As with a large number of other building regulations, the legislation of boiler flues has gotten a lot tighter over the years. At one time you could put your boiler almost anywhere in the home, no problem, but these days there are some very strict rules an installer has to follow, which sometimes mean that the position of the boiler has to change or the flue itself altered. In this blog, we’re going to give you a run-down of some of the important points that these regulations tend to flag up on a new boiler installation.
Flue position
Depending on the size of the boiler, the flue must be positioned a certain distance from the nearest window, door, or air brick. Typically this is around 30-60cm if it’s to the side or above the opening, and a bit more if it’s below. This is because the waste generated by combustion can include dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide, so you don’t want that waste gas too close to an opening where it might re-enter the home.
There are also some less obvious regulations that affect the siting of the flue. It needs to be the same distance away from corners of a building, at least 60cm above flat roofs or balconies, well away from soil or drainpipes, and the eaves.
Temperature-sensitive building parts
The gas that comes from a flue can be hot, so as well as keeping the flue away from anyone’s skin, the flue should also be sited well away from any materials that could be adversely affected by that heat. For example, the flue should be sited at least 30cm below any plastic guttering.
Flue position and property boundary
Another constriction is the location of the proposed flue, relative to the boundary line of the property. This is going to be particularly relevant if your flue goes out directly onto the street.
If the flue is within 60cm or so of the boundary line of the property, it could have health and safety implications for anyone walking past, so would not be allowed. Generally if the flue must go out onto a wall next to a public walkway, the flue is diverted up above 2.1m to ensure the flue gasses are always above head height. Unless you’re on stilts (the guidelines don’t take this in to account though.)
Flues and rooflines
There are similar regulations regarding flues that exit at roof level. These regulations are specifically meant to help aid the movement of the flue gas. For the most part this is not relevant as almost all flues these days exit horizontally through a wall. It’s only really if you have a solid fuel burning appliance that the flue will sometimes exit via the roof.
Any flue that goes through the house for any distance will usually end up being concealed in a cabinet or boarded over. Regulations now require access panels to allow access to the flue run at regular intervals, so you may find the addition of little openable panels necessary.
If you are keeping your current boiler…
Remember, just because these regulations mean that a new boiler may have to be put somewhere different to your old boiler, it doesn’t mean that your old boiler needs to be adjusted. Most of these regulations only apply to new installations, so be very wary if someone servicing your old boiler says that it ‘no longer meets the regulations’ or that it has to be replaced because a new law has come in to effect. Chances are that they’re trying to get you to install one of their new expensive boilers, when your old one is just fine as it is.
The thing to take away here is that, unless you are getting a new boiler, there is unlikely to be any reason to adjust the siting of your current boiler. If you are thinking of getting a new boiler, just remember some of these points and bear them in mind when you are getting someone to quote – it may then be necessary to resite your boiler. Remember, get a Gas Safe installer to carry out your works, as they will have the necessary knowhow and knowledge to make sure the building regulations are adhered to and that your new boiler is completely safe.
If you’re thinking of getting a new boiler then fill out the form below to find a trusted local installer, or try our partners over at Heatable, who offer finance options starting at only £10.28 a month.
Think we missed something? Do you have a different opinion?
Comment below to get your voice heard…
can you please advise me on the rules of the size of the flue? my mother has just had her combi boiler serviced and is being told her policy is now on hold a she has to adjust her flue as it is too long, my mother lives in a mobile home, if she reduces the length, the only thing protruding will e the black end cap, is this safe for a mobile home, can you please advise us
Had 3 quotes for a comb I boiler to replace existing non comb I boiler. 2 have said nothing about needing new bricks to fill in gaps. He isn’t charging me more but seems odd
my neighbours have just had a new boiler installed, and they have sited the flue at a level opposite my pathway access to my house. As I am in a wheelchair the smoke blows into my face as I come and go through my entrance way, is this legal?
Sounds like your neighbours have ignored the Government’s ‘Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure for Dwellings’. This states that a condensing boiler flue should be a minimum of 2.5 metres from a facing wall, fence, building or property boundary. In addition condensing boiler flues should not be sited where the plume is likely to cause a nuisance – which sounds exactly where it has been placed in your case!
