Issue 177 January/February 2024
Pipework in flats: what you need to know
Gas Safe Register updates Top tips for renewing your registration
Technical Open-flue inspection and testing
Inspection: a reminder
Safety Alert 033
Boilers in loft spaces
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | CONTENTS
Editor’s comment 2023 was a year of mixed messages when it came to gas versus renewables for home heating. In September came the news that the government was rowing back on its commitment to some of the measures it had designed to ensure that the UK reaches net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It binned its requirement that no new gas boilers could be fitted in off-grid homes from 2025, and the Prime Minister also said that no home would be forced to have a heat pump installed in the future. Then, just a couple of months later, the government announced that the Clean Heat Market Mechanism will go ahead this year. This mandates that major gas (and oil) boiler manufacturers will have to sell heat pumps in an amount equivalent to 4 per cent of their boiler sales – or face big fines if they don’t reach this target. Setting aside the question of whether or not homeowners will want – or be able to afford – to install a heat pump in 2024, it’s raised another dilemma: in order to mitigate for anticipated fines, the big boiler companies are indicating that they will put up their boiler prices. This cost will inevitably pass down to hard-pressed homeowners. Will 2024 turn out to be the Year of the Heat Pump after all? We could be in for for bumpy ride. We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. Nicki Shearer, editor
Technical 23
Safety Alert 033
Product safety concern relating to some Morco open-flued water heaters
24
Open flue inspection and testing
The checks and tests that must be carried out to ensure the safety of open-flued appliances
Issue 177 | January/February 2024
04
Update from the Register op tips for renewing your Gas Safe T registration; Two-factor authentication is now being introduced: please take action to set this up in your online account
Gas Safe Register, PO Box 631, DARLINGTON, DL1 9GD Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister. co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk Managing editor: Sue Harker, sue.harker@gassaferegister.co.uk Editor: Nicki Shearer, editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk News: Jennie Ward, news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Publisher: Peter McCreary, publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Technical consultants: Carl Banister, Stephen Gallagher, Jonathan Palmer, Rob Walkerdine 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 Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and CIRCULATION: Jan-Dec 2022 published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 80,073 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ 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.
02 January/February 2024
06 08
Campaigns he Register has been making sure that T gas safety has been on TV, on air, online and in print this winter, helping to keep millions of Brits safe
Inspection reminder n important reminder on what to expect A from an inspection and what you need to do when you are asked to attend
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | CONTENTS
26
Pipework in flats
What are the requirements for natural gas installations in a fire-protected area or shaft in multi-occupancy buildings?
30
Boilers in loft spaces
The considerations that must be taken into account when installing the boiler in a roof space
40 10
Registration update You must inform Gas Safe Register about any pending or actual enforcement action that is being taken against you
14
Focus
The Clean Heat Market
16 21
Mechanism will go ahead in 2024 but what does it mean for manufacturers – and installers – of gas boilers?
32
The Gas Safe Register Legislation and Standards Documents List
Carbon monoxide
We review the work of the organisations that aim to increase understanding and help prevent occurrences of CO poisoning
34 38 47
Y our business
ow to prepare for business growth; H Top tips to keep your van safe
Towards net zero
People must be at the heart of the conversation, according to a pilot scheme to improve energy efficiency in UK homes
Product update
The latest launches from Alpha, ARMD, Baxi, Dosafil, Megaflo, Stiebel Eltron, Samsung and Trappex
The good, the bad
and the ugly
50
Letters
S kills and training
Key
Get in touch
Gas Safe policies
Gas Safe campaigns
Technical
Contact details
More Illegal gas information work
Safety Alert
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 03
update from the Register
2FA: please take action BS 5440: update imminent An update to BS 5440 Parts 1 and 2 covering gas appliance flues and ventilation is due to be released shortly. The finalised update was not available when this edition of Registered Gas Engineer went to press, so please do check in regularly either via your Gas Safe Register online account or at www. registeredgasengineer. co.uk We will publish the relevant Industry Standard Update in print in our March/April 2024 edition.
04 January/February 2024
T
wo-factor authentication (2FA) is now being introduced on Gas Safe Register’s website. This means that when you log in, you’ll be asked to verify your identity by text message or email, in addition to your password. It’s being rolled out in stages, so you may not see any difference initially. But as the time draws near to renew your Gas Safe registration, you will be encouraged to set it up. At that point, when you log in to your online account, you’ll see an Alert on your dashboard to upgrade your account by adding 2FA. It’s a straightforward process that should take just a few minutes. It’s important to make sure that you provide a valid mobile phone number and email address. This is because you’ll receive a validation code that you must enter to set up and confirm your 2FA.
2FA verifies your online identity by asking for a second authentication in addition to your password. You’re probably already using it your banking and email apps. It provides an additional layer of protection to your sensitive information, so that even if someone else knows or guesses your password, they can’t access your data.
If someone else manages your online activities, such as notifications or renewing your registration on your behalf, you must both set up 2FA. You must not share the same user ID because whoever logs into the registered business account will need to verify their
identity via their own mobile phone or email. If you add any new users to your account, these will be 2FA-enabled by default. And those applying to join the Register for the first time must set up 2FA in order to complete their application.
A full step-by-step user guide to migrating your account to 2FA is available in your online account in the Resource Hub at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/sign-in
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | UPDATE FROM THE REGISTER
Top tips for renewing your registration M
any of you will be receiving the invitation to renew your Gas Safe registration soon and there are some simple steps you can take to make sure that everything goes smoothly. The vast majority of gas engineers manage their registration online. First of all, make sure you know the log-in details for your Gas Safe Register online account. If you’ve forgotten them, the Customer Services team can help you. Gas Safe Register will email you with your invitation to renew eight weeks before your registration expires, so make sure that the email address the Register holds for you is correct. If you don’t manage your account online, you’ll receive your invitation by post and it will include details of the cost of renewal and how you can make payment. When you log into your online account, you’ll see an Alert that your registration is due for renewal. If you want to pay your renewal fee by direct debit, you can set this up by
choosing My Account and selecting Direct Debit. You can set up a direct debit right up to your registration expiry date and choose either the 1st or the 18th of the month as your payment date. If you are looking to pay for your renewal by direct debit, please complete any changes via Update Details and then sign up for direct debit. You can renew your registration by phone using the automated service at any time of day or night on 0800 408 5577. Make sure that you have your Gas Safe four-digit PIN and your registration number to hand. Are you changing your trading title? If you change your trading title, make sure you change it before you renew. This is so that your ID card(s) and registration certificate will have your new company name. When you let Gas Safe Register know that you’re changing your trading title, the Register has to carry out additional checks, so allow
Don’t forget your competencies Please make sure that all your competencies are up to date before you renew, and those of any engineers you employ. If your core competencies (eg, CCN1 or COCN1) have run out, or will run out before the new registration start date, you won’t be able to renew your registration. It’s important to leave enough time for your certification body to notify Gas Safe Register that you’ve added or renewed competencies – this can take up to six weeks.
enough time for this to be completed before your renewal date. If you leave it until the last minute, you may not be able to renew in time and risk being removed from the Register. You can complete a Change of Trading Title request via your online account. Once you have logged in, go to the Dashboard and choose the Resource Hub. There is no charge provided that the change of trading title has been completed before your registration is renewed.
You can check that all your details are up to date via your online account at: www. gassaferegister. co.uk/sign-in If you haven’t got an online account, it’s easy to set one up – just call Customer Services on 0800 408 5577.
Fees from 1 April 2024 Charge Charge (ex VAT) (inc VAT) Effective date Engineer fee
£34.15
£40.98
Registration start dates on or after 1 April 2024
Business renewal (phone & mail)
£211.00
£253.20
Registration start dates on or after 1 April 2024
Business renewal (online)
£185.00
£222.00
Registration start dates on or after 1 April 2024
New registration fee
£480.00
£576.00
1 April 2024
Late renewal charge
£130.00
£156.00
1 April 2024
Work notification (phone)
£5.00
£6.00
1 April 2024
Work notification (online)
£3.00
£3.60
1 April 2024
Replacement card charge
£19.00
£22.80
1 April 2024
*Renewal fees are based on the start date of your registration not the date on which you renew your registration.
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 05
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | UPDATE FROM THE REGISTER
update from the Register
Gas safety on TV, on air, online and in print
G
as Safe Register has been busy making sure that its important messages reach different audiences in different ways over the past few months. Through a mixture of advertising, marketing and press coverage, it’s been letting people know all about Gas Safe Register, how to find a registered gas engineer when they need one, and how to stay safe from the dangers of gas and carbon monoxide.
A major ad campaign has been running on multiple media, including TV, radio, online, regional and national press. This is continuing through the rest of the winter. Human interest stories have hit the headlines too, with news outlets highlighting research from the Register that found that more than 4 million people are using their gas fire to heat just one room this winter (see below). As 2024 gets under way,
Warning on gas fires More than 10 million Brits are expected to heat just one room of their home at any one time this winter. And almost one in ten (7 per cent) of Brits, or around 4.5 million people, plan to use only the room that is heated using a gas fire. Of those who have a gas fire, more than half (53 per cent) intend to keep their doors and windows closed all day to help keep their home warm. Further, 15 million people are expecting to sleep in this heated room. However, Gas Safe Register inspection data shows that one in two gas fires in UK 06 January/February 2024
homes is unsafe. A poorly ventilated gas fire is often a cause of carbon monoxide poisoning, and so Gas Safe Register is warning people to be aware of the dangers that a lack of ventilation and air flow can cause. Rob Denman, head of Professional and Field Services says: “All gas-burning appliances need an appropriate supply of fresh air to burn properly. If the air supply to the gas fire is restricted, the level of carbon monoxide produced rises sharply – which is why ventilation is so important.”
keep a look-out for the start of a new campaign focused on older people.
Gas Safe’s head of Professional and Field Services, Rob Denman, was interviewed on BBC’s Morning Live programme, with an important reminder to viewers to always make sure that gas appliances are safety checked every year by a Gas Safe engineer.
Tech Talk Episode 3 Have you seen the new episode of Gas Safe Register’s Tech Talk? In the third episode, lead technical officer Rob Walkerdine and standards and training manager Jonathan Palmer from the Technical Team recap some of 2023’s standards and document changes – and take a look at what’s coming in 2024. Tech Talk is a regular series that helps you stay up to date with technical topics from Gas Safe Register. Episode 3 is available on Gas Safe Register’s YouTube Playlist.
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update from the Register
Inspection: an important reminder Y our work will be inspected by Gas Safe Register periodically, whether you’re newly registered or you’ve been registered for many years. The inspector’s role is not to catch you out: they’re simply making sure that you’re working safely and correctly. It’s a requirement under the Rules of Registration that you must allow the inspection of gas work undertaken in the course of your business. You must make arrangements for this when you receive a letter or email from the Register advising of an inspection appointment. Failure to allow a work inspection could result in sanctions, such as your Gas Safe registration being suspended until a satisfactory work inspection has taken place. This could mean that you are unable to carry out gas work for several weeks. Do not ignore your inspection appointment notification: appointments cannot be changed unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please contact the customer service team on 0800 408 5500 or email appointments@ gassaferegister.co.uk if you need to discuss your inspection appointment.
Inspection of gas work is a vital part of the overall gas safety regime, and a condition of your ongoing Gas Safe registration. The overwhelming majority of Gas Safe registered businesses meet their inspection obligation and attend their inspection as agreed. Those who do not incur costs for the Register, both financial and in terms of resources, which are ultimately borne by ALL registered businesses through their registration fees. When you are invited to attend an inspection, it is vital that you fulfil your obligations, as agreed. How should I prepare? You’ll need to arrange access to two addresses within around 30 minutes of your business address where you have carried out gas work previously or where you can carry out work such as a landlord’s gas safety record check or a safety check during the inspection. It is your responsibility to arrange the location and timings; Gas Safe Register will not do this for you. What will happen at my inspection? The inspection will take around 2.5-3 hours. The inspector will gain an understanding of your knowledge from the work you will be undertaking by asking technical questions based on the competencies you hold. They will inspect your gas safety equipment, which should
be available for inspection: this may include tools and equipment that you use to carry out gas work. The inspector will then observe you carrying out practical gas work that is within your registered work categories. You should make sure you have with you the tools you need to undertake this part of the inspection. Do I need to show any work records? You’ll need to show that you keep appropriate records of the gas work you have carried out and have access to suitable documentation to deal correctly with any unsafe situations that you may identify through the course of your work. Applying your competence not just to the work you do but also to the rest of the
You can read and download Gas Safe Register’s Sanctions Policy at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/about-us/ our-policies
08 January/February 2024
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | UPDATE FROM THE REGISTER
It’s important to be prepared for your inspection and to make sure you’re available at the time that has been arranged.
installation you are working on is just as important in order to maintain the safety of your customer. For businesses with 10 or more engineers, the inspection will start with an office-based assessment that assesses how the business manages its gas work. Then the site inspection requirement is proportionate to the number of engineers the business has and the scope of work it undertakes. What if I don’t know the answer to a question? You can refer to any reference material during the visit: the inspections are not closed book. However, inspectors will expect you to have sound knowledge of the Unsafe Situations Procedure and gas safety. What practical work will I have to carry out? It depends on what work you are showing the inspector, but some of the tests might be: • A visual inspection of the gas installation and appliances • A tightness test
• The working pressure at the outlet of the gas meter • Gas rating appliances • The inlet working pressure or operating pressures • Flue gas analysis • Checking the safety device/s of the nominated appliance • Identifying and reporting any unsafe situations. What if the inspector doesn’t think I’m competent? You will be given feedback at the end of your inspection as to whether the inspector believes you have applied your competencies. If you have not applied your competencies, you will be signposted to seek some further training, and/or you may need to go and read your training manuals. In some cases, if you have left dangerous gas work or you are unable to demonstrate competency, sanctions will be applied to your registration. What about virtual inspection? If you are eligible for a virtual inspection, this will take around 1.5 hours and you will need a
Don’t forget You are responsible for arranging the location for your inspection and for attending. Inspection appointments cannot be changed unless there are exceptional circumstances. In exceptional circumstances, you can request to re-arrange but you must do this immediately by emailing the scheduling team at appointments@gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500, selecting option 5 and quoting your registration number. If you request and agree a new inspection appointment, the new appointment must be kept. Failure to do so will result in immediate suspension from the Register until an inspection takes place.
working laptop, computer or tablet. Whichever device you choose to use for the virtual inspection, you will need a working camera because a mandatory identification check will be carried out. Once your identification is confirmed, the inspection test can be completed. n www.gassaferegister.co.uk 09
update from the Register
Enforcement action and how it can affect you You must inform Gas Safe Register about any enforcement action that is being taken against you.
