It is now the law in NSW that gas fitters provide NSW Fair Trading with a Gas Compliance Certificate or a Certificate of Inspection with 5 working days after any gas fitting work. Here is a closer look at what these are and how this is a good thing for everyone involved.
A gas compliance certificate NSW is something gas fitters must provide when work happens with any gas installation that is connected to the gas mains network. They must test it for any defects and then provide the customer and the network operator with the certificate within five days of completing the work. The gas fitter also needs to keep a copy for their records for 5 years.
When a professional carry out gas fitting work on an installation with no connection to the main gas network then they must provide this certificate of inspection. Again within 5 days after completing the job they must inspect everything to do with the installations, test for defects, put on a gas compliance plate and provide a certificate to the owner and keep one for their records for five years.
This is how you tell your gas supplier that you have used a licensed gas fitter and that it is safe to keep supplying gas to you. Probably, insurance companies will not cover any problems from installations done by someone unlicensed or by yourself. Examples of when you will receive one are; when you have a new gas pipework installation when repairing or extending gas pipework, installing new appliances such as a gas hot water system, or cooker, or replacing an old appliance. With a gas compliance certificate or inspection, you and your provider have assurance that:
It is your responsibility to maintain your gas installations and keep them working safely. This means having someone come in on a regular basis to inspect what you have and maintain them making sure there is no impairment due to age, wear and tear, interference or damage. Otherwise, they can become a fire risk. A gas compliance certificate NSW is proof of you understanding your responsibility and adhering to it.
A certificate of inspection is in a triplicate book that belongs to your licensed gas fitter. They fill it out and give a copy to you which you should put somewhere safe. They keep a copy and they send a copy to your gas supplier. There are now online means of filling it out.
This is a small metal plate that numbers stamped onto it that is attached usually above the gas installation. It will have the certificate of inspection number on it usually and each appliance is numbered as follows:
0 – Air conditioner or stationary engine power generator
1 – Wok cooker or cooktop
2 – Absorption chiller or refrigerator
3 – Spa or pool heater or instantaneous water heater
4 – Hot water heater with a tank
5 – BBQ, grill or hot plate
6 – Oven
7 – Decorative gas light or flare
8 – Space or room heater
9 – Other appliances
When it comes to having any kind of gas fitting or appliance it is essential that all installation, maintenance and checks are done by a trained and licensed professional gas fitter. A person should never attempt to put these things in themselves or to repair them themselves. Any work you have done you should get a gas compliance certificate or a gas certificate of inspection. Anytime anything is done and you do not have one of these things, this is unlicensed and illegal and could be dangerous to your safety and your home’s safety. Plus licensed gas fitters have the skill, the knowledge and the tools to get the job done well. Any gas fitter that tells you there is no need for a certificate should be avoided.
If you want to know more about gas compliance certificates in NSW, do not hesitate to get in touch with the local Sydney plumbers at Affordable Plumbing Solutions.