Boiler manufacturers supply ‘plume diverter kits’ for almost all new boilers. These are installed onto the flue and help divert the direction of the plume. I suggest asking your neighbour to install one of these and, if they refuse speak to your council.
Incorrect. If the measurement was 2.5 meters the flue could never exit at the side of a house. A flue facing a neighbours property must have 600 mm clearance to the boundary. What you say about posing a nuisance is correct, this should be taken into account. I am a British Gas central heating installer.
I have a related problem. Behind my house is a long, narrow 2m alleyway separating a warehouse and enclosed on 2 sides. A new company has moved in and installed a flue. It is blasting hot gasses directly at my wall below a velux window and is very loud. It’s quite a large unit so I guess a pretty heavy duty boiler.
It has been sited just below the height of the soffit so I’m worried that they can be drawn directly into the house through the vents and/or into the window It is only 2 metres, rather than 2.5 metres away and there is limited airflow. Is the the limit in the document enforceable, or merely advisory?
Can you confirm if it is 600mm or 2.5 meters. From what I can find out with a new boiler it’s 600mm regulation and 2.5 meters recommended but not enforceable. We have a Booker next door that is just 600mm away but the plume wafts down into our patio covering us in vapour. Not great. Builder has been asked to look again at this. Any further advice?
600mm is gas safe regulations but planning law it says 2.5m away from any boundary,unless nobody notice flue when you make a planning application..
600 mm is correct.
I have an old boiler it is 500 mil from an opening & the gas safe engineer has said it is to close to an opening vent is this correct.
Regards Phil.
Hi Phil – I thought it was 300mm, but may be mistaken! I am definitely not a gas safe engineer – anyone care to shed some light?
HI it is 300mm for fanned plume. 600mm for balanced flue. I hope that helps
We had a new boiler as part of an extension. It was certified by a gas safe engineer so we thought it met building regs but now building control inspector says it does not meet building regulations as there are no access panels for the flue. Who is right? Can the building inspector over rule the gas safe engineer?
Hi if the flue is boxed in there needs to be access panels so the joints can be checked, the regulation is called flues in voids.
Hi Nutan, unfortunately the building inspector is actually correct here and he will simply refuse to sign off the building works unless you provide this access panel. A real pain to be honest, but your gas safe engineer should come and install and access panel.
We have a combi boiler sited in a an attic so the flu is horizontal out of the gable wall and are building a side extension up to the boundary. Can we use a horizontal flu extension so the flu extends out the new gable wall or does that then fail the 600mm rule?
Our boiler has been condemned as the flu goes into our lean to. Is this correct.
A new combi boiler has been sited in an airing cupboard upstairs. The flue appears to go up through to the roof. I’m concerned that the boiler is in an enclosed cupboard and any possibly fire hazard. Am I right to be concerned?
The fact that it is a “non combi” boiler doesn’t mean it has to be re-located. The flue of a new boiler could quit possibly take the path of the flue that is to be removed. In which case new brickwork would not be necessary. In any case the cost of any new bricks should be relatively negligible, it is the time taken in the laying of the bricks where the expense is likely to occur. As an owner of a small
Heating business, I would be expecting to repair any such openings without adding any extra to the bill, it wouldn’t be much of an advert to leave a gaping hole in the side of a building.
My Combi boiler has just been condemned because because i have a missing flue bracket. The boiler was installed some 10 years ago by a qualified engineer. The flue is horizontal and goes out through a brick wall, the elbow from the boiler with the 100mm flue to the inside of the wall is less than 750cm and cant move as its concreted inside and outside around the flue. I thought brackets were required every 1.5m or/and with every straight connector fitted. ???
I have just had the same experience. A service engineer has just given me a safety notice because the flue in the garage is 1.1m long and is not supported as I have had the boiler serviced over many years it is the first time one of the engineers has every said anything. If it only needs supporting every 1.5m then he is wrong. What should I do to get paperwork retracted.
I have exactly the same problem. Can anyone clarify the distance req between supports for horizontal flu?