E
nforcement action taken against your business or you as an individual can have serious repercussions on your registration with Gas Safe. Failure to inform the Register of any enforcement action, notices of contravention and improvement notices and/or prosecution – pending or otherwise – may be treated as an example of bringing the Register into disrepute.
“ Enforcement action against you may lead to removal from the Register.” When applying for or renewing your Gas Safe registration, you must inform the Register of any pending or actual enforcement action. The Register may apply appropriate sanctions at its discretion where there is evidence that the registered business or engineer has breached the Rules of Registration and/or Registration 10 January/February 2024
Policy, or where an enforcing authority is considering, or has taken, enforcement action. Actions may include an HSE notice of contravention, improvement notice, prohibition notice or prosecution related to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 or relevant building legislation. This also includes conduct that results in the Register being informed via a MultiAgency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) group – or equivalent organisation in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey – or appropriately authorised police or probation officer that an engineer has been assessed as representing a present danger to the public. Sanctions Failure to co-operate fully with any investigation by Gas Safe Register inspectors or those of the relevant enforcement body may also
result in sanctions for bringing the Register into disrepute. A prosecution that results in a custodial or suspended prison sentence for any gas-related health and safety offence, or for any other serious breaches of the law, such as arson, criminal negligence or manslaughter, will generally lead to removal from the Register. Once removed from the Register, the business will forfeit any registration fees already paid. Before undertaking any further gas work, the business will be required to: • Re-apply for registration • Pay the full registration and application fees • Receive a new registration number if the application is successful • Comply with any conditions placed against the new registration. The HSE supports Gas Safe in implementing exclusion from the Register following sentencing for gas-related
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | UPDATE FROM THE REGISTER
At a glance
Sentence
Rehabilitation (applies from the end date of the sentence, including the licence period)
Custodial sentence of more than four years or a public prosecution sentence
Never spent
Custodial sentence of 30+ to 48 months
7 years
Custodial sentence of 6+ to 30 months
4 years
Custodial sentence of 6 months or less
2 years
Community order
1 year
(criminal and health and safety) offences. Following conviction, the business or individual, as appropriate, will not be eligible to apply for registration until both the duration of the sentence and the rehabilitation period, as set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, have been spent. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 set out sentence/disposal and
rehabilitation periods (see above). For example, a conviction resulting in a custodial sentence of six months will result in the registered business being excluded from re-applying for registration for 30 months (the six-month sentence plus the two-year rehabilitation period). Special conditions will generally be applied where a business successfully
re-applies for registration but has any history of failure in its delivery of gas safety or operating in accordance with the Rules of Registration. The business and/or engineer must adhere to conditions placed upon their registration. This may entail requirements above and beyond the standard obligations that are designed to address the specific circumstances. Special conditions may remain in place until the Register is satisfied that the conditions can be lifted, and their objective(s) have been met. Where special conditions are not adhered to, this may result in escalation to other appropriate sanctions. n
You must inform Gas Safe Register of any pending or actual enforcement action when applying, re-applying, and at any time during your registration period. Failure to do so may result in your application being delayed or refused. Enforcement action against you or your business may lead to removal from the Register and/or lengthy exclusion from registration. Enforcement action against you or your business can be costly, time-consuming and cause reputational damage to the Register. It is in your interests to comply with Rules of Registration and relevant legislation, and to be cooperative and transparent when dealing with the Register and other agencies.
You can find out more about Gas Safe Register’s policies at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/about-us/ our-policies
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 11
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | PROSECUTIONS
Illegal fitter carried out gas work despite previous jail term An illegal gas fitter has been given a suspended prison sentence after fitting gas appliances despite having been prohibited from doing so by the HSE. Chester Magistrates’ Court heard that Richard Goldthorpe, 37, from St Helens, installed various gas appliances at an address in Sandbach in April and May 2022. The homeowner contacted the police after noticing that Mr Goldthorpe had not carried out the work properly. The HSE investigation found that he had fitted gas appliances
despite not being registered. The HSE had previously given him a Prohibition Notice in 2014, banning him from carrying out gas work. But in 2020, he was prosecuted for carrying out more illegal gas work and was given a 16-month prison sentence. Mr Goldthorpe has also been exposed for his illegal gas work on the BBC’s Rogue Traders TV programme. Richard Goldthorpe, of St Georges Road, St Helens, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) and Regulations 3(7) of the
Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Act 1998 and to breaching the HSE Prohibition Notice. He was sentenced to 32 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs. HSE inspector Rose Leese-Weller said: “Richard Goldthorpe brazenly undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do. “[He] has been previously prosecuted for the same offences and had even been warned on national television that he was breaking the law.”
Suspended sentence for builder who left gas escape A Buckinghamshire builder has been given a suspended prison sentence for carrying out gas work when he was not qualified to do so. Reading Crown Court heard that Thomas Murray, who traded as Kerbgold Design and Construction Ltd, was contracted to manage a largescale renovation and extension at a property in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in July 2018. The project involved significant gas work, including the installation of a gas boiler, relocation of the gas meter and the installation of associated pipework for both. The project overran and the householders had to return to the property in January 2019, when they reported the smell of gas. Mr Murray carried out a test that did not detect a gas escape. The homeowners’ concerns persisted and they contacted a registered gas engineer, who found a gas escape and other faults in the installation. 12 January/February 2024
The court also heard that the gas supplier, Cadent, had not been notified about the relocation of the meter and pipework. The pipework leading to the meter was found to have been laid to an incorrect depth, and fittings suitable only for water pipework had been used throughout the installation. Concerns The HSE investigation found that although Mr Murray arranged for a Gas Safe engineer to install the boiler, the engineer had only connected the water plumbing and had left the property due to concerns being raised. Mr Murray decided to undertake some of the gas work himself as a temporary fix. Thomas Murray, of Heath End Road, Flackwell Heath, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(2) of the Health Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was sentenced to eight months in prison,
If you find gas work that you suspect has been carried out illegally, please report it to Gas Safe Register so that it can investigate. You can do this by signing into your online account, then choose Reporting Illegal Gas Work in the Resource Hub section.
suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work. HSE inspector Karen Morris said: “Mr Murray was responsible for overseeing the gas work, which was not finished and had left householders and their neighbours at risk from the dangers and effects of leaking gas. To make matters worse, he decided to try and finish the job himself, despite not being competent to do so. His failures could have led to catastrophic and tragic consequences.”
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Clean Heat Market Mechanism will go ahead Boiler Upgrade Scheme numbers ramp up The number of new applications for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme surged after the grant increased in October to £7,500 from £5,000, says the government. New applications in the first week after the grant uplift reached 1,150 – more than three times the average weekly rate before the change. In the following three weeks, new applications remained nearly 60 per cent higher than the previous weekly average.
14 January/February January/February 2024 2024
T
he Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) will come into effect this year, the government has confirmed. The scheme’s proposals had been met with fierce opposition from some boiler manufacturers and industry associations last year. It places an obligation on them to meet targets on the sale of heat pumps relative to their sales of gas and oil boilers or face financial penalties. In the first year of the scheme, from April 2024 to March 2025, they will need to sell heat pumps equivalent to 4 per cent of their boiler sales in the UK, rising to 6 per cent in year two. The mechanism affects those manufacturers with sales of more than 20,000 gas boilers and 1,000 oil boilers a year.
Installation and notification of heat pumps via a certification scheme such as MCS will earn the manufacturer ‘credits’ and those that miss their targets will have to pay £3,000 per missing credit. Installation of a hybrid – a heat pump alongside a fossil fuel boiler – will earn half a credit. The installation of boilers in new-build properties will not go
towards the target calculation, at least before the introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025, which is expected to make this exclusion redundant. The penalty for missing targets is lower than the £5,000 that had been proposed originally, and the government did not go ahead with its original proposal that heat
“The long-awaited response to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism was very disappointing, with not that many changes to the original draft and hardly any recognition of the recommendations made to government by the industry. “The target quotas still remain at 4 per cent of boiler sales and the timelines still remain. The only real concession was the reduction in the fines from £5,000 to £3,000. However, this will still result in manufacturers being fined tens of millions of pounds because the market simply isn’t big enough at present to hit the target quotas being demanded.” Martyn Bridges, director of Technical Services, Worcester Bosch
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | FOCUS
“The industry is really disappointed that ministers have failed to reflect upon the extremely challenging market conditions and the new reality described by the Prime Minister. We all know heat pumps have a role to play in heat decarbonisation but punishing manufacturers because consumer demand isn’t there is just perverse. “We have told ministers and officials what they need to do to stimulate the market but they seem determined to drive through this quota system, regardless of the fundamentals facing consumers. “As manufacturers, in a market economy, we will supply what the consumer wants to buy – heat pumps or boilers. The UK’s approach to heat decarbonisation now relies on forcing a product sale or face a fine: that’s not good business. “We remain convinced that the way forward is for the government to ensure that a full range of heat pump hybrid systems qualify as part of the quota and that there are sufficient numbers of installers trained and available to fit the products our members make.” Mike Foster, CEO, Energy and Utilities Alliance
pump manufacturers must produce supply chain plans, although it suggested that this may become a requirement in the future. Those manufacturers affected by the CHMM will need to provide a report on their annual boiler sales, which must be verified independently. The government said: “While we acknowledge that some respondents [to the consultation on the CHMM] have suggested that the scheme’s launch be delayed by a number of years, we are clear that introducing the CHMM as planned in 2024 is important for
providing market actors with the necessary certainty and confidence to invest in scaling up the UK heat pump market at the pace needed to improve national energy security, contribute to our decarbonisation objectives and keep pace with developments in other countries.” The scheme will be administered, regulated and enforced by the Environment Agency. The EA will impose penalties for failure to make a required payment by the due date, failure to submit verified boiler sales data by the due date, submitting inaccurate
“We welcome the clarity provided by the publication of the government’s response to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism and acknowledge the adjustments made to the scheme. “While the sector remains concerned about the impact of the scheme on the market, given the lack of supporting policy enablers – such as addressing the imbalance between levies on gas and electricity bills to reduce the price of electricity relative to gas – we are committed to working pro-actively with government and the Environment Agency to support a smooth implementation of the scheme.” Charlotte Lee, CEO, Heat Pump Association
data and not registering with the scheme. The government says it will bring forward the scheme regulations when Parliamentary time allows under the powers granted by the Energy Act 2023. The Environment Agency will publish more detailed guidance ahead of the scheme’s launch. n
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 15
thegoodthebad&theugly Registered Gas Engineer wants to see your pictures – whether you’ve come across some horrors or instances of really good work. Please email your stories and pictures to editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk
FROM ANDREW CLARKE
FROM LLEW WILLIAMS
Andrew came across a condensate pipe at a property. It’s a perfect example of why you should always terminate the condensate correctly. It has eaten its way through the lead flashing and the tile. It is now terminated correctly and no longer causing damage to the property.
FROM JAMIE RIGGS Jamie Riggs sent this picture of a new gas cooker installation carried out by the tenant’s apparently Gas Safe registered cousin (no details given). It shows the bayonet upside down, the backplate elbow support cut away, hose dragging on floor, PTFE tape on compression fitting threads, and no stability device installed. The defects have been corrected.
FROM MARTYN MOORE This boiler was fitted 36 years ago and had never been serviced. The pump had been leaking and had corroded a hole through the top inspection panel. The boiler was made safe and has now been replaced.
16 January/February 2024
FROM LEWIS POPHAM While Lewis was servicing the boiler, he found that the chimney/flue did not have the correct minimum clearances to the roof and had been extended using waste soil pipe. The appliance was made safe.
Llew found this gas meter box while carrying out a service. The railing has now been altered to enable access to the gas meter and emergency control valve.
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | YOUR PHOTOS
FROM KEVIN WOODHOUSE Kevin was called to cap off two gas fires in a newly purchased property but he also identified that the cooker had been fitted with the wrong bayonet fitting and flexible hose. The cooker has now been refitted correctly.
