FAQs on oil fired boilers
Does a new or replacement oil fired boiler installed within a domestic property need to be of the condensing type?
In the following regions oil fired boilers need to be of the condensing type unless formally exempt by the completion of an OFTEC CD/30 form which would be completed by the installer,
- England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
- Republic of Ireland
- Guernsey
- Isle of Man
Further information regarding minimum system provisions can be found in OFTEC Information Sheets.
For details of OFTEC Registered Technicians that operate local in your area, please see Locate a Registered Company.
What condensate drain options are available?
Suitable condensate drain points are,
- Internal stack pipe
- Waste pipe
- External drain or gully
- Rainwater hopper that is part of a combined system
- Purpose made soakaway
Further information surrounding condensate drain connections can be found in Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure for Dwellings.
Can a domestic oil fired boiler be installed in a loft space?
Domestic oil fired boilers below 45kW output can be sited within a loft space. However, there are strict requirements in British Standard 5410: Part 1: 1997 to ensure the safe operation of the appliance, ensure the safety of technicians who may work on it and to protect the fabric of the building against fire and oil contamination. Consideration must also be given to the weight of the appliance, noise nuisance, and the logistics of supplying oil to it.
Some requirements in British Standard 5410: Part 1 1997 includes that:
- This type of installation should only be considered if no alternative location is available.
- There must be a permanent means of access provided to the loft space.
- There must be a permanently floored area with hand rail that will withstand the weight of the boiler and a service technician with tools, provided both around the boiler and service area and also between the loft access point and the service area.
- The boiler must be of the balanced flued type and stand in a drip tray that has a float arrangement that will automatically shut off the supply of oil if oil is detected in the tray.
- The appliance and oil supply must have a means of isolation external to the loft space.
Our best advice is that this type of installation should be avoided. Additionally, with the range of boilers available on the market today it would be difficult to argue that a loft space is truly the only boiler location available. If you wish to proceed with this project we would suggest that the installer must read and fully understand the requirements of British Standard 5410: Part 1: 1997. Also, advice should be taken from the insurers of the building and local fire authority.
Is it possible to replace an oil fired appliance but keep the existing oil storage tank?
Yes, there is no legal requirement, on appliance change, to upgrade an existing oil storage tank to meet current legislation providing that the appliance installation works does not make the oil tank any less compliant than it might be already. However, if you were unfortunate enough to suffer a fire or pollution incident, non compliance may bring about complications with an insurance claim.
Our best advice would be for you to also consider upgrading your oil storage tank at the time of appliance replacement.
FAQ 18.02.2010
Further help
We also produce a series of FREE downloadable Easy Guides. You may find one of these is helpful.
If you can’t find the answers you are looking for here you can contact the OFTEC Technical Helpline on 0905 757 0135 (calls are charged at 95p a minute, but some service providers may vary) and speak to a member of the OFTEC Technical Team.
Alternatively, you can send in a technical enquiry form. We aim to respond to technical enquiry e-mails within 3 working days.