First Gas Safe Inspection

[Last Plumber]

Just wondered if there were any particular areas they will definitely ask. I assumed tightness testing, gas rating maybe clearances etc. I wasn’t sure on certain things like Se or U ducts were going to come in or ducts in series anything like that as it’s not stuff Ive done bar the classroom

I cannot see them quizzing you on S + U duct installation to be honest. Those are things many of us don't come across that often.

The main things will be that you know the basic everyday safety checks e.g. Let-by, Tightness, Standing pressure, Working Pressure, Burner Pressure, Ventilation, flue termination, Gas Rates, Spillage testing (don't forget extract fans and interconnecting doors), Flue flow, ECV (Emergency Control Valve) position and labeling, Earthing/bonding etc etc.

If you test something make sure you test the test point/nipple with something like LDF or a sniffer if you have one (if you don't it won't matter for this) when you have finished. Check the anaconda joints and the thing itself with LDF (wipe it off after) or a sniffer. They are pre-governor so will be likely to have a higher pressure inside than the test pressure you use on the installation side, so will the ECV. I always test the joint pre-ECV with something too as that is definitely not tested during a tightness test. The Governor can lock up in some circumstances and any leak on the anaconda or ECV would fail to show a drop on the tightness test being carried out on the delivery side of the Governor (rare but seen it with my own eyes), that's another reason to test the anaconda.

If he is going to take you to see work, have your general everyday kit ready. e.g. LDF (Leak Detection Fluid), manometer and tube, stop watch (phone will do nowadays), FGA (calibrated), calculator (phone will do nowadays), Smoke bombs, Closure plate/duct tape, some caps/plugs/stop ends, fittings etc, warning notice pads, your book of words.

I hope this helps ease the worry. He is not coming to trick you in any way. If there are doubts/questions in your mind I'm sure they would prefer that you asked. It is up to them whether they release you into the world to work on Gas so they will want to see that if you don't know the answer, you'll find out!!

Any questions over anything I mentioned, I'm sure I or others will answer you.

Don't panic.

 

[JTplumbingservices]

Just out of curiosity has anyone ever failed this inspection ?
If so what was the outcome ?
The other Gas Safe guy at my work had an inspection ( he’s been gas safe his full career and in his 50’s now ) don’t know what he had to do or what the outcome was because he wouldn’t tell me but my boss told me he failed it.

 

[Pipedreamer]

Thanks for your advice guys, much appreciated.
I’ll try and brush up as much as possible on bits and see how it goes!.

 

[townfanjon]

Cheers for the replies guys.
So it’s likely that the first one will be informal and the second will be tonsee work?.

What type of questions did you guys get?.

It will be stuff you know , but if you dont know it , he will want to know that you know where to find it .

 

[bigdc]

i would have a copy of the unsafe sits.

 

[Pipedreamer]

Yeah I was wondering about them the other day. Where’s the best place to get a set of them?

 

[Harvest Fields]

A set?

 

[Aire]

Funnily enough I'm just looking at the unsafe situations book myself

Revised Eighth Edition (2018) USP1 The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure

 

[Pipedreamer]

Ha a turn of phrase I admit it doesn’t make sense on paper!.

 

[bigdc]

if you have a printer just get them off the igem website

 

[Michael1960]

Hi Guys,

Hoping some of you can help me out slightly as I’m bricking it at the minute. I am going to register for my own Gas safety registration soon and am really worried about the inspection.
I have always been under an employers registration and have never actually have a inspection of my own.
I don’t really know what to expect and am worried as I don’t actually have any jobs of my own to take them to so not even sure how I could be inspected as such?

Any pointers would be

They are there to help not hinder. You can save up as many questions for them as they have for you. They will only ask you questions that you really will (should) know the answers to. In any event the worse that will happen is they will say we will come and see you in 3-6 months. Then you need to sharpen up a bit. The fact that your experienced and care enough to worry and come on here and pick brains says you will pass with flying colours.

