to want reassurance re state of old chimney being reopened for gas fire installation ?

[peridito]

Three storey house ,ground floor flat and upper flat .We live in upper flat with bedroom in loft .

Lovely couple downstairs who are cracking on at pace with lots of work including installing a gas fire .This involves opening up and using the old chimney .

I've mortally offended them ,and their gas fitter ,by wanting reassurance that the integrity of the chimney is sound .The building is c 120years old ,built on clay ,lots of movement ,underpinned twice and I am anxious about escape of emissions .Partner has in past ,in family home been overcome by carbon monoxide .

I seem to have been talking at cross purposes with lovely couple who I think aren't ,understandably, particularly wanting to get into the detail of chimney checks and smoke pressure tests but leave it to the professionals .They seem unclear themselves and have been giving me incorrect information eg the chimney sweep has done a smoke pressure test -I don't think this is with intent to mislead just that they're not familiar with the detail but this has unsetteled me .

Anyway the gas fitter (who thinks I'm making a huge fuss about nothing ) has ,after much toing and froing between self and lovely couple ,now says that chimney sweep has done a camera survey .Which is great and puts my mind at rest .

But was I unreasonable to want reassurance ? Should lovely couple have been more proactive in keeping me in the loop ?

Why aren't they installing a metal flue inside the chimney?

I think it's not compulsory if the inside of the chimney is sound .And of course it would considerably add to the cost .

As above, surely a metal flue is being installed? Our chimney isn't fit for an open fire any more so a flue was installed before a log burner was put in.

who owns the freehold?

Sorry, cross posted.

I would have thought the chimney would be lined. Do you know what company is installing the fire/are they a proper gas safe registered company? not some dodgy handyman. A legit company should know what they are doing - but you never know.

Get yourself a few carbon monoxide detectors regardless

We are joint freeholders .

I think it has to be lined if a log burner is going in but not compulsory if a gas fire .

I haven't checked the credentials of the gas fitter and can't honestly see a way to do this without causing huge offence .

I would expect to be informed and to receive copies of all reports re the condition of the chimney. I would also expect to receive information on how the condition of the chimney would be monitored over time, what maintenance schedule might be necessary.

I'd not considered that Stripey ,thank you for highlighting on going maintenance.

What @user1471447863 says.

You're perfectly within your rights to arrange a visit and get advice from a qualified CORGI heating engineer.

What! They will definitely need a metal flue. As it's coming past your property you should insist. Can't they vent it out through an external wall? Sounds like it's very dodgy to me.

Ask the gas fitter if he could do a smoke test with you there? It would be reassuring for you and no problem for them if they’re confident there is no issue.

I don't honestly think it's dodgy ,I'm upset because my concern and wanting reassurances have been taken as criticism .

The fitter did a flow test while I was there and there were no leaks that I could detect .But I thought flow tests were mainly to check the air current/draw rather than any escape elsewhere in the building .I thought a pressurised smoke test (where the chimney is temporarily sealed ) was more effective .

But I imagine if there's a good draw then everything is being sucked up and out .

I don't know ,I just wish they hadn't made me feel like a trouble maker .

I don't know ,I just wish they hadn't made me feel like a trouble maker
Honestly as a people pleaser I know how you feel. But that's on them. They should be aware that a gas leak could be fatal so take your concerns seriously. I still think they should install a lining.

Thanks Longcovid ,the exchange has upset me and I keep going over it in my mind .I'm sure they're not happy either ,especially the male who was rather dominating .

It would upset me too but you're certainly not being unreasonable at all.

YANBU you are perfectly entitled to assurances that your home will be safe from dangerous fumes!!

@peridito You are def not being unreasonable to be aware of the dangers, to be concerned and to want proof of safety measures. CO can and does travel through brickwork if it isn't well maintained, so if the chimney has no lining and there is any subsequent fault, you could certainly be at risk.
There are several cases reported in the press of CO travelling between adjoining properties. In the following link, a family were saved from a potentially fatal poisoning because enough fumes travelled through the wall to the adjoining property to set off the neighbour's CO alarm. When the engineer couldn't find any fault in their house he checked next door just to be sure and found a family already suffering serious symptoms from a leak in their house.
www.northantslive.news/news/uk-world-news/familys-lives-saved-after-gas-4717653
In the following link, a couple in an upstairs flat had symptoms and when paramedics realised it could be CO they forced open the downstairs flat to find a deceased man. In that case, gas fire fumes had entered the upstairs flat through a vent in the chimney that was intentionally there to prevent damp, but I suppose neither flat realised there was a risk from using that chimney with a gas fire.
projectshout.com/jilna-jay-patel-from-greater-london/
If you can find out the name of the engineer or the company your downstairs neighbour used then you can contact Gas Safe via their website to check that they have the correct accreditation for the type of appliance they were working on (just being registered isn't sufficient, they need to be registered to work on different types of appliances). Your neighbour needn't know you are doing this if you are worried about causing awkwardness, but I honestly think it shouldn't be an issue if you tell them about the above cases and your real concern.
In the meantime, make sure you have a working CO alarm, to standard EN50291 and with good batteries - you need one in every room that includes the chimney.

Wouldn't your mortgage company be concerned if something had happened that damaged or reduced the value of your property? I think you could say to them that you're trying to tick all boxes for that reason, so they'll understand it's not just you interfering (not that I think you are!).

Might they beed Building Regulations approval? All gas installations have to be certified and a copy sent to the local authority (England)

Why not ask the Building Control dept at your local council.

Oh thank you everyone ,especially @COinfo.We have got new CO alarms and I'll check what standard they are .

I'm going to have to figure out the best way to address this .

I'm grateful for the input and advice .

If you can see the engineers van with company name on you can check them on the Gas Safe register.

No van ,just a car .Maybe working on his own time .

Found out today that chimney just brick and mortar ,not even an old concrete liner .And no camera inspection ,gas fitter was mistaken .

Can't help thinking our buildings insurance is going to be invalidated .

Hate this .