Working on you own boiler...
Discussion
Just to be clear, I don't work on my own boiler, I cannot be f
king bothered given how hysterical plumbers can be about it, and how cheap boiler insurance cover is compared to repairs.
Not all individuals and repairs are equal however, and I don't personally see the issue with a confident, responsible, and well read person attempting repairs and servicing themselves, especially given how inconsistent the performance of tradesmen can be.
But how does the legality of it work? I mean I know there's HSE recommendations, and Gas Safety laws which I believe specifically state DIY isn't to be done, and I've read of plumbers prosecuted for not being gas registered and carrying out paid work for a boiler, but what about Joe Bloggs? Assuming, no harm done of course...
I know the police have better things to do, but technically could a bloke who's been maintaining his own boiler successfully for years be charged with something?
Just curious...
king bothered given how hysterical plumbers can be about it, and how cheap boiler insurance cover is compared to repairs.Not all individuals and repairs are equal however, and I don't personally see the issue with a confident, responsible, and well read person attempting repairs and servicing themselves, especially given how inconsistent the performance of tradesmen can be.
But how does the legality of it work? I mean I know there's HSE recommendations, and Gas Safety laws which I believe specifically state DIY isn't to be done, and I've read of plumbers prosecuted for not being gas registered and carrying out paid work for a boiler, but what about Joe Bloggs? Assuming, no harm done of course...
I know the police have better things to do, but technically could a bloke who's been maintaining his own boiler successfully for years be charged with something?
Just curious...
I always thought that the rules banned people doing paid work on gas but were a bit of a gray area when it comes to diy.
My father has totally rerouted his gas pipes and fitted a spur and a greenhouse heater. he has no uk gas qualifications but did spend 20yrs running maintenance for gas and oil plants in the middle east.
I've replaced a damaged pipe on the outside of my house (pressure tested afterwards and all ok)
My father has totally rerouted his gas pipes and fitted a spur and a greenhouse heater. he has no uk gas qualifications but did spend 20yrs running maintenance for gas and oil plants in the middle east.
I've replaced a damaged pipe on the outside of my house (pressure tested afterwards and all ok)
Some of it I understand you need to be informed, and you don't know what you don't know of course, so we all need to have some humility, but I agree. Some things are self-evidently very simple and within the scope of a competent DIYer, I've got a mate who is qualified to "maintains boilers the size of buildings", the idea he could (technically or otherwise) face prosecution for doing DIY on his own boiler seems a bit surreal (and perhaps is untrue).
There's also where does it start as well, I mean I had a plumber go fking mental (so much so I had to actually ask him to leave the premises) because the external cover was removed from our boiler (ironically by another plumber).. But really, I mean the idea it's illegal to remove a non-structural cover?
Seems really odd, hence my curiosity.
There's also where does it start as well, I mean I had a plumber go f
king mental (so much so I had to actually ask him to leave the premises) because the external cover was removed from our boiler (ironically by another plumber).. But really, I mean the idea it's illegal to remove a non-structural cover?Seems really odd, hence my curiosity.
rxe said:
I'd cheerfully work on the water side and have many times. Pumps, control boards, pressure sensors, no issues. I've replaced thermocouples on the gas side, but that is as far as I would go.
I repaired the Mrs boiler after half a dozen "heating engineers" failed to sort it out. I rang the manufacturer's installer helpline, explained the symptoms and they told me what it was likely to be. Made a new felt gasket (air leak) and it's been fine for about five years now...I'm competent but not qualified, although it seems I should be...
As a previous poster has said you can work on your own gas installation and appliances provided you are 'competent'. If something goes wrong you need to be able to prove that you are competent and that is where problems can start. Being a registered tradesman with the appropriate qualifications ‘proves’ you are competent ignoring the fact that there are a number of tradesmen that would make you wonder how on earth they became registered.
I have done work on my gas appliances but I do make sure that I know exactly what I am doing first including understanding the relevant regulations, being a qualified engineer makes it a little easier for me to prove competency if required too, but I work on the principle of being very careful and being able to justify what I have done is within the regulations and that it is safe.
