gas safe register probation site visit

[garry38]

hi there im a plumber / gas engineer and recently went self employed and got my own gas safe registration.
Now after working for 3 months gas safe want to visit one of my jobs to inspect my work.
Well my question is are they strict on everything such as if the working pressure is slightly more than 1mbar of difference between meter and appliances etc on say a new heating system.
do they ask lots of questions? is it like an exam?
do they expect you to go around radiators with thermometers and a flow cup at taps when they are there?
I wnt to be prepared and ready for the inspection.

 

[Kip]

Beleive it all depends how you wen't about getting your license. Did u serve a apprentaship? or just get the evidence and buy in.

Mine was straight forward, only one question he asked! Didnt ask for evidance, wanted me to go through Reg26(9) and tada, he was off.

 

[garry38]

i served a 4 year apprenticeship in plumbing and mostly only install heating systems cookers and fires. i dont really do many servicing of appliances or safety checks etc.
what i mean is does he have you taking burner pressures and gas rating etc and checking working pressures etc

im in scotland aswell so reg 26 and tada might be english thing ?

 

[oldplumber]

my check was in june and I took my assessor to a boiler install I did the week before. He watched me do let by test and pressure checks on the valve/pipework, then did a gas rate on the boiler, asked about pressure drops allowable on the meter as the system stood then back home for coffee/tea. Simples Dont panic they are not trying to catch you out just make sure you are safe.

 

[Kip]

Exactly same as mine, except i did it on a fire so the obvious flue flow checks and spillage were necasary.

 

[garry38]

what i mean is the working pressure at meter is 22 and the working pressure at the appliance is 20.5 it is a new instalation and from what i no it is only meant to be 1mbar of difference not 1.5 i done pipe sizing and my pipe size is more than enough and nothing is blocking the pipe i put in however the way the pipe comes out the meter i cant get into cean a part of pipework that was installed years ago.
will i get into trouble for this? or will it be fine as it is 20.5 and the boiler only requires 20mbar
ive spoke with other gas engineers i no and they said it would be fine but thats what they say about everything you ask

 

[kirkgas]

reg 26 an english thing c'mon now, i think you need to have a right good look at your books before the GSR inspector comes to visit, reg 26(9) specifically relates to the safety checks you MUST do after doing gas work, and should be easily recognisable to you, re your inspection you will be asked a few questions about safety work no interest in rad temps etc, but the more you know the less he will ask you, ie if you answer well and quickly he will ask you a few questions, if you struggle on basica you will get asked a lot more as he needs to ensure you do know what you are on about

 

[stevetheplumber]

what i mean is the working pressure at meter is 22 and the working pressure at the appliance is 20.5 it is a new instalation and from what i no it is only meant to be 1mbar of difference not 1.5 i done pipe sizing and my pipe size is more than enough and nothing is blocking the pipe i put in however the way the pipe comes out the meter i cant get into cean a part of pipework that was installed years ago.
will i get into trouble for this? or will it be fine as it is 20.5 and the boiler only requires 20mbar
ive spoke with other gas engineers i no and they said it would be fine but thats what they say about everything you ask

its where your taking the preasure measurement from at the appliance means at the point of entry to the applianc ie inlet of gas cock youll be measureing at the gas valve internally so there will be a diffence as preasure is lost through the vaves a lot of manufacturers give an allowanc for this allowing boilers to be run at 17mb internal test point

 

[garry38]

its where your taking the preasure measurement from at the appliance means at the point of entry to the applianc ie inlet of gas cock youll be measureing at the gas valve internally so there will be a diffence as preasure is lost through the vaves a lot of manufacturers give an allowanc for this allowing boilers to be run at 17mb internal test point

17mb at inlet of appliance i have never seen this in any manufacturers instructions though ?

 

[Puddle]

17mb at inlet of appliance i have never seen this in any manufacturers instructions though ?

