Registered Gas Engineer, May/June issue

Editor’s comment

More homeowners than ever are applying for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme – figures show an increase of more than 40 per cent following last year’s big jump in the grant level to £7,500. Why does this matter to you? Because awareness of heat pumps is definitely growing and we know that many of you are being asked about them by your customers –and many are fitting them too.

Heat pumps are no longer a niche technology. And although much of the focus of this magazine is on traditional gas boilers, we believe it’s important to cover the technologies that many will be fitting in the future. In our feature starting on page 32, we’ve asked some of the major players the questions that you’ve been asking. The information will give you the knowledge to make your own decisions about whether you want to fit them or carry on with gas boilers – or both.

We’ve written a lot about the dithering over measures designed to help the UK reach net zero by 2050, particularly over whether boiler manufacturers will be ‘forced’ to sell heat pumps or fall foul of fines imposed under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism. While the government did finally confirm that this will go ahead in 2025 (a year later than planned), the general election on the horizon could mean that enacting it becomes a headache for the next government to resolve.

Nicki Shearer, editor

Gas Safe Register, PO Box 631, DARLINGTON, DL1 9GD

Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister. co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk

Managing editor: Sue Harker, sue.harker@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: Rob Walkerdine, Carl Banister, Jonathan Palmer, Mike Cummings

Production: Mark Turpin

Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter, ian@rgemagazine.co.uk

Additional print subscriptions £25 per year email: wgardiner@circdata.com, Tel 020 8149 9222

Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ

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.

Boilers and bathrooms

05 Update from the Register

Gas Safe Register’s campaigns have helped millions of consumers stay gas safe during the winter; Tech Talk 5 is now live on YouTube

06 Stay safe from scammers

Police are on the trail of scammers who target gas engineers. Here are some top tips to stay safe from so-called guaranteed contracts

08 Prosecutions

Brought to justice: the plumber who faked registration and defrauded customers and the illegal gas fitter whose work caused water to flood into the gas pipes and meter

Issue 179 | May/June 2024

Technical

17 Safety Alert 034

Guidance about a product safety concern related to some Ideal-manufactured boilers

18

Technical Bulletin 14 (B)

Working within scope of work categories

24 Commercial valves

Identification and use

26 Check inside the chimney

Get the gen on draught-excluding devices

30 Update

Water regulations guidance shifts online; new spec in progress on renewable liquid gas appliances

22 Boilers and bathrooms

The regulations that apply

10 The good, the bad and the ugly

15 Letters

28 Boiler efficiency

The gover nment’s likely next steps to raise boiler standards and efficiency

36 Your business

How your customer email data can help you get more business simply and efficiently

44 Skills and training

First hydrogen training facility; Manchester mayor opens new green skills hub

47 Product update

The latest launches from around the industry

38 The Legislative, Normative and Informative Documents List

32 Heat pumps

Heat pumps are here to stay and we’ve taken some of your most frequently asked questions and put them to those who know the answers

Here’s how:

• Homeowners love ATAG boilers –our 5 star Trustpilot rating proves it

• Our 18-year warranty gives homeowners peace of mind and no costly repair bills

• We send service reminders to homeowners and installers giving you service income for years to come

• ATAG boilers are built to last –that’s why can we o er an 18 year warranty

To join the ATAG family scan the QR Code or call 0800 254 5065 #addATAG

update

the Register

Helping millions get gas-savvy in winter

All over the winter, Gas Safe Register has been helping people to stay gas safe with a wide-ranging advertising and PR campaign. Using a variety of creative ideas, key gas safety messages were targeted so as to reach audiences at different times and in different ways throughout the cold season.

From October 2023 until March 2024, ads popped up on TV, radio, newspapers and online and reached millions of people – in fact, more than four in five UK adults will have seen one of the many ad treatments.

PR played an important role too, with separate campaigns in November and January.

In November, Gas Safe Register reminded people of the risks associated with single-room heating, emphasising the need for an annual gas safety check and CO alarm.

In January, the news focus

shifted to highlighting the importance of gas safety to the UK’s grandparents. The Register worked with veteran DJ Tony Blackburn and social media influencers Jess and Norma, and more than 100 media outlets shared stories with their own audiences, amplifying messages even further.

Now that the weather is warming up and thoughts turn to the summer, a new campaign is under way. We’ll bring you all the highlights online and in our next issue of Registered Gas Engineer.

“Key gas safety messages reached audiences at different times and in different ways.”

Tech Talk

Episode 5 is now live

Episode 5 of Tech Talk has landed on Gas Safe Register’s YouTube Channel.

In this episode, the Technical Team get to grips with the topic of boilers in bathrooms –you can read the in-depth feature on page 22.

Tech Talk is a regular series that helps you stay up to date with the important topics that matter to you and your work. You can find Episode 5 and previous Tech Talks on Gas Safe Register’s YouTube playlists, and by logging into your Gas Safe Register online account, in the Resource Hub.

up

Police on the trail of potential fraudsters

Police are aware of a potentially fraudulent scheme involving companies falsely charging companies/sole traders a fee for work that is never followed up. They are liaising with Gas Safe Register regarding the matter: enquiries are ongoing, and several potential victims have been identified.

We’ve warned before of the dangers of entering into so-called guaranteed contracts. We’ve heard from gas engineers who have been contacted out of the blue by companies offering them ‘guaranteed’ contract work in return for an up-front payment.

How they work

They often operate like this: a company contacts you by phone or email, offering you exclusive and guaranteed work in your area. The company,

Take five to stop fraud STOP

Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information.

CHALLENGE

Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT

Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland. Source: Action Fraud

fee to secure the ‘exclusive’ contract, often around £2,000. Or you may be invited to apply to tender for the work.

Several gas engineers have contacted Gas Safe Register to say that they have never received any work despite paying the fee. Then they can’t get hold of the company to which they have paid their

“Police may contact victims by phone or email and will follow up from a police email address.”

often describing itself as a property maintenance firm, says it wants to give you a contract to provide landlords’ gas safety record checks and maintenance of gas appliances in a specific postcode area. But here’s the catch: gas engineers are asked to pay a

hard-earned money and can’t recoup it. These companies pop up regularly and change name frequently. Their addresses are often serviced offices and any phone numbers provided are not in service or go through to virtual assistants only.

Investigation

As part of the police investigation, officers may contact victims by phone or email, and police say they understand that anyone contacted in this way may be concerned about being contacted.

Any approach from the police will be followed up with an email from a police email address so that you will know the contact is authentic, along with ways to verify the officer’s details with the police force.

If you are contacted by a company that fits the description of the companies offering guaranteed contracts, there are ways you can keep yourself safe.

Always question cold-calling from companies you have not dealt with before. The following websites are free to use, open to everyone and do not require registration.

Companies House

If you are contacted by a limited company operating in the UK, they must be registered with Companies House. Companies House can be used to check company directors, when they were incorporated, whether they are still operating and what other companies the director is involved with. This information also includes the filing history of the company, covering changes in directors and accounts produced. https://find-and-update. company-information. service.gov.uk/

Phone numbers

Fraudsters will often try and impersonate other companies and can mask their number with genuine numbers. If you’re in any doubt, phone the number back and make sure it’s the genuine company you are speaking with. You can use https://who-called.co.uk/ free to look up any phone number:

it’s based on user experience and provides area codes, etc.

Emails

Fraudsters impersonating companies will try to match a company’s genuine domain –for example, @gassaferegister. co.uk, and create their own, such as @gassafe.com, to make you think you are dealing with the genuine company.

You can check any domain name at www.whois.com/ whois/ This will show you when the domain was registered and can be used to cross-check. If you’re dealing with what appears to be a well-established company but the domain was created recently, it may be fraudulent.

Bank transfers

If you are asked to transfer money, make sure the name of the account you are looking to transfer to matches the name of the company or group of companies that you are dealing

with. You can check the bank you are sending money to via https://newseventsinsights. wearepay.uk/sort-codechecker (or search online for “Sort Code Checker”).

Fraudsters will sometimes opt to use lesser-known banks.

Internet searches

Search the company online. Look at their reviews and any negative experiences on forums. If they are offering work that would be carried out in conjunction with other companies/agencies, do your due diligence and contact them to satisfy yourself it is genuine. n

You can read more about so-called guaranteed contracts at www. registeredgasengineer.co.uk and search for ‘guaranteed contracts’.

update from the Register

Plumber faked registration and defrauded customers

A Hereford plumber has been given a suspended prison sentence for defrauding customers and falsely claiming to be Gas Safe registered.

Hereford Magistrates heard that Ashley Powell had carried out illegal gas work on boilers, cookers and fires between June 2018 and March 2023.

Herefordshire Council Trading Standards, prosecuting, said Mr Powell had installed a new boiler for a woman in Hereford that was subsequently condemned, resulting in her having to pay £850 for repairs to make it safe. He issued bogus gas safety certificates using his former Gas Safe registration and licence numbers: his registration had expired in March 2018. His work was mainly boiler repairs in and around Hereford. He asked for money up front

for parts but failed to carry out the work, blowing the money on personal expenditure including online gambling, the magistrates heard.

In May 2023, a customer complained to Trading Standards that she had paid a deposit for a boiler part that was never fitted.

Ashley Powell pleaded guilty to the following charges:

• Breaching Section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006, for falsely representing himself as Gas Safe registered

• Breaching Section 1 of the Theft Act 1968 for taking £140 cash deposit for work never carried out

• Breaching Regulation 5 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for taking deposits and not carrying out the work.

