From big housing developments to small single-room extensions, whatever your project, Continal has the solution.
We are proud to be dedicated underfloor heating experts, trusted by our customers for over 20 years.
07 Gas Safe news
Investigating the cause of gas incidents is a specialist role that requires very specific training and experience: we talk to incident investigator Nick Deakin about his work
16 Safety Alert 030
Glen Dimplex Home Appliances manufactured Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers with gas grill (110, 100 and 90 models)
18 Boilers
As the nation turns its heating back on, we find out how gas engineers can keep older boilers working where possible rather than replacing them
Behind the scenes with H21’s hydrogen research; Time to rethink first-time fixes;
Priority domestic hot water: an untapped solution
Why you should consider the water pressure and flow in the property before you install a combi boiler
Power monitoring is an effective way of interlocking the gas supply to the ventilation system in a commercial kitchen
33 Radiators
04 Gas Safe news
Gas Safe Register is reviewing the status and validity of all Technical Bulletins: why is this being done, what’s involved, and how can you get involved in the future?
PLUS Gas Safe Register investigations at a glance
08 News
Hydrogen blending pilot ends in success; First figures released for Boiler Upgrade Scheme uptake
13 The good, the bad and the ugly
The whys and hows of balancing and the difference it can make; Why radiators can work with lowtemperature heating systems
36 The Legislative, Normative and Informative Documents List
45 Products
The latest launches from Continal, Daikin, Fergus, Grant, Knipex and Tado
Page 51
Competition Win a DAB site radio and six months of beer with Fergus
Households may be breathing slightly easier at the new Prime Minister’s intervention on soaring energy costs, with the government’s announcement of a £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee for two years.
But businesses, which don’t fall under the same price cap as consumers and which are facing projected price increases of 500 per cent, will need a lot more support than the equivalent scheme that has been offered initially.
The government has pledged to reform the energy market, increasing energy security, speeding up domestic supply and aiming to be a net exporter of energy by 2040. It’s launching a new licensing round for oil and gas and lifting its ban on shale gas (fracking).
But the nation is still facing an expensive winter and purse strings are going to remain very tight for millions of households who depend on their trusty gas boilers to keep warm. That’s why, this month, our main feature is all about the steps that gas engineers (and their customers) can take to make sure that their boilers keep going when they need them. When money’s tight, repair is always going to be more attractive than replacement.
Nicki Shearer, editorGas Safe Register, PO Box 6804, Basingstoke, RG24 4NB.
Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister.co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk
Managing editor: Scott Darroch scott.darroch@gassaferegister.co.uk
Editor: Nicki Shearer editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
News: Jennie Ward news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
Publisher: Peter McCreary publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
Technical consultants: Carl Banister, Stephen Gallagher, Jonathan Palmer
Production: Mark Turpin
Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter ian@rgemagazine.co.uk
Additional print subscriptions £25 per year email: wgardiner@circdata.com, Tel 01635 869 868
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Gas Safe Register. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. ABC membership approved 19 March, 2009.
Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ
CIRCULATION: Jan-Dec 2021 80,070
Gas Safe Register is reviewing the status and validity of all Technical Bulletins. It’s a mammoth task and here we talk to Standards and Training Manager Jonathan Palmer about why this is being done, the work involved – and how you can get involved in the future.
A: Technical Bulletins can have a variety of purposes but they often provide guidance to fill in the gaps in information provided in an industry Standard. They can also provide information on developments in the industry and regulations, and how this affects gas engineers.
Q: Who creates them and who is responsible for them?
A: Generally, Gas Safe Register develops Technical Bulletins in conjunction with industry via a committee of people who work in the relevant organisations.
Some Technical Bulletins are written with manufacturers or by specific groups such as the Large Business Forum and the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).
Some Technical Bulletins are written by HSE.
A: All Technical Bulletins are free to download by logging into your Gas Safe Register online account at www.
GasSafeRegister.co.uk/sign-in
You can also call the Technical Team and request a specific Technical Bulletin, which will be sent to you via email.
Technical Bulletin 000 is a full index of all current TBs.
A: It’s important that all the information in Technical Bulletins is relevant and up to date. We are reviewing them to ensure this and any that are no longer required will be withdrawn.
We’re also reviewing the way
they are created, when and how they should be updated. We want them to be more useful to gas engineers.
We recognise that the current design of Technical Bulletins is becoming out of date. We do need to make sure that the information is accessible to everyone, but we’re also looking to update the format so that they are more attractive and easier to read.
Q: How might they look in the future?
A: The first Technical Bulletin we’re reviewing is TB118: Safe electrical isolation of gas appliances. We know that this is one of the most important documents that gas engineers refer to and it’s the most downloaded Technical Bulletin on our website.
We’ve been working closely with a range of organisations on updating and redesigning the information in this Bulletin.
We are also working with specialists to confirm that any new approach will conform with accessibility requirements.
Q: Will gas engineers be able to have any input into how Technical Bulletins evolve in the future?
A: Yes, we want to encourage gas engineers to let us know what they think. We’re using the work we’ve been doing on TB118 as a test example. When the proposed new approach has been finalised, we’ll be asking gas engineers to let us know whether they prefer the new version or the old one.
Right now, we’re asking for your comments and feedback on this Technical Bulletin as it stands now (see right).
TB118a is the first example where you can tell Gas Safe Register what you think about Technical Bulletins, and the Technical Team welcome your comments and opinions.
Are you satisfied with its content as it is now? Or is there anything that you think should change? Is there any information missing that should be included? Or anything else?
You can review the Technical Bulletin at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/tb118review
The TB118a draft will be available for comment until 21 October 2022. The draft will then be removed so that all your comments and feedback can be reviewed.
Please send your comments to technical@gassaferegister. co.uk. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are eligible to comment. You must provide your registration number in the email and please use ‘TB 118a comments’ as the subject line.
TB 118: Safe
TB 002(A):
Injuries, Diseases
(RIDDOR) as
TB 000:
TB 055:
TB 159:
20 vol%
April 2021–31 March 2022
Great Britain
When there’s been a gas incident, it’s vital to find out what has happened, how and why. Gas Safe Register has a team of specialists who are highly trained and experienced in finding out the facts in what can be dangerous or distressing circumstances. Here, we talk to Nick Deakin about what’s involved in being an incident investigator.
T here’s no such thing as a typical incident and Gas Safe Register’s team can be asked to investigate a range of situations, including suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, ‘minor’ explosions, and sudden deaths. “Our knowledge and expertise are used by the HSE, local authorities, police, Coroner’s Courts and fire services to investigate, as appropriate, provide a detailed report and attend court as and when required,” says regional investigations officer Nick Deakin.
When there has been a suspected CO incident that has caused someone to be taken to hospital, the gas supplier is legally required by the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 to have an investigation undertaken. The HSE can also ask Gas Safe Register to investigate because it is independent and impartial.
But it’s not only faulty boiler installations that can cause CO poisoning. “A number of incidents have occurred with gas cooking appliances where the customer has used the gas grill with the door shut – not in accordance with the requirements of the appliance manufacturer.” Gas Safe Register has issued two Safety Alerts identifying these potential issues: Safety Alert 015 and Safety Alert 030, which you can read in this edition of Registered Gas Engineer
Investigators may also become involved by the police in some cases of sudden death. “We are called in to test the gas system and appliances to rule out (in most instances) carbon monoxide as the cause of a sudden or initially unexplained death. We usually attend a day or two later when preliminary police enquiries have been undertaken, including
Incident investigation is a specialist role that requires very specific knowledge and qualifications, as well as experience built up over time.
The new IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1 – Responding to domestic CO alarm activations/reports of fumes after attendance by the emergency service provider or the Liquified Petroleum Gas supplier – is an important document (see Registered Gas Engineer, September 2022). It clearly sets out the actions to be taken and the hierarchy of investigators involved.
It’s also important to note that although a gas engineer may hold CMDDA1, this qualification does not cover commercial premises and appliances, or the procedures to adopt following an incident reportable under RIDDOR. These need the investigator to hold the full IGEM GL/8 Gas related incident investigation qualification or equivalent.
Commercial catering environments can prove to be dangerous places, and Nick has been called to attend the aftermath of minor explosions caused by gas ovens with defective flame safety devices, and ad hoc tandoor ovens with no safety devices at all.
When investigators arrive on site, initially the approach is very much hands-off. Although the appliance in question has often already been identified, that is never taken as read and they always keep an open mind. Investigators gather evidence in the form of witness statements and photographic evidence, then test the gas system and appliances and record the results accurately.
From Nick’s years of experience, he knows that the causes of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents usually involve a number of factors colliding at one time. He says: “It can be an open-flued boiler with flue installation deficiencies that have been there since day one. The householder may have blocked the all-important combustion air vent and then failed to have the appliance adequately maintained. Couple this with a particularly cold morning during winter, and an incident occurs.”
those by scene-of-crime officers and forensics,” says Nick. “Recent cases have involved complete families becoming unconscious as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide.”
Sometimes householders carrying out DIY can cause problems unwittingly, particularly if they build a lean-to that covers an existing boiler chimney/flue terminal outlet, or when a builder or double-glazing company builds an extension or a conservatory.
“This happened twice last year within a two-mile area, in my own
Chimney/flue in a ceiling void where the push-fit connection had come apart, allowing products of combustion into the property
experience. The householder had been advised to keep the windows open until they had the boiler moved. One had carried out DIY and one was by a builder, but both resulted in CO incidents. And this happens across the country.”
But it’s not just CO incidents that the team deal with.
Some properties are designated crime scenes with police on duty. In the case of a carbon monoxide incident, much of the testing is monitored from outside the property for safety reasons. This will require evacuation of the property and occasionally adjoining properties.
The investigators then produce a report that can be used to support the next stage of an HSE or police investigation and can be read in court.
Nick is also a regional investigations officer but says investigations take priority over inspections because of the time
“A number of incidents have occurred with gas cooking appliances where the customer has used the gas grill with the door shut.”
frames that need to be worked within. The specialist team of eight covers the whole UK, including Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.
“I first got involved with incident investigation more than 20 years ago,” he says. “My work as a regional investigations officer is interspersed with incident investigations as and when they occur.
“My own experience has included working with specialist investigative teams when suspected bomb making was believed to have gone wrong, murder investigation and malicious actions leading to injury.”
He’s keen to emphasise that the nature of this specialist role means that they have additional tools and equipment and, due to the nature of the work. Two investigators always attend – with the lead investigator taking responsibility for producing the report.
“I enjoy the role but it is often stressful: you usually only get one chance to collect all the evidence required. Once you have tested and then dismantled an appliance, the original evidence is then lost.
