Qualified Gas Engineer

gtmoore

gtmoore

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My insurance is up for renewal and last years policy says that by this renewal date I have to follow all the surveryors recommendations from when I bought the vessel last year. I've done everything in the report now except for having the gas system checked by a qualified Gas Engineer. I've replaced the high and low pressure flexible pipe sections and the regulator but how do I go about getting it checked? Is this a common thing to have done and can someone recommend an engineer (Dover or Solent area)

Thanks

Gavin
 
one suggests a corgi

no, not the ankle biting kind but a corgi registered gas fitter. important that you get the one with the right qualifications as there is a special marine qualification they must have if they are to issue a safety certificate for a boat.
 
My surveyor suggested the same and the insurance company insisted it was carried out prior to issueing fully comp insurance.
I replied that I had replaced the regulator and flexible pipe and inspected the system for leaks and they issued insurance on that bassis.
As it is not a legal requirement (yet) to have the gas inspected (as it is for commercial property etc) I feel my inspection was enough.
The surveyor also suggested that the engine was inspected by a marine engineer, the rig inspected by a rigger etc etc, but I told them that I had done all these things and they seemed content.

Martin
 
Martin,

My Ins Co has said it requires a 'full survey' before next renewal (Its 1984 and I have owned it from new, same insurers all along).

I am dreading just such requirements as you quote. As a Chartered Engineer I feel I am quite qualified to make my own assessments and checks.

Would be interested to know the company you're with, since they appear to have a reasonable attitude. PM if you prefer.

Vic
 
Vic

The company I am with is St Margerets.

The only reason I had a survey was for insurance, I had already bought the boat but the insurance company would not insure me without a survey. When I sent them the survey they insisted all recommendations were undertaken before they would fully insure me, offering me third party only in the interim.
All of the recommendations were minor things, apart from those mentioned earlier were replace anodes, replace rudder bearing, install longer hoses to head, fit battery strap etc etc. I did all the work over a couple of week ends and wrote to them detailing the work I had undertaken. They subsequently upgraded my insurance without dispute.

Martin
 
contact a local plumber, corgi registered, if they are fitting gas appliances they will have to be registered, get him to check it, they have a guage calibrated in inches of mercury to check for leaks, and get a headed letter off him to say it is ok.
thats all you need
stu
 
My surveyor pretty much mirrored what yours said, on the day sat with me and said he had to say blah blah as he was not corgi registered, did commend me on my engine installations, then said in survey may require marine engineer survey, I did 2 years in college as a marine engineer before I left to work in my particular job. He also mentioned my electrical installation saying it was in a state of building and should be inspected on completion, my current profession is avionics engineer which out qualifies most electrical fitters who would do an inspection.

I told my insurance company to go and run if they think I was going to employ somebody with less training than myself to inspect my electrical installation, they seemed happy with that...

They have put me on a timescale to get my gas installation upgraded and inspected, this annoys me as I do not want to rush it, I am still trying to swallow the regs in order that I do the job right. Incidentally I spoke to St. Margaret’s this morning as I have just received an on line quotation, they also insisted upon the corgi inspection, it seems we are all going to have to comply to this one, I just wonder how long it will last before they ask for another?


Julian

http://www.ukstaffords.com
 
I am insured with K C Powell @ Partners Ltd, 01702 470035 Fax 01702 715344. They took a very reasonable attitude when I bought my boat 2 years ago and were happy with a 2 year old survey when I wrote and confirmed I had complied with all the surveyors requirements. The boat is 30 years old. Policy is with Royal @ Sun Alliance. When you ring up you speak to a practical boating (I think yachtsman) type who understands what you are talking about and is able to make sensible decisions there and then. Very helpfull.
 
Thanks for everyones help.

Last year straight after I bought the boat I changed the gas pipes and regulator. I spoke to my broker and asked then about the Inspection and they told me that if I told them what I had done in writing then that would be OK. However, I can imagine the actual insurance companies wriggling out of payment in the event of a Gas related claim as my insurance schedule states "warranted all surveyor recommendations have been complied with". I have a similar issue with the 12V wiring with the survey using words like "could do with tidying by a qualified electrician" but this doesn't say "recommended" so I've done it myself!

I think I may try along the lines of providing a list of all the survey recommendations and actions taken to my broker requesting if this is sufficient. If I get it back in writing then that will be OK I guess.

Thanks again for all the advice

Gavin
 
I read all the post in this thread and they seem to echo something that I thought I heard one of the mechanics say at my Boatyard last summer. This seemed to go along the lines of "If he checked a leak on my system he would have to check the whole system as he is a Corgi registered fitter." If the system was found defective or lacking - he would have to seal it all off because he is Corgi registered. I think thats what I heard him say at least!
Anyone cast any enlightenment on this one?

regards
Claymore
 
A lot of common sense spoken here by everybody, but one thing has been missed.

Though the plumber tersting your gas installation HAS to be CORGI registered, this registration has to inlude LPG gas. Most CORGI registered installers do not bother with the extra costs of gaining the extra certification.

I wouldn't expect anything less than £75 to be asked as a fee.

BUT, if you purchase and install a gas appliance that is FULLY LEGAL!! You have to be CORGI registered if doing the work for reward etc.etc..

Test using washing up liquid in water solution over all joints while gas valve open all appliances off. A test meter (water tube) can be bought for about £12 and you connect it to the test point on your cooker with the gas supply on then turn off the gas and check that the gauge doesn't fall in the next few minutes. Not a lot for £75!!


Phil

Was a registered CORGI installer until 5 years ago.
 
Claymore You are correct.If A CORGI gas fitter does work on your boat he is legally bound to leave the system safe .If he finds a safety fault he will ask your permission to repair it.If you wont allow that he MUST disconnect the gas and seal off the pipe to prevent further use.

If you refuse to allow him to disconnect he is then obliged to inform the Health and Safety Executive.

At the end of the day no sensible person would want to carry on using a dodgy gas system .Nor would I want to be rafted up next to one.
 
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