The magistrates gave Mr Powell

Suspensions from the Register

13 suspensions for failure to apply competence

3 suspensions for failure to rectify defects

357 suspensions for failure to allow work inspection

504 notified of intention to suspend for failure to allow work inspection

February-March 2024

a four-month suspended prison sentence and warned him that he was very close to being sent to prison. He was ordered to pay £1,822 in compensation to eight customers.

He did show remorse for his actions and received credit for his early guilty plea, said a Trading Standards officer.

Plumber jailed for three years after leaving customers ‘desperate’

A Cambridgeshire plumber has been sent to prison for three years after leaving customers with incomplete, sub-standard work or not carrying out work for which he’d been paid.

Jason Landels, who traded as JL Heating and Plumbing, appeared at Huntingdon Crown Court in March 2024, having pleaded guilty in November 2023 to fraudulent trading, in a case brought by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards.

Mr Landels, 38, from Hardwick, was also issued with a 10-year Criminal Behaviour Order by the court, which bans him conducting his business in this way in the future.

Trading Standards started to receive complaints about him in December 2020. Some consumers reported paying him thousands of pounds and then struggling to get him to do the work.

Many were left with incomplete work, sub-standard work that needed putting right by other tradespeople, or did

not receive any work at all for their money.

Elaborate stories would be given to explain his absence. He also stated he was Gas Safe registered, which he was not.

Trading Standards gave Mr Landels a legal warning in January 2021, at which point he declared himself bankrupt to evade the 20 County Court Judgments against him. However, Trading Standards continued receiving complaints and started legal proceedings. He started to promise refunds to some of his customers but none were made.

In the case brought against him, 17 witness statements were gathered, with offences mainly committed across Cambridgeshire as well as Peterborough City. Gas Safe Register provided a witness statement for the prosecution, and had carried out an investigation in 2017.

Recorder Keightley, who presided over the case, said: “The rigours of running your own business were too much

for you but, despite this, you continued to offer services and take money from clients, knowing that work could not or would not be done.

“You left a large number of people out of pocket and severely inconvenienced, including during Covid. Moreover, you did this despite warnings and interventions.

“I have considered three victims in particular. It is plain that these vulnerable people were put to extraordinary inconvenience, cost and upset in a way that is significant. You took risks with little regard to the consequences. It is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified.”

If you find gas work that you suspect has been carried out illegally, please report it to Gas Safe Register so that it can investigate. You can do this by signing into your online account, then choose Reporting Illegal Gas Work in the Resource Hub.

Illegal gas fitter caused water to flood into gas pipes and meter

An illegal gas fitter from Peterborough has been given a suspended prison sentence after he carried out gas work in Peterborough.

Peterborough Magistrates’ Court heard that Anthony Rice, trading as Rice Plumbing and Oil Heating, replaced a gas boiler and altered the gas pipework at a house on Edwalton Avenue in January 2023. However, he connected the gas supply to the water

supply, which caused flooding to the gas pipes and gas meter.

Gas engineers from Cadent had to pump water from the emergency control valve and replace the gas meter. Cadent classified the boiler installation as Immediately Dangerous and capped the gas supply, then notifying HSE.

The HSE confirmed with Gas Safe Register that Mr Rice has never been registered and had no

gas training or qualifications.

Anthony Rice, of Fullbridge Road, Werrington, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(1) and 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for six months, and ordered to pay £3,000 in costs.

thegoodthebad&theugly

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

FROM STEVEN ANDRUSJAK

The engineer who fitted this fire and closure plate had cut the wrong end. Steven capped the gas supply and made safe.

FROM STEVE BIRKENHEAD

Steve was asked to change a chimney/ flue back to its original position after a builder had removed the add-on extension. Because the tenant was not at home, Steve contacted the landlord to arrange access to rectify and left a warning notice.

FROM RANJIT SINGH

Ranjit sent us a couple of corkers that he found recently. In the first, a flexible hose connection for the gas cooker was too close to the burners and much too far from the floor. The cooking appliance was isolated, and a warning notice issued.

FROM ROBBIE McROBERTS

During a survey, Robbie found this incorrectly installed chimney/flue. The boiler was turned off until a new horizontal chimney/flue could be fitted.

In the second, Ranjit found the combustion chamber case to the boiler was missing. The customer said they threw the case away, for some reason. The boiler was isolated, and a warning notice issued.

Chris attended a job where a slow leak had caused rotting through the combustion case. The customer had tried to fix the leak himself and treated the boiler casing with anti-rust paint. The boiler was made safe and removed.

FROM SAM INGLEDEW

Here’s a boiler chimney/flue connected into the guttering that Sam saw while he was carrying out a boiler service at a different property.

FROM MOHAMMED HAQUE

During an emergency call-out for a boiler repair, Mohammed found this meter inside a cupboard in the kitchen with no access to the emergency control valve (ECV). He resolved the situation and reminded the customer that access to the meter and ECV should always be available.

FROM ANDY GARSIDE

Andy found that a tumble dryer vent had been attached to the boiler flue: he replaced the flue and stripped the boiler to remove all the lint that had built up.

FROM CHRIS HALLETT

thegoodthebad&theugly continued

FROM CHRIS DONNELLY

Here, a tenant had fitted their own cooker, putting strain on the hose – among other issues. Chris made the installation safe, and the responsible person was educated on unsafe situations and the need to use a registered gas engineer for all gas work.

FROM JACK WILLOCK

While Jack was carrying out routine checks and a service on a gas fire, he found the catchment space full of combustible materials and scorch marks on the insulation. Nor was ventilation direct to outside air. The installation was capped off and made safe.

Mohamed was asked to check and test the gas installation at a restaurant by its new owners. He found this gas meter. He removed it and capped off the supply, notifying the gas supplier and responsible person.

FROM MOHAMED SHARIF

FROM IAN ARNOLD

Ian found this incorrectly installed heater, which may have been used to heat a greenhouse or outside toilet – the property had been derelict for a while. Ian made safe and removed the installation.

FROM

JASON HEARN

Jason was carrying out a landlord’s gas safety check and found that the gas meter had been cemented into the concrete floor to prevent water ingress into the basement flat below the property. The installation was made safe, labelled and the responsible persons and gas supplier were informed. The installation has now been corrected.

FROM

RICHARD PATTERSON

During a service, Richard saw a hole in this 20-year-old chimney/ flue. The gradient was incorrect and water was sitting inside the chimney/flue, causing it to corrode. Readings from the flue gas analyser were dangerously high. The boiler has now been replaced.

FROM RICHARD MILNE

There had been no attempt to seal this incorrectly installed chimney/flue into position and the terminal was missing. Richard disconnected the boiler from the gas supply and issued a warning notice.

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).

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Will we be greener but poorer and colder?

Ian Martin Glasgow

I can’t help feeling that Simon Ashman’s letter “It’s time that our industry prioritised the planet” is somewhat misguided.

There is an obsession with global warming and what we can do to minimise it. I am not denying that the planet is heating up and I am also not saying that we should do nothing; however, we seem to be lacking in perspective.

As far as I can find from various data websites, the UK is responsible for 3 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions: therefore, if we stop burning all carbon-based fuels tomorrow, it will have little or no impact on global temperatures.

The reason we heat our homes with gas is because it is cheaper than electricity,

currently around one-quarter of the price per kilowatt hour. If electricity was cheaper than gas, homeowners would make the move voluntarily.

As the majority of UK housing stock is more than 15 years old, there are many reasons why heat pumps are not really the answer. They are probably part of the answer but we also need alternatives.

Clean heat market mechanisms and net-zero ideas are often agreed to by politicians who do not understand the implications of what they are signing up to. As it always seems to be in the future, they don’t worry about it for now because it will be someone else’s problem.

By following the net-zero agenda, we may well become greener – however, I can’t help thinking that we will also be colder and poorer.

The hydrogen hybrid plan seemed like a great one as many modern gas boilers require little or no adjustment. It was never going to be carbon dioxide-free but it did make significant reductions: the stumbling block seems to be sourcing cheap clean hydrogen.

I think we need a variety of options for domestic heating that will suit the variety of house types and sizes – and currently we don’t seem to have that.

Perhaps we have been spoiled by the size, cost and reliability of the gas boilers that do a great job for many households across the country.

I am currently in a more time-sensitive predicament as I live in Scotland and our government wants to be ahead of Westminster in the drive for net zero.

Baffled at the lack of a baffle

Jonathan Benson

I come across the same issue every year, irrespective of boiler manufacturer, and I believe they have a duty to remedy it. The standard room-sealed boiler that has become the industry standard normally operates with a concentric horizontal flue where the air intake enters the inner part of the boiler for the provision of fresh air.

Unfortunately, this design

also allows driving rain to enter the body of the boiler, often dripping on to the fan or other electrical component, followed by a BANG! For the boiler manufacturer, this is great news as new components need to be purchased and fitted. However, I feel that poor design is being rewarded.

Surely a baffle system could be incorporated within the flue, still allowing ample air into the boiler without actually allowing

rain to enter. A drain-off could be created that is then connected to the condensate pipework after the trap to allow such water to escape without damaging the boiler components.

This issue can cause hundreds of pounds worth of damage and unnecessary inconvenience to householders. Surely such a simple remedy should be incorporated in future designs by the manufacturers.