“I like working as part of a team, both within Gas Safe Register and with outside agencies. It may be that an elderly person has passed away, often alone. But we all come together to find out why, how could it have been prevented, what lessons can be learned from it and what improvements could be made to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
“Survivors of carbon monoxide poisoning incidents and family members are often left distressed and confused but we have to
Boiler inner flue extended with a drainpipe to terminate outside
interview them empathetically to try and piece together the circumstances that led to the poisoning or fatality of a family member.
“And it’s important to realise that these incidents are stressful to us as well, particularly when they involve children.” ■
A corroded and unsecured chimney/flue: the boiler was still in use Safety device overridden and held in the open position with string An unsoldered gas fitting“You usually only get once chance to collect the evidence: once you have tested and then dismantled an appliance, the original evidence is lost.”All photographs supplied by Gas Safe Register
A ground-breaking green energy project that could pave the way for Britain to dramatically cut its carbon emissions and help tackle climate change has been completed successfully.
The HyDeploy project at Winlaton, Gateshead, has ended its pilot after 11 months. The trial saw up to 20 per cent hydrogen blended with natural gas on the public gas network for the first time, supplying a primary school, church and 668 homes.
Customers continued to use their gas supply and appliances as usual, without having to make any adjustments to their gas appliances or pipework as current gas appliances are designed to operate with a blend of up to 23 per cent hydrogen.
Winlaton resident Biba Thompson said: “There was no difference to using our gas when it contained the hydrogen. I am the sheltered scheme officer for some housing in the pilot area and everyone here was enthusiastic about doing their bit to reverse the effects of climate change and agreed that it was great that our small village in the North-east was chosen for such a ground-breaking pilot.”
Fergal O’Donovan, NGN’s hydrogen programme manager, added: “We’re delighted to have successfully completed blending hydrogen into the gas supply at Winlaton. The unprecedented hot weather [this summer] has
brought the need to tackle climate change to the forefront of people’s mind and this project has demonstrated that hydrogen blending can play a role in decarbonising heat with no disruption. We’d like to thank the residents of Winlaton for their participation and support in this vital demonstration.”
The report of findings from the Winlaton project will be submitted to the government later this year, ahead of a decision around the wider blending of hydrogen in the UK gas network, which is due to be taken in 2023.
HyDeploy is continuing to test the safe use of blended hydrogen for domestic and commercial use. There are also ongoing projects testing the use of hydrogen for heat, including the Hydrogen Homes at Low Thornley near Gateshead, where 100 per cent hydrogen can be seen in use in a show home with boiler, cooker, hob, fire and even a barbecue.
Surefire is an all-in-one management system for plumbing and heating businesses developed by heating specialist Billy Wilgar.
The system was originally designed and developed to streamline the day-to-day operational needs of his own business, London and Kentbased plumbing and heating firm AC Wilgar. But Billy soon realised that he had created a tool that he says can benefit similar businesses nationwide, especially for thousands of sole traders and small to medium
The winner of our August competition was Gary Barnes from Worcester. Gary receives a bundle of products worth more than £500 from our friends at Gas Safety Shop. Congratulations!
operations with up to 20 staff.
Surefire features include diary management, accounts integration (with Sage, Xero and QuickBooks), Parts Arena/ plumbing merchant integration and certificate production.
Route optimisation reconfigures daily journeys into the most efficient routes and the intuitive Quote Wizard creates bespoke customer quotes in seconds, with all parts and job timings factored in.
Billy says: “We have built the system to take into consideration
the needs of everyone using it. In simple terms, we have listened to the needs of our users and developed an app that is straightforward to use, therefore making their life a lot easier.” www.surefiresoftware.co.uk
A statement from the Gas Safety Week team Gas Safe Register’s Gas Safety Week activity last month was unable to go ahead due to the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and the official mourning period.
This meant that we could not undertake our planned media push, and we suspended our plans for digital and social media activity for the campaign this year.
We would like to thank everyone for their support for the week.
If you’re not already registered with HMRC for Self Assessment but should be, you need to do this as soon as possible. You need to register no later than 5 October after the end of the tax year for which you need to file a tax return.
For example, if you need to file a tax return for the 2021-2022 tax year, you’ll need to register for Self Assessment no later than 5 October 2022.
HMRC wants to help you get your tax right. You are responsible for telling HMRC about your income using Self Assessment if you’re:
• Self-employed as a sole trader earning more than £1,000
• A partner in a business partnership
• A director of a limited company.
If you’re sending HMRC a paper tax return for the 2021-2022 tax year, the deadline is getting close. You only have until midnight on 31 October to do this.
If you’re submitting your tax return online, you have a later deadline of 31 January 2023.
For more information about Self Assessment and registering, go to GOV.UK and search ‘Register for Self Assessment’.
For information about completing and submitting tax returns, go to GOV.UK and search for ‘Self Assessment tax return forms’.
Not telling HMRC about your income using Self Assessment, or submitting your tax return late, could mean that HMRC charges you penalties and interest.
For queries about Self Assessment, go to GOV.UK or call HMRC’s Self Assessment Helpline.
Blending facilities at Low Thornley, where the hydrogen was added to the gas network
With the Government’s decarbonisation target to achieve net zero by 2050, we’re here to support you.
We’re committed to helping you and your customers choose the right product today, while also providing you with the necessary training and knowledge to prepare your business for the future.
To discover the five key future technologies, please visit worcester-bosch.co.uk/future-industry
More than 4,000 applications were made to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme in its first two months. The scheme, which opened on 23 May 2020, saw the majority of applications made for air source heat pumps (4,186). By contrast, 99 applications were made for ground source heat pumps and 48 for biomass boilers.
BEIS published its first set of figures for the scheme’s launch up to the end of July. In that time, 1,208 redemption applications were received for ASHP installations, of which 912
had been approved and paid.
The South-west and Southeast of England saw the highest number of applications and redemptions (854 and 826 voucher applications, respectively, and 171 redemptions paid in both regions). These two regions collectively account for around 40 per cent of applications and redemptions.
Gas was the most common fuel type that BUS installations replaced, accounting for 53 per cent of redemptions, and nearly all were for domestic properties:
just 4 per cent of ASHP installations were non-domestic.
The figures show that the average (mean) cost of installation in England and Wales was £12,938 for an ASHP, £28,293 for GSHP and £14,725 for biomass.
The scheme launched in England and Wales on 1 April 2022, with £450 million in funding until 2025, and is being administered by Ofgem. It’s intended to support the continued deployment of low-carbon heating systems in homes, and some small non-domestic buildings.
Navien has redesigned its website, showcasing the company’s range of high-efficiency heating and hot water products. There are dedicated areas for heating professionals and users, as well as essential product literature, news, downloads and technical support.
The professional section includes downloadable technical literature, brochures and installation guides for all Navien gas and oil boilers, water heaters and smart controls, as well as the latest case studies showcasing products in action. You can find details and locations of the latest
If you’re attending PHEX in London next month, you’ll be able to visit Gas Safe Register. The Register will be exhibiting and will be welcoming gas engineers and able to answer any questions you may have.
The PHEX plumbing and heating exhibition takes place on 16-17 November at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium. Tickets are free and you can book at: www.phexshow.co.uk
oil and gas training courses, as well as booking them, join the latest online training programmes and register for the Navien Choice loyalty scheme.
The homeowner area includes a ‘find a boiler’ feature, so that consumers can see the most suitable product using filters including property type, number of bathrooms, bedrooms and hot water requirements. There’s also a dedicated support area containing product manuals and FAQs, and which helps them find their nearest Navien installer and book a boiler service.
Jason Davies says: “Having established ourselves as a leading heating and hot water brand around the world, it was only right that we updated our UK website to reflect this.
“Now, following many months of hard work, we’re incredibly excited to reveal the new site, which encompasses a wealth of design features, usability improvements and upgrades that will benefit installers and homeowners alike.”
Find out more at: www.navien.co.uk
The scheme is installer-led, with the installer of the lowcarbon heating technology submitting a voucher application for the grant on behalf of the property owner. The voucher is redeemed when the installer completes the installation and submits a voucher redemption application, which is subsequently approved by Ofgem. If approved, the grant is then paid directly to the installer.
ASHP and biomass boiler vouchers are valid for three months while GSHP vouchers are valid for six months.
Viessmann’s new MCS umbrella scheme helps heating engineers reduce the time, cost and effort involved in becoming MCS registered. The Viessmann Access scheme is open to all Viessmann-trained installers wishing to fit air source heat pumps (ASHPs).
“This scheme is a real game changer for our installers,” says Emma-Louise Bennett, customer relationship co-ordinator. “MCS accreditation involves in-depth assessment; installers are required to have certain procedures in place, evidence their credit history and pay to renew their membership every
year. Most micro-businesses are not equipped to do this: it takes up time and resources that many simply do not have.
“Viessmann Access will support those new to heat pumps to gain experience and operate under our guidance until they are ready to become certified.
“Viessmann commissions the installer to install the heat pump system and signs it off via a service engineer commissioning check, with Viessmann taking full ownership of the installation and only charging if the quotation is won. The total charge is around £1,300 per install, which includes
A typical product package would feature the air source heat pump together with a twin-coil cylinder, or a heat pump with an integrated cylinder such as the Vitocal 151-A air source storage heat pump, as well as a sevenyear warranty.
Marketing director Darren McMahon says: “The time to expand into non-fossil technologies is now, but it can be complicated. We want to support our partners, who are essential to the success of the UK’s energy transition, so they avoid the headache.”
Registered Gas Engineer wants to see your pictures – whether you’ve come across some horrors or instances of really good work. Please email your stories and pictures to editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk or via Twitter to @RGEMag
Carl Carey was called to investigate a gas escape after a meter exchange: the gas tightness test had revealed a full immediate drop to zero but there was no smell in the house. Removal of the gas fire revealed unwrapped copper pipe buried in soot, which had rotted the pipe. The installation was made safe.
Kris Tolbod was removing a sink and hob for a client who was replacing their kitchen and found their hob connected with a mixture of end feed and push fit fittings. Kris made safe.
Song Mao Zhou noticed a semiconcealed gas meter box that was badly damaged. There was nobody home, so he left a note advising on the meter box condition and possible damage to the gas meter.
This ‘plume kit’ was found by Luke Freeman The customer did not like the smell of the fumes terminating from the boiler’s chimney/flue, so they created the kit using downpipe that terminated into a water butt. The DIY work was removed.
Matt Cole was asked to fix a heating element on a dual-fuel range cooker. He was horrified to find a tap connector hose from the bayonet hose to the cooker. He removed the tap connector hose and brought the installation up to current standards using a proper hose adaptor.
After disconnecting a gas fire and checking other appliances in the property, Phil Dye saw this boiler installation with a missing FGA test point cap. He capped off the boiler until he could get the correct FGA test point cap.