I have a flue pipe that exits though the loft and spans quite a few feet the property was built 3 years ago. how many anchor points should it have had when it was installed
I have a boiler and controls insurance policy with Domestic & General. My boiler is 15 years old, and works perfectly. When they come out to service it, every few years, they try to condemn it, saying regulations have changed. It does confirm to today’s regulations. So I argue and they ‘drop’ the subject! Has anyone else had the same problem with D&G? I think they are trying to sell me a new boiler, not necessary.
Hi Guy,
You don’t need to move your boiler flue. Sounds like they are trying to make some money at your expense.
Best,
Alan
We have an Insurance policy with Domestic & General. The boiler is a Baxi who during the last service declared it beyond economical repair. The policy is for Baxi to replace the boiler with us paying only the installation charges. Baxi have basically stated that they cant replace the boiler due to the flue in a void?
I am disputing this with D&G who are less than helpful. The boiler is a powermax 115 situated in a cupboard at the top of the stairs with the flue exiting through the roof.
My argument is that they will have surely manufactured a boiler as a direct replacement for our existing 155?
What argument, if any have i got as they are both unhelpful to the point they dont wish to pay out on the policy
Hi Pete,
There are various regulatory changes that mean that the current boiler may no longer be in a suitable position for the new boiler – that much is likely to be true. The position of the boiler may need to change to accommodate the new boiler and meet the regulations. My position would be to ask them to cover the cost of replacing the boiler, with you covering any additional costs incurred by moving the boiler to a new position, or doing any other additional works which enable the boiler to stay in that position. It would seem to be the fair and equitable position from my standpoint, but we are not legal experts so you are best to speak to a solicitor if they are not being agreeable.
Best,
Alan
Hi Alan,
I have been reading up on the regulatory changes and something that stands out a country mile and is quite concerning is the fact that the boiler has been services EVERY year and that at NO point have they indicated these changes and noted the boiler as ‘AT RISK’ as laid down.
If your gas engineer cannot examine the whole length of the flue they will advise you, in line with industry guidance, that it is ‘At Risk’, recommend that you do not use it and will ask your permission to turn it off. This is assuming that there are no other indications that your boiler is not safe, regardless of the unknown condition of the flue.
‘At Risk’ is a risk classification used by gas engineers and means that your boiler and flue system could become dangerous in the future, in this case it is used because the engineer cannot examine the length of the flue to confirm it is safe. As a consumer you are within your rights to refuse permission for it to be turned off, however you will be asked to sign paperwork to confirm you accept responsibility for those defects identified in the system – in this case, the potential for fumes to escape unnoticed from the concealed flue into the property. Your gas engineer can continue to work on your boiler including servicing it and undertaking maintenance work.
If you have had your boiler serviced since January 2011, your gas engineer should have made you aware of the need for inspection hatches, giving you time to consider what action to take.
Hi Pete,
Thanks for that. Very useful feedback. Good luck getting your insurance payment – it sounds like you have something of a case there.
Best,
Alan
Our neighbours have put a flue on the side of their extension and it point right at our patio. It’s only 17mm away from our fence, is this allowed?
Many thanks, Lisa.
Hi Lisa,
As far as I can tell this does not abide by building regulations, as 300-600mm is usually the required distance from the property boundary. Rather than move the whole boiler, the best resolution would be to add a plume diverter to ensure that any waste gas is ejected away from the property boundary.
Best,
Alan
My Boiler flue currently goes out above my neighbours property. We share a party wall, and my building, and the flue outlet is taller in height. The neighbour now has permission to build an additional floor, meaning that if the flue remains unmoved, it will directly block it. Do i have to move it? Am I liable to pay?
I have just been informed I will have to create a new vent for my boiler as the existing one is no longer considered gas safe. We moved into our house 3 years ago with a certificate have things changed? Our vent is on the floor.
I have just installed new gas connection and new boiler by constructor DS Gas Connection and they recommended me to make new boiler flue whole bit lower than previous was, and not to use the old one because the old one was too close to wooden roof been (4.1 feet). I accepted it. Now it is 5.57 feet from a wooden beam.
