Is white PTFE tape allowed on gas fittings these days?

[Application]

Ex gas fitter here. I haven't worked on gas for at least a decade so I'm not up to speed on any changes there may have been since I last worked in the industry.

However, I have recently gone to a family members house who has had a new kitchen fitted. I couldn't help but notice that the gas cooker bayonet fitting she's just had refitted has white tape on it rather than yellow gas rated tape I used to use.

Before I tell her to make a complaint, can any of you gas safe guys tell me if the regs have changed and are you now allowed to use white tape on gas fittings?

I've attached a photo of the fitting so you can see what I saw.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Scott_D]

The best thing you can do is call gas safe for an inspection
I don’t know what the waiting time is though.

 

[Aire]

If the white ptfe is suitable for gas, why does screwfix state that is isn't? I don't use ptfe on gas anyway but I was always under the impression that only the yellow gas tape was suitable for gas, after reading this thread I'm now not sure.

 

[Scott_D]

If the white ptfe is suitable for gas, why does screwfix state that is isn't? I don't use ptfe on gas anyway but I was always under the impression that only the yellow gas tape was suitable for gas, after reading this thread I'm now not sure.

Don’t Screwfix state their end feed fittings are not suitable for gas?

 

[gmartine]

 

[Aire]

Don’t Screwfix state their end feed fittings are not suitable for gas?

Just says suitable for hot and cold systems, doesn't specify whether they are suitable for gas or not. They do specifically state though that their ptfe isn't

 

[hammers4spanner]

That’s not what it’s meant for. It’s for short term removal and refitting eg cleaning behind the cooker.
A decent Gas safe registered person would leave it like that.

See that left like that all the time here , also when I was on site never use to see gas tape ptfe .
Saying that no one was gas registered yet we all fitted boilers lol

 

[richard978]

If it's a permanent move to an electric cooker then I'm sure it's best to have it capped off, but isn't a self sealing bayonet ok? At least in the short term?

Not really I've seen loads of them leak. If I find that I'm meant to cap it off, pretty sure it's in the book as well.

They get dirt on the bearing and it's stop them fully sealing. Even tiny leaks will cause smells in confined places. The other more concerning issue what if it totally fails while away on holiday. If your a plumber working for a landlord then it would be capped off when the tenant moves out. It's designed to allow cleaning not so people can fit their own cookers.

As for PTFE the colour has always been white and the difference is thickness. It's designed to seal the thread so one wrap is enough for gas. I've seen a few where people have wrapped it that much and ended up splitting the back plate.

 

[Application]

Not really I've seen loads of them leak. If I find that I'm meant to cap it off, pretty sure it's in the book as well.

They get dirt on the bearing and it's stop them fully sealing. Even tiny leaks will cause smells in confined places. The other more concerning issue what if it totally fails while away on holiday.

All valid points, but if the system has been tested via tightness test and the bayonet has been tested with leak detection fluid and no issues have been found, then shouldn't that suffice? At least in the short term if a new gas cooker is going to be installed the following week. Are there any specific regulations that state otherwise?

 

[Sharp Point]

What about micropoint adapter plates( look like a single white pattress), that are permanently attached inside and cannot be wound out to plug off. That’s the same principal as it’s big brother.... sprung sealed shut. I certainly wouldn’t get excited about a bayonet fitting left in the wall.

 

[Riley]

See both sides of this. Leaving the bayonet fitting on is working on the assumption that it’s passed a TT and it’s not just someone removing oven to replace with electric or they’ve moved out. Always TT

 

[firemant]

That’s not what it’s meant for. It’s for short term removal and refitting eg cleaning behind the cooker.
A decent Gas safe registered person would leave it like that.

Maybe so, but perfectly legal

 

[ben whitley]

Ex gas fitter here. I haven't worked on gas for at least a decade so I'm not up to speed on any changes there may have been since I last worked in the industry.

However, I have recently gone to a family members house who has had a new kitchen fitted. I couldn't help but notice that the gas cooker bayonet fitting she's just had refitted has white tape on it rather than yellow gas rated tape I used to use.

Before I tell her to make a complaint, can any of you gas safe guys tell me if the regs have changed and are you now allowed to use white tape on gas fittings?

I've attached a photo of the fitting so you can see what I saw.

Thanks for any replies.

View attachment 38158

 

[ben whitley]

You sound more like an ex onion picker trying to show off and pick up a gas fitter whos fitted a cooker bayonet, yellow tape and one and half wraps when "i was in the game " gettaway really??.. cant believe people even gave this numpty the time of day.

 

[Riley]

You sound more like an ex onion picker trying to show off and pick up a gas fitter whos fitted a cooker bayonet, yellow tape and one and half wraps when "i was in the game " gettaway really??.. cant believe people even gave this numpty the time of day.

Play nicely fella

 

[Aire]

You sound more like an ex onion picker trying to show off and pick up a gas fitter whos fitted a cooker bayonet, yellow tape and one and half wraps when "i was in the game " gettaway really??.. cant believe people even gave this numpty the time of day.

Why's he a numpty and why shouldn't we give him the time of day? He may very well be a concerned ex gas fitter whos came accross something that doesnt look right to him, and gas ptfe tape is supposed to be 1 wrap with a 50% overlap so not exactly sure what your getting at there either.