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THERE can be little doubt that the ACoP and ACS certification procedures for gas fitters are causing difficulty for the fireplace industry and, in the view of some, have resulted in fewer fire sales, fewer installations and the loss of jobs. This trend is set to continue unless action is taken quickly.
The current procedures may be laudable in concept, but they are too rigorous and inflexible for the fireplace industry. It is simply not necessary for a fitter of gas fires to have an intimate knowledge of the Gas Safety Regulations or the procedures for breaking into a gas main, when neither will ever occur is his work.
Where’s the logic in declaring an experienced gas fire fitter incompetent because he isn’t familiar with gas-fired refrigerators? Is an experienced car driver incompetent because he can’t drive a bus?
Action must be taken now to ensure that experienced gas fire fitters stay in the industry and are not forced out by procedures designed to test their academic skills rather than their dexterity and good safety practices.
Suggestions have been made for the formation of a new group that will serve the specific and particular interests of fire manufacturers, fireplace retailers and installers. The issues with ACoP and ACS are an example of where an organization such as the SBGI, which is vested with a responsibility for many different gas interests, cannot easily argue a separate case for one particular product group.
It seems to us that a few relatively simple changes would enable any engineer or fitter to receive a qualified version of ACS registration that specified which appliance types he is qualified to work on. Such multi-level certification procedures are already commonplace in other industries, so why should the fireplace industry suffer because of the apparent inflexibility of the current scheme?
This is likely to be a major talking point when the industry gets together in mid-June at Harrogate. Our next issue will develop the subject.
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Editor:
FIRES and Fireplaces
Editor – Nick Carter
Carter Spencer Publishing Limited
The Old Coach House
Southern Road
Thame
Oxfordshire 0X9 2ED
Tel: 01844 260960
Fax: 01844 260267
ISDN: 01844 212157
Ed - I wrote to FIRES and fireplaces with the following reply and exchanged some correspondence with Bob Towse:
I refer to your comments in FIRES and Fireplaces in May / June 2001, relating to pressures on the Fireplace Industry provoked by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (GSIUR). As a Registered Gas Installer myself I would like to try and balance the arguments.
The traditional open flued gas fire presents a significant risk in the context of GSIUR and is probably central to Health and Safety concerns related to C0 production. A sound knowledge of GSIUR is therefore paramount and includes the correct steps to be taken when interrupting a gas supply, main or otherwise, in connection with a gas fire installation. There can be no short cuts to suit vested interests.
It is not infact necessary for a gas fire fitter to be familiar with gas-fired domestic appliances. All that is required (ACOPs) is Core Gas Safety and Fires. Cookers, Water Heaters, Central Heating, Warm Air and Leisure Equipment are not required to be understood. Multi-level certification therefore does exist and always has existed.
I can offer no figures but from my own experience know that the gas fire is a threatened species as far as tenanted property is concerned. The majority of installations (note installations and not appliances) that fail are simply put out of use as other forms of heating already exist.
The real problem from this installer's perspective is not the essential framework of gas safety legislation but lack of financial incentive which in part obviously arises from GSIUR. I hasten to add I am not complaining or pleading poverty. Installers are entitled to make business judgements the same as anyone else and target the most lucrative opportunities. This formula is the one adopted by all successful businesses, large and small.
Essentially I avoid gas fires like the plague. It is perhaps different for Landlords where a gas fire that has to be replaced can be considered at the time (and expense) when checks are carried out, thus avoiding a round trip that can take almost as long as the relatively small job of replacing a gas fire in a good installation (note good installation).
New installations can present a myriad of minor problems that add to cost. Hearths, surrounds, proximity of combustible materials, ventilation, soundness testing, builder's opening, flues, roof spaces and terminals all have to be considered for what many perceive as a five minute job at less than fifty quid. I can make a lot more money doing other work of which there is certainly no shortage.
In April 2000 David Adams (Valor) wrote an article (HPM) suggesting that good gas installers could earn £250.00p per day. That is of course complete nonsense if GSIUR and common sense is being faithfully observed. Perhaps the industry should consider including in the cost of appliances a nominal fee towards installation where evidence is provided that a Registered (note registered) Gas Installer has been employed.
Even that scheme would not persuade me to seek such work but I might be the more inclined to do my bit and make an exception now and again.
Les Gradwell