Stephen Leitch found this on a new-build site with a gap of 1000mm between the buildings. The appliance MIs state there should be 1200mm clearance from a chimney/flue terminal facing another terminal.
Nathan Gardner was servicing a boiler when he noticed the FGA test point cap was missing but no products of combustion were coming out. He investigated further and found that a previous engineer had disconnected the hose going to the test point and stuck a tyre dust cap over it. The boiler was made safe.
We may share some of your pictures on social media, so remember to include your contact details so we can tag you (or let us know if you’d rather we didn’t).
To ensure that the appliances work in a safe manner, it is advised that consumers must use their gas grills with the grill door fully open, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The gas oven and hob are not affected by this safety alert.
Gas Safe Register has been advised by the manufacturer of an issue regarding the use of gas grills on certain Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers manufactured by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances.
It has been identified in some models that if the gas grill is used with the door closed, there is a risk that the flame could become vitiated, resulting in extremely dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) being produced, which could pose a significant risk to health, and death.
Consumers can contact Glen Dimplex Home Appliances on 0800 110 5728, or email consumersupport@glendimplex.com if they have concerns or require further information.
Safety notices have also been added to the manufacturer’s websites at:
• Belling www.belling.co.uk/en-gb/safety-notice
• Stoves www.stoves.co.uk/en-gb/safety-notice
• New World newworld.family/safety-notice
Illustrated below are some of the affected models.
Glen Dimplex Home Appliances Ltd manufactured Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers with gas grill (110, 100 and 90 models) Date issued: 23 August 2022 This Safety Alert provides guidance to Gas Safe registered businesses/engineers about a product safety concern related to cooking appliances manufactured by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA). 444440798 ST STERLING R1100GT 444440400 BEL CLASSIC 110GT 444444151 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G 444444047 BEL KENSINGTON 90GThe full list of models affected is provided below, and includes 110, 100 and 90cm models bought between 2010 and 2022.
444440400 BEL CLASSIC 110GT Blk 444440401 BEL CLASSIC 110GT Sil 444440402 BEL CLASSIC 110GT Crm 444441444 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Ssk 444441445 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Wbe 444441446 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Hja 444441447 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Ibr 444441448 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Dab 444441449 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Dda 444441450 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Mga 444441452 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Fbu 444441453 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Fbl 444441454 BEL CLASSIC 110GT CB Pbl 444444099 BEL COOKCENTRE 110G PROF Sta
444444100 BEL COOKCENTRE 110G Sta 444444101 BEL COOKCENTRE 110G Blk 444444151 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G Blk 444444152 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G Sil 444444153 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G Crm 444444297 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G CB Sh Grn
444444298 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G CB Ibr 444444299 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G CB Dab
444444300 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G CB Wbe
444444303 BEL FARMHOUSE 110G CB Hja 444440792 ST STERLING R1000GT Blk 444440793 ST STERLING R1000GT Sta
444440798 ST STERLING R1100GT Blk 444440799 ST STERLING R1100GT Sta 444449019 BEL KEN 110G Crm
444440218 NW 100GT Car 444440221 BEL C/RANGE 100GT Car 444440222 BEL C/RANGE 100GT Sil 444440392 BEL CLASSIC 100GT Blk
444440393 BEL CLASSIC 100GT Sil 444440462 NW 100GT Sil 444440792 ST STERLING R1000GT Blk 444440793 ST STERLING R1000GT Sta 444440798 ST STERLING R1100GT Blk
444440923 BEL CLASSIC 100GT Crm 444441432 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Ssk 444441433 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Wbe 444441434 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Hja 444441435 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Ibr 444441436 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Dab 444441438 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Mga 444441440 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Fbu 444441442 BEL CLASSIC 100GT CB Pbl 444444087 BEL COOKCENTRE 100G PROF Sta 444444088 BEL COOKCENTRE 100G Sta 444444089 BEL COOKCENTRE 100G Blk 444444117 BEL SANDRINGHAM 100G Blk 444444118 BEL SANDRINGHAM 100G Sil 444444119 BEL SANDRINGHAM 100G Crm 444444120 BEL SANDRINGHAM 100G LPG Sil
444444139 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G Blk 444444140 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G Sil 444444141 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G Crm 444444269 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G CB Sh Grn 444444270 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G CB Ibr 444444271 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G CB Dab
444444273 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G CB Mga 444444275 BEL FARMHOUSE 100G CB Hja 444449442 BEL C/CLASSIC 100G Ant 444449443 BEL C/CLASSIC 100G Sil 444442980 BEL C/RANGE 100GT Blk 444442981 BEL C/RANGE 100GT Crm 444442982 BEL C/RANGE 100GT Jal 444444059 BEL KENSINGTON 100G Blk 444444060 BEL KENSINGTON 100G Red 444444061 BEL KENSINGTON 100G Crm 444449017 BEL KEN 100G Crm 444444200 NW 100G Car 444444201 NW 100G Sil
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As the nation turns its heating back on against the backdrop of rocketing energy and living costs, we find out how gas engineers can keep older boilers working where possible rather than replacing them.
The rising cost of living is worrying millions of families across the UK. Energy and food prices have increased significantly and many are worried about making ends meet this winter.
When stretching household budgets is already difficult, what happens when unexpected repair costs rear their head? Appliances break down regardless of whether people have the money to replace them, and boilers are no exception.
Replacing an older, faulty or broken-down boiler with a newer model is likely to be more cost and energy efficient in the long term, but many households simply cannot afford to make that choice. So how can gas engineers help extend a boiler’s life?
Households looking to save money may decide to forego the cost of an annual boiler service – but this would be a big mistake. In fact, scheduling a regular service is probably the best way to extend the life of their boiler, by making sure it is checked and cleaned regularly so that any small issues can be put right before they become more serious.
Martyn Bridges, Worcester Bosch’s director of Technical Services, says: “In some parts of
during servicing. This might include annual checks on the system water quality and the strength or efficacy of any inhibitor that may have been used. Also, check any system filter that may have been installed.
to have the electrodes or a seal replaced every five years. If an engineer spots during servicing that these parts are deteriorating, they can be replaced before they cause any problems.”
If spare parts need to be fitted, Martyn recommends only using spares from the original manufacturer (genuine parts). He says: “[This will] reduce the risk of faulty parts being put into the system.
“Poorly manufactured parts from third parties could even shorten a boiler’s life.”
Europe annual boiler servicing is a legal requirement and in those countries it’s not unusual to see boilers lasting more than 20 years.
“The best route is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and Benchmark Code of Practice
“Some boilers may have consumable parts that need changing at certain times. With older, standard efficiency boilers, it was quite normal to replace the thermocouple at every service, while modern boilers may need
Roy Fugler, technical trainer for Viva Training, highlights three steps that can help extend a boiler’s lifespan:
• Checking the water quality, then flushing the system
• Fitting a system filter
• Chemically treating the system as required.
He adds: “If possible, adjust the boiler for the heating load: some modern boilers allow engineers to access the boiler parameters and adjust the heating output. This will make the boiler more likely to condense and more economical to run. Also, the boiler won’t be working as hard and so should last longer.”
Roy says gas engineers should carry spares of parts that are often replaced during servicing, such as burner seals and electrodes. He also recommends making the following checks during a service to prevent early parts failure:
• Ask the householder if they have had any issues
• If possible, check error histories
“If an engineer spots during servicing that parts are deteriorating, they can be replaced before they cause any problems.”
Mark Grieves from Plymouth Gas says taking the time to carry out a thorough service can make a real difference. “The key to extending the life of a boiler is regular servicing,” he says. “With that, the onus always seems to be on the installer to educate the public, but you can’t do that if you’re not already engaging with them somehow.
“I put a lot of information on Twitter reminding people that not all appliances have to be replaced straight away, even if they’re old. You might find an appliance that is broken or obsolete, but if you’re willing to take the time and effort to take it apart and repair it, you can often keep it working without having to replace it.
“Jumping straight to fitting a new boiler isn’t always right for the customer – especially if they can’t afford it.
(engineers to check previous locking and blocking codes on some boilers)
• Check the expansion vessel
• Inspect all seals for leaks
• Visually inspect electrodes for warping.
“Always remind the customer that if a system is losing pressure or error codes display on a regular basis, they should get these checked out immediately. If left, the repairs could be costly.
“Familiarise yourself with the boilers you are working on and always have the manufacturer’s instructions available – either a hard copy or electronic version. Most of the manufacturers hold these on downloadable apps.”
Reducing the physical daily stresses on the boiler’s internal
“The other problem is that if you sell them a boiler with a long warranty, they often think they don’t have to do anything with it for that long, and they don’t get it serviced, unless they’re fully advised about the warranty conditions.
“There are plenty of other things you can do during a service that can help extend the boiler’s life. [Consider] draining down the boiler, taking a water sample to assess any further work required and, while the boiler is drained, you can remove the air vent, operate the isolating valves, check the wet pocket sensors, remove the plate heat exchanger and give it a rinse, check and recharge the expansion vessel – all while the boiler’s empty.
“These are all things that might not be written down as part of the service, but if you can do them, especially on
components can also help extend its life and reduce the need to spend money on replacement parts.
Darren McMahon, Viessmann’s marketing director, says: “We’d recommend engineers tune installed boilers to be able to modulate their flow temperature, and to range-rate combi boilers.
“Introducing boiler modulation means reducing the amount of cycling and allowing it to run at lower temperatures when suitable, avoiding the need to run it at a high temperature. One way to do this is through weather or load compensation.
“For combi boilers, rangerating the space heating function is recommended to overcome the effects of stress on boilers of, in many cases, them being
older boilers, you know it’ll help to keep the boiler working for the next 12 months.
“You’ve got to keep in mind that, when you service a boiler you’re going to be coming back again next year and you don’t want any problems in the meantime. With older boilers especially, it’s all to do with your willingness to dig a little bit deeper.
“Just because something is not in the book, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least consider doing it. It may extend the time you are there, but being able to justify that time on work that is beneficial to the appliance and the customer is time you will be paid for. Not many customers object to paying for a service if they’re given the opportunity to start setting money aside for a replacement. When that time comes, you’ll be the first person they call.”
oversized for heating. A 30kW combi boiler that has been sized for a property’s hot water requirements should easily be able to be knocked down to 15kW to deliver the heating requirement.
“Perform a simple heat-loss calculation and then follow the range-rating process as defined by the manufacturer. As a result, the boiler will run at a lower output, cycle less and save energy and cost.”
Manufacturers have an obligation to supply spare parts for 10 years once production ceases, and Darren says: “There are good and reliable third-party options for components such as pumps and gas valves, but circuit boards and fans are more likely to be manufacturer-specific.”