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Safety Alert 034 Developed with Ideal Heating Ltd

Ideal Boilers

Date issued: 7 March 2024

This Safety Alert provides guidance to Gas Safe registered businesses/engineers about a product safety concern related to some Ideal-manufactured boilers.

Introduction

Gas Safe Register has been made aware of a concern regarding the possibility of a range of Ideal combi and system boilers that could be affected by an excessive amount of air being trapped in the heat exchanger in a fault condition, where it may lead to the boiler overheating and to fail.

Hazard

Ideal Heating has identified a potential risk with some Logic combi and system boilers. The fault relates to a condition where excessive air is trapped in the heat exchanger during a fault condition, although the possibility of this remains extremely low, at less than 1 in 10,000. The following ranges are affected:

• Logic Combi²

• Logic System²

• Logic + Combi²

• Logic + System²

• Logic Max Combi²

• Logic Max System²

• iMini²

• Independent Combi²

• Keston Combi²

• Keston System².

This issue only affects models produced between August 2022 and 7January 2024. Boilers manufactured before and after this date are not affected.

Corrective actions

Ideal Heating has set up a dedicated support website where customers and engineers can check if a product is affected. If you believe a product to be affected, please visit the support webpage at www.idealsupport.co.uk and enter the product’s 14-digit serial number.

Alternatively, contact Ideal Heating free by telephone on 0808 1759173 with the appliance serial number. The serial number can be found underneath the boiler on the bottom left or in the installation and servicing manual for the boiler left by the installer.

If the boiler is in the affected ranges, you will be asked to register the details of the installation, including the full postal address and contact details for the customer. Alternatively, you will be advised that the product is not within the affected range and no further action is required.

If the product is affected, Ideal Heating will then arrange for a visit to the appliance as part of its ongoing commitment to product safety and reliability. An additional component will need to be added to the boiler. This will be installed by an engineer and is an additional safety device that is above and beyond the safety measures

How to find the 14 digit code

You can find this underneath the boiler on the bottom left or in the installation and servicing manual.

already within the boiler. It will not affect the performance or efficiency of the boiler. The visit will take 30-60 minutes.

Customers can continue to use the boiler: however, they should ensure that their boiler pressure is at 1.5 bar.

Details of how to top up the system pressure can be found in both the installation manual and user guides provided with the boiler.

If at any point you are unsure or have any questions, please visit the dedicated website or contact Ideal Heating free of charge on 0808 1759173.

Working within scope of work categories

Date issued: 29 April 2024

What is Technical Bulletin 14 (B)?

During the past 12 months, a group of industry experts has been working to produce a new Technical Bulletin (TB) to provide gas engineers with a clearer understanding of the competency requirements they need when working in different environments, including domestic or industrial/commercial.

After many meetings and draft versions of the document, Technical Bulletin 014 (B) – Working within scope – is now complete. This Technical Bulletin represents the upcoming changes surrounding Guidance Note 14.

What is Guidance Note 14?

This is a Standards Setting Bodies and Strategic Management Board (SMB) document which allowed for certain work categories (ACS) to be undertaken without the need to hold the prerequisite core competencies that would normally be required.

An example of this would be a nondomestic engineer holding the CENWAT competency without having domestic core CCN1 (or changeover) to enable them to work on a domestic boiler installed in a commercial environment. Engineers will no longer be able to take the CENWAT ACS without holding the prerequisite core competency or changeover.

What does TB 014 (B) say?

TB 014 (B) explains how competencies work in line with relevant standards. Included is a series of frequently asked questions that explain what competencies an engineer will need to hold when working in certain environments. For example, an engineer working in a school where there are multiple domestic cooking appliances installed in a home economics room would be required to hold a commercial catering core competency alongside CKR1.

This is because the standard covering educational establishments (IGEM/UP/11) states that where multiple domestic cooking appliances are installed, they should be ventilated in accordance with the non-domestic catering standard (BS 6173) and interlocked as per the current IGEM/UP/19.

You can read and download TB 14 (B) by signing into your Gas Safe Register online account at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/sign-in

This Technical Bulletin provides guidance to Gas Safe registered businesses/engineers on industry standards and competence requirements that apply to gas work activities in different environments, to ensure all gas work is carried out by competent engineers holding the correct work categories.

Introduction

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR)(1) require those undertaking gas work to be competent to carry out the work. The regulations place a duty on the person undertaking the work, their employer and any other business in control of the work to ensure competence. All businesses working within the scope of the GSIUR must be registered with Gas Safe Register.

For guidance, please see the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) as amended and Approved Code of Practice and guidance (L56).

Gas Safe Register’s Rules of Registration Section 2 states the following: Anyone carrying out gas work must:

a) Be listed against the registered business as an engineer and hold the appropriate registration work categories for the work being carried out. They must have a recognised certificate of gas safety competence for registration in each work category;

b) Ensure all gas work done meets the requirements of the relevant Health & Safety enforcement agency, in accordance with the current gas safety legislation that is in force in the relevant Health & Safety agency’s jurisdiction

ie, Great Britain, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Guernsey and Jersey;

c) Do so competently.

You can read Gas Safe Register’s Rules of Registration at: www.GasSafeRegister. co.uk/media/yhzbcpqu/rulesof-registration.pdf

Background

Gas Safe Register regularly receives enquiries to confirm whether an engineer’s work categories cover them to work in different environments.

For example, whether a domestic engineer with CKR1 can install a domestic cooker in a non-domestic location, such as a school.

This Technical Bulletin helps to clarify the gas work competency requirements for certain environments and to provide a guide to determine if the environment in which an appliance is installed is representative of the appliance design and safe operation.

It is important that when an engineer is working in different environments from normal that they recognise that other regulations such the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HWSA)(2) will apply as well as the GSIUR, all of which need to be complied with. By holding the correct competence/ work categories to match the environment, the engineer will understand how other

Technical Bulletin 014 (B) Developed by TB 014 (B) committee

regulations may overlap GSIUR and how the manufacturer’s instructions interact with applicable standards.

For example, an engineer holding competence in domestic cookers (CKR1), performing gas work on a domestic cookers in a school food technology (home economics) room, should do this work in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, statutory instruments and with due consideration of IGEM/UP/11 Edition 3 – Gas Installations for Educational Establishments(3). Therefore, the engineer will need to have proven competence in relevant non-domestic work categories.

Concession to MIs

It may also be necessary to ensure that a concession to manufacturer’s instructions is in place to confirm that a domestic appliance is suitable for use in a non-domestic environment, where it does not clearly state this in the manufacturer’s literature, and similarly that a non-domestic appliance is suitable for use in a domestic environment. You can find the form to request a concession to manufacturer’s instructions by logging into your Gas Safe Register online account.

This Technical Bulletin is in line with current guidance provided from relevant standards and ACS Matters of Gas Safety and may be subject to change. It will be updated periodically to reflect any industry changes and is not retrospective.

You can follow the flowchart on the right to confirm whether or not you hold the correct work categories to carry out gas work.

Risk assessment: installing, servicing and maintaining domestic gas appliances in different environments

Use this flowchart to determine if the environment in which the domestic appliance is installed satisfies the domestic work category requirements.

Do I satisfy the necessary competence (ACS) requirements to work on the appliance?

Do I satisfy the necessary competence (ACS) requirements to work in a non-domestic environment?

Do I satisfy the necessary competence (ACS) requirements to work in a domestic environment?

Is the environment representative of a domestic environment? Eg, not a plant room, not a food technology room with multiple appliances, etc.

Can I justify this work by means of the risk assessment considerations?

Working within scope of work categories (continued)

Date issued: 29 April 2024

Risk assessment considerations

Is the appliance installed in an environment for which it is designed? (General design, appearance, heat input, etc.)

If installing an appliance, do the manufacturer’s installation instructions allow the appliance to be installed in the intended environment?

Where an engineer is to install an appliance in an

environment other than the type it is intended for, guidance must be sought from the manufacturer, and the request for concession to manufacturer’s instructions form may be required.

Is the appliance installed on a stand-alone basis within the immediate environment?

Ie, not part of an installation incorporating other appliances

Frequently asked questions

Q: If there are multiple domestic boilers installed in a single room that are individually less than 70kW but have an aggregate heat input exceeding this, can you carry out work on this installation with only domestic qualifications?

A: A domestically qualified engineer holding CENWAT can work on an installation of a maximum of two individually flued room-sealed domestic boilers with individual ratings of 70kW or less installed in a domestic premises.

Q: Can a domestic engineer carry out work on a domestic boiler in non-domestic premises?

A: A domestic engineer holding CENWAT can work on a domestic boiler regardless of the building type, as long as the part of the gas installation being

worked on is within scope of the current IGEM/UP/1B(4) (ie, a U16 meter or smaller, 35mm pipework or less, and an installation volume of less than 0.035m3) and there are no other non-domestic appliances in the same room.

Q: Can a non-domestic engineer work on a domestic boiler in a nondomestic environment?

A: To work on a domestic boiler, a non-domestic engineer would need to hold the relevant changeover category and CENWAT.

Q: Can a domestic engineer holding CKR1 work on a domestic cooker in a catering premises?

A: Where a domestic cooker is installed in a non-domestic premises alongside other catering appliances, it falls under the scope of the current

such as a modular boiler system, a commercial catering environment with other catering appliances, etc.