FROM ANTHONY ROBINSON This badly corroded chimney/flue was found during a routine radiator swap. It was running the wrong way and holding condensate water internally. The washers had perished and water began to leak down the flue, causing the corrosion. The installation was made safe and a new chimney/flue was installed with the correct falls and supports.
FROM ANDREW BARRY Andrew was investigating a gas escape and found that a damaged cooker hose had been wrapped with duct tape. The installation was made safe.
FROM ROB WILSON Rob carried out a chimney/flue integrity test with a result of 20.2% and found the terminal section and 90° elbow corroded because the chimney/flue didn’t have the correct fall. It was inadequately supported, with no bracket on any section. The chimney/flue has now been replaced.
FROM RICHARD HARRIS A builder had disconnected this chimney/flue to build an extension around the boiler in a small out-house. The out-house had been removed to build the extension, but the boiler had been left working and part of the chimney/ flue outlet was left inside the new cavity. Richard made the appliance safe.
> www.gassaferegister.co.uk 17
thegoodthebad&theugly continued >
FROM ROSS CALDER During a boiler installation, Ross noticed a gas barbecue connected to a garden hose, which was connected to a drain valve, which was connected to an external gas supply pipe. The gas pipe was capped off and made safe.
FROM CHRIS SWANN While servicing a fire and back boiler unit, Chris Swann checked the ventilation and found a teabag taped over it. The customer explained that peppermint teabags keep spiders away. He explained the importance of keeping the ventilation free and the teabag was moved to another area to repel the arachnids.
FROM TIMOTHY RAINE The catchment area of this gas fire highlights the importance of annual maintenance and servicing of gas appliances, says Timothy.
FROM MATTHEW CHANT Matthew says the boiler was giving strange combustion results. It had been fitted high up underneath a worktop and it was impossible to see any corrosion. Eventually he was able to get his camera and mirror into the far corner of the cupboard to discover a hole in the casing, caused by a water leak. The appliance was made safe.
18 January/February 2024
FROM JAKE GARDNER This boiler had not been serviced for years. The spark generator had melted due to the burner door seal failing, allowing products of combustion to escape. Jake made safe and returned to carry out repairs.
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | YOUR PHOTOS
FROM GRAHAM KIMBLE Graham identified a large pressure drop during a tightness test. The iron gas pipe was leaking inside the cavity of a block of flats because the tenant had sealed the outside sleeve to stop ants coming in. The installation was made safe.
FROM BRYAN CLARKE This boiler failed Bryan’s FGA test. Someone had connected an extractor fan into the boiler chimney/flue using a drainage tee and cable ties. The boiler was made safe.
FROM PAUL BOSWELL This corroded gas pipe was buried in screed, unprotected and with insufficient covering. It was part of a holiday centre, which then arranged inspections for a further 200 dwellings. Two other gas installations were also found to be leaking and were made safe.
FROM ALEX FERGUSON Alan was servicing a gas fire when he noticed a strong smell of gas that the customer was completely unaware of. Further investigation revealed that the round top of the skirting board was a gas pipe, to which the TV installer had nailed a cable. The installation 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).
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 19
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | LETTERS
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editorial@ registeredgas engineer.co.uk
Please send your letters, which may be edited, to editorial@ registeredgasengineer.co.uk
Career advice – and what happened next Jonathan Benson
Like the majority of 16-yearolds, I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. I was not driven to any particular industry and my exam results back then reflected this. In desperation, my parents decided I needed professional assistance and sent me off to a company called Career Analyst in London, which was a specialist career-advising business. I spent the whole day doing a full range of tests in various areas, followed by a verbal session with their resident psychologist, who would assess my personality and, together with the test results, give me an indication of a specific field I was most suited to. A few weeks ago, while I was clearing out some old papers, I came across the report produced more than 40 years ago. It stated that I wasn’t intellectual but quite
intelligent, that I favoured a practical career, and that I could even run my own business. The psychologist recommended that I undertake a BTEC diploma in Business Studies, which would give me a strong foundation in business. I read through the report with a touch of nostalgia until I came across the name of the psychologist who had interviewed me and compiled the report. For, unbeknown to me, he has been one of my customers for nearly 10 years. The following week, I had to attend his home so I decided to take the report with me. In his report, he had advised that I should possibly contact them again in four to five years, once I was more mature, so that the assessment could be “fine-tuned”. On arrival at his home, I went straight over to George – who is a sprightly 90 year-old – and confronted him. “I’ve come for my re-assessment,” I said.
His wife was giggling because I had already tipped her off. Poor old George looked at me, perplexed. I slowly took out his report from its envelope and told him: “You recommended that I should be re-evaluated around four to five years from the original assessment. I know I’m a bit late: is 41 years OK?” As I handed him the report that he had compiled back then, the penny dropped, and he was eager to read his comments. After sorting out his hot water issue, we both agreed that his assessment had been spot on and that everything he had stated had come to pass. I think even he was pleasantly surprised at his accurate forecast. If only the people who predict the weather could be that good.
Don’t be shocked, always follow TB118 guidance Rob Wilson
This picture shows how important Technical Bulletin 118 is and why it was introduced. This boiler illuminated on a pen test, and a subsequent test with multi-meter showed voltage through the appliance.
I isolated the fuse board, and an electrician came and rectified the issue. Then I was able to go back and fit the smart thermostat [the customer] had paid for. No pen test could have ended badly for me. From the editor: You can read and download Technical
Bulletin 118a: Safe to touch and/or safe isolation and proving electrically dead on low voltage single-phase supplies (below 1000 volts) by logging into your Gas Safe Register online account at: www.GasSafeRegister. co.uk/sign-in
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 21
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Safety Alert 033 Developed with Morco Products
Morco open flued water heaters Date issued: 15 November 2023
This Safety Alert provides guidance to Gas Safe registered businesses/engineers about a product safety concern related to some Morco open flued water heaters. Introduction
Gas Safe Register has been made aware of a concern regarding the test nipple screws on Morco water heaters that may not have been correctly operated. This could result in the unintentional release of unburnt gas, causing fires and potential injuries.
Primo 11 (MP11)
Hazard
Morco is currently investigating a potential fire risk on its Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 open flued water heaters, due to possible gas leaks igniting and causing the plastic bezel and control knobs to ignite and melt. Early indications point to the test nipple screws (gas inlet and burner pressure) not being tightened and checked correctly for any gas leak as per the installation manuals after the appliances have been commissioned, serviced or maintained. These pictures show the exact location of the test points on each of the affected appliances.
Primo 6 (MP6)
Corrective actions
Leak detection fluid (LDF) should be used after every time the test points are loosened to ensure a guaranteed seal after screwing tight each type of pressure test nipple screw, and ensuring that all seals are present for the Primo models. When you are checking the burner pressure test nipple screws for all models, the water heater must be in demand. To complete these checks, you will need either a 4mm slotted screwdriver or a Phillips No2 screwdriver.
Primo 6 (MP6)
If you have any questions or safety concerns, please contact Morco Products on 01482 386586 or via email at: sales@morcoproducts. co.uk
EUP6/EUP11
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 23
Open flue inspection and testing Gas Safe Register’s Technical Helpdesk often receives questions from engineers about testing open flues. This would appear to be due to the declining number of conventionally flued appliances that are still in operation. This article is written to support more recently qualified gas engineers who may not have had a lot of experience of testing open-flued appliances. But engineers with all levels of experience may benefit from refreshing themselves on the basics.
A
flue flow and spillage check are imperative safety tests when checking the safety of openflued appliances.
Visual inspection
A flue test will always begin with a visual check: • Any ventilation requirements for the appliance being tested are in place, the vent is adequately sized, free from obstruction, sleeved through the wall and is not blocked in any way. • Check that the chimney serves only one room and is continuous throughout its length. • Check for restrictions such as
“ If the requirements of the flue flow test are not met, the chimney/flue has failed the test and no gas appliance should be left connected.” 24 January/February 2024
flue dampers and, if applicable, check that the catchment space is correct. • Check that any flue pipe is installed in accordance with the flue pipe installation instructions, jointed correctly and is adequately supported throughout its length. • Check that the room in which the appliance is located is suitable for a conventionally flued appliance, ie, not a bathroom or bedroom. It is also important to remember that if the room has been converted to sleeping accommodation, whether temporary or permanent, the appliance must be suitable for that purpose. The appliance installation instructions must state that this is acceptable and you should follow the guidance in Technical Bulletin 105. This is provided that all the relevant tests have been completed and have been deemed satisfactory. Please be mindful that fire and back boiler central heating units will be one of the main contenders in this area and you should refer to Technical Bulletin 105 for further guidance. Flue flow test Before you start any testing, prepare your site. Make sure that you can clearly see the flue terminal and the flue throughout its entire length. The test may involve going into the roof
space and upper rooms of the property and, in some properties, there may be another property above the one in which you are working. If this property has the flue you are testing running through it, you will need to gain access wherever possible to complete a full visual inspection. Visually check the chimney/ flue for the correct material and look out for signs of damage and possible fume leakage. Visually check up inside the chimney/flue as far as is reasonably practicable. Close all doors and windows into the room. Before checking with a full smoke pellet, it’s good practice to test with a smoke match to ensure you have a reasonable draw on the chimney. If the smoke from the match doesn’t get fully pulled into the flue, you may need to warm the flue at this point using the appliance or a blow lamp. A good measure would be five minutes of warm-up time on the chimney. After warming the flue, re-test using a smoke match. If the smoke pulls in, then continue with the flue flow check. If more heat is required, you may heat the flue for a further 10 minutes. Once there is sufficient pull on the flue, place your smoke pellet on a fireproof tray and insert it into the flue space. The smoke pellet should be capable of producing 5m3 of
TECHNICAL
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
smoke volume in a 30-second burn time. Ignite the smoke pellet and visually check the chimney throughout its entire length. You don’t need to use a specific route but you must check all sections of the chimney. When carrying out this test, you should be looking for no significant escape of smoke from the appliance position, no seepage of smoke over the entire length of the chimney, and a discharge of smoke from only the correct terminal. If the above requirements are not met, the chimney/flue has failed the test and no gas appliance should be left connected to the gas supply until further investigation has been carried out. If all the above have been satisfied, you can proceed to reconnect the appliance and move on to the spillage test. The spillage test Close all windows and doors in the room containing the appliance to be tested. Close all adjustable ventilators and switch off mechanical ventilation unless it is mechanical combustion ventilation. With the appliance running at its maximum heat input, allow the appliance to warm up for five minutes (or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions), but for no longer than 15 minutes in total. Check that the appliance clears the products of combustion. If spillage is detected, switch off the appliance, disconnect and rectify the fault. Where the manufacturer’s instructions do not give specific guidance on testing for spillage, you can use the following procedure. Close all windows, doors and adjustable ventilators.
Common chimney problems that cause poor flue performance • Poorly terminated chimneys • Several chimneys with different heights terminating on one chimney stack • Older-type terminals and chimney pots • Gaps within the builder’s opening • Pre-cast flue size (small cross-sectional area) • Pre-cast flue termination (high resistance type) open only on two sides not four sides • Twin-wall metal flue pipe located in colder areas such as roof spaces and outside the property.
Close all mechanical ventilation, apart from any that supplies combustion air to the appliance. With the appliance in operation at maximum heat input rate, carry out a spillage test. Check Check by applying a smoke device to the edge of the draught diverter or gas fire canopy. This should be done within five minutes of lighting the appliance. Apart from an occasional wisp, which may be discounted, all the smoke should be drawn into the chimney and evacuated to the outside air. If spillage occurs, leave the appliance in operation for a further 10 minutes and re-test. If spillage still occurs, switch off and disconnect the appliance and rectify the fault. If there are fans elsewhere in the building, the tests must be completed with the interconnecting doors to all other rooms that contain fans open, but keep all external doors and windows closed. If there are paddle fans in the room, or adjacent rooms, the tests must be completed with the fans in every speed and direction.
• Check with kitchen cooker hoods switched on every speed. • Check normal extract fans switched on every speed. • Check with vented tumble dryers in operation. • Check with fan warm air heaters in operation. If, at any time, an extract fan causes the spillage test to fail, you may open a window until the spillage stops. Measure the gap you have created: this
should represent how much ventilation would be required to rectify the problem. If a ceiling paddle fan is causing a spillage fault, then there is no cure for this scenario. You should follow the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (IGEM/G/11) and, with the customer’s permission, terminate the gas fire, issue a gas warning notice and label until such time as the ceiling fan is removed. ■
Further reading
Technical Bulletin 105: Non room-sealed gas appliances located in sleeping accommodation. BS 5440-1:2008 Flueing and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases) – Part 1: Specification for installation of gas appliances and for maintenance of chimneys. BS5440-2:2009 Flueing and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases) – Part 2: Specification for installation of gas appliances and for maintenance of ventilation. Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems: Approved Document J.
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 25
Pipework in multi-occupancy buildings (flats) Gas Safe Register’s Technical Team consider the requirements for natural gas installation pipework that may be located within a fire-protected area or shaft and, more specifically, within flats and multioccupancy dwellings.
Gas installation The guidance for gas installations (appliances, flues, meters and pipework) in flats and other multi-occupancy dwelling buildings can be found in IGEM/G/5 Edition 31. This standard also refers to the relevant guidance provided for pipework within BS 6891:2015+A1:20192 and IGEM/UP/2 Edition 33. As always, Gas Safe Register recommends that gas engineers should familiarise themselves fully with the requirements of these standards before starting a new installation in this type of dwelling.
