Safety inspection hatches to address the 'flues in voids' safety issue, these are to be fitted to ceilings or walls where the flue from a gas boiler or gas appliance is located behind. They are to be fitted in appropriate positions to allow the inspection of flues and in particular the joints. These are manufactured to BS 476 part 22, they are 1 hour fire rated including smoke and heat. They have undergone fire testing and have passed, they comply with Building Regulations B, D, E and M. Each product has the fire rating approval reference stamped inside. They are available in 2 sizes 300 x 300 mm and 450 x 450 mm. In the box 'Product reference' the 300 x 300 mm is IHV/33. And the 450 x 450 mm is IHV/45 The recent requirement introduced by Gas SAFE concerning the 'Flues in Voids' amendment to the gas safety regulations is something that can be seen as a problem for landlords and agents. The recent requirement states that the entire length of the flue must be inspected.
Where a flue passes through a void or a false ceiling inspection hatches must be fitted so that the Gas Safe registered person carrying out a safety inspection can also inspect the flue to ensure that it is not leaking CO (carbon monoxide)
The inspection hatches can be of any size however the opening should be of sufficient size to allow an engineer to put his head through so that he/she can see the joints in the flue. It is felt by most that the smallest most suitable would be 300 x 300 mm and should be fire rated to at least the same as the construction of the void or ceiling material (typically plasterboard)
Inspection hatches should be fitted in approximately the same area as any joints in the flue. This is much easier for the engineer to properly inspect the flue. The better quality inspection hatch is typically made from metal and will be constructed with fire rated materials.
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