My boiler flue seems to stick out from the wall quite a long way. Is that a problem, or should I get it altered?
The central heating system in a house which I own (but rent out) has just been deemed “At Risk” and switched off, because they are unable to inspect the flue (which in this system is a vertical pipe enclosed in the wall). If it were in my own house I understand I could ignore the warning, but the situation is probably different as it is tenants who live there. It has been inspected every year since 2006 – by the same company since 2013 – and this has never arisen before. I asked whether inserting a new flue liner would be OK – but they said this wouldn’t be good enough. Has anyone else been able to just line their existing flue with a new one to get around the problem?
My neighbour’s boiler outlet is situated underneath a bedroom window only about 10′ from the same position of my bedroom window. If I want to open the window not only can I hear his boiler running (air from it anyway) but I can smell the fumes. We are terraced houses. Without any mention or prompting by me, two separate visitors using that room have complained of both the noise and the smell. Following a small operation I used the room for the first time and agree with their opinion. I feel this is dangerous as well as annoying. Can I ask my neighbour for a baffle to turn the fumes away from my house/window? His outlet directly under the bedroom window and is short and about four inches round.
should this flue be pointing at an upward angle
Hi John, this actually can encourage water to travel back down the flue, but it really does vary dramatically from case to case, best get a gas safe engineer to come and take a look and give you their professional opinion!
I need to have a new boiler installed and the existing flue is directly opposite a neighbours flue 1.4 meters away. Do I need to have a flue diverter fitted and does it need to include the capability to not only exhaust combustion gasses but be able to draw in fresh air for combustion?
Hello! I have a warm air heating system in a fifty-year old mid-terraced house. The boiler, which was installed by British Gas and has been serviced by them annually since installation, is sited in the kitchen, and the flue goes up through the airing cupboard, into the loft, and is bolted to a ridge tile. The ridge tile bolts have failed. A contractor has looked at the installation – tells me that the original flue installation is sub-standard, which I accept, even though numerous British Gas service engineers have not specifically told me this! The BIG BUT is that the contractor has also said the existing flue is too close to combustible material – eg floor and ceiling of the airing cupboard, boarding put down in the loft – and that before a new flue is fitted all these access points will need to be made bigger. This will obviously make for a much messier – and more expensive – job. Is he right?
Hi Heather. Unfortunately, it sounds like he probably is right. The standards for flues have changed a lot in the last few years. Always a good idea to get a second opinion if you’re unsure though!
Question. We live in a 500 year old Grade II Listed Thatch Cottage and will need to replace our existing combi boiler. We cannot meet the new flue regs. and we cannot move the boiler because of the listing. The flue is adjacent to a fixed window. It is clear we cannot apply new building regs to an old cottage. What is your advice?
Hi there. There’s no easy answer here, I’m afraid. When it comes to boilers, most of the building regs are there for safety reasons, and for that reason you probably won’t get an exemption for any level of inconvenience. You will need to find a compromise. This could mean building an outhouse where you could house the boiler, or put it somewhere else in the building. This might be expensive, but unfortunately it is just a consequence of getting to live in a lovely old building!
my boiler flue outlet is 3 ft of the ground outside the kitchen back door, it is a oil fueled boiler and i noticed today the exhaust fumes were like out of a diesel loco or van thick black smoke with a strong smell of burnt oil…how should i proceed ?.the fumes are back tracking into kitchen air vents
Hi Francis. Sounds nasty! We would recommend getting a local boiler engineer to come and take a look, as soon as possible.
The flue to my floor standing boiler is on the other side of the external wall. I want to build a utility room on the side of the house where the flue exits – can I use a flue diverter and build a chimney for the flue gasses.? I only want to move the boiler as a last resort.
Hi Hillary. Yes, a Gas Safe engineer should be able to do that for you.
I would like to bring the flue on the outside wall up to above the door as we are building an extension
I’m a private tenant and has on going issues with my boiler. The landlord does everything on the cheap and has even glued my kitchen window so it can’t be opened because the flue is right next to it. Can they do this? Thanks for yr time
Hi is it legal for a flue to be fitted below a window which has openings?
