Converting to an open fire.

Wellyd

We have a disconnected gas fire in our fireplace. We were told by LL that it had been dosconnected from the mains in 2006. We had been told it was possible to get the gas fire removed and have it converted to an open fire. The LL had a builder out for a look 2 weeks ago and we haven't heard anything since. Has anyone got any idea how much work/cost the job would entail? I've a small bit of knowledge about what would have to be done from speaking to a friend but no idea about cost. Which is probably what is deterring the LL. I would even consider contributing towards the work as I'm a real coal fire kind of person!

Moral of the story:

How much work would be involved?
What would it cost?

williewarmer

Wellyd wrote: »

We have a disconnected gas fire in our fireplace. We were told by LL that it had been dosconnected from the mains in 2006. We had been told it was possible to get the gas fire removed and have it converted to an open fire. The LL had a builder out for a look 2 weeks ago and we haven't heard anything since. Has anyone got any idea how much work/cost the job would entail? I've a small bit of knowledge about what would have to be done from speaking to a friend but no idea about cost. Which is probably what is deterring the LL. I would even consider contributing towards the work as I'm a real coal fire kind of person!

Moral of the story:

How much work would be involved?
What would it cost?

I KNEW A PERSON WITH THE SAME ISSUE. LORD HAVE MERCY ON HIS SOLE.

MOTM

Wellyd wrote: »

What would it cost?

Not sure how much the job would cost but don't forget the longer term energy cost of an open fire. Very inefficient and significant ventilation heat loss through the chimney. A stove is at least twice as efficient as an open fire. Get a stove.

fozz10

its about 20 minutes work a very minor job. have the gas turned off to the fire at source and the fire removed and the pipe in fireplace removed or just cut. it just becomes a useless pipe once its off correctly at source. no big deal. do what you want with the fireplace then ive had an open fire there for a few years and a stove the last 6r7 no issues

shane0007

fozz10 wrote: »

its about 20 minutes work a very minor job. have the gas turned off to the fire at source and the fire removed and the pipe in fireplace removed or just cut. it just becomes a useless pipe once its off correctly at source. no big deal. do what you want with the fireplace then ive had an open fire there for a few years and a stove the last 6r7 no issues

Firstly, it is not a 20 minute job. The gas fire & pipework must be removed by an RGI. No gas pipework can remain in the builder's ope, so it cannot be just cut off. It must be removed completed from the external of the ope to the internal of the ope. The gas pipework must be isolated & capped. The gas meter must be removed & tested to 100mb as pipework has been altered, as per the regs. The test times alone are 15 minutes. A certificate of conformance must also be written & issued.

Then the chimney must be cleaned, inspected & a complete flue flow test carried out. Ventilation requirements for the room must then be considered & altered accordingly to suit the kw input of the stove/fire/appliance. Once the stove/fire/appliance is installed & possibly following flue lining works, the appliance is tested for spillage.

fozz10

i have a friend who is registered and done it for me. ok i maybe i was a bit off with 20 min but he was gone in way less then an hour. fire out. gas turned off. done what he had to do with the pipes and ive had a real fires since. or maybe i dreamed it and im not sitting by my stove now.

fozz10

obviously the chimney stuff was sorted afterwards but that wasnt anything to do with what i asked him to do. i got the rest done myself. and obviously kept my gas central heating just changed the fire.

shane0007

fozz10 wrote: »

or maybe i dreamed it and im not sitting by my stove now.

When giving advice on Public Forum's, especially concerning other people's safety, it is generally best to give accurate & safe information. What you do in your own home is your own concern.

I do not doubt you are sitting in front of your stove as we speak, but if it was not done correctly & protocols were not followed, there was a real chance that you would not be sitting in front of it right now as we speak. It was left to chance, and it it was, it could still come back to bite you.

fozz10

shane0007 wrote: »

When giving advice on Public Forum's, especially concerning other people's safety, it is generally best to give accurate & safe information. What you do in your own home is your own concern.

I do not doubt you are sitting in front of your stove as we speak, but if it was not done correctly & protocols were not followed, there was a real chance that you would not be sitting in front of it right now as we speak. It was left to chance, and it it was, it could still come back to bite you.

like i have said it was done correctly by a man who works for a well known reputable company. rgi reg. the only difference is i didnt get a cert. which i dont need as my friend and neighbour done it for me for free. im in the buildings myself all my life so i know whats right and wrong and who to trust. a piece of paper means nothing to me once its done right which is more important. i know plenty tradesmen who are registered and i wouldnt leave near my house. i was just replying to the op that it is not a big job as im sure youll agree as you seem to know your stuff. need to be done right :yes big job :not in my opinion.

shane0007

Point taken.

fozz10

shane0007 wrote: »

Point taken.

cheers. good luck with job op.