26 January/February 2024
TECHNICAL
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
F
ire protection
The most important factor for anyone planning and designing the gas installation for multi-occupancy dwellings/flats is to understand that these dwellings are built in a way that is designed to prevent the spread of any potential fire, and so help save lives. It is therefore vitally important that any installation pipework – including pipework in ducts – can also withstand the risk of any fire. When pipework is installed within or passes from one protected area to another, including ducted pipework, it must not impair the fire integrity of the building. Any pipe ducts must be correctly constructed, located and vented. IGEM/G/5 refers to the following definitions in Building Regulations Approved Document B4. • Protected/corridor/lobby: a corridor or lobby which is adequately protected from fire in adjoining accommodation by fire-resisting construction. • Protected entrance hall/ landing: a circulation area consisting of a hall space or flat enclosed with fire-resisting construction (other than any part which is the external wall of a building). • Protected shaft: a shaft which enables persons, air or objects to pass from one compartment to another and which is enclosed with fire-resisting construction. • Protected stairway: a stair discharging through a final exit to a place of safety. • Compartment wall or floor: a fire-resisting wall or floor used in the separation of one fire compartment from another. We recommended that, prior to the development of a new multi-occupancy dwelling, designs for gas installations should be confirmed/approved
“ If you are unsure whether the area where pipework is to be installed is classed as a protected area, you should ask the building manager for the building’s ‘golden thread’. ” with the local authority building control. It’s also prudent to keep any correspondence in writing relating to guidance or directions for future reference. If you are unsure whether the area where pipework is to be installed is classed as a protected area, you should ask the building manager for the building’s “golden thread”. This is information that is kept digitally to ensure that all building legislation is conformed with, and will contain any relevant information you may need. You can find more information about the golden thread at: www.hse.gov.uk/buildingsafety/golden-thread.htm Pipework installation It is important that gas installation pipework and/or gas meters should not be sited within a protected area unless the installation meets the requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (GSIUR) 1998, applicable building regulations and the relevant standards. Only continuous polyethylene-covered corrugated stainless steel tubing (PCSST), screwed, welded or end load fireresistant iron/steel fittings shall be used for pipework installed in or passing through a protected shaft containing a stair or other protected escape routes, common areas or
individual dwellings not supplied by the pipework. Continuous copper or welded steel pipework can be installed within a protected corridor/lobby that is not vented direct to outside, provided that the area is considered to be normally occupied (which means an area where it is reasonable to expect passers-by in the vicinity). However, a gas pipe is not considered to be within that protected area if that pipe is completely separated from the protected area by fire-resisting construction, such as a duct that is ventilated direct to outside. The fire-resisting properties of that construction need to be as recommended by the relevant guidance document for the protected area in which the gas pipework is located or passing through. Fire-stopping For buildings that are made up of flats and/or maisonettes, gas installation pipework must be fire-stopped as it passes from one floor to another unless they are in their own protected duct that itself is ventilated top and bottom to outside air. When installation pipework from a continuous duct enters a flat or maisonette, it needs to be fire stopped at the point of entry (see Figures 1 and 2 overleaf). It is essential that gas > installation pipework is not www.gassaferegister.co.uk 27
TECHNICAL
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
Pipework in multi-occupancy buildings (flats) (continued) > installed within a floor or wall
(compartment wall or floor) that separates two flats/dwellings from each other unless it is confirmed that local fire regulations allow it and, where approved, that the void is either ventilated to the outside air or installed through a suitable duct within the compartment floor, as described in BS 6891. In this situation, a duct containing a gas pipe does not necessarily have to have purpose-provided ventilation in the floor or ceiling void to outside if the cross-sectional area of the duct is less than 0.01m2 and has a volume less than 0.1m3. This is often referred to as a “pipe in pipe solution” and some PCSST achieves this without having to use additional pipe ducting. Both ends of the duct installed in the compartment floor of an individual dwelling would terminate above the floor and be left open. It is essential that any horizontal or vertical duct containing gas pipework is ventilated to ensure that any escape of gas is detectable. Where the compartment floor(s) within a dwelling or protected area has a finished screed flooring, then gas pipework that is suitably protected from corrosion can be buried within the screed. IGEM/G/5: Additional points to consider • Flueless appliances such as cookers/hobs shall have flame supervision devices (FSDs) fitted to each burner (See Technical Bulletin 0155). • A new or replacement hose for a cooker shall be to BS EN 148006. Note: If an existing cooker/hob does not have FSDs on all burners or is installed with a cooker hose that is suitable for 28 January/February 2024
Figure 1
Figure 2
Fire stop
gas (BS 669-17) but is not BS EN 14800, then this would be an advisory to the responsible person that it does not comply with current standards. This shall be updated if or when the appliance is replaced. This is not an unsafe situation. • Additional emergency control valves (AECVs) shall be fitted, where the ECV is located remotely from the dwelling/ building it serves, and a pressure test point shall be provided within 300mm downstream of the AECV. • Any AECV shall be located at the nearest point of entry to the dwelling at a suitable height 450mm-1450mm above the floor. This is an important consideration at design point. In larger developments, the installation pipework may exceed domestic size and volume (0.035m3) between the meter and AECV to provide required volume of gas and minimise designed pressure drop. In this situation, further requirements include: • Pipework shall not be installed in a ventilation
Bibliography
Fire stop
or air-conditioning duct. • Pipework in a protected shaft shall have a 25mm separation from any other building service (cables, water, telecommunication) to enable inspection, maintenance and replacement (150mm spacing from electrical apparatus). • Purge points as per IGEM/ UP/28. Testing and commissioning carried out in accordance with either IGE/UP/19 or IGE/UP/1A10. • A notice indicating that volume exceeds 0.035m3 shall be placed near or adjacent to the meter. • Where meters are installed remotely, the pipework shall be marked (adjacent to the meter) clearly to indicate the dwelling it supplies. • Any flue in an external wall of a high-risk building in England and Wales – ie, one in England where the top storey is 18m or more above the ground – is required to be constructed of non-combustible material. In Scotland, as specified in Technical Handbooks, it is where the top storey is 11 metres or more. This applies to all flues on all levels in high-risk buildings. ■
1 IGEM/G/5 Edition 31 with amendments April 2023 – Gas in multi-occupancy buildings 2 BS 6891: 2015+A1:2019 – Specification for the installation and maintenance of low-pressure gas installation pipework of up to 35mm (R1 1/4) on premises 3 IGEM/UP/2 Edition 3 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises 4 Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 1: Dwellings, 2019 edition incorporating 2020 and 2022 amendments 5 Technical Bulletin 015: The requirement to install gas appliances (including cooking appliances) with flame supervision devices in flats and other multi-occupancy buildings 6 BS EN 14800:2007 Corrugated safety metal hose assemblies for the connection of domestic appliances using gaseous fuels 7 BS 669-1 Flexible hoses, end fittings and sockets for gas burning appliances. Specification for strip-wound metallic flexible hoses, covers, end fittings and sockets for domestic appliances burning 1st and 2nd family gases 8 IGEM/UP/2: Edition 3 – Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises 9 IGE/UP/1: Testing and purging of industrial and commercial gas installations 10 IGE/UP/1A Edition 2 +A: 2005 – Strength/ tightness testing/purging of small, low pressure industrial & commercial installations
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Boilers in loft spaces Gas Safe Register’s Technical Team review the requirements when boilers are installed in a loft space.
M Specific guidance for boilers installed in a roof space is provided in BS 6798: 2014 Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net.
30 January/February 2024
ost boilers are installed in the kitchen, hallway or inside a cupboard. However, some homeowners may wish to investigate whether the boiler can be installed out of sight in the loft or roof space, particularly if space is at a premium. When planning to install the boiler in a roof space, the following considerations should be taken into account:
Access and lighting
The homeowner should provide measures as a minimum for their own safety and so that gas engineers can work in a safe environment. There should be a permanent means of safe access to the appliance. For example, this could be a permanently fixed retractable ladder to enter and exit the loft, with a safety guard around the loft access, which should be secured to the building’s fabric. The strength and design of the ladder should be such as to maintain safety. There should also be adequate fixed lighting. The flooring area from the loft access to the boiler should be sufficient to allow access for normal use, servicing and maintenance, and should be extended to under and around the boiler. Consideration shall be given to a guard in order to prevent contact between stored articles and the boiler,
its flue and pipework. If the floor is of combustible material and supports the boiler, a non-combustible insulating base at least 12mm thick should be directly under the boiler. The chosen location in the loft/roof space must be able to support the boiler’s weight once filled with water. Gas supply
The gas pipework may need to be resized to provide the new boiler with the correct gas supply. If the roof space has vapour-permeable underlay without specific ventilation, such as soffit board vents, they shall be treated as unventilated voids for the purpose of gas pipework and appliance installations. Where it is necessary to install pipework in such locations, additional ventilation shall be applied, with at least two ventilators per space, each with a free area of at least 50cm². For LPG and LPG/air mixtures, this must be at low level: for natural gas, it will be at high level. Pipework must not be laid below or within roof space insulation material. Flueing
Loft/roof space installations shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and current Building Regulations.
Installations running a chimney system (twin pipe or concentric system) from a room-sealed, fan-assisted boiler, horizontally through the tiles of an adjacent tiled roof, should not be attempted unless specifically permitted by the boiler manufacturer’s installation instructions, as this technique is prone to blockages from snow. Condensing boilers may cause damage to the roof tiles immediately below the chimney outlet due to the condensate bleaching the colour in concrete tiles. Guidance on the size, height, type, support and route of the chimney and the position of termination, including the possible consequences of any plume, is given in BS 5440-2:2023*. The loft/roof space may need to be insulated to protect the boiler against temperature changes as a loft is usually an unheated space. Extreme temperature changes can affect the boiler and its internal parts, causing potential damage. ■
* BS 5440-2:2023 Chimneys, flue pipes and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases) - Installation and maintenance of ventilation provision for gas appliances. Specification.
TECHNICAL
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
“ The chosen location in the loft/roof space must be able to support the boiler’s weight once filled with water.”
Pros and cons of a boiler in the loft/roof space:
3 3 3 ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘
Saves space Improves aesthetics Lower noise levels. Low-temperature area considerations, including a frost stat and lagging Inconvenience when checking the boiler Extra costs for providing safe access and lighting Potential delays for hot water reaching the taps.
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 31
Alarmed for CO safety Resideo’s sales director Martin Wilson looks at how heating engineers can make sure that their customers stay safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide and comply with the regulations. Fixed combustion appliances such as space heaters and fires all have the potential to cause CO poisoning, and these are more likely to happen during the winter months. In England and Wales, CO alarms must be fitted in privately rented homes
Round-up What’s been going on in the world of the organisations that work to increase understanding and help prevent occurences of carbon monoxide poisoning?
32 January/February 2024
and social housing, in any room that contains a fixedcombustion appliance (except gas cookers). And a smoke alarm should also be on every floor of the property to warn of fire. In Scotland, the legislation goes further: in all domestic properties – including privately owned homes – CO alarms are mandatory in rooms that contain a fixed-combustion appliances (excluding gas cookers) and should also be interlinked. This means that when one alarm goes off, they all go off, alerting people wherever they are in the property. In Northern Ireland, CO alarms are a mandatory requirement for all homes where a new fossil fuel
appliance is installed. These regulations are the minimum standard for safe houses, and it’s important to stay up to date on the rules and look out for products from reputable manufacturers and with robust warranties. A recent report from Which? found that many cheaper, unbranded CO alarms have failed to go off when exposed to the gas or have a quieter alarm sound than the minimum standard required*. So make sure that you recommend and fit a stand-alone or interconnected alarm from a reputable company to provide an early warning of any build-up of CO in the property. *Which? Carbon Monoxide Detector Report
‘A year of milestones T he CO Research Trust (CORT) has been continuing its work to combat the threat of the silent killer. The charity funds groundbreaking scientific research and last year reached a major milestone. In April 2023, the Trust announced that it would award grants worth more than £1.1 million to help improve the understanding of CO exposure. This is the first time in the charity’s 18-year history that it has awarded this amount of money in one year. Chair Baroness Finlay of Llandaff said: “We were all very impressed with the strong calibre of projects that applied for grants. It reflects the important work being carried out in this field. It gives us great confidence that we are progressing towards a better understanding of CO exposure, its effects, diagnosis and treatment.”
The four projects awarded grants were: • Sheffield Hallam University: Effects of low-level CO on vulnerable organs in the embryo and the adult. • University Central London: Carbon Monoxide Toxicity: studies of a neuroprotective strategy in vivo and in a human cell model. • Institute of Occupational Medicine: Annual Collation and Analysis of Published Materials on CO and Health. • University Hospital Aintree: Extending the QIP for CO Diagnosis in Emergency Departments. The Trust has committed to investing a further £1 million in the next five years. The Trust showcased the four projects during its conference at Sheffield Hallam University. Building on its previous success, delegates heard presentations from all four research groups, as well as a
range of speakers from across the CO research community. During the conference, it announced the launch of a new CO Researchers Network (CORN), membership of which will provide access to the latest CO news and events. The network will focus on knowledge sharing and transfer, promoting crosssectoral and collaborative working.
