Need gasfitter for gas bottle delivery?

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Abitlost

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#268305 11-Mar-2020 10:05

I've just bought a house and have organised power and gas for the property. There's no gas bottles currently on site, and Energy Online have just said that if there aren't any gas bottles there already then I need to get a gasfitter to connect them as their drivers aren't authorised.

Is this something I can just do myself? E.g. make sure everything that used the gas is turned off, connect the bottles, then open them?

alasta

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#2436205 11-Mar-2020 10:39

I can't understand how the delivery staff would be unqualified to do this. When my gas bottles run out I just call Rockgas and they send someone out to swap over the bottles for me. Surely the exact same skills would apply when installing new bottles where there aren't any existing ones?

kotuku4

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#2436206 11-Mar-2020 10:40

Don't know. But how much would it cost to have bottles hooked up and gas system/appliances checked?

What do you know about age and condition of supply fittings, lines and appliances? When were they last serviced, safety checked?

outdoorsnz

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#2436207 11-Mar-2020 10:41

I struct that some time back. Guy was allowed to place bottles but not connect up the first time. But they will every next time!

All you have to do is screw the connections on and turn the gas on. Screws anti clockwise - opposite to normal.

BUT if property has been vacant and you don't know the history, then might be a good idea to get a gas fitter to do a safety check. You should always spray connections with soapy water to check for leaks.

Abitlost

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#2436209 11-Mar-2020 10:48

alasta:

I can't understand how the delivery staff would be unqualified to do this. When my gas bottles run out I just call Rockgas and they send someone out to swap over the bottles for me. Surely the exact same skills would apply when installing new bottles where there aren't any existing ones?

That was my thought as well, although as the other have pointed out it might just be because they don't know if the connections have been maintained and are safe to use.

I'll check with the agent to see how long ago someone was staying at the property but I don't think it's been that long.

decibel

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#2436217 11-Mar-2020 11:04

Are the hoses still hanging down, ready to be connected?

Abitlost

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#2436220 11-Mar-2020 11:09

Yup - it's all there ready to go.

When the owners moved out their gas providers would have just come and collected the bottles rather than leaving them there.

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afe66

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#2436224 11-Mar-2020 11:13

Sounds like sensible precaution to me.

Get a certified gas fitter who has done all the relevant safe courses and standards to connect the first time.

Old houses might have substandard fittings which weren't an issue because they weren't being used. I expect the checker will do more than just look at fittings at tank end.

Bit like warrant of fitness.

RunningMan

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#2436358 11-Mar-2020 15:05

Abitlost:

When the owners moved out their gas providers would have just come and collected the bottles rather than leaving them there.

Probably the same gas supplier and same delivery guy.

Paul1977

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#2436625 12-Mar-2020 09:03

I'd imagine they're covering themselves so they can show that they aren't hooking up gas to a non-compliant system. I don't know if it's a legal requirement, but if that's their policy I'd be extremely surprised if they'd be happy to just drop them off and let you connect them yourselves.

The gas fitter might do leak testing and additional checks as well to make sure the whole system is safe. Even if he's not required to, if he has to be there anyway, I'd get this done.

In your position I think I'd want a safety check done regardless of whether it the gas suppliers require it or not.

Did you get a copy of the compliance certificate for the gas installation? If so, how old is it?

EDIT: What is the gas supplying. Just a water heater on the exterior of the house? Or is it supplying a cooktop or gas fireplace as well?

geoffwnz

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#2436670 12-Mar-2020 10:05

Echoing other comments, it's likely to be a requirement for "new supply" because of potentially unknown history.

And given the gas explosion that happened in Chch last year, for the sake of a small fee, well worth getting the gas system checked, appliances serviced and the hook up dealt with in one go before you start using them. Avoiding potentially deadly consequences is a good thing in my books. :-)

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