So Happy Plumber if....

The maintenance of fittings and appliances is low risk gasfitting under 5A(1)(b) as you have noted, so provided that a maintenance (i.e. replacement part) change is like for like, the no CoC is required (its optional of course).

Do you think it needs a GSC?

Man this is so confusing.

Badger, I would guess that most maintenance work is done by isolating the gas supply (not disconnecting), and by using like for like parts for replacement, and does not alter the operation of the system. So I would expect this meets low risk classification and no CoC or GSC is required.

It IS Low Risk Gasfitting Badger, and according to the three different graphs I have seen - all Low Risk work requires a Gas Safety Certificate.
For General and High Risk Work BOTH a COC and GSC are required.

I still stand by my assertion that ALL low risk work requires a GSC - "requires" is the word ESS are using in their material.  I don't think this is open to any interpretation. 

Go on line to www.ess.govt.nz  and look for Practitioner Guide to the Regulatory Changes for Certification of Gasfitting, the graph is on page two. 

Now, ask me if I think any gas servicing person WILL issue a GSC for replacing a thermocouple or gas valve - and the answer is probably not.  Ask me if I think the public will want to pay the service fee + the cost of a GSC - thereby probably doubling or trebling the cost of the initial job - and I will say - probably not.  The Government have, with the sweep of a pen, increased HUGELY costs to consumers when the initial reasoning behind ALL of this given two years ago, was that they wanted to reduce costs to consumers and simplify everything for tradespeople.

I am still laughing, then choking, then crying. Some jumped up idiot wearing a suit with a tie that was too tight, sitting in an office overlooking the CBD in Wellington with nothing better to do - has dreamed up this scheme.  I have no idea why, maybe they needed to keep their relation who worked in ESS in a job.

It just doesn't make any sense to any normal, practical person.

One thing I do know - with the Board like we have - it is better to always err on the side of caution.  Maybe even flood the high risk data base with every scrap of gasfitting you do.  See how their IT system and little men in suits cope with that.  Peaceful protesting.

I would also urge people to download the ACTUAL REGS and read them. There are some slight differences.

I think the easiest way around all this is to go to uni, do a law degree and learn the lingo.

I mean this is why we all got into the trades eh, for lots of paper work and hard to understand legal instructions.

There are about four or five books to cross reference.

 

well thats good to know   



so much open to interpretation is going to lead to god knows how many contradictions...

what a mind F#%K of a mine field!

decided to check my insurance -

a policy that would be beneficial to all!!

Comprehensive cover:

Statutory – for example, you’re fined for not complying with statutory legislation even though it was unintentional

Hurt Locker Plumbing and Gas LTD.....working in a mine field close to you......

So..... new installs are not registered with anyone, any more..... unless it is high risk or your adding to the existing install. Then you have to sign for the extension.....and you'll have no register to check who did the initial job, just a photo copy with an authentication water mark that anyone can down load. I am pretty sure you'll be inheriting the responsibility for the existing work, especially if the guy with the "authentic" photocopier who worked before you disappears.

And all places you go to will need a GSC, which means you will need to document and photograph every maintenance and service job and keep it all for seven years....because if you sign for it and someone changes it after you leave???.....well I been there and got the tee-shirt....the dirty bastards hid the forensic photos that proved it was changed....even the minister knows this....and still nothing happens (well, other than me anyway, I got firmly rooted).

When they audit you they will have to/want to go through all your documentation and have access to all your files....otherwise they won't know what to audit........they will want to come in your home (if you work from home) and sit in your office and go through your filing cabinet. If you don't agree to this intrusion and audit....no license.....with no license....you are now a criminal for working as a "cowboy".

What you going to charge for all this....remember it was brought in to save money.

your kidding me aye??? we do hundreds of gas jobs that are simple maintenance . and your saying we have to fill out a gsc for EVERYONE?
no way. that's another half hour for every job?? .......flame rod on a super ray...its going to cost the customer as much for the paer work as the bloody part!!!