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Spring is around the corner after the unwelcome return of snow and ice in March and yet more callouts to frozen condensate and boiler breakdowns. We’re all looking forward to warmer weather, turning the heating down and a chance to take a foot off the pedal.
Gas engineers and consumers alike have been dealing with the rise in the cost of daily living, and the response for many self-employed people has been even more work, dealing with supply issues and higher prices while still coming to the rescue and keeping their customers warm.
A recent survey has found that tradespeople who are self-employed are generally working longer hours, and our 2023 reader survey shows that a whopping 89 per cent of Gas Safe registered engineers are either sole traders or work in small companies of fewer than five people.
The survey has also confirmed that many of you have been working with gas for a long time: more than half have 20-plus years under your belt. But it also showed that you’re looking to the future and the ramping up of renewable forms of heating. Nearly one in five are working with renewables in some form right now, and seven in ten are considering training in heat pumps this year.
Nicki Shearer, editorGas Safe Register, PO Box 631, DARLINGTON, DL1 9GD
Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister.co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk
Managing editor: Scott Darroch scott.darroch@gassaferegister.co.uk
Editor: Nicki Shearer editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
News: Jennie Ward news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
Publisher: Peter McCreary publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
Technical consultants: Carl Banister, Stephen Gallagher, Jonathan Palmer
Production: Mark Turpin
Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter ian@rgemagazine.co.uk
Additional print subscriptions £25 per year email: wgardiner@circdata.com, Tel 01635 869 868
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Gas Safe Register. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. ABC membership approved 19 March, 2009.
Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ
We want to say a huge thank you to all those who took part in our 2023 reader survey. More than 1,100 of you gave us your feedback about this magazine and your working life in general.
We ask about you and your business so that we can make sure that the information we provide in this magazine is as valuable and relevant as possible. Asking some of the same questions every year enables us to look at whether – and how – things are changing for you and your business, particularly on renewables.
In an increasingly digital-led age, we want to know whether you still find a print magazine valuable. Overwhelmingly you do, it seems: more than three-quarters generally prefer to read trade magazines in print
as well as enjoying finding out the latest news about your industry and information about the newest products.
When it comes to social media, it clearly isn’t for everyone: one in four of you use it to attract and keep in touch with potential customers, with Facebook very much the preferred option among those who do use it.
That’s probably because, for the vast majority, your business comes to you, whether it’s from existing customers and repeat business, or because your customers have recommended you. Gas Safe Register’s Find an Engineer function plays an important role too, with more than one-third saying that customers come to you because they’ve found and checked you on the Register’s website.
CIRCULATION: Jan-Dec 2021
73% 16% sole traders A company of 2-5 people
How long have you been a gas engineer?
31+ years
21-30 years
11-20 years
6-10 years
3-5 years
0-2 years
34% 21% 24% 10% 6% 4%
Do you currently install or work with renewable technologies? 19% 81% 70% Are or may be considering training to work with heat pumps in 2023
How do you usually read Registered Gas Engineer magazine?
Which articles in this magazine do you most enjoy reading?
87 % 13%
Gas Safe Register sets out the records that must be completed and kept when you carry out gas work.
You may choose to use paper or electronic versions of work records provided that they incorporate the relevant details as required by Gas Safe Register’s Registration Policy. You’re free free to design your own work record format as long as it includes all the information that’s required.
Some of the requirements that must be met for the common records are set out below.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 Regulations (GSIUR) 36(3) sets out what’s needed. You should ensure that a record in respect of any appliance or flue checked is made and retained until there have been two further checks of the appliance or flue under this paragraph or, in respect of an appliance or flue that is removed from the premises, for a period of two years from the date of the last check of that appliance or flue. The record shall include the following information:
• The date on which the appliance or flue was checked
• The address of the premises at which the appliance or flue is installed
• The name and address of the landlord of the premises (or, where appropriate, their agent) at which the appliance or flue is installed
• A description of and the location of each appliance or flue checked
• Any safety defect identified
• Any remedial action taken
• Confirmation that the check undertaken complies with the requirements of an HSEapproved body
• The name and signature of the individual carrying out the check
• The registration number with which that individual, or their employer, is registered with a body approved by the Executive for the purposes of regulation 3(3) of these regulations. These requirements must be met in order for the landlord’s gas safety record to be valid.
If they are not met, Gas Safe Register will request that the record issued complies with the GSIUR.
It is a requirement that the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist must be completed and it is essential to complete all the required sections.
The correct information must be recorded on these records, as per the Registration Policy. Gas Safe Register often receives records that do not contain all the correct information – for example, domestic gas records used in a commercial environment.
Suitable records are required for tightness testing, purging and strength testing as per the requirements of IGEM/UP/1 or IGEM/UP/1A.* ■
* IGEM/UP/1 Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of industrial & commercial gas installations; IGEM/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial natural gas installations.
Gas Safe Register’s Registration Policy explains more about the requirement to keep work records and is available from the Gas Safe website. It states: “Notwithstanding any legal or normative requirements for records, registered businesses and anyone carrying out gas work on their behalf must ensure that records are kept and given to us, and the consumer, when requested (See Rules of Registration Section 2). These records must be retained for at least six years and accurately record the following as a minimum:
a. The name of the person carrying out the gas work
b. The Gas Safe registration number of the business/engineer carrying out the work
c. Description of the gas work carried out. This should include: the appliance make, model and location, and positive recording of essential gas safety checks and test results carried out. Where applicable, record:
• Flue operational checks
• Provision of ventilation
• Operating pressure and/or heat input
• Safe and correct installation and operation of the appliance/installation
• Combustion analysis readings
• Tightness test results
d. The date the work was completed
e. The address where the gas work was done
f. The actions taken for unsafe situations, ie, issuing of warning labels, etc.
Work records must be signed by the person carrying out the work, confirming that the information captured is true and accurate.
All new primary gas meter installations, irrespective of size and including primary meter exchanges, must be labelled with the following information:
• Gas Safe registration number of the installing business
• Date of installation
• Optional and preferred, the licence card number of the engineer who installed the meter or unique employee reference.
If the above requirements are not met, Gas Safe Register will request from the visiting business that a suitable record is provided that complies with the above.
You can download Gas Safe Register’s Registration Policy free at www.gassaferegister.co.uk/about-us/our-policies/
• There are multiple work records available, so use a record that is suitable and record all the relevant test results for the work carried out.
• Ensure all relevant sections are completed
• Ensure that records are legible: Gas Safe Register cannot accept records that are illegible.
Every day, hundreds of gas engineers call Gas Safe Register’s Technical Support. We go behind the scenes with Lead Technical Officer Rob Walkerdine to discover what a typical day can involve and some of the many topics that the team help with.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re the first person to ask a particular question to Gas Safe’s Technical Support Team, the chances are you’re not. The team have been asked – and answered – thousands of questions to help gas engineers carry on working safely and effectively.
The sheer range of queries is one of the things that particularly struck Rob when he joined the team just over a year ago. “One minute you might be asked a question about a six-inch gas pipe in a commercial warehouse, and the next call can be from a consumer who’s looking for some advice on a gas fire and whether she needs gas engineer,” he says.
“You don’t get a day on one particular topic – you might get questions about boats and caravans too. We help many different kinds of people.”
That’s what the Technical Support Team are there for: to help people on the phone or by answering emails, whether they are gas engineers, members of the public, landlords or letting agents. On average, the team of 10 take 30-40 calls each every day. Some are quick checks but others might take longer. “We help one caller at a time and we focus on giving quality advice rather than on the number of calls. Sometimes we might have to do some research and then call them back,” says Rob.
Although the queries vary hugely, patterns do emerge. “When there’s a slight change in regulations and standards or a new Technical Bulletin comes out, we tend to receive a lot of calls on that topic.” Most recently, the changes to requirements around CO alarms generated a lot of calls from engineers checking the new rules on fitting one when installing a new boiler in all properties, as well as making sure they’re in all rental properties that use gas.
The team receive gas engineer
queries around the work that their qualifications enable them to do, and one that often crops up is about working on domestic boilers in commercial environments. It’s not always a cut-and-dried answer, says Rob. “It depends a lot of factors, including pipework size, the size of the gas meter, and where the boiler is: if it’s in a room with a lot of other equipment like commercial gas equipment, or if the boiler’s on its own in a warehouse canteen, for example.”
In instances like this, the gas engineer might not have been to site yet and so it can be hard to give specific advice. “I often say to them, wait until you get to the job and then give me a call and we’ll talk through it. It’s good to check,” says Rob.
He’s also keen to highlight that there’s no such thing a stupid question – and equally that engineers shouldn’t think that they can only call if they have a really complicated issue. ”It’s never a problem – just ask us.”
It isn’t always about the rules and regulations, either. “Just this morning a gas engineer called who was in a property where the customer had got really aggressive and he didn’t know how to handle it.
“The property had a gas escape and he needed to disconnect the gas supply and the customer was really angry. He said he knew it wasn’t a technical query but he was quite newly qualified, he’d never had that situation before, he was concerned and he had no one else to call.
“Gas engineers shouldn’t ever be worried about calling us: we’re gas engineers too, but with a lot of documents in front of us.”
Not even technical support officers can carry all the information that they might be asked about in their head. They have every regulation, standard
and document that might be needed at their fingertips and quickly learn how to find what they need fast.
The team receive ongoing training in the form of specific learning modules. “When you first start, there’s a very long list of them,” says Rob. “We have to undertake modules on certain topics, so you get used to looking for information through the regulations, standards and other documents.”
As time has gone on, as well as the regular modules that the team work through – often two to three per month and often in response to changes in regulations or updates to Technical Bulletins – Rob sometimes spends quieter
periods refreshing himself on topics that he wants to understand more fully, most recently on boats and caravans. “Everyone has a different way of learning: I prefer to read things through and through again until the information stays in my head.”
Although it’s a big change for Rob to have to find so much information quickly, his previous roles, most recently auditing gas engineers and previously as an apprentice-trained British Gas engineer and field manager, have stood him in good stead. But the trade wasn’t necessarily his first choice. “My mum saw the ad for a gas apprentice in the paper and said you’ve got to get a job. Good old mum, I’ve always enjoyed it.” ■
“We help one caller at a time and we focus on giving quality advice rather than on the number of calls. Sometimes we have to do some research and then call back.”
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Almost one-quarter of tradespeople say they can’t afford to take any time off and that they’re working longer hours and taking on extra shifts because of the cost of living.
Specialist retailer ElectricalDirect surveyed workers across the nation to reveal how many are at risk from burnout,
and found that almost two in five (39 per cent) have upped their hours in recent months.
A similar number (43 per cent) now regularly work more than eight-hour days, nearly one-fifth (18 per cent) work more than five days a week, and just over one-quarter work while feeling unwell.
Baxi has teamed up with H2GO Power to develop green hydrogen-based technology that will tackle heat decarbonisation and energy reliability.
The partnership with the hydrogen-based software and hardware solutions company includes an industrial-scale trial of a containerised pre-heating solution that will be hosted by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) at its Low Thornley test facility.
Pre-heating is an essential part of distributing gas. Before gas can be transported to homes and businesses through the network, the pressure must be reduced. This process can cause it to freeze, so pre-heating enables the gas to flow.
Traditional pre-heating units are highly energy and cost intensive. A carbon-neutral “heat-in-a-box” will lower the cost of pre-heating, while delivering the supply at much lower costs for applications at a large scale.
The aim of the trial is to demonstrate how the heat-in-abox system can supply heat for gas pre-heating in a safe and carbon-neutral way, with the
potential to supply renewable heating for other operations.
Heat-in-a-box combines electrolysis, hydrogen storage technology and Baxi’s hydrogen boiler, the first 100 per cent hydrogen boiler for commercial applications. The end-to-end system will be powered by solar PV and supported by an AI-enabled optimisation software platform.
Because heat-in-a-box can help to maximise self-generated renewable electricity, it offers an interesting solution for many cases – including decarbonising heat in off-grid non-domestic buildings.
Karen Boswell, managing director at Baxi UK & Ireland, says: “This partnership will deliver the world’s first commercial pure hydrogen boiler that will provide customers with greater flexibility in meeting their emissions reduction targets.