Prolonging the boiler’s life requires more than just focusing on the appliance because much of the sludge and corrosion that can damage internal parts is caused by dirty system water. Mike Hook, training manager at Intergas Heating Solutions, says: “The vast majority of new installs fail due to poor water quality, but corrosion is always going to be the heating system’s enemy, so maintenance and monitoring of the water chemistry must be done.”
BS 7593:2019 requires an annual on-site water test to check the level of inhibitor and the cleanliness of the system, with inhibitor being re-dosed every five years or a full system water test undertaken.
Mike continues: “For your customers to get the most out of >
their new boiler, we recommend following this water treatment plan: it will help protect and maintain the system and save unnecessary expense for years to come.”
1 Fill the system with mains cold water to 1.5 bar and check for any leaks (rectify where necessary). Drain the system thoroughly, making sure all drain cocks are fully open.
2 Refill the system with mains cold water to 1.5 bar. Purge out the air and, if possible, circulate before switching on the appliance, then operate the boiler at normal rate until the target temperature has been reached and all radiators are hot. Drain the system thoroughly making sure all drain cocks are fully open.
3 Add the correct amount of recommended cleaner.
4 Refill and commission the system in the normal way, operating the boiler for at least one hour at normal temperature. A longer period of time – up to one week maximum – is beneficial to the cleaning process especially if excess flux was used during the installation.
5 Drain and flush the system thoroughly to remove any cleaning chemicals or debris. Use a TDS meter to check the total dissolved solids have been removed. The system can be regarded as being thoroughly cleaned when the system water value is within 10 per cent of the mains water value. Values over 10 per cent indicate that significant cleaner residues have been left within the system and further flushing is required.
6 Once the system has been cleaned thoroughly, add the correct dose of inhibitor to protect it against limescale and corrosion.
7 The treatment sticker provided with the protectors should be correctly completed and applied to the boiler casing or boiler commissioning certificate (Benchmark).
8 An approved in-line system filter should be fitted to ensure continued long-term protection of the heating system.
The actual repair of a boiler is 99 per cent down to the gas engineer, but there are still ways that consumers can be proactive in keeping their boilers working for longer.
We asked gas engineer Andy Gibb for his advice:
“Let’s begin with having the boiler correctly serviced by a reputable company. This really can show up any unseen issues hidden away inside that white box on your wall. Expect to pay £80-£100 or so, and this really is often a case of a stitch in time saves nine.
“If you suspect there may be a problem with your boiler, get it looked at as soon as possible. Small problems lead to bigger ones, and a tiny leak now will become a flood next month. Boilers can’t fix themselves and that small problem will not go away on its own.
“Never go on YouTube and attempt to fix anything yourself. It really isn’t worth it, and gas engineers would far rather you didn’t do this – not just from a monetary point of view, but also because it’s us who pick up the pieces and it will end up costing you more.
“Run your heating at the lowest temperature you can manage. If your room thermostat sits at 18°C, turn it down to 17°C. This will not only save you money on your fuel bill but will place less long-term stress on your boiler, helping it to last for longer.”
Remote appliance monitoring can also speed up boiler repairs and improve your customer service. For example, Resideo’s remote monitoring works with all Open-therm boilers. It provides real-time visibility, monitoring, fault diagnosis and predictive faults of the heating systems across your whole portfolio, from a single point of access and control. You can use remote monitoring to see exactly what is happening to each system in real time, including data on temperature, water pressure and flow.
This means that if you notice a potential issue, you can proactively contact the customer, explain the issue, and arrange a visit, taking all the parts and
equipment you need to fix the problem on your first visit.
Aldo D’Ingeo, EMEA business development manager at Resideo, says: “Historically, if a homeowner had an issue with their boiler, they would need to alert the engineer of the problem, schedule an appointment, and wait for an engineer to come to their home to diagnose the issue. There then may need to be future appointments scheduled to complete the repair.
“Remote appliance monitoring can reduce time spent on wasted callouts and can also lead to increased revenue opportunities, as you are able to demonstrate to your customers exactly what needs to be done to get their system working optimally.”
“A water treatment plan will protect and maintain the system and save unnecessary expense for years to come.”
With one of its first 100 per cent hydrogen boilers in place at the H21 test site in South Bank, Middlesbrough, the team from Vaillant involved with its installation and testing reflect on what it means to the industry, and what the results will feed into.
T he H21 South Bank project, led by Northern Gas Networks with support from DNV, is carrying out research to assess the suitability of the UK’s existing gas network with a view to eventually transforming it to run on 100 per cent hydrogen. The site is key to helping the UK move towards the reality of using hydrogen as a fuel in our homes.
Vaillant has carried out a great deal of work testing the appliance in a lab, says technologies and training director Mark Wilkins, so this is a chance to get the boiler into the field and use it in the real world. The installation will start to inform the project on findings such as controlling flammability and installation requirements, ahead of hydrogen boilers being produced on a mass scale.
The trial will also validate the various steps required between installation and commissioning of the appliance and will start to inform the next stages of field trials as we move from a single house to a village, to a full town.
“We are very proud to be part of the field trial at Middlesbrough as it is a ground-breaking project in terms of the decarbonisation of the UK’s energy grid,” adds
in Remscheid, Germany. This has involved multiple teams working on each separate element of the boiler, resulting in a high-quality product that will help pave the way for our net-zero future.”
In terms of the product development taking place in the background, product manager
David Parker says: “This boiler has been specifically designed to run solely on hydrogen from the outset. The burner is a smaller design, the ports are smaller and grouped differently because of the flame speed. Flame detection equipment is made specifically to read the hydrogen flame and the fan system designed expressly for this purpose.
“Vaillant is an active member of many heating industry associations that are also helping shape the future of hydrogen. The work we are doing here will help to understand how hydrogen products work in real situations and will inform consultations for the future.
“The site here was perfect as it uses existing gas pipework, adapted to replicate how the gas
dissimilar to the products with which heating engineers are already familiar. “There was very little difference when installing a hydrogen boiler over a natural gas version. The boiler we have installed here is running very smoothly. At first fire, we were struggling to hear if it had ignited, it was so quiet.
adds Colin Box, technical quality manager. “It is a pre-mix gas and air appliance. For this project, we are using a combi boiler to power the heating and hot water at the facility, and we are getting the same outputs you would expect from a natural gas version.
Paul Honeyman, head of product development.
“This is the start of a new generation of energy products in the UK, and we are delighted to have a boiler running efficiently on 100 per cent hydrogen. The boiler itself is a result of many years of development and predevelopment work by our teams
would work across the grid on a domestic scale. This will help answer many of the questions installers have on how it will perform in our homes.”
As one of the engineers who fitted the boiler on site, Steve Dixon, field service support manager for Vaillant, says installing the boiler was not
“The main difference during commissioning and testing of the boiler is the measurement of the flue gases. We use O2 to determine correct combustion because there is no longer any CO in the products of combustion. The best advice I would give to installers when the time comes to install a 100 per cent hydrogen boiler is to follow the gas regulations and correct standards to the letter, particularly when purging the installation pipework.”
“Hydrogen boilers work the same way as a natural gas boiler,”
“We are at the front of this development for a new type of gas and have moved the timeline forward and shown that the appliances can be ready. We have a boiler that is a similar size to what installers expect, and the installation is no different. This is a really big step.
“These projects are not only being monitored on site, but also remotely by our product team in Germany, so we can see how it is performing in a real-world situation. This is new technology, and we want to be there at the forefront creating the best products for installers and homeowners when hydrogen becomes mainstream.”
“The main difference during commissioning and testing of the boiler is the measurement of the flue gases.”
How can gas engineers achieve a first-time fix to keep their customers happy while keeping their business efficient? Dave Griggs, managing director of Spares & Services at City Plumbing, has some ideas.
Many companies define a first-time fix as dispatching an engineer to attend a customer’s home to assess a problem, then returning to fix the problem once the faults have been diagnosed and spare parts ordered. This means that the problem isn’t actually fixed during the first visit and, for the homeowner, the problem isn’t resolved until their heating and hot water are back up and running.
In my opinion, first-time fix rates should be focused on the restoration of heat rather than an engineer identifying the problem and setting a date to return to fix it. Restoration of heat is the number one priority for the customer and translates directly into satisfaction, repeat business and improved profitability. It’s for this reason that heating engineers need to aim to achieve a true first-time fix.
Much has changed since I joined the industry in 1991 and gone are the days of having to see a boiler in the flesh to understand what parts are needed. Now companies and managers can invest in data and apps to do some of the legwork.
Through the use of data and the increasing number of apps, gas engineers can find out what parts are needed and their availability, service history, and resolution steps for similar issues, all before attending a call-out.
Collect as much data as possible about the heating system in the property, particularly when conducting repeat visits or working for landlords. Although homeowners usually know what make and model their boiler is, it’s the finer details that determine exactly which spare parts are needed, and details are not easy to identify to the untrained eye.
Having this data can also enable businesses to compare the failure rates of one boiler against another
so that they can advise their customers on the most reliable boilers while simultaneously improving their business.
This use of data can also be combined with monitoring systems that use diagnostics to provide real-time fault notifications even before the homeowner has spotted the issue; this is particularly useful to maximise the safety of elderly or vulnerable customers who are unable to raise an alert themselves.
As an industry, we need to aim to get the right part in the right hands at the right time, as it is this that will ensure consistent first-time fixes for householders. Using the technology available to improve your service will go a long way towards making this possible.
Better communication with customers on how to resolve issues like repressurising the boiler or bleeding radiators can also free up your time so that you can prioritise those customers who have bigger problems.
You can triage your calls to determine whether the issue can be resolved by the customer themselves or whether you need to visit their property. And keeping an accurate record of the heating
systems you maintain will help you to identify and source the necessary parts.
It’s high time that first-time fix rates were measured on the restoration of heat and customer satisfaction. Data-led fault-finding can make this a reality: by understanding heating systems in more detail, we can reduce the need for unnecessary call-outs, ensure that replacement parts are readily available, and ultimately, ensure that your customers are happy with your service. ■
To find out more about how City Plumbing is helping engineers improve their first-time fix rates please email: faultfinder@cityplumbing.co.uk
The nation’s attention is fixed on how to cut energy costs. Here, Alpha product engineer Jonathan Kidner looks at how priority domestic hot water can be a quick fix now.
T wo issues are facing UK homes this winter: the cost of living; and living more sustainably. But in the midst of the energy crisis and with families facing a brutal ‘eat or heat’ choice this winter, the cost of running their home is eclipsing any desire or sense of urgency to reduce their carbon footprint.
However, existing technology that can offer a remedy now is being under-utilised due to a lack of awareness and understanding by both homeowners and heating engineers.
