Gas REGISTERED
THE ONLY OFFICIAL INDUSTRY PUBLICATION
Issue 142 January 2021
N E E R G E TH STRIAL U D N I I O T N U L O V RE
The 10-point plan What could the government’s green plans mean for Britain’s homes?
Inspection Gas Safe trials enhancements
WIN A complete heating system cleaning kit from Fernox 01_Cover_JAN.indd 1
18/12/2020 10:15
Gas REGISTERED
THE ONLY OFFICIAL INDUSTRY PUBLICATION
Issue 142 January 2021
N E E R G E TH STRIAL U D N I I O T N U L O V RE
The 10-point plan What could the government’s green plans mean for Britain’s homes?
Inspection Gas Safe trials enhancements
WIN A complete heating system cleaning kit from Fernox 01_Cover_JAN.indd 1
18/12/2020 10:15
R
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER
In this issue
Issue 142 January 2021 modification (manufactured by BEKO, marketed by GDHA)
17 Technical Bulletin 086a
GDHA gas cooker product range modification (on a number of gas cookers that were manufactured and sold by GDHA)
18 Industry Standard Update 099
BS 8446: 2020 Installation and maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances – Specification
04 Gas Safe news
Are you making the most of being Gas Safe registered? Here are 10 of the services you can access automatically as part of your registration
06 Gas Safe Register is
trialling some changes to its inspection process to enhance the procedure PLUS Please help us make this magazine even better by taking part in our 2021 Reader Survey
07 News
Ofgem awards millions of pounds for hydrogen development; there’s
no time to lose, says Committee on Climate Change, as it publishes the Sixth Carbon Budget; HHIC reorganises working groups to focus on system solutions
10 News focus
The government has set out its Ten Point Plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions, bringing in clean energy, a green, low-carbon infrastructure, and more efficient buildings
12 The good, the bad and the ugly
26 Energy efficiency
It’s underfloor heating’s time to shine
32 The Legislative, Normative and Informative Documents List
42 Products
20 Low-carbon heating
2021 could be a pivotal year for low-carbon heating. What’s in store?
28 Winter planning
Planning can prevent winter-related heating and plumbing problems PLUS Top tips to avoid frozen condensate
16 Technical Bulletin 086 GDHA gas cooker product range
Competition Four chances to win everything you need to comply with BS 7593 – from Fernox.
Win Page 47
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 03
FROM THE EDITOR
Comment
H
appy new year, everyone! After a year like no other in 2020, the roll-out of vaccinations against COVID-19, and the anticipation of returning to a more normal way of living in 2021 definitely starts the new year on a real high. We’ve all seen big changes in the way we live and work over the past year. But there’s more to come in 2021, thanks to the Green Industrial Revolution set out by the Prime Minister late last year, followed closely by the Climate Change Committee’s publication of the Sixth Carbon Budget. This detailed report sets a route map to a fully decarbonised nation, its ambitions, the changes that will be required, and key milestones up to 2035. As far as heating our homes is concerned, it comes down on the side of heat pumps, including those working in tandem with boilers (hybrids), plus better insulation, and a support role for hydrogen. It could change the way many of us will heat our homes in the future, and points to a huge re-skilling task ahead. It sets a timeline that includes phasing out the use of gas by 2033, although it does allow for the use of hydrogen in designated conversion zones. Has the death knell been sounded for gas boilers as we know them? Only time will tell. Nicki Shearer, editor
2 Technical support
Gas Safe Register, PO Box 6804, Basingstoke, RG24 4NB. Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister.co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk Managing editor: Scott Darroch scott.darroch@gassaferegister.co.uk Editor: Nicki Shearer editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk News: Jennie Ward news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Publisher: Peter McCreary publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Technical consultants: Gary Aymes, Carl Banister, David Smith, Jonathan Stirling Production: Mark Turpin Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter ian@rgemagazine.co.uk 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. Calls to phone numbers starting 084 and 087 cost up to 7p per minute plus your service provider’s charge.
CIRCULATION:
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Are you making the most of being Gas Safe registered? Here are 10 of the services you can access automatically as part of your registration.
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The quickest way to reach the magazine team is via email.
Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ
There’s more to your registration than just an ID card
A dedicated team of gas safety experts is there to help you with technical and gas safety advice if you need it. The technical support officers have all worked in different parts of our industry themselves. Their guidance and advice comes from their in-depth knowledge of the standards and regulations, and years of experience. They also help you stay up to the date with essential changes in standards and regulations, working with industry partners to create the Technical Bulletins, Industry Standard Updates and Safety Alerts that you read in this magazine and in your Gas Safe Register online account.
Stamping out illegal gas work Illegal gas work isn’t just dangerous, it could be taking money out of your pocket too. That’s why Gas Safe Register investigates thousands of reports, gathering evidence so that illegal gas fitters can be brought to justice. In 2019/2020, more than 6,000 defects found at inspection were attributed to illegal gas fitters, and around two-thirds of illegal gas work inspected by the Register is found to be At Risk or Immediately Dangerous. If you find gas work that you think has been carried out illegally, please report it to Gas Safe Register – it will help you to protect your own work and livelihood, as well as enhancing your reputation with your customers.
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | GAS SAFE REGISTER NEWS
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Gas Safety Week The industry’s biggest annual gas safety event marked its 10th anniversary in 2020. When Gas Safety Week started in 2011, it was a new way to support gas safety that had never been seen before. Since then, every year, gas engineers, manufacturers, retailers, landlords, MPs and many others join together to talk to their customers with one voice and share a single message: always use a Gas Safe registered engineer. Gas Safe Register always creates a free toolkit for supporters to use, containing logos, banners, images, leaflets and posters, pre-written social media updates and gas safety articles for your own website. It’s a simple way to help promote gas safety and share vital information with your own communities.
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During 2020, Gas Safe Register introduced three new services to support you in your work. Video support was launched in the autumn, so that you can use your phone to live video stream the specific installation in front of you to a Gas Safe Register technical support officer instead of trying to describe it. You can now request a concession to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. This is intended only for those rare occasions when extenuating circumstances mean that you need to balance your customer’s requirements against those of the manufacturer’s instructions. The Request for Concession to Manufacturer’s Instructions template and supporting process provides an auditable record of the concession approval that is recognised by Gas Safe Register. You must do this at the quotation stage before you start any work, and you can download the template by logging into your Gas Safe Register online account. Open Channel from Gas Safe Register is a way for you to ask questions and have a conversation with the Register during a live online event. During 2020, Open Channel discussed RIDDOR, the role of hydrogen and the world of LPG. We know that sometimes there isn’t enough time for your questions to be answered, so we always follow up in this magazine.
Advertising and marketing The Register creates a variety of different ads and consumer messages help to ensure that people know they should always use a registered gas engineer when they need work done in their home. Whether it’s TV ads, with perfectionist dad Jack Corner telling people that he never cuts corners when it comes to gas work, or the new Stay Safe at Home online ads, providing winter safety tips to people who are at home more than usual this winter, the message comes through loud and clear to your customers: always use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
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Helping customers find you When customers are looking for you, Gas Safe’s website gives them the tools they need to find you – and then to check that you’re competent. Customers can search for you by location and check your business registration number, your ID number, and that you’re qualified to do the work they need. Your photo helps to reassure customers that you’re who you say you are, but it’s not a requirement to display your picture on the website. Gas Safe Register never shares or sells its registration data.
Registered Gas Engineer magazine You receive a copy of this magazine every single month, keeping you up to date with the latest gas safety-critical information, all the latest news from Gas Safe Register, Technical Bulletins, Industry Standard Updates and Safety Alerts. But did you know you can also get a digital full edition of the magazine on your phone and tablet, so that you can take us with you wherever you go? Just search for Registered Gas Engineer on the App Store and Play: it’s free to download, and you’ll also have access to the previous 12 editions on your mobile device, as well as a stream of the latest news from our website at www. registeredgasengineer.co.uk
Marketing toolkit There’s a whole host of free digital tools to help you promote your business when you log into your Gas Safe Register online account. You can use the Register’s campaigns as the basis for your own marketing and advertising, with free downloads of web banners, leaflets, pre-written social media updates and copy for your website – all with the same researched, tested and eyecatching visuals that the Register uses in its own campaigns.
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Innovation
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Access to Standards You can view and print more 80 gas-related normative documents that set the standards for safe gas work, provided by IGEM, BSI and Liquid Gas UK. When the documents included in the subscription service are updated or changed, they are updated automatically on Gas Safe Register’s website. A fee is payable for this optional subscription service.
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Notification
You can report the installation of heat-producing appliances in England and Wales. Gas Safe Register will then send a Building Regulations Compliance certificate to your customer or the builder, and advise the local authority building control department of the work. You can also give your customers peace of mind on appliances that do not need to be notified – such as a gas cooker or hob – and Gas Safe Register will send your customer a Declaration of Safety Certificate. There is no requirement to notify in Scotland and Northern Ireland: however, you can notify voluntarily and then your customer will receive a Declaration of Safety Certificate.
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 05
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | GAS SAFE REGISTER NEWS
Gas Safe Register trials inspection enhancements Gas Safe Register is trialling some changes to its inspection process to enhance the procedure over the next couple of months, and these changes
may affect you if you have a routine inspection coming up. As previously, Gas Safe Register will contact you three to four weeks ahead of a
planned inspection, and will call you a few days beforehand to confirm the site address where it will take place. As part of the trial, some gas engineers are asked to meet their inspector at the site address where the inspection has been arranged, not at their own business address. There is no change to the requirement that you should arrange with your customer in advance where the inspection will take place. Meeting your inspector at your customer’s address should mean that the whole process is quicker. Remote video technology, which was launched last year, could also help to save time for gas engineers. If an inspection establishes that defects on site need to be rectified, trials are also starting using a video link to confirm that this has been done. Just a quick video call with Gas Safe Register could mean that gas engineers can show that the gas work has
been rectified, with no further need to meet an inspector on site, and less paperwork to fill in. Some engineers who are new to the Register will be offered a remote technical assessment initially. Through the video link, their inspector will be able to find out how they approach gas work, and assess their knowledge and competence. A site visit inspection will then take place later. It’s important to note that not all newly qualified gas engineers will go through this process, and they will be advised if this approach is suitable for them. All gas engineers who have been asked to take part in the trials will be asked for their feedback afterwards to support Gas Safe Register’s moves to enhance its inspection process. Face-to-face group inspection events have been paused throughout the COVID pandemic.
Industry Standard Updates. And we want to make sure that the magazine continues to be informative, relevant and valuable to you. Our reader survey will ask you what you think about the content of the magazine, as well as finding out more about you and your business, to help us give you the information that
your business needs. The survey takes around three minutes to complete, and you can give your feedback anonymously. The survey will run until the end of January 2021 and we will showcase its findings in the spring. You can take part at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ RGESurvey2020-21 Thank you.
What do you think of this magazine? Throughout January we will be running a reader survey, and we’d be very grateful if you could spare just a few minutes to let us know what you think of Registered Gas Engineer. We want to make sure that this magazine, which is received by every single Gas Safe registered business, is as relevant and useful to you as possible – and that you can read it in your preferred format: in print every month, online, via our free mobile app, or all of these. Through all of 2020 we continued to send you a printed magazine every month – we know that many gas engineers say this is still their preferred format, particularly when reading about important technical updates and safety-critical information. 06 January 2021
We’ve increased our online content too, at www.registeredgasengineer. co.uk, which has been vital during the fast-changing news environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. And our free app brings you the best of both worlds – all the latest news and updates and a digital store of the past 12 full editions of the magazine – all on your phone and tablet. As Gas Safe’s official registration magazine, we aim to bring you all the latest information from the Register – whether it’s about changes that affect you and your registration, the latest marketing and advertising initiatives, or important changes to technical documents, including Safety Alerts, Technical Bulletins and
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | AROUND THE INDUSTRY
Ofgem awards millions for hydrogen development Hydrogen to heat our homes has taken a step nearer to reality with the award by Ofgem of millions of pounds to two projects, which will develop a network of hydrogen manufactured by wind to 300 homes, and a hydrogen transmission test facility. The funding is part of Ofgem’s annual Network Innovation Competition to test new technologies and approaches that help cut carbon emissions and costs for consumers. H100 Fife saw SGN awarded up to £18 million towards delivering a 100 per cent green hydrogen generation, storage and distribution network to heat 300 homes. The hydrogen would be manufactured using offshore wind power. Ofgem’s award also triggers a further investment of £6.9 million from the Scottish government. National Grid Gas Transmission was awarded £9.07 million to build a hydrogen test facility using decommissioned gas transmission infrastructure to better understand how hydrogen interacts with existing network transmission. Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: “The winning projects were those that
showed the most potential to make the game-changing leaps in technology we need to build a greener, fairer energy system at the lowest cost to consumers.” SGN and Britain’s three other gas distribution networks are providing further funding for the H100 project. Work will now begin on delivering a 100 per cent hydrogen demonstration network in Levenmouth, Fife, that will bring carbon-free heating and cooking to around 300 homes from the end of 2022. The project will provide evidence of hydrogen’s performance in a real-world domestic setting as a zero-carbon energy source, as the Scottish and UK governments look to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2045 and 2050 respectively, says SGN. Hydrogen will be produced locally by a dedicated electrolysis plant powered by a nearby offshore wind turbine. The project will be the first of its kind to use a direct clean power supply to produce hydrogen for domestic heating, putting the Fife town at the forefront of the green energy revolution.