“Innovation projects like this are critical to understanding the role hydrogen can play in helping to decarbonise a range of sectors – including the difficult ones like heat.”
Peter Arnold from Christchurch in Dorset has won our February 2023 competition. He takes home a unique Boiler Lifter from Clevatech, worth £625. Congratulations!
Furthermore, tradespeople are taking very few days of annual leave, largely for financial reasons. On average, plumbers take just 12 days off a year, but almost one-third take less than a week of holiday every 12 months.
Self-employed tradespeople are the most overworked. They
are considerably more likely than employees to work long days, work while ill and work at weekends. They are also nearly twice as likely to work more than five days a week.
• For advice on how to deal with burnout, go to: www.electricaldirect.co.uk/ blog/how-to-avoid-burnout
Following recent changes in some Building Regulations, it has become apparent that Technical Bulletin 005 ‘Gas cookers in internal kitchens – Ventilation requirements’ may contain information that is not aligned to current guidance. Because of this, all versions of TB 005 have been withdrawn with immediate effect.
New versions of these Technical Bulletins are in the process of being produced. In the meantime, please follow the relevant document for your geographical area for further guidance on installing cooking appliances in internal kitchens. You can also contact Gas Safe Register’s Technical Helpline for assistance.
Glow-worm’s new logo amplifies the brand’s British heritage while committing to ‘Keeping Britain Glowing’.
It features a Union Jack emblem and will become a familiar sight on the manufacturer’s boilers, heating controls and accessories from 2024.
The new logo further cements Glow-worm’s pride in manufacturing from Derbyshire. An official licence mark, ‘Made in Britain’ brings together the British manufacturing community and helps to identify and certify British-made products.
Marketing director Alice Woolley says: “As part of our continued investment into the brand we’re delighted to be unveiling our new logo that builds on our 89-year heritage, but also gives a nod to the fresh thinking and innovation synonymous with our products that help installers keep UK homes glowing.
“The addition of the Union Jack emblem to the logo will mean not only can installers easily recognise the brand, but they can also be confident the products they are recommending and installing are manufactured right here in the UK.”
Seven finalists will compete in the HIP Learner of the Year’s live final at Worcester Bosch’s HQ next month (April 2023).
The competition kicked off in January, when Level 2 and 3 plumbing students competed across six locations in England and Wales.
The high calibre of entries meant that competition judges, Jerry Whiteley from CIPHE, and Glenn Scholfield from Aalberts IPS (formerly Pegler Yorkshire), had a tough job on their hands.
After much deliberation, six regional winners plus the highest runner-up will take part in the final on 19-20 April.
The finalists are Elliot Julian from Cornwall College, St Austell; George Anderson from City College Plymouth, Nathan Kelly from Cardiff and Vale College, Theo Dobinson from Newcastle College, Conall Barningham from Leeds College, Louie Diver from Cambridge Regional College and Miles James from Farnborough College.
HIP managing director Zoe Tanner says: “Congratulations to all seven finalists and to everyone who competed this year across the six regional heats. It is an incredible achievement to be representing your colleges.”
Martyn Bridges, director of Technical Services at Worcester Bosch, says: “It is essential that the next generation of plumbing and heating engineers are supported by the industry, helping them navigate through their training as they work towards their qualifications.
“This is why Worcester Bosch is continuing its support as Platinum Sponsor for HIP Learner of the Year, as it is a great way for the next generation to hone their skills. We look forward to seeing the competition progress.”
More information at www.hip-magazine.co.uk/ learner-of-the-year/
A lively debate about the many different routes that people can take to start a career in the plumbing and heating business will be the highlight of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers’ Annual Lecture in May.
“Who needs university when apprenticeships are better?” will focus on the benefits of paid apprenticeships versus university, and the variety of pathways for those who begin their careers by gaining experience alongside training.
Keynote speakers include
Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch; Kevin Wellman, CEO of CIPHE; and Neil Collishaw, CEO at BPEC. All three are passionate about encouraging more young people, and those keen to retrain, to consider the building services engineering sector.
Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers Paul Nash says: “The demand to deliver new environmentally sustainable technologies, which are required to meet the energy supply and climate change challenges we face, is huge. The big question is: can we
meet this demand in time? Our eminent speakers at the 2023 lecture will set out the industry requirements, and then discuss how we need to deliver training and education to meet them as quickly and effectively as possible.”
The lecture will take place on 15 May at the Royal College of Physicians, Regent’s Park, London. Tickets are £25 for the lecture only and £85 for the lecture and dinner.
More information and tickets at: www.plumberscompany. org.uk
Installers who need advice on underfloor heating in a hurry can now use Continal’s Live Chat service.
When you’re browsing Continal’s website looking for technical, product or installation advice, you can speak live to an expert through the Live Chat function, and have your questions answered quickly and efficiently without having to wait.
The Live Chat is available from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and appears on screen automatically at: www.continal.co.uk
Most tradespeople think there is a shortage of apprentices entering construction (85 per cent), according to new research from Screwfix. Although nearly all of those questioned would recommend a career in the trades, nine in ten believe more can be done to encourage people into the industry.
When quizzed on why they would recommend a career as a tradesperson, 86 per cent said it
was the pride in a job well done, while being your own boss (72 per cent) and customer satisfaction (64 per cent) were close behind.
However, just 12 per cent said they knew how to take on an apprentice, and said the biggest barriers to doing so were help and advice for hiring (39 per cent) and training (31 per cent).
To encourage more
apprentices into the trades, last year Screwfix unveiled a new initiative to fund their training. Working in partnership with Flexi-job Apprenticeship Agency, TrAC, Screwfix will help both the apprentice and their employer with financial support to cover the cost of training.
Screwfix’s research findings coincide with its annual Trade Apprentice competition, which
aims to shine a light on the talent coming into construction and show the need for more apprentices.
Marketing director Jack Wallace says: “Our programme with TrAC, together with our annual competition, Screwfix Trade Apprentice, are just two of the tangible ways we continue to champion the trade and those working within it.”
• www.screwfix.com/sfta
On International Women’s Day last month, Alpha service technician Samantha Older shared her experience of proving herself in a traditionally male-dominated industry. The 21-year-old said: “I started out as a gas engineer apprentice. It was a fantastic job with fabulous people who taught me essential skills that have helped me throughout life. However, like most, I was itching to do more.
“That’s when I took the step to become a hybrid technician, which involved working on renewable technology such as air and ground source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation, Hiu and Nibe units. While working in this role, I also trained my own apprentice, which was extremely rewarding.
“For the years following, I continued to develop my skills and experience within my specialism and joined Alpha in December 2022 as a regional service technician.
“[I’m] only three months in but I’ve already developed my abilities and expertise within my role, excelled in problem solving, adapted to changing working environments and built on my confidence and capabilities to work under pressure.”
Samantha’s role can come with a host of challenges,
including keeping up with the latest legislation and innovations, not to mention often having to work in tight, awkward spaces. However, one of the biggest challenges she has had to face is proving her worth in a male-dominated industry. She says: “For years we have endured a significant imbalance of men to women within our industry. We can all truly embrace equity and challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination and seek out inclusion.
“While it’s been challenging to prove myself, I am proud to work as an Alpha engineer and aim to inspire others who might be thinking about a career in the heating and engineering industry. Even though I do still see homeowners a little surprised to see a female show up at their door, I have seen a shift in mindset and have confidence that the younger generation will start to consider a career in this amazing industry.”
She adds: “The best advice I’d give to young people is to be brave. Nothing is ever impossible if you have your heart in the right place and set your mind to it. It can be difficult when starting out in a maledominated sector – you need to have thick skin. But I have
Do you work in high-rise buildings regularly? If so, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) would like to hear from you. It’s carrying out user research and usability testing with those who regularly visit high-rise buildings – residential buildings of seven floors or higher – in a work capacity.
The research will consist of a
one-hour online interview. This will focus on how you would contact BSR if you need advice, have an enquiry or if you spot something in a high-rise building and want to raise a complaint. You may be asked to look at and interact with early mock-ups of web pages.
Your feedback, which will be anonymised, will help to make
received nothing but support from my peers. Overall, my experience has been extremely positive and I hope that my story can inspire others.
“It’s a fantastic industry to work for and there is never a dull moment; every day brings different challenges and experiences.”
International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements and increases visibility, while calling out inequality, driving towards a gender-equal world. The theme for 2023 was #EmbraceEquity and the campaign focused on getting people talking about why equal opportunities isn’t enough.
Helensburgh gas engineer Alisdair Hamilton sent us this photo of a vehicle registration plate that he found in the garden of a property where he was servicing a boiler. We think it’s a lovely piece of motoring history that would take pride of place on any gas engineer’s van. What quirky objects have you found when you’re at work? Let us know at editorial@ registeredgasengineer.co.uk and we’ll showcase your finds in a future edition of Registered Gas Engineer
Vaillant’s new demonstration vehicle helps consumers experience its Arotherm Plus heat pump in action. It also highlights the different technologies set to play a role now and in the future, showcasing full system heating solutions available, from boilers, controls and cylinders to heat pumps. Alongside a 100 per cent hydrogen boiler display, the working heat pump system provides information on how the low-carbon technology works. www.vaillant.co.uk/unbox
sure the service functions well when it goes live.
PA Consulting will be running the research in April 2023.
To express your interest and receive further information, email: ruby-mae.radcliffe@ paconsulting.com
The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has had low take-up and low public awareness, an inquiry by the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee concluded.
In a letter to Lord Callanan, the minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Lords Committee warned that if the current rate of take-up continues, only half the allocated budget will be used to help households switch to lowcarbon heating systems.
In 2021, around 50,000 heat pumps were installed across the UK, with less than 2 per cent of homes in England and Wales having low-carbon heating systems.
Baroness Parminter, chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said the government’s target of 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028 is very unlikely to be met.
The inquiry concluded that public awareness of low-carbon heating systems is limited, with inadequate promotion of the scheme and insufficient independent advice for homeowners. It also warned that a healthy market of installers and manufacturers will not be in place in time to implement other low-carbon
the government to:
• Provide greater clarity on feasible low-carbon home heating options through a consistent policy framework, public communications, and householder advice
• Roll over the remainder of the BUS’s first-year budget into the second year and consider extending the scheme
• Make sure Energy Performance Certificates properly reward households for switching to low-carbon heating
• Upgrade the provision of government advice, [and] recognise the role of independent retrofit coordinators, to help households navigate lowcarbon heating installations.
• Relax the requirement arising from Permitted Development Rights to site a heat pump a certain distance from neighbouring properties.
Baroness Parminter said: “The transition to low-carbon heat is fundamental in the path to net
step but key policy gaps remain. More needs to be done to help people access grants and low-cost finance to address the upfront costs of switching to heat pumps. Until both the cost of installing and running a heat pump are consistently competitive with, or better than, a gas boiler, [there] will remain significant barriers.”
“We ask the government to consider extending the BUS to match the duration of the 0 per cent VAT rate on heat pump installations, which ends in spring 2027.”
heating policy measures smoothly.
The Committee found that, even with the available grant, the upfront costs of heat pump installation are too high, making it impossible for low-income households to benefit.
It said misleading messages, including from the government, are negatively affecting take-up of low-carbon technologies like heat pumps, and said hydrogen is “not a serious option” for home heating in the short to medium term.
The Committee made a number of recommendations to improve the scheme, including calling on
zero, given that 17 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from our homes.
“The government must quickly address the barriers to a successful take-up of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to help grow the take up of low-carbon heating systems. It is vital they do so if we are going to meet our net zero ambitions.”
Most of the heating industry has agreed with the Committee’s findings.
Mike Thornton, chief executive at Energy Saving Trust, said: “BUS remains a hugely positive
Henk van den Berg from Daikin UK said: “The government must do better at properly communicating the benefits of heat pumps. We also believe the ban on the installation of gas boilers in new homes should be brought forward.
“Clearer training support for installers – particularly sole operators – will be key to meeting this target. The government needs to support our industry in shouting about the opportunities that jobs in the green economy offer.”
Mark Wilkins, Technologies and Training director at Vaillant, said: “BUS is just one piece of the puzzle. We await the publication of the Green Finance Strategy, [which] we believe should provide market certainty… and further increase demand for low-carbon technologies.