It is also possible to do electrical work yourself but if the work is considered notifiable then it needs to be certificated to say that it has been done in accordance with the regulations. For individuals who are not registered to write their own certificates, there is a route to getting a Part P certificate for the completed work. Before starting the work you submit plans to the local building authority in a similar way you would for any other building work. You need to pay the application fee and then they will come out (often an electrician sub-contracted by the LA) to inspect before, during and after the work is done. They will do the testing of the installation and produce a Buildings Regulations Compliance Certificate. It’s not very well advertised as when the system was put in place the LA tried to charge additional fees for the inspection costs but the regulations were amended to make it clear that any additional costs were payable by the LA not the applicant and so they lose money on every job, hence they appear to discourage it.
I have always done my own electrical work and recently have done a couple of jobs this way and it was fine.
Before anyone asks what is notifiable , here is a quick cut and paste from http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/Regulat...
What electrical work is notifiable in England?
Electrical work which requires notification differs between England and Wales. Additional changes were introduced to Part P in England in April 2013. This means that electrical work in a dwelling, or associated with its surroundings, is notifiable to a local building control body where it includes:
• circuit alteration or addition in a special location*
• installation of one or more new circuits
• installation of a replacement consumer unit (fuse box)
• rewire of all circuits
• partial rewire
• new full electrical installation (new build)
I have done work on my gas appliances but I do make sure that I know exactly what I am doing first including understanding the relevant regulations, being a qualified engineer makes it a little easier for me to prove competency if required too, but I work on the principle of being very careful and being able to justify what I have done is within the regulations and that it is safe.
It is also possible to do electrical work yourself but if the work is considered notifiable then it needs to be certificated to say that it has been done in accordance with the regulations. For individuals who are not registered to write their own certificates, there is a route to getting a Part P certificate for the completed work. Before starting the work you submit plans to the local building authority in a similar way you would for any other building work. You need to pay the application fee and then they will come out (often an electrician sub-contracted by the LA) to inspect before, during and after the work is done. They will do the testing of the installation and produce a Buildings Regulations Compliance Certificate. It’s not very well advertised as when the system was put in place the LA tried to charge additional fees for the inspection costs but the regulations were amended to make it clear that any additional costs were payable by the LA not the applicant and so they lose money on every job, hence they appear to discourage it.
I have always done my own electrical work and recently have done a couple of jobs this way and it was fine.
Before anyone asks what is notifiable , here is a quick cut and paste from http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/Regulat...
What electrical work is notifiable in England?
Electrical work which requires notification differs between England and Wales. Additional changes were introduced to Part P in England in April 2013. This means that electrical work in a dwelling, or associated with its surroundings, is notifiable to a local building control body where it includes:
• circuit alteration or addition in a special location*
• installation of one or more new circuits
• installation of a replacement consumer unit (fuse box)
• rewire of all circuits
• partial rewire
• new full electrical installation (new build)
- Certain zones within a room containing a bath or shower, or a room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater.
Some gas work is also notifiable.
"Section 9
You must report all heat-producing gas appliances (boilers, fires and air heaters etc.) and related heating systems that you install and commission as a requirement of the Building Regulations in England and Wales, confirming that the work complies with all aspects of the Building Regulations."
So while the regs permit a 'competent person' to work without gain, replacing a boiler with a new boiler is notifiable so you cant do that.
You can repair your own though, and i have done this many times, but have the advantage of being trained in maintenance and fitting of far more explosive gasses at much higher pressures than natural gas, so can demonstrate 'competence' by dint of my qualifications and experience.
Which is great up until the point when you blow up your house and demonstrate for all the world to see that 'competence' is now under question and you would have a difficult time proving say a manufacturing defect as no one would be in your corner
"Section 9
You must report all heat-producing gas appliances (boilers, fires and air heaters etc.) and related heating systems that you install and commission as a requirement of the Building Regulations in England and Wales, confirming that the work complies with all aspects of the Building Regulations."