Traditionally, heating systems consisting of a gas boiler and hot water cylinder are set up with one ‘go’ signal, regardless of whether they are firing for heating or hot water. They then send the same
designed to run at 70/50 will see boiler efficiency at around 90 per cent compared to around 86 per cent efficiency from one run at an 80/60 temperature. Energy consumption is reduced, therefore lowering the overall household bill.
Regardless of the cost benefit to homeowners, PDHW also ticks the box when it comes to Building Regulations. The new Part L insists on higher building performance in terms of energy efficiency. However, we have often observed Part L being seen as a minimum standard: PDHW is one simple way in which heating engineers can go above and beyond to improve a building’s energy rating.
To take advantage of PDHW,
high-temperature water (somewhere around 70°C-80°C) to either the heating system or to heat up the hot water cylinder. This is a simple but somewhat wasteful set-up and can impede the boiler’s ability to condense effectively.
Priority domestic hot water (PDHW) involves separating these two functions. This enables low-temperature water to be sent around the heating system or a short burst of high-temperature water to the hot water cylinder. The benefit is that the heating (which is on for longer) can be run at lower temperatures to maximise savings while still heating the hot water cylinder beyond 60°C to kill legionella bacteria.
Running PDHW, particularly with a Delta T (DT) controlled pump, ensures that a system
you need a boiler that can differentiate between the demands for heating and hot water. Boilers such as this incorporate control valves that shut off the heating when the hot water cylinder is being heated, preventing high-temperature system water from being sent wastefully around the heating system.
You can further maximise the benefits of PDHW by controlling the flow rate of system water going to the coil of the hot water cylinder. In addition, the boiler’s output can be tailored to match each individual home’s heat loss and hot water cylinder coil rating.
Although not all boilers have this inherent functionality, most can be adapted to incorporate PDHW without too much disturbance by using a diverter
One way to provide PDHW is to use Alpha’s diverter valve kit. It operates as a hot water priority valve, meaning that if the heating is on and there is a hot water demand, the valve will divert the primary heat to the cylinder until the cylinder sensor is satisfied.
valve kit. This is a straightforward task because the control valves, controllers and wiring required are all very much industry standard. No special skills are required except for an awareness that the technology exists and making sure that everything has been installed and wired correctly.
The appeal for homeowners is that this won’t cost a fortune to install (usually around £200) but it will save energy and reduce the overall cost of providing heating and hot water without losing any
performance in either.
Many domestic customers won’t know or understand about this simple remedy. By telling them about the benefits, ease and low cost of installing PDHW, heating engineers can offer an option to help alleviate the growing pressure of the energy crisis. Homeowners should be assured that the valve itself is very much a ‘fit and forget’ solution. They won’t need to routinely maintain or replace it. Neither will they need to learn about any complex new controls or special new ways to run their system.
“To take advantage of PDHW, you need a boiler that can differentiate between the demands for heating and hot water.”
Low water flow can reduce the efficiency of combi boilers, which means that you should consider the water pressure and flow in the property before you install one, says Salamander training manager Mike Oxley.
Over the past two decades, combis have become much more common, providing an efficient solution for most households. In fact, condensing combination boilers have risen from 1.7 per cent of installations in 2003 to become the most common type in all homes by 20191.
For the most part, they are mains-fed, meaning that they are supplied directly from the mains water, which is then heated and distributed throughout the home. Because they receive water directly from the mains, the flow rate throughout the system will be dictated by the water flow from the mains.
The boiler’s flow rate indicates how many litres of hot water it will deliver per minute. This is determined by the flow rate of the mains water supplying the combi boiler and the boiler’s ability to heat the water to the set temperature. The more powerful the combi, the faster it heats the water coming into your home.
Given that combi boilers can
deliver various flow rates, it is important to consider the home’s water needs to ensure the right boiler is fitted to meet the property’s requirements.
A home with high heat and hot water demand will require a more powerful boiler.
Some factors to consider
providing 10 L/min will mean that the boiler will be limited to delivering 10 L/min.
When the flow rate of the mains water supplying the property is below the home’s water
water supply up to 12 L/min, meeting the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
When the property has a greater demand of more than 12 L/min, then stored water is required. Accumulator tanks should be installed, which can provide flow rates of up to 36 L/min per tank. Water is stored under pressure and then released into the system to assist the incoming mains water when an outlet is opened.
You should look to install a pumped tank when the home’s mains water pressure is less than 2.0 bar and/or the mains water flow is less than 12 L/min.
when determining your customer’s needs include the number of occupants, the size of the house and the number of bathrooms. But it’s important to remember that the combi’s output flow rate is limited by the flow of the incoming mains water. So, installing a boiler that has a flow rate of 14 L/min in a system where the mains water is only
requirements, an in-line pump or accumulator tank are both great options to boost it. And doing this means that you can install a combi boiler with a flow rate that matches the needs of the property.
In-line pumps, can boost the water flow to 10 L/min and 12 L/min respectively. These pumps can be fitted to boost the
Unpumped tanks are suitable when mains water pressure and/ or flow are good, but the demand required by the combi boiler is greater than that which the mains is providing naturally. ■
www.salamanderpumps.co.uk
[1] www.statista.com/statistics/292259/boilertypes-in-dwellings-in-england
“It’s important to remember that the combi’s output flow rate is limited by the flow of the incoming mains water.”
Power monitoring is an effective way of interlocking the gas supply to the ventilation system in a commercial kitchen, writes Trent Products.
Workers in commercial kitchens need to be provided with a safe and comfortable working environment. A well-designed and correctly working ventilation system will remove the fumes, vapours and heat generated by the appliances and cooking processes effectively – and deliver fresh air.
The vast majority of commercial catering establishments use gas appliances. This means that an interlock of the correct type, as specified in BS:61731 and IGEM/UP/192 will be required.
For Type A appliances, which are designed to operate without a flue, this could be by air flow, air pressure, power monitoring or air quality. Type B appliances designed to operate with a flue and which must be under a canopy, must be interlocked by air flow, air pressure or power monitoring only.
The ventilation system should maintain CO2 levels below 2,800ppm, and it is important that the interlock is set up correctly
requirements and improving reliability.
The fan wires are taken through sensors that convert the alternating current to a control signal. The interlock controller uses this signal to determine whether the ventilation is working correctly.
Some interlocks are set up manually, either by turning potentiometers on a PCB or setting current switches mounted remotely. Others calibrate automatically and add suitable pre-determined margins. When setting up a system manually, it is important to set a sensible margin that will allow for slight fluctuations but allow for appropriate interlocking.
Simply, when an electrical motor spins, it acts like a generator.
A voltage known as a back EMF (electro-motive force) is generated by the spinning motor, this has the opposite polarity to (and tries
particularly those controlled with electronic speed controllers. The minimum speeds should be dialled into the speed controllers.
Most interlock controllers have interfaces for external emergency circuits and ancillaries.
Emergency stop buttons at appropriate points should disable the gas and/or cookline, and a fire alarm should additionally stop the ventilation.
Many systems are fitted with a CO2 sensor. These are usually self-calibrating but should be checked and maintained annually in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and replaced at their end of life.
any emergency stop buttons
• Fire alarm circuit test: the interlock may be standalone and not control the fans –in this case, the fans should be interfaced directly to the fire alarm
• Simulated test for fan failure, ie, isolate fans electrically to check that the gas goes off.
Some aspects of commissioning may be carried out by other trades, particularly setting of ventilation flow rates. The methodology for determining flow rates is published in BESA document DW1723.
at the minimum air flow rate and maximum cooking load to ensure this. Air quality testing in accordance with IGEM/UP/19 will confirm this at annual servicing and following any work on the ventilation system.
Air pressure and air flow switches mounted on or directly in a grease-laden duct are prone to becoming stuck or blocked. Power monitoring interlock sensors have the advantage of having no moving parts in the airstream, reducing servicing
to resist the voltage from) the power supply.
Interlocks with both undercurrent and over-current monitoring can detect defective motors and low air-flow conditions. A blocked filter or closed damper may cause the fan speed to increase and the current to fall. Damaged or worn bearings will cause the fan speed to decrease and an over-current fault to be detected.
Fans do not always draw more current at higher speeds,
To correctly commission and service an interlock, the manufacturer’s instructions should be followed by a competent person. As a minimum, the work will usually involve:
• Atmospheric testing: not all flue gas analysers read CO2 directly, in which case a direct reading meter will be required
• Setting of fan power values or flow or pressure switches to shut off gas at required flow rate
• Sensor gas test, breathing directly on to the sensor will achieve the alarm or relay point
• Emergency circuit check, location and effectiveness of
New interlocks should not contain any form of override. Existing interlocks with an override should be dealt with in accordance with the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (IGEM/G/11).
■
• For a free CIBSE CPD presentation, email: info@trentproducts.com
1 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
2 IGEM/UP/19 – Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering establishments
3 DW 172: Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems
“Air pressure and air flow switches mounted on or directly in a grease-laden duct are prone to becoming stuck or blocked.”
Made for a permanently balanced heating system and reduced home energy bills. Reducing waste by an average of 8.8%, our auto-balancing TRVs ensure your customers are always happy, making cold spots and call-backs a thing of the past. They’re quick and easy to install too, helping you find more balance in your day.
Made for the UK, in the UK.
draytoncontrols.co.uk
It’s never been more important to help your customers reduce their energy usage, and one simple way is to make sure that their heating system is balanced correctly. Drayton product manager David Kempster looks at the whys and hows of balancing – and the difference it can make.
System balancing is essentially the practice of ensuring that warm water is distributed evenly throughout the heating system, making sure that all radiators receive the correct flow of hot
water. It’s required as part of the Benchmark commissioning process.
Radiator balancing is essential in improving boiler efficiency and avoiding cold spots in the home,
but it is a practice that many heating engineers find timeconsuming and complex. An unbalanced system can lead to callbacks because the homeowner’s comfort levels are not being met.
Installers typically understand this method and they are a low-cost option. However, it generally takes one to two hours to balance a system this way because you have to calculate the difference in temperature across the flow and return. It is often not very accurate and settings are lost when removing radiators for decorating or replacement, when TRVs are opened and closed, or when the system is changed.
Some thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) enable you to set the heat output of the radiator, which should be determined for each room based on expected heat loss, to balance the system, which makes this method more accurate than lockshield adjustment. Some can be set using a unique balancing key, which is used to fix flow rates and then lock the setting to
prevent tampering even when TRVs are closed completely for radiator removal.
This new technology helps make balancing quicker and easier.
Auto-balancing valves can ensure that radiators permanently receive the correct flow rate, regardless of other TRVs opening and closing or changes to the system.
Research has shown that this technology is proven to save on average 8.8 per cent on energy costs and prevent any cold spots around the home.