And is it legal for the flue to be less than a meter from ground level?
My neighbor’s flue is running through my cupboard on top of my boiler which it then connects to the window hatch ! is this legal and what are the implications?
Can you advise me on my neighbour flue. The emissions are coming into my bathroom, as her flue is under my bathroom window, but about 4 feet away. I open my window after shower due to condensation, but worried about CO2 entering my bathroom.
In 2012 my husband and I accepted a new boiler and heating system through the Scottish Government Scheme. Last week I got someone to come to do a maintenance check. He was very thorough. He went into the loft and came down saying he was shocked. Apparently he checked the header tank and found the overflow pipe fitted into the main storage tank. He says this is very dangerous and advised that it should be altered to the outside of the main storage tank in the interests of safety. British Gas say that the law has been changed since 2012 and I will have to pay to have this done. Is this the case?
My neighbours recently had their flue moved following an extension to their kitchen (back of the house) and i’m concerned that it wasn’t checked properly. There seems to be a funny smell coming from it. Is there a way to find out who did it and whether the proper safety check were done? My husband is quite concerned as he is very sensitive to airborn irritants.Please advise.
Hi Beth,
If there’s a chance of a dodgy flue then we’d recommend speaking to your neighbours and getting a gas safety engineer out ASAP. Given that you’ve mentioned a funny smell it might be worth calling the national grid emergency line on 0800 111 999.
Many thanks,
Harriet
hi.is any regulation or requirement about combi boiler flue which was fitted with about 300mm sticking out off external wall,service guy wants to make it shorter but….is it anything wrong if even 400mm from window edge satisfied with other regs.??
HI
I have lived in my house since 2003, boiler changed to a condenser at least 8 – 10 years ago. Boiler same place as old. flue to outside wall 2.1 metres above outside floor and 1.1 metres form boundary. Neighbour just complained about plume from boiler, never had a n issue before but now threatening further action. He has installed cctv overlooking my property which I find intrusive and is aware that an I have elderly disabled person living here. I have looked at dimensions and not sure what to do. He has previously reported my old dog for barking, no further action as this was fabrication can anyone pout me right please. He is an ex copper and thinks he owns the place.
Boiler has been serviced regularly, need a bigger gas supply pipe I believe but nothing else mentioned
in stall a pir light that is pointing at his camera and is triggered by the plum
My next door neighbors flue outlet is directed at my front porch. When it fires up
the fumes settle around my front door area. This is very uncomfortable especially
when we are leaving our house. The position of the flue is aimed at the level of my
chest as our neighbors house is slightly below ours on a hill. Can we demand they
put a chimney on it? Your comments would be appreciated.
Hi,
I hope you can help?
My neighbour has fitted a boiler. I am not sure it was done legitimately alhough I suspect not. He has arranged it so the overflow pipe is between our very close porches(aprox 3 or 4 inches maybe) and that when it overflows it caused the water to emit directly onto our porch wall with force. This has caused our Porch wall to be breached and caused flooding in our porch and back garden. It has also caused some long term problems wherein our porch is now not watertight In my mind I cannot see that it can be lawful to direct and overflow pipe onto someones house wall so I am asking for the legality of the pipe being so close and draining onto/into my property. As I said I also suspect this was not done by a qualified installer as if it was I would imaging they would have made the pipe so it emerges from the gap and bends away from my house.
Having read some of your guidelines I now also suspect it is not sited as it should be!
Hope you can answer my questions
Kind regards
Hi please help , I’ve been losing sleep from humming
Noise and vibrations My house is detached but a block of flats were built right near my boundary roughly the gap between my wall and the flats wall is 20cm . It looks like a new boiler outlet has been installed in the 3rd floor flat wall which corresponds with my roof line and any debris / gases / water would drip straight on to my roof as the gap has been flashed over ( sorry hard to explain) It looks very close to my boundary. Could this be causing the noise and vibrations? Also no one has asked permission to access to fit it and the only way up to do it is off my roof. Few issues here noise? And proximity..
how far do central heating boiler rules say a flue should be from an internal wall corner? We have just been told that our new boiler is too close at 24cms. is this true?
