Gas chaps: who can disconnect a gas hob?
Discussion
If any Gas Safe engineers could shed a little light for me...
In my highly shabby kitchen is an ageing and rather knackered gas hob. It sits in an equally ageing and knackered length of worktop. As part of my kitchen renovation I want to replace both the hob and the worktops, however I'm conscious that:
(a) most Gas Safe folk are not kitchen fitters; and
(b) vice versa; and
(c) I'm highly unwilling to part with my meagre funds as far as possible!
I know that the connection of my shiny new hob must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer; however, is there owt to stop me doing the disconnection myself?
Reason being that in between removing the old 'un and fitting the new 'un, I need to rip off the worktop, make a few repairs and improvements to the base units while the worktop's out of the way, then fit the new worktop. And I certainly don't want to get lumbered with two call out charges, nor with paying a guy to disconnect it, then drink tea and laugh at my amateur attempts at woodwork and kitchen fitting until its all ready for the new hob!
The hob is fed via a copper pipe which enters the kitchen and goes through a little isolating valve before going up to the hob. My plan is to shut this isolating valve off, open a window and knock all the electrics off, then open all the taps on the hob for 15 mins or so to let the gas disperse from the pipework between it and the valve. Then, disconnect the pipework from the hob itself, rip it out, do my stuff with the worktop and kitchen units and finally have the new hob connected up by the professionals (no, I don't mean 2 seventies blokes in a Capri, although that would be deeply cool!).
What's the verdict: yay or nay? (Thinking about it I'll also turn the boiler off and shut the main gas valve in the meter box; belt and braces and all that)
Cheers,
Jonny
In my highly shabby kitchen is an ageing and rather knackered gas hob. It sits in an equally ageing and knackered length of worktop. As part of my kitchen renovation I want to replace both the hob and the worktops, however I'm conscious that:
(a) most Gas Safe folk are not kitchen fitters; and
(b) vice versa; and
(c) I'm highly unwilling to part with my meagre funds as far as possible!
I know that the connection of my shiny new hob must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer; however, is there owt to stop me doing the disconnection myself?
Reason being that in between removing the old 'un and fitting the new 'un, I need to rip off the worktop, make a few repairs and improvements to the base units while the worktop's out of the way, then fit the new worktop. And I certainly don't want to get lumbered with two call out charges, nor with paying a guy to disconnect it, then drink tea and laugh at my amateur attempts at woodwork and kitchen fitting until its all ready for the new hob!
The hob is fed via a copper pipe which enters the kitchen and goes through a little isolating valve before going up to the hob. My plan is to shut this isolating valve off, open a window and knock all the electrics off, then open all the taps on the hob for 15 mins or so to let the gas disperse from the pipework between it and the valve. Then, disconnect the pipework from the hob itself, rip it out, do my stuff with the worktop and kitchen units and finally have the new hob connected up by the professionals (no, I don't mean 2 seventies blokes in a Capri, although that would be deeply cool!).
What's the verdict: yay or nay? (Thinking about it I'll also turn the boiler off and shut the main gas valve in the meter box; belt and braces and all that)
Cheers,
Jonny
eastlmark said:
assuming its your own kitchen, you can do what you like. its only other tradesmen who need the gas safe, obviously though it would be better to get it done properly by a gas safe person.
Also my understanding. You need to be a "competent person" for the job at hand. Since there is an isolating valve then at least disconnecting and removing it is pretty straightforward, although for refitting it might be wise to get a professional in so it's all tested properly."Competent person" is for "Part P" electrics. I don't think it's true for gas anymore.
Even if it was, he'd need some equipment (e.g. a pressure tester and know how to use it) to demonstrate that he was competent. Otherwise, I suspect he'd be in trouble if it all goes wrong.
Even if it was, he'd need some equipment (e.g. a pressure tester and know how to use it) to demonstrate that he was competent. Otherwise, I suspect he'd be in trouble if it all goes wrong.
Edited by grumbledoak on Monday 6th December 00:26
Turn off the gas at the meter. Light the gas rings and wait until the flames go out. Cut or unscrew gas pipe and remove hob. Cut gas pipe to length required and fit stop end. Assuming you have other gas appliances, turn gas back on at meter.
