Gas fire regulations

[plumbers mate]

My fireplaces are all Victorian with tiled hearths which are flush to the floor, no raised "fender" round the side.
I have had a gas fire in front of the fireplace for twenty three years and it is due for replacement.
I have been told that I MUST have a raised hearth.
The grate etc is still in situ behind the fireplace (if I could afford the mess, hassle, storage space, and time to get slightly warm it would be in use as an open fire) I don't see how I can put a raised hearth there to stand a gas fire on. This will apply to at least two fireplaces in the house.
I must have some heating before winter but can't afford electric heaters.


So could someone point me to the correct part of the Regulations that say you must have a raised hearth before installing a gas fire?

(I disabled smileys in a previous post, but an icon appeared)

 

[Penners]

if I could afford the mess, hassle, storage space, and time to get slightly warm it would be in use as an open fire

I don't quite understand the above. Are you saying that the fireplace could be converted back to use for an open fire?

If you're having to pay for a new gas fire, wouldn't it work our cheaper (or at least no more expensive) to convert back to open fires? They're so much nicer - or maybe you don't agree.

 

[Nemesis]

I think you may regret asking that Penners...

 

[Mark]

Building regs Part J. You will probably also need a new flue.

 

[Penners]

Why is that, Mark? If the flue had a liner fitted for the old gas fire, wouldn't it simply be necessary to take the liner out in order to have open fires?

 

[Mark]

Penners,

Sorry - that was a response to the question about replacing the gas fire - presumably with another gas fire - or so I understood the original Q. If its been in for 23 years there probably isnt a liner at the moment and I think it is now a requirement for gas fires - rather than a recommendation for open fires/stoves.

I have had a gas fire in front of the fireplace for twenty three years and it is due for replacement.

If there is a liner then I think you are right it would have to come out if its only a class 1 and (s)he wants to go to an open fire.

 

[biffvernon]

Open fires are great for warming the night sky. Stoves are better for warming a room.

 

[Nemesis]

Open fires aren't too good as the only source of heating unless in tne house all day to fuel, and stoves require rather a lot of damage to the fire behind... Both need fuel stores and deliveries etc.

Maybe a raised hearth can be put in place temporarily for a new gas fire?

 

[plumbers mate]

After typing an explanation the blooming thing vanished.

Coal fires are --
for those with land for storage sheds (aka coal houses)
for people with time and therefore not at work,
for people who have someone to clean up for them,
I fit into none of those categories.
Getting to a DIY store is impossible as the nearest involves at least one bus and a long walk - the others two or three buses and the biggest is impossible without a car.
They charge the proverbial arm and leg for delivery.
Easily cut/shaped stuff (aka MDF) is out - a hearth has to be fireproof.
Other stuff would be impossible for me to shape round the twiddly bits and
paying someone to do it is out, big time - the windows are going to cost £5½ grand and I haven't got enough for them yet. (Don't suggest a loan - you have to pay them back)

I would love inset gas fires in the two main rooms but will not have the grates removed as retaining the integrity of the house is important.
Now I will vanish as coffee time is over.

 

[arl]

could you not get away with just getting a replacement fender to go around the edge of the original flush hearth?