DIY gas work = DIE gas work

[prv]

The only thing I know to be currently taboo is home electrics.

Part P?

DIY is still permitted, but if it's kitchens, bathrooms, consumer units, or a few other bits, you have to get it approved by Building Control. They are supposed to do this without charging an extra fee (they can charge the standard "minor works" level which isn't usually too bad), but many councils flagrantly ignore this because they don't have the skills in-house and don't want to be out of pocket for external inspectors. Central government wrote to them all "reminding" them that they weren't allowed to charge extra for electrical approvals, but I'm not sure it had much effect. Most either charge for the inspection on top of "minor works" or insist that you have one done at your expense and show them the report.

Anecdotally, I've heard that many BCOs would rather people didn't raise the issue... . They didn't want Part P, that was the trade as a way of drumming up business.

Pete

 

[RogerMayne]

A man wants to learn how to parachute, so he goes for various lessons and then it is time for his first real jump. he leaves the plane correctly and is in freefall, he pulls for his parachute, it doesn't work, he tries the reserve chute, same again, then he sees a man flying up from earth towards him, as he is hurtling down he shouts "do you know anything about parachutes?" the chap flying up replies "No, do you know anything about fitting gas on boats?"

 

[David2452]

I can sympathise with the OPs point for no other reason that you don't know the capability of those you are giving the advice to, some of the questions of course indicate a level of competence to enable more detailed advice which is sometimes leave it alone, sometimes guidance can be given with a reasonable degree of confidence but there is no surety. People do all sorts of stuff and get away with it but my view is to ignore at least best practise is not only un workmanlike, dare I say it un seamanlike and in extremis downright dangerous.

 

[prv]

I can sympathise with the OPs point for no other reason that you don't know the capability of those you are giving the advice to

This is true, some of the questions make clear that the person should barely be trusted to turn a cooker on, let alone install it. The best answer in such cases is to tactfully suggest that they find a decent tradesman to do the job. As for those who are marginally capable but lacking some knowledge? I reckon they're better off getting a bit of advice here than wandering off to Towsure for some caravan bits and then making it up as they go along. If the forum didn't exist they wouldn't decide not to do the job, they'd just do it even worse.

Pete

 

[OGITD]

Every Five Years

Apparently there are a list of components (gas) you HAVE to change every five years to be 'in-spec' with current legislation ..... PTFE tape is a NO-NO ... and you should ONLY use copper olives + 'Gas Tight Red' ... so! ... more jobs to complete before the season ....

 

[Rigger Mortice]

How many died as a result of faulty DIY installations on boats last year?

 

[RogerMayne]

There "might" be a reason to give advice to a competent person, but a competent person won't need advice.

 

[Boathook]

I haven't died yet, nor have I killed anyone. I have replaced & removed gas fires, & cookers, I designed & installed my own gas CH in the mid 70's by simply reading books & chatting to others (professional & amateur). I have repaired several boilers, heaters & cookers buying & renewing both the gas & electrical components. I have worked on my boat, caravan, motorhomes & several houses over the years. It is no more dangerous than working on your car brakes or fixing a loose tile/ flashing on the roof. .

The only bit I haven't done is a wet CH system ...................

 

[RogerMayne]

How many died as a result of faulty DIY installations on boats last year?

Would one be enough? over 100 years? if it was your DIY and your family?

 

[Poignard]

I keep reading threads on these forums where people are asking for advice on fitting gas appliances, pipework, hoses etc and I just don't get it. The advice offered is often inaccurate, dangerous or just plain wrong (in whatever order you like).

Would you fit or give advice on DIY domestic gas work? I should hope not as it would be illegal, so why do so many people who are not qualified to give advice on LPG gas in BOATS suddenly become experts on a forum?

LPG on boats is more dangerous than any other work I do and that is reflected in an almost doubling of my public liability insurance premiums. I do not want any work, I live in the middle of England far from yachts.

Please do not work on LPG if you are not qualified to do so. Get a battery powered CO alarm and fit it near your appliance, get a flammable gas detector and fit it as low as you can.

