Is my fanned flue too close to an openable window?

Here is an example of a fan flue being too close to an openable window. Martin explains, is it really too close or is the gas engineer trying to make more money out of me?

Time after time you hear of these stories about the boilers being shut down as At Risk, Not To Current Standards or even Immediately dangerous.

For those with an NCS boiler issue due to the flue being to close to the window, there no need to shut the boiler down. When there an AR problem when the flue is too close to the window, the boiler has to be shut off and an At Risk tag applied to tell the person responsible that they are warned not to use the boiler. An ID due to the boiler flue being too close is where the gas pipe has to be blanked off.

Just below are questions asked relating to the fanned gas boiler flue being too close to the window that people ask but most importantly explained.

9 Questions follow by answers to boiler fan flue being too close to an openable window

• What is the minimum distance between the flue and the openable window?
• Why has the flue on the combination boiler been classed as At Risk due to being to close to the window where the previous engineer has passed it for the last 10-years or so?
• Why has my boiler flue been fitted too close to the window, is this against gas safe regulations?
• What is having a flue too close to an openable window classed as?
• Why does having a flue from a gas boiler too close to the window become a dangerous thing?
• Is it ok to have a flue from my boiler under the window?
• How can I get around not having to move the flue that is too close to the openable window without it being at risk or dangerous in any way?
• At what point of the flue does it have to be measure from to determine that it is too close to the openable window?
• Does the manufactures instructions override the gas fanned flue from being too close to the window?
• Neighbours flue too close to my window?
• Is my gas engineer trying to make money out of me due to my fanned flue being to close to my window or is he just covering himself just incase of any injury to any health issues or even death?
• Why has my gas engineer not noticed my flue being too close to the boiler?
• How much would it cost to put a flue to the correct measurement so that I can get my boiler working again?

What is the minimum distance between the flue and the openable window?

As shown in the diagram to your right, the minimum distance is measured from the outside of the fanned flue to the open side of the window. Some get mixed up thinking it is the centre of the flue to the openable window or sometime the window itself when permanently closed. It is also important to know the direction of the flue. The direction of the flue has to be pointing away from the window and not towards for example: a flue going on a 1% angle or more from the same wall or more towards the window is not excepted. A wall to the side or opposite for example the neighbours house is a minimum of 2-meters from the point of the flue to the window. Bear in mind that one day the neighbour may put in an openable window.

Why has the flue on the combination boiler been classed as At Risk due to being to close to the window where the previous engineer has passed it for the last 10-years or so?

It doesn’t matter if the flue was fitted in the last minute or more, if the flue has been fitted incorrectly and within the measurements of 300mm, then this is classified as At Risk unless the gas safe registered engineer says otherwise. If the gas safe registered engineer says it is not to current standards but does not class it as an At Risk situation, then that is up to him, however, if anyone dies or is injured from the such as health issue, then the problem may be pointed towards the gas engineer that has classed the flue as NCS rather than AR.

Why has my boiler flue been fitted too close to the window, is this against gas safe regulations?

If the flue has been fitted too close to the window then this is classed as negligence to the safety of life. This can be common when the engineer incorrectly measure the flue distance or even put a flue in regardless of any thought from the person responsible.

What is having a flue too close to an openable window classed as?

Having a flue too close to the window as a default is classed as an AR situation. It can also be classed as NCS if the gas safe engineer decides he will take full responsibility for what happens to any of the occupants. Martin Smith a fully qualified gas safe registered engineer would class this as AR as he believes taking responsibility as very serious.

Why does having a flue from a gas boiler too close to the window become a dangerous thing?

The reason why having a fanned flue too close to the window can be very dangerous is because if any fumes get into the house, the occupant or any living thin present can become injured meaning health issue or even death. Over reason the fumes can enter the house due to being too close can be the vacuum of air entering the home due to unforeseen drafts. The more fumes entering the home, the more the risk to health. The opinion of Martin Smith is having a flue fumes too close to the window will more than likely have an health issue rather than death.

Is it ok to have a flue from my boiler under the window?

Having a fanned flue under the window outside the 300mm as shown in the diagram is classes as within the regulations. It can be said that you are more than likely going to get fumes for under the window than above the side/above but gas safe regulations are regulation, it is very important for the gas safe engineer to cover himself and not set too many measurement. It’s a bit like saying should you take regulations as being 289mm or 310mm. Having a set measurements of 300mm is easier to remember and for this reason it has become the standard minimum measurement.

How can I get around not having to move the flue that is too close to the openable window without it being at risk or dangerous in any way?

There is most likely only 2 options, one being is to buy an extendable kit such as the flume kit if you can buy parts for the type of boiler installed or to replace the window so that it can be proven that it is permanently close. Permanently close does not mean a window screwed shut or the word of the occupant saying I will not open the window.

At what point of the flue does it have to be measure from to determine that it is too close to the openable window?

The measurement of the flue as describe in one of the above article and also shown in the fanned flue diagram is from the outside of the flue coming out of the wall and from the point of the fumes entering the atmosphere to the outside point of the open window entering the house.

Does the manufactures instructions override the gas fanned flue from being too close to the window?

The answer to does the manufacture instruction override the gas fanned flue from being too close to the window, then the answer to this is yes but the correct instructions must be of that the exact boiler has to be present for the gas safe registered engineer to see and to record. As the gas engineer is responsible, it also has to be classified at a later stage of proof of any records if there was anything  to happen to any living thing such as the occupants living at property.

Neighbours flue too close to my window?

If your neighbour has a flue within 2-meters of the property, then this can be reported to the HSE and the flue in question must not be used as this can be classed as At Risk and most definitely NCS.

Is my gas engineer trying to make money out of me due to my fanned flue being to close to my window or is he just covering himself just incase of any injury to any health issues or even death?

If the gas engineer cuts your boiler off due to the fanned flue being too close to the openable window, it is not because he is trying to make more money, it is because he is following what his responsibilities are. When cutting of the boiler due to the flue being too close, there will be a further cost as more work is required.

Why has my gas engineer not noticed my flue being too close to the boiler?

There could be a few reasons such as not paying enough attention. Martin believe as only an opinion that previous gas engineer don’t class this as at risk is because if they were to do so, they would lose work and lose customers as being to uptight however the gas engineer does risk being the responsible person if anything does happen if a report was to be made to the HSE.

How much would it cost to put a flue to the correct measurement so that I can get my boiler working again?

To know how much it what cost to get the boiler within the gas safe regulations if the flue is too close to the boiler would be determined if you can manoeuvre the flue or buy parts. Martin believe in 50% or more of boilers today, you may not be able to buy the parts and therefor require a new boiler costing £1000 or more.

If your a gas safe registered engineer, feel free to add any comment to this fanned flue too close to the openable window article by getting involved in Martin’s twitter feed at @plumber24hours and you may be added below.

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Here is an article you may like to read similar to the fumes entering in your home: Missing screw to the boiler case.

This AR flue is thanks to a customer in Bolton.