baxi back boiler 552 flue question

[mikewool]

i understand these are designed to have a fire fitted to the front and i assume the reason a firefront is fitted, is to keep the flue 'entrances' all contained, thereby making the the two unitts an integral one piece unit.

however, if the front part of the flue is blocked with something suitable (galvanised steel?), surely it is then safe to use without the big ugly firefronts they sell?

obviously, my idea means the main flue from the boiler remains open and working etc., but the front part would no longer be able to leak fumes into the room?

i do not wish to change this system but i can't stand the firefront nor the replacements they sell, and from what i can see, it is simply a case of modifying the front opening to make the unit safe.

so corgi guys, am i right or is there another reason for the fire being fitted?

and is there somewhere i can buy a flue entrance blocking component?

[gasman]

Have you looked at the Baxi web site they now do a few modern type fires for use with back boilers, including living flame inset ones. like these

You can if you decide not to replace the fire front, safely remove the fire from the back boiler and still use the boiler, the gas supply to the fire must be permently capped though. The problem is you can not close off the builders opening ( the hole in the chinmey breast ) or else you will stop the ventilation required for complete combustion and the pull for the safe evacuation of the products of combustion. You need to calculate how much ventilation is required and also leave access for the boiler controls and plenty of room for service / maintainence procedures, and it goes without question that all work must be done by a CORGI registered installer.

[gucciman]

i'm going to keep out of this one because my boss with 49 yrs experience reckons its not safe to run the back boiler without the firefront.

keep meaning to email baxis technical to clarify this issue as it pops up regularly but i never get round to it.