Is the gas installation downstream of an isolation valve within the scope of the current IGEM/UP/1B(4)? Only applicable if it is necessary to interrupt the gas supply to the whole installation.

BS 6173(5). The engineer would need to hold a relevant commercial catering work category.

Q: Can a domestic engineer holding CKR1 install/ service/maintain domestic cookers in a school food technology (home economics) room with multiple domestic cookers installed?

A: No. The document covering educational establishments (IGEM/ UP/11) gives guidance that when multiple domestic gas cookers are installed in a food technology (home economics) room then the installation should comply with the nondomestic catering standard (BS 6173)(5) and interlocked as per current IGEM/UP/19(6). The engineer would need to hold a relevant commercial catering work category.

Bibliography

(1) The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

(2) The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

(3) IGEM/UP/11

Edition 3 Gas Installations for Educational Establishments

(4) IGEM/UP/1B Edition

3 (with amendments October 2012)

Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquid Petroleum Gas/ Air, Natural Gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas installations

(5) BS 6173 2020: Installation and maintenance of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd and 3rd family gases) –Specification

(6) IGEM/UP/19

Edition 2 Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering appliances

Note: Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins and the Legislative, Normative & Informative Document List can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www.GasSafeRegister. co.uk/sign-in/

Boilers and bathrooms

Gas Safe Register’s Technical Team review the requirements and regulations that apply on those occasions when it’s necessary to fit a boiler in a bathroom.

Gas appliances should only be installed in a room or space containing a bath or shower if there is no other practical location, and must only be installed in a safe location away from sources of water. Where this is necessary, boilers or other gas appliances must be room-sealed.

As well as following the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully, you should take regard of what’s set out in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Regulation 30 of which prohibits the installation of certain gas appliances in specified rooms, stating: “No person shall install a gas appliance in a room used or intended to be used as a bathroom or shower

Digit

room unless it is a roomsealed appliance.”

This requirement extends to rooms that contain a bath or shower but that may not have been purpose-built as a bathroom or shower room. This is because a gas appliance is burning the fuel to heat hot water, there is a possibility it will use up the air in that room if it is an openflued or flueless appliance. It’s essential that the gas appliance is room-sealed so as to prevent any starvation of air in that room, or products of combustion.

The prohibition on installing open-flued or flueless appliances also extends to any cupboards or compartments that are accessed from the bathroom/ shower room, and cupboards or compartments that may

Value 1st Digit (Solids) 2nd Digit (Liquids)

0 No protection No protection

have air vents or openings connected to that space.

The requirements of Regulation 30 are further expanded in Technical Bulletin 034, which describes how the regulations have evolved to reflect the changes in Building Regulations, technology and different types of appliance that are used today.

Electrical safety

Technical Bulletin 119 gives guidance on another important requirement: electrical safety.

As well as the gas appliance only being installed in a safe location away from water, the controls for the appliance must be adequately IP-rated for use in that zone. These zones are fully described in Technical Bulletin 119.

1 Protected against objects >50mm Protected against dripping water

2 Protected against objects >12mm Protected against dripping water when tilted ±15°

3 Protected against objects >2.5mm Protected against spraying water

4 Protected against objects >1.0mm Protected against splashing water from all directions

5 Dust protected Protected against water jets

6 Dust tight Protected against heavy seas

7 Not used Protected against immersion to >150mm

8 Not used Protected against submersion to >1m

X Not solid rated Not liquid rated

Zone 0 is the location within the bath or the shower enclosure and only 12V AC equipment with a minimum degree of protection to (IP) IPX7 may be installed in this zone. Any transformers need to be located outside the zone.

Zone 1 is the area above the bath shower tray or basin up to a height of 2.25m from the floor and, where a fixed shower

The electrical circuits in this location shall also be provided with additional protection by a residual current device (RCD) that does not exceed 30 mA, with an operating time not exceeding 40 ms. Electrical components in the bath/ shower room should also be RCD-protected: this includes low-voltage lighting circuits, shower circuits, bathroom heaters, electric towel rails and, of course, central heating boilers.

Technical Bulletin 119 also describes where and when local supplementary equipotential bonding is required to metallic water and

is installed, will extend to 1.2m out from the fixed shower head. Equipment to IPX4 or IPX5 (if subject to water jets for cleaning purposes) and 25V AC may be installed in this zone. This would cover items such as shower pumps and ventilation equipment.

Zone 2 is where fixed, permanently connected equipment to IPX4 or IPX5

gas pipes and other bathroom components.

What is an IP code?

An IP code is an Ingress Protection code. It’s a classification code system that details the level of protection against solids and liquids. These codes use two digits – IP followed by two digits. The first digit refers to solids and the second refers to liquids.

The table on the left shows the International Protection codes. For example, IP65 implies a dust-tight case able to withstand a water jet. This is a common level

rating may be installed. The Zone 2 area is measured 600mm from the side of the bath or shower tray into the room and is measured to a height of 2.25m from the floor. The installation of the room-sealed gas appliance in a bath or shower room must comply with the current version of electrical requirements, BS 7671:2018, and BS EN 60529:1992.

of protection for outdoor equipment.

Before installing any room-sealed appliance in a bathroom, the manufacturer’s instructions must be consulted.

These will detail the appliance IP rating and give guidance on which zone is suitable for installation: generally this is beyond Zone 2. n

You can read and download

Technical Bulletins at:

www.

GasSafeRegister. co.uk/sign-in

Bibliography

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Technical Bulletin 034: Open-flued appliances in bathrooms, a potted history

Technical Bulletin

119: Electrical safety requirements for gas appliances installed in locations containing baths or showers

BS 7671:2018

Requirements for electrical installations IEE Wiring Regulations – 18th edition

BS EN 60529:1992

Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)

Zones in locations containing a bath or shower

Commercial valves: identification and use

Gas Safe Register’s Technical Team outline some of the most common themes that arise on valves in commercial and non-domestic premises, from location to the right the type of valve for the application.

It is essential to use the right valve for the right application.

All valves should have a clear indication of the direction of operation to open and close, and make sure that they’re not susceptible to debris that would prevent closure.

Any maintenance carried out should be capable of being completed with the valve in situ. Additional emergency control valves (AECVs) should be readily accessible and valves should be selected for the maximum operating pressure (MOP) of the pipework, flow capacity, pressure drop, speed of operation and application –including the type of gas.

The environment where the valve is located may also need to be considered in the context of corrosion resistance.

Identification

All AECVs and isolation valves should be clearly identified as gas control valves.

An AECV should be labelled “Additional Gas Emergency Control” or similar. There should also be advice on what to do in an emergency, with the contact number of the emergency service provider (ESP) clearly shown. In addition to the label, on/off tape should be affixed, indicating the directions of the valve position.

Gas isolation valves should be readily identifiable. This is usually by means of a label indicating “gas isolation valve” attached to the pipework or nearby.

Gas installation pipework should be labelled to indicate that it contains gas. This is

“Additional emergency control valves should be readily accessible and valves selected for the maximum operating pressure of the pipework.”

usually done by banding with gas marking tape or by being painted ochre yellow.

Types

The most common types of valve in a commercial enviroment are:

• Non-lubricated plug

• Lubricated plug

• Ball

• Wedge and parallel slide gate

• Butterfly

• Diaphragm.

For a full description of each type, refer to IGEM/UP/2.

Suitability

When choosing the valve type, you should consider its use: for example, some are suitable for isolating a section of pipework but not suitable for use as an AECV. The table opposite shows the correct type of valve for each intended application.

Automatic isolation valves (AIVs)

In normal circumstances, an AIV, operated from a gas or smoke detection system, is not automatically required for a gas installation.

However, many buildings may require them for insurance purposes or following a fire-risk assessment, in which case it should be installed.

The type of AIV and its operating system should be considered carefully, especially with regard to re-establishing the gas supply

Pipe section/ plant isolation

Buried/ below ground

Key to chart Category

1 2 Acceptable, see restriction Not acceptable

in circumstances where appliances do not include automatic flame safeguards. Where appliances are not fitted with automatic flame safeguards, an AIV system should be designed so that, if the gas valve closes, the gas supply cannot be restored until the downstream pipework has been examined for integrity and safety.

When the AIV has closed, it shall not be able to be reset automatically until all downstream pipework has been examined, ensuring that all appliance gas valves are closed or by fitting a low-pressure cut-off device. n

Key to chartRestriction

a Do not exceed 50mm NB

b Except if upstream of SSOV

c Subject to a risk assessment, there may be a requirement for an AECV to be non-combustible in accordance with BS EN 1775

e Steel or iron only

f Fully lugged

g Dust/debris to be checked

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is a drop weight valve recommended for use on gas, held open either by a fusible link system or thermal sensors on an electrical solenoid latch?

A: No, this type of valve is not normally suitable for gas installation due to them being held open by interference. They are also prone to sticking in the on postion.

Q: Can a butterfly be used as an ECV or AECV?

A: No, a butterfly valve is not acceptable.

Q: Can a lubricated plug valve be used when buried underground?

A: No, a lubricated plug valve cannot be used when buried underground.

Q: What is the maximum size of a non-lubricated plug valve when used as an ECV?

A: The maximum size cannot exceed 50mm NB.

Q: Should an AIV be fitted in a plant room?

A: If a manual isolation valve is not readily accesible where the pipework enters the plant room, then an AIV shall be fitted. A building may also require an AIV as part of additional insurance or for fire-risk assessment purposes.

