On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:32:04 +0000, Edward W. Thompson wrote:

On Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:07:31 +0000 (UTC), Ed Sirett
wrote:

On Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:53:58 +0000, The Simpsons wrote:

Friend of mine has bought a flueless gas fire from B&Q. His corgi
fitter however says he would be reluctant to install it, even if all
the critera for room size, ventilation and use etc is satisfied. Are
there any corgi people here? If so what's your opinion of these
fires. Thanks Fred

The report linked in one of the posts says that the maximum
concentration of CO was 22ppm. This was under extreme use that nobody
would normally put the fire to, and without the ventilation that the
fire requires. 22ppm would at most give you a headache after some hours
(but frankly you'd have turned the fire off and/or opened a window long
before then). Besides which these are not intended as a primary source
of heat. The rules require them to be put in relatively large rooms.

If the fires are installed in accordance with the instructions and the
regulations there should not be a problem. Many registered fitters who
feel the need to defend their careers and livings simply won't go near
open flued or flueless appliances. There is no requirement that they do
work that they do not wish to do, most have more than enough work
without taking on extra "risks" [1].

The + for flueless a
simple installation
inherent reliability
inherent high efficiency

The - a
possible odours
may aggravate condensation

[1] These risks, IMHO, are perceived rather than significant.

I don't know but hope that the composition of natural gas is controlled
by legislation. Even if it is the emission into a living space by
flueless devices depends entirely upon the gas meeting the specified
composition.

If the gas is pure methane then the likelihood of problems in a
ventilated room is likely slight, however, if any impurities are
included into the gas supply by design or by accident the resulting
emissions could be poisonous. Are you prepared to accept this risk, I
don't think I am.

The composition of gas is controlled by various standards and is mostly
CH4, some C2H6, some N2 and some CO2 + various other trace things.
There is little or no CO in the gas. The CO is generated by poor
combustion.


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html