Gas compliance certificate, what do they test?

Archer

Archer

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So I've been in the new house for about 5 weeks now and only really had a reason to run the fireplace for an extended time the last two days. But after about 30minutes our eyes start itching which is apparently one of the first signs of carbon monoxide being present. Now I checked the compliance certificate and the section for owner is empty (where you're supposed to be told about safety etc and then sign). I also see that on inspection there was 0kg gas on site, so I'm guessing he didn't test it with an actual fire... surely that isn't right? :confused:
 
Do you leave a door or window/s open for ventilation? With any gas heater you are suppose to.
If in doubt just pay for a inspection and new C.O.C if they change anything, the guys coming to change stuff on my gas installation later today charge R550 for a hour of labour plus the C.O.C, this excludes any parts.
 
bigboy529 said:
Do you leave a door or window/s open for ventilation? With any gas heater you are suppose to.
If in doubt just pay for a inspection and new C.O.C if they change anything, the guys coming to change stuff on my gas installation later today charge R550 for a hour of labour plus the C.O.C, this excludes any parts.
Click to expand...

No I don't open anything, it's bloody cold :p There is a vent on the underside of the fireplace for some reason though. Looking at the pipes and the owners manual it seems oxygen is drawn in at the bottom? Fark knows.

And I forgot to mention after about 5 minutes you can also smell the gas. Seems like a substantial amount is not being burnt properly
 
Archer said:
No I don't open anything, it's bloody cold :p There is a vent on the underside of the fireplace for some reason though. Looking at the pipes and the owners manual it seems oxygen is drawn in at the bottom? Fark knows.

And I forgot to mention after about 5 minutes you can also smell the gas. Seems like a substantial amount is not being burnt properly
Click to expand...




No offence but you have a death wish. Go read up a bit on how many people with gas heaters fell asleep and then never woke up again, I personally know 3 families in which this happened. In 2 of them the dad, in the other the mom and 2 children.
This happens because of no ventilation, the area gets deprived of oxygen and the people eventually fall asleep and die. Usually people think and say the same as you, it's bloody cold so crazy to leave a door or window open for ventilation.

Get your heater and gas installation checked out by a reputable installer.
Also, for heavens sake, please leave a door or window open for proper ventilation, preferably as close as possible to the heater.
 
Archer said:
No I don't open anything, it's bloody cold :p There is a vent on the underside of the fireplace for some reason though. Looking at the pipes and the owners manual it seems oxygen is drawn in at the bottom? Fark knows.

And I forgot to mention after about 5 minutes you can also smell the gas. Seems like a substantial amount is not being burnt properly
Click to expand...

Not sure what you have but its burning too much, need to turn it down a bit. Need that focused blue flame.
 
bigboy529 said:
No offence but you have a death wish. Go read up a bit on how many people with gas heaters fell asleep and then never woke up again, I personally know 3 families in which this happened. In 2 of them the dad, in the other the mom and 2 children.
This happens because of no ventilation, the area gets deprived of oxygen and the people eventually fall asleep and die. Usually people think and say the same as you, it's bloody cold so crazy to leave a door or window open for ventilation.

Get your heater and gas installation checked out by a reputable installer.
Also, for heavens sake, please leave a door or window open for proper ventilation, preferably as close as possible to the heater.
Click to expand...

Like I said, nobody explained jack to me and I turned it off asap, and then started this thread. Also phoned 3 gas installers and the manufacturer. But now I have a death wish :rolleyes:
 
Nerfherder said:
Not sure what you have but its burning too much, need to turn it down a bit. Need that focused blue flame.
Click to expand...

If I turn it down only the centre portion stays lit constantly, the left and right sides the blue flames pop up, then die, rinse repeat

This is what I have, minus the top reflector thingy (mine goes up into a fake chimney which is blocked at the top)
inset-single-sided-vertex-fascia-in-black-powder-coating.jpg
 
Archer said:
Like I said, nobody explained jack to me and I turned it off asap, and then started this thread. Also phoned 3 gas installers and the manufacturer. But now I have a death wish :rolleyes:
Click to expand...



