gas safety

veej
veej Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited June 2017 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

What are the obligations (if any) of a tourer dealer with regards to gas safety checks on vans they sell to the public? This question is in relation to a van i recently bought that on our first outing pumped gas fumes from the fridge into the van, tests by an independent expert revealed flue blocked with carbon, pipes from gas cylinder from bottle to appliance not changed for years, flame burning yellow instead of blue, fridge insecure in housing causing fridge to move about in transit, we are happy with the van itself, it is an old van and in general good condition but as newbies to caravanning  we accepted the dealers assurance that the fridge and other appliances were in full running order, having informed the dealer of all this they are saying that gas checks on tourers do not have to be done by "gas safe engineers and do not have to be issued with a "gas safe certificate " prior to sale, they are anxious to have the van back for repair but are indicating it not a good idea to get 3rd party involved, i have no confidence that they will repair the van competently but also i am concerned that should they be selling vans without proper gas checks, on the receipt they gave me they wrote "yes a gas check had been done", i am find ing it difficult to find online the exact infor re dealer obligations on gas checks on vans they sell, can anyone help with this please.

 

 

Comments

  • Sianelen
    Sianelen Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited June 2017 #2

    Personally I'd get the van serviced by a qualified caravan service engineer. I'd ask him to give me a list of all the faults and take that and your original receipt showing that "yes a gas check had been done" to Trading Standards they should be able to help you.
    I'd also get a carbon monoxide detector fitted.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #3

    As above. I'm also a bit suspicious of them want you to to take back the van so quickly and them not wanting to involve a third party. As you are a member I would call the club's technical helpline and see what they say too.

    I had a bad experience with my former dealer/service when they had not reconnected the hose from the cylinder to the van's inlet regulator. Luckily I noticed it before putting stuff back in the locker. Again they were most apologetic and offered me a free service.

  • veej
    veej Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2017 #4

    Thanks for info/advice,  van has been to an independent service/repair centre who have listed/confirmed all the faults in my original post , the dealer concerned is not forthcoming with the number of the gas safe engineer who is supposed to have done the relevant checks so it looking like no such "qualified" check was done despite what the paperwork says. I will be seeking advice from Trading Standards on Monday . Many thanks

    Veej

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,668 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #5

    As far as I know, the regulations that apply to domestic gas installations do not apply to touring caravans, so all that is required is that work is done by a "competant person".

    Fridges in caravans are often not correctly installed, sometomes even on brand new vans.

    Our dealer changes the gas hoses if they are out of date at a service, others may just advise that they should be changed.

    Yes, get a carbon monoxide detector.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #6

    Exactly so, Kjell. The requirement is for the person to be competent in order to work on caravan gas systems. It has nothing to do with Gas Safe regs intended for domestic or commercial premises, and is not the same as regs for hire vans. I have supplied links in earlier threads. 

    The vague 'competent' description is a reason dealers send vans out the door in shoddy condition. One person's idea of competent is another's of incompetent as standards vary considerably.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #7

    just out of interest does the same apply to electrical work?

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #8

    In a nutshell, Corners, yes. Another job for the competent.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #9

    wow, thanks

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #10

    An Independent engineer told me that he constantly has problems with gas appliances after services by many main dealers.  This applies mainly to fridges due to the difficulties in keep taking them out and reinstalling, so a lot don't even bother.  I find that quite worrying. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited June 2017 #11

    Servicing gas appliances is not part of the general service and so fridges will not be taken out unless requested.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #12

    A dealer selling a caravan has to comply with the Consumer Protection Act  law. Any one where the gas services are unsafe or not working correctly is in breach of this and you need to quote the act and tell them to put it right or be sued for the cost of someone else doing it.

    Accept no rubbish about them not needing to do a gas safe check as it is totally irrelevant the caravan is not safe and you have rights against the dealer. The clubs Legal Helpline or Citizens Advice will help you if you need it.

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