Stopping non GSR

[Millsy 82]

Right so most of the threads on here seem to go the same way "get a GSR in" "I am a GSR" "well you should really know this then" kind of way. I wondered what other peoples thoughts are on trying to stop non GSR and incompetent engineers working on gas?

The main reason for this is I always go out and find lots of faults on new installs that really a just passed engineer should know (Clipping vertical flues, Gas pipe sizing)

I think many people may know some of my views like

1- ACS is too easy if you can read you can pass it. There should be more emphasis on closed book questions and the assesors should be rigorusley (I know its spelt wrong too much cider) tested. I am not talking all the test in closed book as nobody would pass but go through all the basics things that everybody should know.

2- Gas safe should pull their finger out of their behind. (I know of an engineer reported 3 times and he is still trading) They dont seem to be too interested unless they really have to, and there is just as many non registered engineers about as when CORGI were about. (We pay alot of money into getting our quals and registration so they should be investigating what is put towards them) (sorry I said we but I actually work for a company so it should have been you)

3- Stopping sales of anything gas related to non GSR. No card No sale its as simple as that. Apart from pipes and fittings e.g elbows tees but things like bayonet fittings boilers fires etc No.

Maybe more things like tv ads, There is plenty of ads about smoking drinking keeping fit why not "Dont fit your own gas appliances otherwise you may not have to worry about smoking drinking or being unhealthy killing you as that CO will kill you before that happens" A bit too long to be catchy I know.

Knowing my miserable self I will think of some more but the cider has kicked in. Which is why I couldnt think of a catchier title.

 

[mountainman]

Your points were valid thirty years ago mate and nothing has been done about it by our esteemed lawmakers.
Nothing will ever happen IMO.
Enjoy your cider and let life pass you by....

 

[jtsplumbing]

To much cider will kill you, :17: Most of what you say is right, but they will never stop the DIY sheds selling gas fittings ! all thay do is slap up a notice saying no advise given on gas, maybe if they were held responsible for anything that went wrong by them selling gas parts to the public, then maybe they would stop doing it, Won't even comment on Gas Safe.

 

[AWheating]

one question that always vex's me is why do plumbfix only sell to gsr engineers but screwfix and B and Q sell to anyone?? same blimmin company. 2 faced is an understatement especially when its taken of the same shelf in the same wearhouse.

enjoy the cider, im having some vodka :hurray:

 

[jtsplumbing]

Seem to have drop'd into a AA meeting everyone drinking ! ah well better open the Bacardi :26:

 

[mountainman]

You know it makes sense!

 

[desrob]

fast tracked.....plagiarism.....i'll do it cheaper...

 

[mountainman]

fast tracked.....plagiarism.....i'll do it cheaper...

Not necessarily tho, the more experience one gains the job gets easier and quicker.
And with knowledge of how things work an ionisation probe is replaced first instead of a PCB first and then an ionisation probe.

 

[Millsy 82]

I know that things are highly unlikely to ever change as the large companies (BandQ, Wolseley etc.) have too much power and nothing would get passed unless things get really bad which they may do with all of the rogue traders and clueless DIYers trying to fit all of their own heating to save a few hundred quid or even worse fitting their own fires. ( I went to an old fire the other day which had all the signs of a diy job all joints were compression with PTFE on the joints compression fittings behind the fire no isolation for the gas and worse of all huge black stains above the fire)

Another thing I would like too see would be that all gas appliances are traceable Ie so it could all be traced So say Worcester sold it to Plumb, Plumb sold it to the installer signed over with the address of where it will be fitted then obviously all signed off afterwards. So it doesnt just come back on he installer but the person who bought/sold etc

As for letting life pass me by unfortunately its flying by maybe too much cider and I know too much will kill me but too much of anything will kill you apparently so may as well enjoy what I'm having too much of.

 

[Bernie2]

I would say that before a GSR person is allowed to work on their own account. They should have at least four or five years proved experience of working on gas for a reputable company that regularly inspects its operatives work. That way any sloppy work methods are soon found out and either you correct them or get the sack. That is in lieu of gas safe sending out inspectors on a regular basis.

 

[pobsdad]

Hick!

 

[Mike Jackson]

I would say that before a GSR person is allowed to work on their own account. They should have at least four or five years proved experience of working on gas for a reputable company that regularly inspects its operatives work. That way any sloppy work methods are soon found out and either you correct them or get the sack. That is in lieu of gas safe sending out inspectors on a regular basis.

That would be nice but it will never happen as there aren't enough large companies around. Plus my experience of working for a large company is that their gas safety practices were worse than most one man bands.

The only way you'd stop it would be a legal requirement to notify all gas work however minor. Full traceability of every gas component sold. Huge fines for unregistered work. Random inspections with all newbies inspected on every job until their real world competence is proven and home insurance becomes void if any gas work done by an unregistered. You'd still have a few try it on until they got hit with major fines.

It will never happen though because of the huge cost and there would be cries of Big Brother.

 

[buckley plumb]

the only way things will approve is if gas safe spends some of the money they take off us and start chasing all the boiler serial numbers that have been sold but not registered and outlets only allowed to sell to registered installers . some sort of system would not be hard - i could not walk into a gun shop and just buy a gun so why can people buy boilers which can be just as dangerouse if not fitted right.

ant

 

[AWheating]

maybe you could make the manufactures responsible by passing a law that there appliances can only be sold to gsr engineers/companies? that would make them force the merchants to prove the sale was legal.

How much extra will a boiler cost tho if this happend??

 

[sthmcrinstaller]

when u buy a tv u have to give ur name adress .. capta runs this under the guise of the tv licence
when u buy a boiler u dont need to give any details of where its getting fitted.captia run gas safe ? the data base must be there in the stores allready why not use it ?

 

[jtsplumbing]

Think it's been tried B4, they reckon it can't be done `restrictive practice` think the diy outlet's stop' it,

 

[Bernie2]

We already have laws that say people should not fit gas appliances if they are not GSR, other than if they are competent and then only in their own homes. Being GSR does not mean a person is competent it is only assumed they are for legal purposes. If you look at it from a government point of view what are they supposed to do. give every gas fitter a private policeman to make sure they are doing their job right? That is daft.

It is up to the individual and their integrity that they get things right. If they get it wrong you can be fairly sure the HSE will go after you.