How far can a "plumber" go ?

[Sanke]

Hi all
If a non Gas Safe plumber has been called to a central heating problem & ascertains that the cause is in the boiler, how far can he go to solve it ? I was told that as long as you don't interrupt the GAS supply then you are okay to investigate an electrical fault etc However. just reading another thread it states that if you remove the cover you are breaking the law
Can anyone shed some light on this for me
Thanks

 

[sparky]

Boilers have got a seal on the inside of their casing so as you remove the cover you are seen to be breaking the seal.

 

[Sanke]

Hi Sparky
Agreed newer boilers/combis may have a seal but how do we determine how far to go with an older boiler e.g potterton suprima/netaheat ? These have no seal that is visible and due to age etc are more likely to go wrong

 

[ringw]

i take it you are not gas safe then ?

 

[Sanke]

Not at the mo If I was I suppose I wouldnt be looking for the clarification I have been told different things & just wanted to see what was the general viewpoint of the forum so that I can ensure I do not exceed that point
On the point of GSR what would you suggest would be the best route for someone with no gas quals as again there appears to be a lot of confusion reading different threads

 

[ringw]

where did you gain your plumbing qualifications

 

[fuzzy]

Not at the mo If I was I suppose I wouldnt be looking for the clarification I have been told different things & just wanted to see what was the general viewpoint of the forum so that I can ensure I do not exceed that point
On the point of GSR what would you suggest would be the best route for someone with no gas quals as again there appears to be a lot of confusion reading different threads

it depends what quals you have, what experience you can get and what experiene you have. give me more details and ill tell you the best route. if i am to proesume all the above to be very limited i would have to say a 4 year gas apprenticeship which is the prefered option from the skills sector

 

[Winston]

If you are not a gas safe engineer you shouldnt be in the boiler or remove the cover.

 

[Puddle]

I Know it maybe flustrating but non gas reg plumbers should stay at first base

 

[fuzzy]

I Know it maybe flustrating but non gas reg plumbers should stay at first base

i think we ned to be careful puddle. s plumber is a trade in its own right, people think a plumber is a gas fitter and so on.........

Most RGI plumbers are only really experienced in installation and commissioning of boilers. It really is another trade when you start fault finding on modern boilers they have changed so much, then add working with cookers fires water heaters, gas meters it is a world away from being a plumber, sanitation, draining, gutters, central heating, hot and cold pipework etc

The only reason peple train in both is to fit boilers, well id say in proably 75percent of cases anyway IMO

 

[helpsy]

Also see my post about this in the Gas Safety Forum.