Gas regs!

[jdd]

Had a 'discussion' with a gas engineer today about running pipes in close proximity to twin cables under floors. I had pulled him up as he had ran his new pipes in extremely close (touching in places) to the existing house wiring. When I challenged him on this he said that the regs he works to do not prohibit him running his pipes close to wiring. Surely this cannot be right? Your feedback appreciated, does anyone know of any gas regs that are being broken. The pipes in question are the hot pipes for the central hating system, not gas pipes.

 

[PC Electrics]

Why not ring Gas Safe and ask?

 

[PC Electrics]

Surely a new CH system must meet all relevant building regs, in addition to any direct gas regs?

One of those relevant building regs is Part P. Which in turn requires adherance to BS7671.

Another one plumbers like to ignore is Part A.

 

[jdd]

Funny you should say that, the reason the pipes are so close is because they have notched the joists directly above where the joists have beeen drilled for the cable route. When I mentioned Part A I got a glazed look back!

 

[JUD]

The following is taken from The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Safe use of pipes

18.—(1) No person shall install any installation pipework in any position in which it cannot be used with safety having regard to the position of other pipes, pipe supports, drains, sewers, cables, conduits and electrical apparatus and to any parts of the structure of any premises in which it is installed which might affect its safe use.(2) Any person who connects any installation pipework to a primary meter shall, in any case where electrical equipotential bonding may be necessary, inform the responsible person that such bonding should be carried out by a competent person.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

 

[PC Electrics]

One of the problems with Gas Safe is that they are only concerned with gas regs. They do not assess a plumbers competence with respect to other relevant regulations (like Building Regs for example). Quite simply it's outside their remit, so they don't care.

But give them a ring anyway and report back on what they say.

If you ask me, it's about tie some of these plumbers were on the wrong end of a Trading Standards investigation for substandard work.

 

[PC Electrics]

Funny you should say that, the reason the pipes are so close is because they have notched the joists directly above where the joists have beeen drilled for the cable route. When I mentioned Part A I got a glazed look back!

Yep! About right.

 

[sedgy34]

if wires are in there way they just burn them

 

[snowhead]

One of the problems with Gas Safe is that they are only concerned with gas regs. They do not assess a plumbers competence with respect to other relevant regulations (like Building Regs for example).

Gassafe don't assess anyone.

They are just the body that anyone working with gas has to be registered with.

Much the same as competent person scams, but required by law for gas working.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

You might like to quote BS 6891 which applies equally to electricians and plumbers:

BS 6891:2005 Amt 2:2008, Installation of low pressure gas pipework in domestic premises, Clause 8.16.2:
Gas installation pipes, gas metering equipment and associated fittings must be spaced:
a) at least 150mm away from electricity meters, controls, electrical switches or socket-outlets, distribution or consumer units.
b) at least 25mm away from electricity supply and distribution cables for domestic pipework up to 35mm diameter and 50mm away from pipework over 35mm diameter. Except where the gas pipe is PVC wrapped or a barrier of electrically insulating material is fixed between them.

 

[Top Cat]

The following is taken from The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Safe use of pipes

18.—(1) No person shall install any installation pipework in any position in which it cannot be used with safety having regard to the position of other pipes, pipe supports, drains, sewers, cables, conduits and electrical apparatus and to any parts of the structure of any premises in which it is installed which might affect its safe use.(2) Any person who connects any installation pipework to a primary meter shall, in any case where electrical equipotential bonding may be necessary, inform the responsible person that such bonding should be carried out by a competent person.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Sorry jud you'r just being silly now, you are assuming a plumber can even read let alone understand! Lol