Good on you for taking steps and asking questions, death wish part was ment TIC though this is quite a serious thing.
 
Gas Compliance checks that the gas supply is safe. Piping and device and cylinder.

The usage of the gas device is on the owner.
 
lighting-farts-on-fire.jpg
 
The best way to check a gas line for leaks is soapy water, look for the bubbles. You should only be smelling gas for a minute or 2 after lighting.
 
Archer said:
So I've been in the new house for about 5 weeks now and only really had a reason to run the fireplace for an extended time the last two days. But after about 30minutes our eyes start itching which is apparently one of the first signs of carbon monoxide being present. Now I checked the compliance certificate and the section for owner is empty (where you're supposed to be told about safety etc and then sign). I also see that on inspection there was 0kg gas on site, so I'm guessing he didn't test it with an actual fire... surely that isn't right? :confused:
Click to expand...

Get the guy who did the COC originally and threaten him for non compliance and he must come check and fix at reasonable costs.
They rip you off with COC.
 
Part of the coc is to ensure that all appliances are functional 100%.

On gas heaters, ventilation is meant to be calculated and ensured that it is adequate. This is meant to be purposely placed ventilation, and not require door to be open in use.

Installer book has 3 copies, and if yours is not signed by yourself, then his copies are not. Also installer is meant to state the gas on site, which is also missing.

To me, things don't add up, get a reputable gas installer to check, this is critical.
 
Archer said:
If I turn it down only the centre portion stays lit constantly, the left and right sides the blue flames pop up, then die, rinse repeat

This is what I have, minus the top reflector thingy (mine goes up into a fake chimney which is blocked at the top)
Click to expand...

So where are the exhaust gases supposed to go if the flue is blocked and you don't want to open windows?
 
Donald Bradbury said:
Part of the coc is to ensure that all appliances are functional 100%.

On gas heaters, ventilation is meant to be calculated and ensured that it is adequate. This is meant to be purposely placed ventilation, and not require door to be open in use.

Installer book has 3 copies, and if yours is not signed by yourself, then his copies are not. Also installer is meant to state the gas on site, which is also missing.

To me, things don't add up, get a reputable gas installer to check, this is critical.
Click to expand...

As this 99% of electrical certificates, this guy's gas certificate was probably bought.
 
ambroseg1 said:
As this 99% of electrical certificates, this guy's gas certificate was probably bought.
Click to expand...

This ^^

That being said, those gas fireplaces works on a chimney/extraction principle. The gasses should be going out a ventilation shaft not into the house :confused: Maybe it's blocked look up into it from the bottom where the fire normally burns?
 
Archer said:
If I turn it down only the centre portion stays lit constantly, the left and right sides the blue flames pop up, then die, rinse repeat

This is what I have, minus the top reflector thingy (mine goes up into a fake chimney which is blocked at the top)
Click to expand...

That is your problem. Wasn't installed correctly.

Edit:
https://www.beautyfires.com/product/vent-free-gas-fireplace/

Seems one gets vet free fireplaces but then it needs on oxygen feed of some sort. See link
 
Last edited:
Donald Bradbury said:
Part of the coc is to ensure that all appliances are functional 100%.
Click to expand...

Not according to CoC documents I've been able to find, 3 installers and the manufacturer. The appliance does not need to be functional at all

Pitbull said:
That is your problem. Wasn't installed correctly.
Click to expand...

So the flueless fireplace that was installed without a flue is installed incorrectly? *I'm not saying anything about the merits of such a product, but it was installed correctly*
 
Archer said:
Not according to CoC documents I've been able to find, 3 installers and the manufacturer. The appliance does not need to be functional at all



So the flueless fireplace that was installed without a flue is installed incorrectly? *I'm not saying anything about the merits of such a product, but it was installed correctly*
Click to expand...

I guess you missed my edit...
It needs a fresh oxygen feed from outside. Does yours have it?
 
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