Gas Boilder - missing overflow pipe

irishworkerph

We had our boiler serviced today. In the course of this it was observed that there is no overflow pipe from out boiler. We live in an apartment and to get an overflow pipe to an outside wall would be a big job. Would it be possible to connect an overflow pipe to an outgoing pipe from a kitchen sink as the bolier is quiet next the sink in the kitchen? Or does it have to go directly out though an outside wall

I should add that the aparment is only 3 years old and it was not spotted by the snagger when he was doing his survey.

yoshytoshy

I'd say it's the safety valve your talking about. It has to be brought outside unfortunately.

You must be on the top floor if theres no outside walls to go through ?

JohnnieK

Your not alone my friend. There are plenty of boilers out there that the safety valve has been left in mid air.

irishworkerph

thanks for the responses. The missing overflow pipe I have been told is for taking the excess water in the situation where the boiler has a problem, e.g. if there is a surge in pressure and the boiler overflows. I have been told by a plumber that you can connect a pipe to the boiler and have it going into a bucket under the sink. Is that above board with regards to regulations and standards though?

JohnnieK

irishworkerph wrote: »

thanks for the responses. The missing overflow pipe I have been told is for taking the excess water in the situation where the boiler has a problem, e.g. if there is a surge in pressure and the boiler overflows. I have been told by a plumber that you can connect a pipe to the boiler and have it going into a bucket under the sink. Is that above board with regards to regulations and standards though?

No. It has to terminate in a safe location externally. Going into a bucket under the sink is not safe. If it dose open due to a system fault, it is possible the temperature of the water could be as high as 90oC or more and also above 3bar and belive me you wouldn't want that going into a bucket under your sink.

The pipe work as mentioned should be taken to outside as that would be good working practice, if you can't take it to outside and you have no choice but to go inside then you would need to use: http://hepworth.wavin.com/master/master.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374305495797&middleTemplateName=oc_middle_research_sub
this device will help deal with any pressure or heat issues before you take it to a plastic waste, Gary.

heinbloed

With a pressurised system there is nothing like an overflow. Pressurised systems are closed, no overflow.
Changes in pressure are covered by the expansion barrel.

There should be however a safety valve acting as a last safety line, opening when the pressure in the system gets to high. This safety valve must be included in the boiler, build-in by the boiler manufacturer. Without it the boiler would be illegal. As far as I know no such boiler is allowed to be sold or installed within Europe since about one and a half century.

At the OP: is your central heating system a closed one or an open one, is it pressurised ? What pressure is stated on the boiler's manometer?

yoshytoshy

heinbloed wrote: »

With a pressurised system there is nothing like an overflow. Pressurised systems are closed, no overflow.
Changes in pressure are covered by the expansion barrel.

You should look up condense boilers and find out what type of pipe is used for condensation.

irishworkerph

irishworkerph wrote: »

Is that above board with regards to regulations and standards though?

SAFETY VALVE DISCHARGE:

The discharge should terminate facing downward on the

exterior of the building in a position where discharging

(possibly boiling water & steam) will not create danger ornuisance, but in an easily visible position, and not causedamage to electrical components and wiring.The discharge must not be over an entrance or a windowor any other type of public access