Homeowners are not trained as RGI's therefore not subject to the same rules,or have the same responsibilities. In the same way that a removal man can disconnect a plug in cooker without being subject to the regs, whereas we would be.
What about BG? Their RGI's are subject to 26.9. Whether an individual complies is another thing - you clearly do not. I did a short stint as a BG contractor, and their "service", includes all of 26.9.
Re electricians. They should not be removing the case and breaking the seal, unless a RGI is also in attendance to reinstate the appliance. Apart from electricians who also hold gas certs.
Can you not see that the regs insist that you do 26.9. I am a little confused that you are arguing on this. I suspect that any GS inspector reading this would be interested in your ID.