Under the recent updates to Part L of the Building Regulations, gas engineers who replace or install a heating system must ensure that every radiator has TRVs, and that the system is commissioned to be as efficient as possible. That means there is even more reason to consider auto-balancing TRVs.
With challenging times ahead for consumers and businesses alike, there has never been a better time to look at making the most of new technologies. Auto-balancing TRVs will not only make life easier and reduce the number of callbacks but will help your customers reduce energy bills and be more comfortable. ■ www.draytoncontrols.co.uk
Stelrad head of marketing Chris Harvey busts some myths about radiator sizing and their compatibility with low-temperature systems.
Despite rising interest in heat pumps, radiators are still a popular and sensible choice for many homeowners. They’re familiar with how radiators heat their homes and, when properly sized, they are the perfect solution to share heat from heat pump installations.
Radiators work in very different ways to alternative heating choices, but they do a similar job, each with benefits in some circumstances. We want to put the facts out there for installers and homeowners to choose for themselves, without being bamboozled into thinking there is only one option.
All radiators should be sized correctly for the rooms in which they are installed and we offer a free radiator sizing and heat-loss
calculator on our website. You need larger radiators for a renewable, low-temperature system than you would for a traditional boiler-driven heating system because the water flow temperature in the system is lower.
Larger radiators could be vertical or one of our increasingly popular K3 radiators – with three panels and three fins – with the same radiator footprint as a current K2 radiator but with 50 per cent more metal surface to provide increased heat levels.
High numbers of new-build developers that have already decided to stick with radiators as their key form of heat emitter and there are plenty of case studies to show how effectively this works. ■
Stelrad’s specialist CPD provides facts and figures and evidence-based information to help installers and specifiers choose the right products for their installations.
As more and more homeowners choose air source heat pumps, now is the time to invest in your business and partner with Mitsubishi Electric for success.
Electric and Ecodan are the best choice for
business
George Clarke
Date issued: 1 October 2022
This document defines all documents recognised by Gas Safe Register as being Legislative, Normative (gas standards) and Informative reference documents.
Some documents may only be available as hard copy documents, but the majority are available to download, either via Gas Safe Register’s engineer website or from the organisation or body promoting the document. In some cases, the document is only available for purchase from the organisation or a recognised supplier.
In this document list, the hierarchy of documents within the following tables is defined in order of significance.
Detailed first are Statutory Acts, or regulations that are legally enforceable. These are followed by a recognised list of documents known as ‘Second Tier’ documents. This series of documents provides practical guidance on ways to comply with the functional requirements of Regulations. This guidance is not law, but provides information that, if followed correctly, will ensure that legal obligations have been met.
Where someone chooses to depart from this guidance, they will need to ensure that the method chosen provides equivalent or better standards of safety than the relevant published guidance. The guidance provided within appropriate second-tier documents will be used to assess compliance.
The next tier of documents is gas industry standards that are aimed specifically at the installation, commissioning or maintenance of gas equipment (pipework, appliances, etc). These are known as Normative Documents and are referred to as ‘Gas Industry Standards’. These documents, in conjunction with any available manufacturer’s instructions, will be used by Gas Safe Register to assess compliance.
Finally, the remaining listings provide details of links to other available information, which is considered useful to help registered businesses comply with
their obligations and assist them in carrying out their day-to-day activities. These are referred to as Informative Documents.
In this section, the listed documents are those brought to the Statute Book by an Act of Parliament and are referenced as Statutory Instruments (SI) or equivalent. These are the law in the respective countries as stated and must be followed. The SI Reference number (or equivalent) is preceded by the year of it being added to the Statute Book, ie, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 has an SI Number of 1998:2451.
Regulations are in general written in a format that provides high-level requirements.
These documents provide practical guidance on ways to comply with the functional requirements of the Regulations. For the Building Regulations, these are outlined in a series of Approved Documents (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.
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).
If it is known that the three-month validity period coincides with a period of time in which a standard being revised is out for public comment, the final date for comment will be included.
Gas Safe Register will use best endeavours to keep the documents under review as up to date as possible, but the Register is NOT responsible for reviewing, revising or updating industry standards. Where a registered business or industry stakeholder has an enquiry about revisions to guidance documents, this should be directed to the relevant Standard Setting Body.
Comments on draft standards can be submitted to:
• British and European Standards (BSI)
https://standardsdevelopment. bsigroup.com (registration required)
• Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) www.igem. org.uk/technical-services/ comment-on-draft-standards/
When viewing this document online, hyperlinks are active, so that you can open the document and read it or save it for later use.
However, all saved documents will be considered as uncontrolled versions and you should check that you are referencing the current version.
When Gas Safe Register inspects work undertaken by registered gas businesses in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Guernsey, in the first instance, it will assess against the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. Where these are not available or relevant, it will inspect against the criteria as specified within legislative documents and relevant gas industry standards. However, it is recognised that, due to the differences of individual legislation used in different geographical areas, there will be some differences in application. While conducting inspections, due regard will be taken of the requirements of all appropriate guidance.
This Gas Safe Register document will be updated and republished on, or about, the following dates each year:
• 1 January
• 1 April
• 1 July
• 1 October.
If you identify an error in this document, or you are aware of reference documents that may be useful that you think should be added to future editions, please email: technical@ gassaferegister.co.uk
BSI, IGEM and Liquid Gas UK develop and publish guidance with the help of industry in the form of committees. Gas Safe Register does not have any responsibility for the development and publication of this type of guidance document. Where registered businesses and stakeholders have questions regarding these guidance documents, they should be directed to the relevant Standard Setting Body.
Health & Safety 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
The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 (England, Scotland & Wales)
The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 Gas Safety (Installation & Use)
Regulations 1994 as amended & applied by the Gas Safety (Application) Order 1996 (As applied to Isle of Man)
The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2006 As Amended Version – May 2016
Approved Code of Practice ‘Safe Work with Gas Systems and Appliances’ – Jersey
The Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 (As applied in the United Kingdom)
The General Product Safety Regulations 2005
The Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 (As applied in Great Britain)
The Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1997 (As applied in Northern Ireland)
Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1996 as applied to Great Britain
Schedule 5 (Powers of Entry, etc) of The Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996
Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1983 as applied by the Gas Safety (Application) Order 1996 (Isle of Man)
Part 7 of The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2006 As Amended Version May 2016
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR)
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) (GB)
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1999 (RIDDOR) (Isle of Man)
The Health & Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1987 (includes RIDDOR-type reporting)
Building 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)
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/about-the-government/ departments/environment-foodand-agriculture/environment-safetyand-health-directorate/healthand-safety-at-work-inspectorate/ legislation/
SECTION 8: DOCUMENTS
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
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
Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide 2013 edition incorporating 2018 amendments – England
Non-Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide 2013 edition –England
Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide
Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure for Dwellings
Code for Sustainable Homes & Technical Guide December 2014 Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key approved documents to the Building Regulations (Wales)
B: Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses
B: Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses
F: Ventilation
G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2016 edition)
J: Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems
L: Conservation of fuel & power Volume 1 – Dwellings
L: Conservation of fuel & power Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellings. Out for comments
Second tier documents to the Building Regulations – Wales Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide
Non-Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide
Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide
Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure for Dwellings
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: 2012 –Conservation of fuel & power in dwellings
DFP Technical Booklet F2: 2012 –
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 (2000 Edition consolidated with 2000 & 2002 amendments)
F – Ventilation (Second impression 1995)
J – Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems (2002 Edition)
L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings (2002 Edition)
L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Buildings other than Dwellings (2002 Edition)
Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Bylaws (Guernsey) –Channel Islands
B – Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses
B – Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses
F – Ventilation
J – Heat producing appliances & Fuel Storage Systems
L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings
L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power – Buildings other than Dwellings
Building Energy Performance Assessment
Key Approved Documents to the Building Bylaws (Jersey) –Channel Islands
Part 2 – Fire Safety
Part 3 – Combustion appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Part 5 – Ventilation
Part 11 – Conservation of Fuel and Power
HSE Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Great Britain)
L21 – Management of Health & Safety at Work Withdrawn. See HSG65 below
L24 – Workplace health, safety & welfare (ACoP & Guidance) 2nd Edition
L25 – Personal Protective Equipment at Work
L56 – Safety in the Installation & use of Gas Systems & Appliances –Approved Code of Practice
L80 – A guide to the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996
L108 – Controlling noise at work –The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 – Guidance on Regulations
L122 – Safety of pressure systems
– Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 – Approved Code of Practice (Second Edition)
L138 – Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres. Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice & Guidance
L143 – Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (ACoP) –The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises, and Work with materials containing asbestos (Second Edition) Incorporating previous L127
L144 – Managing health & safety in construction – Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 Approved Code of Practice
HSG47 – Avoiding danger from underground services –Third edition 2014
HSG48 – Reducing error & influencing behaviour
HSG65 – Managing for Health & Safety Management –Third Edition – 2013
HSG85 – Electricity at Work –Safe working practices –Third Edition 2013
HSG97 – A step by step guide to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment (see also COSHH Essential Guidance publications)
HSG137 – Health Risk Management – A practical guide for managers in small & medium-sized enterprises
HSG176 – The storage of flammable liquids in tanks
HSG210 – Asbestos Essentials –A task manual for building, maintenance & allied trades on non-licensed asbestos work (Free task sheets)
HSG213 – Introduction to Asbestos Essentials
HSG250 – Guidance on permit-towork systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical & allied industries
HSG253 – The safe isolation of plant and equipment (Second edition)
HSG261 – Health & safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries
EH40 – Occupational Exposure Limits (2020)
INDG163 (rev4) – Risk assessment (A brief guide to controlling risks in the workplace)
INDG223 (rev5) – Managing asbestos in buildings (A brief guide)
INDG231 (rev1) – Electrical safety and you (A brief guide)
INDG258 (rev1) – Confined spaces (A brief guide to working safely)
INDG428 (08/09) – Inspecting and maintaining or replacing buried metallic pipework carrying LPG vapour
INDG223 – Manage buildings? You must manage asbestos INDG370 (rev1) – Controlling Fire and explosion risks in the workplace
– A brief guide to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regs
INDG453 (rev1) – Reporting accidents and incidents at work. A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
HSE aO – Advice on non-licensed work with Asbestos. Introduction to ‘Asbestos essentials’ task sheets
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials guidance publications
Building Bulletin 101 – Ventilation of school buildings (Called up in IGEM/ UP/11 Edition 2)
LAQM.TG(09) Local Air Quality Management – Technical Guidance
CAIS10 (Revision 2) – Ventilation of kitchens in catering establishments (7.12)
CAIS23 (Revision 2) – Gas safety in catering and hospitality (July 2013 version aimed at those operating catering and hospitality businesses)
Note 3: Further asbestos-related guidance at: www.hse.gov.uk/ asbestos/essentials/index.htm
Note 4: Further Health and Safety Guidance (HSG) publications at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ index-hsg-ref.htm
HSENI Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Northern Ireland)
A guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997
L56 Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances –GB ACOP approved for use in NI Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991
Note 5: Further information on Northern Ireland Approved Codes of Practice and guidance notes at: www.hseni.gov.uk/publications
HSE Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Guernsey)
Safety in the Installation & Use of Gas Systems & Appliances. The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2006
The Organisation & Management of Health & Safety in Construction (Guernsey)
Reporting an Injury, Disease or Dangerous Occurrence (Guernsey)
Note 6: Further information on Approved Codes of Practice and guidance notes for gas safety and other important issues at: www.gov.gg/hseguidance
SECTION 9: GAS INDUSTRY STANDARDS
British & European Standards
BS 4163: 2014 Health and safety for design and technology in schools and similar establishments – Code of practice
BS 5440-1: 2008 Flueing & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) Specification for installation of gas appliances to chimneys & for maintenance of chimneys. Under review
BS 5440-2: 2009 Installation & maintenance of flues & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification for installation & maintenance of ventilation provision for gas appliances. Under review
BS 5546: 2010 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired water-heating appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net PD 54823: 2016 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane gas-burning installations. Installations in boats, yachts & other vessels
BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases).