I have a wall flu near the corner of my upstairs bathroom. Kit seems to meet restrictions but the prevailing wind causes fumes to enter two of my windows sometimes at the back of my house. Can I have an extension put on Flu to take it up over the roof? About two feet only.
Also, the terrace houses on either side of mine both having flues onto the street at the front of my house.
The wind also causes their fumes to enter my front window, so I have some fumes entering from both sides at times.
I have always been a fresh air person and had my windows open a lot but find I’m having to close my windows more.
Can I complain to Council? They are both privately rented but unlikely to change unless forced to by legislation
I had to put a special cover over the outside of the balanced terminal to prevent high winds from causing the boiler from flaming out – the wind blows straight in to the terminal and in to the boiler causing the boiler to go out, and then the gas fills out and then a big flame comes out the chimney when it finally ignites again. This boiler is now working fine since i put an illegal modification to cover the terminal. The boiler manufacturers have never tested their products for high winds, leaving people like me to wing it to keep their products safe and functioning in storms.
Who can i report neighbours badly placed heating flue on her extention which is in my garden at below head height kickingbout fumes she refuses to move it.
What happens if your neighbours flue comes out of an extension wall into your air space and you want to build an extension
There does not seem to be any legislation regarding boiler flies and NOISE. Is this correct! Would appreciate a reply???
I want to build a porch to the side of my house where the flue exits. Can I put an extension pipe on to direct it vertically through the roof of the porch?
My next door neighbours house is 1 metre from mine and the intervening space is part of my proprty. They have installed a new flue at a height of about 9 metres but this, I would think, is still on my property.
Can I ask them to remove it
Thank you
hello — my problem — old gas boiler apparently irreparable, currently with chimney flue. Middle flat, outside wall a listed building (so no penetration allowed) … any sort of new gas boiler feasible? i.e. to install with present flue, or no flue. (Edinburgh)
Hi there, my elderly (but agile) parents just got a government paid for central heating installation. I’ve just come round to see it and I’m concerned about the boiler placement. The property is pre-war terrace with backyard, The boiler is placed in what is the old wash house, a downstairs room next to the kitchen but accessed by going into the ýard then in through the wash house door in the yard. The flu is positioned about 30cm above this door but boiler is right behind the door on the wall between the kitchen and wash house. The edge of boiler is 20cm from the wall the wash house door is in. And the door opens into the wash house but collides with the boiler which only allows it to open about halfway at most. You can squeeze in but it is awkward and the boiler will take a bash every time the door is opened. I’m not sure if this is legal or what can be done nowit is installed.
How can I persuade my neighbour to cut down the trees they planted after my gas boiler was sited in the room at the top of my wheelchair ramp? They are growing over the flue on the flat roof of my disability extension. The police refuse to help, even though they climb on my roof to prune them a few inches at a time. I am now afraid to put my central heating on.
hi, i’ve just moved into a 1 bedroom house, my neighbor has a boiler installed right next to my bedroom window the flue is so near my window i think the boiler is resting or very near the boundary wall, also the noise it makes my entire bedroom wall humming sound and i also have the sound of the flue coming through the double glazing, is the location of the boiler allowed as it wakes me up during the night and early morning, i’m mobility disabled with chronic pain and anxiety an this isnt helping me get any sleep.
Our neighbour’s flue is in our private side return at head height so blows out hot air/gases at your head when you walk past. We have asked them to do something about it but they said, after apparently talking to a boiler engineer, it’s not a problem. Any advice? Thanks
Has anyone tried to use the heat from the flue to heat a cold frame or a compost bin? Would it be illegal to re-direct the flow into something?
So condensing boilers recycle much of the heat in the flue gases anyway (which is what makes them so efficient), however there is clearly some heat still being wasted. I think it is illegal to re-direct the flow into anything though – so wouldn’t recommend trying it!
