Gas Safe Register’s inspection process during lockdown; Updates to Technical Bulletins; Remain vigilant at work, urges CIPHE

Update on inspections

During the lockdowns in place across the UK, adjustments have been made to Gas Safe Register’s inspection process so that they can continue while minimising face-to-face contact. Where possible, Gas Safe Register will use video to carry out a remote technical assessment: the outcome of this will determine whether a face-to-face inspection is needed. Where customers make a complaint or raise a concern, Gas Safe will make an initial assessment over the phone, using video calling to support the assessment. This information will be used to confirm the next steps and whether an inspection visit to the property will be required.

Technical Bulletin revisions

Following the publication of Liquid Gas UK CoP32, revised Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets and the withdrawal of Parts 1 and 2 of BS 5482, administrative revisions have been made to the Technical Bulletins below. No technical changes have been made: • TB 011 The use of clips to secure vapour phase LPG hose and tubing to BS EN 16436-1 and BS EN 16436-2 to end fittings • TB 040 Meter Box – Installation pipe sleeving • TB 042 Repairs following reported gas escapes • TB 053 Modular boiler installations – competency requirements and applicable Industry Standards • TB 146 Consumer Guidance Sheet (CGS) 05 – LPG Hoses and

Tubing for Use with Vapour Offtake. The following Technical Bulletins on LPG have been withdrawn because the guidance is contained in other guidance documents: • TB 072 Separation distances between LPG cylinders and tanks and domestic oil tanks • TB 079 BS 5482-1: 2005 (LPG Installations) – additional guidance • TB 080 Changes to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) regulator standards • TB 134 Gas tightness testing of LPG service pipework, installation pipework and appliances in holiday homes, caravans and motor homes. You can read and download all Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins by logging into your online account at:

www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/sign-in

New owner for Wolseley UK

Wolseley UK is being sold by its parent Ferguson to private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. The £308 million disposal was due to be complete by the end of January 2021.

Ferguson chief executive Kevin Murphy said: “Wolseley is a leading heating and plumbing distribution business in the UK and we are confident the business will benefit from working with its new owners, who will develop the business further by focusing on continued opportunities in the industry.”

Wolseley UK trading profits were £5.8 million in the year ended 31 July 2020 and revenue was £1,373 million. Gas engineers must continue to prioritise personal and public safety, says the CIPHE.

Membership secretary Tim Sainty says it’s particularly important to remain vigilant to continue to protect your own health as well as those of your customers when you are carrying essential work.

“The advice from the CIPHE mirrors government guidance,” says Tim, “and remains largely the same as at the start of the pandemic. We are supportive of the fact that plumbing and heating repairs and maintenance work can continue, provided that the tradesperson and customer is well and have no coronavirus symptoms.

“Do check with clients that they do not have a positive diagnosis, are not self-isolating, or displaying symptoms of COVID-19 before attending the premises.

“Even if everyone in the household is healthy, social distancing is still essential and we reiterate the Public Health England guidelines for maintaining social distancing, with a 2m distance from any household occupants. The wearing of a face covering indoors when working and regular 20-second handwashing are also advised.

“Work should not be carried out in any household isolating due to coronavirus, unless it is to remedy a direct risk to the safety of the household, such as life-threatening or other emergency plumbing or repairs. Guidance should be provided to the household to ensure that no contact is made between the engineer and the occupants.”

BEIS confirms work can continue in lockdown

New BEIS Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng last month wrote an open letter to people working in the construction sector, which included confirmation of the government’s position on tradespeople working during the lockdown.

In the letter, he said: “Firms and tradespeople in manufacturing, including supply chains, should continue to operate during this national lockdown.

“I would also like to make it clear that where it is essential to travel or to stay in accommodation, whether to get to your work or for the purposes of carrying out your work, those in the industry are able to do so.

“It is vital that manufacturing continues and I want to reassure you that the government values the contribution your sector is making.

“To help ensure that it is safe for you to operate while carrying out your work, the government and devolved administrations continue to update their safer working guidance, which can be found on Gov.uk.”