CO Research Award The conference also hosted the first Christopher Bielby CO Research Award, which was won by Joshua Durrans of Sheffield Hallam University. The award was launched to honour Chris’s passion and commitment to safety and developing people. The competition was for researchers and academics beginning their research careers, focusing on CO research. During the conference, the Trust was notified that CEO
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | CARBON MONOXIDE AWARENESS
Note: CO alarms should be audible: black dot or colour-change indicators are not recommended.
and progress’ Adrian McConnell had been shortlisted for a Leadership Award at the Gas Industry Awards 2023. Adrian said: “I was both surprised and delighted to win the Leadership Award. I am proud to have the opportunity to work with the Trust team to support research that seeks to protect people and prevent CO exposure, which this award recognises. Winning this feels like an affirmation of everything we are doing as a charity and team.” Adrian has managed CORT, formerly the Gas Safety Trust since 2013, and has been the driving force behind the significant changes that have taken place at the Trust in recent years. The Trust is now focused on three main areas: • Providing grant funding to research projects to improve the broader understanding of CO • Funding and facilitating
events to bring experts together • Working with the wider CO safety community to provide evidence to support and influence changes in legislation. The Trust has continued to work closely with the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) and was one of the sponsors for its report: Prepare, Practice, Protect: Improving Carbon Monoxide Safety in Health and Care Services. The report examines the extent to which frontline health and social care professionals are aware of and protected from CO. It also sets out how improvements can be made. The report’s findings show that awareness of CO exposure is still low and that many healthcare professionals are not aware of the correct actions to take when exposure is suspected.
CO safety at Westminster All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) There are any number of highly publicised causes to champion in Parliament but sometimes, through steady advocacy of established groups, parliamentarians can coalesce around critical but under-reported issues like gas safety. Over the past year, APPCOG officers – Members of Parliament – have been promoting gas safety through a programme of research, events, lobbying and awareness-raising. Last year, APPCOG published its landmark report on CO awareness and risk prevention in healthcare settings. In its inquiry, it found that medically vulnerable people, as well as caregivers, are often subject to dangerous CO exposure because of a lack of awareness of sources, corrective actions and symptoms. The report is already being used to guide better practice in various medical professions. APPCOG has been placing CO at the top of the agenda on prominent policy debates around air quality and housing; events have brought together politicians to hear about the threat of CO as a key indoor air pollutant, improving safety in homes, and the vital role that gas engineers play. • APPCOG welcomes insights from the gas community on best practice in CO mitigation. You can get in touch by email to: gaelan.komen@policyconnect.org.uk
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 33
A framework for growth Growth is the goal of many business owners. But do you know what it entails and how to prepare for it? Gas Engineer Software breaks it down into three core areas.
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t one point or another, you might have considered taking on a new employee. But with the extra risk, responsibility and sudden jump in work capacity, it’s not always straightforward. How do you know when’s the right time to hire, and how can you properly prepare your business for its next stage? What will change? Sole traders hiring their first engineer will face workload challenges: capacity has dramatically increased (even doubled), while the number of jobs coming in may not have changed. We recommend planning strategies to find more work before making a hire, so that you can quickly fill your schedules and turn a profit. For bigger businesses with several employees, the change
“ If you’re looking to take on a gas engineer, think about whether you want an apprentice or someone with experience.” comes as you hire dedicated admin staff. Some of your existing workflows may break down and you’ll have to spend time adapting to a new kind of company structure. This will be especially noticeable for those using paper to schedule, but also with things like getting another van, additional 34 January/February 2024
software subscriptions, etc. Last, there’s the management side of things. Business owners will find that a portion of their time is now dedicated to ensuring that employees have all they need: scheduling, tools, job details, and customer information. Do you really need a new employee? First, look at how many jobs are going through your business. We see that the average number of jobs per head using our software is 41.7 per month. Of course, this varies based on time of the year and whether you’re installing, attending a breakdown or servicing. Nevertheless, doing considerably more than this is an indication that you could benefit from an extra set of hands. Meanwhile, if you’re doing less (and your jobs aren’t considerably bigger in scale), then you’re more likely to benefit from looking at ways to free up your time. For example, focusing on existing customers is a much quicker and easier way to book jobs, while using modern tools and strategies can help streamline paperwork and admin tasks.
Staffing considerations Don’t forget all the extra paperwork that comes with taking on an employee. You’ll need to organise payroll, tax, insurance and an employment contract. There’s also the hiring process itself, which includes interviews, checking qualifications and assessing whether they’ll be a good fit. If you’re looking for an engineer, think about whether you want an apprentice or someone with experience. We know that growing your business successfully depends on how well you understand these three key points. If you can properly prepare for and take advantage of having an extra set of hands, you’ll soon start to see your business succeed and make more money. n Gas Engineer Software is an all-in-one software platform for UK heating and plumbing companies. The job management software helps more than 5,000 companies schedule jobs, build quotes, send invoices, issue certificates and get paid faster – all at the click of a button. www.gasengineer software.co.uk
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | YOUR BUSINESS
“ Any extra visible locks can be a deterrent to potential thieves.”
inside. You can also get lockable tool vaults that bolt to the van’s floor. Another option is to attach expensive tools to the inside of the van with a security cable.
Top tips to keep your van safe You can help to protect your van and its contents from rising theft with this essential advice from Which? Trusted Traders.
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ool theft from vans has increased by 33 per cent since 2020, according to a study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, published in September 2023. It found that one-third of van drivers had tools stolen in the previous 12 months and that the average value of the tools stolen was a whopping £2,000. But there are things you can do to make your van harder to break into and steal, and to deter criminals from targeting it.
If the worst does happen and you need to make an insurance claim, take a look at Which? consumer rights guides to insurance claims for a wealth of advice.
Beef up your locks Keep your van locked and the windows closed whenever it’s unattended. It’s a good idea to change the locks that came with your van, as criminals will be familiar with the locks on popular models. If you bought your van second hand, others may still have a key. You can fit your van with hooklocks, which use a hook
bolt instead of a standard deadlock and make doors harder to prise open. These locks can also resist hammer blows and being crowbarred, are anti-drill and anti-pick, and can’t be broken into with a screwdriver, which is one of the most common ways that thieves get in. Alternatively, you can add extra locks. Slamlocks lock doors as soon as you close them – particularly useful if you’re unloading or delivering items. Or you can fit straight-bar deadlocks, which are locked manually with an external key. Any extra visible locks can be deterrent to potential thieves. Secure the tools in your van Ideally, you should remove the tools from your van when you’re not working. If this isn’t possible, make sure they’re out of sight: covering or tinting windows makes it harder to see what’s
Get wise with parking Try to park your van in a place where it’s clearly visible and that’s well lit. Look out for areas with CCTV and make use of secure car parks when they’re an option. Parking with your loading doors close to a wall will make it harder for thieves to remove items if they do break in. If you normally park the van outside your house or on your driveway, position a smart security camera to monitor it so that you get an alert on your phone if someone tries to steal it. The footage could also help catch the culprits if there is an incident. Consider other security measures If your van doesn’t come with an alarm and immobiliser, it’s worth installing an approved system. Thatcham Research, which was set up by the motor insurance industry, tests and certifies alarms, immobilisers and other vehicle security products. A steering or gear lever lock, or a security box that fits over the pedals, will make your van harder to steal. You can install a GPS tracker to increase the chances of it being recovered if it is stolen. Signage on your van with your business name could also make it less attractive to thieves. Criminals can relay the signal from keyless fobs to open vehicle doors, so store them away from your front door or put them in a pouch or box that blocks the signal. n
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 35
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
How to prevent limescale It’s essential to make an informed choice and install an effective measure to help protect a boiler’s performance, efficiency and longevity from the effects of limescale. Richard Braid, managing director of Cistermiser, explains more.
H
eating engineers will be all too familiar with how frequently and aggressively limescale can form in heating and hot water systems in hard water areas, and the problems it can cause. Around 60 per cent of UK homes are in hard water areas, and the worst are the Southeast and London, the Midlands and eastern Wales. When hard water is heated or left to stand, the dissolved minerals solidify as the moisture evaporates, forming limescale. If preventative measures are not taken, rock-like limescale deposits can adhere to surfaces – including the inside of heating system pipework and components such as heat exchangers – and it isn’t easy
Combimate, Cistermiser’s phosphate dispenser, is straightforward to install. The 100 per cent food-grade polyphosphate compound is tasteless and odourless and approved by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). www.combimate.co.uk
36 January/February 2024
“ Just a 1.6mm coating of limescale on the boiler’s heating element can cause a 12 per cent loss in heating efficiency. Component damage and faults are also likely.” to remove. Over time, the buildup will significantly reduce the performance, efficiency and longevity of heating appliances. The impact shouldn’t be underestimated: just a 1.6mm coating of limescale on the boiler’s heating element can cause a 12 per cent loss in heating efficiency. Component damage and faults are also likely, and complete boiler failure is even a possibility. Treat to reduce It is now standard practice to include limescale prevention measures in new boiler installations in homes supplied with hard water. Part L of the Building Regulations states that in areas with hard water “suitable measures should be taken to treat the feed water to water heaters and the hot water circuit of combination boilers to reduce limescale accumulation”. However, it is also best practice to apply this to existing boilers. There are several ways to inhibit limescale. Before making recommendations, we would encourage heating engineers to thoroughly investigate each option, particularly assessing the evidence on their effectiveness and long-term protection. At entry level are electrolytic
and magnetic methods, typically available for less than £50. They’re compact and don’t require an electrical supply, but some models have a relatively limited lifespan, sometimes just a year. An alternative option is the installation of a water softener. A further well-established solution is phosphate dosing. Phosphate is a natural nutrient that does not alter the hardness or softness of the water: instead, minerals in the water are kept in suspension, preventing them from forming limescale deposits. The phosphate also creates a thin, non-residual protective coating on metal surfaces. The food-grade polyphosphate compound used is tasteless and odourless and safe for consumption. It is consistently introduced in microscopic quantities through a dispensing device installed directly on to the cold water supply. Devices operate without electricity and do not require drainage. We’d advise heating engineers to thoroughly review all the options, as they don’t all necessarily offer equal levels of effectiveness or longevity, and maintenance requirements can differ considerably. n
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‘ People must be at the heart of the conversation’ • Each consumer’s journey Registered Gas Engineer will be different and, due to differences in the UK’s reviews the results of a housing stock, some require pilot scheme to improve bespoke solutions • Planning restrictions can the energy efficiency in a make home improvement complicated, and local variety of UK homes through councils also need to raise installing different measures. their awareness of home improvement measures.
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he Sustainable Homes and Buildings Coalition has finished upgrading nine properties in the UK in its Home Improvement Pilot. It’s studied the upgrades on a case-by-case basis to reveal insights and move the conversation around energy efficiency from conceptual to the real world. The main findings from the pilot include: • The process of home improvement does involve disruption but consumers feel it is immediately worth the effort, even though cost remains the main upfront barrier
38 January/February 2024
The challenges The results and the lessons learned were published in the Coalition’s Home is Where the Heat Is: Outcomes Report. They shed light on some of the main challenges facing a national rollout of energy efficiency measures: • The supply chain, which needs to be developed further • The importance of improving social housing across the UK, not only to reduce energy costs, but also to stimulate scale • The need to address the private rented sector, where tenants are often not in control of improving the
energy efficiency of their properties. Nine homes shared funding of £250,000, provided by NatWest, British Gas and Worcester Bosch. In return for having their upgrades funded, the households agreed to share their experience of the process, and their thoughts and comments are detailed in the report. The Coalition says consumers must always be at the heart of the conversation because real people and their families will have to undergo a disruptive process. The Coalition is monitoring the impacts of the home improvements to determine the exact benefits to each household, analysing how much people can expect to save on their bills, as well as looking at reductions in carbon emissions and how comfortable each household is. The Coalition will report later this year. Within the report’s findings, Lloyd Cochrane, head of mortgages, NatWest Group, says: “There are two bumps in the road that we must smooth
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | TOWARDS NET ZERO
“ We found that customers were not familiar with new technology and sometimes rejected the opportunity for a low-carbon technology over a new gas boiler.”
out. Firstly, information and trust. People are still struggling to find basic information and trusted advice which can help them understand what they need to do to upgrade their homes and better appreciate the cost. “The second element is the supply chain. The supply chain for this sector is currently under-skilled (although businesses are improving this). The products needed are hard to source, which only adds to the cost and delay, and also hinders consumers’ decisionmaking process.” Lack of awareness “Another area of concern is the lack of consumer awareness about the measures they need to take to decarbonise their homes,” says Andrew Middleton, managing director of British Gas Zero. “British Gas’s research has shown that 78 per cent of the public say that they are willing
to make changes in their own homes to tackle climate change, but they do not know what measures are available to them. “And when asked what they would replace their existing boiler with, only 14 per cent said they’d choose a heat pump. During the pilot we found that customers were not familiar with new technology and sometimes rejected the opportunity for lower-carbon technology such as hybrid heat pumps over a new gas boiler.” Worcester Bosch’s CEO Carl Arntzen says: “Currently the UK does not have enough skilled workers to carry out the work required on a mass scale… [more than] 400,000 builders and skilled heating engineers are needed for the industry to tackle the challenge of retrofitting 29 million homes in the UK, but just 200,000 people currently work on maintaining and upgrading existing homes.” n
The Sustainable Homes and Buildings Coalition consists of NatWest, British Gas, Worcester Bosch and Citizens Advice. Set up in 2021, it aims to raise awareness around the key blockers to upgrading the UK’s housing stock on a national level, with a consumer-centric approach. The Home Improvement Pilot retrofitted nine households – in Pontypool, London, Kent, Swansea, Surrey, Tyne and Wear, Liverpool, and two properties in Merseyside. The measures fitted included solar panels, external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, radiators, smart TRVs, air source heat pumps, and windows.
