Advice on a newly installed system

[Aok1]

I am looking for some advice from engineers regarding a central heating system we have just had installed which is causing us a few problems.

Every time the system is on there is a fair bit of noise from what I think is a problem with the pipe work, the noise sounds like 2 pipes knocking together and the pipe knocking against the joists. I appreciate there maybe some noise initially as the pipe work expands but this carries on for quite a while and can be quite noisy.

The guy who installed says there is nothing wrong and it is normal but I am not convinced, I took a floor board up and the pipes cross at one point and are tight up against each other, also they are quite tight against the joist. I am a spark by trade so I have seen a few plumbing jobs and the pipes have always been central in the cut outs and not touching anywhere.

He did say he couldn't cut the joist any further due to regs etc but I don't totally believe this due to the regs that apply to electrical installs but I take it plumbing will be different.

Also I was given his gas safe number - this is registered to a property management company locally and not him or his company, is this still valid if he works for them or is it only the engineer?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

 

[chris watkins]

Hi
The notching will be exactly the same as for your cables (if you have an on-site guide it is the same drawing)
Good practice is to sleeve the pipes as they pass through joist with something like hair felt lagging.
Who did you pay, the property management company or this guy ? What details are filled out on the Benchmark cert.

 

[AWheating]

as chris said best to insualte between the joist/woodwork with hair felt lagging. Also not a bad idea to put some nail clips on the pipework at the joist if they have alot of movement. The depth and width of the notch or hole is the same for all trades as per the building regulations or the joist manufacturers instructions if engineered joists.

if it was me id just make the notch alittle bigger and wrap some hair felt on it.

 

[Aok1]

Thanks, I did mention lagging but he said it was a fire risk which I found a bit strange but I never argued as i didn't know if the regs had changed regarding the material used. The joists have been notched out and not to well either from what I seen. I only really looked as I had to run a cable upstairs last week.


The floorboards were put back badly, split and screws hammered in, I even said to him I expect damage to them as they are t&g type and a nightmare to get up so let me know if he did damage any and I will get some replacements.


We paid the guy direct and I only questioned the gas safe issue as there is no mention of the company it is registered to on his estimate, I never thought about it at first as my misses knew him and I never thought to check his company name I just assumed it was ok as the misses checked and said yes the number is valid.


He has been back 4 times now and the system still bangs and creeks.

 

[Leo21]

He's talking a load of rubbish. He's obviously just done a poor job and fobbed you off.
open out the joists and wrap some hair felt around and in between the pipes. And push him for your certificate of conformity, like the ones you have to give.

 

[Aok1]

I will do, he's back on Saturday again so he will be getting told and I will check the cert.

I would do the joists myself but he's been paid so he can sort it out, I just had to be sure that there was nothing else that could cause the noise and I wasn't being unreasonable.

Thanks
Alan

 

[Mike Jackson]

The installer should have his own gas safe registration number. He should have an ID card with his details on it. Ask to see it when he comes round. If you're at all suspicious contact gas safe register. It's not unknown for someone to use another persons gas safe details to pretend they are registered.

 

[lame plumber]

check his number on the gas safe site online and there is a photo of the engineer. simples

 

[Aok1]

I did check it and he is not listed for that number, there is only one guy listed and definitely not him or his company.

Thanks

 

[Mike Jackson]

Report him to the gas safe register then and don't use the boiler until it has been checked by a properly qualified installer.