Gasfitting
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Gasfitting is any work involved in installing, altering or repairing gas appliances
including the fixing or unfixing of any gas pipes, ventilation or flue pipes,
commissioning gas appliances and ensuring their safe operation (including the
testing, setting, checking and adjusting of safety devices, combustion conditions
and controls associated with the gas installation and ensuring there is adequate
ventilation).
Gasfitting includes work on appliances fitted to ships, boats, caravans, motorhomes,
trains and any other vehicles, and also includes work on gas appliances fixed within
buildings that are supplied by gas bottles of any size.
A certifying gasfitter is responsible for the testing, verification and the supervision
of tradesman gasfitters, Journeyman gasfitters, limited certificate (trainee
gasfitters) and exempted persons.
Work that is not defined as gasfitting includes:
Work on portable gas appliances which have the gas bottle attached such as
barbecues, cabinet heaters and patio heaters, although the Plumbers, Gasfitters
and Drainlayers Board strongly recommends that a gasfitter is used.Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
As a Certifying Gasfitter Jason has gained the highest qualification available. He
can complete both the work and sign off on the job. This means when you book
your gas fitting projects with us, Jason can manage the job from start to finish,
meaning you only have to deal with the one person.Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
Licence category | Certifying Gasfitter
The highest qualification available. These people are qualified and registered.
They are responsible for ensuring both their own work and the work of anyone
they supervise is done competently.
A Certifying Gasfitter provides gasfitting certificates. (Also see gasfitting
certificates at www.worksafe.govt.nz)
Licence category | Tradesman Gasfitter
These people are qualified and registered and usually work independently.
However, a nominated certifying tradesperson (supervisor), is ultimately
responsible for ensuring that the work is done competently.
Licence category | Journeyman Gasfitter
These people have completed a trade qualification but have not passed the
Board's licensing exam. They are registered and authorised.
Training | Limited Certificate Trainee Gasfitter
These are people who are working towards becoming qualified. They can do the
work but must be supervised by a certifying person who is ultimately
responsible for ensuring the work is done competently.
Licence category | Exemption 20
These people are not registered and don't have a full qualification, but they can
do gasfitting work within the scope of the exemption that has been granted.
They may also be granted permission to file gasfitting certificates of compliance.
Licence category | Exemption 21
These people are not registered and don't have a full qualification, but they can
do gasfitting work provided they are supervised by a certifying person, who
must ensure that the work is done competently.Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
As of the 1st of July 2013 every imported LPG installation (this means
appliances for boats, caravans and imported or manufactured commercial
appliances) has to be endorsed by an approved practitioner. This is a
requirement by energy safety and is important to keep you, and those around
you, safe.
As an approved practitioner Jason can endorse your imported appliances for
boats and caravans as well as commercial appliances, Jason can complete your
gas jobs for them too. He can check yours out and make sure it’s safe and
sound to use in New Zealand. Jason comes under the ‘21 or fewer’ category
which applies to gas appliances or any description of which there are 21 or
fewer in New Zealand.Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
Save yourself from accidentally hiring a Gasfitter who isn't qualified by asking for
the card.
All authorised tradespeople must carry their NZ Practising Licence issued by the
Board. Ask to sight it before any work begins.
You can also check the register to see if someone is qualifiedPosted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
If you are a landlord of any residential premises, you must ensure any gas
appliance or installation in the premises is safe and you must not allow any person to use an unsafe gas appliance or installation.
You must ensure that the occupier of any residential premises is provided with
adequate instructions for the safe use of any gas appliances or installation.Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
Always ensure adequate ventilation when using your gas appliance, ensure
ventilation openings are clear and if in doubt open a window or door. Gas
appliances actually need a lot of fresh air to work properly!Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
Your kitchen gas hob should be serviced every year by a qualified gasfitter.
Having it serviced regularly ensures that the gas hob is safe to use and that it is
producing the right heat and energy efficiency when cooking.Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020 -
When it comes to Gasfitting though there isn't a lot you can legally do. Visit the PGDB website to check its legal or gives us a call and we can let you know.Posted: Sunday 18 October 2020
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When buying a new or second hand gas appliance consider its safety as part of your
decision. Only buy appliances that have been tested for safety. You must also consider the safety of the appliance if you are selling it to others.Posted: Saturday 17 October 2020 -
Did you know its an insurance requirement to have your gas fire serviced as per the manufacturers specifications? Not only is it a requirement but it also ensures its working at its best.Posted: Saturday 17 October 2020
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All gasfitting carried out since 1st July 2013 requires certification.
Once gasfitting is connected, the person responsible for the work has to issue a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) that indicates the gas installation or part installation is safe to use and the gasfitting work has not adversely affected any other part of the gas installation. This is supported by certificates of compliance (COCs) for any gasfitting defined as high risk or general risk.Posted: Saturday 17 October 2020 -
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the generic name for mixtures of hydrocarbons (mainly propane and butane) stored in the liquid state.
LPG is colourless, odourless and heavier than air. A stenching agent is added to give it a distinctive and unpleasant smell, sometimes described as rotten cabbage, so that even a very small leak can be easily detected.
LPG burns readily in air and is an excellent fuel for heating, cooking and for vehicles.
In most places in the world LPG is propane gas. In other places butane is sometimes used. New Zealand is unusual in that its LPG is a mixture of both propane and butane. This is why it is important that imported LPG appliances are suitable for New Zealand’s mixture of gases.Posted: Friday 16 October 2020 -
Natural gas is a highly combustible odourless and colourless hydrocarbon gas largely composed of methane. Natural gas is created in roughly the same manner as oil, by processes that act upon organic matter over millions of years.
A stenching agent is added to give it a distinctive and unpleasant smell, sometimes described as rotten cabbage, so that even a very small leak can be easily detected.
High combustibility coupled with ease of use and good clean combustion makes natural gas a highly valued resource.
Natural gas is primarily used for heating homes, cooking and running appliances such as water heaters and clothes dryers.Posted: Friday 16 October 2020 -
Natural Gas
Consists mainly of methane. The large proportion of methane is one of the reasons natural gas has such a good safety record.
Methane is lighter than air and will disperse relatively easily if there is a gas leak.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Is a hydrocarbon fuel comprised primarily of propane or butane, either separately or as a mixture.
LPG is non-toxic, and non-corrosive.
LPG is produced during the production of oil and gas, and is stored in tanks and transported by road tanker trucks or in cylinders.
LPG is mainly stored in tanks in liquid form and is heavier than air.
LPG tends to collect in low points and is more difficult to disperse than natural gas, so is therefore more prone to catch fire or explode if a leak occurs.Posted: Friday 16 October 2020