This article provides a general overview of the topic of commercial valves. For further and detailed guidance, refer to IGEM/UP/2 Edition 3: Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises.

Valve application

Valve type

plugBall Wedge gate Parallel slide gate ButterflyDiaphragm

This article focuses on draughtexcluding devices and provides information about their uses and restrictions, but it’s also an important reminder of the need to check up inside a chimney when you’re carrying out a visual inspection of a DFE or ILFE fire. Other obstructions may become apparent, including flue dampers that may not have been removed or secured in the open position, as well as debris that may have dropped down the chimney and caused a restriction.

Always check inside the chimney

Gas Safe’s Technical Team are sometimes asked about chimney/flue draught-excluding devices by engineers who find them while working at properties. They are generally used in solid fuel-burning fires in rural areas – but what are they for and why are they there?

Chimney/flue draught excluders are often found in decorative fuel-effect (DFE) and some inset live fuel-effect (ILFE) fires. You might sometimes notice something is hanging down from the chimney that resembles a handle that may have a small tag attached to it. But why are they there?

These devices are commonly known as ‘chimney sheep’ and they are designed to be inserted into the chimney of a solid fuel appliance when the appliance is not in use. They prevent the warm air from a heated space escaping up the chimney and cold air from coming back in, as well as preventing wind noise and to prevent the fall of debris from the chimney to the hearth.

Up the chimney

They can be made from a wool or felt material attached to a frame and with a handle that is used to push them up into the chimney, creating a plug-like effect. Others are similar to inflatable cushions. There’s a

whole range of shapes and sizes to accommodate different chimneys.

They are readily removable when a solid fuel fire is about to be lit and and the tag at the bottom of the handle is there to remind users to remove it before lighting. These are known as dangles.

Use with gas appliances

What is the correct course of action to take when you notice that one of these devices is in place?

First, take guidance from the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 as amended. Regulation 8(2)

Photo reproduced with the permission of Chimney Sheep

Minimum visual checks to ensure compliance

Checks required

An appliance is encountered while working on another appliance

Visual inspections

Appendix 5 from IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 gives guidance on the visual risk assessment of gas appliances, with Table 3 (above) showing the minimum visual checks to show compliance.

Specific required checks cover location, flueing, ventilation, signs of distress, stable/

An appliance forming part of a tightness test

An appliance when purging the system of air and relighting, following work elsewhere on the installation

states: “No person shall do anything which would affect a gas fitting or any flue or means of ventilation used in connection with the fitting in such manner that the subsequent use of the fitting might constitute a danger to any person, except this paragraph does not apply to an alteration to premises.”

This regulation applies to everyone, not just gas engineers. It supplements Regulation 8(1) by prohibiting other activities (ie, except alteration to premises) that might compromise safety. For instance, this could include modifications that cause a blockage or obstruction of an air supply, vent or flue, or incorrect installation of an air extraction or

secure and flame picture. Within flueing, it asks: “If the gas appliance is flued (either open flued or room sealed), is there evidence that the gas appliance has provision for adequate methods for the removal of the products of combustion to atmosphere?”

If there is not, you should follow IGEM/G/11 again.

condensation control unit.

As with Regulation 8(1), it is essential for the implications of any such change or modification to be addressed before work is started, to ensure gas safety cannot be prejudiced in any way.

From this guidance, it becomes clear that chimney/ flue draught excluders are not permitted for use in conjunction with a gas appliance.

What actions should I carry out if I find one fitted to a chimney that is connected to a live gas appliance?

If you find one in place, you should advise the responsible person that the use of these devices may constitute a danger to life and property and that they are not

permitted for use in conjunction with gas appliances, as per GSIUR. Advise them to remove it.

If the responsible person refuses to allow removal, you should follow IGEM/G/11 Edition 2, the Unsafe Situations Procedure.

Are these devices always visible?

It may not always be clearly visible without a closer inspection. This could be due to the handle being removed/ broken or it may have been pushed too far up the chimney, making it no longer obvious that there is one is in place. A close examination of the chimney is advised when carrying out a visual inspection (see above). n

What’s next for boiler efficiency?

The government has set out the likely next steps to improve boiler standards and efficiency. We look at its response to the 2023 consultation and the changes on the horizon.

The consultation looked at the controls used on domestic gas boilers, and whether combis should be able to modulate down their output. It proposed including system and regular boilers, as well as combis, and proposed increasing the minimum tested efficiency standards.

It also considered whether efficiency requirements should apply to boilers sized ≤45kW or ≤70kW; whether to require gas engineers to train in low-temperature heating system design; and how to ensure that heating systems are maintained.

Now, the government says it has reconsidered its proposals after feedback and made some changes:

• On controls, those in Classes I-III (simple controls) will no longer be sold from 2026.

• A mandate is likely that combi boilers and controls must use open protocols

Hydrogen

A decision on the role of hydrogen in home heating will come in 2026, with any requirement to make domestic gas boilers hydrogen-ready from 2030.

Hybrids

The government is proposing new minimum efficiency performance standards, encouraging greater use of the heat-pump element through price rebalancing and supporting the development of agile tariffs, as well as smart control standards.

from 2026. If a new open protocol is not available, they will need to use OpenTherm.

• Boilers under 45kW should be capable of modulating their heat output down to 15 per cent of their maximum output without on/off cycling, while operating at least the same useful efficiency as when tested at part-load. This will take effect in 2028.

• Heating engineers will need to train in designing

low-temperature systems.

The government has not yet set out how this training would be implemented – along with how to strengthen the maintenance of heating systems. It says it will with work with regulators such as HSE and the Building Safety Regulator to define an appropriate route.

It says it will use its upcoming consultation on ecodesign and energy labelling “to test regulatory amendments to implement these proposals”.

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Water Regs UK shifts guidance online

Water Regs UK has published new guidance online and retired the Water Regulations Guide. It aims to provide more accessible, up-to-date information to help everyone comply with the water fittings regulations and byelaws.

These regulations protect drinking water supplies by setting legal requirements for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of plumbing systems.

The decision to replace the printed guide with online guidance was taken by the water companies. It includes:

• Up-to-date guidance backed by water companies

• Free access for everyone to enable a wider reach and greater awareness of safe water systems

• Clear distinction between informative guidance about regulatory requirements and more general information

that may or may not apply, depending on the situation

• The ability to give feedback, which will help to identify gaps and drive improvements.

Water Regs UK managing director Julie Spinks says: “[The guidance] provides relevant information to everyone who needs to comply –from installers and building owners to plumbing students, engineers and consumers.

“As the biggest change in guidance in more than 20 years, it’s in everyone’s best interest to make use of this new resource and ensure they are up to date with the views of water companies, who enforce the regulations.

“There is always room for improvement and we would welcome feedback to make it even better.”

www.waterregsuk.co.uk/ guidance

New spec in progress for renewable liquid gas appliances

The LPG industry is working to create an industry standard for renewable and recycled carbon dimethyl ether (rDME) fired appliances. The BSI Publicly Available Standard (PAS) 6666 aims to ensure consistent safety, performance and specification levels for appliances including rDMEready boilers under the Gas Appliances Regulation.

The standard will set out how manufacturers design, test and certify new appliances compatible with rDME and allow them to be placed on the market. Dimeta, which produces rDME, is helping to ensure the future availability of these appliances

for decarbonising the offgrid sector, in collaboration with Liquid Gas UK. Both organisations are supporting the application process for the new standard.

Dimeta is sponsoring the new standard for rDME and rDME/LPG-blended appliances. It’s developing renewable and recycled carbon rDME production facilities, including a planned waste-to-rDME facility in Teesside, which is set to produce 60,000 tonnes of the gas annually, meeting 25 per cent of the UK’s LPG domestic heating demand.

A steering group of boiler manufacturers that includes Worcester Bosch, Vaillant and

Rinnai is also contributing to the development, with input from government representatives.

Richard Hakeem, director of Technical and Safety Policy at Liquid Gas UK, says: “There’s no specific standard for certifying appliances using pure rDME or rDME/LPG blends.

“Filling this gap exemplifies industry innovation and this standard will set performance expectations for credibly certifying these devices in the future.”

The PAS is in a consultation phase now and due to be released later this year, supporting the industry’s goal to transition to 100 per cent renewable sources by 2040.

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Pump up the volume

Whether you’re already working with heat pumps, training to do so, or you’re just not sure, they are definitely here to stay. We’ve taken a look at some of the questions that you want answers to and put them to some of the biggest players in this increasingly important area of domestic heating.

The latest figures from the government and organisations working in the heat pump sector all show that the numbers are up. The government says it remains committed to its 600,000-peryear installation target by 2028, but the rowbacks and flip-flops on low-carbon initiatives and requirements over the past few months have made it difficult to work out quite what’s going on, even without a General Election waiting in the wings.

Do people want them?

Many heating systems are replaced because they have broken down or become too expensive to repair, which means it’s rare for people to replace their trusty gas boiler with a heat pump without having planned to do so advance. “I don’t believe it’s a high-interest category for a householder who just wants a warm house and a hot bath. If they could achieve that with a boiler or a heat pump, then they would,” says Martyn Bridges, technical director at Worcester Bosch.

