Due to the unusually cold weather we’ve been having, there has been a significant increase in the number of householders with condensing boilers, experiencing frozen condensate drainage pipes; causing temporary boiler shut-down. Problems occur when the condensate drainage pipe is located externally, for some or all of its length.

Unfortunately, climate change means that in the UK very cold winters are likely to become the norm. The Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC), which represents all major UK manufacturers and merchants throughout the UK, has consequently brought installers attention to the guidance provided with condensing boilers. This information, alongside individual manufacturer’s documents, clarifies the recommendations for the location/routing of condensate drainage pipe work.

A summary of the HHIC document is as follows:

Wherever possible, the condensate drainage pipe should be terminated at a suitable internal foul water discharge point – such as a soil and vent stack, kitchen or bathroom waste pipe, washing machine waste pipe, etc – the condensate must drain away from the boiler under gravity.

Where internal termination under gravity flow is not possible, the installer must ensure that the customer is made aware of the risks of external pipes freezing. If this is the case, the following options should be given:

• If very long runs of drainage pipe are required, or where the only internal discharge point is above the appliance location, one option is to remove the condensate using a proprietary condensate pump. This will allow the condensate drain to be terminated internally at a suitable foul water discharge point.

• Where an external pipe run is the only practicable option, refer to British Standard BS 6978:2009 and the boiler manufacturer’s instructions. The external run should be short and as near vertical as possible, terminating at a suitable foul water discharge point or purpose-designed soak away. The customer should be made aware that these measures alone may not completely prevent freezing.

• The use of a proprietary trace heating kit should be considered. This will provide heat to the external pipe run, but only when the boiler is running and the outside temperature falls below a prescribed limit.

To read the HHIC full document, click here.

When installing a boiler, gas engineers must always refer to all the documentation and guidance provided.

The Gas Safe Register has issued an important statement this week regarding changes to legislation for flues in voids. Some properties, mainly flats and apartments, have been built with boiler flues which cannot be inspected because they are hidden behind walls or ceilings.

If you or your customer has a boiler where all, or part of, the flue cannot be seen then inspection hatches need to be fitted – this is the responsibility of the landlord in rented accommodation.

Gas Safe Registered engineers need to be able to see the flue, which takes fumes away from the boiler, as part of essential safety checks. A flue in poor condition, combined with a boiler that is not working properly, could put you or your customers in danger from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death or serious injury.

The deadline for flue’s to be made visible is 31 December 2012. It is advised that inspection hatches are fitted as soon as possible – from 1 January 2013, any Gas Safe Registered engineer has the jurisdiction to turn off a boiler and formally advise the owner not to use it until hatches have been fitted in the appropriate place.

If a property is less than two years old then the builder needs to be contacted. If a property is between two and ten years old then the home warranty provider needs to be contacted, as you may be covered if there are defects in the flue. If a property is 10 years or older then a Gas Safe registered engineer should be contacted.

For tenants it is the responsibility of the landlord that inspection hatches are installed and that the boiler and flue are checked every year.

For installers, Logic4training’s gas safety courses provide a route to become Approved Certification Scheme (ACS) accredited, necessary to become Gas Safe Registered.

The HSE’s guidance regarding flues in voids can be downloaded here: Flues in voids guidance

To find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area:

• Call: 0800 408 550
• Visit: Find a registered business