back boiler

[susandemetri]

our back boiler is no longer in use but we would like to burn a coal fire. There are 2 bricks missing that i presume go into the back boiler can we brick this up , have the chimney swept and use the fire?

[colin6789]

Be very careful if the back boiler is still there and blocked-up it will explode with the heat of the fire, is has happened a few times in the past. Eithr have the back boiler removed or make sure it is vented so pressure can not build up.

[gucciman]

i'm not quite sure what you mean by bricks going into the back boiler?

in any case, if the back boilers still there then the metal flue liner that back boilers use is presumably still there too and will need removing or the fumes and smoke from your coal fire will not be able to escape up the chimney (i'm presuming your talking about a baxi type gas powered back boiler and not the cast iron rectangular type that would have been heated by a coal fire?)

it would also be a good idea to have the back boiler removed also so that you have more catchment space in the builders opening in which to place your coal fire.
when the back boiler is removed any voids in the builders opening such as where the pipework passed through the brickwork will need to be sealed off so all the fumes leave via the chimney and aren't allowed to wander into cavities etc

[gucciman]

sorry, i answered the question before i realised you'd already posted a similiar one in more detail earlier.

in which case the point about the metal flue liner is irrelevant but the answer colin gave is very relevant as one of those old boilers exploded recently and killed someone.