advice on gas safety regulations?

southcoastrgi

the need to be able to inspect the flue if it has joints has always been there, however as with alot of things it was never really enforced, prior to Jan '13 you could have co dectectors fitted providing there was no signs of spillage & a test of the flue system showed no signs of cross contamination, ie if a gas pipe is undersized then on install it would have been wrong & wouldn't have been allowed however if it is tested now & the boiler is working without effecting it's operation it would be classed as NCS (not to currant standards)

Your system is AR, whether you get a safety check (CP12) or a service the engineer will still label it AR meaning you are no better off, if your developer wants some proof of a service or a CP12 then you haven't got any choice

you can get a co monitoring system (from baxi) that will mean you don't have to have hatches fitted however this will be more expensive than hatches

molerat

scottishblondie wrote: »

You don't have to have them legally speaking, but you won't get a gas safety certificate without one. So I would guess that the builder might ask you to get the work done as a condition of the part exchange.

However, I'm going to disagree with molerat and say that plenty of people must be buying properties which have concealed flues without insisting on the installation of an inspection hatch! A lot of people seem to buy without getting a gas safety certificate done, and this is really the point at which the lack of inspection hatches would be picked up.

However, if it is a condition of the exchange I wouldn't worry too much it's a fairly simple job. I had a hatch fitted in my flat when a new boiler went in last year. Your gas safe engineer should be able to do it himself. He'll just follow the path of the flue and fit the hatches as appropriate.

I agree that many people will be buying without a gas safety cert but I think in this age of suing at the slightest sniff of "negligence" any solicitor will show due diligence and ask for one. I have also seen many posts on here where lenders are asking for one as well so Mr&Mrs Average will not be buying that flat without the hatches fitted.