Gas leak?

[mitchellcook]

Good evening all.
I'm working on a large site in Heathrow changing boilers in flats. I changed one about two months ago which had new gas pipework run externally. When I commissioned the boiler I carried out a tightness test and there was a 0mbar drop. Job done.

Today I started another install on the same site. The site manager then came up to me and said transco came out last night and capped the meter as there was a reported leak outside by the meter. A colleague fixed it and said it leaked from a compression coupling.

So i'm a bit baffled at how this occured. Possibly the painters knocked it when they were working around that area, who knows. What I would like to know is would I be held responsible. If yes, does that mean every engineer should use an electronic tester and print out every TT they do?

Mitchell.

 

[Rickster123]

Why is there a compression coupling on a new gas run?

 

[Rickster123]

And yes if you name is on the gas cert you will be held responsible. You'd have a very tough time proving otherwise.

 

[EPH]

Odd to have a compression coupling on a new gas installation, what's the reason for that?

Printing out a tightness test might help but hardly conclusive proof, it could be of anything.

 

[SilentMike]

don't really know but I'am under the impression a print out wouldn't hold up in a court of law

if the meters outside anyone could have access to it

if you've tested it and it passed not much more you can do, a print out is not a bad idea but a test can easily be rigged for a print out

 

[Barry98]

How can you prove no ones been messing, it's like taking you car for a mot and it passing then going out in it 2 month later getting a flat and putting the bald spare on

 

[mitchellcook]

I didn't run the pipework, i was just told to commission the boiler. So in theory, I can carry out gas work and put my name to it, then joe bloggs who isn't gs comes and causes havoc, but i would get the blame.

 

[EPH]

No, you don't give a lifetime warranty on the installation just because you where there last.

But if there was no compression fitting on the supply then this wouldn't of happened. I'd be more cautious what you're signing for in the future is all.

 

[Rickster123]

Yep that's why you pay the fee to gas safe each year!

 

[mitchellcook]

I'm not saying the guy who fitted the pipe was incompetent, he is gs registered. And to say 'that's what happens when you use compression fittings' is a bit odd. They are a perfectly viable option and the type of joint is irrelivent to what i was asking. I was asking how can you be liable when anything could happen to the gas pipework/system once i had left, especially as it was external.

 

[tamz]

A tightness test is just a snapshot in time. It could be fine today and not tomorrow. Don't worry about it.

A print out proves nothing.

 

[EPH]

I'm not saying the guy who fitted the pipe was incompetent, he is gs registered. And to say 'that's what happens when you use compression fittings' is a bit odd. They are a perfectly viable option and the type of joint is irrelivent to what i was asking. I was asking how can you be liable when anything could happen to the gas pipework/system once i had left, especially as it was external.

I'll have to disagree with you that running new gas supplies using compression fittings is "a perfectly viable option".

in what degree have you been held liable?

 

[TBServices]

I'll have to disagree with you that running new gas supplies using compression fittings is "a perfectly viable option".

in what degree have you been held liable?

Agreed. Especially outside/communal areas. There's every chance it was tampered with by a wannabe thief who got scared off.

 

[MarkAqua]

All externals run in steel pipe. ESP around london

 

[mitchellcook]

once again i just want to re-literate i did not fit the pipework, just commissioned the boiler. I just wondered if i would get reported by transco basically, because i was the last gs engineer to work there.

 

[GrahamM]

As tamz mentions, it is a snapshot in time.
It was sound when you left it 2 months ago!
This is why compression joints must be accessible. They are too easily loosened off by getting bumped or even expansion contraction of the pipework can loosen a connection.
In my opinion it is poor practice to run a gas supply with compression fittings. Be more vigilant in what you sign off in future.
Would not worry bout it too much.