Contractor fined for asbestos survey failings A Bristol contractor has been fined £2,000 for failing to complete the correct asbestos survey at a domestic construction project. Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 18 October 2017, there was a gas explosion at a flat at Market Place, Chippenham, where construction work had been carried out to develop the property into flats. Prestige EA had been contracted to advise and manage the development of the property into four flats above a retail unit. The wrong type of asbestos survey was carried out before the work, so the work completed did not comply with the law. Following the explosion, the HSE investigation found that Prestige EA had failed to plan, manage and monitor construction work to prevent people being exposed to risks associated with asbestos. The now liquidated Prestige EA Ltd, of St James Court, St James Parade, Bristol, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work
etc Act 1974. It was fined £2,000 plus costs of £3,000. Roderick Standing, who was a senior manager at the now dissolved Longwood Building, was contracted by Prestige EA to carry out the construction work. Mr Standing was found not guilty of breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. HSE inspector Leo Diez said: “Duty holders must make sure that construction work is properly planned, managed and monitored to ensure asbestos work is carried out in a safe manner to the required standard. “The dangers associated with asbestos are well known and a wealth of advice and guidance is freely available from HSE and other organisations.”
To report illegal gas work please call 0800 408 5577 or go to www.GasSafeRegister. co.uk/reportillegal
Keep skills alive with an apprentice, urges JTL Levenmouth, home to the H100 Fife project
How did you become a gas engineer? Are you happy to tell Gas Safe Register about how you became a gas engineer and about your day-to-day life? Gas Safe is looking for engineers who’d be willing to be featured as case studies for the Register. Your own experiences can really help to raise awareness of the importance of gas safety and keep people safe. If you’d like to speak to Gas Safe about your working life as a gas engineer, please email marketing@gassaferegister.co.uk The Register will reimburse you for your time.
JTL is encouraging employers to take advantage of government cash grants and take on an apprentice before 31 January 2021. The government is offering £2,000 to employers who hire an apprentice between 16 and 24 years old, or £1,500 for over-25s. The apprentice must be a new employee to the business, have a contract of employment start date between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 (inclusive), and must not have been employed by the employer in the six months prior to the contract start date. Cathie Foster, JTL’s head of marketing and communication,
says: “We want to encourage employers to build a brighter future for their business by taking advantage of this funding. Now is the last opportunity for employers to access the government funding and take on apprentices to further support their individual business, as well as helping the wider COVID-19 economic recovery plan. “To ensure the pipeline of skilled tradespeople continues, we are on hand to speak to employers who are keen to invest in the training and development of an apprentice, and to help employers make the most of the government financial assistance.” www.gassaferegister.co.uk 07
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | AROUND THE INDUSTRY
There’s no time to lose, says Committee on Climate Change A major strengthening of government policies and swift action are needed if the UK is to meet its obligations under the Climate Change Act. The Sixth Carbon Budget, published last month by the Committee on Climate Change, which advises the government, set out an ambitious requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 78 per cent by 2035 relative to 1990 if the UK is to reach net zero by 2050. Few areas are unaffected, from the way we heat our homes and buildings to the vehicles we drive,
and from the power we generate to what we eat and how we choose to go on holiday – all come under the spotlight and changes will be needed in order to reduce our carbon emissions. More than half the emissions savings will come from adopting low-carbon solutions to replace high-carbon options. Proposed measures include phasing out the installation of gas boilers in our homes by 2033, and oil boilers by 2028. Supply chains will need to scale up rapidly for heat pumps
and heat networks, and policies put in place to hugely upscale offshore wind farms to increase electricity generation. The government will also need to set out its vision for hydrogen’s role, including the publication of its Hydrogen Strategy, likely to be this spring. People will need to be actively involved to support lower carbon emissions, the report says, but they will support the transition to net zero if they understand what is needed and why, if they have options and if they can be
involved in decision-making. The 400-plus page report sets out in detail the steps that will need to be taken, along with proposed timescales, and it emphasises that there’s no time to lose. It urges the government to set out its plans to meet the Sixth Carbon Budget in the first half of 2021, and set the budget in law, followed by a set of policies and proposals that show how it will meet the budget. A carbon budget places a restriction on the total amount of greenhouse gases the UK can emit over a five-year period.
HHIC forms holistic groups for future home heating
Worcester Bosch pays tribute after the death of its founder
The HHIC has reorganised its industry working groups to provide a diverse platform for rigorous discussion on the future of UK heat. The Heating & Hot Water Systems Group brings together manufacturers from across the HHIC membership and parts of EUA to form an ongoing strategy for heating systems. Director Stewart Clements says: “By forming the Heating & Hot Water Systems group, our intention is to look at the wider system, the journey of a home and the consumer proposition. As the industry navigates low-carbon solutions, there will be an overarching heating systems approach in how HHIC works with members and lobbies government. “A variety of relevant topics require a holistic view and will form the basis for industry discussion in this new group – such as Boiler Plus developments; consumer advice – what advice is required when upgrading or renewing? And hybrids – the stepping stone for off-grid in particular. All are relevant and exciting topics that require a new, joined-up approach.” Steve Keeton, technologies and training director at Vaillant, and chair of the Heating & Hot Water Systems Group, adds: “As we drive towards the UK’s zero-carbon targets, there are several potential domestic heating
Worcester Bosch has paid tribute to its founder, Cecil Duckworth, who has died. Recalling the origins of the manufacturer, the company says Cecil had the spark of an idea in 1962 and borrowed £200 from his wife to set up Worcester Engineering. He pioneered the combi boiler in the UK, growing the company to be the country’s top boiler manufacturer. He found a good cultural fit with Bosch and handed over the reins in 1996, retiring at the age of 59. Cecil then started his second career, building the Worcester Warriors into an established Premiership Rugby Club. He worked tirelessly in the Worcestershire community, helping many charities and working hard on environmental topics by setting up the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust. In 2013, he was appointed a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his charitable contributions to the Worcestershire community. The company says: “He was simply one of life’s good guys and he will be sorely missed by all.”
08 January 2021
pathways to consider. As there will be no silver bullet solution for every use case, we need to consider the methodology to assess, design, install, commission and hand over the best system solution for different property types. “We must be more consumercentric, as system knowledge and understanding prior to purchase and behaviours after installation can really affect the comfort, efficiency and ultimate performance of the system in the eyes of the homeowner.” Elaine Lancaster, chief technology and innovation officer at Groupe Atlantic UK, says: “The pathway to low-carbon heating goes far beyond a change to the gas boiler: improved efficiency of homes and the capability of heating system design and control are essential. It’s important for consumers and installers that regulations and compliance are rigorous and, at the same time, straightforward and simple to adopt.”
Baxi pledges low-carbon appliances from 2025 Baxi Heating UK and Ireland has committed to a portfolio of cleaner, greener products, that will work with low-carbon fuels by 2025. Managing director Karen Boswell says: “Future generations will judge us by our actions. Our pledge is to be carbon-neutral in all our operations by 2030, and to lead the phase-out of carbonintensive heating by ensuring every product we make from 2025 will work with low-carbon energy.” Future products will include hydrogen boilers, heat pumps, smart electric water heating and heat networks, or hydrogen-ready
boilers than can be converted after installation. The announcement places Baxi Heating at the heart of the heating transformation that is required to achieve the UK’s climate targets, says the company. Karen adds: “We have a responsibility to tackle climate change not only for ourselves, but for future generations. Delivering cleaner and greener heating systems is fundamental to achieving net zero and it will also be central to the growth of our business over the next 10 years.”
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Ten-point plan plots a The government has set out its latest plan to achieve its carbon-emission targets, bringing in clean energy, a green, low-carbon infrastructure, and more efficient buildings. Registered Gas Engineer reports.
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ate last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out the government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, which he said will tackle climate change and help to decarbonise transport, industry and power. The plan is the next stage of the government’s aim to achieve the UK’s 2050 net-zero carbon target, with £12 billion of investment helping to create up to 250,000 green jobs across the country. The plan outlines additional funding for offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, nuclear plants and hydrogen, with a goal to produce enough hydrogen to heat a whole town by the end of the decade. The sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned from 2030, although hybrid vehicles can continue for a further five years, as long as most of the vehicle’s power comes from electricity, rather than petrol or diesel. The government is also pledging to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points, with grants to encourage people to switch to the new technology. Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, says: “We welcome the new ‘green industrial revolution’ that has been set out by the Prime Minister. The UK is leading the world in its drive towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and we look
heating. By 2023, it wants testing completed that will enable up to 20 per cent blending of hydrogen into the gas distribution grid for all homes; and for hydrogen-only heating trials to take place first in a local neighbourhood, then in a large village by 2025. It also outlines plans for a possible pilot to heat a whole town using hydrogen by the end of the decade. Chris Goggin, associate director of operations at Rinnai UK, adds: “Hydrogen in the domestic setting is seeing up to £500 million in government funding on hydrogen trials for homes. Hydrogen can make a major contribution to decarbonising the UK energy grid… it can be potentially combusted through existing in-situ appliances, complete with smart controls and cost-effective hardware and software upgrades.” Creating greener buildings The government is investing £3 billion in renovating homes and public buildings to make them more energy efficient, which it says has the potential to support 140,000 jobs. The plan says: “We will set a clear path that sees the gradual move away from fossil fuel boilers over the next 15 years as individuals replace their appliances and are offered a
“All technologies will play their part in making net zero a reality, but tried and tested solutions should be prioritised in the short term if we are to achieve our goals.” forward to working with the government to help turn admirable ambition into accelerated action. Although 2050 may seem a long way off, action needs to be taken now to ensure that we can reach it.” The document also sets out plans to accelerate hydrogen 10 January 2021
lower-carbon, more efficient alternative.” It will extend the current Green Homes Grant scheme in England by 12 months until March 2022, as part of a £1 billion investment to kickstart the low-carbon home heating market. This investment will be shared between the Green
Homes Grant, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the Homes Upgrade Grant, which helps homeowners in off-grid areas to improve their homes, and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Viessmann UK’s marketing director Darren McMahon says: “Viessmann especially commends the strong focus of the plan on heating efficiency and decarbonisation. Heating is hard
being issued very slowly and installations are inevitably delayed. “Around 30 per cent of installations of Viessmann heat pumps are currently tied up, waiting for vouchers to be issued. An extension to the scheme will ensure that these projects and installations can be realised, and are open to more of the population, not just the early adopters.” The plan also sets out a target
N E E R G E TH STRIAL INDU TIO N U L O V E R to decarbonise – as evidenced by the limited progress over the past 10 years – and government intervention is key for success. “The Green Homes Grant has been well received, but criticised for having too short a window to have any meaningful impact. Pent-up demand from homeowners from the first lockdown period means the nation’s heating engineers are already well booked up. To compound this further, Green Homes Grant vouchers are
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | NEWS FOCUS
path to net zero for 600,000 heat pumps to be installed every year by 2028, which it says would “create a market-led incentive framework to drive growth…[and] leave open the choice as to whether we ultimately pursue hydrogen heating, an electrified heating system, or a mixture of both, while we continue to pilot the options”. Steve Richmond, head of marketing and technical for
N Rehau Building Solutions, adds: “The government’s pledge to install 600,000 heat pumps annually – 20 times more than the current deployment – is an encouraging sign. “There is no denying that the net-zero emissions targets are ambitious, but by implementing proven solutions in the short to medium term, we can set a solid foundation from which exciting future innovations can build. This includes hydrogen production, which is still very much in the research and development stages, and new heat pumps and
district heating schemes. “All technologies will play their part in making net zero a reality, but tried-and-tested solutions should be prioritised in the short term if we are to achieve our goals.” When the plan was first released, it had stated that the Future Homes Standard would be introduced by 2023 – two years earlier than previously expected – with the implication that the ban on gas boilers in new-build properties would also be brought in at this stage. However, it now states: “We will seek to implement the Future Homes Standard in the shortest possible timeline, and consult shortly on increased standards for non-domestic buildings. Homes built to Future Homes Standard will be ‘zerocarbon ready’ and have 70 to 80 per cent lower carbon emissions than those built to current standards.” The Climate Change Committee has since released its Sixth Carbon Budget, which sets out the possible policy changes required to reduce UK greenhouse gases. It has suggested phasing out sales of gas boilers to all homes and businesses by 2033, with all new boilers required to be hydrogen-ready by 2025. CIPHE CEO Kevin Wellman says: “At present, engineers can still fit and retrofit combi gas boilers to the current Boiler Plus Standard in England (and certain property types in Wales), with a minimum Energy-related Products efficiency of 92 per cent. However, with the government’s commitment to net zero by 2050, it’s true that natural gas-fired boilers are on borrowed time. “The infrastructure will not be in place by 2023 to abolish gas boilers. The hydrogen network is not due to be trialled at scale (in limited areas) until 2023 and heat pump production will need to increase significantly to reach demand. Additionally, we need approximately 100,000 engineers
trained to competently install the new technology. If we fail to adequately train engineers, the public and those working in the industry will be put at considerable risk.” Upskilling engineers A Green Jobs Taskforce is being launched to support the creation of 2 million skilled jobs to help implement the plan. The taskforce will set out plans for new long-term, good-quality, green jobs by 2030, and advise what support is needed for people in
– nowhere near enough. If newly built homes will need to be heated without fossil-fuel heating, there will be insufficient engineers on the ground to fit the types of low-carbon technology permissible in these properties – including heat pumps – and provide comfort for their occupants. “Introducing other measures to encourage heating professionals to upskill in low-carbon heating installations would help to increase the number of qualified engineers on the ground.”
