FLEXIBLE LINERS

Connection to an appliance which is not connected to the fuel supply, should be carried out by a competent person. We recommend the use of HETAS approved installers for solid fuel applications. If installation is carried out by a non HETAS registered installer, the installation must be certified by a local Building Control inspector. Connection to an appliance that is connected to the fuel supply must be carried out by a Gas Safe (Gas) or OFTEC (Oil) registered installer.

The design guide must be read in conjunction with the detailed component installation instructions. For full design and installation details the key referral documents are:

• BS EN 1856-2: Connecting Flue Pipes
• BS EN 1856-2: Flue Liners
• BS EN 1859: Metal Chimneys - Testing Methods
• BS EN 1443: Chimneys - General Requirements
• BS EN 15287-1: Chimneys. Design, installation and commissioning of chimneys. Chimneys for non-room sealed heating appliances.
• Approved Document J: - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems (England & Wales)
• DFP Technical Booklet L: - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems (NI)
• Technical Handbook (Domestic & Non Domestic),Section 3 - Environment (Scotland)
• Appliance Installation Instructions and related standards. Other standards covering specific applications will also be relevant and must be adhered to.

Ensure all chimney components are available and check them to ensure there has been no damage. Do not use damaged components.

PRIOR TO INSTALLATION

In all cases the chimney should be inspected for deterioration and if necessary any remedial work required should be carried out. The chimney should be swept by a suitably qualified chimney sweep who would provide a certificate after sweeping and checking, which should be retained for future reference. A list of HETAS registered sweeps can be found at www.hetas.co.uk It will be necessary to check that the flaunching at the top of the stack is not cracked, and if so replaced. The brickwork pointing and the flashings should be checked to ensure they are in good order and corrected as necessary. This is required to prevent ingress of rainwater, which, if mixed with carbon deposits on the inside wall of the chimney, could then damage the fabric of the building and the chimney liner.

USE OF FLEX TESTER KIT

Prior to installation of the Flex, we recommend that a test length of approx., 1.5m with a nose cone attached to each end, is pulled through the chimney to ensure that the chimney is suitably sized and free from obstructions. Failure to do so may lead to the warranty being invalidated on the Flex if damage has been caused due to snagging on an obstruction.

The tester kit should be pulled down the chimney using a nose cone and string/rope. A re-usable 1.5m test length complete with two nose cones is available in the TecnoFlex Plus range. Alternatively nose cones can be purchased separately or as part of a Flex Installation kit.

VENTILATION

It is very important that sufficient air for combustion is provided to the room containing the appliance, to enable correct and efficient working of the system. Reference should be made to the appliance manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations are also given in the Building Regulations Document J.

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS

The carbon monoxide alarms should comply with BS EN 50291:2001.

Where a new or replacement fixed solid fuel appliance is installed in a dwelling, a carbon monoxide alarm must be provided in the room where the appliance is located.

Please follow manufacturers instructions with regards to siting and fixing or alternatively :-

a) On the ceiling at least 300mm from any wall or if it is located on a wall, as high up as possible (above any doors and windows), but not within 150mm of the ceiling and

b) between 1m and 3m horizontally from the appliance.

N.B Provision of a carbon monoxide alarm should not be regarded as a substitute for correct installation and regular servicing.

DELIVERY TO SITE AND STORAGE

Components should be carefully transported and off loaded. They should be inspected to ensure they have not been damaged, and should be stored off the ground and under cover so that they are protected from accidental damage and the adverse effects of weather.

CONNECTION TO THE APPLIANCE OR FLUE BOX

The connection to the appliance should be made using fire cement/rope or high temperature sealant to ensure a positive seal. Where TecnoFlex Plus is to be fitted to the top of an open fire place, a Schiedel Rite-Vent gather unit should be fitted into the throat of the chimney connected to the TecnoFlex Plus and sealed off.

When connecting Triplelock Plus flex to a Schiedel Rite-Vent flue box, the flexible liner simply pushes directly on to the fast fix spigot. No sealant is required.

When making a connection to a flue pipe in another product type, such as rigid stainless steel single or double wall or vitreous enamel, then the appropriate Schiedel approved connector to/from flexible should be used. The connector should be suitably sealed to the appliance spigot ensuring a gas tight joint.

CONNECTING FLUE PIPE DIAMETER

Connecting Flue Pipe Diameter size should be as recommended by the appliance manufacturer. Under all circumstances the operational requirements of the appliance and the configuration of the flue must satisfy the flue sizing requirements of EN13384-1.