So while the regs permit a 'competent person' to work without gain, replacing a boiler with a new boiler is notifiable so you cant do that.
You can repair your own though, and i have done this many times, but have the advantage of being trained in maintenance and fitting of far more explosive gasses at much higher pressures than natural gas, so can demonstrate 'competence' by dint of my qualifications and experience.
Which is great up until the point when you blow up your house and demonstrate for all the world to see that 'competence' is now under question and you would have a difficult time proving say a manufacturing defect as no one would be in your corner
Edited by Gary C on Wednesday 28th November 13:10
In the middle of a house sale at the moment, I have to produce paperwork and certificates for all of my electrics, plumbing and gas.
It's so OTT it's ridiculous.
Doing work on your own home can now cause huge amounts of grief when it comes to sell AND if the new owner is injured by these things (even if they were just being stupid) you can be held responsible.
As for the legality of working on a boiler, your fine with anything outside of the sealed enclosure (basically the gas stuff), but as mentioned above, if a new buyer were injured or killed by anything you worked on, you could end up behind bars.
It's so OTT it's ridiculous.
Doing work on your own home can now cause huge amounts of grief when it comes to sell AND if the new owner is injured by these things (even if they were just being stupid) you can be held responsible.
As for the legality of working on a boiler, your fine with anything outside of the sealed enclosure (basically the gas stuff), but as mentioned above, if a new buyer were injured or killed by anything you worked on, you could end up behind bars.
Jus5 over a year ago our Worcester boiler wouldn’t fire up. The cause was a blockage in the condensate collector. Phoned our plumber who was about to drive to airport for a holiday. He suggested checking it and my description confirmed the problem. He talked me through the cleaning procedure. Straight forward. He did a scheduled service a couple of months later and thanked me for saving him the cleaning!
The only very occasional job I have to do is check the system pressure gauge and top it up if necessary. Again very simple.
I would not attempt anything else, especially gas related. I have also replaced the wireless control unit once. Again not beyond DIY provided you take the sensible power isolation beforehand.
I do know some people who I would advise not doing DIY, however! Clumsy, dim witted, illogical etc......
The only very occasional job I have to do is check the system pressure gauge and top it up if necessary. Again very simple.
I would not attempt anything else, especially gas related. I have also replaced the wireless control unit once. Again not beyond DIY provided you take the sensible power isolation beforehand.
I do know some people who I would advise not doing DIY, however! Clumsy, dim witted, illogical etc......
Thanks for the responses guys.
I guess it's probably easy for a legal bod to demonstrate "incompetence" rather than "competence" as I would think as DIYer that's the only way you'd find yourself in court in reality.
As an aside, I'm not sure I ever had a gas certification or similar paperwork for my boiler... Is that something I'll be paying to duplicate when I eventually sell up then? Or can I just sell to someone naive like me?
I guess it's probably easy for a legal bod to demonstrate "incompetence" rather than "competence" as I would think as DIYer that's the only way you'd find yourself in court in reality.
As an aside, I'm not sure I ever had a gas certification or similar paperwork for my boiler... Is that something I'll be paying to duplicate when I eventually sell up then? Or can I just sell to someone naive like me?
WinstonWolf said:
I repaired the Mrs boiler after half a dozen "heating engineers" failed to sort it out. I rang the manufacturer's installer helpline, explained the symptoms and they told me what it was likely to be. Made a new felt gasket (air leak) and it's been fine for about five years now...I'm competent but not qualified, although it seems I should be...
4 plumbers, 4 visits, eventually a new solenoid. Starts first time, "oh you were right"
"Yeah, cheers mate, good job we're fixed call out fee eh?"
I'm sure there are good tradesmen out there... But Jesus Christ, I can understand why some relying on these people in the dead of winter may consider trying simple jobs themselves...
There is a HSE guide which has a little bit on this:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l56.pdf
Section 52 on Page 14.