Lawrence Slade, chief executive of Energy Network Association, which represents the UK’s energy network operators, said: “This is nothing to do with presenting hydrogen as an option for home heating. Debates about one technology over another are simply not helpful and add confusion.
“The scheme is failing to deliver for customers because public awareness is low and promotion of the scheme has been inadequate. The use of heat pumps and the adoption of hydrogen are going to be needed if the UK is to meet its net-zero target.”
Meanwhile Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, said: “While we agree the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is failing, we want to see it scrapped. Giving a £5,000 taxpayer handout to the well-off simply cannot be justified when millions are living in fuel poverty.” ■
“Giving a £5,000 taxpayer handout to the well-off simply cannot be justified when millions are living in fuel poverty.”
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We first spoke to Mike two years ago when VanGuardian was getting under way (Registered Gas Engineer, April 2021). He knew he was on to something then. So it came as no surprise when he received a call out of the blue one evening last April. It was from a Dragons’ Den researcher, who asked if he’d like to face the panel on the popular BBC TV show.
“I thought being on national television would give us an amazing platform,” he says. A lot of form filling and checks later, and filming finally took place in June.
Mike had been told that there was no guarantee he would make it as far as the filming stage and that, even if he did, it might not be broadcast. In fact, the first time he knew that he would be able to show a TV audience of millions what VanGuardian can do was just two weeks before the programme aired in February.
“Being in the Den can intimidate a lot of people but I knew what VanGuardian offered. I took it as a fantastic opportunity to showcase it in front of five entrepreneurs, who hopefully would understand the vision I had,” says Mike.
"It's a fresh new idea and a new approach to van security. VanGuardian is uniquely designed to deter thieves, protect the van from van crime and safeguard the tools and equipment inside. Because it’s visible deterrent, thieves can see that the van is protected, and delivering a powerful unimpeded alarm on contact draws instant attention to the activity before damage can be done."
But despite Peter Jones’s failure to attempt to remove the device from the van, the Dragons didn’t seem to fully understand
VanGuardian is a flexible zonal alarm system that activates on contact to provide a warning before any damage is done to your van, not afterwards.
by 10 times over the next month. “It’s got people talking about van crime and tool theft,” says Mike. “Damage to the van is just as serious as tool theft – your van is a more valuable asset than the tools, so if you protect the fabric of your van, you’ll safeguard what’s inside it.”
A new omnidirectional sound diffraction cover plate is now included with every order. The patented design makes the alarm even louder and provides an additional layer of tamperproof protection for your VanGuardian alarm unit underneath, locking it into place securely and removable with a specially designed tool. It also provides full waterproof protection.
the benefits. “Peter was negative and argumentative,” says Mike “even though he demonstrated that he couldn’t get into the van and that the alarm went off before he could damage it.”
The Dragons didn’t invest in his business and Mike thinks he knows why. “They don’t drive vans and they didn’t understand the concept.”
They may not have seen VanGuardian’s potential, but the TV public did. Immediately after the show, sales rocketed
Mike had been a plumber and gas engineer while he was getting VanGuardian off the ground but now that he’s working 15-hour days, he’s had to leave that behind. Following his appearance in front of the Dragons, a whole new market has come to him: motorhomes and caravans. Owners have spotted the potential of VanGuardian to protect their precious leisure vehicles and Mike says half of all new enquiries are coming from them.
He's also testing a domestic version for garage doors and patio doors. “In some ways I’m glad a Dragon didn’t come on board. I’ve proven that I didn’t need that: I needed a message delivering so that people who’ve got vans know there is a solution.” ■
The VanGuardian 2 Dual Alarm bundle includes two master remote controls and retails at £180 plus VAT. It’s highly recommended for protecting the back door and side door on any medium to large van.
As a reader of Registered Gas Engineer, VanGuardian is offering you an exclusive discount of 20 per cent when you buy its top-selling and most powerful dual-alarm bundle online: you must use the code GasSafe20
www.vanguardian.co.uk
Terms and conditions
• You can buy an unlimited number of alarm bundles.
• Delivery time is currently 10-14 days from ordering.
You’ll have seen the warnings not to use a gas cooker to heat rooms – but one engineer has come face to face with the consequences of doing so. Registered Gas Engineer talks to John McGirl, who got in touch with us about his shocking experience earlier this year.
Iwish we weren’t having this conversation.” Bedfordshire gas engineer John McGirl is recalling an incident that he had to deal with in early January, when he found five members of one family affected by CO poisoning caused by a faulty gas cooker that they were using to heat their home.
John, a former British Gas engineer specialising in emergency response, has spent the past 15 years sub-contracting, usually for companies employed by local authorities. On a very cold Friday night in January, he was asked to collect some fan heaters and deliver them urgently to a tenant family. “That set alarm bells ringing,” he says, because usual practice is not to leave people without heat if a boiler can’t be repaired at the time, but he didn’t receive any further information.
When he arrived at the terraced house, he knew something wasn’t right. The woman who answered the door was clearly unwell. John says she was ashen-faced and her eyes were streaming. Her three children – the youngest of whom was just one year old – were ill in bed and her husband was also sick.
“From the front door, I could see a cooker in the kitchen burning with an orangey-yellow flame.” John immediately suspected CO poisoning and called 999. Within minutes, the fire service, police and paramedics arrived. The paramedics checked the family and confirmed that they suspected they were suffering from CO poisoning, then took all five to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
But despite all this, John is reluctant to say that he saved the family’s lives. “I prevented what could have been an even more
serious situation,” he says modestly, “and the emergency services were absolutely brilliant.”
The family were discharged from hospital after 24 hours and John went back to see them shortly afterwards.
But if he hadn’t arrived when he did on that cold Friday evening, the outcome could have been very different. He wants to make sure that people know never to use their gas cooker for anything except cooking. “Please, please do not use a gas cooker for heating. They should be used for cooking purposes only, in a well-ventilated room with an openable door and window.”
The experience left its mark on him too. He had been sub-contracting with the company for just eight weeks but left after the incident: they didn’t pay him for the six hours that he was at the customer’s house, just for the delivery of the fans.
He’s now back focusing on customers in and around his local area. “I did a leaflet drop offering a service to ensure that boilers on a new housing estate near me remain under warranty and I’ve had a good take-up already.” ■
John’s actions in this situation could have saved the lives of all involved. When arriving to incidents such as these, gas engineers should always follow the industry guidance: in this case, this information is IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1: Responding to domestic CO alarm activations/reports of fumes after attendance by the emergency service provider or the liquefied petroleum gas supplier.
This document has been written to help engineers when dealing with reports of carbon monoxide (CO) alarm activation for domestic dwellings. In the first instance, the priority is to safeguard life and property. So if an engineer receives a call regarding a CO alarm activation, this situation needs to be immediately reported to the relevant emergency service provider (ESP) or LPG supplier. During the call, a reference number can be acquired and recorded.
The CO alarm activation may meet the criteria of RIDDOR 11(1) – which could be death, unconsciousness or a person taken to hospital via ambulance. It does not include incidents where people have taken themselves to hospital or have been taken to another medical facility: these are not reportable.
The duty to report under Regulation 11(1) rests solely with the conveyor of natural gas or filler, importer or supplier (except retail supplier) of LPG.
When attending the property after a situation that may have been deemed a RIDDOR 11(1), it is important to note that no work shall be done in the dwelling apart from ensuring the gas is made safe, until the HSE grants permission. This is because any work done could compromise a legal investigation, which may be a breach of the law.
In these instances, the onus is on the gas supplier to investigate, following the guidance in IGEM/GL/8: Notification, investigation and reporting of gas-related incidents.
“I prevented what could have been an even more serious situation, and the emergency services were absolutely brilliant.”
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Registered Gas Engineer wants to see your pictures – whether you’ve come across some horrors or instances of really good work. Please email your stories and pictures to editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk or via Twitter to @RGEMag
Adam Catlow’s customer had some structural work carried out by a builder who had encased the chimney/flue terminal in concrete, with just the plume kit visible. Adam made the boiler safe, and the chimney/ flue has now been re-fitted to the correct standards.
David Lange was called to a water leak at a boiler and found the syphon leaking on to the 22mm gas pipe and hot water pipe below the boiler. The hot water pipe had corroded through, and it was only a matter of time for the gas pipe. The boiler was made safe.
Gary Brown found the boiler installation in a bedroom with the chimney/flue jointed using tinfoil. The boiler fixing bracket wasn’t holding the appliance to the wall, so someone improvised with cable fixings. The boiler was made safe.
We may share some of your pictures on social media, so remember to include your contact details so we can tag you (or let us know if you’d rather we didn’t).
Laura Hubby went to this boiler repair and found the chimney/flue had been extended due to a lean-to roof with side walls. The customer said ‘steam’ was causing too much condensation inside so she got the flue altered with soil pipe and gutter downpipe. The boiler was made safe, a new flue was fitted and the lean-to roof and walls were removed.
Working with gas in the UK’s holiday homes is a specialist field with its own standards, qualifications and competencies. Gas Safe Register’s Technical Team set out what you need to know about appliances, LPG, ventilation and the qualifications you’ll need to hold.
Record numbers of Brits are choosing to holiday in the UK rather than travelling abroad. It’s a trend that started during the Covid pandemic and is likely to continue with the pressure being put on household budgets due to the cost of living.
With people spending time in holiday parks, camping or hiring (and buying) motorhomes and caravans to explore the beauty of the UK, it’s more important than ever that they know that their holiday accommodation will be gas safe.
This article sets out the different definitions and standards that apply to working on holiday homes as well as actions and guidance on working with LPG.
Leisure accommodation vehicles are defined as static caravans, motorhomes and tourers.
Residential park homes are used as a permanent residence, although they may also be rented out as holiday accommodation. They are build to different specifications and should have a data badge or other information that confirms the British Standard to which they are built.
Static caravans are specifically designed for holiday accommodation, usually sited on holiday parks, and built to satisfy the requirements of BS EN 1647:2018+A1:2021.
Guidance on the LPG installations in these units can be found in BS EN 1949:2021 with additional guidance on ventilation requirements given in BS EN 721:2019.
Residential park homes are designed for use as a permanent residence and they may also be encountered on sites being rented out as holiday accommodation. These units are built to BS 3632:2015 and gas engineers should refer to that document for guidance as well as BS 6891 and BS5440-1:2008.
Motorhomes and motor caravans incorporate living accommodation on a motor vehicle base and are constructed to BS EN 1949:2021 to meet the requirements for the construction and use of road vehicles. Guidance on LPG installations and ventilation is in BS EN 1949 and BE EN 721.
Tourers are a caravan that is towed behind another vehicle. They are built to BS EN 1645:2018 and must meet the requirements for the construction and use of road vehicles. Guidance on LPG installations and ventilation is given in BS EN 1949 and BE EN 721.
These leisure accommodation vehicles are covered by Regulation 2(5) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 but DO NOT apply to motorhomes/tourers unless they are hired out in the course of a business. An example of this would be when you hire a static caravan or a motor home from a business for a family holiday.
Gas engineers should have the necessary competences when working on the different types of holiday accommodation. CoNGLP1 LAV is required to prove competence when working on leisure accommodation vehicles and covers static caravans, motorhomes and tourers. CoNGLP1 RPH covers residential park homes. Engineers working on these units should check that they have proof of the necessary competence required, to include LPG and CoNGLP1 LAV or RPH as appropriate. Recognised training can be taken to prove competence in this field of work for those engineers who work solely on holiday/caravan parks whose holiday accommodation is fuelled by LPG. Separate training may be required to prove additional competence, depending on which appliances engineers may encounter, including but not limited to closed flue gas fires (HTRLP2), caravan space heaters (HTRLP3), caravan refrigerators (REFLP2), caravan water heaters (WATLP2), and leisure and miscellaneous appliances (LEI1).
Purpose-provided ventilation must be kept clear to ensure adequate air flow.
The cylinder compartment must be permanently ventilated to the exterior of the vehicle. If the LAV/RPH has a ‘skirt’ fitted at the bottom, adequate ventilation must be provided. There could be a safety issue in the event of a gas escape if the gas cannot disperse.