Specification
BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-3: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Decorative fuel-effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-4: 2007 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Independent gas-fired flueless fires, convector heaters & heating stoves of nominal heat input not exceeding 6kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6172: 2010 + A1 2017 Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6173: 2020 Specification for installation of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6230: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired forced convection air heaters for commercial & industrial space heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6400-1: 2016 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 1 –Low pressure (2nd family gases)
BS 6400-2: 2018 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h (2nd & 3rd family gases) –Medium pressure (2nd family gases)
BS 6400-3: 2007 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Low & medium pressure (3rd family gases)
BS 6644: 2011 Specification for Installation of gas-fired hot water boilers of rated inputs between 70kW (net) & 1.8MW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) – Incorporating Corrigendum No. 1
BS 6798: 2014 Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
BS 6891: 2015 + A1 2019
Specification for the installation and maintenance of low-pressure gas installation pipework of up to 35mm (R1¼) on premises
BS 6896: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired overhead radiant heaters for industrial & commercial heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7624: 2004 Specification for installation & maintenance of domestic direct gas-fired tumble dryers of up to 6kW heat input (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7671: 2018 + A2: 2022
Requirements for electrical installations. Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Wiring Regulations (formally IEE Wiring Regulations) – Eighteenth edition. Amendment to existing guidance document
BS 7967: 2015 Guide for the use of electronic portable combustion gas analysers for the measurement of carbon monoxide in dwellings and the combustion performance of domestic gas-fired appliances
BS 7967-5: 2010 Carbon monoxide in dwellings & other premises & the combustion performance of gas-fired appliances – Guide for using electronic portable combustion gas analysers in non-domestic premises for the measurement of carbon monoxide & carbon dioxide levels & the determination of combustion performance
BS 8313: 1997 Code of practice for accommodation of building services in ducts
BS 8446: 2020 Specification for the installation & maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances.
BS 8660-1: 2011 Gas-fired micro-cogeneration appliances of rated thermal input not exceeding 70kW net Part 1: Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of Stirling engine micro-cogeneration appliances
BS EN 721: 2019 Leisure accommodation vehicles –Safety ventilation requirements
BS EN 751-1:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Anaerobic jointing compounds
BS EN 751-2:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Non-hardening jointing compounds
BS EN 751-3:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Unsintered PTFE tapes
BS EN 1775: 2007 Gas supply pipework for buildings – Maximum operating pressure loss ≤5bar –Functional requirements
BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures –Functional requirements
BS EN 50292: 2013 Electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises – Guide on the selection, installation, use & maintenance
BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing
BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance
BS EN ISO 10239: 2017 Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems. Under review
BS EN 13410: 2001 Gas-fired overhead radiant heaters –Ventilation requirements for non-domestic premises (Amd Jan 03)
BS EN 1749: 2020 European scheme for the classification of gas appliances according to the method of evacuation of the products of combustion
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers Documents (IGEM)
IGE/UP/1 Strength & tightness testing & purging of industrial & commercial gas installations (inc Amd published March 05). Under review
IGE/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations (inc amendments published March 2005). Under review
IGEM/UP/1B Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations (with Amendments October 2012). Out for public comment
IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of natural gas and LPG meter installations
IGEM/UP/2 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises. Under review
IGEM/UP/3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines. Under review
IGEM/UP/4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises
IGEM/UP/6 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems
IGE/UP/7 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008)
Note 7: IGE/UP/7 – Edition 2 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/technical-services/technicalgas-standards/utilisation/ ige-up-7-edition-2-a-2008-gasinstallations-in-timber-framed-andlight-steel-framed-buildings/
IGE/UP/9 Application of Natural Gas and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners. Revision expected
IGEM/UP/10 – Edition 4 with amendments – March 2016 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. Under review
IGEM/UP/16 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to hazardous area classification and preparation of risk assessments
IGEM/UP/17 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances
IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and bodyshops (Replaced British Gas Technical Publication IM/28: 1993)
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 Reporting and investigation of gas related incidents. Under review
IGE/GL/9 Guidance for large gas consumers in dealing with Natural Gas supply emergencies. Available free at: www.igem.org.uk/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ legislation/igem-gl-9/
IGE/TD/4 Gas Services. Revision expected
IGEM/G/1 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework. Under review
IGEM/G/4 Definitions in the Gas Industry. Under review
IGEM/G/5 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings. Revised guidance document
IGEM/G/6 Gas supplies to mobile dwellings. Out for public comment
IGEM/G/7 Risk Assessment Techniques
IGEM/G/10 Non-return valves
IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 with amendments July 2022 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP)
Note 8: IGEM/G/11 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ general/igem-g-11-edition-2gas-industry-unsafe-situationsprocedure/
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/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ general/igem-g-11-supplement-1responding-to-domestic-co-alarmactivations-reports-of-fumes
IGEM/G/13 Domestic supply capacity and operating pressure at the outlet of the meter
Note 10: IGEM/G/13 is available free at www.igem.org.uk/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ general/igem-g-13-domesticsupply-capacity-and-operatingpressure-at-the-outlet-of-the-meter
IGE/GM/4 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 & 100bar
IGE/GM/5 Selection, installation & use of electronic gas meter volume conversion systems. Under review
IGEM/GM/6 Edition 3 Non-domestic meter installations – Standard designs
IGEM/GM/7A Electrical connections for gas metering equipment
IGEM/GM/7B Hazardous area classification for gas metering equipment
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 1 Non-domestic meter installations. Flow rate exceeding 6m3/h-1 & inlet pressure not exceeding 38bar Design
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Non-domestic meter installations. Installation and commissioning
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Non-domestic meter installations. Notices and labels
IGEM/IG/1 Standards of Training in Gas Work
Note 11: IGEM/IG/1 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ industry-guidance/igem-ig-1-ed2-standards-of-training-in-gas-work/
IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 1 Standards of Training in Gas Work, Nondomestic training specification
Note 12: IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 1 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/technical-services/technical-gasstandards/industry-guidance/igemig-1-supplement-1-non-domestictraining-specification/
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/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ industry-guidance/igem-ig-2guidance-for-gas-engineers/
IGEM/G/7 Risk assessment techniques
IGEM/SR/25 Hazardous area classification of natural gas installations (with amendments July 2013). Under review
IGEM/SR/29 Dealing with gas escapes
IGEM/H/1 Reference Standard for low pressure hydrogen utilisation
Note 14: IGEM/H/1 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ hydrogen/igem-h-1-referencestandard-for-low-pressurehydrogen-utilisation/
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 – Small bulk installations for domestic purposes
CoP 1 Part 3 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed installations – Examination & Inspection
CoP 1 Part 4 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Buried/Mounded LPG Storage Vessels
CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges. Revised guidance document
CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems
CoP 21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000)
CoP 22 Including Amd 1 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems. Revised guidance document
CoP 24 Part 1 Use of LPG Cylinders – At residential & similar premises
CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering
CoP 24 Part 5 Use of LPG Cylinders – Storage & use of LPG on construction sites
CoP 24 Part 6 Use of Propane in cylinders at commercial & industrial premises
CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008)
CoP 32 Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance
GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters
Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS)
CGS 01 Mobile Bottled Gas Heaters and Condensation
CGS 03 The Use of LPG Cylinders Indoors
CGS 04 LPG Patio Heaters –Safe Use
CGS 05 LPG Hose and Tubing for use with Vapour Offtake Cylinders
CGS 20 Camping Safely
CGS 22 Owning Your Own LPG Storage Vessel
CGS 25 LPG Installation Record & Documentation
CGS 28 Safe Use of Propane and Butane Cylinders and Cartridges
CGS 37 Guidance for Private Ownership and Filling of LPG Cylinders
CGS 39 Regulators – Safe Use
Note 15: Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS) are available at: www.liquidgasuk.org/ domestic/consumer-guidancesheets
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: https://www. igem.org.uk/technical-services/ technical-gas-standards/general/ igem-g-11-edition-2-gas-industryunsafe-situations-procedure/
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
These can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
These can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
Note 16: Gas Safe registered businesses can find up-to-date manufacturer’s instructions/ information for a wide range of heating appliances, notably boilers and warm air heating appliances, on the HHIC’s website. For further information go to: https:// installersfirst.co.uk/register
The Industry Standard numbers highlighted below are those included in the list of current Industry Standards available on a subscription basis to the majority of Gas Safe registered businesses.
To subscribe, log into your online account at: www.gassaferegister. co.uk/sign-in and choose Standards Subscriptions.
Choose and pay for a one or three-year subscription and then you will be able to access the normative documents.
BS 5440-1: 2008 Flueing & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) Specification for installation of gas appliances to chimneys & for maintenance of chimneys
BS 5440-2: 2009 Installation & maintenance of flues & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification for installation & maintenance of ventilation provision for gas appliances
BS 5546: 2010 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired water-heating appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net PD 54823: 2016 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane gas-burning installations. Installations in boats, yachts & other vessels
BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases).
