Must you be Gas Safe Registered to do Gas installation? Read HSE's response.

[Reg Man]

DIY or not? What did you do at the weekend?

 

[Reg Man]

First observations of the scene, Consideration, Look at the flue terminal on the chimney and where it is located. This indicates that it had now or at some point a back boiler and fire in the lounge. Look at the main damage. It appears to be first floor which has blown out. So what gas would be upstairs? Gas fire may be, But doubt it. Gas pipes under floor been tagged may be. So first impression is it may not be gas work, Let the investigators come to an educated conclusion.

 

[Reza]

First observations of the scene, Consideration, Look at the flue terminal on the chimney and where it is located. This indicates that it had now or at some point a back boiler and fire in the lounge. Look at the main damage. It appears to be first floor which has blown out. So what gas would be upstairs? Gas fire may be, But doubt it. Gas pipes under floor been tagged may be. So first impression is it may not be gas work, Let the investigators come to an educated conclusion.

Absolutely Reg Man, I am only quoting what's being reported on the news, but as you have rightly stated it is all alleged at this stage. That said though do you guys think we will hear, through the press, as to the causes of this accident! In most cases, the accident makes it on to our TV sets, but unfortunately post investigation doesn't! May be we should use this opportunity to go to media right now. We know there is much wrong in our industry, I have a petition with 90+ credible signature on it and I am the first engineer who signed it too! Whether this accident was Gas or DIY or whatever else, what difference does it make!!! Your thoughts please.

 

[Reza]

And another thing; " How come I haven't got any Thanks next to my name yet " What does a man have to do to get a Thanks round here!!!

 

[DirksPlumbing]

I suggest open the gates for every qualified person to have their own GSR / RGII registration if they wish to comply with the rules of registration, at least that makes them and their installations legal and subject to all of the rules and responsibilities a registered party must follow...

How should insurance and health and safety regulations blend in with this? How many employees you know having a (serviced) FGA sitting at home ready to be picked up for the weekend job? And so on...

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

I am off on a tangent - I just wrote a blog that might interest you.
Is DIY gas work against the law? Or is it ok in my own home? | Mrs Tara Plumbing
I have been writing the blog for years it is read by "normal" people - lol - not construction industry guys.

I intended to write this for a long time and I was waiting for the ACOP to come out as I did hope it would make the situation clearer.

Resa - doesn't like the ACOP - we all know that!
But it is so so so much better than all the older versions of the same document - they never defined competency.

 

[Reza]

I am off on a tangent - I just wrote a blog that might interest you.
Is DIY gas work against the law? Or is it ok in my own home? | Mrs Tara Plumbing
I have been writing the blog for years it is read by "normal" people - lol - not construction industry guys.

I intended to write this for a long time and I was waiting for the ACOP to come out as I did hope it would make the situation clearer.

Resa - doesn't like the ACOP - we all know that!
But it is so so so much better than all the older versions of the same document - they never defined competency.

You are absolutely right that it makes it clearer! If people were a bit apprehensive before, now they darn well know they don't necessarily need to be Gas Safe before they start fiddling with their Gas installation. This promotes purchase of Gas appliances from B&Q and such like even more, an idea which I most definitely oppose and will campaign against. The word DIY can and will be taken out of context, anyone with a bit of technical knowledge and couple of years of NVQ under their wings will think they can have a go. I cannot for the life of me believe that you are still suggesting DIY Gas work is the way to go! I bet you a penny to a pound HSE will be changing the wording of that farcical regulation quick smart, but hey, I have the email. As for your blog, I am not sure if it'll be very appropriate to give DIY Gas work a positive connotation, Competent or not, I doubt if the families of the victims in the latest Gas explosion will appreciate it.

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

In my view finding ways to prevent those who are NOT competent at all is far more important than how many registrations a competent gas engineer has.

I don't know any breakdown of the stats as to who is doing the illegal gas work but just my impression from local chinese whispers I don't know of any Competent gas engineers doing gas work without GSR (although I am sure it happens) and i do know some work outside their listed competences.

I hear of loads and loads of gas work done by people who are NOT gas engineers and NOT plumbers at all. The ones I hear about are done by guys who are in other construction trades.

Perhaps my impression is not representative of the whole picture.

I think some people (DIY at home ) don't realise what they are doing is wrong - so better education - labels on products, Adverts etc could help.
But the general builders should know better - so they are deliberately breaking the law.

 

[Reza]

I hear of loads and loads of gas work done by people who are NOT gas engineers and NOT plumbers at all. The ones I hear about are done by guys who are in other construction trades.

Yes your information is correct.

Perhaps my impression is not representative of the whole picture.

This is also correct, it certainly isn't limited to just builders.

I think some people (DIY at home ) don't realise what they are doing is wrong - so better education - labels on products, Adverts etc could help.
But the general builders should know better - so they are deliberately breaking the law.

Education won't work when the cost of living has gone up 10-fold. More and more DIYers are having a go at mending their boilers. This is a fact.

 

[Reg Man]

Its all about balance. How far do you regulate the industry before it gets an intolerable machine. I think that if all gas appliances sold were registered as the TV's are, this would be a good move. As for the Gas safety (installation and use) Regulations, its quite clear. Can't carry out gas work unless competent to do so. If employed, you must be a member of the approved body (GSR). Outside of that it's up to the HSE and GSR to pursue illegal activity and for HSE to prosecute when necessary. In some respects there is a lot that our industry can do to help these agencies track down and carry out enforcement. I believe that many can't be bothered and many that whinge about the illegals. It may be that many feel that the agencies are not approachable.