Hi Chris,
Yes it was a recent conversation with a Gas service engineer, and it was in the context of a discussion about the servicing of my boiler. I can't quote him verbatim, but what you have written -- -- and I paraphrase, is just about what he told me.
" -- if the Gas Engineer was not inclined to actually open the Combustion Chamber to inspect the Burner / Heat Exchanger etc. - could be `Legally adhered to` by using a Combustion Analyser / Flue Gas Analyser - " ---- " If everything else about the Boiler Installation was correct - and if the Analyser readings obtained showed that the Boiler`s Combustion was within the correct parameters and the Boiler was operating Safely ".
I said I am paying for a service not just a safety check, and he said that was what I have been getting. It doesn't have to include all the items if there is no reason to suspect that other checks need to be made. Or words to that effect.
I've checked again to see what the terms and conditions say. They say "clean as 'necessary' --- ". So that leaves it up to the opinion of the visiting engineer. And it says if the FGA fails, then additional actions should be carried to according to manufacturers instructions. As they do not say specifically that they service the boiler according to the manufacturers instructions, it seems that my ignorance of exactly what they are contracted to, means I don't have a case to argue. But I do know now, and I won't be caught again.
No unfortunately I don't have photographs of my boiler internals, and as you say, unless I pay another firm of gas engineers to inspect my boiler and take the covers off, I can't get them. But it is something I may think about in light of all this. However, even if I did get someone else in to enable me to look and take pictures, and there was a degree of dust and dirt in the combustion chamber, it could still be argued as per the terms and conditions above, that it wasn't significant, and so not 'necessary' to clean it out, as long as it is deemed safe. So I'd just be wasting my money. However at the next service, I will make sure I'm there and that the covers are taken off for me to see the insides -- with a camera.
As you say, all this does indeed give a poor image of boiler servicing. But sadly that's how many sectors are today. Everything from poor gardening services to gas servicing. It's no wonder TV companies can make programes entitled "Rip off Britain". And no doubt it's unfair and makes life hard for those gas engineers who all get tarred by the same brush, even when they themselves do provide a thorough good value service.
Yes it was a recent conversation with a Gas service engineer, and it was in the context of a discussion about the servicing of my boiler. I can't quote him verbatim, but what you have written -- -- and I paraphrase, is just about what he told me.
" -- if the Gas Engineer was not inclined to actually open the Combustion Chamber to inspect the Burner / Heat Exchanger etc. - could be `Legally adhered to` by using a Combustion Analyser / Flue Gas Analyser - " ---- " If everything else about the Boiler Installation was correct - and if the Analyser readings obtained showed that the Boiler`s Combustion was within the correct parameters and the Boiler was operating Safely ".
I said I am paying for a service not just a safety check, and he said that was what I have been getting. It doesn't have to include all the items if there is no reason to suspect that other checks need to be made. Or words to that effect.
I've checked again to see what the terms and conditions say. They say "clean as 'necessary' --- ". So that leaves it up to the opinion of the visiting engineer. And it says if the FGA fails, then additional actions should be carried to according to manufacturers instructions. As they do not say specifically that they service the boiler according to the manufacturers instructions, it seems that my ignorance of exactly what they are contracted to, means I don't have a case to argue. But I do know now, and I won't be caught again.
No unfortunately I don't have photographs of my boiler internals, and as you say, unless I pay another firm of gas engineers to inspect my boiler and take the covers off, I can't get them. But it is something I may think about in light of all this. However, even if I did get someone else in to enable me to look and take pictures, and there was a degree of dust and dirt in the combustion chamber, it could still be argued as per the terms and conditions above, that it wasn't significant, and so not 'necessary' to clean it out, as long as it is deemed safe. So I'd just be wasting my money. However at the next service, I will make sure I'm there and that the covers are taken off for me to see the insides -- with a camera.
As you say, all this does indeed give a poor image of boiler servicing. But sadly that's how many sectors are today. Everything from poor gardening services to gas servicing. It's no wonder TV companies can make programes entitled "Rip off Britain". And no doubt it's unfair and makes life hard for those gas engineers who all get tarred by the same brush, even when they themselves do provide a thorough good value service.