Integrated heat pump commissioning service from MCS and Benchmark Heat pump commissioning through Benchmark Online and certification via the MCS Installations Database are set to be integrated. This will result in a single point of data entry for the almost 1,700 MCS-certified heat pump contractors. The partnership will see an integration of Benchmark and the MCS Installations Database (MID), with Benchmark commissioning engineers able to start the process of MCS certification creation with a single click. The changes will remove the existing requirement for multiple pieces of paperwork to separately commission and certify a system, with an automated process sharing the information between both platforms. Ultimately, this means engineers will only have to input installation information once, with Benchmark, MCS and the installer all having access to the same information about an installation.
Add info on the app The heating engineer simply fills out all available information on the app before the MCS-certified company completes the remainder of the form and issues the certificate. The MCS Product Directory, representing more than 100 manufacturers’ MCS-certified heat pump products, will remain the source of product data, ensuring a consistent reference for products tested to robust safety standards. Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, says: “Benchmark’s addition of heat pumps plays a crucial step in the normalisation of low-carbon heating. The opportunity to integrate our systems with a single data entry point now providing commissioning, certification and into notification through the certification bodies is a major step forward for heat pumps. “MCS certification demonstrates a commitment to quality and customers. It also unlocks access to government support and subsidy a key incentive for many installers. We hope this integration makes life simpler and quicker for the thousands of installers who are already part of the heat pump market.” www.benchmark.org.uk
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 39
Legislative, Normative & Informative
The Gas Safe Register Legislation & Standards Document List Date issued: 1 January 2024
Introduction This document defines all documents recognised by Gas Safe Register as being Legislative, Normative (gas standards) and Informative reference documents. Some documents may only be available as hard copy documents, but the majority are available to download, either via Gas Safe Register’s engineer website or from the organisation or body promoting the document. In some cases, the document is only available for purchase from the organisation or a recognised supplier. Hierarchy of legislation and standards In this document list, the hierarchy of documents within the following tables is defined in order of significance. Detailed first are Statutory Acts or regulations that are legally enforceable. These are followed by a recognised list of documents known as ‘Second Tier’ documents. This series of documents provides practical guidance on ways to comply with the functional requirements of Regulations. This guidance is not law but provides information that, if followed correctly, will ensure that legal obligations have been met. Where someone chooses to depart from this guidance, they will need to ensure that the method chosen provides equivalent or better standards of safety than the relevant published guidance. The guidance provided within appropriate second-tier documents will be used to assess compliance. The next tier of documents is gas industry standards that are aimed specifically at the installation, commissioning or maintenance of gas equipment (pipework, appliances, etc). These are known as Normative Documents and are referred to as ‘Gas Industry Standards’. These documents, in conjunction with any available manufacturer’s instructions, will be used by Gas
40 January/February 2024
Safe Register to assess compliance. Finally, the remaining listings provide details of links to other available information that 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. 1. Hierarchy of documents Legislation In this section, the listed documents are those brought to the Statute Book by an Act of Parliament and are referenced as Statutory Instruments (SI) or equivalent. These are the law in the respective countries as stated and must be followed. The SI Reference number (or equivalent) is preceded by the year of it being added to the Statute Book, ie, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 has an SI Number of 1998:2451. Regulations are in general written in a format that provides high-level requirements. Documents supporting legislation These documents provide practical guidance on ways to comply with the functional requirements of the Regulations. For the Building Regulations, these are outlined in a series of Approved Documents (AD) published by the appropriate government department responsible for the Regulations. The ADs that currently apply to gas work are: • A Structure • B Fire safety • F Ventilation • G3 Hot water storage • J Heat producing appliances • L Conservation of fuel and power • M Access to and use of buildings • P Electrical safety in dwellings. Each document contains general guidance on the performance expected of materials and
building work in order to comply with each of the requirements of the Building Regulations; and practical examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some of the more common building situations. 2. Gas Industry Standards In this section are all the Gas Industry Standards published by the three current Standard Setting Bodies, which are: •B ritish and European Standards (BSI) • I nstitution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) •L iquid Gas UK (formerly known as UKLPG). One standard is published by National Caravan Council (NCC). 3. Documents under review If it is known that the three-month validity period coincides with a period of time in which a standard being revised is out for public comment, the final date for comment will be included. Gas Safe Register will use best endeavours to keep the documents under review as up to date as possible, but the Register is NOT responsible for reviewing, revising or updating industry standards. Where a registered business or industry stakeholder has an enquiry about revisions to guidance documents, this should be directed to the relevant Standard Setting Body. Comments on draft standards can be submitted to: •B ritish and European Standards (BSI) https://standards development.bsigroup.com (registration required) • I nstitution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) www.igem.org.uk/technicalstandards.html 4. Links to online documents When viewing this document online, hyperlinks are active so that you can open the document and read it or save it for later use. However, all saved documents will be considered as uncontrolled versions and you
should check that you are referencing the current version. 5. Inspections undertaken by Gas Safe Register When Gas Safe Register inspects work undertaken by registered gas businesses in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Guernsey, in the first instance, it will assess against the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Where these are not available or relevant, it will inspect against the criteria as specified within legislative documents and relevant gas industry standards. However, it is recognised that, due to the differences of individual legislation used in different geographical areas, there will be some differences in application. While conducting inspections, due regard will be taken of the requirements of all appropriate guidance. 6. General This Gas Safe Register document will be updated and republished on, or about, the following dates each year: • 1 January • 1 April • 1 July • 1 October. If you identify an error in this document, or you are aware of reference documents that may be useful that you think should be added to future editions, please email: technical@ gassaferegister.co.uk BSI, IGEM and Liquid Gas UK develop and publish guidance with the help of industry in the form of committees. Gas Safe Register does not have any responsibility for the development and publication of this type of guidance document. Where registered businesses and stakeholders have questions regarding these guidance documents, they should be directed to the relevant Standard Setting Body.
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
Health & Safety Legislation Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (GB) The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (GB) The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (GB) Health & Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (of Parliament) (As applied to Isle of Man) The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2003 (As applied to Isle of Man) The Health & Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1987 As Amended – Version May 2016 Gas Safety Legislation The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 (England, Scotland & Wales) The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1994 as amended & applied by the Gas Safety (Application) Order 1996 (As applied to Isle of Man) The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2006 As Amended Version – May 2016 Approved Code of Practice ‘Safe Work with Gas Systems and Appliances’ – Jersey The Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995 (As applied in the United Kingdom) The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 The Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 (As applied in Great Britain) The Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1997 (As applied in Northern Ireland) Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1996 as applied to Great Britain Schedule 5 (Powers of Entry, etc) of The Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1983 as applied by the Gas Safety (Application) Order 1996 (Isle of Man) Part 7 of The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2006 As Amended Version May 2016 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) (GB) Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations 1999 (RIDDOR) (Isle of Man) The Health & Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 1987 (includes RIDDOR-type reporting) Building Legislation Building Regulations (England and Wales) 2010 Building and Buildings, England & Wales, The Building Regulations & C (Amendment) Regulations 2015 Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2004 Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010 Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 Building (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022 Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 The Building (Guernsey) Regulations 2012 Building Bylaws (Jersey) 2007 Building Regulations 2014 Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 (Great Britain) The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2003 (As applied to Isle of Man) Building Control (Approved Documents) Order 2014 (As applied to Isle of Man) Other Legislation The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 The Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) (GB) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (GB) The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 The Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (UK) The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (GB) Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (GB) Control of Asbestos at Work (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2003 The Control of Asbestos Regulations (GB) 2012 The Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 Managing asbestos (Isle of Man) HSE Guernsey – Management of Exposure to Asbestos in Workplace Buildings and Structures – ACOP HSE Guernsey – Control of Asbestos – ACOP 2017
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (GB) Electricity At Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 Note 1: Further information on ordinances in Guernsey at: www.gov.gg/hseguidance Note 2: Further information on legislation in the Isle of Man at: www.gov.im/categories/planningand-building-control/
8: DOCUMENTS SUPPORTING LEGISLATION Key Approved Documents to the Building Regulations (England) Approved Document 7: Materials and workmanship B: Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses B: Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses F: Ventilation Volume 1: Dwellings F: Ventilation Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2016 edition) J: Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems L: Conservation of fuel and power – Volume 1: Dwellings L: Conservation of fuel and power – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings Second-tier documents to the Building Regulations – England Code for Sustainable Homes & Technical Guide December 2014 Building Energy Performance Assessment Key approved documents to the Building Regulations (Wales) B: Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses B: Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses F: Ventilation G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2016 edition) J: Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems L: Conservation of fuel and power Volume 1 – Dwellings L: Conservation of fuel and power Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwellings Out for comments Second-tier documents to the Building Regulations – Wales Code for Sustainable Homes & Technical Guide December 2014 Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations (Domestic) Scottish Technical Handbook (Domestic) Section 2 – Domestic Fire
Section 3 – Domestic Environment Section 6 – Domestic Energy Building Energy Performance Assessment
TECHNICAL
7: LEGISLATION
Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations (Non-domestic) Scottish Technical Handbook (Non-Domestic) Section 2 – Non-Domestic Fire Section 3 – Non-Domestic Environment Section 6 – Non-Domestic Energy Second-tier documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations Scottish Government Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Regulations) Northern Ireland DFP Technical Booklet C: 2012 – Site preparation & resistance to moisture DFP Technical Booklet E: 2012 – Fire Safety DFP Technical Booklet C: 2012 – Site preparation & resistance to moisture DFP Technical Booklet E: 2012 – Fire Safety DFP Technical Booklet F1: 2022 – Conservation of fuel & power in dwellings DFP Technical Booklet F2: 2022 – Conservation of fuel & power in buildings other than dwellings DFP Technical Booklet K: 2012 – Ventilation DFP Technical Booklet L: 2012 – Combustion appliances & fuel storage systems DFP Technical Booklet P: 2012 – Sanitary appliances, unvented hot water storage systems and reducing the risk of scalding Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Regulations Isle of Man (IoM) B – Fire Safety – Fire safety (2022 Edition) F – Ventilation (2022 Edition) J – Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems (2022 Edition) L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings (2022 Edition) L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Buildings other than Dwellings (2022 Edition) Building Energy Performance Assessment
> www.gassaferegister.co.uk 41
Key Approved Documents to the
> Building Bylaws (Guernsey) –
Channel Islands B – Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses B – Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses F – Ventilation J – Heat producing appliances & Fuel Storage Systems L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power – Buildings other than Dwellings Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Bylaws (Jersey) – Channel Islands Part 2 – Fire Safety Part 3 – Combustion appliances and Fuel Storage Systems Part 5 – Ventilation Part 11 – Conservation of Fuel and Power HSE Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Great Britain) L21 – Management of Health & Safety at Work Withdrawn. See HSG65 below L24 – Workplace health, safety & welfare (ACoP & Guidance) 2nd Edition L25 – Personal Protective Equipment at Work L56 – Safety in the Installation & use of Gas Systems & Appliances – Approved Code of Practice L80 – A guide to the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 L108 – Controlling noise at work – The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 – Guidance on Regulations L122 – Safety of pressure systems – Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 – Approved Code of Practice (Second Edition) L138 – Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres. Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice & Guidance L143 – Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (ACoP) – The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises, and Work with materials containing asbestos (Second Edition) Incorporating previous L127 L153 – Managing health & safety in construction – Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 Approved Code of Practice HSG47 – Avoiding danger from underground services – Third edition 2014 HSG48 – Reducing error & influencing behaviour
42 January/February 2024
HSG65 – Managing for Health & Safety Management – Third Edition – 2013 HSG85 – Electricity at Work – Safe working practices – Third Edition 2013 HSG97 – A step by step guide to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment (see also COSHH Essential Guidance publications) HSG137 – Health Risk Management – A practical guide for managers in small & medium-sized enterprises HSG176 – The storage of flammable liquids in tanks HSG210 – Asbestos Essentials – A task manual for building, maintenance & allied trades on non-licensed asbestos work (Free task sheets) HSG213 – Introduction to Asbestos Essentials HSG250 – Guidance on permit-towork systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical & allied industries HSG253 – The safe isolation of plant and equipment (Second edition) HSG261 – Health & safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries EH40 – Occupational Exposure Limits (2020) INDG163 (rev4) – Risk assessment (A brief guide to controlling risks in the workplace) INDG223 (rev5) – Managing asbestos in buildings (A brief guide) INDG231 (rev1) – Electrical safety and you (A brief guide) INDG258 (rev1) – Confined spaces (A brief guide to working safely) INDG428 (08/09) – Inspecting and maintaining or replacing buried metallic pipework carrying LPG vapour INDG223 – Manage buildings? You must manage asbestos INDG370 (rev1) – Controlling Fire and explosion risks in the workplace – A brief guide to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regs INDG453 (rev1) – Reporting accidents and incidents at work. A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) HSE aO – Advice on non-licensed work with Asbestos. Introduction to ‘Asbestos essentials’ task sheets Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials guidance publications Building Bulletin 101 – Ventilation of school buildings (Called up in IGEM/ UP/11 Edition 2) LAQM.TG(09) Local Air Quality Management – Technical Guidance