“Measures to encourage heating professionals to upskill in low-carbon heating installations would help to increase the number of qualified engineers.” transitioning industries. Iain Bevan, commercial manager – heating and renewables – at Daikin UK, says: “There is a huge opportunity for green jobs as we scale up the installation of renewable heating systems. It is vital that people are able to acquire the skills and training they desperately need to develop a career in the green sector. We also need to continue to help existing tradespeople – electricians, technicians, engineers and plumbers – to diversify and upskill so that they can futureproof their businesses.” Mark Wilkins, head of training and external affairs at Vaillant, believes there is a steep hill to climb to train enough engineers to install these systems. He says: “The real challenge comes with creating the industry to produce hydrogen sustainably, with the skills and network to deliver it to UK homes and businesses on the scale required. “To meet the government’s target to install 600,000 heat pumps, we will need around 26,000 qualified engineers. At the moment, there are just under 1,000 MCS-accredited engineers
To help with this goal, Andrew Griffith MP has been appointed as the UK’s Net Zero Business Champion, to support the country’s business community to make credible plans for net zero by 2050 or earlier. LG’s heating manager for the UK and Ireland, Andy Hooper, says: “The plan sets out a clear roadmap for the heating market over the coming years and enables manufacturers to invest in greater training capacity. What we need now is for engineers to align to these changes and embrace the change in what they do. “The Heat Pump Association’s document* highlights the steadily increasing number of installers we will need in the UK between now and 2050, and that figure rises from just over 1,000 in 2020 up to more than 40,000 by 2050. “It’s a staggering figure but represents the number needed to cope with the anticipated workload, and the recognition that heat pumps are the only sensible way forward.” ■ *Retrofitting Homes for Net Zero Carbon 1 www.gov.uk/government/publications/ the-ten-point-plan-for-a-green-industrialrevolution
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 11
Thegoodthebad+theugly We want your pictures Registered Gas Engineer wants to see your pictures – whether you’ve come across some horrors or instances of really good work. And there’s a prize for the best one: so go on, get writing and email your stories and pictures to editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk or via Twitter @RGEMag
Geoffrey Bennett came across this incorrect method of capping off the gas supply on the installation pipework. The pipework was replaced and upgraded using the correct method.
This extractor fan had been fitted in such a way that removing the boiler casing was impossible. Ryan Gingell, who was trying to carry out a landlord’s gas safety record check, alerted the housing association, which arranged for the fan to be removed.
Terry Johnson was checking a residential park home’s LPG supply and saw the poor state of the hoses. The installation was made safe and rectified.
This hob installation had been connected with grey plastic water pipework. Mark Williams made safe and re-fitted the hob using correct materials.
12 January 2021
What’s wrong with this installation, sent in by Taylor Samson? Could it be the damaged chimney? The incorrect seal? Or the fact that it had been stuck through a pane of broken glass? Taylor made safe on all fronts.
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | YOUR PHOTOS
This month winne ’s r No, your eyes are not deceiving you: there’s a frog in the condense trap of this boiler. Russell Freeman hopped to it to remove the amphibian and left the boiler in safe working order.
Treve Shipman was asked to look at a meter installation and discovered an open-ended 22mm gas supply pipe. Lucky he was there to make safe.
Kevin Wilson was asked to quote to fit a new fire – and look what he found behind the old one. Kevin made safe until he could carry out remedial work to the catchment area and fit the replacement.
Martin Wright spotted this when he was working on a neighbouring property. The new and existing chimney holes had not been sealed, causing a potentially dangerous situation. The installation has since been made safe. Scott Treadwell’s customer had been burning wooden crates on their gas fire. Scott made safe, of course.
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 13
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | YOUR PHOTOS
Thegoodthebad+theugly Steve Hughes was carrying out a tightness test and found a 9mbar drop, and the meter and pipework badly corroded. He made safe and called the emergency service provider to change the meter and pipework.
Ian West’s customer was having difficulty lighting their gas fire. Ian soon found out why: they had been using real coals. The installation was made safe.
Whatever happened to Roland Rat? Darren Keightley may have found the answer, when he was investigating why a boiler was tripping the electrics. Darren removed the rodent, made safe and then replaced the faulty parts.
Photo prize There’s a prize for the best photos sent in (in our opinion). Please remember to take pictures at high resolution and email them to editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk This month, Anton will send the winner its APM145 differential manometer, complete with tilt boot, worth more than £200. The APM 145 is suitable for all domestic pressure testing and comes with standard push-fit spigot connections. It can test, log and share data – perfect for providing evidence of let-by and tightness tests for smart meter installation work. It connects to the Anton printer to print reports, and also has dual Bluetooth technology, enabling engineers to create gas rate and pressure PDF reports, when used in conjunction with Anton’s free app Sprint Mobile. It comes with a high-contrast colour screen, protective boot with magnet, hook and tilt stand. This month’s winner is Russell Freeman from Warrington. Congratulations!
14 January 2021
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Technical Bulletin 086
Developed with Glen Dimplex Home Appliances
GDHA gas cooker product range modification (manufactured by BEKO, marketed by GDHA) Date issued: 8 December 2020
Note: This version of Technical Bulletin (TB) 086 replaces the version originally published on 20 September 2010, which is now withdrawn. This version has been reviewed and revised where appropriate to ensure that it remains both current and relevant. This Technical Bulletin provides guidance to Gas Safe registered businesses/engineers on a product modification required prior to the installation and subsequent commissioning of certain models of gas cookers marketed by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances.
Introduction
Note 1: For details of current gas safety legislation, building legislation and industry standards for the geographical areas covered by Gas Safe Register, see the Legislative, Normative & Informative Document List (LNIDL)(1) by logging into your online account at: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in Note 2: For general information about the process behind the development of Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins and the expectations for all stakeholders, see TB 1000(2) by logging into your online account at: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in Bibliography (1) LNIDL – Gas Safe Register Legislative, Normative & Informative Document List (2) TB 1000 – An introduction to Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins Note: Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins and the Legislative, Normative & Informative Document List can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
This Technical Bulletin has been published to highlight a product modification prior to the installation and subsequent commissioning of certain models of gas cookers marketed by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA).
Background Gas Safe Register has been advised of an important safety modification to the grill compartment on a number of gas cookers manufactured by BEKO, marketed by GDHA. The appliance manufacturer’s instructions for these appliances require
that the grill door should be open at all times while the grill is in operation. However, if the door is closed by the gas user, the grill combustion process can be affected due to vitiated air, causing higherthan-expected levels of carbon monoxide (CO) to be produced.
GDHA installation/modification instructions It is important that, during installation of this product, you carry out the following modification to the grill door seal prior to installation. If you require any technical advice regarding this, please ring: 0151 458 0034 or email: techteam@gdha.com Open the grill door
Method As stated above, the result of closing the grill door during the grilling process can cause higher-than-expected levels of CO to be produced. To ensure that there is an adequate supply of combustion air to the grill burner in the event that the grill door is inadvertently closed during the grilling process, a modification has been developed that involves removing the bottom section of the cavity door seal. The modification instruction from GDHA provides the instructions to carry out the necessary appliance modification. The following appliances/models are affected: • Belling Countrychef 100G SKU444445946 • Belling Countrychef 100G SKU444445945 • Belling G755MK2AN SKU050531082 • Belling G755MK2WH SKU050531081 • Belling GT755WH SKU444449050 • New World 50TWLMSVLPG SKU444445698 • New World 50TWLMSVLPG SKU444445697 • New World 50WLMLPGSV SKU444445020 • New World 50WLMLPGWH SKU444445021
Pull the bottom of the seal away from the cooker without removing the hooks from the hole. Cut the seal 35mm in from the hook on both the bottom left-hand and right-hand corners of the seal as shown in the picture below and remove the bottom piece of the seal.
Actions to take If the Gas Safe registered engineer encounters any of the affected models, it is essential that the appliance is checked to ensure that it functions safely, and that the appliance meets the manufacturer’s specification, and any modification that may be required has been completed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. In the event that the appliance does not meet the manufacturer’s specification and it cannot be confirmed that the appliance is safe for continued use, the current Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) should be applied and contact made with GDHA for additional advice. GDHA can be contacted on 0151 458 0034, or by e-mail to: techteam@gdha.com
16 January 2021
Close the grill door
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Technical Bulletin 086a
Developed with Glen Dimplex Home Appliances
GDHA gas cooker product range modification (on a number of gas cookers that were manufactured and sold by GDHA) Date issued: 8 December 2020
This Technical Bulletin provides guidance to Gas Safe registered businesses/engineers on a product modification required prior to the installation and subsequent commissioning of certain models of gas cookers marketed by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances.
Introduction
This Technical Bulletin has been published to highlight a product modification prior to the installation and subsequent commissioning of certain models of gas cookers marketed by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA).
Background
Gas Safe Register has been advised of an important safety modification to the grill compartment on a number of gas cookers that are manufactured and sold by GDHA. The appliance manufacturer’s instructions for these appliances require
that the grill door should be open at all times while the grill is in operation. However, if the door is closed by the gas user, the grill
combustion process can be affected due to vitiated air, causing higherthan-expected levels of carbon monoxide (CO) to be produced.
