Gas leak: who is liable?

LateStarter

davidmcn wrote: »

Because the gas leak would be of CH4 rather than CO?

Never thought about a gas leak as a danger... maybe this would be useful for the worried?

http://simplyextinguishers.co.uk/gas-detector-alarm.html?gclid=CNSu8rGQq8YCFSTmwgodtBwDHw

G_M

davidmcn wrote: »

Because the gas leak would be of CH4 rather than CO?

According to British Gas it's CO that's the danger:

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/tips-and-advice/detect-gas-leak.html

http://www.gas-guide.org.uk/emergencies.html

which is why they and HSE etc all recommend CO alarms

anselld

G_M wrote: »

According to British Gas it's CO that's the danger:

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/tips-and-advice/detect-gas-leak.html

http://www.gas-guide.org.uk/emergencies.html

which is why they and HSE etc all recommend CO alarms

There are two dangers ...

(1) Gas leak. Gas mixes with air and is ignited by spark (electric switch etc) Boom!! CO detector useless as no CO to detect.

(2) Incorrect combustion from faulty or badly installed appliance. CO generated in living accommodation. Reacts with blood to prevent normal transport of oxygen.


Both are potentially fatal, but only (2) is addressed by CO detector.

specialboy

Kirstie93 wrote: »

We did smell gas before, but when we looked at the fire, the old vendors had left the knob on the fire turned on, so we swtiched it off.

The engineer told us the fire should not have been signed off as the coals in the fire are white, or partially white, and this is also unsafe.

We have paid for the engineer to come and cap the supply off behind the fire as he couldn't reconnect it because the coal isn't safe. I know that replacing the coal will be a cheap fix, but the we have to fork out another £160 for the engineer to come back and uncap it!

Why didn't you just turn the gas off yourself until you get new coals? No need to cap the supply.

jamei305

If the fire was "condemned" presumably you noticed it was old and would likely need replacing soon prior to your purchase?

martindow

anselld wrote: »

There are two dangers ...

(1) Gas leak. Gas mixes with air and is ignited by spark (electric switch etc) Boom!! CO detector useless as no CO to detect.

(2) Incorrect combustion from faulty or badly installed appliance. CO generated in living accommodation. Reacts with blood to prevent normal transport of oxygen.


Both are potentially fatal, but only (2) is addressed by CO detector.

The difference is that gas has a smell so leaks can be detected, as the OP has found. CO is so dangerous because it has no smell and there is no way of knowing it is being produced without a detector.

societys_child

Some smoke alarms detect gas. I had a gas meter fitted to a flat I was renovating. They simply unscrewed the plug from the live pipework (in the kitchen) and connected a tap and meter. During the 2 or 3 seconds that it took, the gas that escaped triggered all 3 smoke alarms in the flat. Engineer laughed and said "well they all work ok"

C_Mababejive

No..it is now your house and your are responsible for all repairs. The previous occupants had no legal obligation to have the gas installation serviced as would be the case with a landlord/rented property.

Some gas chaps do tend to over dramatise things a little. Im sure the problem isnt as great as suggested.

Just find a gas safe regd person to come and fix same.

dodger1

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Even if OP was in Scotland , this happened 20+ days after move in?

I'm so glad there are observant people on this forum, I completely missed that