It is possible to have a legal inlet presure at appliance of only 14 m/b and by rights the manufactorers should design thier boilers to this specification,but they seem to work on 20m/b,that is their error

 

[garry38]

It is possible to have a legal inlet presure at appliance of only 14 m/b and by rights the manufactorers should design thier boilers to this specification,but they seem to work on 20m/b,that is their error

yes i checked with manufacturer and they dont allow for any more than 1mbar from meter to appliance on the boiler even at the internal test point on gas valve.
the problem being this seems to happen a lot with this type of boiler and i definetly think it is too do with the boiler.

the question ive been getting at is will gas safe dig me for this if i take them too this particular install or am i better taking them elsewhere?
this must be happening all over the country as the boiler is fitted a lot.
how do i go about fitting an external test point that will help satisfy the regulations?
surely if the boiler requires 20mb at inlet and im getting 20.5 this should be enough?

 

[garry38]

reg 26 an english thing c'mon now, i think you need to have a right good look at your books before the GSR inspector comes to visit, reg 26(9) specifically relates to the safety checks you MUST do after doing gas work, and should be easily recognisable to you, re your inspection you will be asked a few questions about safety work no interest in rad temps etc, but the more you know the less he will ask you, ie if you answer well and quickly he will ask you a few questions, if you struggle on basica you will get asked a lot more as he needs to ensure you do know what you are on about

im not stupid ok i no all safety checks to carry out im just not a book worm like yourself who can remember all reg numbers and paragraphs

 

[stevetheplumber]

if you had a test point before the boiler isolation valve you would be seeing at least 21mb loss is through the isolation valve internal pipework and multifunction valve if you ask the manufacturers what the resistance is through these itemsthey should be able to tell you i think worcesters qouted 1 mb

 

[Kip]

Reg26(9) should be drummed into your head regardless, you served a 4 year apprenteship.

As for that pressure it will be fine, dont worry.

 

[Puddle]

Just so all reading this post know
Reg 26 (9)

Refers to checks you should carry out on all gas appliances when working on them

Check effectiveness of the flue....Scotish Flues included

Check Supply of air ...............Scotish air too

Check gas pressures and gas rates........Scotish gas included

Check Safe operation.....in Scotland as well

Stamp the above on your bum,coz you will be expected to know

Also will want ID label checked for EC(BS) stamp and correct fuel type

He will expect you to know about 1m/b allowed max pressure drop but probably will not check as will know opens up a can of worms

The fact you are asking about the inspection,shows you are taking it seriously and planning in advance,sure you will be Ok ,if you are not sure of something,look it up ,they will be just as impressed you can take a question and find the relevant information in the reg books and answer but you need to know the basics like above.Make sure you have your ventilation,pipe sizing and gas rate charts availible just in case,you may not need them but just incase,if things are ready at hand,it cuts down on any pressure you may feel
Be confident but take your time doing any checks and answering questions

 

[kirkgas]

im not stupid ok i no all safety checks to carry out im just not a book worm like yourself who can remember all reg numbers and paragraphs

i'm not a bookworm, i am a fully qualified, fully experienced gas engineer, who now works as a lecturer/assessor who moved into this field beacuse i am good at the job, who knows all the basic safety checks, rules and regs to carry out my work safely, as should you, you are right there are many engineers who work well and cant quote all the regs by numbers, but the basic reg that gets most engineers is 26(9) so its content/recognition should be second nature to anyone who has passed ACS

 

[garry38]

i'm not a bookworm, i am a fully qualified, fully experienced gas engineer, who now works as a lecturer/assessor who moved into this field beacuse i am good at the job, who knows all the basic safety checks, rules and regs to carry out my work safely, as should you, you are right there are many engineers who work well and cant quote all the regs by numbers, but the basic reg that gets most engineers is 26(9) so its content/recognition should be second nature to anyone who has passed ACS

ok point taken maybe i should no this reg number. but most important thing is i can quote all safety checks and carry them out compotently this is the thing that matters just cant quote which number it is but this is the reason i carry the instalation and use regs with me in van.
im not saying this describes you ok. but i had a lecturer for 4 years who could quote all these bs numbers and reg numbers and tell you what they were from his head.
who was a completely rubbish plumber / gas engineer and was lecturing because he wouldnt last 2 mins out there in real world.
so works both ways i suppose.

