SE Duct been declared unsafe

[Bobby40]

Hi
My annual inspection with Scottish Gas (been with them for 7 years with no problems) delivered a big surprise when the engineer inspected the SE duct (I live in a multistorey) and said it was showing signs of hairline cracks and distress. He immediately declared my Boiler "immediately dangerous" and cut me off.

I then spoke to an independant experienced CORGI engineer who was amazed that the SG engineer did not carry out a CO test around the duct to see if I was being "poisoned" by my neighbours below.

I called SG back and explained this. They sent round same engineer who carried out CO test before and after re-connectng me. He got a reading of 1 both times. He reconnected gas supply but labelled boiler as "at risk".

Basically, my question here is, can these SE Ducts be repaired? There are small hairline cracks on the wall plaster which I'm sure I could deal with, but will the cracks visible from within the SE Duct itself still give reason to fail? (even though there is neglible CO readings)

My current Boiler (it's 20 years old) can not be vented elsewhere, so the only other alternative is a new boiler with an outside vent.

Appreciate any feedback.

Cheers
Bobby.

 

[Puddle]

Well thats a nice pat on the back for us 'independants'.I to am surprised he did no tests originally and also that the other flats in the building are not/have not been checked and tested
The cracks in the flue will have caused to plaster to crack also and just repairing the cracked plaster is no good as the flue cracks will just crack the plaster again in any case
I would have thought this was a issue for block management as the flue will serve all the flats,there maybe a liner that can be installed inside,that I do not know and would require research,also it would only probably be economial if a certain amount of boilers a using the SE Duct however with the new standard boiler flue systems,you should be able to change over without to much problem but again this will have to go through block management,so any new flue termination points can be agreed upon

I would contact your block management,show them the paperwork you have recieved from SG and go from there,also splash out on a co alarm

 

[Bernie2]

Hmm!

Had a job years ago on a multi story block where the tenant on the top floor complained of fumes. The DOE had even been out and put all kinds of air test instruments all over the flat beside all the usually inspections and they could not find anything. Anyway we where a kinda last resort company.

I simply threw a blanket over the SE duct vent on the roof and filled the whole SE duct from the bottom inlet with smoke. It came out all over the place. So the whole block was classed as ID and the appliances shut off.

Although I have not seen it done I think you can get SE ducts relined. Big job though.

 

[Bobby40]

"At Risk" boiler

My boiler has been declared "at risk" due to the SE Duct showing small cracks (even though it was CO tested by them at a level of 1ppm)

Basically my question is this, can the "at risk" be overturned by another maintainer if they deem it to be safe?

I have had a digital CO alarm beside boiler for past 2 weeks and it reads zero.

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[kirkgas]

Bobby, correct me if i'm wrong, but you dont like the advice you have been given and seem to want someone to overturn it, this is the safety of you and your family we are tslking about,
re the 2nd guy taking a reading and getting 1, did he make sure lower appliances were on when he tested it? (i'm thinking if they were not on then the test was pointless,and when the lower appliances do come on you might be getting poisoned) se and u ducts are specialist subjects and require very very careful consideration, please contact the block management to discuss this immediately, if there is a prob with the flue in your flat you could be at serious risk, i would err with the first guy who capped your gas , but feel he has stopped short re the risk from lower,
Any advice much appreciated.[/QUOTE]

 

[Bobby40]

Bobby, correct me if i'm wrong, but you dont like the advice you have been given and seem to want someone to overturn it, this is the safety of you and your family we are tslking about,
re the 2nd guy taking a reading and getting 1, did he make sure lower appliances were on when he tested it? (i'm thinking if they were not on then the test was pointless,and when the lower appliances do come on you might be getting poisoned) se and u ducts are specialist subjects and require very very careful consideration, please contact the block management to discuss this immediately, if there is a prob with the flue in your flat you could be at serious risk, i would err with the first guy who capped your gas , but feel he has stopped short re the risk from lower,
Any advice much appreciated.

[/QUOTE]


Not at all, I appreciate greatly the advice and it makes good sense. My querie regarding the 2nd opinion was to see if the original SG engineer was erring on the safe side a bit too much (albeit with gas I appreciate "too safe" is no such bad thing).

Regarding the testing on the SG engineers 2nd visit, he tested 1ppm with boiler still disconnected, and the same with it connected.

As for block management (there is none - all home owners) , not all residents are using the SE duct, and those who are may not be with the same maintainer as myself. The SG engineer did not make clear to me if/how/when the other residents who have this duct running through their properties would be notified of potential probs if it is damaged within their homes.

My building insurance told me I was covered if it was caused by subsidence, but NOT general cracking due to wear and tear, therefore, after the advice given here today, I'm likely to just get a new modern boiler which can be vented to an outer wall. Fitted by an independant engineer.

Thanks all for your help.

Regards

Bobby

 

[kirkgas]

Not at all, I appreciate greatly the advice and it makes good sense. My querie regarding the 2nd opinion was to see if the original SG engineer was erring on the safe side a bit too much (albeit with gas I appreciate "too safe" is no such bad thing).

Regarding the testing on the SG engineers 2nd visit, he tested 1ppm with boiler still disconnected, and the same with it connected.

As for block management (there is none - all home owners) , not all residents are using the SE duct, and those who are may not be with the same maintainer as myself. The SG engineer did not make clear to me if/how/when the other residents who have this duct running through their properties would be notified of potential probs if it is damaged within their homes.

My building insurance told me I was covered if it was caused by subsidence, but NOT general cracking due to wear and tear, therefore, after the advice given here today, I'm likely to just get a new modern boiler which can be vented to an outer wall. Fitted by an independant engineer.

Thanks all for your help.

Regards

Bobby[/QUOTE]

cheers for updating, i'm still not keen on this scenario, (sorry to have Victor Meldrew head on here) ok he tested with your appliance on and off, but we still dont know what happens when a lower appliance is on, there have been many inceidents where someone has been poisoned by appliances from houses down below, re owners etc, cant really offer how to resolve this, but i'm still not keen, your flue is damaged, the whole flue is the same age, is there any other damage to any bits below, i appreciate you have a CO alarm, please ensure it is fitted to pick up any CO getting into your property from anywhere else
cheers
PS update us with the outcome, as we all like to increase our knowledge and experience
PPS re getting a new boiler, this will solve your internal prob, but as the se duct is communal i'm not sure it will 100% solve the potential problem

 

[tamz]

As kirk said the main issue is with the other boilers below you. Irrespective if he cut yours off or not or if you get a new boiler sited elsewhere, the problem would still remain.

 

[kirkgas]

As kirk said the main issue is with the other boilers below you. Irrespective if he cut yours off or not or if you get a new boiler sited elsewhere, the problem would still remain.

Tam, these need to be in edinburgh, ex council blocks, its the only place i have ever heard of them being fitted, i have answered the questions on them in all my ACS and have taught tons of guys on the training for assessment, but have only ever met one guy who has worked on them when he was in for re-assessment he workes on them all over edinburgh for the council

 

[tamz]

Fitted a few 20 odd years ago. Last one i saw working was when i pulled an Apollo out of one in Kingsknowe a few months back. 5 or 6 story ex council flat. It was the last one on the duct still in use and you could see the cracks inside. Most have been shut down but there are still some left scattered about the city.

I'm sure there were some in the flats at Callender Park in Falkirk too.

 

[REDSAW]

and dont forget there is no gurantee that those duct and boilers below have ever been serviced, this could all be entering your property. best set up a resident meeting with them,

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

or you could move LOL sounds a nightmare having se duct install