That was two years ago and I haven't gone kaboom yet. Mind you I did leave the installation open for 24 hours afterwards and crawl around on the floor sniffing like a bloodhound just in case!
ETA Just seen you're fitting another gas hob. Flexible hoses are easy but I have a feeling they're now banned if there's an oven underneath - so if any doubts get a bloke in. Or get an induction hob
That was two years ago and I haven't gone kaboom yet. Mind you I did leave the installation open for 24 hours afterwards and crawl around on the floor sniffing like a bloodhound just in case!
ETA Just seen you're fitting another gas hob. Flexible hoses are easy but I have a feeling they're now banned if there's an oven underneath - so if any doubts get a bloke in. Or get an induction hob
Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 6th December 00:34
Simpo Two said:
Turn off the gas at the meter. Light the gas rings and wait until the flames go out. Cut or unscrew gas pipe and remove hob. Cut gas pipe to length required and fit stop end. Assuming you have other gas appliances, turn gas back on at meter.
That was two years ago and I haven't gone kaboom yet. Mind you I did leave the installation open for 24 hours afterwards and crawl around on the floor sniffing like a bloodhound just in case!
True in the practical sense, but if anything goes wrong I suspect you are deep in the sThat was two years ago and I haven't gone kaboom yet. Mind you I did leave the installation open for 24 hours afterwards and crawl around on the floor sniffing like a bloodhound just in case!
t.Edited by grumbledoak on Monday 6th December 00:37
Simpo Two said:
ATEOTD it's mains gas and you can smell it, treat it with respect but it's hardly arsine or cyanide.
Agreed. And mains pressure water is normally worse in terms of damage. But, when did the law prioritise things right?Be careful. At the very least check for leaks before you start and, if there are any, pay a pro. If there aren't, and you think you are competent, check for leaks after you finish. Then, if there are any, pay a pro. Even so, I don't think this is legal anymore.
Ta for all the replies - as expected it seems to be 50-50!
Just to clarify (as I think some have got the wrong end of the stick from my initial ramblings), I fully intend having a Gas Safe engineer do the final connection and testing/checking of the new hob; the only gas work I want to do myself is isolating the supply and disconnecting the old hob so that I can remove it.
Just to clarify (as I think some have got the wrong end of the stick from my initial ramblings), I fully intend having a Gas Safe engineer do the final connection and testing/checking of the new hob; the only gas work I want to do myself is isolating the supply and disconnecting the old hob so that I can remove it.
Jonny_ said:
Ta for all the replies - as expected it seems to be 50-50!
Just to clarify (as I think some have got the wrong end of the stick from my initial ramblings), I fully intend having a Gas Safe engineer do the final connection and testing/checking of the new hob; the only gas work I want to do myself is isolating the supply and disconnecting the old hob so that I can remove it.
Thats what I tried to do but ended up damaging the pipe Just to clarify (as I think some have got the wrong end of the stick from my initial ramblings), I fully intend having a Gas Safe engineer do the final connection and testing/checking of the new hob; the only gas work I want to do myself is isolating the supply and disconnecting the old hob so that I can remove it.
so got my bloke round anyway cost me 60 quidIf you do disconnect it yourself, smear a bit of washing up liquid around the end of the pipe - that way if there is still gas coming out it will bubble and you know you have a problem = time to call someone in. If it doesn't bubble, chances are there's no gas leaking out.
I tried it and i'm still here.
I tried it and i'm still here.
ferg said:
Simpo Two said:
Flexible hoses are easy but I have a feeling they're now banned
Never been legal a gas hob.eastlmark said:
assuming its your own kitchen, you can do what you like. its only other tradesmen who need the gas safe, obviously though it would be better to get it done properly by a gas safe person.
You must be Gas Safe registered to work for payment or reward. You can work on your own home if you are competent. When you are stood in the dock it is up to you to prove you are competent and without any record of training, you will not be able to do so.http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2451/regul...
Edited by Ganglandboss on Monday 6th December 15:15
Ganglandboss said:
You can work on your own home if you are competent. When you are stood in the dock it is up to you to prove you are competent and without any record of training, you will not be able to do so.
By 'in the dock' do you mean that is because one's house has blown up? If it has blown up then whoever did it is plainly incompetent, training or not.Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 6th December 15:41
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