Gas Tap Valves. Vintage

[howardbParticipant @howardb]

You don’t need a leaky gas valve to cause a serious gas explosion.

“Emergency services were called to the property in Cleat Hill, at about 07:30 BST on 19 October after an explosion and subsequent fire at a house.

The exact cause has not been given but an investigation has begun and is being led by Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Bedford Borough Council said specialist equipment had been brought in to support the work being carried out.

Gas distributor Cadent said its initial investigations found gas was detected at the scene, but it was not the odorised supply that flows through its network and into people’s homes, but rather odour-free natural gas from a pocket underground.

“This gas has no smell to it, and we need to use sensitive gas detection equipment to check the levels in the area,” it said.

It has left one house totally destroyed, one person dead and another seriously injured who sadly also later died.

Caused by a leak from a borehole for a heat pump installation penetrating a pocket of natural gas deep underground.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjjw20y6p3vo

 

[Neil Wyatt]

On Neil Wyatt Said:

The law allows competent individuals to work on their own appliances, but it is illegal to hire an unregistered person (or attempt it yourself) for profit or as a tradesperson.

Some consideration of risk and hazard is appropriate – a gas regulator on a model that is only filled and used with gas outdoors probably presents much smaller hazard and level of risk than a gas burner used outdoors.

 

No it does NOT!

You cannot do work on your own fixed gas appliance (well for the pedants possibly under the supervision of a suitably qualified and registered person). You have to be registered as well as competent. Doing it for others even not for profit is also illegal.

Similar rules apply to electrical installations considered high risk “Part P” but in this case you can do it yourself but have to convince your local building control or a qualified and registered person to authorise it before you start and sign off and report it afterwards. This is normally worth the effort.

Robert.

Edit: information sheet https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/1449/who-can-legally-work-on-a-gas-appliance-factsheet.pdf

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