Ciphe/gsr

[helpsy]

Looking at previous posts, it is quite clear that people working in the trade are at odds as to what you can and can't do regarding the boiler area if you're not qualified, also with the water side of the boiler(me included).
Would it maybe be possible to get someone from one of the professional bodies to try and clarify things a bit.I guess there's a lot of people out there practicing things they genuinely think they are ok to do , when they aren't.
Surely in the interest of everybody we need clarification,and if the professional bodies can't or don't want to comment then what hope is there for the person trying to stay on the right side of the law!!!!

 

[bobpape]

There is an article in the Nov/Dec issue of P&HE which refers to a presentation to CIPHE
by Peter Martin of GSR. (Capita)
Taking the article in its entirety I personally came to the conclusion that the CIPHE were
miffed that they were not chosen to run the new GSR (for which they applied) which to me suggests two things

one is without doubt that they were the best qualified for the job,

and two for this company Capita to get it suggests back handers.

However CIPHE seem to be quite stoic about it and are accepting them in good faith.

In other words they aint going to do nuffin but toe the "party line"

 

[traineedrip]

totally agree. we need clarity on where the line is.

can we change a prv? a pump? change an expansion vessel?

Ive heard two things. Your breaking the law even taking the boiler cover off or your ok as long as you dont touch the gas side.

Be great if someone from gsr could join the forum.

 

[bobpape]

I dont think that would help, we are seen by them as dirt. they are mearly a bunch of pen pushers who produce nothing of value, they are only in it for the money, they are not even effective ...a far higher ratio of issues are created by RGIs than non RGIs,

If the register said to me they really only exist to enforce people to buy registration and nothing else I would go with them, but to pretend that they care about gas issues above their need to make money for their shareholders and themselves rather
suggests to me they are suffering a severe case of hypocrisy.

It should have gone to CIPHE who are a non profit organisation (or they were last time I looked)

When CORGI first started they were a kind of club existing under the auspices of
BG.


Then it changed to a money making organisation (I admit I joined for a while)
that in fact had little effect on reducing the gas related deaths in the UK each year

The figure bandied about at the time was 50 deaths per year which when one thinks
about it, that number has to be par for the course considering there are 24m households in the UK.

 

[helpsy]

I've heard many differing stories.One says you can't touch it at all,and another said you can fit absolutely everything, all you can't do is the final connection to gas supply!!!!!These were from plumbing/heating engineers who are both near retirement and worked in the trade all their lives!!!!

 

[Renewable M]

it's tough. even changing an open vented cylinder is subject to building regs and should be notified.

where does it end? And with the home information pack you need all the consents for all the work you have done of the other sides solicitor wont let the sale go anywhere.

 

[jpm]

Perhaps a MOD could move this to GSR forum?I've seen at least one reply there from GSR.Personally IMHO as long as you don't touch flue or gas train it's ok,but important is the fact that we have both positive and negative cased boilers,and do non gas qualified know the difference?Seals and case integrity play a huge part in POC's not spilling.If you damage a seal it needs to be replaced and adequately tested,some people may not be aware of this and that's where the danger lies.So competent only I think is best.

 

[migoplumber]

thread moved.
personally i believe you can do anything you like to a boiler withoust being gsr, so long as that does not include installing,servicing,commisioning. you must not install the gas pipe from meter to boiler knowing it will be used for gas, leaving it for a gsr to make final connection. you cannot touch flue. you cannot break into the combustion chamber (in some boilers removing the cover does this) you cannot alter or modify any part of the gas train, or its safety components including any sensor that it is connected to ir modulates the gas input. thermistors, fans, flow/return sensors etc.

 

[Bernie2]

The question should be: Whose job is it to install central heating and does a boiler make up part of a central heating system?

The answer I suppose is obvious.

As one of those programs that caught rogue Plumbers showed.

They never broke any laws fixing a boiler until they disturbed the gas train.

Taking off a boilers sealed case that acts as part of the gas train is breaking the gas train so it is not allowed. The same applies to the flue, that is also part of the gas train.

The water side is not part of the gas train although the gas train does play a part in heating the water.

So reasoning it out, yes you can change a prv and an expansion vessel if it's outside the gas train. Many "sparks" repair boilers don't forget.

 

[Renewable M]

All good points. Migo is rtight, who would connect the gas and commission (thereby taking legal responsibility for the entire installation as the last competent person to touch it) for a boiler that a.n. other had 'installed'?

That would be madness. The jeopardy of your professional standing.

It's like when you speak to your insurance company and ask them if you can finish a job that someone else has started, they always reply with a "no", because you are, as the competent person responsible for everything, seen and unseen.

And that, my esteemed colleagues, isn't half risky!

Ring GSR and ask them if you can take the cover off a gas appliance!

 

[Bernie2]

The thing is, you take full responsibility for a gas installation when you do a gas service and you never installed it.

If you did not know what faults to look for it would be pointless doing a gas service or safety check.

And it would be daft to rip up floor boards to look at the gas installation pipework wouldn't it?

So it seems fair enough to say, it doesn't really matter about the water side of it, that is not gas work.