But the ‘don’t know, don’t care’ attitude doesn’t apply in the new-build market, where they’re certainly taking off as the 2025 mandate draws nearer to fit low-carbon technologies instead of gas boilers. And Ideal’s heat pump technical manager Phil Scrafton says customers are increasingly in the know, with demand rising

166%

in the retrofit market too.

“Customers are becoming more familiar with the technology and hearing how installations have proved successful, which increases confidence in selecting a low-carbon heating solution,” he says.

“Adoption by larger installers as an offered heating solution,

and the support in the form of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, also help drive volumes.”

At Mitsubishi, communications manager Achilleas Georgiou adds: “As the government moves closer to its ambitions of achieving net zero and decarbonising home heating, that demand will increase even further.”

What’s the difference?

Those homeowners who are opting for a heat pump have generally done their homework and sought advice on the differences and advantages that it can give over a gas boiler, says Achilleas.

“They know, for example, that heat pumps are three to four times times more efficient than gas boilers, and that they are a renewable form of heating.”

But Viessmann’s product manager Hugh Jones highlights some factors that many don’t understand so well. “They are unclear on almost everything else, including how noisy or not a heat pump is, where it would be located, how to run the

heating efficiently, the costs associated with installation and utility running costs.”

What are the barriers?

Lack of consumer knowledge, understanding and confidence in heat pumps are not the only factors holding back installations: the higher cost compared with gas boilers and finding a qualified installer are dampeners too. “The installation of a heat pump will generally cost the homeowner between £8,000 and £15,000, and electricity prices [are high] due to current environmental taxes and levies. Given the current economic climate and pressure on household incomes, these financial

barriers need to be overcome to grow demand significantly,” says Baxi’s strategic account manager Corey Gooding.

Viessmann’s Emma-Louise Bennett, who is an Active Transition Support Lead, reckons finding a qualified installer is key and so the manufacturer provides an MCS umbrella scheme to support gas engineers who want to add heat pumps to their offer. “There are only 1,300 installers on the MCS database as the process and costs associated with MCS accreditation are a real barrier for many. Many are not confident fitting heat pumps due a lack of experience; on the other hand, there is sufficient demand for gas boilers on which to run a business.”

33,700

Full-time heat pump installers needed to achieve government ambitions

Where are the installers?

11,000 Installers qualified in the past 2 years

The cost of electricity versus gas is another factor: per kW hour, electricity costs four times more than gas, which means that the cost differential to the user doesn’t appear so attractive. Achilleas says this puts unfair costs on to households wishing to adopt and install heat pumps.

If the government is to meet its targets then more qualified installers are needed. There are generous training grants available and many are taking advantage of upskilling. “There is a potential heat pump installer on every street: many are currently installing gas boilers. The training exists, and facilities are growing for people to move into heat pump installation – which they are doing,” says Achilleas.

Corey adds: “We know that many of the more experienced gas installers believe that a viable heat pump market is a long-term ambition rather than a short-term possibility – one best left for the next generation.

"On the upside, however,

Source for all stats: Heat Pump Association

Pump up the volume (continued)

we are seeing a growing network of younger installers identify the opportunity to upskill and develop a forward-thinking business for the long term.

“We need to ensure there is sufficient financial support for those wanting to take time away from work and cover the cost of accredited heat pump training courses.”

Are all homes suitable?

There’s a lot of noise around whether heat pumps are suitable for every home but all the manufacturers we spoke to say that the majority of properties will run with one, subject to fabric improvements and correct sizing and commissioning.

“In very old, uninsulated buildings this may require a fabric-first approach to increase insulation, but this should be considered alongside any heating system upgrade, not

Clean Heat Market Mechanism delayed until 2025

The government has deferred the start of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) by a year, to 1 April 2025. The CHMM obliges boiler manufacturers that sell more than 20,000 boilers per year to meet targets on the sale of heat pumps relative to their sales of gas and oil boilers or face big financial penalties.

It was due to start in April 2024 but the Department for Energy & Net Zero (DESNZ) said it wants more time for manufacturers to prepare their businesses for the change, and for more consumers to take up heat pumps, before the scheme is introduced.

The government says it remains "fully focused on supporting the development of a heat pump market of 600,000 installations per year by 2028, ensuring that heat pumps become a mainstream consumer solution alongside gas boilers.”

The planned CHMM target levels for 2025/2026 (set at 6 per cent of relevant boiler sales) and all other aspects of the scheme's design and implementation will remain as previously set out. Targets for future years will be subject to consultation.

The government is also planning changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme later this year. One major update will be the removal of the requirement for loft and cavity wall insulation to be carried out and shown on the Energy Performance Certificate. Applicants will still need to produce an EPC carried out in the past 10 years.

it will ‘short cycle’, which means it fluctuates between being on and off. This ultimately makes the appliance much less efficient, as well as risking damage to the compressor. As a low-temperature heating source, a heat pump is at its best when it runs constantly rather than in the shorter bursts that homeowners are used to seeing from their boiler.

Average cost of air source heat pump installation

Source: MCS

just a heat pump. Minimising heat loss always reduces running costs, regardless of the heat source,” says Phil.

Corey adds: “A heat pump can be an effective and efficient heating source when paired with good levels of insulation, correct commissioning, regular servicing and correct use by the homeowner. Right from the start of the process, correct sizing is essential – just as it is for a boiler.

“Like any heating appliance, oversizing a heat pump will prove to be a false economy. When a heat pump is oversized,

“A full, room-by-room heat-loss calculation will ensure the heat pump can be correctly sized, and identifying any upgrades to the fabric of the property will help its efficiency.”

High temperature vs low: what’s the difference?

Lower flow temperatures are always the ambition but there’s a place for high-temperature heat pumps too. They’re particularly suitable in properties that are harder to heat and can help to minimise the amount of disruption (and cost), such as the need to replace heat emitters to work with low-temperature systems.

“The lower the flow temperature, the higher the efficiency: this works for heat pumps and boilers. However,

there will be applications where this is not possible, where the fabric and emitters aren’t being upgraded or they are not at the end of their life yet. In these cases, it is worth looking at higher temperatures. The trade-off is efficiency,” says Achilleas.

Design

As with boilers, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all heat pump. The correct design and installation of the system are paramount to ensure efficient running. Explaining to customers that their new heat pump doesn’t work in the same way as their old gas boiler also helps to reduce dissatisfaction – and energy bills.

Like gas boilers, heat pumps should be serviced every year, following the manufacturer’s instructions. “The same kind of system checks will be made, as well as some heat pumpspecific steps such as checking levels of antifreeze or clearing leaves or debris from the fan. As with most heating appliances, an annual service is a requirement of the manufacturer’s warranty,” says Corey. n

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Are you making the most of your email?

Gas Engineer Software examines some of the ways you can use your customer email data to get more business simply and efficiently.

WData protection

GDPR hasn’t made genuine email marketing any less effective. But it does mean a few things.

You’ll need to make sure you keep your email database secure. Aside from this, you’ll need to know that your customers are happy to receive marketing emails. Soft opt-ins are fine (where your customer didn’t explicitly say they do not want to receive emails) as long as you gave them an option to opt out when collecting this information.

You should also have an unsubscribe option on any email you send out.

Email marketing software will do most of the heavy lifting for you with GDPR.

ord of mouth is always a great source of work but many businesses jump into complex and time-consuming marketing strategies without realising they’ve been sitting on a gold mine all along: their customers’ email addresses.

A database filled with customer contacts is incredibly valuable but are you doing anything with it?

Why email marketing is important

Emailing paperless certificates, quotes and invoices alongside general communication is standard practice. It’s quick, easy and convenient for both you and your customer. But most businesses stop there. Well-written emails that provide real value do wonders for fostering better customer relationships and getting extra work. Email marketing might not have the appeal of creating a social media following or running ads on Google, but it is cheap, easy, personal and highly effective.

What you can send Set up an email marketing platform such as Mailchimp. This will make sending and keeping track of emails much easier and, in some cases, even automatic. After that, here are some ideas: Service reminders: Whenever you complete a routine gas safety check or service, you

know your customer will need another one in a year’s time. If you send out an email 11 months later, not only does it act as a useful reminder for your customer, but they’re highly likely to book with you again. All good software will do this for you automatically, but you could also manually schedule them right after you do the job.

Special offers: Everyone loves an offer or discount. What about a summer offer to try to fill your schedule in the quiet months, or a discount for existing customers?

This will be a one-time email, so don’t worry about spamming your customers.

Referral programmes: If you offer discounts for customer referrals, let them know. It can be useful to send out a quick email every now and again to do so.

Review requests: Online reviews are everything. You could schedule an email to be sent to all customers after completing a job that asks them to drop your business a review.

New services: Offering a new service? Let your customers know.

Tips and tricks: This is a good way to be helpful and generate positive relationships. Installation follow-ups: Get in touch after two weeks or a month just to ask if everything’s all right. It shows you care and makes more people loyal to your business. These ideas all have one thing in common: they aim to turn one-time customers into repeat ones. It’s much quicker and easier than finding new customers, so you’ll save time and make more money in the long run. n

Gas Engineer Software is an all-in-one software platform for UK heating and plumbing companies. The job management software helps more than 5,000 companies schedule jobs, build quotes, send invoices, issue certificates and get paid faster – all at the click of a button. www.gasengineer software.co.uk

The Gas Safe Register Legislation & Standards Document List

Date issued: 1 April 2024

Introduction

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.

Hierarchy of legislation and standards

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-today activities. These are referred to as Informative Documents.