Method
As stated above, the result of closing the grill door during the grilling process can cause higher-than-expected levels of CO to be produced. To ensure that there is an adequate supply of combustion air to the grill burner in the event that the grill door is inadvertently closed during the grilling process, a modification has been developed that involves removing the bottom section of the cavity door seal. The modification instruction from GDHA provides the instructions to carry out the necessary appliance modification. The following appliances/models are affected: • 444440218 New World NW100GT • 444440221 Belling Country Range 100GT Charcoal • 444440222 Belling Country Range 100GT Silver • 444440462 New World NW100GT Silver • 444442980 Belling Country Range 100GT Black • 444442981 Belling Country Range 100GT Cream • 444442982 Belling Country Range 100GT Jalapeno • 444445036 New World Ellingwood 80G Svg • 444445037 New World Ellingwood 80G Green • 444445039 New World Ellingwood 100G Svs • 444445041 New World Ellingwood 100G Green • 444445410 Belling Country Range 100G Charcoal • 444445411 Belling Country Range 100G Silver • 444445739 New World Ellingwood 80G • 444445740 New World Ellingwood 100G Charcoal • 444447099 New World NW 100G Charcoal • 444447100 New World NW 100G Sat • 444445047 New World Ellingwood 110G Ca • 444445049 New World Ellingwood 110G Gr • 444445742 New World Ellingwood 110G Si • 444447104 NW 110G Sa • 44445040 New World Ellingwood 100LPG • 444445042 New World Ellingwood 100LPG Green • 444445656 New World Ellingwood T80G LP Ca • 444445048 New World Ellingwood 110G LPG Ca • 444445050 New World Ellingwood 110G LPG Gr • 444440979 Belling Country Classic 100G LPG Sil • 444446009 New Spirit 100TG LP Sta
Actions to take
If the Gas Safe registered engineer encounters any of the affected models, it is essential that the appliance is checked to ensure that it functions safely, and that the appliance meets the manufacturer’s specification, and any modification that may be required has been completed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In the event that the appliance does not meet the manufacturer’s specification and it cannot be confirmed that the appliance is safe for continued use, the current Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) should be applied and contact made with GDHA for additional advice. GDHA can be contacted on 0151 458 0034, or by e-mail to: techteam@gdha.com Note 1: For details of current gas safety legislation, building legislation and industry standards for the geographical areas covered by Gas Safe Register, see the Legislative, Normative & Informative Document List (LNIDL)(1) by logging into your online account at: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in Note 2: For general information about the process behind the development of Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins and the expectations for all stakeholders, see TB 1000(2) by logging into your online account at: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in Bibliography (see page 16)
GDHA installation/modification instructions It is important that, during installation of this product, you carry out the following modification to the grill door seal prior to installation. If you require any technical advice regarding this, then please ring: 0151 458 0034 or email: techteam@gdha.com 013366100 Kit range grill door spacers field fix for twin hotplate gas ranges with indented bevelled grill door inner panel
Remove 2-off screws
1 Open grill door and remove 2-off screws shown above with No2 pozi screwdriver 2 Replace screws with 2-off spacers 083366100 and 2-off screws 083368900 No.8x3/4" tamperproof stainless CSK using TX20 tamperproof screwdriver bit
Spacer 083366100
083368900 No.8x3/4" stainless CSK tamperproof Torx screw
Kit range glass grill door replacement field fix for 444440979 BEL C/ CLASSIC 100G LPG, 444446009 NEW WORLD SPIRIT 100TG LP appliances connected to butane
Replace cavity seal
Replace door assembly with a door assembly with inner glass
Field Fix Kits: 444440979 BEL C/CLASSIC 100G LPG use Grill door kit 013383800 444446009 NEW WORLD SPIRIT 100TG LP use Grill door kit 013383700 Field fix: 1 Remove the grill door assembly 2 Replace the grill seal 081797201 with oven seal 081797200 3 Attached grill door assembly a. 01 33839 00 Grill Door Assembly – NW Spirit 100TG LPG Sta b. 01 33840 00 Grill Door Assembly – Belling Country Classic 100G LPG Sil
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 17
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | INDUSTRY STANDARD UPDATE
Industry Standard Update 099 BS 8446: 2020 Installation and maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances – Specification Date issued: 8 December 2020
This Industry Standard Update provides an overview of the recently published revised Industry Standard BS 8446: 2020 Installation and maintenance of open-flued, nondomestic gas-fired laundry appliances – Specification, and highlights areas of significant change that the amendments have introduced.
Introduction During November 2020, British Standards Institution (BSI) published BS 8446: 2020 Installation and maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances – Specification(1). This superseded BS 8446: 2005 Specification for the installation and maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances(2), which is withdrawn. The revision to this standard came into effect on 30 November 2020. To allow registered businesses time to carry out internal update training to reflect the technical requirements of the amended standard, Gas Safe Register will inspect to the new requirements of this standard from 1 April 2021. However, this should not restrict businesses from applying the specification sooner. The following is an overview of the significant amendments made to BS 8446: 2020. General This British Standard specifies the installation and maintenance of open‑flued, non‑domestic gas‑fired laundry appliances. It is applicable to both fixed and tilting tumble dryers. References to legislation and current standards have been updated throughout, where required. Section 7: Location of laundry appliance Clause 7.1.3 provides guidance that where a laundry appliance is to be installed in the same location as a dry cleaner, it shall be separated by a minimum distance of 5m or installed in a separate room. Make-up air shall not come from the area of the
18 January 2021
dry cleaner. Make-up air shall be provided separately for both the dry cleaner and laundry appliance. The separation of make-up air is intended to prevent the production of toxic gas from the interaction of the dry-cleaning chemicals with the burner flame in the laundry appliance. The flame picture should be confirmed as intended with the dry cleaner operating. Section 8: Gas connections 8.1.2 provides guidance that pipework shall be clearly identified as carrying a fuel gas by painting the pipework yellow ochre (to BS 4800:2011, 08 C 35) or primrose yellow (to BS 4800:2011, 10 E 53), or by applying a “Gas” marker tape at suitable intervals along the pipework. A suitable test and purge point(s) shall be provided to allow testing and purging to be carried out. A manual isolation valve shall be installed on the installation pipework to each laundry area to enable the gas installation to be isolated in the event of an emergency. The manual valve shall be sited as near as practicable to the exit in a readily accessible location. The isolation valve is fitted to provide isolation for routine maintenance/ alterations, testing and purging of the downstream installation. Clause 8.2.2 states that a pressure test point shall be installed as near as practicable to the exit downstream of the manual isolation valve to facilitate tightness testing. Clause 8.3 provides guidance on automatic isolation valves (AIV). Where an automatic
isolation valve conforming to BS EN 161 is fitted to the installation pipework serving a laundry area, the automatic isolation valve shall be installed as near as practicable to the point of entry to the laundry area, downstream of a manual isolation valve and upstream of the gas appliances. An AIV shall be used to shut off/isolate the gas supply to laundry appliance(s) as part of any interlock requirements. In the event of an emergency, the AIV installed as near as practicable to the point of entry to the laundry area shall be operated by a safety control or emergency stop button(s) located near to the exit(s) of the laundry area. To avoid inadvertent operation of an emergency stop button, it shall be shrouded or located in a position where shrouding is not required. Clause 8.4.1 provides guidance that, where either a manual gas isolation valve is fitted or where an AIV system can be reset, a suitably worded warning notice shall be affixed. Clause 8.4.2 also states that a suitably worded warning notice shall be located near to the emergency stop button(s). Both clauses provide examples of suitably worded warning notices. Section 10: Make-up air The make-up air inlet vent shall be at least 2,000mm away from any exhaust termination to prevent damp, warm air being re-introduced into the system. Section 12: Flexible exhaust connections for tumble dryers The flexible exhaust connection shall be as specified by the tumble dryer manufacturer. It shall not exceed 500mm in length and shall be capable of withstanding the maximum known output temperature.
Section 14: Termination Terminations shall be at least 2,000mm from any opening or fresh air inlet into the building. Section 17: Information to be given to the user The commentary to this section provides guidance on CO alarm systems and, where fitted, they should conform to BS EN 45544-3. CO detection should not be regarded as a means to negate the obligation of establishments to maintain appliances and equipment so as to ensure an acceptable level of performance and safety. Laundry establishments are regarded as a workplace. Not all domestic-type detectors and alarms conforming to BS EN 50291-1 are suitable for these applications unless the manufacturer specifically warrants this and confirms that it sounds at the workplace occupational exposure limits.
Summary
As previously stated, this Industry Standard Update is only a brief overview of the information contained in the amended standard. Registered businesses should be aware that they have a responsibility to ensure that they are fully apprised of all of the requirements of the whole published standard and its practical application.
Bibliography (1) BS 8446: 2020 Installation and maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances – Specification (2) BS 8446: 2005 Specification for the installation and maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances
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20 January 2021
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | LOW-CARBON HEATING
What’s in store for low-carbon heating? Registered Gas Engineer looks at the future of low-carbon heating for this year and beyond, as the government continues its efforts to reduce UK carbon emissions.
T
he UK government set a legally binding target in June 2019 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Since then, a number of initiatives have been introduced – and existing schemes extended – as the government works to establish a pathway to eliminate emissions within 30 years. The UK’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell by 2.9 per cent in 2019, according to analysis by Carbon Brief1, with a total reduction of 29 per cent since 2010. While progress has clearly been made, there is still a long way to go, and government projections show that, to meet the carbon reduction targets, emissions need to fall by a further 31 per cent by 2030. The Sixth Carbon Budget, published by the Committee on Climate Change in December 2020, took this further, stating that the UK needs a “78 per cent reduction in UK territorial emissions between 1990 and 2035...bringing forward the UK’s previous 80 per cent target by nearly 15 years.”2 Heating and hot water generation accounts for the majority of household CO2 emissions3, and the Energy Saving Trust says these must be reduced by 95 per cent to reach the 2050 targets. This is partly why the government announced previously that it will implement a ban on gas heating in new-build properties in the coming years, because gas boilers and other high-carbon systems remain the dominant fuel source in our homes. Instead, it hopes to encourage a mass switch to low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps, solar panels, and new technologies including hydrogen. Heat pumps have been slow
to get off the ground in the UK, even though the technology has been a staple of European heating systems for decades. Around 27,000 heat pumps were installed in the UK4 in 2018, despite the Committee on Climate Change saying this number needs to have reached more than 1 million by the mid-2030s.5 In its report ‘UK Housing: Fit for the future?’, the Committee on Climate Change recommended: “The 29 million existing homes across the UK must be made low-carbon, low-energy and resilient to a changing climate. Homes should use low-carbon sources of heating such as heat pumps and heat networks.”6 Things are changing slowly, however. BSRIA’s latest World
from home led to fears that nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution would rise over this winter. What changes lie ahead that will help the UK become a low-carbon economy once and for all? And what impact will these changes have on the work of gas engineers? Green Homes Grant The Green Homes Grant was announced in July 2020, with eligible homeowners in England able to claim vouchers worth up to £5,000, to be put towards two-thirds of the cost of energy efficiency home improvements in existing properties. Families on low incomes are eligible for vouchers covering 100 per cent of the cost, up to a maximum
“Many homeowners are simply unable to find an MCS and TrustMark-certified professional who isn’t miles away from their home.” Heat Pump Market Study 20197 reveals the UK has seen a significant 19.7 per cent increase in heat pump installations by volume, although still far behind the increases seen in the Netherlands (62.8 per cent) and the Republic of Ireland (47 per cent) during the same year. With such a big mountain to climb, the government was in the process of introducing a number of new regulations as its route to achieving its carbon emission targets before COVID-19 hit, although the pandemic has delayed many of the plans. The pandemic and subsequent lockdown led to a significant drop in carbon emissions from transport during spring 2020, but the increase in the number of people working
of £10,000. The government has made £2 billion available, and expects this to fund improvements for around 600,000 households. Boilers and cylinders are not eligible under the scheme, but homeowners can access the funding to install insulation, heat pumps or solar thermal panels. If one of these ‘primary’ measures is installed, they can then also install secondary measures such as draught-proofing, double and triple glazing, or a range of heating controls and thermostats. The vouchers were originally due to be available in October 2020, with the scheme itself running until March 2021. The vouchers were then delayed until November 2020, and in the Ten Point Plan for a Green
Industrial Revolution, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in November 2020 [see pages 10-11], the government said it will extend the deadline for redeeming the vouchers until March 2022. Issues are already being reported with the scheme, however. To qualify for a voucher, homeowners must use an engineer who is certified with both TrustMark and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, and also registered to be a Green Homes Grant engineer. According to government data, fewer than 2,000 engineers have signed up to the scheme, compared with the 40,000 homeowners who have so far applied for the grant. Mark Wilkins, technology and training director at Vaillant Group, says: “Many homeowners are simply unable to find an MCS and TrustMark-certified professional who isn’t miles away from their home.” Viessmann’s marketing director Darren McMahon agrees: “Even the most motivated and resourced businesses are currently overwhelmed with the number of accreditations, paperwork and courses they have to go on to be able to take part. This is time, money and patience that may be in particularly short supply at the moment.” Other manufacturers have raised concerns that the £5,000 vouchers are simply not enough to encourage take up, considering the other costs involved in switching a property from boilers to heat pumps, for example. Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support at Worcester Bosch Group, says: “We admire the intent of the scheme: however, we believe the take-up will be relatively low. www.gassaferegister.co.uk 21
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | LOW-CARBON HEATING
What’s in store for low-carbon heating? continued >
