Damn gas fires, what do u guys do in similar situations?

[TFGplumbing]

So I when to service a Baxi Baroque today & also changed the jets on it as the originals were blocked & fire was not lighting. What an arsehole job it turned into! servicing the fire and changing the jets was fine. Whipped of the closure plate to have a quick inspection and clean, I say whipped but actually I had to cut it of with a Stanley as it had been gunked on with large amounts of silicone, due to the surround being made up of an uneven stone finish and it not sitting flush back to it, I then scraped all the silicone off the surround(gingerly) and off the closure plate frigging took me ages!

Anyway the catchment space opening was all wrong for what the Installation instructions required; it was too narrow and too tall however it did meet the depth requirement & the closure plate covered the fire opening, the chimney was an unlined brick built one looked to be a 225x225mm square & In good condition, I thought here we go I bet it fails the performance test with the smoke bomb, But I put two up it in quick succession and it had a good draught, no smoke leaks in the loft or any other locations. Quick look outside no terminal... -_- according to my gas book a gas fire in this size and type of flue does not need a terminal. I strongly recommended to the customer that a terminal and bird guard be fitted for good measure as I found sticks and bird stuff in the cachement space.

Anyway I fitted the closure plate back on with hefty amounts of heat proof silicone(to get a seal on the uneven stone surround) and some closure plate tape for good measure. Seriously I don't get why the original installer didn't make up a nice rendered flush surface just for the closure plated to sit on, thats what I have done in the past it makes for a much neater job!!

Fire working like a treat, spillage test passed no problems, burner pressure spot on, nice flame picture jobs a good un!

Anyway the point of this little story, is to find out what you guys do in similar situations.. I have come across loads of gas fires where the fire opening is of an incorrect size, But the fire works safely, Is this NCS? My main concern on this one was the Lack of terminal my inclination would be to put a standard pot+bird guard on this, Even though my gas safe book says its not mandatory only recommended

 

[buckley plumb]

i have similar views on the pot/ guard . i have serviced some that pass the smoke pellet and spillage test and found parts of birds nest in the pot when i have gone back to fit a bird guard (when customer has agreed its a good idea) .its suprising how they pass .

ant

 

[Pssst]

Fire openings are rarely nice and square/symmetrical and so if its broadly in line with spec,its fine by me. would echo the bird guard suggestions. In the good old days,we would cut and fit aluminium side panels to uneven surfaces to present a nice clean edge to double side the closure plate to. The side panels could be drilled and screwed in palce,possibly with some silicone blob for extra measure.

 

[GrahamM]

As mentioned, as long as catchment not greatly undersized- 'NCS'
Approved termination or bird guard is only a recommendation.

Charge extra for your time removing the poorly fitted closure plate.:smile5:

 

[Mike Jackson]

A lot of customers will think that you're touting for extra work if you recommend something that is not mandatory. I've also seen fires that pulled beautifully without a terminal that spilled like mad when a terminal is fitted.

Why take the chance when it's working fine?

 

[AWheating]

i agree with mike.

There may be a reason theres no terminal?

 

[TFGplumbing]

thanks for your input on this one guys