The general requirement for LAVs is that each compartment shall be provided with safety ventilation. This includes sanitary compartments and compartments sectioned off using a curtain. This ventilation must provide renewal air for occupants, combustion air for non room-sealed appliances and to assist evacuation of products of combustion for flueless appliances, which must meet the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Additional ventilation must be provided, such as opening the window when cooking.
LPG comes in the form of butane or propane. Butane will mainly be found in motor homes or tourers as it not suitable for installations that are subject to low external temperatures. Propane is suitable for storage outside, which is why it is predominantly used to supply gas to static caravans and residential park homes.
Properties can also be supplied via an LPG bulk tank supply but when gas is supplied from a cylinder, these considerations must be followed:
• Cylinders should be secure and stable and used in a wellventilated area
• Don’t overtighten joints
• Don’t throw away used and empty cylinders: these should be returned to supplier
• When changing a cylinder, make sure all cylinder valves and gas taps are turned off and only change a cylinder in the open air
• Check that hoses and regulators connected to a cylinder are suitable for the installation requirements
• Replace any hoses that are showing signs of damage or have exceeded their expiry date, and make sure the correct method of connecting hoses is used.
Connections to LAVs and RPHs must accommodate a flexible hose connection with a minimum length of 300mm and a maximum of 2m to allow for movement of the unit due to settlement, thermal expansion, structural flexing,or wind loading. It shall be connected between the cylinder components and on to fixed pipework at the LAV/RPH but not pass through the wall of the LAV/RPH. Where there are issues with rodent attack, it must be armoured.
The compact nature and design of most caravans and other mobile units necessitates regular maintenance/servicing of the LPG gas installation and the appliances connected to it. >
CoNGLP1 LAV (Safety Assessment Criteria, Initial and Re-Assessment Domestic Natural Gas to LPG Leisure Accommodation Vehicles)
CoNGLP1 RPH (Safety Assessment Criteria, Initial and Re-Assessment Domestic Natural Gas to LPG Residential Park Homes)
UKLPG CoP 32:2020 – LPG systems in leisure accommodation vehicles and road vehicles with habitation-post delivery and inspection, commissioning and maintenance
BS 3632:2015 – Residential park homes – specification
All LPG appliances shall be provided with relevant instructions relating to their installation in LAVs and other habitable vehicles and shall be installed in accordance with these instructions.
A flame supervision device must be fitted to all appliance burners, including pilot burners.
Only room-sealed appliances must be used in bath/shower rooms, toilet areas and in bedrooms, if the room is principally designed for sleeping and is not the main living area.
Manufacturers’ instructions shall be adhered to, and the appliance concerned shall be used only for its intended use, this includes never using a cooker as a space heater.
The flue/terminal and any draught diverter required shall be as specified by the appliance manufacturer and installed in accordance with the instructions.
Any flued or flueless appliance shall have permanent adequate ventilation provided. Flexible flue pipe shall be continuous between the appliance and flue terminal and contained within an insulating or combustion air duct.
In the absence of manufacturer’s instructions, for open-flued water heaters, a minimum of 600mm of vertical flue directly above the draught diverter shall be provided and the flue termination shall be a minimum 250mm above the roof.
• Ensure the gas is turned off before travelling
• Make sure all flammable gas cylinders are stored/ carried in upright position
• Don’t block ventilation grilles
• A gas safety record/report on the LAV/RPH should be completed each year to ensure its safety.
If you’re hiring this type of accommodation for your own holiday:
• Ask the hirer for an up-to-date gas safety record
• Ask for copies of manufacturers’ instructions/ user guides and a demonstration of their use
• Do not block vents
• Recognise the signs of incomplete combustion, which may include lazy yellow/orange flames or black marks/stains around appliance.
A vehicle MOT certificate does not cover the gas installation. More guidance and consumer tips on LPG and its use is at: www.GasSafeRegister.co. uk/gas-safety/seasonalgas-safety-advice/ lpg-gas-safety/
BS EN 1949:2021 – Specification for the installation of LPG systems for habitation purposes in leisure accommodation vehicles and accommodation purposes in other vehicles
BS EN 721:2019 – Leisure accommodation vehicles. Safety ventilation requirements
BS5440-1:2008 – Flueing and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st,2nd and 3rd family gases)
Part 1: Specification for installation of gas appliances to chimneys and for maintenance of chimneys
BS EN 1645-1:2018 – Leisure accommodation vehicles. Caravan. Habitation requirements relating to health and safety
BS EN 1646-1:2018 – Leisure accommodation vehicles. Motor caravans. Habitation requirements relating to health and safety
BS EN 1647:2018+A1:2021
– Leisure accommodation vehicles. Caravan holiday homes. Habitation requirements relating to health and safety
Industry Standard Update 101: Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in leisure accommodation vehicles and road vehicles with habitation-post delivery inspection, commissioning and maintenance
Technical Bulletin 011: The use of clips to secure vapour phase LPG hose and tubing
Technical Bulletins 146: Consumer Guidance sheet (CG5) LPG hoses and tubing for use with vapour offtake cylinders
HSE Report-RR945: Potential for leaks of LPG from underground pipes into caravans and park homes
Rinnai Operations director Chris Goggin looks at the science.
In an altered global energy landscope, alternative energy is in demand, including BioLPG and renewable biofuel Dimethyl ether (rDME). rDME is a molecule-based fuel that can be produced through a wide range of renewable feedstocks, enabling quick and long-term sustainable production.
rDME combusts cleanly and releases no carbon emissions. Dimethyl ether has many fuel properties that make it easy to use in sites and appliances that currently use heating oil.
It has a very high cetane number, which is a measure of the fuel’s ignitibility in compression ignition engines. The energy efficiency and power ratings of DME and heating oil engines are virtually the same.
rDME is safe and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85 per cent.
Before the development of rDME, LPG was the lowest carbon-emitting source of fuel for the 15 per cent of UK businesses and homes that are off-grid. BioLPG contains an almost identical chemical structure to LPG. BioLPG is made up of renewable materials from a mix of sustainable biological feedstocks and processes.
And because it’s supported through cleaner-sourced chemical ingredients, it provides benefits in carbon reductions and air quality compared with traditional off-grid fuels such as heating oil.
BioLPG carries identical low nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide
emissions to conventional LPG, as well as particulate matter, solid matter and liquid droplets released by various chemical fluctuations generated through technology – it releases no harmful emissions at all. Similarly, DME performs to a higher standard when compared to heating oil – for instance, emissions of particulates are virtually nullified.
Renewable and sustainable DME has already been tested extensively on vehicle use in Europe and North America. In one instance of testing, a customer managed to operate 10 vehicles for 750,000 miles using DME as opposed to traditional vehicle fuels.
BioLPG is compatible with
in-situ LPG products from a combustion perspective. It’s an ideal solution for rural or off-grid commercial businesses because drop-in BioLPG is transmissible with existing LPG infrastructure, such as storage tanks, water heating systems and existing appliances, with no expensive or intricate upgrades required.
A transition to BioLPG will ensure that businesses can continue to operate normally and efficiently with limited disruption and no technical adjustments required to the heating and hot water system.
Its performance is indistinguishable from that of LPG, providing instant ondemand heat and hot water without storage and limited adjustments required for use. ■
Salamander Pumps looks at how to boost the mains water supply to ensure improved water performance throughout the home – and clears up some common misconceptions.
Poor water pressure and flow are thought to affect around four in 10 households.* In homes, low water pressure and flow result in trickling taps, poor shower performance and slow-filling baths. But for installers, not having adequate water flow rates can create problems and delays when fitting a new product.
One remedy for water pressure woes is to boost the flow and pressure from the incoming mains supply, which provides strongerflowing taps to a single appliance or multiple outlets. But there can be misconceptions and a lack of awareness of what is achievable when boosting mains water.
“You can’t boost mains water” A common misconception is that a pump cannot be installed on the incoming mains water supply pipe. This is not the case. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations state that a pump or booster can be connected to the mains water supply, provided that it does not draw more than 12 litres per minute (l/min).
Many households experience a lower flow than this but it can be boosted to reach the specified limit using products such as HomeBoost. Similar products for taps can be added to a mains or gravity-fed single outlet suffering with poor water performance, improving the water flow to 7–11 l/min.
“You can’t boost mains water beyond 12 l/min”
For bigger homes with multiple outlets, the 12 l/min limit may not be enough to boost showers, baths, kitchen taps and toilet cisterns. Here’s where accumulator tanks can help while staying within the regulations. An accumulator tank stores water and, when an outlet is opened, adds to the natural mains water flow without the need to draw further water from the mains.
Accumulator tanks can provide flow rates up to 36 l/min per tank when using a pumped model.
“Accumulator tanks are difficult to specify”
When choosing which tank is suitable for the household, these are the main factors to consider: Pumped or unpumped?
Install a pumped tank if the home’s water pressure is less than 2.0 bar, the water flow is less than 12 l/min, or the highest outlet is on the second floor or above.
Combi boiler or unvented?
All options are suitable for a combi boiler. However, a home with an unvented system requires a minimum of 300 litres or 450 litres capacity.
How many outlets do you want to run at once?
To specify which size tank the home needs, calculate the flow rate per minute of the outlets that will run at any one time. Then choose the tank size that will provide this flow rate for a minimum of nine minutes (the average length of a shower). Below is a rough rule of thumb of what pumped tanks can offer:
• 60l tank: up to 14 l/min
• 120l tank: up to 16 l/min
• 180l tank: up to 18 l/min
• 300l tank: up to 30 l/min
• 450l tank: up to 36 l/min.
“If space is limited, an accumulator tank won’t be suitable”
If space is limited, opting for a smaller model could be the solution. However, this does mean running fewer outlets simultaneously to get the required water performance. An alternative is to link multiple tanks together to gain additional capacity in other regions of the household, ensuring that there is still a solution to the home’s water flow even with reduced space in one room. ■
• More about how to boost mains water pressure at: www.salamanderpumps.co.uk
“For bigger homes, accumulator tanks can provide flow rates up to 36 l/min per tank using a pumped model.”
H eating systems and pumps
can break down in cold weather. The problem is more common in bigger, older properties, and in systems that have not been turned on for long periods of time, which can lead to sludge and debris building up in pipes and components.
We encourage heating engineers who are fixing or upgrading heating systems not to install like-for-like fixed-speed pumps, and instead seek higher-efficiency models to help customers save energy.
For example, based on a cost of 34p per kW/h for electricity, and the heating being on 24 hours a day, an old fixed-speed 100W pump could cost 82p to run. In comparison, a modern pump with an electronically commutated (EC) motor works from as low as 4W to a maximum of 40W, which
translates to a 60 per cent reduction in electricity usage and brings down running costs significantly to around 33p per day. If the pump operates at a lower speed, these costs can be reduced even further, by as much as 80 per cent.
Alongside being able to help households in the cost-of-living crisis and to be more sustainable with energy usage, choosing modern pumps can help save time in both fitting, commissioning and maintenance.
The choice of materials matters too. Choose a pump designed with a small footprint to fit into tight spaces, with tool-free wiring for simple and faster connection. And look out for innovative features like pictograms to make the commissioning stage simpler and quicker. ■ www.wilo.co.uk
“Choose a pump designed with a small footprint to fit into tight spaces, with tool-free wiring for simple and faster connection.”
Many of us are trying to save money where we can – but that should not extend to buying cheaper, refurbished components when it comes to boiler repairs. Using non-original spare parts that have not gone through the same strict certification process as the original component carries a very real safety risk, says Vokèra by Riello’s operations director Darren Payne.
These are energy-conscious times. Record rises in gas and electricity prices are putting the squeeze on budgets, leaving many with difficult decisions to make in terms of how they prioritise their monthly spend.
Heating and hot water, however, are essential to our daily domestic lives. And although many households will have been landed with bills three to four times higher than recorded 12 months previously, the boiler is the one appliance we cannot do without.
Inevitably, a boiler will need maintaining from time to time because of component wear and tear. It can be the last thing a homeowner needs: a refurbishment involving costly call-out, labour and parts charges. So what’s the more financially friendly alternative?