The figures recently published by BEIS state that a heat pump installation costs anything from £8,750 to more than £14,000 if changes are needed to the heating system. “If the house has an Energy Performance Certificate banding of E, then to raise it to band C [so it is] suitable for a heat pump averages out at around £12,000, while for band F or G properties [it could be] around £19,000. So it could cost more than £30,000 to get the house ready and the
effect from April 2022, after the domestic RHI has ended, to help households and small businesses invest in heat pumps and biomass boilers. The grant is subject to consultation, but could offer homeowners a single grant of £4,000, paid upfront. The scheme would last for two years, with total funding limited to £100 million. Future Homes Standard Underpinning all these schemes is the Future Homes Standard, which is due to take effect by
“Even if you’re fitting a gas boiler, designing the system to run on lower flow temperatures will still improve the efficiency of the boiler.” heat pump installed – the £5,000 grant is not going to be enough to sway people.” Renewable Heat Incentive The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a long-running scheme to encourage take-up of renewable energy systems. Established in April 2014, it pays owners of eligible heat pump, biomass boilers and solar thermal systems every quarter, based on the amount of renewable energy generated, for seven years after the initial installation. The domestic and nondomestic RHI schemes were both due to end in March 2021, but the Chancellor announced a 12-month extension to the domestic scheme, which will now run until 31 March 2022. Any eligible system installed and commissioned before this date will still be able to receive tariff payments for the subsequent seven years. The non-domestic RHI has also been extended until March 2022 as a result of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but only for those projects that are already in progress by March 2021 but that have not yet been commissioned. To replace the RHI, the government has proposed the introduction of a Clean Heat Grant, which would come into 22 January 2021
2025 and will, the government has said, introduce a ban on gas boilers in new-build properties. Plans for the Future Homes Standard were consulted on in October 2019, as the first of a two-part consultation about proposed changes to the Building Regulations, including amendments to Part L and Part F. While the full standard was never intended to be introduced until 2025, there was originally intended to be a Building Regulations update in 2020 that would begin to prepare the regulations for the mass installation of low-carbon, renewable systems. This has not happened, however. The first consultation closed in February 2020, and the government has not yet released its official response. However, in the Ten-Point Plan, the government said: “We will seek to implement the Future Homes Standard in the shortest possible timeline, and consult shortly on increased standards for non-domestic buildings.”8 The plan also set out an aim for 600,000 heat pump installations a year by 2028. When it was first released, it stated the Future Homes Standard would be introduced by 2023, implying that the ban on gas boilers in new-build would also be brought in at this stage, although this reference
has now disappeared. The Sixth Carbon Budget, released afterwards, suggests that all new boilers should be hydrogen ready from 2025, with gas boilers phased out in all residential homes by 2033.9 While no revised timeline has been officially released, the industry now expects changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations be introduced in October 2021. Exactly what these will be has not been confirmed, but manufacturers are expecting to see limits to system flow temperatures, and further CO2 emission reductions. Andy Hooper, LG’s UK and Ireland heating manager, says: “There are two main things we’re expecting. One is that they’re going to limit the flow temperature from the boiler or heat pump to around 55°C for new-build, and also a reduction in CO2 emissions of around 31 per cent, based on previous regulations. It’s all a stepping stone to start phasing out fossil-fuel boilers.” Iain Bevan, Daikin’s commercial director for heating and renewables, agrees that flow temperature will be a focus of the next set of Building Regulations changes. “I think it’s something that needs to happen. We have to achieve net-zero carbon, and to do that you need to get to the retrofit market, which is the biggest challenge. If they bring in the flow temperature requirement, then even if you’re fitting a gas boiler with a 10 or 12-year lifecycle, designing the system to run on lower flow temperatures will still improve the efficiency of the boiler. “And it’s likely that, when the time comes to replace that boiler, it will need to be replaced with a low-carbon system. If you’ve already got your system designed
to deal with lower flow temperatures, then that makes it work – and it’s a real opportunity for engineers.” Changing times What does this all mean for gas engineers? Major changes in the way we heat our homes are coming over the next decade, and 2021 will be a key year: much of the government’s roadmap towards 2025 and the new-build gas boiler ban should be announced. Mark says: “This year may be the tipping point for the green economy to flourish. However, we need engineers to deliver energy-saving solutions as part of any green recovery. The increased demand for low-carbon solutions could spur on those who want to diversify their heating businesses to train in technologies such as heat pumps. “It’s crucial to have enough trained professionals to install low-carbon heating technologies for a green economy to thrive.” While gas boilers will still be operating in people’s homes for decades to come, heat pumps and other renewable heating systems are here to stay, and gas engineers may want to consider expanding their businesses to include the installation of these renewable technologies. “As we move towards this low-carbon future,” says Iain, “it’s a real opportunity for engineers to say ‘this is what we know’, and to establish themselves as consultants who can help people look at more than just the boiler – to also look at their property and how they live in it, and really give advice on how to be more efficient. Then I think people will really see the value of what heating engineers can offer.” ■
1 w ww.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uks-co2-emissions-have-fallen-29-per-cent-over-the-pastdecade 2 www.theccc.org.uk/publication/sixth-carbon-budget 3 energysavingtrust.org.uk/significant-changes-are-coming-uk-heating-market 4 www.ehpa.org/fileadmin/red/09._Events/2019_Events/Market_and_Statistic_ Webinar_2019/20190624_-_EHPA_Webinar_outlook_2019_-_Thomas_Nowak.pdf 5 www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Next-steps-for-UK-heat-policy-Committeeon-Climate-Change-October-2016.pdf 6 www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UK-housing-Fit-for-the-future-CCC-2019.pdf 7 www.bsria.com/uk/news/article/world-heat-pump-market-study-2019 8 www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-ten-point-plan-for-a-green-industrial-revolution 9 www.theccc.org.uk/publication/sixth-carbon-budget
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Underfloor heating’s time to shine What lies ahead for the underfloor heating industry in 2021, and how can engineers expand their business while avoiding potential pitfalls? Chris Ingram, founder of Continal Underfloor Heating, has some answers.
T
he UK is at the beginning of a long-term move to low-carbon heating, thanks to the recent publication of the government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, and its ambitious goal to move away from fossil-fuel boilers and towards low-carbon alternatives. Now that the Green Homes Grant scheme has been extended for an additional year until March 2022, more homeowners will be able to take advantage of up to £5,000 in government funding (or up to £10,000 for low-income households) to carry out efficiency upgrades on their property. This extension is good news for the underfloor heating (UFH) sector. The scheme has brought low-carbon heating to the attention of millions of people across the UK, as evidenced by the sudden increase in people asking for quotes for heat pump installations. These fuel sources are unlikely to be installed in isolation, however, and will usually be installed as part of a wider
plans to ban the installation of gas boilers in new-build properties by 2025 – or possibly earlier – but if the UK has any hope of meeting its 2050 net-zero carbon targets, there needs to be a step-change in the way we heat our existing buildings as well. Around 80 per cent of the buildings that will be in use in 2050 have already been built, so we have to decarbonise our existing housing stock urgently. Thankfully, modern UFH is easy to install in a property while it is being retrofitted, and will bring an immediate efficiency benefit while also offering homeowners the hidden luxury and comfort of an UFH system. The COVID-19 lockdowns have already caused a rise in people wanting to renovate their home, as evidenced by the rise in the number of panel UFH systems being bought. Panel systems are formally recognised in SAP as being more energy efficient than the traditional, high-mass, screed UFH systems. They provide a
entering the market, who want to take advantage of the increased opportunities, but who lack the proper training and knowledge. We are already seeing the impact of some badly designed UFH systems that leave unsatisfied homeowners with poor heating systems, and so it is vital that heating engineers first make sure they are trained, and that they have the support of a reputable manufacturer with
years of experience. UFH is not a one-type-fits-all system, despite some online businesses claiming that they are. Engineers who want to fit UFH should always make sure they understand the differences between the system types, and how to make sure every system has enough insulation, so that all the heat energy is directed up into the room instead of being lost down into the ground. ■
“Panel systems are formally recognised in SAP as being more energy efficiency than the traditional, high-mass, screed UFH systems.” property renovation or extension, which will almost always require new heat emitters to be installed at the same time. UFH is around 30 per cent more efficient as a heat emitter than radiators, especially when combined with heat pumps and the other renewable systems that operate efficiently on lower flow temperatures. In fact, air source heat pumps get their best efficiency levels when coupled with UFH. There has been a lot of talk in the media about the government’s 26 January 2021
high degree of simplicity and, although they cost more to buy initially, they can be installed much quicker, saving time on site. In fact, during 2020, sales of panel systems overtook classic screed systems for the first time, in part because they are perfect for retrofit installations, creating minimal disruption to the property. Get the right training One of the potential drawbacks of some government-funded grants is that they can often lead to a rise in unscrupulous people
The structural joist system OneBoard (pictured) can be retrofitted with no increase in floor heights, while the UltraSlim system adds just 15mm to the existing floor height, reducing the need to make further changes to doors, skirting and other features. This is a trend that we believe will continue right through 2021 and beyond, as more and more heating engineers move their businesses towards low-carbon alternatives from traditional boiler-and-radiator systems. Continal has been one of the UK’s leading design and supply specialists for energy-efficient warm-water UFH for 20 years. The company’s full range of UFH systems for solid floors, overfloor applications and joist floors, as well as a full portfolio of controls and accessories, is at www.ufh.co.uk
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | WINTER PLANNING
The heating survival guide How you can help to prevent critical winter-related heating and plumbing issues, by Nigel Sanger, divisional director of technical support at RWC UK.
A
s the nights grow longer and colder during the winter, gas engineers receive an increasing number of emergency callouts to fix broken plumbing and heating systems. These issues can range from ineffective heating to frozen pipework. Prevention is the best medicine, so here are three ways that systems can be winterproofed to avoid disruption and keep homeowners comfortable. Prevent pipework from freezing Frozen pipes can cause major damage and affect the performance of hot water and central heating systems when they are needed the most. In 2018, £194 million was paid out to help homeowners deal with burst pipes due to bad weather, according to the Association of British Insurers. Pipework can be futureproofed for all seasons while carrying out the initial installation by keeping these six Ps in mind: preparation, pressure, placement, protection, prevention and programming. Pipe layouts should be considered carefully to ensure optimal performance. Best practice is to avoid placing pipes outside or in rooms that are prone to getting cold, such as lofts or basements. If pipework does need to be run in these areas, they should be adequately protected and lagged with insulation. Without lagging, water inside them can freeze, creating internal pressure that can cause them to burst. Plan ahead and drain any external pipes in unoccupied new-builds, and advise your customers to do the same when freezing weather is forecast. This is particularly important for external taps that are exposed to 28 January 2021
plummeting temperatures. The process of draining external pipes is simple: close the internal shut-off valve to stop the mains supply and then drain the exposed pipe by running the tap. Once the cold weather has passed, open the valve to turn the water supply back on. Engineers can also avoid the perils of frozen pipes by keeping them warm at all times. As SSE advises, thermostats should be set at 12-15°C when the property is unoccupied to prevent internal pipework from freezing. Smart heating controls can help deal with these concerns when the properties are left vacant, so homeowners can ensure their heating system is safe and can be operated if they are away.
flushed out of the system and replaced.
Anti-freeze – not just for your car Another area that needs winter planning is the installation of underfloor heating (UFH). In new-builds or renovations, UFH projects can span over weeks and even months. It’s not uncommon that UFH pipework is installed and screed is laid months before the property is ready for use. If the UFH pipework in the screed is subject to sub-zero
Smart heating controls Fuel poverty hits home for millions of people in the UK: according to government figures, approximately 2.4 million households lived in fuel poverty in 2018 and couldn’t afford to keep their homes heated adequately. Smart heating controls can help to battle fuel poverty because they allow people to heat specific rooms rather than the whole house. Heating the whole house can result in energy
“Thermostats should be set at 12-15°C when the property is left unoccupied to prevent internal pipework from freezing.” conditions while the rest of the project is being completed, the water in the pipes can freeze. This runs the risk of the pipework weakening and splitting as the water expands. Avoid this by adding anti-freeze to the water in the pipework. Once the winter has passed, this water can be
wastage and higher heating bills when not all rooms are being used at the same time. Smart heating controls can manage the heating temperature and schedule for both UFH and radiators through a single control. These controls can be programmed to deliver the
desired temperatures in certain rooms, at specific times throughout the day. Despite the energy saving benefits, smart heating controls still aren’t commonly used because of their perceived cost and disruption. This is where heating engineers can be clever in the way they communicate these options to both the customer and building contractors. While there’s an initial up-front cost of installation, the energy savings over the years do pay for the technology. Managed from a smartphone app or directly through the thermostats, smart heating controls can help to cut energy bills by up to 30 per cent. Beating the winter blues With careful planning and the use of innovative technology, most problems that come with the winter season can be avoided. And gas engineers can ensure they help prevent water and energy wastage to build greener and more sustainable homes, ensuring homeowners have comfortable, warm and safe winters. ■ www.johnguest.com
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | WINTER PLANNING
Top tips to avoid frozen condensate What lessons have we learned about how to avoid the problem of frozen condensate during prolonged cold spells? David Smith, CEO of Condensate Pro, sets out the steps gas engineers should take to help avoid the issue.
