gas safe register probation site visit

[garry38]

hi there im a plumber / gas engineer and recently went self employed and got my own gas safe registration.
Now after working for 3 months gas safe want to visit one of my jobs to inspect my work.
Well my question is are they strict on everything such as if the working pressure is slightly more than 1mbar of difference between meter and appliances etc on say a new heating system.
do they ask lots of questions? is it like an exam?
do they expect you to go around radiators with thermometers and a flow cup at taps when they are there?
I wnt to be prepared and ready for the inspection.

 

[Kip]

Beleive it all depends how you wen't about getting your license. Did u serve a apprentaship? or just get the evidence and buy in.

Mine was straight forward, only one question he asked! Didnt ask for evidance, wanted me to go through Reg26(9) and tada, he was off.

 

[garry38]

i served a 4 year apprenticeship in plumbing and mostly only install heating systems cookers and fires. i dont really do many servicing of appliances or safety checks etc.
what i mean is does he have you taking burner pressures and gas rating etc and checking working pressures etc

im in scotland aswell so reg 26 and tada might be english thing ?

 

[oldplumber]

my check was in june and I took my assessor to a boiler install I did the week before. He watched me do let by test and pressure checks on the valve/pipework, then did a gas rate on the boiler, asked about pressure drops allowable on the meter as the system stood then back home for coffee/tea. Simples Dont panic they are not trying to catch you out just make sure you are safe.

 

[Kip]

Exactly same as mine, except i did it on a fire so the obvious flue flow checks and spillage were necasary.

 

[garry38]

what i mean is the working pressure at meter is 22 and the working pressure at the appliance is 20.5 it is a new instalation and from what i no it is only meant to be 1mbar of difference not 1.5 i done pipe sizing and my pipe size is more than enough and nothing is blocking the pipe i put in however the way the pipe comes out the meter i cant get into cean a part of pipework that was installed years ago.
will i get into trouble for this? or will it be fine as it is 20.5 and the boiler only requires 20mbar
ive spoke with other gas engineers i no and they said it would be fine but thats what they say about everything you ask

 

[kirkgas]

reg 26 an english thing c'mon now, i think you need to have a right good look at your books before the GSR inspector comes to visit, reg 26(9) specifically relates to the safety checks you MUST do after doing gas work, and should be easily recognisable to you, re your inspection you will be asked a few questions about safety work no interest in rad temps etc, but the more you know the less he will ask you, ie if you answer well and quickly he will ask you a few questions, if you struggle on basica you will get asked a lot more as he needs to ensure you do know what you are on about

 

[stevetheplumber]

what i mean is the working pressure at meter is 22 and the working pressure at the appliance is 20.5 it is a new instalation and from what i no it is only meant to be 1mbar of difference not 1.5 i done pipe sizing and my pipe size is more than enough and nothing is blocking the pipe i put in however the way the pipe comes out the meter i cant get into cean a part of pipework that was installed years ago.
will i get into trouble for this? or will it be fine as it is 20.5 and the boiler only requires 20mbar
ive spoke with other gas engineers i no and they said it would be fine but thats what they say about everything you ask

its where your taking the preasure measurement from at the appliance means at the point of entry to the applianc ie inlet of gas cock youll be measureing at the gas valve internally so there will be a diffence as preasure is lost through the vaves a lot of manufacturers give an allowanc for this allowing boilers to be run at 17mb internal test point

 

[garry38]

its where your taking the preasure measurement from at the appliance means at the point of entry to the applianc ie inlet of gas cock youll be measureing at the gas valve internally so there will be a diffence as preasure is lost through the vaves a lot of manufacturers give an allowanc for this allowing boilers to be run at 17mb internal test point

17mb at inlet of appliance i have never seen this in any manufacturers instructions though ?

 

[Puddle]

17mb at inlet of appliance i have never seen this in any manufacturers instructions though ?

It is possible to have a legal inlet presure at appliance of only 14 m/b and by rights the manufactorers should design thier boilers to this specification,but they seem to work on 20m/b,that is their error

 

[garry38]

It is possible to have a legal inlet presure at appliance of only 14 m/b and by rights the manufactorers should design thier boilers to this specification,but they seem to work on 20m/b,that is their error

yes i checked with manufacturer and they dont allow for any more than 1mbar from meter to appliance on the boiler even at the internal test point on gas valve.
the problem being this seems to happen a lot with this type of boiler and i definetly think it is too do with the boiler.

the question ive been getting at is will gas safe dig me for this if i take them too this particular install or am i better taking them elsewhere?
this must be happening all over the country as the boiler is fitted a lot.
how do i go about fitting an external test point that will help satisfy the regulations?
surely if the boiler requires 20mb at inlet and im getting 20.5 this should be enough?

 

[garry38]

reg 26 an english thing c'mon now, i think you need to have a right good look at your books before the GSR inspector comes to visit, reg 26(9) specifically relates to the safety checks you MUST do after doing gas work, and should be easily recognisable to you, re your inspection you will be asked a few questions about safety work no interest in rad temps etc, but the more you know the less he will ask you, ie if you answer well and quickly he will ask you a few questions, if you struggle on basica you will get asked a lot more as he needs to ensure you do know what you are on about

im not stupid ok i no all safety checks to carry out im just not a book worm like yourself who can remember all reg numbers and paragraphs

 

[stevetheplumber]

if you had a test point before the boiler isolation valve you would be seeing at least 21mb loss is through the isolation valve internal pipework and multifunction valve if you ask the manufacturers what the resistance is through these itemsthey should be able to tell you i think worcesters qouted 1 mb

 

[Kip]

Reg26(9) should be drummed into your head regardless, you served a 4 year apprenteship.

As for that pressure it will be fine, dont worry.

 

[Puddle]

Just so all reading this post know
Reg 26 (9)

Refers to checks you should carry out on all gas appliances when working on them

Check effectiveness of the flue....Scotish Flues included

Check Supply of air ...............Scotish air too

Check gas pressures and gas rates........Scotish gas included

Check Safe operation.....in Scotland as well

Stamp the above on your bum,coz you will be expected to know

Also will want ID label checked for EC(BS) stamp and correct fuel type

He will expect you to know about 1m/b allowed max pressure drop but probably will not check as will know opens up a can of worms

The fact you are asking about the inspection,shows you are taking it seriously and planning in advance,sure you will be Ok ,if you are not sure of something,look it up ,they will be just as impressed you can take a question and find the relevant information in the reg books and answer but you need to know the basics like above.Make sure you have your ventilation,pipe sizing and gas rate charts availible just in case,you may not need them but just incase,if things are ready at hand,it cuts down on any pressure you may feel
Be confident but take your time doing any checks and answering questions