The services of a skilled engineer to carry out the repair cannot be dispensed with. But is there a saving to be made from sourcing a spare part that is reconditioned or different from the original boiler component? The answer is an unequivocal no. Buy cheap, buy twice, as the saying goes, which can mean paying a much higher price later if original boiler components are swapped out for cheaper alternatives.
Heating engineers are responsible for safety when it comes to the boiler repair. Therefore, you’re taking ownership of a replacement component’s selection and how it’s installed. And the risk of further call-outs to fix the same issue
increases if a second-hand or non-original part is fitted in place of one designed specifically for the boiler being repaired.
Fitting a boiler with a refurbished or non-original spare alters the system’s specification: only original specification products should be used in repairs. This is because the appliance manufacturer’s replacement parts have gone through the same testing regime as their predecessor. It’s like a jigsaw: a replacement component should be of precise fit and function for the specific boiler model to perform as it should. Any difference, however slight, risks impeding the system’s safety and reliability.
The temptation to specify cheaper component boiler parts when it comes to repairs is very real. And who could blame customers, many of whom may be feeling the pinch, for applying a little pressure on their heating engineer to seek out spares that suit their budget but are not necessarily right for their boiler?
But each time a heating engineer carries out a repair, they put their reputation on the line. Ensuring a like-for-like replacement is a question of doing the right thing for yourself and your customer.
Common sense also plays a part in choosing original spares for boiler repairs. Yes, a nonoriginal part might carry a limited warranty, but can you be certain of how it’s been tested? Is the Firmware version the same?
Highly unlikely. Furthermore, a component such as a pressurerelief valve might look the same as the original but will it function the same?
Either way, the boiler’s specification will be changed, which will not only adversely affect any remaining manufacturer’s warranty but could mean that the appliance will not operate as it was designed to at the point of installation.
It is also fair to say that reconditioned or ‘wrong’ boiler parts impact the environment negatively, as well as a customer’s monthly outgoings. Installing a reconditioned pump or a flow
switch on a boiler, for example could damage the heating system’s performance not only in respect of its capability for heating and hot water delivery but also in terms of energy use in the form of higher electricity consumption. There’s no excuse for the swapping out original boiler parts for inferior alternatives. All manufacturers keep stock of a good number of affordable spare parts, which is the only way to ensure that the boiler repair is safe and reliable. It is also the most cost-effective repair strategy because it will help increase the system’s lifespan and reduce the need for repeat maintenance. ■
How can homeowners who aren’t ready or able to take the leap into 100 per cent renewable energy run a more environmentally conscious and energy-efficient home? Alpha technical manager Darran Smith offers his advice on how heating engineers can play a vital role.
We want to encourage gas engineers to help their customers make informed choices and advise them on deciding what the future of home heating looks like for them. You’ll be aware of renewable options such as heat pumps. However, while many new-build homes are now being designed for heat pump systems as standard, it’s a different story for the millions of existing UK homes for whom a heat pump-only approach may not be suitable.
You’ll need to work with the homeowner to discover the best solution for them. One option is the hybrid approach, where a heat pump is installed to provide space heating and the boiler is retained (or updated) to provide hot water. As a green energy alternative, a hybrid heat pump
heating demand. By retaining the boiler to provide a boost to the heating system during times of peak demand or colder months, you can provide a certainty of comfort and save the headache of replacing it with a heat pump – a significant job for many homeowners.
You’ll be aware that if the heat pump is also providing hot water, then a hot water cylinder is required. But what about homes that don’t have space for this? If they have a combi boiler, they can keep it to provide hot water, meaning that they’ll then benefit from low-carbon heating from the heat pump and on-tap hot water from the gas boiler. Systems can also run on existing pipework, which means the homeowner doesn’t need to worry about any drastic changes to their heating system, such as upgrading radiators.
Working to be as efficient as possible, a hybrid heating system is great way for your customers to run a greener home. Designed to automatically switch between the heat pump and boiler, it will also adjust the heating flow and water temperature in the radiators depending on demand and on the outside temperature.
• Reliable all year round: intelligent enough to provide the best heating solution, no matter the weather
• Longer-lasting system: designed to require the boiler less often, its life expectancy is significantly increased
solution might be the perfect pathway into renewable heating without losing the reliability provided by the tried-and-tested gas boiler. However, it’s important to understand the challenges that households may face and the questions your customers may be pondering too.
Hybrids have several benefits, especially for properties with high
• Smart tech: designed to switch between the heat pump and the boiler depending on the changing weather, the smart controls detect which is most energy efficient at the time
• Lower heating bills: saving homeowners money on their energy costs
• Reduced carbon footprint: renewable energy technologies such as heat pumps are helping homes move towards a greener future
• A step into renewable energy: for those not ready or unable to take the leap to 100 per cent renewable energy, a hybrid solution offers the perfect half-way solution without making too many changes to the home.
We can’t achieve the government’s ambition of 600,000 heat pump installations from 2028 through new-build homes alone. Heating engineers on the front line of the domestic sector can help to deliver on this tough objective by introducing new technology alongside the familiar boiler.
Although switching away from gas boilers is a challenge, it also provides an opportunity to extend business into new areas.
■
Alpha is providing heating engineers with the information and training they need to help homeowners embrace the new technologies and their benefits, with technical advice and useful FAQs to help answer common questions.
www.alphainnovation.co.uk
“A hybrid heat pump solution might be the perfect pathway into renewable heating without losing the reliability provided by the tried-andtested gas boiler.”
The Gas Safe Register Legislation & Standards Document List
Date issued: 1 April 2023
This document defines all documents recognised by Gas Safe Register as being Legislative, Normative (gas standards) and Informative reference documents. Some documents may only be available as hard copy documents, but the majority are available to download, either via Gas Safe Register’s engineer website or from the organisation or body promoting the document. In some cases, the document is only available for purchase from the organisation or a recognised supplier.
In this document list, the hierarchy of documents within the following tables is defined in order of significance.
Detailed first are Statutory Acts or regulations that are legally enforceable. These are followed by a recognised list of documents known as ‘Second Tier’ documents. This series of documents provides practical guidance on ways to comply with the functional requirements of regulations. This guidance is not law, but provides information that, if followed correctly, will ensure that legal obligations have been met.
Where someone chooses to depart from this guidance, they will need to ensure that the method chosen provides equivalent or better standards of safety than the relevant published guidance. The guidance provided within appropriate second-tier documents will be used to assess compliance.
The next tier of documents is gas industry standards that are aimed specifically at the installation, commissioning or maintenance of gas equipment (pipework, appliances, etc). These are known as Normative Documents and are referred to as ‘Gas Industry Standards’. These documents, in conjunction with any available manufacturer’s instructions, will be used by Gas Safe Register to assess compliance.
Finally, the remaining listings provide details of links to other available information, which is considered useful to help registered businesses comply with
their obligations and assist them in carrying out their day-to-day activities. These are referred to as Informative Documents.
In this section, the listed documents are those brought to the Statute Book by an Act of Parliament and are referenced as Statutory Instruments (SI) or equivalent. These are the law in the respective countries as stated and must be followed. The SI Reference number (or equivalent) is preceded by the year of it being added to the Statute Book, ie, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 has an SI Number of 1998:2451. Regulations are in general written in a format that provides high-level requirements.
These documents provide practical guidance on ways to comply with the functional requirements of the Regulations. For the Building Regulations, these are outlined in a series of Approved Documents (ADs) published by the appropriate government department responsible for the Regulations. The ADs that currently apply to gas work are:
• A Structure
• B Fire safety
• F Ventilation
• G3 Hot water storage
• J Heat producing appliances
• L Conservation of fuel and power
• M Access to and use of buildings
• P Electrical safety in dwellings. Each document contains general guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work in order to comply with each of the requirements of the Building Regulations; and practical examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some of the more common building situations.
In this section are all the Gas Industry Standards published by
the three current Standard Setting Bodies, which are:
• British and European Standards (BSI)
• Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM)
• Liquid Gas UK (formerly known as UKLPG).
One standard is published by National Caravan Council (NCC).
3. Documents under review
If it is known that the three-month validity period coincides with a period of time in which a standard being revised is out for public comment, the final date for comment will be included.
Gas Safe Register will use best endeavours to keep the documents under review as up to date as possible, but the Register is NOT responsible for reviewing, revising or updating industry standards. Where a registered business or industry stakeholder has an enquiry about revisions to guidance documents, this should be directed to the relevant Standard Setting Body. Comments on draft standards can be submitted to:
• British and European Standards (BSI) https://standardsdevelopment. bsigroup.com (registration required)
• Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) www.igem. org.uk/technical-standards.html
When viewing this document online, hyperlinks are active, so that you can open the document and read it or save it for later use. However, all saved documents will be considered as uncontrolled versions and you should check that you are referencing the current version.
When Gas Safe Register inspects work undertaken by registered gas businesses in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Guernsey, in the first instance, it will assess against the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Where these are not
available or relevant, it will inspect against the criteria as specified within legislative documents and relevant gas industry standards. However, it is recognised that, due to the differences of individual legislation used in different geographical areas, there will be some differences in application. While conducting inspections, due regard will be taken of the requirements of all appropriate guidance.
6. General
This Gas Safe Register document will be updated and republished on, or about, the following dates each year:
• 1 January
• 1 April
• 1 July
• 1 October.
If you identify an error in this document or you are aware of reference documents that may be useful that you think should be added to future editions, please email: technical@ gassaferegister.co.uk
BSI, IGEM and Liquid Gas UK develop and publish guidance with the help of industry in the form of committees. Gas Safe Register does not have any responsibility for the development and publication of this type of guidance document. Where registered businesses and stakeholders have questions regarding these guidance documents, they should be directed to the relevant Standard Setting Body.