 

[Markwirral]

He want to see your analyser calibration cert , want to see all your warning stickers & paperwork (as in you have the correct ones) , can work on your own boiler if you haven’t done any work , basics , gas rate , etc
Piece of Sod nothin to worry about

 

[Liam Murphy]

Don’t be nervous, you know/can find the answer to any questions presented. Don’t guess, admit you need to look at regs/viper book to clarify, I still look frequently, you can’t be expected to learn and retain it all. I have a lot saved in iBooks - technical bullitains, unsafe situations etc so they are at my fingertips. You can be knowledgeable but not compitant, compitance comes with with time and diligence.

If it helps.... on my initial meet I was asked a lot about pipe sizing and gas pressure. He looked over my boiler which I fit and asked some basic ‘what if’ questions - all of which were easily answerable.

In my opinion they are basically checking that you are a genuine applicant and not some thicko goon, you’ve passed ACS and demonstrated competence, the rest is just fomality.

Remember he’s not there to catch you out, he ‘SHOULD’ be there to help you along the road to being independently Gas Safe and furthering your career!

Get some decent biscuits in, make him a good brew, be a nice and strike up a repor.

Job done.

 

[Liam Murphy]

Don’t be nervous, you know/can find the answer to any questions presented. Don’t guess, admit you need look at regs/viper book to clarify, I still look frequently, you can’t be expected to learn and retain it all. I have a lot saved in iBooks - technical bullitains, unsafe situations etc so they are at my fingertips. You can be knowledgeable but not compitant, compitance comes with with time and diligence.

If it helps.... on my initial meet I was asked a lot about pipe sizing and gas pressure. He looked over my boiler which I fit and asked some basic ‘what if’ questions - all of which were easily answerable.

In my opinion they are basically checking that you are a genuine applicant and not some thicko goon, you’ve passed ACS and demonstrated competence, the rest is just fomality.

Get some good biscuits in, be a nice genuine bloke and strike up a repor.

Job done.

 

[moonlight]

I bought the company I had worked for several years. Kept the name of the company then decided to change the name. Turns out even though I was the responsible person, I didn't own the registration. I had to register a new company. Six weeks later I had my inspection. I was concerned as you seem to be. But to be honest if you keep good records and answer all the correct questions and have the correct materials if you need to check, you will be ok. If your standard is good no problems. Make sure your equipment is calibrated and upto date. Warning, do not use labels etc. It was like being back at college. Remember to tell the customer they might smell gas while your checking the meter. 🙂.

 

[JohnnyM]

Nothing to worry about, just be confident. Tightness test, boiler service (although not thorough, just inlet pressure, burner pressure and gas rate). A few questions about meter and flue. You will be asked a couple of questions on all the categories on your card that you’ve passed but it’s open book so if you’re not sure you can look it up. Good luck.

 

[Pipedreamer]

Thanks again for your help guys.

 

[Pipedreamer]

Nothing to worry about, just be confident. Tightness test, boiler service (although not thorough, just inlet pressure, burner pressure and gas rate). A few questions about meter and flue. You will be asked a couple of questions on all the categories on your card that you’ve passed but it’s open book so if you’re not sure you can look it up. Good luck.

That’s actually reminded me of another question related to this. I’ve got an LPG crossover ticket that my old employer asked my to do yet I never did anything on site with it. So have next to no experience with it. Could I ask gas safe to disregard that as I don’t really want an inspection on LPG as I’ll be lost at sea!

 

[JohnnyM]

I don’t think so but it’s all very basic questions. Just have a read up on any LPG literature you’ve got or download some regs.

 

[Millsy 82]

I've had loads of inspections and I still worry them every time. I have no idea why I worry so much as every single time they've turned up we have a cuppa and a chat I usually get told no that changed 4 years ago so read up about that then we go off and do some work.

They want to see one of your jobs if possible if not then take them to a service or 2 if you haven't got the customers yet take them to a family member (only time they get me to do work for them is when I'm being inspected lol). They are not there to try and trick you so try and relax If your unsure of something look it up or ask.