DISTANCE TO COMBUSTIBLES

In accordance with building regulations, it is essential that the correct distance to combustible material is maintained on connecting flue pipes. On solid fuel applications, where there is a risk of soot fire, on unmeasured (NM) designated single wall product, this distance is 3 x Ø Int of the pipe, e.g. for Ø125mm the distance is 375mm and for Ø150mm the distance is 450mm to combustibles on both painted and non painted variants. On measured (M) single wall or double wall products this distance will be as declared by the chimney manufacturer.

CONNECTING FLUE PIPE ROUTE

Connecting flue pipes should only be used to connect appliances to a Chimney. They should not pass through any roof space, partition, internal wall or floor, except to pass directly into a chimney through either a wall of the chimney or a floor supporting the chimney.

Connecting flue pipes should be located as to avoid igniting combustible material.

On solid fuel appliances the maximum length of a connecting flue pipe is 2m. This distance is reduced to 1.5m if any of the acceptable alternative methods of connection are adopted as per BS EN15287-1. (See p.6 for full details.)

On appliances with a top outlet, it is recommended that a vertical run of at least 600mm should be allowed immediately above the appliance prior to any change of direction.

On appliances with a rear outlet, it is recommended that there is maximum of 150mm in the horizontal run however under certain conditions, as described in alternative methods in BS EN 15287-1, this may be increased to 450mm. (See p.6 for full details.)

Within a system (Chimney + Connecting Flue Pipe) there should be no more than 4 changes of direction of maximum 45˚. 90˚ Factory made bends or tees within the system may be treated as being equal to two 45˚ bends (as per Document J of the Building Regulations issued October 2010).

INSPECTION

On solid fuel applications to conform to Building Regulations, provisions should be made to enable a chimney to be inspected and cleaned.

An inspection pipe, inspection elbow or a 90° or 135° Tee with tee cap can form a suitable inspection point (unless cleaning/inspection can be done through the appliance). To aid cleaning, sufficient distance should be left between changes of direction to permit the safe passage of cleaning brushes within the system. This is particularly important on solid fuel applications. It is recommended that chimneys serving solid fuel appliances be swept as frequently as necessary, but at least twice a year.

ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF CONNECTION

Where a horizontal connecting flue of more than 150mm is required to connect a solid fuel fired appliance to a chimney, an installation method as per the examples below may be used provided the following criteria is met:-

a. The maximum length of horizontal connecting flue pipe does not exceed 450mm;

b. A Defra exempt appliance or an appliance, which is limited to burning authorised smokeless fuel only, is installed;

c. A calculation according to BS EN 13384-1 has indicated safe operation of the proposed configuration, and the results of the calculation are left with the householder along with the appliance installation instructions;

d. The appliance manufacturer agrees in writing to the proposed configuration;

e. The chimney manufacturer agrees in writing to the proposed configuration;

f. The total length of single wall connecting flue pipe is not more than 1.5m;

g. The appropriate distances to combustible materials from both the appliance and the connecting flue pipe are maintained.

NOTE:

These alternative methods do not apply to Republic of Ireland.
 

 

 

HANDLING

Suitable PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) must be used when handling stainless steel flexible liners and accessories. PPE advised: Strong industrial gloves plus long sleeved overalls.

LINER ORIENTATION

It is essential in the case of TecnoFlex Plus that the liner is installed the right way up. The arrow on the outside of the liner indicates the direction of flue gas flow and must be pointing upwards towards termination. Triplelock Plus Flex can be installed either way up.

CUTTING THE LINER TO THE CORRECT LENGTH FOR THE CHIMNEY

After the length of flue liner has been connected to the appliance, allow a sufficient length of liner to protrude above the clamp plate to secure the terminal and then cut, using suitable cutting equipment. At all times extreme care must be taken when cutting the liner and strong industrial gloves plus long sleeved overalls should be worn as cut edges are very sharp. In addition, any tape secured to the ends of the liner, which is provided for safe handling prior to installation, must be removed before completion and commissioning of the full system

BENDING OF THE LINER

Great care should be taken to avoid over-bending or kinking the liner on installation. The minimum bending radii are shown in the table alongside

SUPPORT COMPONENTS

All support components have been tested and approved for the mechanical performance declared by Schiedel Chimney Systems Ltd.

Triplelock Plus, which is used exclusively on gas and oil applications, is relatively light and can be supported at the top of the chimney using a clamp plate fixed to the top of the masonry stack.

TecnoFlex Plus, however, is heavier and must be supported at both top and bottom of the stack. At the top of the stack there are two alternatives:

1. Plate and clamp fixed directly to the existing masonry stack

2. Pot Hanger/ Combined Pot Hanger & Terminal supporting the weight of the flex using the existing chimney pot.

At the base of the stack a bottom support bracket should be used, if the overall length of TecnoFlex Plus is >15m.

