Any gas fitters on here - need advice

[Thelma Sanders]

I have a Baxi Combi 80 Eco boiler in the bathroom, that lost pressure through a drip from a pipe connection, so I called in the plumber/gas man. Took one look at it and he said it was illegal cos I could touch the controls when I was standing in the bath.

The boiler has been there since I moved in in 2007, with bath still in the same place. Presumably it was legal when originally fitted and regulations have changed since So my question is, if this is the case, can they apply new regulations retrospectively to old installations?

Very expensive time ahead for me if they can

[Baldy]

I'd imagine you might be wanting to talk to an electrician about water / electricity mixing - looking at the tech spec for the boiler it takes 230v at 50Hz
If you touch the controls whilst standing in the bath and there is some sort of 'short' I think you might discover why the plumber was a bit troubled.
Even in 2007 I suspect this was suspect....

[burnie]

Yep it's both illegal and dangerous, it should be in an airing cupboard at the least. Better still in another room, you could probably fit a cupboard round it so you can't touch anything live whilst contemplating your navel.............................
It's the control electrickery that's the worry, not the gas.

[Thelma Sanders]

Thank you both - at least a cupboard would be an affordable fix!

[polc1410]

Thank you both - at least a cupboard would be an affordable fix!

It might be, but you may need to check the regs on putting a cupboard round it... airflows etc to ensure good combustion...

[DannyK]

Have a look at 7.4 of the manual.

Link---http://www.baxi.co.uk/documents/Baxi...ice_Manual.pdf

Not sure if you inherited boiler or had it fitted. If you know who fitted it you should report them to Gas Safe and IEE before they kill someone.

[Greenleaves]

I would pm Potty, Thelma

[Potstubsdustbins]

No need I am here.

Yes it is illegal and the fitter was just trying to stop you killing your self which would be a real possibility in these circumstances. Whilst Gas Safe might jump up and down a bit (if they could find the installer) there is very little they can do legally as its the I.E.E. regulations that have been contravened.

The good news is that this boiler was designed to fit in a cupboard within limits, so you can have a protective cupboard built round it.

You can get the gas reg clearances of the internet but for ease in this case it is as follows (1) the appliance as a whole should be untouchable, so the cupboard should extend above and below the appliance that way you do not need a top or bottom. (2) The minimum clearances are 5mm both sides and 5mm at the front when the door of the cupboard is closed. However when the door is open for repair or servicing there should be at least 450mm, if that is not there certain repairs just cannot be completed.

To comply with I.E.E. regulations the door should be secured in such a way as you need a tool to open it, something like a services cabinet key (Screwfix 16428). Otherwise you could just screw it shut and use a screwdriver.

If you need further help just KNOCK..

[Thelma Sanders]

To comply with I.E.E. regulations the door should be secured in such a way as you need a tool to open it, something like a services cabinet key (Screwfix 16428). Otherwise you could just screw it shut and use a screwdriver.

I need to get to it easily as all the controls, timer /clock, override buttons are on the front of the boiler - how do I handle that if I'm having to unscrew it, each time I need to alter the timer ( for example)

[Baldy]

Potty's on about something like this - it functions a bit like a key but it isn't, its a tool - so presumably complies with regs - he's the expert not me...

[Potstubsdustbins]

Or a small padlock, the idea is that you or anyone else cannot just open the door of the cabinet without having to use what they call a tool.

In this case think of the word 'tool' as having to have something other than your bare hands.

Just a thought can I presume you had a professional survey before you bought? Because someone should have picked this up.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Just had a thought, so checked my books.

You may also need a sparky unless you have (1) Equipotential earth bonding to the pipes below the boiler, easy to spot all the pipes will be joined by a green and yellow earth wire clamped to them. I.E.E. regulations 2001. (2) A 30ma residual circuit device (RCD) capable of operating in 30ms to protect that circuit. usually found near or in the fuse board, its the device were the little red button pops out turning of the electrics. I.E.E. regulations 17th edition 2008.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Having a lot of thoughts tonight but I think we have now covered everything

[Thelma Sanders]

Just had a thought, so checked my books.

You may also need a sparky unless you have (1) Equipotential earth bonding to the pipes below the boiler, easy to spot all the pipes will be joined by a green and yellow earth wire clamped to them. I.E.E. regulations 2001. (2) A 30ma residual circuit device (RCD) capable of operating in 30ms to protect that circuit. usually found near or in the fuse board, its the device were the little red button pops out turning of the electrics. I.E.E. regulations 17th edition 2008.

The earthing wires are there, but the boiler is wired through a fused switch on the wall outside the bathroom, I moved here in 2007, and the boiler wasn't brand new then. I don't know if that makes a difference.

[polc1410]

I need to get to it easily as all the controls, timer /clock, override buttons are on the front of the boiler - how do I handle that if I'm having to unscrew it, each time I need to alter the timer ( for example)

If you are accessing them really often... I'd want to add a separate control elsewhere and set those to be always on but with the separate control in series so able to take control.