B
ack in 2018, when the Beast from the East led to tens of thousands of boilers breaking down because the condensate had frozen, the industry called for help. Boiler manufacturers were inundated with customers calling because they thought (wrongly) that they were covered by their boiler warranty. The period not only put householders at risk because they didn’t have any heating, but also gas engineers who were driving in treacherous conditions. The media and papers got involved, asking how this had happened and what was being done to make sure it does not happen again. And so we learned from the past. The past two winters have been mild: however, more than 4 million boilers will have been installed. BS 6798* and the manufacturers’ instructions state what must be carried out on all external condensates. Benchmark requires recording that everything installed complies with the required standards and regulations, and the HHIC advises that you must check protection when boilers are serviced. When you consider that the future may include hydrogen boilers, which will create even more condensate, there has never been a better time to evaluate and highlight what is required. Professional heating engineers need materials to be fit for the job and easy to install in all weather. This has been an issue in the past because some of the materials that they were advised to use are not compliant without carrying out work that’s nigh on impossible. Not to forget the time it takes trying to make it look acceptable on the customer’s home. It’s been a pain for professionals ever since condensing boilers were first introduced, to the point where urban myths have manifested over the years: for example, that 40mm uninsulated is acceptable, or that
you don’t need to insulate in certain areas of the country. As we know, both are incorrect. We don’t start to add anti-freeze to our vehicles just when the winter comes: it’s added as standard and maintained on the annual service to make sure that, when winter arrives, the vehicle is protected. The same goes for us as professionals: householders don’t know whether their condensate needs to be insulated – they trust you to provide that protection and check and maintain. Looking at issues in the past, let’s look at the salient parts of BS 6798 and the manufacturers’ instructions to which boiler condensates need conform: • All insulation materials used need to conform with the manufacturer’s instructions and, when installed, should be UV-protected, weather-proof and maintainable. • Make sure the materials used are sealed correctly to make sure there is no ingress of water between the pipe and the insulation. Water ingress is why
many insulated condensates have failed in the past. •L ook for an internal solution. This may involve more work and materials and liaising with your customer to advise why this is the most suitable solution. • I f the condensate has to be terminated outside, make sure you reduce the external pipework as much as possible. •E xternal pipework must be a minimum of 30mm interior diameter and fully insulated in line with the insulation manufacturer’s instructions. •W here the condensate pipe enters the building, it must be sealed correctly, be durable in all weathers and temperatures, and maintainable. •A ll internal pipework in unheated areas must be treated as external pipework. • When connecting to other internal pipework, such as sinks and washing machines, make sure it’s insulated if it then goes outside. You should also make sure that no food or other materials will slow the condensate water or cause a
blockage. It may be better to have a separate condensate waste. •A ll pipework must be as vertical as possible, keeping bends and 45° angles to a minimum, and making sure the burr of the cut pipe is removed. • I f terminating to an open drain, make sure the open end is below the drain and above the water level and cut the end at 45° to protect from wind chill. This is sometimes impossible: however, the end of the insulated pipe is where there is the main risk of freezing and blocking, so protecting from wind chill is important. •O ther protection measures can be added to insulated pipework: for example, trace heating/ high-volume condensate traps. These must be insulated. •M ake sure the householder is made aware of external condensates and where they are terminated and that they should be inspected during prolonged cold weather. •M ake sure the condensate is inspected and is to current standards when you’re carrying out boiler servicing and other safety checks. Boiler manufacturers’ instructions may have other requirements, and you should always refer to these – for example, providing an air break that protects the boiler from flooding but still protects in the winter time. As we have seen, climate change is bringing extremes in all weathers and, with the introduction of hydrogen in the future, correct condensate protection has never been so important. Let’s show that we have learned from the past and make condensate problems history. ■ condensatepro.co.uk *BS 6798:2014 – Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of gas-fired boilers of rated input not exceeding 70kW net
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 31
Legislative, Normative & Informative The Gas Safe Register Legislation & Standards Document List Date issued: 1 January 2021 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 Safe Register to assess compliance. Finally, the remaining listings provide details of links to other available information, which is considered useful to help
32 January 2021
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: • British and European Standards (BSI) • Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) • Liquid Gas UK (formerly known as UKLPG) One standard is published by National Caravan Council (NCC).
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: • British and European Standards (BSI) https:// standardsdevelopment. bsigroup.com (registration required) • Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) www.igem. org.uk/technical-services/ comment-on-draft-standards/
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 and 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 | KNOWLEDGE BANK
SECTION 7:
LEGISLATION 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 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 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/about-the-government/ departments/environment-foodand-agriculture/environment-safetyand-health-directorate/healthand-safety-at-work-inspectorate/ legislation/ SECTION 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 G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2016 edition) J: Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems L1A: Conservation of fuel & power (New dwellings) L1B: Conservation of fuel & power (Existing dwellings) L2A: Conservation of fuel & power (New buildings other than dwellings) L2B: Conservation of fuel & power (Existing buildings other than dwellings) Second tier documents to the Building Regulations – England Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide 2013 edition incorporating 2018 amendments – England Non-Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide 2013 edition – England Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure for Dwellings Code for Sustainable Homes & Technical Guide December 2014 Building Energy Performance Assessment Key approved documents to the Building Regulations (Wales) B: Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses B: Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses F: Ventilation G: Sanitation, hot water safety & water efficiency (2016 edition) J: Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems L1A: Conservation of fuel & power (New dwellings) L1B: Conservation of fuel & power (Existing dwellings)
L2A: Conservation of fuel & power (New buildings other than dwellings) L2B: Conservation of fuel & power (Existing buildings other than dwellings) Second tier documents to the Building Regulations – Wales Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide Non-Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Procedure for Dwellings Code for Sustainable Homes & Technical Guide December 2014 Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations (Domestic) Scottish Technical Handbook (Domestic) Section 2 – Domestic Fire Section 3 – Domestic Environment Section 6 – Domestic Energy Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations (Non-domestic) Scottish Technical Handbook (Non-Domestic) Section 2 – Non-Domestic Fire Section 3 – Non-Domestic Environment Section 6 – Non-Domestic Energy Second tier documents to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations Scottish Government Guide to the Condensing Boiler Installation Assessment Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Standards (Regulations) Northern Ireland DFP Technical Booklet C: 2012 – Site preparation & resistance to moisture DFP Technical Booklet E: 2012 – Fire Safety DFP Technical Booklet C: 2012 – Site preparation & resistance to moisture DFP Technical Booklet E: 2012 – Fire Safety DFP Technical Booklet F1: 2012 – Conservation of fuel & power in dwellings DFP Technical Booklet F2: 2012 – Conservation of fuel & power in buildings other than dwellings DFP Technical Booklet K: 2012 – Ventilation
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DFP Technical Booklet L: 2012 – Combustion appliances & fuel storage systems DFP Technical Booklet P: 2012 – Sanitary appliances, unvented hot water storage systems and reducing the risk of scalding Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Regulations Isle of Man (IoM) B – Fire Safety – Fire safety (2000 Edition consolidated with 2000 & 2002 amendments) F – Ventilation (Second impression 1995) J – Combustion Appliances & Fuel Storage Systems (2002 Edition) L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings (2002 Edition) L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Buildings other than Dwellings (2002 Edition) Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Bylaws (Guernsey) – Channel Islands B – Fire Safety – Volume 1: Dwelling houses B – Fire Safety – Volume 2: Buildings other than dwelling houses F – Ventilation J – Heat producing appliances & Fuel Storage Systems L1 – Conservation of Fuel & Power in Dwellings L2 – Conservation of Fuel & Power – Buildings other than Dwellings Building Energy Performance Assessment Key Approved Documents to the Building Bylaws (Jersey) – Channel Islands Part 3A – Energy Performance of Dwellings 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 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
34 January 2021
L108 – Controlling noise at work – The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 – Guidance on Regulations L122 – Safety of pressure systems – Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 – Approved Code of Practice (Second Edition) L138 – Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres. Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. Approved Code of Practice & Guidance L143 – Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (ACoP) – The management of asbestos in non-domestic premises, and Work with materials containing asbestos (Second Edition) Incorporating previous L127 L144 – Managing health & safety in construction – Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 Approved Code of Practice HSG47 – Avoiding danger from underground services – Third edition 2014 HSG48 – Reducing error & influencing behaviour HSG65 – Managing for Health & Safety Management – Third Edition - 2013 HSG85 – Electricity at Work – Safe working practices – Third Edition 2013 HSG97 – A step by step guide to Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment (see also COSHH Essential Guidance publications) HSG137 – Health Risk Management – A practical guide for managers in small & medium-sized enterprises HSG176 – The storage of flammable liquids in tanks HSG210 – Asbestos Essentials – A task manual for building, maintenance & allied trades on non-licensed asbestos work (Free task sheets) HSG213 – Introduction to Asbestos Essentials HSG250 – Guidance on permit-towork systems: A guide for the petroleum, chemical & allied industries HSG253 – The safe isolation of plant and equipment (Second edition) HSG261 – Health & safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries EH40 – Occupational Exposure Limits (2020) INDG163 (rev4) – Risk assessment (A brief guide to controlling risks in the workplace) INDG223 (rev5) – Managing asbestos in buildings (A brief guide) INDG231 (rev1) – Electrical safety and you (A brief guide) INDG258 (rev1) – Confined spaces (A brief guide to working safely)
INDG428 (08/09) – Inspecting and maintaining or replacing buried metallic pipework carrying LPG vapour INDG223 – Manage buildings? You must manage asbestos INDG370 (rev1) – Controlling Fire and explosion risks in the workplace – A brief guide to the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regs INDG453 (rev1) – Reporting accidents and incidents at work A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) HSE aO – Advice on non-licensed work with Asbestos. Introduction to ‘Asbestos essentials’ task sheets Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essentials guidance publications Building Bulletin 101 – Ventilation of school buildings (Called up in IGEM/ UP/11 Edition 2) LAQM.TG(09) Local Air Quality Management – Technical Guidance CAIS10 (Revision 2) – Ventilation of kitchens in catering establishments (7.12) CAIS23 (Revision 2) – Gas safety in catering and hospitality (July 2013 version aimed at those operating catering and hospitality businesses) Note 3: Further asbestos-related guidance 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 can be found at: www.hseni.gov.uk/ publications HSE Publications and other Approved Codes of Practice (Guernsey) Safety in the Installation & Use of Gas Systems & Appliances The Health & Safety (Gas) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2006 The Organisation & Management of Health & Safety in Construction (Guernsey) Reporting an Injury, Disease or Dangerous Occurrence (Guernsey)
Note 6: Further information on Approved Codes of Practice and guidance notes for gas safety and other important issues at: www.gov. gg/hseguidance SECTION 9:
GAS INDUSTRY STANDARDS
British & European Standards BS 4163: 2014 Health and safety for design and technology in schools and similar establishments – Code of practice BS 5440-1: 2008 Flueing & ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) Specification for installation of gas appliances to chimneys & for maintenance of chimneys 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 BS 5482-1: 2005 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane-gasburning – Domestic butane and propane gas-burning installations. Installations at permanent dwellings, residential park homes & commercial premises, with installation pipework sizes not exceeding DN25 for steel & DN28 for corrugated stainless steel or copper BS 5482-2: 1977 Installation in caravans & non-permanent dwellings (Amd May 2001) PD 54823: 2016 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane gas-burning installations. Installations in boats, yachts & other vessels BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases)
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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 Requirements for
electrical installations. Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Wiring Regulations (formally IEE Wiring Regulations) – Eighteenth edition 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. New revision BS 8660-1: 2011 Gas-fired micro-cogeneration appliances of rated thermal input not exceeding 70kW net Part 1: Specification for selection, installation, inspection, commissioning, servicing and maintenance of Stirling engine micro-cogeneration appliances BS EN 721: 2019 Leisure accommodation vehicles – Safety ventilation requirements BS EN 751-1:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Anaerobic jointing compounds BS EN 751-2:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Non-hardening jointing compounds BS EN 751-3:1997 Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases & hot water. Unsintered PTFE tapes BS EN 1775: 2007 Gas supply pipework for buildings – Maximum operating pressure loss ≤5bar – Functional requirements BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures – Functional requirements BS EN 50292: 2013 Electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon monoxide in domestic premises – Guide on the selection, installation, use & maintenance BS EN 15001-1: 2009 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing
BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance BS EN 1949: 2011 +A1 2013
Specification for the installation of LPG systems for habitation purposes in leisure accommodation vehicles & accommodation purposes in other vehicles. Under review BS EN ISO 10239: 2017 Small craft – Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems. Under review BS EN 13410: 2001 Gas-fired overhead radiant heaters – Ventilation requirements for non-domestic premises (Amd Jan 03) BS EN 1749: 2020 European scheme for the classification of gas appliances according to the method of evacuation of the products of combustion Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers Documents (IGEM) IGE/UP/1 Strength & tightness testing & purging of industrial & commercial gas installations (inc Amd published March 05). Under review IGE/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations (inc amendments published March 2005). Under review IGEM/UP/1B Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations (with Amendments October 2012) IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of natural gas and LPG meter installations IGEM/UP/2 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises. Under review IGEM/UP/3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines. Due for review IGEM/UP/4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises IGEM/UP/6 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems. New revision IGE/UP/7 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008) Note 7: IGE/UP/7 – Edition 2 is available free at: www.igem.org. uk/technical-services/technicalgas-standards/utilisation/ ige-up-7-edition-2-a-2008-gasinstallations-in-timber-framed-andlight-steel-framed-buildings/
IGE/UP/9 Application of Natural Gas
and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners. Under review
IGEM/UP/10 - Edition 4 with amendments – March 2016
Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises IGEM/UP/11 Gas installations in educational establishments IGEM/UP/12 Application of burners and controls to gas fired process plant. Under review IGEM/UP/16 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to hazardous area classification and preparation of risk assessments IGEM/UP/17 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and bodyshops (Replaced British Gas Technical Publication IM/28: 1993) IGEM/UP/19 Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering establishments IGEM/GL/8 Reporting and investigation of gas related incidents. Under review IGE/GL/9 Guidance for large gas consumers in dealing with Natural Gas supply emergencies. Available free at: www.igem.org.uk/ technical-services/technical-gasstandards/legislation/igem-gl-9/ IGE/TD/4 Gas Services. Revision expected IGEM/G/1 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework. Under review IGEM/G/4 Definitions in the Gas Industry. Under review IGEM/G/5 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings. Under review IGEM/G/6 Gas supplies to mobile dwellings. Under review IGEM/G/7 Risk Assessment Techniques IGEM/G/10 Non-return valves IGE/GM/4 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 & 100bar IGE/GM/5 Selection, installation & use of electronic gas meter volume conversion systems. Under review IGEM/GM/6 Non-domestic meter installations – Standard designs. Under review 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 & inlet pressure not exceeding 38bar Design IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds
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IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Non-domestic meter installations. Installation and commissioning IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Non-domestic meter installations. Notices and labels IGEM/IG/1 Standards of Training in Gas Work. Revision expected Note 8: available free at: www.igem. org.uk/technical-services/technicalgas-standards/industry-guidance/ igem-ig-1-standards-of-training-ingas-work/ IGEM/IG/1 Supplement 1
Standards of Training in Gas Work, Non-domestic training specification Note 9: IGEM/IG/1 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ industry-guidance/igem-ig-1supplement-1-non-domestictraining-specification/ IGEM/IG/2 Engineer’s Guide to relevant sections of IGEM/UP/19 in catering establishments Note 10: IGEM/IG/2 is available free at: www.igem.org.uk/technicalservices/technical-gas-standards/ industry-guidance/igem-ig-2guidance-for-gas-engineers/ IGEM/G/7 Risk assessment techniques IGEM/SR/25 Hazardous area classification of natural gas installations (with amendments July 2013). Due for review IGEM/SR/29 Dealing with gas escapes 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 – Small bulk installations for domestic purposes. Under review 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). Under review CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges. Under review CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems. Under review CoP 21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000) CoP 22 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems CoP 24 Part 1 Use of LPG Cylinders – At residential & similar premises
38 January 2021
CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering CoP 24 Part 5 Use of LPG Cylinders – Storage & use of LPG on construction sites CoP 24 Part 6 Use of Propane in cylinders at commercial & industrial premises CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008) GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters
National Caravan Council (NCC) Codes of Practice (CoP) CoP 306 Motorhomes: Fixed LPG tanks for habitation purposes V2.0 SECTION 10:
OTHER INFORMATIVE DOCUMENTS AND USEFUL REFERENCES Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS) CGS O1 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 11 Fire and Gas Safety guidance for farmers using LPG for caravans CGS 17 Use of connectors to secure vapour phase LPG hose and tubing to BSE CGS 18 Tips on Keeping Cosy this Winter CGS 19 Emptying, Purging and Scrapping Vehicle LPG Tanks CGS 20 Camping Safely CGS 22 Owning Your Own LPG Storage Vessel CGS 26 Guidance for Operators of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Refuelling Facilities of ‘Freestanding’ LPG Cylinders CGS 27 Cold Burns CGS 28 Safe Use of Propane and Butane Cylinders and Cartridges CGS Guidance for Private Ownership and Filling of ‘Freestanding’ Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinders CGS 38 FLT CGS 39 Regulators Safe Use Note 11: Liquid Gas UK Consumer Guidance Sheets (CGS) are available at: www.liquidgasuk.org/ resources/information-sheets/userinformation-sheets Other Industry Procedures/ Documents DW/172 Standard for kitchen ventilation systems
IGEM/G/11 Formerly known as
The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) – (TB 001). This can be viewed by logging into your online account at: www. gassaferegister.co.uk/sign-in
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 12: 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
SECTION 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 business. 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 BS 5482-1: 2005 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane-gasburning – Domestic butane and propane gas-burning installations. Installations at permanent dwellings, residential park homes & commercial premises, with installation pipework sizes not exceeding DN25 for steel & DN28 for corrugated stainless steel or copper
BS 5482-2: 1977 Installation in
caravans & non-permanent dwellings (Amd May 2001) PD 54823: 2016 Code of practice for domestic butane & propane gas-burning installations. Installations in boats, yachts & other vessels BS 5864: 2019 Installation & maintenance of gas-fired ducted air heaters of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (2nd & 3rd family gases). Specification BS 5871-1: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & heating stoves (1st, 2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-2: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel-effect gas appliances – Inset live fuel-effect gas fires of heat input not exceeding 15kW & fire/back boilers (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-3: 2005 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Decorative fuel-effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 5871-4: 2007 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers & decorative fuel effect gas appliances – Independent gas-fired flueless fires, convector heaters & heating stoves of nominal heat input not exceeding 6kW (net) (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6172: 2010 + A1 2017
Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6173: 2020 Specification for installation of gas-fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6230: 2011 Specification for installation & maintenance of gas-fired forced convection air heaters for commercial & industrial space heating (2nd & 3rd family gases) BS 6400-1: 2016 Specification for installation, exchange, relocation, maintenance and removal of gas meters with a maximum capacity not exceeding 6m3/h – Part 1 – Low pressure (2nd family gases) BS 6400-2: 2006 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)
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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: 2005 Specification for the installation & maintenance of open-flued, non-domestic gas-fired laundry appliances BS EN 721: 2019 Leisure accommodation vehicles – Safety ventilation requirements BS EN 12327: 2012 Gas infrastructure – Pressure testing, commissioning and decommissioning procedures – Functional requirements BS EN 15001-1: 2009
Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for design, materials, construction, inspection & testing BS EN 15001-2: 2008 Gas installation pipework with an operating pressure greater than 0.5bar for industrial installations & greater than 5bar for industrial & non industrial installations – Detailed functional requirements for commissioning, operation & maintenance
40 January 2021
BS EN 1949: 2011 +A1 2013
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) IGE/UP/1 Strength & tightness testing & purging of industrial & commercial gas installations (inc Amd published March 05) IGE/UP/1A Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of small low pressure industrial & commercial Natural gas installations (inc amendments published March 2005) IGEM/UP/1B Tightness testing and direct purging of small Liquefied Petroleum Gas/Air, Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations (with Amendments October 2012) IGEM/UP/1C Strength testing, tightness testing & direct purging of natural gas and LPG meter installations IGEM/UP/2 Installation pipework on industrial and commercial premises IGEM/UP/3 Gas fuelled spark ignition and dual-fuel engines IGEM/UP/4 Commissioning of gas fired plant on industrial & commercial premises IGEM/UP/6 Application of compressors to Natural Gas fuel systems IGE/UP/7 Gas installations in timber framed & light steel framed buildings (inc amendments published October 2008). See Note 7 IGE/UP/9 Application of Natural Gas and fuel oil systems to Gas turbines and supplementary and auxiliary fired burners IGEM/UP/10 Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises IGEM/UP/11 Gas installations in educational establishments IGEM/UP/12 Application of burners and controls to gas fired process plant IGEM/UP/16 Design for Natural Gas installations on industrial and commercial premises with respect to hazardous area classification and preparation of risk assessments IGEM/UP/17 Shared chimney and flue systems for domestic gas appliances IGEM/UP/18 Gas installations for vehicle repair and bodyshops (Replaced British Gas Technical Publication IM/28: 1993)
IGEM/UP/19 Design and application of interlock devices and associated systems used with gas appliance installations in commercial catering establishments IGEM/GL/8 Reporting and investigation of gas related incidents IGE/GL/9 Guidance for large gas consumers in dealing with Natural Gas supply emergencies IGE/TD/4 Gas Services IGEM/G/1 Defining the end of the Network, a meter installation and installation pipework IGEM/G/4 Definitions in the Gas Industry IGEM/G/5 Gas in multi-occupancy buildings IGEM/G/6 Gas supplies to mobile dwellings IGE/GM/4 Flow metering practice for pressures between 38 & 100bar IGE/GM/5 Selection, installation & use of electronic gas meter volume conversion systems IGEM/GM/6 Non-domestic meter installations – Standard designs IGEM/GM/7A Electrical connections for gas metering equipment IGEM/GM/7B Hazardous area classification for gas metering equipment IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 1 Non-domestic meter installations. Flow rate exceeding 6m3/h & inlet pressure not exceeding 38bar Design IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 2 Non-domestic meter installations. Location, housings and compounds IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 3 Non-domestic meter installations. Installation and commissioning IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 4 Non-domestic meter installations. Operation and maintenance IGEM/GM/8 – Pt 5 Non-domestic meter installations. Notices and labels
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 – Small bulk installations for domestic purposes CoP 1 Part 3 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed installations – Examination & Inspection CoP 1 Part 4 Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations – Buried/Mounded LPG Storage Vessels (Inc Amendment March 2013) CoP 7 Storage of full & empty LPG cylinders & cartridges CoP 17 Purging LPG vessels & systems CoP21 Guidelines for Safety Checks on LPG appliances in Caravans (Including Amendment Aug 2000) CoP22 Design Installation and Testing of LPG Piping Systems
CoP 24 Part 1 Use of LPG Cylinders – At residential & similar premises CoP 24 Part 3 Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering CoP 24 Part 5 Use of LPG Cylinders – Storage & use of LPG on construction sites CoP 24 Part 6 Use of Propane in cylinders at commercial & industrial premises CoP 25 LPG Central storage & distribution systems for multiple consumers (Including Amendment 1 2008) GN 2 A guide to servicing cabinet heaters n
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Productnews Seal of approval for Bosch HIU Bosch Commercial & Industrial’s Greenstar heat interface unit (HIU) range is now BESA approved. The BESA HIU test regime is the UK test standard for HIUs, originally developed to assess UK heat network operating parameters as part of a government research project into heat network efficiency. The BESA HIU test regime calculates the annual volume weighted return temperature (VWART) from the HIU and provides evidence of compliance with other performance and reliability metrics such as speed of temperature stabilisation. With a two-year guarantee, the Greenstar HIU provides up to 21 litres per minute flow rate and includes a differential pressure control valve (KE Plus, E Plus and E) and summer bypass (KE Plus and E Plus). Commercial technical operations manager Pete Mills says: “We’re proud to have achieved this registration for our Greenstar range. It’s great to get the stamp of approval. “District heating is a relatively new industry and will be essential for the UK to reach its net-zero 2050 target. Using HIU with verified performance is one important part of the drive to raise technical standards for new heat networks going forward.” www.boschthermotechnology.com
Keep systems clean with Fernox descaler and cleaner Fernox has rebranded its DS40 Descaler and Cleaner, which is now available with a 500ml liquid system neutraliser for simpler and safer dosing. The fast-acting citric acidic cleaner is designed to work rapidly to remove limescale, black sludge and other debris from central heating systems. It is suitable for use when powerflushing and can also be used to descale heat exchangers or boiler components separately.