Health & Safety Legislation
Health & Safety at Work etc Act
1974 (GB)
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (GB)
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (GB)
Health & Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
Health & Safety at Work etc Act
1974 (of Parliament) (As applied to Isle of Man)
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2003 (As applied to Isle of Man)
The Health & Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1987 As Amended – Version May 2016
Gas Safety Legislation
The Gas Safety (Installation & Use)
Regulations 1998 (England, Scotland & Wales)
The Gas Safety (Installation & Use)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004
Gas Safety (Installation & Use)
Regulations 1994 as amended & applied by the Gas Safety (Application) Order 1996 (As applied to Isle of Man)
The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey)
Ordinance, 2006 As Amended Version – May 2016
Approved Code of Practice ‘Safe Work with Gas Systems and Appliances’ – Jersey
The Gas Appliances (Safety)
Regulations 1995 (As applied in the United Kingdom)
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005
The Gas Safety (Management)
Regulations 1996 (As applied in Great Britain)
The Gas Safety (Management)
Regulations 1997 (As applied in Northern Ireland)
Gas Safety (Rights of Entry)
Regulations 1996 as applied to Great Britain
Schedule 5 (Powers of Entry, etc) of The Gas (Northern Ireland)
Order 1996
Gas Safety (Rights of Entry)
Regulations 1983 as applied by the Gas Safety (Application) Order 1996 (Isle of Man)
Part 7 of The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2006 As Amended Version May 2016
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR)
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
2013 (RIDDOR) (GB)
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
1999 (RIDDOR) (Isle of Man)
The Health & Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1987 (includes RIDDOR-type reporting)
Building Legislation
Building Regulations (England and Wales) 2010
Building and Buildings, England & Wales, The Building Regulations &C (Amendment) Regulations 2015
Building Standards (Scotland)
Regulations 2004
Building (Scotland) Amendment
Regulations 2010
Building (Scotland) Amendment
Regulations 2011
Building (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland)
Regulations 2013
Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022
Building Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2012
The Building (Guernsey)
Regulations 2012
Building Bylaws (Jersey) 2007
Building Regulations 2014
Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 (Great Britain)
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2003 (As applied to Isle of Man)
Building Control (Approved Documents) Order 2014 (As applied to Isle of Man)
Other Legislation
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
The Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) (GB)
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (GB)
The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
The Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (UK)
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (GB)
Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (GB)
Control of Asbestos at Work (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2003
The Control of Asbestos Regulations (GB) 2012
The Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
Managing asbestos (Isle of Man)
HSE Guernsey – Management of Exposure to Asbestos in Workplace Buildings and Structures – ACOP
HSE Guernsey – Control of Asbestos – ACOP 2017
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (GB)
Electricity At Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991
Note 1: Further information on ordinances in Guernsey at: www.gov.gg/hseguidance
Note 2: Further information on legislation in the Isle of Man at: www.gov.im/categories/planningand-building-control/
Key Approved Documents to the Building Regulations (England) Approved Document 7: Materials and workmanship
B: Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses
B: Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses
F: Ventilation Volume 1: Dwellings
F: Ventilation Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings
G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2016 edition)
J: Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems
L: Conservation of fuel and power –Volume 1: Dwellings
L: Conservation of fuel and power – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings
Second tier documents to the Building Regulations – England Code for Sustainable Homes & Technical Guide December 2014
Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key approved documents to the Building Regulations (Wales)
B: Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses
B: Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses
F: Ventilation
G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2016 edition)
J: Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems
L: Conservation of fuel and power Volume 1 – Dwellings
L: Conservation of fuel and power Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellings. Out for comments
Second tier documents to the Building Regulations – Wales Code for Sustainable Homes & Technical Guide December 2014
Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations (Domestic)
Scottish Technical Handbook (Domestic)
Section 2 – Domestic Fire
Section 3 – Domestic Environment
Section 6 – Domestic Energy
Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations (Non-domestic)
Scottish Technical Handbook (Non-Domestic)
Section 2 – Non-Domestic Fire
Section 3 – Non-Domestic Environment
Section 6 – Non-Domestic Energy
Second tier documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations
Scottish Government Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment
Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Regulations)
Northern Ireland
DFP Technical Booklet C: 2012 –Site preparation & resistance to moisture
DFP Technical Booklet E: 2012 –
Fire Safety
DFP Technical Booklet C: 2012 –Site preparation & resistance to moisture
DFP Technical Booklet E: 2012 –Fire Safety
DFP Technical Booklet F1: 2022 –Conservation of fuel & power in dwellings
DFP Technical Booklet F2: 2022 –Conservation of fuel & power in buildings other than dwellings
DFP Technical Booklet K: 2012 –Ventilation
DFP Technical Booklet L: 2012 –Combustion appliances & fuel storage systems
DFP Technical Booklet P: 2012 –Sanitary appliances, unvented hot water storage systems and reducing the risk of scalding
Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Regulations Isle of Man (IoM)
B – Fire Safety – Fire safety (2022 Edition)
F – Ventilation (2022 Edition)
J – Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems (2022 Edition)
L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings (2022 Edition)
L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Buildings other than Dwellings (2022 Edition)
Building Energy Performance
Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Bylaws (Guernsey) –Channel Islands
B – Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses
B – Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses
F – Ventilation
J – Heat producing appliances & Fuel Storage Systems
L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings
L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power – Buildings other than Dwellings Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Bylaws (Jersey) –Channel Islands
Part 2 – Fire Safety
Part 3 – Combustion appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Part 5 – Ventilation
Part 11 – Conservation of Fuel and Power
HSE Publications and other
Approved Codes of Practice (Great Britain)
L21 – Management of Health & Safety at Work Withdrawn.
See HSG65 below
L24 – Workplace health, safety & welfare (ACoP & Guidance)
2nd Edition
L25 – Personal Protective Equipment at Work
L56 – Safety in the Installation & use of Gas Systems & Appliances –
Approved Code of Practice
L80 – A guide to the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996
L108 – Controlling noise at work –The Control of Noise at Work
Regulations 2005 – Guidance on Regulations
L122 – Safety of pressure systems – Pressure Systems Safety
Regulations 2000 – Approved Code of Practice (Second Edition)
L138 – Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres. Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
Approved Code of Practice & Guidance
L143 – Control of Asbestos
Regulations 2012 (ACoP) –
The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises, and Work with materials containing asbestos (Second Edition) Incorporating previous L127
L144 – Managing health & safety in construction – Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
Approved Code of Practice
HSG47 – Avoiding danger from underground services – Third edition 2014
HSG48 – Reducing error & influencing behaviour
HSG65 – Managing for Health & Safety Management –Third Edition – 2013
HSG85 – Electricity at Work –Safe working practices –Third Edition 2013
HSG97 – A step by step guide to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment (see also COSHH Essential Guidance publications)
HSG137 – Health Risk Management
– A practical guide for managers in small & medium-sized enterprises
HSG176 – The storage of flammable liquids in tanks
HSG210 – Asbestos Essentials –A task manual for building, maintenance & allied trades on non-licensed asbestos work (Free task sheets)
HSG213 – Introduction to Asbestos Essentials
HSG250 – Guidance on permit-towork systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical & allied industries
HSG253 – The safe isolation of plant and equipment (Second edition)
HSG261 – Health & safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries
EH40 – Occupational Exposure Limits (2020)
INDG163 (rev4) – Risk assessment
(A brief guide to controlling risks in the workplace)
INDG223 (rev5) – Managing asbestos in buildings (A brief guide)
INDG231 (rev1) – Electrical safety and you (A brief guide)
INDG258 (rev1) – Confined spaces
(A brief guide to working safely)
INDG428 (08/09) – Inspecting and maintaining or replacing buried metallic pipework carrying LPG vapour
INDG223 – Manage buildings? You must manage asbestos
INDG370 (rev1) – Controlling Fire and explosion risks in the workplace – A brief guide to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regs
INDG453 (rev1) – Reporting accidents and incidents at work. A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
HSE aO – Advice on non-licensed work with Asbestos. Introduction to ‘Asbestos essentials’ task sheets
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials guidance publications
Building Bulletin 101 – Ventilation of school buildings (Called up in IGEM/ UP/11 Edition 2)
LAQM.TG(09) Local Air Quality Management – Technical Guidance
CAIS10 (Revision 2) – Ventilation of kitchens in catering establishments (7.12)
CAIS23 (Revision 2) – Gas safety in catering and hospitality (July 2013 version aimed at those operating catering and hospitality businesses)
Note 3: Further asbestos-related guidance at: www.hse.gov.uk/ asbestos/essentials/index.htm
Note 4: Further Health and Safety Guidance (HSG) publications at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ index-hsg-ref.htm
HSENI Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Northern Ireland)
A guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997
L56 Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances – GB ACOP approved for use in NI Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991
Note 5: Further information on Northern Ireland Approved Codes of Practice and guidance notes at: www.hseni.gov.uk/publications
HSE Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Guernsey)
Safety in the Installation & Use of Gas Systems & Appliances. The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2006
The Organisation & Management of Health & Safety in Construction (Guernsey)
Reporting an Injury, Disease or Dangerous Occurrence (Guernsey)
Note 6: Further information on Approved Codes of Practice and guidance notes for gas safety and other important issues at: www.gov.gg/hseguidance
British & European Standards
BS 4163: 2014 Health and safety for design and technology in schools and similar establishments – Code of practice
BS 5440-1: 2008 Flueing & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) Specification for installation of gas appliances to chimneys & for maintenance of chimneys. Under review
BS 5440-2: 2009 Installation & maintenance of flues & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification for installation & maintenance of ventilation provision for gas appliances. Under review
BS 5546: 2010 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired water-heating appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
PD 54823: 2016 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane gas-burning installations. Installations in boats, yachts & other vessels
BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases).
Specification
BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-3: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Decorative fuel-effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-4: 2007 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Independent gas-fired flueless fires, convector heaters & heating stoves of nominal heat input not exceeding 6kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6172: 2010 + A1 2017
Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6173: 2020 Specification for installation of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6230: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired forced convection air heaters for commercial & industrial space heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6400-1: 2016 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 1 –Low pressure (2nd family gases)
BS 6400-2: 2018 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h (2nd & 3rd family gases) –Medium pressure (2nd family gases)
> BS 6400-3: 2007 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Low & medium pressure (3rd family gases)
BS 6644: 2011 Specification for Installation of gas-fired hot water boilers of rated inputs between 70kW (net) & 1.8MW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) – Incorporating Corrigendum No. 1
BS 6798: 2014 Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
BS 6891: 2015 + A1 2019 Specification for the installation and maintenance of low-pressure gas installation pipework of up to 35mm (R1¼) on premises
BS 6896: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired overhead radiant heaters for industrial & commercial heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7624: 2004 Specification for installation & maintenance of domestic direct gas-fired tumble dryers of up to 6kW heat input (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7671: 2018 + A2: 2022 Requirements for electrical installations. Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Wiring Regulations (formally IEE Wiring Regulations) – Eighteenth edition. Amendment to existing guidance document
BS 7967: 2015 Guide for the use of electronic portable combustion gas analysers for the measurement of carbon monoxide in dwellings and the combustion performance of domestic gas-fired appliances
BS 7967-5: 2010 Carbon monoxide in dwellings & other premises & the combustion performance of gas-fired appliances – Guide for using electronic portable combustion gas analysers in non-domestic premises for the measurement of carbon monoxide & carbon dioxide levels & the determination of combustion performance
BS 8313: 1997 Code of practice for accommodation of building services in ducts
BS 8446: 2020 Specification for the installation & maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances.
BS 8660-1: 2011 Gas-fired micro-cogeneration appliances of rated thermal input not exceeding 70kW net Part 1: Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of Stirling engine micro-cogeneration appliances
BS EN 721: 2019 Leisure accommodation vehicles –Safety ventilation requirements
BS EN 751-1:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Anaerobic jointing compounds
BS EN 751-2:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Non-hardening jointing compounds
BS EN 751-3:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Unsintered PTFE tapes
BS EN 1775: 2007 Gas supply pipework for buildings – Maximum operating pressure loss ≤5bar –Functional requirements
BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures –Functional requirements
BS EN 50292: 2013 Electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises – Guide on the selection, installation, use & maintenance
BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing
BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance
BS EN ISO 10239: 2017 Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems. Under review
BS EN 13410: 2001 Gas-fired overhead radiant heaters –Ventilation requirements for non-domestic premises (Amd Jan 03)
BS EN 1749: 2020 European scheme for the classification of gas appliances according to the method of evacuation of the products of combustion
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers Documents (IGEM)
IGE/UP/1 Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of industrial & commercial gas installations. Under review
IGE/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations (inc amendments published March 2005). Under review
IGEM/UP/1B Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations (with Amendments October 2012). Out for public comment
IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of Natural Gas and LPG meter installations
IGEM/UP/2 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises. Under review
IGEM/UP/3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines. Under review
IGEM/UP/4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises
IGEM/UP/6 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems
IGE/UP/7 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008)
Note 7: IGE/UP/7 – Edition 2 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/resource/ige-up-7-edition-2-a2008-gas-installations-in-timberframed-and-light-steel-framedbuildings.html
IGE/UP/9 Application of Natural Gas and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners. Revision expected
IGEM/UP/10 Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises
IGEM/UP/11 Gas installations for educational establishments
IGEM/UP/12 Application of burners and controls to gas fired process plant. Under review
IGEM/UP/16 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to DSEAR
IGEM/UP/17 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances
IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and body shops
IGEM/UP/19 Edition 2 Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering establishments
IGEM/GL/8 Edition 4 Notification, investigation and reporting of gas-related incidents
IGE/GL/9 Guidance for large gas consumers in dealing with Natural Gas supply emergencies. Available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-gl-9.html
IGE/TD/4 PE and steel gas services and services pipework. Revision expected
IGEM/G/1 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework. Under review
IGEM/G/4 Definitions in the Gas Industry. Under review
IGEM/G/5 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings. Revised guidance document
IGEM/G/6 Gas supplies to mobile dwellings. Out for public comment
IGEM/G/7 Risk Assessment Techniques
IGEM/G/10 Non-return valves
IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 with amendments July 2022 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP)
Note 8: IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/resource/igem-g-11-edition2-gas-industry-unsafe-situationsprocedure.html
IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1
Responding to domestic CO alarm activations/reports of fumes after attendance by the emergency service provider or the Liquid Petroleum Gas supplier
Note 9: IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/resource/igem-g-11-supplement1-responding-to-domestic-coalarm-activations-reports-of-fumes. html
IGEM/G/13 Domestic supply capacity and operating pressure at the outlet of the meter
Note 10: IGEM/G/13 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-g-13-domestic-supplycapacity-and-operating-pressure-atthe-outlet-of-the-meter.html
IGE/GM/4 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 bar and not exceeding 100 bar
IGE/GM/5 Electronic gas meter volume conversion systems. Under review
IGEM/GM/6 Edition 3 Non-domestic meter installations –Standard designs
IGEM/GM/7A Electrical connections for gas metering equipment
IGEM/GM/7B Hazardous area classification for gas metering equipment
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 1 Non-domestic meter installations. Flow rate exceeding 6m3/h-1 & inlet pressure not exceeding 38 bar Design
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Non-domestic meter installations. Fabrication, installation and commissioning
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Non-domestic meter installations. Notices and labels
IGEM/IG/1 Standards of Training in Gas Work
Note 11: IGEM/IG/1 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-ig-1-ed-2-standards-oftraining-in-gas-work.html
IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 1 Standards of Training in Gas Work, Nondomestic training specification
Note 12: IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 1 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/resource/igem-ig-1-supplement1-non-domestic-trainingspecification.html
IGEM/IG/2 Engineer’s Guide to relevant sections of IGEM/UP/19 in catering establishments
Note 13: IGEM/IG/2 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-ig-2-guidance-for-gasengineers.html
IGEM/G/7 Risk assessment techniques
IGEM/SR/25 Hazardous area classification of natural gas installations (with amendments July 2013). Under review
IGEM/SR/29 Dealing with gas escapes
IGEM/H/1 Reference Standard for low pressure hydrogen utilisation
Note 14: IGEM/H/1 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-h-1-with-amendments-june2022-reference-standard-for-lowpressure-hydrogen-utilisation.html
Liquid Gas UK Codes of Practice (CoP)
UKLPG – LPG Technical Fundamentals
CoP 1 Part 1 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Design, installation & Operation of Vessels
Located Above Ground
CoP 1 Part 2 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Vapour Off-take Small Bulk Propane Installations
CoP 1 Part 3 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed installations – Examination & Inspection
CoP 1 Part 4 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Buried/Mounded
LPG Storage Vessels
CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges.
