In order to manufacture a Flueless Gas fire within the EU the fire must pass the current CE norm for flueless appliances. The appliance undergoes a number of tests including the emissions and also the operation of the safety devices fitted to the fire. The latest models are restricted on the heat output to below 6kw. As the heat output increases the size of the room and air vent also increase. This is why most models sold in the UK are 2.0kw to 3.5kw.

• Each of these tests must be passed:
  • The appliance is tested to ensure its construction meets the regulations.
  • The emissions from the appliance both in normal operation are checked - CO, CO2 and NOx.
  • The fire is then set up with the gas pressure 20% higher than normal and 15% lower than normal.
  • The fire is then tested with other "dirty" gas types to ensure it still operates safely.
  • Once all of these tests have been passed the appliance is placed in a sealed room with no vent or window and run on full power for a period of time.
  • The fire must shut itself down "before" 80pmm and 1.5% is reached on the test meter. At that level it would pass however a CVO flueless gas fire typically shuts down at 16ppm and 0.6% which is even safer than the CE limit.
  • By testing the fire like this it is an absolute worst case scenario that is placed on the appliance to ensure it will still shut itself down in the event of being installed incorrectly or the vent in the room being blocked.
  • Only after passing all of these strict tests can a CE PIN number be given and a CE approval certificate.
• It does not stop there - Every fire that is manufactured must:
  • be identified by the manufacturer so it can be traced back to the original components.
• Every fire must be individually tested to ensure it meets the regulations.
• Every year we are visited by a CE appointed auditor to ensure we are still making the products to the approval standard.
• Also at CVO we take it a step further.
  • For every 100 fires we build we make a full audit to ensure that everything is still perfect.
  • We also test every delivery of components "before" they are used, ignoring the manufacturer's results, to ensure we are 100% confident of the quality before we use them on our fires.

The most important factors when installing a flueless gas fire are:

• There must be a suitable air vent in the same room.The air vent must provide a minimum amount of "free air" and must be over 1 metre away from the fire.
• There must be an openable window in the room where they are to be installed. The window does not have to be open when the fire is operated. It is there should the user want fresh air or to reduce the temperature in the room.
• The minimum room size must be observed.
• The gas pressure must be correct.
• The fire must never be tampered with or adjusted.

Need some advice on Flueless Gas Fires and the safety factors? Please call us for impartial advice. 01325-301020.

Other Sources:

GAS INSTALLER MAGAZINE - JULY-20102