VENTILATION

Where TecnoFlex Plus is used serving a solid fuel appliance, ventilation between the liner and the inside of the chimney will be required. This is provided by installing two 15mm pipes into the masonry at the top of the stack just below the top plate and clamp, at an angle to prevent the ingress of rainwater. It would also be necessary to install a vent at the base of the stack above the debris plate or the gather unit. This should be an air brick or vent of 20cm (see Fig. 8, 9 ,10 p.10). If the cavity is to be insulated with pearlite, or tube wrap insulation, then two 15mm pipes at the top of the stack to allow any moisture in the insulation to evaporate freely, must still be provided.

INSULATION

Where the chimney is highly exposed or in a large void, then insulation should be considered. If insulation is required, granules such as Vermiculite, should be poured in around the liner from the top of the stack after fitting a suitable closure plate at the bottom of the system. Alternatively a solid tube of high quality insulation can be used.

Under all circumstances, the chimney stack must be fully weather proofed prior to the installation of the liner and any insulation material. Failure to do so will render the warranty null and void.

SEALING THE FLUE LINER TO THE CHIMNEY POT

The plate and clamp holding the liner to the chimney top should be secured to the stack. To weather the top of the chimney stack, seal any gaps between the liner installation and the chimney pot using appropriate acid resistant mortar.

Top of the Chimney

Connection from the Appliance
 
 

When making a connection to a flue pipe in another product type, such as B Vent, rigid stainless steel single or double wall or vitreous enamel, then the appropriate connector to/from flexible should be used. The joint should be suitably sealed to ensure a gas tight joint.

Frequently Asked Questions

TESTING AND COMMISSIONING PRIOR TO FIRST USE

This is carried out using a flue flow test as described in BS EN 15287 Parts 1 & 2, with reference to the appropriate appliance type.

APPLIANCE OPERATION

If the appliance is slumbered overnight or for longer periods then it is advisable to run the appliance at controlled high fire condition for a period of at least 30 minutes. Prolonged slumbering of the appliance is a contributing factor to a liner failure. It is important to maintain sufficiently high flue gas temperatures in order to avoid condensate and acid corrosion problems, and to ensure complete combustion of the fuel.

MAINTENANCE

Each chimney must be designed to allow for easy inspection; sweeping should be carried out by competent persons. On solid fuel applications a list of HETAS registered sweeps can be found at www.hetas.co.uk. Chimney flue cleaning and inspection require the use of appropriate tooling – under no circumstances should chemical cleaners or mild steel tools be used to sweep stainless steel chimneys. Cleaning/inspection of any chimney system should be carried out at least once a year, along with maintenance of the appliance, but it is recommended that chimneys serving solid fuel appliances be swept at least twice a year, at the end of the heating season to remove any deposits, which may have built up during the season, and prior to the start of the next heating season to ensure that the flue way is clear of any blockages such as birds nests etc.

We would advise that monthly checks are carried out to ensure that there is no build up of any deposits in the flue way between appliance and system chimney or chimney liner.

FUEL STORAGE AND USAGE

Where solid fuels are being used, correct storage is critical and fuels must be kept dry. Wood must be seasoned prior to use, with a maximum moisture content of 20%. Only approved fuels should be used. Refer to HETAS list for details on www.hetas.co.uk. The fuel used must be suitable for the appliance - please refer to manufacturer’s instructions.

We are confident in our products and so offer you (the owner) a generous guarantee in relation to the flexible liner system (the System). Provided that you comply with the conditions stated below, we guarantee to you that the System will be free from defects for whichever is the greater of:

• a period equal to the guarantee period of the appliance to which the Liner is first connected; or 20 years.

For recommended fuels listings, please refer to the HETAS Guide www.hetas.co.uk

In the event of a fault developing in the product due to defective materials or faulty manufacture Schiedel Chimney Systems undertake to replace the product only. Schiedel Chimney Systems cannot accept liability nor take any responsibility for the installation, building or redecorating costs or any other consequential losses arising. If any complaint is found to be a result of faulty installation, non-compliance with or abuse contrary to these conditions, the cost of site investigation is chargeable.

The conditions of the guarantee are:

• Correctly sized and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, current Building Regulations and relevant British and European standards.
• Maintained correctly by a qualified and competent person and maintenance records kept updated for both appliance and chimney/chimney liner.
• Used in combination with an appliance burning only approved fuels in accordance with Schiedel Chimney Systems and the appliance manufacturer’s instructions.
• Register your product within 30 days of installation at WWW.SCHIEDEL.COM/UK and provide us with any evidence we reasonably request to prove that your System has been fitted by a HETAS approved installer or if not, has been signed off by a Building Control Inspector prior to use.
• Familiarise yourself with the User Guide and comply with its provisions in full during the lifetime of your usage of the Liner (including by keeping the required records safe). Failure to do so will invalidate any guarantee claim.

For more details about the guarantee visit our website www.schiedel.com/uk