Unlock more time with pressure relief service key Buckinghamshire gas engineer Robin Duff has come up with a smart way to save time when servicing unvented cylinders. His patented invention, the temperature and pressure relief service key, holds the valve open until the air expansion volume in the cylinder has recharged. Robin, of Wing Heating and Plumbing Services, says: “When the vacuum is lost to take the 4 per cent expansion volume of hot water, the tundish will discharge via the temperature pressure relief valve. To replace this vacuum properly can take 30 minutes of holding the red cap on the TPR valve open by hand – a task that can prove very time-consuming and tedious. “The service key will save the engineer time and enable other tasks to be carried out while the air expansion volume recharges.” After slowly rotating the cap on the temperature pressure relief valve, insert the key between the cap and the brass body. The key will then hold open the valve. After recharging, simply remove the key and snap shut the temperature expansion and pressure relief valve. The TPR service key is available only from Advanced Water Company. www.advancedwater.co.uk 42 January 2021
The free-flowing powder can be used with powerflushing machines and when applying via the F&E tank. Just one box is needed per application, and it is safe to use with all mixed-metal central heating systems. It comes with a new 500ml liquid, non-hazardous system neutraliser, which must be used to prevent the descaler and cleaner from causing any damage to the aluminium components found in central heating systems. The liquid version complies with all environmental regulations. Fernox head of chemistry Richard Crisp says: “One box of DS40 Descaler and Cleaner is suitable for use during one powerflush. “Using the product can help heating engineers comply with BS 7593:2019, Part L of the Building Regulations and the Benchmark Scheme.” www.fernox.com
Add your name to ESi controls ESi heating controls can be laser printed with your company name and logo on the cover of the controls, and your contact details inside, so that your customer can contact you easily. UK sales director Tristan James says: “It’s a unique, value-added service we can offer to our customers that will save them having to use peel-off labels or other means to ensure the homeowner has access to contact details for their heating company. “Simply request this additional service when you order 20 controls or more from your merchant and they will be delivered duly engraved. We just need a jpeg of your logo and the company name in its normal
typeface to set up the laser printer.” www.esicontrols.co.uk
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BUSINESS FOR SALE
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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN CAMBRIDGE Retiring old hand seeks up & comer to care for his customers: Loyal client base for sale by one-man-band in operation since 1986. Are you a qualified gas engineer / plumber looking to branch out under your own name? Are you an established company keen to easily secure an immediate increase in workflow, to keep your guys busy, or expand your team? Instead of gambling optimistically on advertising, here’s a rare chance to take over a very profitable and ever busy operation. Would suit someone living in Cambridge or the Fens: an area of stiff competition, so here’s your chance to jump 35 years ahead in the growth of your business. Over 30+ years my hard working reputation has grown a base of loyally returning clients who I would now like a reliable and trustworthy young plumber to look after. I’m a specialist in boilers and central heating, though many come back for bathrooms, services, & general maintenance. Included in sale: client database and their associated goodwill, redirecting of all my calls / emails / website traffic direct to you. Optional extras could include: all tools, Nissan eNV200 Van (purchased July 2020), stock parts and fittings, customised workwear. Payment schedule and handover period between now and spring 2021 to be agreed between ourselves over coffee. Possible period working alongside & joint-branded flyers to the customers explaining the transition. Detailed financial report available (offline, in person) to anyone seriously interested.
Annual turnover: £ 110,000 Net Profit: £ 50,000 Asking Price: £45,000 Please get in contact; classified@rgemagazine.co.uk quoting ref RGE0121/38.
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 43
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RECRUITMENT
Join the Gas Services Team at WDH We have two exciting opportunities to join the Technical Services department at WDH to assist us in delivering the highest level of service to our customers.
The Official Service Partner for AGA and also RANGEMASTER Out of Guarantee work are looking to add to its’ existing network of engineers and in particular, engineers qualified to work on Natural and LPG Gas Excellent Rates of Pay and quick & efficient payment, normally the end of the month in which the job is completed.
If you feel that you would like to be part of this successful and growing organisation, please send your details to aga@repairtechuk.co.uk and we will contact you to progress. EQUIPMENT PURCHASED
WE BUY ANY BOILER AND HEATING PARTS Cash waiting for job lots of new boiler and heating parts Genuine parts in good condition and manufacturer’s original packaging
• Excess Stock • Retirement Sale • Closing Down Sale • Slow Moving Parts • Pristine Van Stock
Text or WhatsApp on 07958 665075 joblotboilerparts.co.uk LONDON AND SOUTH EAST
Assistant Mechanical Services Manager
£38,061 - £41,103 37 hours Yorkshire Reference number: W108/20 You will work alongside the Gas Operations Manager in the development, management, monitoring and operational delivery of all gas operations and services, in accordance with all applicable regulations. You will ensure compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements that relate to the gas industry, ensuring all legislative requirements are delivered at operational level, and that the Gas Safe Registration is maintained and renewed. You will also lead on projects and make a positive and innovative contribution to the management team and Technical Services directorate in this role. An understanding of Commercial Installations is preferred but not essential. Applicants for this role will have a valid UK driving licence and have daily access to a vehicle as travel throughout the district and other locations is required.
Gas Team Leader
£31,386 – £34,824 + non-contractual market supplement 37 hours Yorkshire Reference number: W109/20 As Gas Team Leader, you will manage an efficient and cost-effective Gas Services Team for allocated areas of work. You will deliver a high-quality service to our customers and various stakeholders in compliance with current regulations. The role will have a focus on gas servicing, repair, installation, maintenance and improvement schemes. You will have significant supervisory experience in gas installation, servicing, maintenance and repair. You will be a proven problem solver with extensive industry knowledge An understanding of Commercial Installations is preferred but not essential. Applicants for this role will have a valid UK driving licence and will have daily access to a works vehicle as travel throughout the district and other locations is required. For more information and to apply: www.wdh.co.uk/Aboutus/JobVacancies/ Contacts: Gary Jones, Gas Operations Manager on 07766697731 or HR Operations Team on 01977 724654 Please note we do not accept CVs. Closing date for applications: 29 January 2021.
APPRENTICESHIPS
44 January 2021
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LONDON AND SOUTH EAST
BTAAC offer a full range of Domestic and Commercial Gas training and re-assessments in a well-equipped training facility at very competitive prices. · All ACS Domestic Gas – core + appliances ·All ACS Commercial Gas including CMDDA1,BMP1,LPG · Unvented Hot Water & Water Regs · Essential Electrics & Heating Controls · Highly knowledgeable trainers with years of experience
For more information and to book your course contact us on:- Email: sarah.bygraves@bromleytraining.co.uk Telephone: 0208 315 5678 Bromley Training & Assessment Centre (BTAAC) Unit 4 Ashgrove Industrial Estate Ashgrove Road, Bromley Kent, BR1 4JW
Water Regulations
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Training & Assessment Specialists • Domestic gas & appliances • Commercial gas • Commercial catering • ACS re-assessments • New entrants to gas (GGFO) • Unvented hot water
• Water regulations • LPG changeover • Legionella • 18th Edition Wiring Regulations • Electrical Testing and Inspection
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MIDLANDS
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Offering training and assessments in: DomesCc Gas Commercial Gas LPG Gas Initial Gas Qualification for new starters Full scope ACS initial and Re-assessments for; Domestic, Commercial, LPG, Catering and COMCATS 1 to 5, Change Over Packages, Hot Water System Safety, Water Regulations, Energy Efficiency, Legionella, Cavity Wall
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(Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment)
VAT FREE DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS SAFETY ASSESSMENTS We offer a wide range of training and assessment to suit your needs, all delivered at our Bispham Campus, Blackpool including:
GAS RE-ASSESSMENT CCN1 2 days £290 GAS SAFETY TRAINING CCN1 2 days £260 INDIVIDUAL DOMESTIC APPLIANCE ASSESSMENT
Cookers Re-assessment CKR1/Space Heaters Re-assessment HTR1 £110* Central Heating Re-assessment CENWAT1 £130* *A certification fee is payable depending on requirements
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Other Courses Unvented Hot Water Systems Water Regulations Energy efficiency Plumbing to Gas Engineering
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Introductory Gas Training Courses (Commercial, Domestic & LPG) ACS Domestic Core & Appliances and CPA ACS Non-Domestic Core & Appliances ACS Commercial Catering, Mobile Catering & Appliances Swimming Pool Boilers ACS LPG Core & Appliances (incl Boats, RPH, LAV, PD, Caravans) LPG Generators OFTEC Oil Assessment & Training (OFT 50, 101, 102, 201, 105e, 600a) & Solid Fuel Un-vented & Vented Domestic Hot Water, Legionella and Water Regulations Gas Supervisor Courses and courses designed for your specific needs EAL Electrical Courses and Electrical Part P Fire Alarm BS5839 and Security Lighting BS 5266 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Courses (Solar, Photovoltaic) BESA F Gas Courses
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46 January 2021
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REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | COMPETITION
Competition Win everything you need to comply with BS 7593 Fernox and Registered Gas Engineer are offering four lucky readers the chance to win a full BS 7593:2019 pack.
F
ernox, the manufacturer of chemical water treatment products, is continuing to invest in its product portfolio with solutions that support heating engineers to comply with evolving legislation and guidelines, including recent updates to BS 7593:2019. These updates offer more comprehensive guidance on the preparation, commissioning and maintenance of domestic central heating and cooling water systems. BS 7593:2019 recommends that inhibitor levels should be checked every year so that any issues are identified early on and remedied before system damage occurs. The Benchmark Commissioning Checklist requires heating engineers to record whether system inhibitor concentration has been checked, and appropriate action taken. To support this, Fernox recently launched the Express Inhibitor Test. Simple and fast to use, the new dip test indicates instantly whether the system water is fully protected with inhibitor that prevents corrosion and scale formation in the heating system. Just dip the test strip into system water and, within a couple of seconds, it will change colour. By matching the test strip colour against the colour chart on the bottle, the test will indicate a pass or fail result immediately. A fully protected system will have inhibitor levels of 100ppm or above and will pass the test. If the test shows inhibitor
4
cha to wnces in The BS 7593:2019 pack contains Express Inhibitor Test, Power Cleaner F8, Protector F1 Express and a TF1 Sigma Filter.
Your chance to win levels of less than 100ppm, it can be remedied with a high-quality inhibitor such as the Fernox Protector F1 before the test is re-taken. The test has been developed for use with the free Fernox Water Test App, so that heating engineers can easily record test results using the in-app camera function and photographing the strip test. The app logs the pass or fail result, and a digital certificate can be downloaded to prove that the test has been conducted and has passed. In the event of a failed test, users can log the action that was taken to rectify the issue. www.fernox.com
*BS 7593:2019 Code of practice for the preparation, commissioning and maintenance of domestic central heating and cooling water systems
For your chance to win, please answer the following question correctly: When undertaking a Fernox Express Inhibitor Test, what level of ppm is required for the system to pass? a) 50ppm b) 100ppm c) 1,000ppm Send your answer, plus your name, address and registration number to: competition@registeredgasengineer. co.uk Four winners will be drawn at random from all correct entries received. All entries must be received by Friday 22 January 2021.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS By entering this prize draw, you agree to these terms and conditions: • Registered Gas Engineer and Fernox do not accept responsibility for lost, delayed, corrupted or invalid entries. • Four winners will be chosen at random from all correct answers submitted in accordance with these terms and conditions. • The winners will be notified by email. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. • The prize cannot be substituted or upgraded.
• The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative. • Registered Gas Engineer and Fernox may disqualify you from winning if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that you are in breach of these terms and conditions or your participation is fraudulent or otherwise unlawful. • This draw is not open to employees of Fernox, Gas Safe Register or Registered Gas Engineer or their direct family members or agents. • Registered Gas Engineer and Fernox do not accept any responsibility for any network connection,
technical failure or other problem in any telephone line, network, system, provider or otherwise which results in any entry not being properly recorded or received. • One entry per person. • Your entry details will be provided to Fernox, which may use them for marketing purposes. By entering this competition, you agree that you may receive communications from Fernox. If you do not wish to be contacted, please add NO COMMUNICATIONS in your email entry.
www.gassaferegister.co.uk 47
WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE
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