Asbestos - Potterton Suprema 80L boiler.. We disturbed the white heat shield - help

[365drills]

I own a Potterton Suprema 80L boiler

Installed up in the loft in 2002

http://www.*********.com/jpgs/boiler.jpg

It went wrong the other week.

Details of problem: Demand for heat, lights flicker, boiler kicks in, flame of pilot comes alive, boiler starts to ignite, splutters, resets, tries again, trips out.

Reset: Try again. Same problem.

Action: Called installer. He arrives on site as agreed.

Diagnosis: Opens the and cover pokes about then spots the problem straight away. On the left and right sides of the burner plate are two small white shields. About the size of a small a paperback book but not as thick.

On looking at the burner plate one of the shields (right hand side as you look at the boiler) has popped out of its runner and dropped onto the burner. This is preventing the burner from igniting.

Solution: "Oh this is easy" said the installer. "The head shield has popped off, so I am going to push it back into its runner". and then he says "Oh but got to be careful because its asbestos".

I look at him a bit worried. He seems slightly concerned as well. "Go and get me a water spray, a bucket of water, soap and cloth" I oblige and get up first with the water spray bottle and then turn to get the bucket.

Before I drop down the hatch way I see him spray the panel with water, lift it off the burner with bare hands then push it back into its runner. It doesnt go back easily. Its bowed so it resists.

As he pushes it into the runner the panel is scraping the edge and this may be my over active imagination but I think I saw dust coming off in the area where the runner was rubbing the panel.

He continues to spray it with the water as he does it. Its back in its socket and he turns round to me and then says "all done, dont worry about the bucket, soap and water, we got it".

So I am praying that the white shield is an asbestos substitute, and that if it was real asbestos that his water spraying sorted it. And finally if I do get the dreaded disease then it will take 30 years to show itself, I am 40. So it wont matter.

My question is: Am I right to be worried.

 

[alph250]

Re: Asbestos - Potterton Suprema 80L boiler.. We disturbed the white heat shield - he

The last of the asbestos was banned back in 1999 which was chrysotile, and even then it was rarely used, I would be surprised that a 2002 manufactured boiler would contain it, though as ive said before some of the asbestos contained materials gaskets, heatshields etc can and still are lying around in the back of store rooms!

Best bet is phone the manufacturer and ask if that particular model has ever been manufactured using asbestos heat shields (if manufactured prior to 1999) and that should put your mind at ease.

If it doesnt then phone up a local asbestos surveying company, it will cost about £50 for a surveyor to come take a sample and send it out for a lab report and should be able to be done within 2-3 days.

Its also worth pointing out that in the last year you have probably come into more contact with asbestos than the incident in your loft.

Also although there is no known safe exposure limit, the exposure (should the heat shield contain asebstos) would be negligable and wouldnt cause any concerns in respect of the control of asbestos regulations 2006.

In any case dont make the mistake most do by hoovering it up, the size of the asbestos particles are smaller than the filters/bags on your hoover and all it will do is send the fibres floating through the air even more!

Hope that helps, but i wouldnt worry!

 

[Puddle]

Re: Asbestos - Potterton Suprema 80L boiler.. We disturbed the white heat shield - he

No pads used for any of the suprima range contained any asbestos
do,nt panic,but you are right to check
Hope it all operating correctly now

 

[365drills]

Re: Asbestos - Potterton Suprema 80L boiler.. We disturbed the white heat shield - he

Whew!

Thanks for that. I had visions of a life cut short....