1. Hierarchy of documents Legislation

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.

Documents supporting legislation

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 (AD) 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.

2. Gas Industry Standards

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 threemonth 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

4. Links to online documents

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.

5. Inspections undertaken by Gas Safe Register

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.

7: LEGISLATION

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 1998 as amended & applied by the Gas Safety (Installation, Use and management) (Application) Order 2021 (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/

8: DOCUMENTS SUPPORTING LEGISLATION

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: Dwellinghouses

B: Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellinghouses

F: Ventilation – Volume 1: Dwellings

F: Ventilation – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings

G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2018 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 – 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

L153 – 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 is at: www.hse.gov.uk/ asbestos/essentials/index.htm

Note 4: Further Health and Safety Guidance (HSG) publications is 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

9: GAS INDUSTRY STANDARDS

British & European Standards

BS 4163: 2021 + A1: 2022 Health and safety for design and technology in schools and similar establishments – Code of practice

BS 5440-1: 2023 Chimneys, flue pipes and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of chimneys. Specification

BS 5440-2: 2023 Chimneys, flue pipes and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Installation and maintenance of ventilation provision for gas appliances. Specification

BS 5546: 2010 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired water-heating appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net

PD 54823: 2016 Guidance for the design, commissioning, and maintenance of LPG systems on small craft

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 (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, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 2 –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 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 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 or equal to 5bar – Functional recommendations

BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures –Functional requirements

BS EN 50292: 2023 Electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises, caravans and boats –Guide on the selection, installation, use & maintenance

BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas Infrastructure. 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: 2023 Gas supply systems. 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 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 Classification of gas appliances according to the method of supplying combustion air and evacuation of the combustion products (types)

BS EN 1949: 2021 Specification for the installation of LPG systems for habitation purposes in leisure accommodation vehicles & accommodation purposes in other vehicles

Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers Documents (IGEM)

IGE/UP/1 Edition 2 Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of industrial and commercial gas installations. Under review

IGE/UP/1A Edition 2 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 Edition 3 Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations (with Amendments October 2012). Under review

IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of Natural Gas and LPG meter installations

IGEM/UP/2 Edition 3 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises. Under review

IGEM/UP/3 Edition 3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines. Under review

IGEM/UP/4 Edition 4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises

IGEM/UP/6 Edition 3 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems

IGE/UP/7 Edition 2 with amendments October 2008 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008)

Note 7: IGE/UP/7 – Edition 2 with amendments is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ ige-up-7-edition-2-a-2008-gasinstallations-in-timber-framed-andlight-steel-framed-buildings.html

IGE/UP/9 Edition 3 Application of Natural Gas and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners.

IGEM/UP/10 Edition 4 with amendments March 2016 & February 2017 Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises

IGEM/UP/11 Edition 3 Gas installations for educational establishments

IGEM/UP/12 Edition 3 Application of burners and controls to gas fired process plant

IGEM/UP/16 Edition 2 with Amendments November 2023 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to DSEAR

IGEM/UP/17 Edition 2 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 Edition 5 PE and steel gas services and services pipework. Revision expected

IGEM/G/1 Edition 2 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework. Under review

IGEM/G/4 Edition 2 Definitions in the Gas Industry. Under review

IGEM/G/5 Edition 3 with amendments April 2023 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings

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-edition-2-gasindustry-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-11supplement-1-responding-todomestic-co-alarm-activationsreports-of-fumes.html

IGEM/G/13 with Amendments

August 2023 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-pressureat-the-outlet-of-the-meter.html

IGE/GM/4 Edition 3 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 bar and not exceeding 100 bar

IGE/GM/5 Edition 4 Electronic gas meter volume conversion systems. Under review

IGEM/GM/6 Edition 3 Non-domestic meter installations – Standard designs

IGEM/GM/7A Edition 2 Electrical connections for gas metering equipment

IGEM/GM/7B Edition 2 Hazardous area classification for gas metering equipment

IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 1 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Flow rate exceeding 6m3/h-1 & inlet pressure not exceeding 38 bar – Design

IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds

IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Fabrication, installation and commissioning

IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance

IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Notices and labels

IGEM/IG/1 Edition 2 Standards of Training in Gas Work

Note 11: IGEM/IG/1 Edition 2 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, Non-domestic 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/SR/25 Edition 2 Hazardous area classification of natural gas installations (with amendments July 2013). Under review IGEM/SR/29 Edition 2 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 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering

CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers

CoP 32 Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation –Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance

CoP 33 Use of LPG cylinders

GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters

10: OTHER INFORMATIVE DOCUMENTS AND USEFUL REFERENCES

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-11edition-2-gas-industry-unsafesituations-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

This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in

All Gas Safe Register Industry Standard Updates

This 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

11: ACCESS TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS FROM GAS SAFE 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: 2023 Chimneys, flue pipes and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of chimneys. Specification

BS 5440-2: 2023 Chimneys, flue pipes and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Installation and maintenance of ventilation provision for gas appliances. Specification

BS 5546: 2010 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired water-heating appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net

PD 54823: 2016 Guidance for the design, commissioning, and maintenance of LPG systems on small craft

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, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 2 –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 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 Infrastructure. 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 supply systems. 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).

See Note 7

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 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering

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

CoP 33 Use of LPG cylinders

GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters ■

skillsandtraining

First hydrogen training facility opens

SGN and Fife College are to open the UK’s first hydrogen training facility for gas engineers. Based in Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus, the training facility will create a new net-zero workforce in Fife by upskilling more than 200 Gas Safe engineers to work with hydrogen.

Engineers who receive the training will work on SGN’s world-first green hydrogen trial. H100 Fife will supply green hydrogen to hundreds of homes through a new hydrogen gas network that is being built alongside the existing natural gas network.

H100 Fife project manager Richard Beedell says: “Our industry needs a diverse and skilled workforce to continue to keep communities safe and

warm while we transition towards net zero.

“We’re delighted to be working with Fife College on building this first-of-a-kind training centre, which brings us one step closer to bringing green hydrogen gas to domestic customers for the first time.”

Training will be delivered by expert trainers with experience in delivering natural gas training, with support from industry professionals. The course will enable engineers to safely install, test and commission the hydrogen supply system in people’s homes, with hydrogen boilers, hobs and meters provided by manufacturers including MeteRSit, Pietro Fiorentini, Baxi, Clean Burner Systems (CBS), BSH and

Worcester Bosch. College principal Jim Metcalfe says: “Fife College is honoured and excited to be establishing the UK’s first hydrogen training facility, in partnership with SGN. By upskilling more than 200 gas engineers at our cuttingedge Levenmouth Campus, we are at the forefront of training the vital future workforce the country so desperately needs to make the transition to clean energy.”

SGN CEO Mark Wild says: “It’s so important to prepare gas engineers today for the skills they’ll need tomorrow. They’ll play a key role in the years to come, ensuring our industry is at the heart of the UK’s ambitions to achieve net zero.”

Manchester mayor opens new Green Skills Hub

A Green Skills Hub has been opened at Stockport College by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester. It’s a continuation of Daikin UK’s partnership with training provider Quantum Group that aims to upskill the next generation of renewable heating professionals.

The training will provide hands-on practical sessions in the installation and maintenance of air source heat pumps, solar PV and EV charging.

Mr Burnham said: “Greater Manchester has an ambitious plan to become a carbon-neutral city region by 2038 and green skills hubs

such as these are key to helping us fulfil this.”

Daikin’s Iain Bevan added: “The Green Skills Hub will give students hands-on training and the opportunity to learn more about the unmatched environmental and cost savings potential of renewable forms of heating like heat pumps.

“The training facilities at Stockport College build on the Sustainable Energy and Renewable Technologies course we’ve already launched in partnership with Quantum Group. Investments and initiatives like these will help to tackle the national skills gap and create a clear path for

college students into an industry with so much opportunity.”

James Scott, principal and CEO of the Trafford & Stockport College Group (TSCG), added: “We aim to support businesses and deliver a range of accredited and non-accredited courses to support the regional and national green skills gap and agenda, providing a critical skill boost that will benefit businesses, individuals and the wider economy.”

Daikin has the capacity to train more than 7,000 installers on air source heat pumps through its accredited courses and UK network of Sustainable

Home Centres and says it aims to train around 30 per cent of all installers in the industry.

Mayor Andy Burnham takes a look at Stockport College’s new Green Skills Hub

succeed, where others fail!

•We can clean microbore, one pipe and plastic pipe systems.

•We offer zero risk “No fix No fee deals” If we can’t fix it, you don’t pay anything

•Earn £100 Commissions for completed client referrals

•We can fix blocked systems and blocked heat exchangers.

•No need to replace or re-run pipes.

Turnover in excess of 1.5 million

Very rare opportunity due to retirement

• We are a family run business established in 1965

• We have been operating in our current premises since 1976 which is in a very prominent position

• We became corgi registered when it began in 1973

• We currently have 1800 Customers with service/maintenance plans

• We carried out chargeable work to 3800 different customers during 2023

• 250 new boiler installations per year

• We cover east London and Essex

• All engineers are employed directly by us

• We have a fleet of vehicles

• Worcester, Vaillant, Ideal and Baxi approved

productupdate

the latest launches from around the industry

Stelrad expands 900mm rads range

3 angled TRVs for bi-directional flow

NX heat pump that feels like a gas network

DT thermostat is more than just black and white

for APHC members

200-A Pro, the user-friendly commercial heat pump

Stelrad has added 900mm high radiators to its Vita, Softline and Henrad ranges. Head of marketing Chris Harvey says: “There is a clear need for larger radiators to cope with the lower circulating system temperatures generated by renewable heating systems and we are making sure our installer and specifier customers have access to the full range of options they will need.