CAIS10 (Revision 2) – Ventilation of kitchens in catering establishments (7.12) CAIS23 (Revision 2) – Gas safety in catering and hospitality (July 2013 version aimed at those operating catering and hospitality businesses) Note 3: Further asbestos-related guidance is at: www.hse.gov.uk/ asbestos/essentials/index.htm Note 4: Further Health and Safety Guidance (HSG) publications is at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ index-hsg-ref.htm HSENI Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Northern Ireland) A guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases & Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 L56 Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances – GB ACOP approved for use in NI Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 Note 5: Further information on Northern Ireland Approved Codes of Practice and guidance notes is 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 is at: www.gov.gg/hseguidance
9: GAS INDUSTRY STANDARDS British & European Standards BS 4163: 2021 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 Guidance for the design, commissioning, and maintenance of LPG systems on small craft BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-3: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Decorative fuel-effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-4: 2007 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Independent gas-fired flueless fires, convector heaters & heating stoves of nominal heat input not exceeding 6kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6172: 2010 + A1 2017 Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6173: 2020 Specification for installation of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6230: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired forced convection air heaters for commercial & industrial space heating (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6400-1: 2016 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 1 – Low pressure (2nd family gases) BS 6400-2: 2018 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & 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, caravans and boats – Guide on the selection, installation, use & maintenance BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5 bar for industrial installations & greater than 5 bar for industrial & non-industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5 bar for industrial installations & greater than 5 bar for industrial & non-industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance BS EN 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 Edition 2 Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of industrial & commercial gas installations. Under review IGE/UP/1A Edition 2 Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations (inc amendments published March 2005). Under review
IGEM/UP/1B Edition 3 Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations (with Amendments October 2012). Under review IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of Natural Gas and LPG meter installations IGEM/UP/2 Edition 3 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises. Under review IGEM/UP/3 Edition 3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines. Under review IGEM/UP/4 Edition 4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises IGEM/UP/6 Edition 3 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems IGE/UP/7 Edition 2 with amendments October 2008 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008) Note 7: IGE/UP/7 – Edition 2 with amendments is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ ige-up-7-edition-2-a-2008-gasinstallations-in-timber-framed-andlight-steel-framed-buildings.html IGE/UP/9 Edition 3 Application of Natural Gas and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners. IGEM/UP/10 Edition 4 with amendments March 2016 & February 2017 Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises IGEM/UP/11 Edition 3 Gas installations for educational establishments IGEM/UP/12 Edition 2 Application of burners and controls to gas fired process plant. Under review IGEM/UP/16 Edition 2 with Amendments November 2023 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to DSEAR IGEM/UP/17 Edition 2 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and body shops IGEM/UP/19 Edition 2 Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering establishments IGEM/GL/8 Edition 4 Notification, investigation and reporting of gas-related incidents IGE/GL/9 Guidance for large gas consumers in dealing with Natural Gas supply emergencies. Available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-gl-9.html IGE/TD/4 Edition 5 PE and steel gas services and services pipework. Revision expected
IGEM/G/1 Edition 2 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework. Under review IGEM/G/4 Edition 2 Definitions in the Gas Industry. Under review IGEM/G/5 Edition 3 with amendments April 2023 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings. IGEM/G/6 Gas supplies to mobile dwellings. Out for public comment IGEM/G/7 Risk Assessment Techniques IGEM/G/10 Non-return valves IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 with amendments July 2022 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) Note 8: IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/ resource/igem-g-11-edition-2-gasindustry-unsafe-situationsprocedure.html IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1 Responding to domestic CO alarm activations/reports of fumes after attendance by the emergency service provider or the Liquid Petroleum Gas supplier Note 9: IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/resource/igem-g-11supplement-1-responding-todomestic-co-alarm-activationsreports-of-fumes.html IGEM/G/13 with Amendments August 2023 Domestic supply capacity and operating pressure at the outlet of the meter Note 10: IGEM/G/13 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-g-13-domestic-supplycapacity-and-operating-pressureat-the-outlet-of-the-meter.html IGE/GM/4 Edition 3 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 bar and not exceeding 100 bar IGE/GM/5 Edition 4 Electronic gas meter volume conversion systems. Under review IGEM/GM/6 Edition 3 Non-domestic meter installations – Standard designs IGEM/GM/7A Edition 2 Electrical connections for gas metering equipment IGEM/GM/7B Edition 2 Hazardous area classification for gas metering equipment IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 1 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Flow rate exceeding 6m3/h-1 & inlet pressure not exceeding 38 bar Design IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Fabrication, installation and commissioning IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Edition 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 43
TECHNICAL
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
>
IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Edition 2
> Non-domestic meter installations.
Notices and labels IGEM/IG/1 Edition 2 Standards of Training in Gas Work Note 11: IGEM/IG/1 Edition 2 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/ resource/igem-ig-1-ed-2standards-of-training-in-gas-work. html IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 1 Standards of Training in Gas Work, Non-domestic training specification Note 12: IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 1 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/resource/igem-ig-1-supplement1-non-domestic-trainingspecification.html IGEM/IG/2 Engineer’s Guide to relevant sections of IGEM/UP/19 in catering establishments Note 13: IGEM/IG/2 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-ig-2-guidance-for-gasengineers.html IGEM/SR/25 Edition 2 Hazardous area classification of natural gas installations (with amendments July 2013). Under review IGEM/SR/29 Edition 2 Dealing with gas escapes IGEM/H/1 Reference Standard for low pressure hydrogen utilisation Note 14: IGEM/H/1 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-h-1-with-amendments-june2022-reference-standard-for-lowpressure-hydrogen-utilisation.html Liquid Gas UK Codes of Practice (CoP) UKLPG – LPG Technical Fundamentals CoP 1 Part 1 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Design, installation & Operation of Vessels Located Above Ground CoP 1 Part 2 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Vapour Off-take Small Bulk Propane Installations CoP 1 Part 3 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed installations – Examination & Inspection CoP 1 Part 4 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Buried/ Mounded LPG Storage Vessels CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges. Revised guidance document CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems CoP 21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000) CoP 22 Including Amd 1 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems. Revised guidance document CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering
44 January/February 2024
CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008) CoP 32 Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance CoP 33 Use of LPG cylinders GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters
10: OTHER INFORMATIVE DOCUMENTS AND USEFUL REFERENCES Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS) CGS 01 Mobile Bottled Gas Heaters and Condensation CGS 03 The Use of LPG Cylinders Indoors CGS 04 LPG Patio Heaters – Safe Use CGS 05 LPG Hose and Tubing for use with Vapour Offtake Cylinders CGS 20 Camping Safely CGS 22 Owning Your Own LPG Storage Vessel CGS 25 LPG Installation Record & Documentation CGS 28 Safe Use of Propane and Butane Cylinders and Cartridges CGS 37 Guidance for Private Ownership and Filling of LPG Cylinders CGS 39 Regulators – Safe Use Note 15: Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS) are available at: www.liquidgasuk.org/ domestic/consumer-guidancesheets Other Industry Procedures/ Documents DW/172 Specification for kitchen ventilation systems IGEM/G/11 Edition 2 with amendments July 2022 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in or the IGEM website at: www.igem. org.uk/resource/igem-g-11edition-2-gas-industry-unsafesituations-procedure.html
All Technical Bulletins For further information see TB 1000. This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in All Gas Safe Register Safety Alerts This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in All Gas Safe Register Industry Standard Updates This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in Note 16: Gas Safe registered businesses can find up-to-date manufacturer’s instructions/ information for a wide range of heating appliances, notably boilers and warm air heating appliances, on the HHIC’s website. For further information go to: https:// installersfirst.co.uk/register
11: ACCESS TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS FROM GAS SAFE REGISTER The Industry Standard numbers highlighted below are those included in the list of current Industry Standards available on a subscription basis to the majority of Gas Safe registered businesses. To subscribe, log into your online account at: www.gassaferegister. co.uk/sign-in and choose Standards Subscriptions. Choose and pay for a one or three-year subscription and then you will be able to access the normative documents. BS 5440-1: 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 gasburning installations. Installations in boats, yachts & other vessels BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification
BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-3: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Decorative fuel-effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-4: 2007 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Independent gas-fired flueless fires, convector heaters & heating stoves of nominal heat input not exceeding 6kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6172: 2010 + A1 2017 Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6173: 2020 Specification for installation of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6230: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired forced convection air heaters for commercial & industrial space heating (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6400-1: 2016 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 1 – Low pressure (2nd family gases) BS 6400-2: 2018 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h (2nd & 3rd family gases) – Medium pressure (2nd family gases) BS 6400-3: 2007 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation & removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Low & medium pressure (3rd family gases) BS 6644: 2011 Specification for Installation of gas-fired hot water boilers of rated inputs between 70kW (net) & 1.8MW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) – Incorporating Corrigendum No. 1 BS 6798: 2014 Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
BS 6891: 2015 + A1 2019 Specification for the installation and maintenance of low-pressure gas installation pipework of up to 35mm (R1¼) on premises BS 6896: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired overhead radiant heaters for industrial & commercial heating (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 7624: 2004 Specification for installation & maintenance of domestic direct gas-fired tumble dryers of up to 6kW heat input (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 7967: 2015 Guide for the use of electronic portable combustion gas analysers for the measurement of carbon monoxide in dwellings and the combustion performance of domestic gas-fired appliances BS 7967-5: 2010 Carbon monoxide in dwellings & other premises & the combustion performance of gas-fired appliances – Guide for using electronic portable combustion gas analysers in non-domestic premises for the measurement of carbon monoxide & carbon dioxide levels & the determination of combustion performance BS 8446: 2020 Specification for the installation & maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances BS EN 721: 2019 Leisure accommodation vehicles – Safety ventilation requirements BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures – Functional requirements BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5 bar for industrial installations & greater than 5 bar for industrial & non-industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5 bar for industrial installations & greater than 5 bar for industrial & non-industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance BS EN 1949: 2021 Specification for the installation of LPG systems for habitation purposes in leisure accommodation vehicles & accommodation purposes in other vehicles BS EN ISO 10239: 2017 Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems BS EN 13410: 2001 Gas-fired overhead radiant heaters – Ventilation requirements for non-domestic premises (Amd Jan 03)
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers Documents (IGEM) IGEM/UP/1 Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of industrial & commercial gas installations IGEM/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations IGEM/UP/1B Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of natural gas and LPG meter installations IGEM/UP/2 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises IGEM/UP/3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines IGEM/UP/4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises IGEM/UP/6 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems IGEM/UP/7 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008). See Note 7 IGEM/UP/9 Application of Natural Gas and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners IGEM/UP/10 Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises IGEM/UP/11 Gas installations in educational establishments IGEM/UP/12 Application of burners and controls to gas fired process plant IGEM/UP/16 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to DSEAR IGEM/UP/17 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and body shops (Replaced British Gas Technical Publication IM/28: 1993) IGEM/UP/19 Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering establishments IGEM/GL/8 Notification, investigation and reporting of gas-related incidents IGEM/GL/9 Guidance for large gas consumers in dealing with Natural Gas supply emergencies. Available free at: www.igem.org.uk/resource/ igem-gl-9.html IGEM/TD/4 PE and steel gas services and service pipework
IGEM/G/1 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework IGEM/G/4 Definitions in the Gas Industry IGEM/G/5 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings IGEM/G/6 Gas supplies to mobile dwellings IGEM/G/11 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) IGEM/G/11 Supplement 1 Responding to domestic CO alarm activations/reports of fumes after attendance by the emergency service provider or the Liquid Petroleum Gas supplier IGEM/GM/4 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 bar & not exceeding 100 bar IGEM/GM/5 Electronic gas meter volume conversion systems IGEM/GM/6 Non-domestic meter installations – Standard designs IGEM/GM/7A Electrical connections for gas metering equipment IGEM/GM/7B Hazardous area classification for gas metering equipment IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 1 Non-domestic meter installations. Flow rate exceeding 6m3/h-1 & inlet pressure not exceeding 38 bar Design IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Non-domestic meter installations. Fabrication, installation and commissioning IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Non-domestic meter installations. Notices and labels
CoP 22 Including Amd 1 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008) CoP 32 Liquid Gas UK CoP 32 LPG systems in Leisure Accommodation Vehicles and Road Vehicles with Habitation – Post Delivery Inspection, Commissioning and Maintenance CoP 33 Use of LPG cylinders GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters ■
Liquid Gas UK Codes of Practice (CoP) CoP 1 Part 1 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Design, installation & Operation of Vessels Located Above Ground CoP 1 Part 2 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Vapour Off-take Small Bulk Propane Installations CoP 1 Part 3 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed installations – Examination & Inspection CoP 1 Part 4 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Buried/ Mounded LPG Storage Vessels (Inc Amendment March 2013) CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems CoP 21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000)
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48 Keep heating systems efficient with Trappex
Telescopic internal flue ensures safer, one-person fit
48 Solid alternative for heating system cleaning
Heating engineers can fit flues more safely, faster and cheaper with the telescopic internal flue from Baxi. The internal fit telescopic flue and elbow kit makes it possible to fit the boiler flue from inside the property without the need for extra labour, ladders or crawling boards for high terminal points. The flue is available in a short length (300mm-470mm) or long (420mm-690mm) to provide flexibility for a variety of wall thicknesses. A multi-lip rubber weather seal protects it from wind and rain by sealing the flue from inside and negating the need to make good from the outside. White UV paint ensures that any portion of the flue exposed through the property’s
48 Compact heat pump system cylinders from Stiebel Eltron 49 Keep your van safer with ARMD Guard 49 Samsung reveals ‘future-proof’ heat pumps 49 Megaflo revamps Eco cylinder range
wall is protected from UV degradation. Each telescopic internal flue is supplied as a kit complete with a built-in flue elbow and test points. The flue can be fitted on top of the boiler with no need for a vertical flue adaptor, which the company says makes for a lower and neater flue finish.
