Non-Combustible Materials

[Old_Geezer]

At some point I have to get around to 'boxing in' a boiler. Is there a good choice of non-combustible material I should consider using when I build it ?

Thanks.

[Hymie]

Metal would be a good choice, but it will not do much to reduce any noise and to look anywhere half decent you would need access to a workshop and have experience in the use of relevant tools.

Believe it or not, wood material thicker than 6mm is quite flame resistant.

If I were to box in a boiler, I would consider a kitchen unit of the correct size – modified with no back and additional holes for any pipe-work.

Make sure that the enclosure has the minimum spacing required by the boiler installation, or be prepared to dismantle the kitchen unit each time the boiler needs servicing.

Besides modifying the enclosure to suit, you will need to ensure that the enclosure fixing to the wall is achievable with the boiler in situ.

I have recently installed three Ikea wall mounted units in my kitchen, they do a wide variety of sizes – I suggest you take a look.

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers.

Although I think I'd rather box in the whole corner which would require bespoke fitting. I know someone suggested a material to me once and I'm irked that I can not recall the suggestion. Such is life; especially at my age.

I'll bear in mind the thick wood suggestion if no one has a thinner option.

[Hymie]

MDF of any reasonable thickness will suffice.

Although you are right to be concerned at not having easily combustible material in close proximity to the boiler – if flames escape from the boiler enclosure, some major failure of the appliance has occurred.

[Arrods]

Also important to have holes/gaps above and below to allow for adequate ventilation. The boiler instructions are normally quite specific about how much ventilation there should be.

[tonyav]

High temp plasterboard would be ok, OG.

http://www.vitcas.com/High-Temperature-Plasterboard

[Old_Geezer]

Thanks for the suggestions. Water resistant would be good too.

Also occurs to me that the frame should be equally resistant or it may all be in vain. But I guess ≥1½", say, should be resistant enough.

[alavahalf]

What are you really trying to do ?... are you creating a fire/waterproof enclosure or are you trying to tidy a corner up cosmetically.

Can I give you something to think about before you start creating something that is way beyond what you need.
I cant tell you how many times a Gas Engineer has walked away from a job because they wont put a hand on a boiler that has been enclosed to such a degree, that if they start trying to service or drain down thay will need to dismantle the 'Boxing in', They wont do it as they dont want to re-assemble and make good after they have serviced or whatever. Many times I have been asked to dismantle a boxed in cupoard/boiler store in such a way that, that the damage is minimal. The Gas fitter then returns another day to do he service and then I return another day to make good when he has finished.

Think twice before you go building something like Camp Bastion. Lets face it if your boiler leaks the cabinet will need to come off, or if it catches fire will a cupboard really contain it.
Stud work and normal plasterboard well fitted, is the way to go !

[Old_Geezer]

The boiler was installed in the corner of the bathroom. it needs to be securely enclosed to avoid anyone touching it whist in the bath. I need to make it as secure as practically possible and it seemed to me a good idea to ask for suitable material to use. A long time back I was advised by someone of something they recommended (I don't see them now) but I've since forgotten what it was. I was half hoping someone would suggest something that rang a bell with me; but the suggestions given seem good even though that hasn't been the case.