Sorry BJC - I'm not following you here. Do you mean 'replacing homeowner's boilers'? When or in what circumstance does this specific "at risk" issue arise?

Gas Safe Register FAQ http://www.gassaferegist...tly_asked_questions.aspx Advice seems to suggest that you can continue to get your boiler serviced.. "What if I don’t have inspection hatches fitted? From 1January 2013 gas engineers can continue to work on your boiler but should advise you that it is “At Risk” and will ask your permission to turn it off, to ensure they comply with industry guidance. If you choose not to fit inspection hatches, you should however continue to have your boiler maintained every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer." ..but this in itself would seem to muddy the waters even further. Instead of the overall advice being clear, it would suggest two alternatives. A - You must comply or shut your boiler down. B - You can comply if you want, if you dont you can still use your boiler as long as it is serviced by a registered engineer. Again, this is just my opinion of the advice on the link above, haven't checked the HSEs yet, that may be more concise.

This is beginning to cause chaos and if Building Regulations were retrospective half the properties in the UK would have to be rebuilt.

I received a letter from the builders of my house a couple of months ago concerning this. (House was built in 2001). They asked me to confirm how many gas appliances I had in the house and how many rooms,(including the loft), did a flue pass through. In return they supplied me with 3 brand new Honeywell CO monitors, one for each room with a gas appliance :- - living room with gas fire - kitchen with gas hob - garage with gas boiler The original letter made reference to flues which pass through rooms or voids would require an inspection hatch. Fortunately I do not have any of these, as both the fire and boiler are mounted on external walls. However a number of neighbours have Powermax units which are installed in the airing cupboard a long way from external walls. The Powermax units have been installed with a flue that runs vertically up through the airing cupboard and loft and out through a vent in the ridge tiles. From memory the letter implied that if the flue could be inspected in both the airing cupboard and loft, no further action should be required, but if its path went through any voids, the voids would require an inspection hatch to be fitted so that it could be inspected in the void. I believe the real concern is where a flue has a long path through a void, such as a ceiling that inspection hatches will have to be fitted to comply. There was a helpline number, but as I was not affected I was just happy enough to accept the 3 free CO monitors.

This could pose a problem not only to private homeowners, but also to 'private let' tenants. Up until last year, I rented a flat in a purpose built block, where the gas boiler was in the kitchen (which had no external walls at all). The flue ran for approximately 30 - 40 feet through a boxed in void (along the living room ceiling/ wall) to reach an outside wall where it could vent. I did mention the incoming regulations to the Letting Agent at the time (who was also the block manager). He simply shrugged his shoulders and said the decision as to whether to install inspection hatches or not would be down to the Landlord... When you factor in multiple LL's/ owners in this block alone (somewhere in the region of 30 flats); the total cost of these works would be no inconsiderable sum. When you also factor in that around half of the tenants were foreign nationals working for or around minimum wage, with limited options as to whether they stay or find an alternative home; the potential 'vulnerability' factor does seem to be relatively high.

This is a problem that is not about Building Regulations, or whether they are retrospective or not. This question has to do with the requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations, These flues were NEVER properly installed because they could not subsequently be examined simply because they were hidden in voids without inspection hatches. CORGI, and subsequently Gas Safe obviously felt that the initial categorisation of not to current standards was not sufficient, because as these flues age, they will deteriorate and could become unsafe. So, they bit the bullet and decided that after a suitable lead in time, they should be considered at risk. Shame they can't, or won't pursue the original installers but the bottom line is the installations are potentially dangerous.

This question of flues has always been recognised it is just that the HSE have now tried to move the newbuild situation forward and somebody is jumping on the bandwagon to make work. I can see commercial premises being required to install inspection hatches but equally one could argue that the fitter can add an endoscope to his toolkit. I suspect this is also will be used to push some people into an all electric situation by other sharp operators. GasSafe engineers cannot refuse to service your boiler, they can advise of flue inadequacies however. But it is NOT a mandatory disconnection matter. Bob

Wrong again from January they will not service your boiler without inspection hatches; which I suspect will see considerably more deaths than the one which occurred back in 2008 from unlicensed gas engineers, non serviced boilers and hypothermia. Apart from anything else there are other flue tests involving probes to detect issues in the clean air section of the pipe; however that would involve gas safe engineers forking out money rather than already cash strapped domestic house owners.

Its impossible to service a boiler that is turned off so yet again another blooper by Gas Safe. No company will also insure a boiler that is at risk.

Carbon monoxide alarms are not an alternative to being able to see the flue and you will still need to have inspection hatches fitted. You have until 31 December 2012 for this work to be completed. It is recommended that inspection hatches are fitted as soon as you are able to do so. From 1 January 2013, any Gas Safe registered engineer will turn the boiler off, with your permission and formally advise you not to use it until inspection hatches have been fitted in appropriate places. Really well email gas safe or even one of the boiler care plan companies and you will be told the same - no flues no plan / service.