Connecting and Disconnecting Bayonette fitting IS GAS WORK

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

Don't take my word for it s I am often wrong but I'm sure old ACOP excluded this from work definition.

New draft ACOP now defines this as work - which is good because there is a GSR TB that defines it as work.

See daft ACOP 33 & 34.

Let me know if I am wrong because i don't want to spread misinformation.

 

[Killy Bing]

As i read it 33 refrences the commissioning preocedure when gas is first supplied to the appliance which does have to be done by a gsr engineer, as its part of the commissioning procedure.

however i dont see the issue of connecting and disconnecting a commissioned applience, thats the whole purpose of having the self sealing plug. (Which should be checked as part of the tightness test un connected with ldf and then with applience connected).

i make a point of this as one i did the spring had broken down and didnt re-seal.

If that became the case the catering industry would be pin uproar as they remove their appliences for cleaning (apparently)

and i didnt find any specific reference to the use of catering hoses?

 

[AWheating]

this was cover'd by a tech bulletin years ago.

the purpose of the removable fittings is for use by ther user for removal for cleaning behind, which is not classed as work. if the appliance is disconnected during work, then it must only be done by a competent person.

the key is to understand the meaning of the term "work"

For years i have worked on mods jobs where every trade under the sun has removed and reconnected the cookers in the kitchen to do there work. Its still is standard practice on most jobs today. This is because they will not pay for a gsr to remove and refit and its against the tenants human rights to leave it disconnected.

I have come across plenty of bayonets that have been leaking when disconnected. I had one last year where a carpenter removed the cooker to start fitting a new kitchen and he was outside when i turned up talking to some other workers. I went inside because i was there to fit a new gas fire and when i walking into the kitchen it was filling up with gas from a leaking bayonet.

the carpenter was lucky it was me who had turned up tbh.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

A gas bayonet fitting is not a recognised pipe termination, therefore should not be left as a pipe termination. This means it should be classified as work. This is just how i understand it

 

[Mike Jackson]

Have a read of TB 025. Customer is allowed to connect and disconnect to clean. If the cooker is removed for work to take place it must be done by someone competent.

There was also a TB that allowed a bayonet fitting to be left as a termination as long as it was proved to be not passing gas and in the correct orientation.

 

[Killy Bing]

But thats the point of the self sealing plug, it forms a gas tight seal automatically and secure as reasonable practisible? Its also classed as an "appropriate fitting" for use with gas.

it doesnt leave an open end.

do you remove the self sealing plug if you remove a cooker or do a boiler install without a cooker in place?

 

[villa_tom]

There was also a TB that allowed a bayonet fitting to be left as a termination as long as it was proved to be not passing gas and in the correct orientation.

ive seen the bulletin, however I don't agree with it.

When I worked at the council, they worked to this bulletin (which is fair enough) but I used to remove the bayonet and cap the micro fitting with an iron plug. The council didnt like me for it, but for the sake of five minutes work I would rather cover my backside.

 

[zzzjim]

A working sense of smell , should be on the " For safe customer operation - List "

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

But thats the point of the self sealing plug, it forms a gas tight seal automatically and secure as reasonable practisible? Its also classed as an "appropriate fitting" for use with gas.

it doesnt leave an open end.

do you remove the self sealing plug if you remove a cooker or do a boiler install without a cooker in place?

Its an appropriate fitting, but not a suitable termination imho

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

If i removed a cooker and wasnt replacing it straight away, i would cap the pipework

 

[anz]

The whole purpose of a self sealing bayonet fitting is so that it can be removed by anyone for cleaning.

If your going to permanently remove the cooker, I'd always remove and cap.

 

[kirkgas]

GasmanxxxR1
Your understanding is wrong, a properly fitted, and confirmed as gas tight bayonet IS recognised as permanent point of disconnection, whether you, me or anyone else would leave it is up to each of us, but we must understand what the rules are

 

[Mike Jackson]

I now carry the little plugs that plug into the bayonet fitting. Not really needed but the customers like them if I remove a cooker.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

i dont mind being proved wrong, i was just trying to put across how i go about things. leaving a fitting where someone can just stick a finger in it and have a gas escape, just doesnt feel right to me

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

So here is the wording in the New/DRAFT acop - very different to the old wording and more inline with the TBs.
So is this wording accurate or confusing?

Work in relation to a gas fitting30 For the purposes of these Regulations, “work” includes do-it-yourself activities, work undertaken as a favour for friends and relatives, and work for which there is no expectation of reward or gain, eg voluntary activity for charities. This means that anyone carrying out such work must have the necessary competence, as required by regulation 3(1).
31 The definition of 'work in relation to a gas fitting' lists specific activities covered by this term, but this list is not exhaustive and other operations may also comprise 'work'. The definition is wide-ranging and includes activities that could affect in any way the gas safety of a gas fitting (whether new or existing), and whether or not it contains gas eg replacement of combustion seals and appliance controls. In the context of ‘work’, terms not otherwise defined in the Regulations (or in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974) bear their normal meaning.
32 “Installation” may refer to either a new or used/second-hand appliance or fitting (see Regulation 26(3) and associated guidance) and is not limited to initial installation in particular premises, ie it includes reinstallation (eg following servicing/repair work).
33 “Installation of a gas appliance (or other gas fitting)” will be work for the purpose of these Regulations even where the connection is made by a bayonet fitting or other self-sealing connector (the connection of such a fitting being just one part of the installation).
34 For the purpose of the definition of ‘work’, ‘disconnecting’ means physically detaching or uncoupling a fitting (ie which involves breaking into a gasway), rather than simply isolating it by means of a valve or similar device, and both ‘connecting’ and ‘reconnecting’ should be understood accordingly.
35 For the purpose of the definition of ‘work’, readily movable appliances include appliances such as laboratory Bunsen burners and mobile barbecues, which are readily portable. Other appliances, eg free-standing cookers connected by a flexible connector, are not considered to be ‘readily movable’, but can be moved, temporarily, eg to clean the space they normally occupy; this type of activity

 

[Resolute]

I now carry the little plugs that plug into the bayonet fitting. Not really needed but the customers like them if I remove a cooker.

Where do you get them from?

 

[Mike Jackson]

BES, part no. 21067

 

[Resolute]

BES, part no. 21067

£5 a plug?!