Bubble tester?

[RogerMayne]

They are a useful, foolproof way of detecting leaks. I would get it put back on. Give Gas safe a call and tell them what he has done and see what they say about it.
FWIW the gas pipe should be able to be easily inspected along its entire run.

 

[alan17]

How dare you criticise a qualified and professional person!

It's like saying that you should not trust a surveyor who says your boat may not be sound in 200 years.

But yes, I'd be furious if kit removed if not asked even if told useless yet no harm.

Professional or not always question advice. Have you never had a job done by a pro and later another pro sucks teeth at what has been done?

 

[Avocet]

Professional or not always question advice. Have you never had a job done by a pro and later another pro sucks teeth at what has been done?

Oooooh yesss..... Only last week, fixed a leak on our oil-fired central heating boiler which was nothing more than an OFTEC-registered fitter at some point having tried to bodge a parallel-threaded union into a tapped hole with loads of PTFE tape because he didn't have (or couldn't be ar5ed, or simply didn't know it was supposed to seal against a machined counterbore with) a copper washer!

 

[rogerthebodger]

IMHO the word "Professional" only that the person earns money from what they do and does not make any comment on the quality of the work. In fact the contrary is quite often true.

 

[catlotion]

Has he left the 'removed' bubble tester with you?

yes, he left it on the boat. I was not there, and didn't want to argue over the phone about it as we've been trying to get someone to sign our system off for ages so we were just happy to get the certificate. It does irk me a little though as I always try to do my best to research best practice before making decisions like this...

The other thing that's a bit odd is that the pressure is lower than before. He said he adjusted it, but I can't see how as the regulator is the same...

 

[catlotion]

BSS distinctly sates that the following must be fitted. (a) A readily accessible PROPRIETARY test point on the appliance or (b)PROPRIETARY test point in the pipework or (c)a Bubble Tester (Highly recommended)

We're on Windermere so not required to have BSS certification I don't believe...? but yes, I agree with the requirement.

 

[VicS]

The other thing that's a bit odd is that the pressure is lower than before. He said he adjusted it, but I can't see how as the regulator is the same...

The only thing that should affect the pressure is the regulator which should not be an adjustable type. If he did not fit a different regulator it difficult to know what he has done to alter the pressure.

Find a different fitter next time you need anything done

 

[jaybirder]

The only thing that should affect the pressure is the regulator which should not be an adjustable type. If he did not fit a different regulator it difficult to know what he has done to alter the pressure.

Find a different fitter next time you need anything done

Seems to me as though this "fitter" is a bit of a cowboy. He cannot adjust the pressure of an LPG regulator if it complies with current regs.(all LPG regulators MUST be fitted with a pressure relief valve) which I have just had to purchase at over 35 GBP so I agree contact Gas Safe, Trading Standards and HSE . .. in passing I spoke to 4 Gas Safe fitters in town today and they all agree .. he should NOT have issued a Certficate unless he added a test point in lieu of the bubble tester.

 

[SHUG]

In common with much safety equipment , it sits ther doing nothing......until it suddenly becomes very very important.
Think about it, flares, liferafts, EPIRBs, DSC, lifejackets, etc ..and gas leak detectors.

 

[VicS]

In common with much safety equipment , it sits ther doing nothing......until it suddenly becomes very very important.
Think about it, flares, liferafts, EPIRBs, DSC, lifejackets, etc ..and gas leak detectors.

But it doesn't, at least not in the same way as flares epirbs etc, It a piece of kit you can actively use to check the gas system tightness regularly if not every time you turn the gas on.

 

[daveyw]

.. he should NOT have issued a Certficate unless he added a test point in lieu of the bubble tester.

There invariably a test point on the back of the cooker

 

[GrahamM376]

yes, he left it on the boat. I was not there, and didn't want to argue over the phone about it as we've been trying to get someone to sign our system off for ages so we were just happy to get the certificate. It does irk me a little though as I always try to do my best to research best practice before making decisions like this...

Now you have your certificate, why not just re-fit the bubble leak detector?

 

[catlotion]

Now you have your certificate, why not just re-fit the bubble leak detector?

It's a shared boat and I'm not happy about tinkering with the system now really. If there are any future issues I'd be seen as the last one to have touched it. If it was just my boat I'd have done the whole installation myself and kept my bubble tester in place. There's no test point on the back of the Spinflo Nelson cooker I don't think?

I'm still puzzled about the pressure drop issue though - I need to see my co-owner to find out exactly what the fitter said as I wasn't there unfortunately. It's the same regulator that I bought and it was a marine one if I remember correctly.

 

[VicS]

There's no test point on the back of the Spinflo Nelson cooker I don't think?

Its on the inlet pipe #37 and 38 on this diagram http://www.leisurespares.co.uk/files/nelson_diagram.pdf

 

[catlotion]

Thanks!

So presumably it's fine to sign the system off without a bubble tester or other test point if the cooker is the only appliance...?

 

[VicS]

Thanks!

So presumably it's fine to sign the system off without a bubble tester or other test point if the cooker is the only appliance...?

Maybe it satisfies the requirements but it is hardly a substitute for a bubble tester. You are not going to connect a manometer to an inaccessible test point and carry out a leakage test:

(a)Turn off all appliance control taps including any pilot valves. Ensure that fold down lids on cooker hotplates are raised so that any safety shut off valves on the supply to the cooker hotplate taps are open, but control taps are shut. Isolate the LPG supply.

(b)Connect a "U" gauge to the test fitting, if present, or alternatively, to an in-line test tee.

(c)Open the main shut-off valve to achieve lock-up pressure, then close the valve.

(d)Light one appliance burner and allow the pressure to fall to 30mbar (Propane) or 20mbar (Butane).

(e)Turn off the appliance control tap and leave for 5 minutes. Record the pressure in the "U" gauge.

(f)Leave for a further 5 minutes, and re-record the pressure on the "U" gauge. There should be no discernible pressure drop in the system. (See Note).

(g)Release the pressure in the system by lighting an appliance burner. Disconnect the test fitting or test tee.

every time you turn the gas on