alarms, and install such alarms where they are not already fitted

As long as the boiler passes the series of checks and risk assessment does not indicate any concerns to safety then the boiler can be left on. However suitable inspection hatches must be fitted to ceilings and walls by the end of the 31^st December 2012. Once the inspection hatches are fitted the engineer can ensure that the flue is safe and has been installed in accordance with relevant standards and manufacturer’s instructions.

If your property has a concealed flue within a void and no inspection hatches:

• If the property is less than 2 years old contact the original builder for assistance with the retrofitting of inspection hatches and repair of any flue defects.
• If the property is between 2 and 10 years old contact the home warranty provider as you may be covered by them if there are defects in the flue. The main warranty providers (NHBC, Premier Guarantee and Zurich Building Guarantee) have however advised that cover is not provided for installing inspection hatches in homes over two years old.
• If the property is 10 years or older you should contact a Gas Safe registered engineer. You or your landlord will have to meet the cost of the inspection hatches and any defects to the boiler or its flue. It may still be worth contacting the home builder who may be able to assist in some way, or be able to recommend reputable building services companies to carry out the work.

Having taken advice as above, arrange for a competent builder or building services company to fit inspection hatches as soon as possible and by 31st December 2012. (If you don’t, from 1st January 2013 a Gas Safe registered engineer will advise you that the appliance is “at risk” and, with your permission, will turn off the appliance; they will tell you it should not be use until inspection hatches are fitted.

For more information about this new regulation Click Here.