 

[stevetheplumber]

i'm not a bookworm, i am a fully qualified, fully experienced gas engineer, who now works as a lecturer/assessor who moved into this field beacuse i am good at the job, who knows all the basic safety checks, rules and regs to carry out my work safely, as should you, you are right there are many engineers who work well and cant quote all the regs by numbers, but the basic reg that gets most engineers is 26(9) so its content/recognition should be second nature to anyone who has passed ACS

remember the old saying "those that can do .those that cant teach"

 

[Puddle]

remember the old saying "those that can do .those that cant teach"

Yeh baby,thats why I am never going to teach about sex,booze and rock n roll

 

[prs1]

Had mine yesterday i was worried about it but to be honest there really is nowt to it.
It is all about weather u can work safe
ie if u have douts about pressure's u can ring manufacturer or gas safe tech line.
There is nothing to be ashamed of if u cant remember wots in the books there is to much info,written by lawyers not engineers for anyone to remember everything but they want to know u can route out the required info.
My inspector explained his job to me big emphasis on there to work with u not against also big push on cpa1 and how things will be changing and finally there minimum expectation from u in always haveing correct paperwork,warning lables,gauge ldf threre not bothered about cordless drills etc,they just want to know that u have wot u need to leave a property safe if needed,not wether u can repair the boiler.
Then to meter cupboard for tightness test asking to explain what iam checking ie handle on ecv/on/off tape /anaconda not strained & no corrosion/meter for corrosion/earth bonding/govener seal intact
seal on downstream pipe exiting box, then carry out test.
how would i confirm let by?
How would i class(unsafe sits)if pipe exiting box wasnt sealed and what i would do.
Then looked at boiler i had installed checking flue/prv and benchmark
How i had commision it answer is not removed cover etc but to manufacturers instructions.
then asked why with some boilers u have to anaylise and some u dont
answer is dependant on type of gas valve fitted ie zero rated gov ornot
He also said first impressions count if he sees a boiler and all pipework is crossed and looks a mess they will go further than if its a nice neat job!
Hope this helps, he was a really sound guy,in saying that i was also worried but try to select a job that your comfortable with as opposed to one u had loads of problems with
GOOD LUCK Paul

 

[kirkgas]

remember the old saying "those that can do .those that cant teach"

ok steve, who taught you then, i dont have to prove to anyone what i can do, i have worked in the industry for 32yrs and know what i am capable of, i am familiar with the phrase you quote, and having worked on a lot of sites and maintenance contracts for different companies, and now as a trainer/assessor it would scare you to see some of the guys i have seen who are gas qualified and are out there doing the work, then perhaps you are right cause these guys must have had crap teachers as their work standards and attitude are absolutely crap

 

[garry38]

ok steve, who taught you then, i dont have to prove to anyone what i can do, i have worked in the industry for 32yrs and know what i am capable of, i am familiar with the phrase you quote, and having worked on a lot of sites and maintenance contracts for different companies, and now as a trainer/assessor it would scare you to see some of the guys i have seen who are gas qualified and are out there doing the work, then perhaps you are right cause these guys must have had crap teachers as their work standards and attitude are absolutely crap

lol calm down... i will give you your respect after all you have driven around & delivered calor gas to customers homes for 32 years.
now you are teaching the other delivery men to paint the canisters RESPECT

rag 3 paragraph 12
dont spill any paint

 

[REDSAW]

thread is now on watch lads, keep it nice.
know what i mean, know what i mean rodders!.

 

[kirkgas]

lol calm down... i will give you your respect after all you have driven around & delivered calor gas to customers homes for 32 years.
now you are teaching the other delivery men to paint the canisters RESPECT

rag 3 paragraph 12
dont spill any paint

time for me to chill i think
respect to anyone who carries those big cylinders about, a primus 2000 is about my limit these days

 

[burger]

my teacher told us u dont need to know all the regs by head, but u should know where to find them