Advise On Installing A Gas Fires

Acquisitions X-Fire 1200

All Gas Fires must be installed and serviced by a GAS SAFE Registered Engineer. The Engineer will survey your property and ensure that all requirements of the Installation Manual are met to ensure your fire is installed correctly and safely. All GAS SAFE Engineers are regularly audited by GAS SAFE to ensure they are working in line with current regulations.

We recommend that all gas fires are serviced every 12 months. This should be done regardless of how often the fire is used. There are number of issues which can effect a fire functioning correctly and safety - blockages in the gas pipes, gas leaks, chimney blockages etc.

It is easy to blame the gas fire when it fails to function however a very large amount of claims are not related to the gas fire. When a gas fire does not operate, the problem can be nothing to do with a fault within the gas fire. Below are some very common causes which will stop a gas fire functioning. Before making any claims please check these site related issues are not causing the problems. This will eliminate costly call out charges.

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1. Gas Pressure - a common cause of a gas fire shutting down while it is operating is that the gas pressure is not correct. This problem can be more noticeable when switching on other gas appliances within the property like boilers etc. A drop in pressure will mean that the safety device on fire will shut the fire down to protect you. Contact Transco or your gas supplier regarding upgrading your gas pipe work.
2. Chimney Draw Is Too Strong - the draw on the chimney is causing the pilot flame to lift away from the thermocouple making the safety device to shut the fire down - Contact a flue specialist
3. Chimney Draw Is Too Weak - the draw is not strong enough, this could be because the chimney has become blocked, causing the fire to spill hazardous fumes into the room. This is very dangerous. The safety device senses the amount of oxygen in the air and will shut the fire down. - Contact a flue specialist.
4. No Power - A remote control fire needs a power source. If it is powered by a mains supply has the fuse blown or the power switched off? - Contact an electrician. If it is battery powered - check and change the batteries.
5. Incorrect Installation - All gas fires are supplied with an installation manual. This shows how to fit the fire in line with the manufacturer's instructions and the CE approval to ensure it is safe. Ensure you have a copy of the Installation Manual before starting to install a fire. The warranty will be invalid if the fire has been wrongly installed. When a fire is installed by a GAS SAFE Registered Engineer he will issue you a certificate showing the work that has been done and confirming that it is safe.
6. Flueless Fires - Flueless Fires have an excellent safety record. If a Flueless Fire shuts down after running for a number of minutes check all ventilation requirements have been met before operating the fire again. A vast majority of fires have a ODS unit fitted which will shut the fire down if the oxygen levels in the room reach a dangerous level.

REMEMBER - ALWAYS USE A REGISTERED GAS SAFE ENGINEER FOR ALL GAS FIRE INSTALLATION AND SERVICING WORK ASK TO SEE THE ENGINEERS REGISTRATION CARD AND IF IN DOUBT PHONE GAS SAFE.

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HETAS Advise: Chimneys & Lining

What is Chimney Lining?
The function of a chimney is to safely remove the products of combustion from a fireplace or appliance to outside of the building, without causing any danger to the occupants of the house. A chimney works because hot air rises and moves from high to low pressure. Factors such as running the appliance at a very slow rate or cold air leaking into the flue will cool the gases and affect the performance of the chimney. Lining systems are designed to replace the flue in an
existing chimney, with dimensions appropriate to the appliance. Insulation may be added or
integrated into the new flue system to improve the efficiency of the draught. This is a particular requirement for external situations. The Lining method of a chimney and materials vary

Why Line Chimneys?
Chimneys are lined for a number of safety related reasons. The
illustration (right) shows two types of chimney system lining. While new chimneys may require relining, systems that predate 1965 will often require a modern lining solution for the following reasons:
1. The flue may have lost integrity and can leak smoke into rooms or other parts of the building.
2. Condensates or tar can seep through chimney walls causing
staining, inside or outside of the building.
3. Lining with insulation included improves the operation of
appliance and flue (particularity important when the chimney is on an external wall).
4. Defective flue systems may be eroded and rough. This will cause frictional resistance to the flow of the gases resulting in poor updraught.
5. Large flues (over 200mm) particularly ones containing voids may affect appliance performance. Some appliance manufacturers specify smaller flues for efficient operation.

Methods of Chimney Relining and Renovation
Chimneys with existing flues can be relined in several different ways. These
include:
1. Using rigid sections of clay, pumice or refractory liner installed by cutting into the chimney wall or by lowering sections down from the top of the stack and infilling with an insulating material.
2. Insulating concrete, pumped in and around an inflatable former by a
specialist contractor.
3. Stainless steel flexible liner in a continuous length lowered down the chimney.
4. Spray on coating by a specialist contractor.
5. Ceramic coating by a specialist contractor.
The suitability of any of these methods of lining is dependent on each
individual system. You should seek professional advice on what is the most
appropriate solution for your need.

Chimney Faults
Before having a liner installed in your chimney, you should have it swept to remove soot and tar deposits by a professional chimney sweep. For those that already have a chimney lining, a
competent sweep will be able to inspect for the following faults:
1. Liners fitted upside down
2. Out of line or overlapping liner
3. Obstructive ledges hindering updraught
4. Protruding cement at joints
5. Liner removed during previous service work or installation
6. Damage through incorrect sweeping (see “more information” for professional
chimney sweep organisations)
7. Masonry damaging the liner
8. Blocked terminal (cowl or rain cap)
These faults can lead to a number of problems with the operation of a solid fuel appliance. More importantly, faults with chimney lining can pose a risk to the safety of household
occupants and should be rectified immediately.

For more information

The Solid Fuel Association technical and consumer helpline provides helpful advice on any aspect of solid fuel appliance installation and use.
Tel: 0845 601 4406
Web: www.solidfuel.co.uk


 The National Association of Chimney Engineers (NACE) provide a register of competent chimney engineers in the UK and Ireland for a variety of chimney work.
Tel: 0800 0924019
Web: www.nace.org.uk

The Association of Professional and Independent Chimney Sweeps sets standards for, and improve the knowledge and safety of sweeps in the UK.
Tel: 0845 604 4327
Web: www.apics.org.uk



The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps works to improve standards and professionalism in the UK chimney sweeping industry. They have a directory of Guild approved sweeps on their website.
Web: www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk


The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) promotes high standards for the sweeping,
inspection and maintenance of chimneys. They have a directory of approved sweeps on their website.
Tel: 01785 811732
Web: www.nacs.org.uk

For more information and access to a variety of HETAS advice sheets, visit the HETAS website at www.hetas.co.uk