"52 For the purposes of GSIUR, ‘work’ includes do-it-yourself activities, work
undertaken as a favour for friends and relatives, and work for which there is no
expectation of reward or gain, eg voluntary activity for charities. This means that
anyone carrying out such work must have the necessary competence, as required
by regulation 3(1). However, membership of an HSE-approved class of persons
(under regulation 3(3)) is required only by businesses carrying out gas-fitting work."
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l56.pdf
Section 52 on Page 14.
"52 For the purposes of GSIUR, ‘work’ includes do-it-yourself activities, work
undertaken as a favour for friends and relatives, and work for which there is no
expectation of reward or gain, eg voluntary activity for charities. This means that
anyone carrying out such work must have the necessary competence, as required
by regulation 3(1). However, membership of an HSE-approved class of persons
(under regulation 3(3)) is required only by businesses carrying out gas-fitting work."
Edited by Sirius on Wednesday 28th November 14:18
HSE guidance isn't law, However it can be used by a court to determine what would be appropriate practice.
Generally if you don't follow the guidance you would need to show the court that you were complying with the law in some other way and that what you were doing instead was at least as good as the guidance.
The actual regulations (which are law) say:
"“work” in relation to a gas fitting includes any of the following activities carried out by any person, whether an employee or not, that is to say—
(a)installing or re-connecting the fitting;
(b)maintaining, servicing, permanently adjusting, disconnecting, repairing, altering or renewing the fitting or purging it of air or gas;
(c)where the fitting is not readily movable, changing its position; and
(d)removing the fitting;
but the expression does not include the connection or disconnection of a bayonet fitting or other self-sealing connector."
Generally if you don't follow the guidance you would need to show the court that you were complying with the law in some other way and that what you were doing instead was at least as good as the guidance.
The actual regulations (which are law) say:
"“work” in relation to a gas fitting includes any of the following activities carried out by any person, whether an employee or not, that is to say—
(a)installing or re-connecting the fitting;
(b)maintaining, servicing, permanently adjusting, disconnecting, repairing, altering or renewing the fitting or purging it of air or gas;
(c)where the fitting is not readily movable, changing its position; and
(d)removing the fitting;
but the expression does not include the connection or disconnection of a bayonet fitting or other self-sealing connector."
Sirius said:
HSE guidance isn't law, However it can be used by a court to determine what would be appropriate practice.
Generally if you don't follow the guidance you would need to show the court that you were complying with the law in some other way and that what you were doing instead was at least as good as the guidance.
The actual regulations (which are law) say:
"“work” in relation to a gas fitting includes any of the following activities carried out by any person, whether an employee or not, that is to say—
(a)installing or re-connecting the fitting;
(b)maintaining, servicing, permanently adjusting, disconnecting, repairing, altering or renewing the fitting or purging it of air or gas;
(c)where the fitting is not readily movable, changing its position; and
(d)removing the fitting;
but the expression does not include the connection or disconnection of a bayonet fitting or other self-sealing connector."
The way I read it is that providing you do not disconnect or modify the gas pipe, disassemble, change or modify the gas valve you are free to work on your heating system. Working on the water side and cleaning the burner are fine legally, though it could invalidate a warranty or otherwise break the boiler so best not to unless you have a clue. In a property I rent out I do not touch the boiler, I get a heating engineer/plumber to do any work so there can be no legal or safety issues.Generally if you don't follow the guidance you would need to show the court that you were complying with the law in some other way and that what you were doing instead was at least as good as the guidance.
The actual regulations (which are law) say:
"“work” in relation to a gas fitting includes any of the following activities carried out by any person, whether an employee or not, that is to say—
(a)installing or re-connecting the fitting;
(b)maintaining, servicing, permanently adjusting, disconnecting, repairing, altering or renewing the fitting or purging it of air or gas;
(c)where the fitting is not readily movable, changing its position; and
(d)removing the fitting;
but the expression does not include the connection or disconnection of a bayonet fitting or other self-sealing connector."
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