Gas fire - condemned by gas safe

Bobby2

I was hoping that someone will be able to help me out on this.............
We had a gas fire fitted by a registered gas fitter that was recommended by the shop where we purchased the fire. An initial assessment was made and the fire was fitted. A few weeks later, the frame became scorched and was replaced by the manufacturer.
Again a few weeks later the frame of the fire scorched and the fitter did further remedial works. This went on for some time.
The manufacturer came to the house and did further tests on the fire and disconnected it as it was not pulling correctly.

The fitter returned - suggested that the chimney needed to be swept - we had this done and there were no problems.

We came to a mexican stand off - and contacted Trading Standards who recommended that we speak to GAS SAFE.

We have now received the report from GAS SAFE which highlights three "not to standard", three "at risk" and one "immediately dangerous" faults.

I am not sure how to go forward with this? Should I contact Trading Standards and pass on the report from Gas Safe? Should I speak to the fitter/shop/manufacturer (this problem has been going on for a year). We would like to get a full refund - for all the expense that we have incurred.

I hope this makes sense. Many thanks in advance for your help.

MX5huggy

Was the original fitter Gas Safe registered (may have been CORGI at the time, I forget when GS took over) is he GS registered now?

Any way you should contact the who ever you paid for the fire as that is who you have the original contract with only they can give a refund, if they refuse than go back to Trading standards for help and finally the courts.

Bobby2

Yes the fitter is Gas Safe registered.

macman

I'm not clear from your post if there was any manufacturing fault in the appliance itself? In which case you're in a classic 3 cornered fight between yourself, fitter and retailer.

angelavdavis

As macman has said, it isn't clear if the 7 faults are related to the appliance or the installation or otherwise. What faults have they highlighted?

If the appliance isn't faulty, there are two options: it is either the installation or other aspects of the room - such as inadequate ventilation preventing draw. If the appliance is faulty - you need to be asking for a different model as it clearly isn't suitable for your situation.

If the installation is faulty, Gas Safe should be taking this up with the installer.

I had an issue where our gas bill soared following installation of a modern economical boiler.

I called in the-then Corgi to inspect the installation with the engineer. He made them bring the installation up to standard. In your case, instead of simply condemning the appliance - surely they should be forcing the installer to fix the issue.

In my case, it didn't fix the issue because Corgi missed what I picked up later - which was that the incoming pipe had been damaged by the plumber during installation and so we had a leak. Luckily, the leak was outside where the meter box was. I discovered it when I checked the meter (I was taking daily readings) and smelled gas. I managed to negotiate a major reduction in the bill.

Bobby2

Thank you for your comments.

The main concerns are with the installation. The fire has been fitted into the wall, but no hearth has been fitted as per the manufacturers instructions. There is a fault with the burner being dented.

latecomer

so you take them up with the installer. Did the retailer check or ask about where the fire was to be installed?

Bobby2

An initial assessment was made by the registered fitter. Smoke tests were done and the room was found to be suitable for this fire to be fitted.

Bobby2

Many thanks for all your comments, however, I am still not sure which course of action I should take. Do I contact the supplier of the fire and complain (they did recommend the fitter)? Should I advise them that I intend to contact Trading Standards or should I go back to Trading Standards and show them the report that I have received and get them to deal with this problem?

Sorry I am being a bit of a wimp on this - it seems to have taken forever to get to this point and I am cold lol!

macman

Your dispute is with the fitter-nothing to do with whoever recommended him.

vaio

I'd have thought that gas safe would be interested and would instruct the fitter to sort it out maybe together with some disciplinary action.

Unless of course Gas Safe is just a money making, box ticking racket with no enforcement powers (but I’m sure Crapita are much to principled a firm to get involved in something like that)