Specification
BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-3: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Decorative fuel-effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 5871-4: 2007 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Independent gas-fired flueless fires, convector heaters & heating stoves of nominal heat input not exceeding 6kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6172: 2010 + A1 2017 Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6173: 2020 Specification for installation of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 6230: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired forced convection air heaters for commercial & industrial space heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
>
BS 6400-1: 2016 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 1 –Low pressure (2nd family gases)
BS 6400-2: 2018 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h (2nd & 3rd family gases) –Medium pressure (2nd family gases)
BS 6400-3: 2007 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Low & medium pressure (3rd family gases)
BS 6644: 2011 Specification for Installation of gas-fired hot water boilers of rated inputs between 70kW (net) & 1.8MW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) – Incorporating Corrigendum No. 1
BS 6798: 2014 Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
BS 6891: 2015 + A1 2019 Specification for the installation and maintenance of low-pressure gas installation pipework of up to 35mm (R1¼) on premises
BS 6896: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired overhead radiant heaters for industrial & commercial heating (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7624: 2004 Specification for installation & maintenance of domestic direct gas-fired tumble dryers of up to 6kW heat input (2nd & 3rd family gases)
BS 7967: 2015 Guide for the use of electronic portable combustion gas analysers for the measurement of carbon monoxide in dwellings and the combustion performance of domestic gas-fired appliances
BS 7967-5: 2010 Carbon monoxide in dwellings & other premises & the combustion performance of gas-fired appliances – Guide for using electronic portable combustion gas analysers in non-domestic premises for the measurement of carbon monoxide & carbon dioxide levels & the determination of combustion performance
BS 8446: 2020 Specification for the installation & maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances
BS EN 721: 2019 Leisure accommodation vehicles –Safety ventilation requirements
BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures –Functional requirements
BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing
BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non-industrial installations –Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance
BS EN 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 & tightness testing & purging of industrial & commercial gas installations (inc Amd published March 05)
IGEM/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations (inc amendments published March 2005)
IGEM/UP/1B Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations (with Amendments October 2012)
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 hazardous area classification and preparation of risk assessments
IGEM/UP/17 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances
IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and bodyshops (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 Reporting and investigation 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/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ legislation/igem-gl-9/
IGEM/TD/4 Gas Services
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 & 100bar IGEM/GM/5 Selection, installation & use of 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 38bar Design
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Non-domestic meter installations. 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
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 – Small bulk installations for domestic purposes
CoP 1 Part 3 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed installations – Examination & Inspection
CoP 1 Part 4 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Buried/Mounded LPG Storage Vessels (Inc Amendment March 2013)
CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges
CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems
CoP 21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000)
CoP 22 Including Amd 1 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems
CoP 24 Part 1 Use of LPG Cylinders
– At residential & similar premises
CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering
CoP 24 Part 5 Use of LPG Cylinders
– Storage & use of LPG on construction sites
CoP 24 Part 6 Use of Propane in cylinders at commercial & industrial premises
CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008)
CoP 32 Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance
GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters n
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Tado Balance is a new service within the Tado app that actively seeks out times of affordable green energy, shifting consumption and lowering energy costs.
In a renewable electricity market prices are volatile and drop significantly when there is high availability of wind or solar energy. Tado Balance uses these times of low energy prices throughout the day.
Tado co-founder Christian Deilmann says: “If Europe wants to succeed in the energy transition, we need to match the demand of energy to the supply that is available. Tado Balance pairs home energy use to the renewable supply, and thereby
paves the way for the energy transition to grow its share of renewable sources.”
Currently 79 per cent of the average home’s energy use comes from heating. By reducing the costs of energy used, Tado says its Balance provides an incentive to adopt electrified heat solutions such as heat pumps.
Customers with time-of-use tariffs including Octopus Agile will benefit most from financial savings due to the fluctuating price of energy. To set up, simply select the country and region, and Tado Balance will automatically follow the wholesale price of electricity, regardless of energy provider.
www.tado.com
Daikin’s new Altherma lowcapacity R-32 monobloc is a smaller heat pump suitable for smaller homes. The air-to-water heat pump is available in 4kW, 6kW and 8kW, adding to the existing range capacities of 9-16kW, and completes the company’s R-32 monobloc range.
Patrick Crombez, general manager Heating & Renewables at Daikin Europe, says: “Our Daikin Altherma 3 Monobloc started out in big capacities only, and we were one of the first to launch an R-32 monobloc for bigger homes at the time. Now, with Daikin Altherma 3 M available for smaller homes as well, we offer a complete R-32 monobloc range, with a range of heat pumps that fit any European home, no matter how big or small.”
Its compact dimensions and monobloc set-up mean it’s well suited to smaller properties. The unit includes a built-in wiring centre and optional back-up heater, as well as all hydraulic
components. It can easily fit under any window and, because there is no indoor unit, it’s ideal for homes where space is limited.
Equipped with R-32 refrigerant, the new monobloc helps to accelerate the transition to renewable heating solutions, reducing the environmental impact of its previous incarnation by 70 per cent, says Daikin. www.daikin.co.uk
Trades software Fergus is now available in the UK, designed to help you save time on admin.
The Knipex TubiX XL pipe cutter cuts larger copper, brass and stainless steel pipes, as well as rigid steel electrical conduit, and strips steel wire armoured cables. It cuts pipes from 6mm to 76mm and a wall thickness up to 2mm.
To operate, simply place the open TubiX XL pipe cutter on the pipe, then position and lock the spring-loaded cutting wheel into place on the workpiece using the locking mechanism, and cut by turning the tool. The clearance between the cutting edge and the pipe can be freely adjusted with the ergonomic feeding barrel. The cut surface can then be deburred if necessary.
The cutting wheel is made of quality ball-bearing steel while the metal housing is light and durable magnesium. The needle-bearing and spring-loaded cutting wheel can be easily exchanged without any tools.
A spare wheel is provided in the handle cap.
www.knipex.com/en-uk/tubix
Used by more than 18,000 tradespeople in eight countries, Fergus’s mission is to provide heating and plumbing businesses with access to software tools to organise their business. The Fergus app ensures healthy finances and that you get paid
quickly. It tracks labour and materials back to the job in real time, helping to ensure that each job is profitable.
“We exist to make your lives better, freeing up time you would otherwise have to spend on business admin,” says James Chillman, UK country manager. “Most tradespeople are still using manual, often paper-based systems and processes to manage their business. This ultimately leads to poor cash flow, lower profits and significant stress on the business owner.
“Fergus is designed specifically for the trade and has all the user-friendliness built in that you would expect for those company owners looking to spend less time on admin and more time doing the things they enjoy.”
Turn to page 51 for your chance to win a site radio and a six-month supply of beer. fergus.com
The ThermoDEK-18 underfloor heating system is a highly efficient overfloor system that can be laid on top of existing floors with minimal height build-up.
The heart of Continal Underfloor Heating’s system is a solid gypsum dry-screed panel that comes with pre-routed channels at 150mm spaces for Continal’s SUPERflex-12 pipe,
making it quick and easy to lay. The gypsum core gives the panel extra strength to help prevent damage during installation and to give it longevity.
Each panel measures just 18mm deep and is suitable for renovation projects, especially where the floor height is limited. It is suitable for high and lowtemperature systems and comes in two panel types: the main panel for straight runs and a return panel for use around the ends of a room. Each panel comes with a tongue-and-groove profile so they lock together when being laid. The system is compatible with all common floor finishes, including wood, tiles, vinyls and carpets.
DriDEK-20 has extremely low thermal resistance, maximising the performance of any lowprofile system.
www.continal.co.uk
Grant UK has added a wireless programmable room thermostat to its Uflex Underfloor Heating Controls range. The NeoAir V2-M is compatible with the Grant Uflex and Uflex MINI underfloor heating systems.
The NeoAir V2-M is a battery-powered thermostat with wireless RF connectivity and can either be used as a thermostat, a time clock or as both a thermostat and hot water timer.
One remote sensor can be connected to the NeoAir V2-M to monitor the floor temperature or provide remote air temperature sensing. The NeoAir is also compatible for use with single or multiple wireless air sensors when the control is paired to the NeoHub and NeoApp, making it suitable for large, open-plan properties when an average air temperature needs to be calculated. It uses self-learning preheat functionality and has multiple programming options.
Grant UK managing director Paul Wakefield says: “The NeoAir V2-M is simple to install and user-friendly for homeowners, plus it has the added benefit of not requiring wiring which can make installation even quicker. The NeoAir also uses a mesh strengthening network, which means that the connectivity improves when multiple devices are used, increasing the range when compared to standard RF thermostats.”
www.grantuk.com/products/underfloor-heating
Tel: 01952 675032
Email: academy-uk@viessmann.com
Online course
Fergus and Registered Gas Engineer have teamed up to give one lucky reader the chance to chill out with a Makita DAB site radio and a six-month subscription to Beer52, the craft beer discovery club.
Founded in 2014 by veteran plumber Dan Pollard, Fergus software exists to make heating engineers’ lives better, freeing up time you would otherwise have to spend on business admin. Dan set out to solve the admin problems that had plagued his business for years, and the software he created helped so much that he named it after his best friend, his dog Fergus!
One way to streamline your business and free up some time is to consider replacing your traditional admin tools –pen and paper job sheets, spreadsheets, and emails –
with an online solution such as Fergus. This enables you to see the status of all your jobs at a glance and gives you the best possible chance of having and keeping healthy finances.
Fergus lets you track everything from quote through to payment, ensures you get paid quickly and allows you to check that every job is profitable. This clear overview of your business and finances reduces stress and frees up more time for the things you love.
By entering this prize draw, you agree to these terms and conditions:
• Registered Gas Engineer and Fergus do not accept responsibility for lost, delayed, corrupted or invalid entries.
• The winner will be chosen at random from all correct answers submitted in accordance with these terms and conditions.
• The winner will be notified by email. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The prize cannot be substituted or upgraded.
For your chance to win Makita DAB site radio and a six-month subscription to Beer52, the craft beer discovery club, just answer this question correctly:
What is Fergus software named after?
a) The founder’s dog
b) The founder’s cat
c) A work colleague
Send your answer plus your name, address and registration number to competition@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
One winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries received by the closing date of Monday 31 October 2022.
• The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.
• Registered Gas Engineer and Fergus may disqualify you from winning if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that you are in breach of these terms and conditions or your participation is fraudulent or otherwise unlawful.
• This draw is not open to employees of Fergus, Gas Safe Register or Registered Gas Engineer or their direct family members or agents.
• Registered Gas Engineer and Fergus do not accept any responsibility for any network connection,
technical failure or other problem in any telephone line, network, system, provider or otherwise which results in any entry not being properly recorded or received.
• One entry per person.
• Your entry details will be provided to Fergus, which may use them for marketing purposes. By entering this competition, you agree that you may receive communications from Fergus. If you do not wish to be contacted, please add NO COMMUNICATIONS in your email entry.
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 51 REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | COMPETITION For more details and to book a demo, go to: www.fergus.com
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