DIYnot
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IS DIY GAS LEGAL?
Diy gas work is not illegal, BUT, the law does require that only competent people may work on gas appliances.
You also have to be able to test anything you've done, so you need the right equipment and have the right qualification to use it.
The Gas Safety Regs 1998 states LINK
If you can prove competence, you are allowed legally to diy gas in your own home. This does not however, apply to doing gas work for family and friends even if without charge. (This has been confirmed by the HSE)
Competence is only proven by passing ACS exams and having the appropriate equipment and ability to carry out certain safety tests required by law.
Please note if you ignore this advice:
1) If you are found working illegally, (not gas competent), you are breaking the law and the H.S.E. can prosecute. Example HERE
2) You will be putting your family at risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
3) Your insurance co is likely to reject any claims being caused by DIY gas work.
Gas Work includes but may not be limited to:
Note that the definition of "Work" specifically includes decommissioning, ie removal, of gas pipe or fittings.
The law requires that when any work is done on a boiler, it must be tested in accordance with the Gas Safety Installation And Use Regulations, and others. They outline what needs testing but not how to test it or what a particular boiler has on it which needs testing. It's not all in the boiler manual. Only training tells you that.
Just because a boiler works, it doesn't mean it's safe.
Water-carrying parts of a boiler unrelated to gas or airflow, such as the pump or hydraulics, can be worked on without gas training, though you still have to be competent, for example electrically.
This site does not support DIY gas and posts giving advice on gas work, or encouraging or suggesting it, may be deleted. However, posts are not routinely monitored, so no work should be done as a result of seeing anything on the site.
ANYONE PERSISTENTLY GIVING ADVICE REGARDING WORK ON THE LISTED COMPONENTS OR REPEATING IT ONCE DELETED, CAN EXPECT TO HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP OF THE SITE REVOKED.
Posts are NOT routinely read by administrators
Anyone seeing an infracting post should raise an"Alert" so it can be dealt with.
Knowledgeable members should refer to this section, avoiding any confrontational or abusive language at all times.
.
NB "Competent" enough to follow manufacturers' instructions is NOT enough. Those are for trained operatives who are assumed to know what they're doing, and must always perform additional tests.
Also please see
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/1449/who-can-legally-work-on-a-gas-appliance-factsheet.pdf
Diy gas work is not illegal, BUT, the law does require that only competent people may work on gas appliances.
You also have to be able to test anything you've done, so you need the right equipment and have the right qualification to use it.
The Gas Safety Regs 1998 states LINK
The Health and Safety Executive states
If you can prove competence, you are allowed legally to diy gas in your own home. This does not however, apply to doing gas work for family and friends even if without charge. (This has been confirmed by the HSE)
Competence is only proven by passing ACS exams and having the appropriate equipment and ability to carry out certain safety tests required by law.
Please note if you ignore this advice:
1) If you are found working illegally, (not gas competent), you are breaking the law and the H.S.E. can prosecute. Example HERE
2) You will be putting your family at risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
3) Your insurance co is likely to reject any claims being caused by DIY gas work.
Gas Work includes but may not be limited to:
- Anything which involves removal of a combustion chamber cover or sealed boiler case
Any work involving a- Gas pipework or any gas fitting
Gas Valve
Fan
Air Pressure Switch
Pilot
Burner
Ignition and flame recognition electrodes
Thermostat
Other Safety Controls such as thermocouples
Circuit board - Condensate runaway. This is technically part of the flue system, incorrect installation of which could be lethal.
- Gas pipework or any gas fitting
Note that the definition of "Work" specifically includes decommissioning, ie removal, of gas pipe or fittings.
The law requires that when any work is done on a boiler, it must be tested in accordance with the Gas Safety Installation And Use Regulations, and others. They outline what needs testing but not how to test it or what a particular boiler has on it which needs testing. It's not all in the boiler manual. Only training tells you that.
Just because a boiler works, it doesn't mean it's safe.
Water-carrying parts of a boiler unrelated to gas or airflow, such as the pump or hydraulics, can be worked on without gas training, though you still have to be competent, for example electrically.
This site does not support DIY gas and posts giving advice on gas work, or encouraging or suggesting it, may be deleted. However, posts are not routinely monitored, so no work should be done as a result of seeing anything on the site.
ANYONE PERSISTENTLY GIVING ADVICE REGARDING WORK ON THE LISTED COMPONENTS OR REPEATING IT ONCE DELETED, CAN EXPECT TO HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP OF THE SITE REVOKED.
Posts are NOT routinely read by administrators
Anyone seeing an infracting post should raise an"Alert" so it can be dealt with.
Knowledgeable members should refer to this section, avoiding any confrontational or abusive language at all times.
.
NB "Competent" enough to follow manufacturers' instructions is NOT enough. Those are for trained operatives who are assumed to know what they're doing, and must always perform additional tests.
Also please see
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/1449/who-can-legally-work-on-a-gas-appliance-factsheet.pdf
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