Hi All,

I'm having some concerns about our gas fire. Since we moved in 2 years
ago it's always been fine, but lately it cuts out after around 5
minutes with a little popping noise.

I'm not using it until I know it's safe, and after trawling numerous
old posts I'm wondering if it could be any of the following:

1. Not enough oxygen in the room, ODS activating and cutting out - I
don't think the fire has an ODS, it doesn't look particularly
sophisticated, but then why else would it cut out? Someone mentioned
in an old post about the gas pressure had changed and his pilot kept
cutting out - all I know is that the whole street's mains were
replaced in August and September, could this have any bearing?

2. Faulty thermocouple - not sure again, it might be where the pilot
light is, it has two flames coming out, one faces inwards towards the
gas tray and another flame comes out to the right, and a little to the
right of that flame is a vertical 'pole' but it doesn't touch the
flame. ??

3. Flue is blocked - I think I should get this sweeped anyway as I
know it hasn't been done since I've been here, and I doubt it was done
in the 5 years prior to us moving in (when the fire was installed).

4. Not enough airflow? Probably linked to 3 - My combi boiler is due
for a service, and last year when British Gas gave it it's initial
inspection (for their central heating cover) I showed him the gas fire
and asked if they'd cover it. Before he even looked at it in detail he
said "no way, there's no air vents in the room"... it was my
understanding that no air bricks were required because the gas fire is
sitting in a class 1 flue (previously solid fuel fire, it's an old
house)?

I believe class 1 flue's are 16" minimum, and looking at the width of
the flue above the fire it does look suitable, so I shouldn't need an
air brick installing should I? The thought of having to knock through
a wall making the place even colder doesn't really impress me much
(and despite their inefficiencies our living flame fire kicks out
plenty of heat). It surprised me when the boiler engineer said that,
because a CORGI installer must have installed the fire in the first
place, so why the need for an air brick now?

The more I think about it the more I want to just get rid of the fire
and install a new one.

That's another thing, our gas fire looks like it's part of the
surround as well, so it's not a case of swapping the fire assembly -
I'd have to replace the whole lot suite. However, I spotted this on
the ScrewFix site, and it looks like it would be a suitable
replacement..

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...86464&id=87801

Any thoughts anyone? Is it time for me to call out a fire expert or
shall I see how the chimney sweeping fairs first?

I'd appreciate any help on this.

Thanks!

Stuart.