gas fire removal

[jammydodger]

if i was to remove a gas fire and cap off the supply using a black iron cap, would i be able to use leave the branch with the cap on under the floorboards? assuming it was adequately supported. or would i have to completely remove the branch or leave the cap accessible to purge from.

 

[GrahamM]

Ideally completely remove the branch if no longer required.
If capping off under floorboards this would be classed as an inaccessible area and would require a soldered end cap.

 

[jammydodger]

thats what i thought. but my boss and gas safe saiid a threaded cap was fine. im still confused.

 

[villa_tom]

I was told it was ok where I used to work but I used to just solder a cap end on instead. For the sake of an extra ten minutes its seems worth it to me. I'd do it just because it made me feel better about the job and its your name going on the ticket not your bosses or gas safes.

 

[Bartdude]

Is the pipework black iron? You'll struggle to solder that!

 

[villa_tom]

I think its copper and he's just using a black iron cap.

 

[Bartdude]

What,one of these?



Or does he mean compression?

 

[mfgs]

An iron cap is allowed under floor boards, compression caps arent.

 

[jammydodger]

solder to back iron wtf. obviously onto the black iron to copper adaptor used for restricter elbows. the one in the picture threaded. why is it ok for threaded but not compression?

 

[GrahamM]

This is another one of the not so clear rules/regs.
BS6891 specifically mentions compression joint and union joints must be in accessible areas to allow for tightening the joint to make gas tight. It does not specifically say threaded fitting cannot be used.
But, does a threaded fitting not need to be tightened to make gas tight?

I was taught that mechanical fittings cannot be used in inaccessible areas and that is what I have stuck by. I suppose it is open to interpretation, but I do not see how you can allow a screwed fitting but not compression.

As far as I am concerned the safe option is a soldered cap.

Maybe the reason it does not specifically say threaded fittings cannot be used is due to the Malleable Iron installs, but that is a different entity carried out under a different set of standards.

 

[tamz]

why is it ok for threaded but not compression?

A compression fitting and a screwed iron fitting are 2 totally different jointing methods.
The compression depends on the ring being compressed to hold it. Lateral movement will distort it with the chance of it leaking.
A screwed fitting grips by its threads and once tightened any lateral movement will have little effect. The joint is a lot stronger than a soldered one.

If MI pipe had to be accessible there would be no way to run pipes in many non domestic. Welding is not a viable option on smaller pipes.
You can use iron on domestic pipework too, anywhere you like. Hardly anyone does as it would take most longer to fit they would most likely not have the tools to do it.

 

[jammydodger]

i think tamz has got a good point. thanx for feedback all.

 

[Reg Man]

This is another one of the not so clear rules/regs.
BS6891 specifically mentions compression joint and union joints must be in accessible areas to allow for tightening the joint to make gas tight. It does not specifically say threaded fitting cannot be used.
But, does a threaded fitting not need to be tightened to make gas tight?

I was taught that mechanical fittings cannot be used in inaccessible areas and that is what I have stuck by. I suppose it is open to interpretation, but I do not see how you can allow a screwed fitting but not compression.

As far as I am concerned the safe option is a soldered cap.

Maybe the reason it does not specifically say threaded fittings cannot be used is due to the Malleable Iron installs, but that is a different entity carried out under a different set of standards.

The BS6891 does not allow compression fittings in inaccessible area's. Black Iron pipe and fittings are OK, infact there better than copper.

 

[stevetheplumber]

screwed caps are acceptable even if its on to a brass thread its compresion thats not allowed and definatly no pushfit

 

[gas57]

yes you can only compression not aloud under boards

 

[gbgas001]

I thought he may be talking about using a 1/4" male iron plug screwed into the fire restrictor elbow above the floor. This would be correct with the correct PTFE of course....