The consequences of getting it wrong with a DIY gas fit on a boat CAN BE FATAL.

Depends what you mean by 'qualified'. Do you mean competent or certificated?

 

[Hadenough]

The only bit I haven't done is a wet CH system ...................

Easy peasy. You should try combining it with a gas boiler and a solid fuel system! Gas boiler on a programmer, switches off when the solid fuel system is fired up. Not that I'm gas safe registered though

 

[daveyw]

Apparently there are a list of components (gas) you HAVE to change every five years to be 'in-spec' with current legislation ..... PTFE tape is a NO-NO ... and you should ONLY use copper olives + 'Gas Tight Red' ... so! ... more jobs to complete before the season ....

I trust this is a troll!

 

[JumbleDuck]

I can sympathise with the OPs point for no other reason that you don't know the capability of those you are giving the advice to, some of the questions of course indicate a level of competence to enable more detailed advice which is sometimes leave it alone, sometimes guidance can be given with a reasonable degree of confidence but there is no surety.

This isn't a million miles away from the discussion about The Bloke in Cumbria and his semi-commercial sailing venture. I have friends I would trust to fit a gas system because they are sensible, intelligent and have good safety sense. I have other friends who I wouldn't let blow up a party balloon. That's fine - I know them and I can come to an informed judgement about how well they are likely to do the job.

When it comes to somebody advertising in the paper, though, I can have that personal character knowledge and so it makes sense to have some certification.

Mind you, a google search for "gas fitter convicted" turns up pages of depressing reports of just how badly qualified people can screw up. It reminds me of a saying by a former colleague of mine:

Smol's Definitions: A professional is someone who knows exactly how bad a job he can get away with. An amateur is someone who does the best job he possibly can for the love of it.

 

[David2452]

There "might" be a reason to give advice to a competent person, but a competent person won't need advice.

Why not? I consider myself highly competent in my area yet I still refer to manufacturers on particular areas and am avid for updating training, in fact that is mandatory in one particular area.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Would one be enough? over 100 years? if it was your DIY and your family?

How about all the people who have died as a result of bodged "professional" installations?

 

[RogerMayne]

Depends what you mean by 'qualified'. Do you mean competent or certificated?

Fair point, whatever it says on you in date Gas Safe card, you can do.

 

[RogerMayne]

which are how many, compared to a bodged DIY installation?

 

[RogerMayne]

This isn't a million miles away from the discussion about The Bloke in Cumbria and his semi-commercial sailing venture. I have friends I would trust to fit a gas system because they are sensible, intelligent and have good safety sense. I have other friends who I wouldn't let blow up a party balloon. That's fine - I know them and I can come to an informed judgement about how well they are likely to do the job.

When it comes to somebody advertising in the paper, though, I can have that personal character knowledge and so it makes sense to have some certification.

Mind you, a google search for "gas fitter convicted" turns up pages of depressing reports of just how badly qualified people can screw up. It reminds me of a saying by a former colleague of mine:

Smol's Definitions: A professional is someone who knows exactly how bad a job he can get away with. An amateur is someone who does the best job he possibly can for the love of it.

If you have any doubts about a gas fitter report them to Gas Safe

 

[paul-essex]

some one could not work out why it was broken

when it come to paperwork to do a job I am fully qualified car tec and auto gas and plumbing ect ect
but this ex corgi now gas safe and house electric and not fogeting plastic windows ( FENSA) in your house certs want are needed now days its a joke
when anyone can work on a car fill it up with fuel and kids and aim it down the road at 70 + MPH and do stuff like the mod above and it is legal anyone can alter any car and noting is said , lower kits , extra wide tyre, make your own tie bars , change spring rates any thing go's it is a load of "(!)

 

[RogerMayne]

Why not? I consider myself highly competent in my area yet I still refer to manufacturers on particular areas and am avid for updating training, in fact that is mandatory in one particular area.

If you are competent fine, referring to manufacturers is the thing to do. if you have no idea, and are asking the most basic questions, and getting the wrong answers from a forum then NO