Installer Magazine
Under pressure
KRIS HARGRAVE was commissioning a new boiler in Byermoor, near Gateshead, and at first all the gas checks seemed fine. The gas rate and flue gas analyser readings were all perfect. However, when the inlet/operating pressure was checked it became apparent there was a problem. Despite carefully calculating the pipe size for the new gas run, the operating pressure was dropping from 20mbar at the meter to 4mbar at the boiler. The new pipework was checked and confirmed as correct, and the problem narrowed down to half a metre of existing pipework beneath the meter box.
The pipework was cut into, revealing it to be full of debris as shown. The problem had not been discovered despite the old back boiler/fire and cooker being recently serviced. Kris isn’t sure where the debris came from but suggested theories from other fitters include lead pipework being to blame. The old pipework was replaced and as a precaution the new gas run was cleaned with air to make sure it hadn’t been contaminated.
Under pressure
KRIS HARGRAVE was commissioning a new boiler in Byermoor, near Gateshead, and at first all the gas checks seemed fine. The gas rate and flue gas analyser readings were all perfect. However, when the inlet/operating pressure was checked it became apparent there was a problem. Despite carefully calculating the pipe size for the new gas run, the operating pressure was dropping from 20mbar at the meter to 4mbar at the boiler. The new pipework was checked and confirmed as correct, and the problem narrowed down to half a metre of existing pipework beneath the meter box.
The pipework was cut into, revealing it to be full of debris as shown. The problem had not been discovered despite the old back boiler/fire and cooker being recently serviced. Kris isn’t sure where the debris came from but suggested theories from other fitters include lead pipework being to blame. The old pipework was replaced and as a precaution the new gas run was cleaned with air to make sure it hadn’t been contaminated.