My neighbours flue is in a shared alleyway the smoke comes in through my window which is in the alleyway I have to keep my windows closed and my pantry window along with my airbrick is opposite the flue the alleyway measures 3ft across its a nuisance is there anything I can do
my neighbours flue is coming into my window when wind blows it swirls around it is in a tube about 8 to 10 inches wide with another tube about six inches wide coming out of it I think it needs a cover over it when the wind blows the end of it swirls round so I had to ask her gardener to move it back as it came into house worse when window was open on landing a nurse told me to open windows as I have asthma I cannot
Hi. My boiler flue outlet currently points into my neighbour’s garden through the back wall of my house. The neighbour’s garden is large and the neighbour’s house itself is some 30 metres away from the flue outlet. Would the regulations regarding not having a flue pointed towards a neighbour’s property apply in this case? Common sense would say that there is absolutely zero risk of poisonous gases getting anywhere near his house.
I live in a multi story block of flats below me the boiler discharge blows into my balcony is this a health issue.
We have a combi boiler and live in a block of 4 flats. We live down stairs and around 1 year ago our neighbours came to ask us if we could redirect the flue which comes out of our wall roughly 2m down and across to the right as you look at our neighbours window which is directly above ours in the back garden (So well out of the 60cm). We did this out of consider for our neighbours because we were new neighbours and on reflection slight naïve and the new flue position is now above our conservatory roof. This was of course on the agreement that if they wanted the flue redirected they were wiling to pay half. Over this period of time the wall has started to gather green moss and the moisture is starting to get into the rendering and some rendering has fallen onto our conservatory roof and made dents in it. Even though our neighbours paid half do they have the right to kick up a fuss if we wanted to remove the plume management kit and restore the flue back to its original position.
hello I have a Bosch Greenstar combi boiler fitted in 2018 – the plumber blocked the outside flue off which has beenin existence for many years and the new flue came from the boiler and was attached to the waste pipe housing the washbasin. Is this not putting the junk from the boiler back into my bathroom ? When I asked the engineer about this he said it was apreautionin ase pipes outside become frozen . I am now getting a smelly drain fom washbasin. Can you advise please.? I would be most grateful
Any advice on a neighbour who has their 20 year old boiler exiting directly into our garden. The smell that comes from that boiler are so strong we can’t even sit in our own garden. What can we do to request this be moved do we have any rights?
Hello I have just had our old gas boiler removed and new condenser gas boiler relocated from downstairs toilet to the immersion heater tank cupboard upstairs, which also was removed, work started on 19th April and finished? 11th June yes that’s about 10 weeks, new boiler works perfectly, but the wall where old boiler was has not been finished off to our liking 1″ deep x 12″ x 12″recess left where old boiler flue went out of outside wall, hole in ceiling where old pipes were removed left badly filled with mastic and a gas pipe to lounge fireplace has been left unconnected, does the installer have an obligation to make good these defects? or can I ask for lesser bill?
, but
Could you please advise …my new neighbour …terraced property …has has flue and copper overflow pipe extending over my flat kitchen roof ….is this legally acceptable? Thank you
Please can you advise
I moved to this property 18 month’s ago.The previous owner had a gas safty check on a gas heating system that was installed and it passed. The sytem was fitted in
2026.the installer is gas safe registered and because the flue had to be moved he had to apply for Building Regulations which I have a copy of..Last week another gas safe engineer inpected it during a service and said the installation was unsafe.Please advise what action I may need to take
Regards
R Collins
I live in a semi-detached property. My neighbour has located her gas boiler in an alcove at the back of her house, facing the back garden and bordering on my garden, The alcove which was the main entrance to the original building is now a shared space, separated by a flimsy wooden wall. Her boiler is about 3 feet away from the separating wall and very close to my bathroom window which is against the wall. It is in front of her bathroom and our bathrooms share a wall. There is a very strong smell of kerosene coming from behind the bathroom sink. Is the location of her boiler in contradiction to any regulations. She has added a tall flue but it appears not to make any difference inside the house. Please can you advise?
Hi my son has a 15 year old flat. The flue is about 6m long from the boiler in the kitchen running in-the lounge ceiling void above plasterboard. There are 4 ceiling inspection hatches along the route. Would this still meet current regulations to have the boiler replaced in the same current position?
Many thanks for your comments
Hi.
