DIY gas

[geoff@cetltd]

The sticky says

"Competence is only proven by passing ACS exams and having the ability to carry out certain safety tests required by law ."

This is not correct. The ACS exams are only there to show that the fitter is SAFE to work on the relevant gas appliances, NOT that he / she is actually competent in what they do

 

[Dan Robinson]

So how do you determine a person's competence oh wise one?

 

[bell824]

oh yes and by proving you can complete tests by law, you are are/should be working safe.

nothing can tell you are working with competency only experiance brings this!

 

[geoff@cetltd]

There are a number of fitters out there who are not competent, who do not know enough, who have failed to keep up with technology, or whatever

There are a number of people out there who are not gas safe who are competent

I cannot precisely define competence nor can the H&S exec. You have missed my point

Passing an exam on gas SAFETY only means that one is SAFE to work on an appliance, it does not infer that that person is COMPETENT

competence comes from ability and experience,

 

[Dan Robinson]

As I thought then.

 

[unky]

HSE definition


Competence in gas installation requires enough knowledge, practical skill and experience to carry out the job in hand safely, with due regard to good working practice. The installation should also be left in a safe condition for use. Knowledge must be kept up to date with changes in law, technology and safe working practice.

 

[newbuildinstaller]

Real genius here.

What you are saying is you need experience to be good at working with gas. I never realised this... So I bet that the more you work with gas the better you get. This is an eye opener. I thought when I passed CCN1 I would be blessed with the knowledge of the ages (gas related) thanks for setting me straight.

Pointless thread

 

[gaswizzard]

Raden has a financial interest regards DIYers working on gas appliance.

 

[mattylad]

competence comes from ability and experience,

So how do you get the experience in the first place?
Your not supposed to work on gas unless you are competent, catch 22 situation.

 

[swbjackson]

Well obviously you refurbish PCBs.

 

[MJN]

Raden has a financial interest regards DIYers working on gas appliance.

...and Gas-Safe registered fitters have a financial interest regards DIYers not working on gas appliance so it's a rather moot point.

The sticky ought to quote legislation (is that where unky's definition comes from?) and not opinion because the latter only serves to muddy the already murky waters further and does little for the credence of the rest of the FAQ/site.

Mathew

 

[unky]

The quote is from an ACOP and should therefore be known by anyone working on gas as it has special legal status.

The legislation is the Health and safety at work act and the Gas Installation and use regulations.

Guess there'll be some googling going on now

 

[TonyW2]

Is it not a case of proving a negative?

ie--incompetence is demonstrated by conducting an operation in such a manner or leaving the completed operation in such a state that a competent person would not. This being using a working method that does not cause unnecessary risk to the operator or others and leaves the installation in a safe working form, or in a non-operable form if a safe operable form outcome cannot be achieved.
I would suggest that many DIYers could conduct a repair in an acceptable way, and therefore it is not illegal for them to work on a boiler.
It would be for others to prove their incompetence, not for them to prove their competance.

 

[Onetap]

Real genius here.

What you are saying is you need experience to be good at working with gas. I never realised this... So I bet that the more you work with gas the better you get. This is an eye opener. I thought when I passed CCN1 I would be blessed with the knowledge of the ages (gas related) thanks for setting me straight.

Pointless thread

No, he is not saying that.

He is pointing out that the sticky says; ""Competence is only proven by passing ACS exams and having the ability to carry out certain safety tests required by law ". It is his opinion that this is incorrect. You seem to be in agreement with that opinion.

There are lots of Corgi/ Gas Safe technicians who seem to believe that CCN1 is a secret Jedi initiation ceremony involving the telepathic transfer of gas wisdom from the hidden Gas Masters, making them both omniscient in all heating-related things and an "ENGINEER".

 

[TonyW2]

The point being made by OP seems to be that despite having passed the exams and having the knowledge and equipment available to make the required tests, there is no assurance that the operative will actually apply that skill properly.

I guess that as with the DIYer, "incompetancy" will be demonstrated with a dangerous occurrence actually happenning.