Revised guidance document
CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems
CoP 21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000)
CoP 22 Including Amd 1 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems.
Revised guidance document
CoP 24 Part 1 Use of LPG Cylinders
– At residential & similar premises
CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street
Food and Mobile Catering
CoP 24 Part 5 Use of LPG Cylinders
– Storage & use of LPG on construction sites
CoP 24 Part 6 Use of Propane in cylinders at commercial & industrial premises
CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008)
CoP 32 Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in Leisure
Accommodation Vehicles and Road
Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance
GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters
Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS)
CGS 01 Mobile Bottled Gas Heaters and Condensation
CGS 03 The Use of LPG Cylinders Indoors
CGS 04 LPG Patio Heaters –Safe Use
CGS 05 LPG Hose and Tubing for use with Vapour Offtake Cylinders
CGS 20 Camping Safely
CGS 22 Owning Your Own LPG Storage Vessel
CGS 25 LPG Installation Record & Documentation
CGS 28 Safe Use of Propane and Butane Cylinders and Cartridges
CGS 37 Guidance for Private Ownership and Filling of LPG Cylinders
CGS 39 Regulators – Safe Use
Note 15: Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS) are available at: www.liquidgasuk.org/ domestic/consumer-guidancesheets
Other Industry Procedures/ Documents
DW/172 Specification for kitchen ventilation systems
IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 with amendments July 2022 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP)
This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in or the IGEM website at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-g-11-edition-2-gas-industryunsafe-situations-procedure.html
All Technical Bulletins
For further information see TB 1000. This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
All Gas Safe Register Safety Alerts
These can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
All Gas Safe Register Industry Standard Updates
These can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
Note 16: Gas Safe registered businesses can find up-to-date manufacturer’s instructions/ information for a wide range of heating appliances, notably boilers and warm air heating appliances, on the HHIC’s website. For further information go to: installersfirst.co.uk/register
The Industry Standard numbers highlighted below are those included in the list of current Industry Standards available on a subscription basis to the majority of Gas Safe registered businesses. To subscribe, log into your online account at: www.gassaferegister. co.uk/sign-in and choose Standards Subscriptions. Choose and pay for a one or three-year subscription and then you will be able to access the normative documents.
BS 5440-1: 2008 Flueing & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) Specification for installation of gas appliances to chimneys & for maintenance of chimneys
BS 5440-2: 2009 Installation & maintenance of flues & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification for installation & maintenance of ventilation provision for gas appliances
BS 5546: 2010 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired water-heating appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
PD 54823: 2016 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane gas-burning installations. Installations in boats, yachts & other vessels
BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases).
Specification
BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-3: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Decorative fuel-effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-4: 2007 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Independent gas-fired flueless fires, convector heaters & heating stoves of nominal heat input not exceeding 6kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6172: 2010 + A1 2017 Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6173: 2020 Specification for installation of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6230: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired forced convection air heaters for commercial & industrial space heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6400-1: 2016 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 1 –Low pressure (2nd family gases)
BS 6400-2: 2018 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h (2nd & 3rd family gases) –Medium pressure (2nd family gases)
BS 6400-3: 2007 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Low & medium pressure (3rd family gases)
BS 6644: 2011 Specification for Installation of gas-fired hot water boilers of rated inputs between 70kW (net) & 1.8MW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) – Incorporating Corrigendum No. 1
> BS 6798: 2014 Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
BS 6891: 2015 + A1 2019
Specification for the installation and maintenance of low-pressure gas installation pipework of up to 35mm (R1¼) on premises
BS 6896: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired overhead radiant heaters for industrial & commercial heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7624: 2004 Specification for installation & maintenance of domestic direct gas-fired tumble dryers of up to 6kW heat input (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7967: 2015 Guide for the use of electronic portable combustion gas analysers for the measurement of carbon monoxide in dwellings and the combustion performance of domestic gas-fired appliances
BS 7967-5: 2010 Carbon monoxide in dwellings & other premises & the combustion performance of gas-fired appliances – Guide for using electronic portable combustion gas analysers in non-domestic premises for the measurement of carbon monoxide & carbon dioxide levels & the determination of combustion performance
BS 8446: 2020 Specification for the installation & maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances
BS EN 721: 2019 Leisure
accommodation vehicles –Safety ventilation requirements
BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas
infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures –Functional requirements
BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas
installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5 bar for industrial installations & greater than 5 bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing
BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas
installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5 bar for industrial installations & greater than 5 bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance
BS EN 1949: 2021 Specification for the installation of LPG systems for habitation purposes in leisure accommodation vehicles & accommodation purposes in other vehicles
BS EN ISO 10239: 2017 Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems
BS EN 13410: 2001 Gas-fired overhead radiant heaters –Ventilation requirements for non-domestic premises (Amd Jan 03)
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers Documents (IGEM)
IGEM/UP/1 Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of industrial & commercial gas installations
IGEM/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations
IGEM/UP/1B Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations
IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of natural gas and LPG meter installations
IGEM/UP/2 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises
IGEM/UP/3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines
IGEM/UP/4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises
IGEM/UP/6 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems
IGEM/UP/7 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008)
IGEM/UP/9 Application of Natural Gas and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners
IGEM/UP/10 Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises
IGEM/UP/11 Gas installations in educational establishments
IGEM/UP/12 Application of burners and controls to gas fired process plant
IGEM/UP/16 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to DSEAR
IGEM/UP/17 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances
IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and body shops (Replaced British Gas Technical Publication IM/28: 1993)
IGEM/UP/19 Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering establishments
IGEM/GL/8 Notification, investigation and reporting of gas-related incidents
IGEM/GL/9 Guidance for large gas consumers in dealing with Natural Gas supply emergencies. Available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-gl-9.html
IGEM/TD/4 PE and steel gas services and service pipework
IGEM/G/1 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework
IGEM/G/4 Definitions in the Gas Industry
IGEM/G/5 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings
IGEM/G/6 Gas supplies to mobile dwellings
IGEM/G/11 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP)
IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1
Responding to domestic CO alarm activations/reports of fumes after attendance by the emergency service provider or the Liquid Petroleum Gas supplier
IGEM/GM/4 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 bar & not exceeding 100 bar
IGEM/GM/5 Electronic gas meter volume conversion systems
IGEM/GM/6 Non-domestic meter installations – Standard designs
IGEM/GM/7A Electrical connections for gas metering equipment
IGEM/GM/7B Hazardous area classification for gas metering equipment
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 1 Non-domestic meter installations. Flow rate exceeding 6m3/h-1 & inlet pressure not exceeding 38 bar Design
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Non-domestic meter installations. Fabrication, installation and commissioning
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Non-domestic meter installations. Notices and labels
Liquid Gas UK Codes of Practice (CoP)
CoP 1 Part 1 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Design, installation & Operation of Vessels
Located Above Ground
CoP 1 Part 2 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Vapour Off-take Small Bulk Propane Installations
CoP 1 Part 3 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed installations – Examination & Inspection
CoP 1 Part 4 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Buried/Mounded LPG Storage Vessels (Inc Amendment March 2013)
CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges
CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems
CoP 21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000)
CoP 22 Including Amd 1 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems
CoP 24 Part 1 Use of LPG Cylinders
– At residential & similar premises
CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering
CoP 24 Part 5 Use of LPG Cylinders – Storage & use of LPG on construction sites
CoP 24 Part 6 Use of Propane in cylinders at commercial & industrial premises
CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008)
CoP 32 Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance
GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters n
RWC product marketing manager Richard Bateman looks at how plastic push-fit technology is a step towards a greener plumbing future.
F
rom swapping fast fashion for pre-loved clothing from charity shops to adopting a more plantbased diet, many are making an effort to be more environmentally friendly. And when it comes to having a more sustainable household overall, one area that should not be overlooked is the home’s plumbing system.
While the government is actively taking strides towards new sustainable targets – phasing out gas boilers in new-build homes by 2025 is one example – there are no guidelines that list the materials that should be used in plumbing systems.
The hard truth is that some sustainable alternatives are more expensive than their less environmentally friendly counterparts. And for some plumbing parts this can appear to be the case too – tankless water heaters are more expensive than storage heaters, for example. Plastic pipe is less expensive than copper pipe, although plastic push-fit fittings can cost slightly more. However, the additional money spent on plastic fittings will be saved in the form of reduced water usage and labour costs.
Plastic push-fit fittings can reduce complexity in pipework by decreasing the number of connections required, which in turn can save water by reducing the chance of leaks.
For example, plastic push-fit plumbing manifolds establish a single central hub as a distribution point for either hot or cold water supplies, simplifying pipework. Without the need for additional fittings, a single run can be cabled to an outlet using polybutylene pipe. This makes maintenance simple as well as limiting leak points and, given that a single leak can lose up to 1,400 gallons of water in 24 hours, that’s worth preventing.
Push-fit valves bring together
An environmentally friendly future
JG Speedfit’s Twist & Lock range is up to 40 per cent faster to install than traditional methods and is easier to use in confined spaces because it removes the need for hot works and tools.
Like all other push-fit fittings, Twist & Lock provides an instant, flame-free, push-fit connection that can be installed and demounted in seconds without tools. Polybutene plastic is a non-toxic material that resists both corrosion and scale build-up, ensuring that fittings are watertight and long lasting, preventing any need for repairs. The fittings are available in multiple key bends such as straight connectors, tee tube connectors, and equal elbow connectors, which ensure you can be green from every angle.
different functions into one fitting that saves space and installation time, which makes the plumbing system greener too.
Double-check valves combined with service valves for outside taps can save a lot of space under the sink, for instance. Lever-operated shut-off valves, hand-operated shut-off taps or screwdriver-operated valves can shut off water supply with a single turn.
The capability to isolate water supplies inherently reduces the need to drain water from the whole property, saving gallons of water when servicing and maintenance are needed on the plumbing and heating system.
It’s not just indoors where a longer-lasting solution is needed. Every year, thousands of pounds are spent on repairing outdoor plumbing systems too. Issues with underground pipework are usually the result of one of two issues, if not both. Numerous environmental factors mean that it is difficult for installers to determine whether a watertight seal has been made upon first installation, particularly if using fittings with compression connections; or the fitting can become loose over time, which then causes leaks that are hard to rectify.
