Hi,

We want to put in a solid fuel fire, maybe a fire basket but when they put in the gas central heating they ran the pipes through the centre of the fire place and up the side to the combi boiler in the bedroom





I know the centre pipes will need rerouting but will the ones running up the side of the fireplace shown in the attached picture

Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks

Just an opinion to start the ball
1) should be fire brick quality between the new open fire and the pipes to take the heat.
2) As the pipes run up to the bedroom any fumes which could get into the pipe run from the fire would be disaster
and this is going to be the problem, ensuring they did not break through the chimney seal when installing the pipes.

Id suggest, for safetys sake get all the pipes rerouted by a Gas Safe engineer.
The fire opening needs some tidying up, is that the existing flexi pipe for the gas fire, if it is it needs removing.
Best then get a sweep in to check the flue and draw.

Thanks. I was going to get the flue removed first and then do a smoke test. Will the smoke test reveal any issues with the chimney seal?

I would doubt the gas pipe is even large enough for the gas Boiler let alone Safe.

You need to get it checked and moved by an Gas safe operative sooner than later.

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What isn't safe?

It was fitted by a gas safe engineer as part of the warm front scheme, they fitted the combi boiler, removed the old back boiler and routed the pipes up the side to the combi and through the middle.

I have had gas safe engineers down, one didnt even know if it was gas and thought it was all water pipes , then decided one was gas. The other said it was gas.

None of them has said it wasn't safe but none know whats safe and whats not for solid fuel.

Fare comment. Post the following details and it can be confirmed.

Make and model of the combi boiler, plus any other appliances connected to the gas.

Total length and size of the gas pipe from the meter to the boiler.

Approximate number of bends.

If you plan and an open fire then the pipe has to go.

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Its a terrible Ideal Isar HE 24 Combi Boiler the rest Im not sure, although meter is at the front of the house.

The pipes running up the side of the chimney I assume were from the original solid fuel fire with a back boiler to heat the cylinder in the room above (now where they combi sits). When my parents bought the 1930s house it had a solid fuel glass fronted insert with back boiler. Then the sf backboiler and fire were removed and a gas one inserted. Then 4 years ago this was removed and replaced with combi.

I gather they just ran a new gas pipe up to the combi alongside the existing water pipes. My dad knew all this but passed away not long ago so I am trying to fathom it all out without his knowledge.

Anyway you can measure the pipe to answer the questions.

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Thanks. I can give it a shot it would be an estimate based on the pipe coming from the meter to the boiler. There is only gas for the combi, its not used for the cooker or any other appliance.

I appreciate the advice.

We can assume a few things, if you get it reasonably close.

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Thanks. Ok just been measuring it and its about 34 feet from meter to combi and bends I would guess 3 or 4.

Assuming the pipe is 22mm all the way it is well within scope.

The pipes will still need to be removed from the fire opening, but going up the wall as the pics is ok, the boxing should be ventilated.

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Excellent, that's what I hoped. Someone is coming on Saturday to remove the copex flue and put a chimney pot back on then I can get it swept and tested.

Really appreciate the advice. Thank you