Who is allowed to fit gas systems on boats.

[alan006]

It seems that everyone I speak to about this gives me a different answer, so someone on here is bound to know. My question is for gas systems on boats on tidal waters, who is allowed to fit the systems?
I asked a plumber friend of mine and he said it must be a "qualified person". Other people say that the regulations do not cover tidal waters. Any ideas?

 

[sarabande]

AFAIK, if the boat is going to be used in tidal waters, you could get a dog to fit the gas works.

However for peace of mind you might like to get a CORGI fitter to do it (it's a bit different from houses, so s/he might like a bit of a challenge), or you could get someone from the inland waterways system who is registered to fit up to BSS standard.

Your insurance company would presumably be a happier with a properly qualified person doing the gas fitout ? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[asj1]

There is no requirement as such for a qualified person to fit the gas system.
The surveyor I used for an insurance survey 3 years ago suggested that if he looked at an obviously old system he would stipulate that it was repalced by a CORGI gas man.However if the system was clearly newly installed (ie by me) he would comment that it was newly installed and didn't require replacement. The job is not difficult (other than the usual access probs in as with any boat job) and large chandlers sell all the parts.
If oyu fit a bubble tester this will give you peace of mind that you haven't got a leak.

 

[Dipper]

If you are referring to fitting a gas system on your own boat then you can do it yourself but it would be sensible to have it checked by a competent person afterwards. You have a responsibility to your crew to ensure it is safe.

I completely replaced my system which I described in a previous thread. There was also a lot of useful input from others.

A good place to start is the Calor Gas Centre in Southampton. I was having trouble matching up pipe sizes between my existing gas alarm and the new Euro bulkhead regulator. I discussed this with them and they sent a free adapter with the regulator so it all matched up.

 

[snowleopard]

Though you can fit it yourself, insurers would prefer a CORGI installer. However, any old CORGI man is no good to you as there are separate qualifications for boats and marine-certified CORGI installers are hard to find.

 

[VicS]

If you are fitting it yourself then make sure you have read section 7 of the Boat safety scheme Ok it is the scheme that applies to Inland Waterways but it is the only yarstick you have to go by.

In addition to the Southampton Calor Centre, which Dipper found invaluable when faced with a problem you may like to look at prices at BES

When complete there are two tests that should be applied to the new system. You may prefer to get these done by a Corgi fitter but if you want to do them yourself I am sure we can point you in the direction of the details (or for that matter if you want to keep an eye on what you will pay a Corgi fitter to do).

 

[Niander]

Well ill be fitting my own...hardly rocket science!
I'm a competent person and ALWAYS turn off the gas at the bottle after use....

 

[Bilgediver]

There is no actual requirement to have fitted by a Corgi however nothing wrong in getting one to check it out. However please note that not many Corgi fitters qualify in marine systems and the run of the mill Corgi certs for domestic houses is worthless in this instance.

 

[jonathankent]

I was told by my surveyor, and obviously subsequently on his report, that the insurer was happy for anyone to install it, BUT it must be properly checked and certified... so his reccomendation was to have it professionally installed because if I had done it and it didn't conform, I'd have to redo it... easier to just have one stab at it IMO /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous]

Professionals beget professionals

 

[KREW2]

I think you will find it's all down to what your insurance company will accept, in my case they did not ask who fitted it, they just wanted to have it certified by a marine corgi registered gas fitter. Cost of certificate was £75 pounds three years ago.

 

[Guest]

Simple answer - DIY .... no need for any CORGI / Professional trade person at all.

The insurance factor is trotted out by so many - and in my experience of surveyor and own insurance etc. - if YOU don't mention it to them - they don't require you to have CORGI. Often it only comes up because some surveyors like to be over efficious ...

If BWA / Inland waterways - that is different and you are required to have Certified Installation.

Before anyone shouts me down - I believe in safety - but after some of the crud I've seen ... some of the installations incl. my house done by so-called experts - sorry - I prefer to do it myself and be sure its done well.

As they say - Paper not the Expert it makes ......

 

[Topcat47]

If you're ging to do it "yourself", get it done before the insurance survey (mine is every five years). My last surveyor insisted that the system be replaced by a registered Corgi fitter and you wouldn't believe the problems I had as a result.

There aren't a lot of Corgi guys trained on boats and there's the rub; conventional gas fitters will not do. I was very lucky to find a guy in Gosport (I've lost his card so don't ask) who would certify my own work and it was worth the money for the gas test alone. He also repaired a slight leak on a cooker tap for no additional charge.

Installation is not rocket science and Calor in Southampton have a guide on their website, but I also downloaded the BS before I started. It sounds frightening but it's not in practise.

Replace everything! A lot of older fittings, even if they're functioning perfectly, don't meet modern standards (eg needle valves).

BTW, even calor supply the fittings with brass olives.....buy copper ones. Don't even think of using the brass ones.

Also clip every 400/500 mm; if you've to pass through a bulkhead, get the right sized holesaw for the bulkhead fitting; if you're passing through anything else, drill an oversized hole and sheathe the pipe in plastic tubing.

 

[Guest]

Now there\'s a sensible answer ....

Topcat47 has it in a nutshell ...

 

[dickh]

As topcat27 and sbc say - DIY if you can. Just follow all the recommendations in the Calor Gas installation leaflet, obtained free from Calor Gas if I remember correctly, fit all new components, clip the copper pipe frequently and plan the route carefully. The installation was commented on when resurveyed prior to launching and was OK'ed apart from where I'd passed the flexible hose thro' the worksurface to the cooker, which I cleaned up and smoothed - although I didn't think it was a problem especially as the flex. hose has to be renewed every few years.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
My last surveyor insisted that the system be replaced by a registered Corgi fitter and you wouldn't believe the problems I had as a result.

[/ QUOTE ]Thanks for pointing that out.

So before employing a surveyor it would pay to ask "If you should recommend work to be carried out on the gas system will you specify that it must be carried out by a CORGI fitter?". If he says yes, then don't use him.

 

[Niander]

Whats wrong with just using brand new hose?
correctly clipped no piping...

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
Whats wrong with just using brand new hose?
correctly clipped no piping...

[/ QUOTE ] Nothing so long as it does not exceed 1 metre.

 

[sailorman]

Answer in one
the surveyor IS WORKING & PAID 4 YOU not the Ins Co

 

[Niander]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Whats wrong with just using brand new hose?
correctly clipped no piping...

[/ QUOTE ] Nothing so long as it does not exceed 1 metre.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok why can't it be longer than 1 metre?.......