One question I have is about connecting gas cookers. If I have a gas cooker which has a bayonet style twist on/off fitting - the type that seals when you disconnect it - am I allowed to connect the new cooker myself or do I still need a CORGI chap?

Although it is not illegal for you to carry out the work, the law states you must be competent to do so.

Being competent implies that you must use the associated equipment ie. a manometer, and you must carry out correct test procedures to ensure the safe installation of the appliance, ie. pressure drop test and gas soundness test.

Your appliance, though new, may for instance have been damaged in transit and what seems like a relatively simple procedure of connecting a bayonet may have wider implications should a leak occur.

All freestanding gas cookers must be secured to prevent them from falling over either by means of a stability bracket or a chain fixing to the rear wall.

Another point to consider is the question of insurance should damage occur as a result of incorrect installation. An insurance company would only be likely to honour their policy once satisfied that the installation was carried out correctly.

I don't mean to scare you away from a task you feel fully capable of and you may well have the equipment and know how to complete the job successfully, but not many consumers are aware of the wider, unseen responsibilities that are consistent with installation of gas appliances.
I hope this helps you and if you require further advice I will be only too happy to assist,

Regards,

Tim. ;D

T Foley Installations Quality kitchen design and installation
www.kitchensfitted.co.uk

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T Foley Interiors Corian and Quartz surfaces fitted nationwide-click on www.kitchensfitted.co.uk

Whilst I agree with Tim as to being competent you would also need to be registered with the accepted trade body as well, i.e. CORGI.
To remove the old coupling is ok but in order to refit the new cooekr would require you to fit the flexi-hose to the new cooker. THIS WORK MUST NOT BE UNDERTAKEN BY ANYONE WHO IS NOT CORGI REGISTERED!!

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"I just hope we can be free and open to each other, as we all have different ideas and will often disagree, but hopefully stay friends.

Chris,

Although I agree strongly that all gas work be carried out by Corgi registered installers, after forking out a fortune over the years to remain one, you only need to be registered with Corgi if, like me and yourself no doubt, you carry out gas work as part of your business. Hence the answer I submitted.
A sad fact but true and the reason why DIY sheds still sell gas fittings to the general public.

The Law states "Only a competent person can carry out work on gas appliances or fittings. Do-it-yourself work on gas appliances or fittings could be dangerous and is likely to be illegal."
This effectively frees up those who feel capable of completing the work.
I just aim to highlight the skills and equipment they require to do so in a competent way and hopefully this will make the incompetent ones think twice.

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T Foley Interiors Corian and Quartz surfaces fitted nationwide-click on www.kitchensfitted.co.uk

Tim, whilst I note that which you are doing I must submit the following (using some of your post) The Law states "Only a competent person can carry out work on gas appliances or fittings" A competent person under the law is a member of CORGI. To this there is no exception!! If you carry out work on any fitting which may be used for the transportation of gas then you must be competent and the ONLY competent persons are CORGI registered!!

Chris

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"I just hope we can be free and open to each other, as we all have different ideas and will often disagree, but hopefully stay friends.

Chris,
As a corgi registered fitter I fully agree with your sentiments but the law does not support the principle and a trip to B&Q plumbing department will confirm this.

The finer principle is in the legal duty of "anyone carrying out work as part of their business" - they must be competent and registered with Corgi.

It remains the truth however that a competent person can carry out DIY (not as part of a business) gas installations but should be wary that it is "likely to be dangerous and may be illegal" i.e. if it goes wrong it could reult in a prosecution. This competent person need not be Corgi registered. Of course, like you I would always advise people to get a Corgi registered fitter but would suggest you take up your grievance with Corgi as they have left a loophole in what should be watertight legislation.

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T Foley Interiors Corian and Quartz surfaces fitted nationwide-click on www.kitchensfitted.co.uk

I am taking out a gas cooker and will not be peplacing it. It has a bayonet hose connection. Is it safe just to uncouple bayonet hose to ensure that gas is secure.I(s the socket self sealing)?
thanks to anyone who can advise

You do not need to be Corgi registered to install gas, but, the final installation needs to be certified by a Corgi registered gas fitter.

That gas fitter does not have to be Corgi registered if the company that he works for is.

Oh and by the way I know someone who lives in a block of flats, had a corgi registered firm in to connect up a gas hob. The fitter connected it to the water and contaminated the whole block of flats. Turned out it was only the firm that was registered with corgi, this particular fitter wasn't. What action did corgi take, against this firm?, sweet F A.

Sorry Miles but I have to clarify your last post here as it could prove mislleading.

You do need to have the appropriate ACS accreditation to undertake gas work on behalf of a company who, in turn, need to be Corgi registered.

Although the gas fitter does not require Corgi registration he must have proved his competence by attending an appropriate assessment course and even though the gas pipes may not be connected to the mains supply no-one is allowed to work on an associated pipework, connected or not, unless this criteria has been met.

To clarify your first point, a fitter cannot carry out any gas pipework unless he has been assessed and is representative of a Corgi Registered company.

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T Foley Interiors Corian and Quartz surfaces fitted nationwide-click on www.kitchensfitted.co.uk

competent means just that, competent. I am an electrician with skills in refrigeration pipework installation and comissionning where we work with pressures in excess of 400lb. Surely that makes me competent to install my own gas pipework.