These risks are significantly
reduced with plastic push-fit MDPE fittings. Like all plastic push-fit fittings, the fitting is sealed by simply pushing the fitting into the pipe, which drastically reduces the chance that it will be installed incorrectly in the first instance.
Underground leaks can be extremely laborious to deal with: the ground needs to be dug up to identify problems, which requires specialist machinery. Push-fit MDPE fittings assure a reliable and leak-proof seal, making for a longer-lasting and more environmentally friendly system overall and ensuring that water is conserved. ■ jgspeedfit.com
The Green Skills Academy has opened its doors in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, helping installers in the north of England to build their knowledge of the latest energy efficient and low-carbon technology.
Resideo has been involved with one of its key elements, a full-sized, low-energy model house. It’s designed to show how energy efficient products work in a real-world environment so that trainees can see individual products installed and, crucially, how they operate with other elements as part of a complete, efficient heating system.
The Honeywell Home Evohome thermostat is installed alongside a heat recovery and cooling system, to help demonstrate how to fit a full system correctly to ensure the best result.
The Resideo Academy will be working with the Green Skills Academy to provide training and upskilling. The company’s
products equip the training booths with the latest in energyefficient heating control technology, as well as the company’s latest smart products, CO and smoke alarms, and security kits.
The Resideo Academy has also sponsored and donated equipment to the Green Skills Academy classroom workshop, where attendees can get first-hand experience of thermostats, CO alarms and valves, and learn more about essential wiring and installation requirements.
The Green Skills Academy includes innovative technology to provide comprehensive training for those starting out in the plumbing and heating industry, and opportunities to upskill for those further along in their career.
Darren Cooke, EMEA training and enablement leader at Resideo, says: “There is currently a great deal of focus on the opportunities to be gained in the
City of Portsmouth College has opened its new facilities to gas engineers, showcasing its range of domestic training and assessment packages as well as bespoke training.
The assessment provider covers the Portsmouth, Hampshire and West Sussex areas, with courses that include domestic and LPG ACS assessment, domestic hot water storage systems (unvented), water regulations (WRAS)/bylaws and energy efficiency (Part L).
When you register your ACS renewal dates with the college, you can take advantage of CCN1 plus appliances refresher training and reassessment (including CPA1, CENWAT, CKR1, HTR1 and/or DAH1) at a discounted rate of £699, until 30 December 2023. The college plans to offer smart meter training shortly. copc.ac.uk/gas
green skills arena. This includes not only those in the plumbing and heating sector, but also in the wider construction industry. Practical, first-hand experience is essential to building confidence and expanding these skill sets.
“By collaborating with the Green Skills Academy, we can make a real difference in providing more opportunities for installers to learn about the benefits of individual low-carbon products
and how they work together.”
Roosevelt Alexander, director of the Green Skills Academy, adds: “The Green Skills Academy is on the front line of this transition, helping our workforce, individual households and communities play a key part in the fight back against climate change and we’re delighted to work with Resideo on this shared goal.”
www.gceducationandskills. ac.uk
Gas Training and Assessment (GTA) has added qualifications in air source heat pumps, heat pump design and underfloor heating systems to its portfolio.
Set up in 1997, GTA is one of the oldest continually operating ACS centres, providing a one-stop shop for heating engineers. It offers a full suite of ACS qualifications in natural gas and LPG, including IGQ courses for new entrants.
The centre in Basildon, Essex, has been refitted in association with Vaillant, John Guest Speed
Fit, Fernox and Testo, creating a new centre of excellence.
Other qualifications include unvented hot water systems, water regulations, energy efficiency, legionella, essential electrics – which includes central heating wiring and safe isolation – and boiler fault finding. It aims to add further courses, including ground source heat pumps, solid fuel, oil and powerflushing during the year.
www.gas-training-andassessment.co.uk
Safety is the most important issue when it comes to gas appliances, which is why annual gas safety checks are recommended for all households, and are mandatory in rental properties.
As part of these inspections, the flue is visually checked and a flue gas analyser used to measure the products of combustion. To do this, the flue cap must be removed so that the probe can be inserted into the flue.
But what happens if the engineer forgets to replace the flue cap once the inspection is complete? The worst-case scenario consequences could be extremely serious, which is why now-retired gas engineer David Boseley began his search for a solution.
He explains: “I’ve been in the industry since I was 15 and, some
years ago, was told I’d left a flue cap off after an inspection. I was able to prove that it wasn’t me, but I could have lost my job because I would have left the boiler in an unsafe situation. It got me thinking how easy it can be to leave the cap off, and I wanted to find a way to prevent that from happening.”
After four years of development, David has now created the Flue Safe Plug, a safety device consisting of a memory foam insert that sits inside the air vent of the boiler’s outlet flue, positioned within the normal plastic plug. A pre-cut slit through the foam then allows the FGA probe to be inserted through the memory foam without damaging it.
When the probe is removed, the foam closes over and fills the gap, closing off the flue and
ensuring that products of combustion cannot escape.
The plug can be fitted permanently into the appliance and either added to the flue at the
factory during production or retrofitted by push-fit into boilers that are already in operation.
David has patented the Flue Safe Plug and has a number already manufactured and installed in boilers around his local area of Oxford. He has found a possible production partner, sourced the raw materials, and is now looking for help with funding to it into wider production.
He says: “I’ve spoken to boiler and flue manufacturers and the response has been really positive. I would love to see this be made mandatory for installation. It’s a simple device that we think would not cost very much, maybe £10 for a pack of three – that’s peanuts to potentially save someone’s life.” ■
You can contact David at oxfordgasservices@tiscali. co.uk
Aqualisa’s Evolve range is a new line-up of electric showers designed for safer showering, environmentally-friendly performance and value.
The showers come in a choice of Arctic white, space grey or midnight black with a satin silver trim, and in 8.5kW, 9.5kW and 10.5kW power options.
The units have easy-to-use dials and deliver instant showers with no demand on stored hot water. They consume only the energy and water flow chosen by the user, so that families can minimise usage of both.
Evolve comes with an over-temperature protection system, so the water will always remain at the desired heat level and never exceed 50°C. A digital display clearly shows the temperature at all times, and a low-pressure indicator alerts the user should the water pressure fall.
Aqualisa’s five-second phased shut-down technology minimises the risk of limescale build-up, helping to extend the shower’s life.
www.aqualisa.co.uk/products/ type/electric-showers.html
Grant UK’s Vortex Pro oil-fired boilers now come with a 10-year guarantee when they are fitted by a G1 Installer.
To activate the decade-long guarantee, G1 Installers simply need to fit a Grant Mag One filter and register the boiler within 30 days of installation via the online G1 Portal or G1 Click app.
The Vortex Pro boiler range consists of five internal, whitecased heat-only and sealedsystem models; three external, powder-coated heat-only models, and seven combi boilers, which
include internal, external and a slimline combi option. Outputs range from 15kW to 70kW and are HVO-compatible (hydrotreated vegetable oil). Models can be converted from kerosene to HVO biofuel operation.
Managing director Paul Wakefield says: “The coming months are set to be pivotal for the oil heating sector, with the lobbying of government in the hope of securing the inclusion of HVO biofuel in future legislation.
“Grant Engineering has been heavily involved in the research into HVO biofuels and their use in home heating, and the 10-year guarantee on our Vortex Pro boilers, when installed by a G1 Installer, further demonstrates our commitment to low-carbon liquid fuels.”
www.grantuk.com
Alpha’s packaged hybrid heating system E-Tec provides a pathway into renewable heating without losing the reliability of gas boilers. The company’s E-Tec 33 boiler is connected to the external heat pump unit with Smartech controls to provide high-efficiency heating and hot water.
The system considers live energy prices in combination with the weather to choose the most efficient combination to heat the home, automatically adjusting the heating flow and water temperature in the radiators according to demand and the outside temperature. Hot water is provided instantly by the boiler.
The E-Tec Hybrid is suitable for homes without an airing cupboard or those looking to free up some cupboard space because hot water is instantaneous. The system can run on existing pipework, so there’s no need for drastic changes such as upgrading radiators.
Alpha’s renewable product manager Daniel Wilden says: “The
E-Tec Hybrid solution offers the best of both worlds in renewable technology of an air-to-water heat pump with a familiar gas condensing boiler.
“With more and more people looking to move towards renewable energy and save money on their energy bills, the E-Tec Hybrid is the perfect solution in moving towards a greener heating alternative.”
Alpha provides practical advice on system design, key features and considerations when fitting a heat pump, plus hands-on training.
www.alpha-innovation.co.uk
Viessmann has extended the standard warranty on its full Vitodens residential boiler range to seven years.
Vitodens is available as 050-W, 100-W, 111-W and 200-W wall-hung models and as a 222-F floor-standing model and the warranty applies up to 35kW. Customers can also buy a longer warranty period of 10 or 12 years.
UK sales director Chris Johnson says: “This warranty promise reflects the confidence we have in our products and it is in addition to the 10-year guarantee on the Inox-Radial stainless steel heat exchanger in all our Vitodens boilers.”
We have vacancies for field-based contracted inspectors in North Wales, Midlands, East Anglia and Central England.
Our inspectors audit heating businesses and check individual competence through on-site visits. We are looking for applicants with in-depth experience of oil, solid fuel and renewables under the microgeneration certification scheme (MCS).
To discuss this opportunity, please contact John Vinter, Inspection Services Manager, by email jvinter@oftec.org or call 01473 618 558 / 07432 715042.
www.oftec.org
hold CCN1 / CKR1)
Area: Self Employed/Small Businesses - Engineers required Nationwide UK
Whirlpool UK - are a major manufacturer of kitchen appliances and we repair all makes and models. We are open to Engineers who are gas safe registered. You will be working on gas appliances, dual fuel and occasionally electrical cooking appliances. Please only apply if you are gas CKR1 certified or willing to obtain!
The Opportunity
We are currently looking for Domestic Gas certified White Goods Engineers/Gas Engineers to work in a field based position. You will be based from your home/office receiving your jobs the night before via tablet. You will be working in customers' homes diagnosing problems and carrying out the repair, if possible, aiming for a first time fix every time. Ensuring the customer is left happy with the service provided whether the appliance is repaired or not. Specialist equipment will be provided by the company if necessary
The Candidate ● Must hold valid gas certificates (Minimum CCN1 & CKR1) and a strong background in White Goods.
● Have experience/knowledge servicing/installing gas appliances would act as an advantage to your application..
● Possess excellent customer service skills.
● Hold a Full UK driving licence.
Please contact us at whirlpool_contractors@whirlpool.com or Ian Lewis 07739 922123 or Contractor Opportunities scan barcode for contact form
Were also looking to speak to anyone in the White Goods Industry. If you know anyone with the below skills please pass on our details
Washing machines,Tumble Dryers, Dishwashers, Electrical & Gas Cooking Plus Refrigeration, Coffee Makers and Microwaves
Book your refresher training and reassessment for just £699 (Usual price £895, offer available until 30 December 2023)
02392 328929 gas-enquiries@copc.ac.uk
copc.ac.uk/gas
ACS, NG, LPG
Domestic, Commercial, Industrial Safe Electrical Isolation
Un-vented Hot Water & Water Regs
ADVERTISE YOUR TRAINING COURSES, SERVICES OR RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS TO 80,000 GAS SAFE REGISTERED BUSINESSES, AND REACH MORE THAN 132,000 GAS ENGINEERS.
PLEASE TELEPHONE BEV: 0203 137 8582 OR EMAIL: classified@rgemagazine.co.uk
BTAAC offer a full range of Domestic and Commercial Gas training and assessments in a well-equipped training facility at very competitive prices.
· All ACS Domestic Gas – core + appliances
·All ACS Commercial Gas including CMDDA1 and BMP1
· Unvented Hot Water & Water Regs
· Highly knowledgeable trainers with years of experience
· Very friendly training environment
For more information and to book your course contact us on:- Email: sarah.bygraves@bromleytraining.co.uk Telephone: 0208 315 5678
Bromley Training & Assessment Centre (BTAAC) Unit 4 Ashgrove Industrial Estate Ashgrove Road, Bromley Kent, BR1 4JW