“Having launched the 900mm high Compact models earlier, their popularity has been such that it made clear sense to add them to the ranges.

“We’re making sure that installers and specifiers realise fully that radiators are ‘fit for the future’ and more than capable of providing the necessary heat around the home.”

www.stelrad.com

Glow-worm revamps and adds to MiGo controls

Glow-worm’s connected smart boiler controls have been re-imagined with new features for speedy installation and dependable, affordable control. Glow-worm boiler installs can now be connected through the MiGo Link internet gateway and either a MiSet, MiGo Select or Climastat Select thermostat, for smart home control.

The new MiGo Select

completes the range of connected thermostats.

The MiGo Link, app and thermostats help to boost energy efficiency and get the best from a Glow-worm boiler, says the company.

MiGo Link and MiGo Select enable the boiler to modulate so that it continually operates at its most efficient level. Weather compensation ensures that it fires only when needed, helping to reduce energy use.

Homeowners can use the MiGo Link app to track their energy consumption and set up convenient timer programmes.

Voice control is available through Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.

Mike Lacey, head of Digital Technologies, says: “ ‘Simple but smart’ has guided MiGo’s development journey. We have ensured that installers will find MiGo Link internet gateway and MiGo Select quick and easy to work with and that customers benefit from a highly convenient way to better understand their energy use, save money and easily control their heating and hot water on the move.” www.glow-worm.co.uk/ MiGoLink

Earn cash for jobs you can’t do

A new service enables heating businesses to refer boiler jobs they can’t (or don’t want to) carry out – and earn cash in the process. ComparePAL also helps homeowners to compare and choose boiler and/or heating cover that suits their budget.

When your customer asks you to carry out a service or go to a breakdown but you can’t attend, you can refer them to ComparePAL so that they can get

the work done at a fixed price or take out the cover they need. Founder Simon Gough says: “It may be the customer is too far away, the boiler is a brand you don’t work on, you are on holiday or have staff shortages. Whatever the reason, ComparePAL can support you and your customer and you can make some money.”

You’ll receive £40 for each successful referral, and your customer will get the service or

repair that they need and ensure that their heating system is protected in the future. You’ll need to register for a free account to be able to refer your customer and access your rewards.

If you want more service and repair work, you can sign up to ComparePAL’s Engineer Connect and become part of its engineer network. www.comparepal.co.uk/ engineers

productupdate

PolyPlumb gets a makeover

The PolyPlumb push-fit range has been upgraded with a streamlined design and fresh look. The range is compatible with Polypipe plumbing and heating pipe, as well as copper, and is suitable for most hot and cold-water supply and heating applications.

Its In-Cert feature provides better jointing assurance: a 360º wave feature in the head engages with projections within the socket and helps to align and centralise the pipe. When you push the pipe home and twist, a click gives confidence that the job’s done.

The compact fitting includes a pre-lubricated EPDM O-ring and high-performance stainless-steel grab ring for continued joint integrity.

It’s now available in white as well as the original grey and the two colours are compatible with each other if required.

www.polypipe.com/ polyplumb

Europa 3 angled TRVs for bi-directional flow

Distributor Navigator has a new range of Europa 3 angled thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). The TRV is designed for optimal temperature control in domestic hot water systems.

With bi-directional flow, allowing for both single and double-panel radiators, its liquid-filled head ensures precise temperature regulation and the frost protection function safeguards against freezing.

The TRVs come with a working pressure of 10 bar, a maximum flow temperature of 120°C and maximum differential pressure of 1 bar.

The MidBrass brand TRVs ensure precise and comfortable temperature control, prevent energy wastage and reduce heating costs.

They come with a 15mm x 10mm compression reducing set and a three-year warranty. www.navigatormsl.com

Dosafil now comes in multi-packs

DosaFil’s DR range of solid paste water treatment products for domestic heating systems now comes in multi-product packs, reducing plastic waste even further.

With no plastic bottles, the contractor’s pack comes with 30 sticks of DR1 inhibitor and the new distributor multi-pack mixed box comes with six packs of DR1 inhibitor – 18 sticks, three packs of DR2 solid cleaner sticks, two packs of DR3 solid heavy-duty cleaners sticks and one pack of DR4 solid biocide.

Both provide a cost-effective way of buying multi-boxes so that there’s always a supply to hand.

www.dosafil.co.uk

Shoebox NX heat pump that feels like a gas network

Kensa’s networked ground source heat pump Shoebox NX replicates the familiarity and accessibility of gas networks and could enable the mass rollout of heat pumps. The company says it could bring renewable heating and cooling to almost any type of home, whether that’s a new build, a Victorian terrace, a tenement or a high-rise urban flat.

The Shoebox NX is small and compact but packs the power and efficiency of large heat pumps, making the most efficient and lowest-carbon form of heating accessible to properties with limited space.

It can heat water to over 60°C without the need for an immersion heater, and provide passive cooling during the summer at a much lower cost than air-conditioning.

CEO Tamsin Lishman says:

“This is a game-changing heat pump designed for the UK. Until now, achieving mass heat-pump rollout has been a complex challenge, but with the launch of our Shoebox NX, we’ve engineered a small, high-performance heat pump that’s ready to replace gas as the main home heating choice.” www.kensaheatpumps.com/ shoebox-ground-sourceheat-pump/

DT4 thermostat is more than just black and white

Resideo has expanded its Honeywell Home DT4 room thermostat with the addition of grey and black colours. The new options are designed to help homeowners work with the aesthetic of their home décor and maximise energy efficiency.

The room thermostats can be installed as a stand-alone thermostat or part of wider home comfort solutions that include

underfloor multi-zone controllers and multi-zoning systems. They are compatible with hybrid and greener energy systems and energyefficient solutions.

The versatile room thermostat can be integrated into new and older heating systems, and comes with wired or wireless communication plus options for time proportional (TPI) or modulating appliance control.

It works with on/off and OpenThermcompatible heating and cooling appliances such as boilers, heat pumps and district heating systems.

The range is designed for compatibility and can be used with existing Honeywell Home wireless products. www.resideo.com/dt4

Bespoke insurance for APHC members

APHC members can choose bespoke insurance designed for plumbing and heating contractors through Premierline Business Insurance Broker.

APHC Insurance Services can arrange cover that includes public liability, employer’s liability, professional indemnity, legal expenses, goods in transit, and tools and business equipment. The insurance package is suitable for members with a turnover of

less than £1 million and fewer than 10 employees. It includes a 10 per cent discount for APHC members, 24-hour tool cover and free legal assistance. There’s no

policy excess on the main covers.

Stephanie Conway, partnership executive at Premierline, says: “We understand the risks faced by the plumbing and heating industry and have helped develop this product specifically with that in mind.

“We’re here to make renewing your business insurance as easy as possible so you can get on with running your business.”

Meet Vitocal 200-A Pro, the user-friendly commercial heat pump

Viessmann Climate Solutions UK has a new air source heat pump designed for residential developments, small to mid-size commercial, and public-sector applications.

The compact and robust Vitocal 200-A Pro is available in 32kW, 64kW and 128kW outputs and can be cascaded up to 1024kW. All models provide both heating and active cooling within a single appliance and can be operated in bi- or monovalent modes. A high flow temperature of 65°C at -7°C makes it suitable for modernisation projects where integration with existing systems is required.

The units have a SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) of 4.4, and use the non-flammable refrigerant R407C.

Units can be placed anywhere, including under windows or next to drains. Vibration decoupling also ensures the heat pump is quiet in operation.

“This is a very user-friendly heat pump,” says product manager, Hugh Jones. “It’s particularly well suited to urban environments where space is at a premium, thanks to its low noise levels, compact size, and incombustible refrigerant.

“You only need to see the unit to appreciate

how sturdy and durable it is.”

Free training courses are available through the Viessmann Academy.

Demonstrate your competence with OFTEC training and registration

OFTEC is the leading competent person registration scheme. It’s the name customers look for when selecting a technician, making registration with OFTEC the best way to demonstrate your competence and win new business.

You can register with OFTEC for:

• Liquid fuel

• Solid fuel

• Solar thermal

• Heat pumps - air, ground and design

• Biomass

• Non-operative • Electrical (Part P)

• PAS2030 • TrustMark • MCS

Our competent person registration includes a range of benefits:

• Searchable online listing of registered businesses.

• Self-certification of installation work*.

• Free technical support by phone or email.

• Access to exclusive 'technician hub'.

• Discounts with selected partners.

www.oftec.org

Training & Assessment Specialists

• Domestic gas & appliances

• Commercial gas

• Commercial catering

• ACS re-assessments

• New entrants to gas (GGFO)

• Unvented hot water

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We have been delivering building services qualifications since 2004 with a commitment to quality and innovation.

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SOUTH WEST

Challenge convention

Choose a brand that’s not afraid to stand out from the crowd

With our E-Tec Hybrid we’re breaking away from conformity and bringing together a boiler and heat pump to offer customers a truly innovative yet practical solution for today’s changing world.