PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2024 26 Gas Boilers


High rise flue kits offer easy compliance


Keston has supplied its Combi 2 boilers and new high-rise flue kits to a selection of residential apartments in the Brewery Wharf development in Leeds, as part of a recent refurbishment programme. This upgrade addresses regulatory challenges, ensuring compliance with fire safety standards while enhancing energy efficiency and maintaining the building’s aesthetics.


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ituated on the south bank of the River Aire, Brewery Wharf is a sought-after development that offers a vibrant mix of offices, bars, restaurants and


a residential building development of approximately 327 apartments, which stands nine stories high.


The challenge Following recent changes to Building Regulations, including specific requirements regarding boiler flue placement and ventilation, combustible flue kits are no longer an option for high rise buildings. To evaluate the requirements of the


building and to discuss how best to meet essential compliance, Keston arranged a site visit with the building owner to discuss an upgrade to its existing PowerMax twin flue appliance. The consultation highlighted the need to limit disruption and to maintain the building’s aesthetics. It was decided that the apartments


needed a modern heating system that could be easily integrated with minimum fuss. The design of the apartments dictated a long flue length, which effectively ruled out the majority of boiler manufacturers. Keston, however, with its twin flue system and high rise flue kits, was able to meet such requirements.


The solution Replacing a boiler can often involve relocating the appliance position, which means complying with regulations on the placement of the flue and air intake on the exterior of the building, and ventilation for the internal boiler location in line with BS5440. These requirements ensure that


waste gases do not compromise safety and are very clear on distances away from windows, doors and vents, other property features and neighbouring properties. To avoid the need to relocate the boiler to a different area, the Combi 2 twin flue boiler was specified with the Keston stainless steel high-rise flue kit. This meant that the boiler did not have to be relocated and could remain in the same location within each of the selected properties, using the same flue route (but not the same flue pipe). Offering greater flexibility through the Keston twin boiler system, Keston


u Constructed from 316 stainless steel, the high rise flue kit offers a corrosion- resistant alternative to other non- combustible or fire-resistant materials, such as aluminium, and is compliant with the revised legislation covering


materials allowed as part of the make-up of external walls.


t Keston’s flue solution also addressed the


issue of shallow flue voids within the building. The gradient on a new flue can


often be difficult to achieve and conceal in tight areas. However, with the Combi 2 fluing requiring a slope of only


26mm per metre run and diameter of only 50mm, this ensured the pipe remained well within these constraints.


Combi 2 boilers can be sited up to 27m from the flue outlet, which is an important consideration for long or difficult flue runs, and was a particularly important consideration on this project where the external flues could not negatively impact the aesthetics of the building. Valuable savings were made due to


not having to relocate the boiler, and in some cases, it was also possible to reuse existing flue holes, reducing additional work and unnecessary drilling. This solution also addressed the issue of shallow flue voids within the building. The gradient on a new flue can often be difficult to achieve and conceal in shallow voids. However, with the Combi 2 fluing


tp The Combi 2 twin flue boiler, which can be sited up to 27m from the flue outlet, was specified with Keston’s stainless steel high rise flue kit.


requiring a slope of only 26mm per metre run and diameter of only 50mm (as opposed to other fluing options which can have a diameter up to 125mm), this ensured the pipe remained within the shallow void, whilst helping to simplify installation.


High-rise flue kit The Combi 2 boilers were installed with the latest high rise flue kits from Keston. Suitable for all buildings in England and Wales higher than 18m, the new Keston high rise flue kit is fully compliant with the latest Part B Building Regulations, and installations in Scotland above 11m, in accordance with the Building Standards Technical Handbook 2020: Domestic Buildings. Constructed of high-quality 316


stainless steel, the kit offers a corrosion- resistant alternative to other non- combustible or fire-resistant materials, such as aluminium, and is therefore compliant with the revised legislation covering materials allowed as part of the make-up of external walls.


Small changes – big results Following a successful upgrade, residents in the apartments which have recently undergone the refurbishment are now benefitting from a compliant, reliable and energy efficient system, which has been achieved with minimum disruption and without negatively impacting the visual aspect of the building. Going forward, Keston says it is


working towards updating the remaining apartments to ensure the building complies with regulations. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1024/28


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