My neighbour plans to have his flue on the side of his garage which is next to my drive.There is a gap of 28cms from his wall to my fence which makes me concerned about the effect of the gases on both our health and also about deposits on our car.
Can you please advise as to whether theses distances are complying with the law,and would it be safe.
Neighbour has new condensing boiler and has placed flue in position of old one which is roughly 500mm from our boundary wall. However the vapour is constantly blowing into our garden and directly at our kitchen door- also into our faces if we go outside! I have videos of this but Environmental Heath say as it is within building regulations there is nothing they can do. I totally disagree with this but how do I take this further? Is there an agency I can speak to for advice?
Hi my neighbours flue is about 30 cm away from my garden wall and now he has installed a conservatory approx 45cm away from the wall is this legal
Hi, my neighbours flue outlet is positioned about 50 cms from the boundary of my property. I have recently had a new boiler installed and had to have an extention kit fitted as my flue was positioned the same distance to my neighbours border also. I asked my neighbour if they would kindly do the same, I also offered to pay for the kit, but they are not fitting one. Is their flue illegal and what are my options moving forward? Thankyou
I live in a three storey house. The south facing wall is adjacent to the grounds of a church. The boiler is on the 2nd level and the flue exits onto those grounds. There is also a “steam” pipe that goes to ground. The church has always obliged whatever we need done. However, we would like to replace the boiler with a newer one and have been told that the flue and pipe have to be moved to the back of the house. Are there any exemptions to this work being done. We would prefer not to move anything, just add a new boiler
Hi all. What happens to my flue if I change from gas to electric? Obviously don’t need it when changing to electric.
Thanks all
Hi, I live above a restaurant their flit is about 5ft from my close door and about 20cm from my neighbours gas pipe? I went on fire last week and flames were going over has pip
I have just had central heating installed who is responsible for lagging the pipes in the loft
hi –
please see section 6 of this doc – https://www.absolutelofts.com/pdf/Guide_to_the_Condensing_Boiler.pdf
it says
• For the purposes of the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure ONLY, more stringent requirements apply (given below) to reduce the possibility of nuisance to neighbouring buildings.
Wall terminals should be sited a minimum 2.5m from a facing wall, fence, building, or the property boundary – compared with 0.6m as given in Approved Document J (gas and oil boilers).
this recognises the potential nuisance of a condensing boiler plume
This document suggests that an old style gas boiler was 60cm away from a wall or boundary and that new condensing boilers due to their wet plume need to be 2.5m away to prevent damage and nuisance to neighbours. However, I am told by the CC that this is a guideline not a statutory building reg – but that is not how it reads to me. Indeed other CCs – e.g. S Glos have produced there own guidelines and seem to be suggesting flues should be located where they will NOT cause a nuisance. Just because a building reg exists – it doe not mean that a plume from a condensing boiler flue cannot be a nuisance – indeed the doc says that the 2.5 m distance from a wall is to prevent their being a ‘nuisance’ from a boiler plume…. the point is plumes are supposed to disperse the fumes and it is said that 30cm is what is needed to achieve this – well the reality is – it depends how well ventilated an area is – is it windy of sheltered, can the gases actually escape or not? Do they blow around and penetrate the wall causing erosion of the mortar? It would be good to get some discussion going here on whether building regs of 60cm are actually adequate, should plumes be assessed based on the ability to disperse? Should 2.5m be the statutory distance for a condensing boiler flue? This document reads should not must – it is a little unclear.
Hi .. my boiler/gas have been condemned due to Carbon Monoxide leaking into my property. Several engineers have noted that flue goes out of back wall and under open porch where gas emissions maybe re-entering and that a Plume kit is required. Why was this not picked up in my survey 2 years ago, and should a plume kit fix this issue?
My new neighbors renovating their their house in my absence have put a flue extractor that comes straight into my garden just above ground level. which is a planned seating area and I have a dog that often browses around this area. It has no guard. Is this allowed ?
If a boiler flue is too close to a window by current regulations, but has been that way since the property was built/for years, do you need to move the flue/get a new boiler, or are the regulations only for new installations?