Commercial and marketing director Nick Platt says: “While a flue isn’t generally regarded as the most intricate component of a boiler installation, it can be quite complex to fit, especially at height, which is a challenge we wanted to help engineers to overcome.” www.baxi.co.uk
NX generation of boilers from Alpha Alpha has added the ProTec NX to its portfolio of gas boilers. It’s a high-efficiency, fan-assisted condensing boiler for commercial applications, as well as larger domestic projects. The ProTec NX improves running costs and has ultra-low emissions, says the company. It comes in six outputs from 48kW to 180kW and can be cascaded to achieve higher outputs and increase load flexibility. The wide 1:10 modulation range enables the boiler to run at a low output with fewer on/off cycles, reducing emissions and increasing component longevity. The easy-to-fit unit can be wall-mounted or fixed to a freestanding low or ultra-low
frame. The boiler is factory-fitted with a room-sealed ‘C’ flue type configuration and is compatible with ‘B23’ or twin-flue systems using the stub kit. A wide range of hydraulic accessories is available. The inbuilt control panel can set programmes, temperatures and zones to suit the system need, and boilers in cascade can be driven from one ‘master’ appliance. Alternatively, installers can use separate controls: either Alpha’s own cascade controller or a separate panel from the plant room. Input from these can be simple on/off control, or using OpenTherm compatibility. www.alpha-innovation.co.uk/ > products/Commercial+Products www.gassaferegister.co.uk 47
productupdate >
Keep heating systems efficient with Trappex Trappex domestic filters and inline scale reducers are designed to combat build-ups of harmful particulates that can lead to reduced efficiency, higher energy consumption and even central heating system failures. The range includes
Centramag 2 nylon filters, Genesis brass filters and Quantum mini brass filters. They control the water flow and maximise the capture of non-magnetic particles, while the inline scale reducers prevent the build-up of scale. www.arctic-hayes.com
Solid alternative for cleaning New solid chemical treatment inhibitors, cleaners and biocides are founded on the simple belief that water treatment does not need to revolve around huge quantities
of liquid chemicals. DosaFil has four key products: DR1 solid inhibitor sticks are the first solid inhibitor to gain NSF International CIAS (formerly BuildCert) certification. The other products are DR2 solid cleaner sticks, DR3 solid heavy duty cleaner sticks and DR4 solid biocide sticks. The active ingredients come in a solid paste format that is as effective as the traditional liquid chemical approach but is far lighter to handle
Compact heat pump system cylinders from Stiebel Eltron Stiebel Eltron UK’s compact system cylinders integrate the indoor components of a heat pump into one spacesaving unit. The lightweight cylinders are pre-plumbed and pre-wired for plug-and-play installation. Fitted with an indoor hot water tank and control system, the cylinders are matched with outdoor air-source heat pumps to create a practical heating solution, particularly in limited spaces and smaller properties. The lightweight stainless 48 January/February 2024
steel models range from 180 litres to 300 litres capacity and some include a buffer cylinder to store heat when demand is low. The HSBB 180 S Plus and HSBC 225 S 1 models are integrated with the building’s heat pump system as they bring the domestic hot water (DHW) cylinder and hydraulic parts together into a single appliance. Due to their compact size, the cylinders can be fitted in often under-utilised areas of homes, such as an airing cupboard, and perform
efficiently with low standby losses. A large-area heat exchanger enables them to work effectively where there is high DHW demand. Managing director Mark McManus says: “The compact cylinder system range is designed to make the life of installers easier, offering an efficient, spacesaving solution that pulls together everything needed to see heat pumps work in a dwelling of any size.” www.stiebel-eltron.co.uk
and transport and with no leakage or spillage in use. Because it’s a solid, there’s no plastic to end up in landfill. They are compact and lightweight in comparison with up to 90 per cent of the contents of traditional liquid chemical water treatment products. The far lighter weight reduces transport costs, fuel use and storage costs and the non-spillable solid products are easy and safe to handle and transport. www.dosafil.co.uk
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | PRODUCTS
Samsung reveals ‘future-proof’ heat pump
Keep your van safer with ARMD Guard More features have been added to ARMD Guard, the smart van alarm and tracker. The plug-and-play alarm can be set up in just two minutes, by plugging it into the on-board diagnostics (OBD) port in the van. The alarm is powered by the vehicle’s OBD port, so that it doesn’t drain the van’s battery. In the event of a break-in, its silent alert system calls you discreetly while the criminals are in action, without them knowing, so that you can take swift action. Auto-scheduling
enables you to plan when the ARMD Guard should be switched on or off, so that you don’t have to remember to turn it on at night or off in the morning if you leave for work at a fixed time. Built-in GPS enables you to track the van’s location and movements in real time so that you can keep tabs on the vehicle or recover it in case of theft. You can arm and disarm ARMD Guard via the app, ensuring your van is always protected. www.armd.uk
Samsung has unveiled its EHS Mono R290 heat pump, which it describes as a future-proof choice for homeowners. The range is suitable for renovations and retrofits. Its enlarged integral plate heat exchanger can transfer more heat at once compared with a conventional outdoor unit and can deliver a 100 per cent heating performance in temperatures as low as -10°C. It can produce domestic hot water at 70°C when the outdoor temperature is -10°C to +43°C ambient temperature without using the booster heater. Joe Raftery, UK heating product manager Climate Solutions, says: “The internal components of the unit have been adapted compared to a standard R32 monobloc heat pump to support the separation of the R290 refrigerant and the rest of the system.” The EHS Mono outdoor unit is designed for simple installation, service and maintenance. The internal components can be accessed through the side panel. The EHS Mono R290 is available in capacities of 5kW, 8kW, 12kW, and 16kW. All units are single fan. www.samsungclimatesolutions.com
Megaflo revamps Eco cylinder range Megaflo has upgraded its Eco direct and indirect unvented hot water cylinders. The Megaflo Eco Indirect 170, 210, 250 and 300 have been optimised to reheat 19 per cent faster, satisfying demand for the best possible hot water recovery times. And, following installer feedback, a robust handle has been added to make manoeuvrability and installation simpler and safer. A simplified warranty sees every product in the Megaflo range receive the same 30-year warranty for its inner tank and two-year warranty on all other components.
Megaflo Eco cylinders deliver up to 76 litres of hot water per minute at 3 bar pressure, without the need for shower pumps or tanks. Meanwhile, its 60mm of CFC/HCFC-free injected foam and insulated T and P valves combine for heat retention and energy efficiency. Rob Pearse, residential sales and specifications director at Baxi, says: “The full line-up of Megaflo Eco features now stands out as one of the best on the market, ensuring installers need look no further for their hot water storage needs.” www.megaflo.com www.gassaferegister.co.uk 49
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | SKILLS AND TRAINING
skillsandtraining Vaillant teams up with West Suffolk College for heat pump training
The centre was opened by the Leader of West Suffolk District County Council, Councillor Cliff Waterman
Vaillant has joined forces with West Suffolk College to open a heat pump training facility that will provide low-carbon training for students, apprentices and heating engineers in East Anglia. The partner centre in Bury St Edmunds expands Vaillant’s in-person training capabilities. The company expects to see more than 500 installers trained in the design, installation and maintaining heat pump systems at the site in the coming year. The centre will host both Vaillant’s own product courses that upskill heating engineers in heat pump technology and
More locations for Navien UK training Navien has expanded its training scheme to new locations across the UK. Free nationwide events help heating engineers find out more about Navien’s appliances, as well as its energy-saving smart controls. UK training manager Gavin Edwards says: “We have delivered game-changing products to the market since launching in the UK. With these developments supporting our expansion in
50 January/February 2024
the UK, we want to make sure that the installers working with our products have a full understanding of how they work and how to get the best performance and efficiency out of them for customers.” The one-day sessions are delivered at locations including Newcastle, Hull, Cardiff, Scotland, Cornwall, Somerset, Lancashire, Guildford and the Midlands. When you complete a training session, you’ll receive 70 Navien Choice points, which you can either exchange for a prize or earn more points by installing Navien’s products to unlock a higher-value prize. www.navien.co.uk/ boiler-training-courses
offers practical modules within its Aspire Heat Pump training pathway. The centre will also serve West Suffolk College’s student population, supporting low-carbon and plumbing and heating apprentices and students with practical skills. The college will provide Level 3 Heat Pump qualifications to existing installers. Vaillant Training and Technologies director Mark Wilkins says: “The need to have enough installers properly trained and able to advise and fit this low-carbon technology is vital.” Phil Stittle, executive director for Business Development at
West Suffolk College, says: “Our partnership with Vaillant opens the doors for even more installers looking to invest in training and make the move to incorporate heat pump installation into their offering to customers. “For many installers, heat pump technology is still relatively new, so having product on site that they can work with and ask questions, will go a long way to building confidence needed to take the next step to this low-carbon technology as part of the overarching green skills training offer. www.vaillant.co.uk
Learn about HIUs and heat networks with Ideal Ideal Heating Commercial Products has a new CPD on heat networks and heat interface units. The CIBSEaccredited CPD provides an overview of the benefits of heat networks and how heat interface units (HIUs) ensure the user’s thermal comfort as well as the efficient operation of the network. It’s mainly a beginner’s guide, aimed at those who have a basic knowledge but little first-hand exposure: it describes the concept of heat networks and their key benefits. It also focuses on HIUs, explaining their role in transferring thermal energy from the network to provide heating and hot water for the user. The basic principles of HIU operation, along with common components and
some typical mechanical and electronic functions are addressed. The hour-long CPD can be delivered online or in person, either at a customer’s premises or at one of Ideal Heating’s Centres of Excellence in Hull and Leeds. The CPD can also be tailored to suit specific businesses and their requirements. www.idealcommercialboilers. com/cpd-courses
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | SKILLS AND TRAINING
skillsandtraining Apprenticeship for larger systems to start in 2024 A new apprenticeship for plumbing and heating on larger buildings and systems will be ready to start later this year. The structure and content of the apprenticeship has been created by the APHC’s Employer Group, which includes members ranging from sole traders to larger businesses. It was chaired by APHC member David Merrett from Merrett’s Heating Services. Supported by the APHC, the group reviewed the current apprenticeship routes and identified the need for an
Boost your ASHP skills with Baxi Baxi has launched a suite of air source heat pump (ASHP) training courses to support heating engineers become qualified to install the technology. The courses at the company’s network of centres provide practical training, delivered by accredited training experts. The ASHP Product Day explores the principles of how a heat pump works, the Baxi product range, installation considerations, the policy landscape and the grants available. For those looking to gain their Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation, BPEC’s accredited ASHP course is a hands-on programme that covers the principles of design, installation,
52 January/February 2024
commissioning and servicing. After a formal assessment that leads to a nationally recognised BPEC qualification, heating engineers can use the qualification to demonstrate competence in heat pump installation for their MCS application. www.baxi.co.uk/trade/ training-courses
apprenticeship for businesses working on larger buildings and systems. This area has been missing from apprenticeships for years, says the APHC. It means that there will now be three pathways to choose from: gas, leading to Gas Safe registration; environmental technologies (including solar thermal and air source heat pumps), leading to a Competent Persons Scheme and Microgeneration Scheme, and now the new nondomestic plumbing route. This will cover plumbing
systems found in non-domestic buildings, for example, washrooms and larger above-ground drainage systems. Awarding bodies and end-point assessment organisations will be working together to develop the apprenticeship components, which will be underpinned by a Level 3 qualification and an end-point assessment. The apprenticeship will be ready for delivery and with registrations open for new starters and transfers by June 2024.
Daikin network continues to grow Daikin UK opened nine new centres and showrooms in 2023, growing its national Sustainable Home Network by almost 40 per cent year on year. At the network of walk-in centres, homeowners can learn more about the benefits of renewable heating solutions before being partnered with a trusted local installer. Local installers can use the centres to access free training and resources, with around 90 training sessions delivered by Daikin UK and 700 spaces available for installers, every month. Installers also benefit from lead generation and enquiries through the centres, sending homeowners their way for a quality installation experience. Iain Bevan, commercial manager, Heating & Renewables, says: “Together, we are tackling the green skills shortage and making a significant contribution towards our national net zero targets. And we’ve got even more new centres joining our network over the coming months.” Daikin’s new installer offer provides free local heat pump training in a Daikin Sustainable Home Centre and £100 off easy MCS accreditation, alongside warranties for customers, so that installers can concentrate on quality installs. New installers also get 40 per cent off their first heat pump unit purchased at a local centre, and commissioning support for the first installations.
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