Gas boiler DIY repair - Legal?

IndigoPrime

Also posted thus question in DIY forum.

Hi,

I would like to replace the PCB and fan on my own home gas boiler.
I can get refurbished parts on eBay for about €100.

Is this allowed/legal?

I know there are regulations regarding who can install boilers (and with good reason), but I can't find anything about replacing some parts. Replacing these parts will not involve any interference with the actual gas supply or burner elements, I would never touch those parts.

Thanks!

kirving

I would think that the fan, and potentially the PCB would count as critical safety parts though.

What happens if the fan accidentally runs backwards, for example?

If I was in your shoes, I'd feel confident enough in my own ability to change a fan and PCB.

Could you do it, and then get a service and safety check done to make sure it's okay.

Wearb

It's illegal and you can be prosecuted for doing such things.

Also from Boards point of view it's considered spamming to post the same question in two different places without permission. However as you have made so few posts you might not be aware of this, so just a heads up for your future posts.

Any work on a gas appliance that requires a tool is classed as gasworks.

To answer your question: yes it is illegal and you would be reported for prosecution as a given if you called a RGIi in.

It’s not safe because you don’t know what you don’t know and RGIs use basic safety checks for a reason before doing any work.

kirving

gary71 wrote: »

Any work on a gas appliance that requires a tool is classed as gasworks.

To answer your question: yes it is illegal and you would be reported for prosecution as a given if you called a RGIi in.

It’s not safe because you don’t know what you don’t know and RGIs use basic safety checks for a reason before doing any work.

So what you're saying is, if I so much as make sure a bolt is tight, I should never call a RGI again?

Not an approach that encourages safety whatsoever.

punisher5112

Kevin Irving wrote: »

So what you're saying is, if I so much as make sure a bolt is tight, I should never call a RGI again?

Not an approach that encourages safety whatsoever.

No what they're saying is you shouldn't touch anything on or to do with the boiler....

Only someone with RGI status can.....

If they find it's been tampered with they can report back.

Anything to do with gas is best left to those with the qualifications.

Kevin Irving

Kevin Irving wrote: »

So what you're saying is, if I so much as make sure a bolt is tight, I should never call a RGI again?

Not an approach that encourages safety whatsoever.

????

It’s illegal to do gasworks of your not a RGI

Gasworks is defined as any task that requires a tool.

Rgii have to by law report illegal works.

I’m not saying anything, nothing to do with me I’m just answering a question but I spent many years working in London as a emergency First responder so if you wish to discuss gas safety I have plenty of experience in the easy at which death can occur, sadly.

K.Flyer

IndigoPrime wrote: »

Also posted thus question in DIY forum.

Hi,

I would like to replace the PCB and fan on my own home gas boiler.
I can get refurbished parts on eBay for about €100.

Is this allowed/legal?

I know there are regulations regarding who can install boilers (and with good reason), but I can't find anything about replacing some parts. Replacing these parts will not involve any interference with the actual gas supply or burner elements, I would never touch those parts.

Thanks!

Aside from the illegality of carrying out Any work on a Gas Appliance unless you are a RGI, the fitting of a reconditioned part, especially a fan, from an unknown source without any experience has the potential to be lethal.
You do not have the correct knowledge, experience or testing equipment to ensure that the boiler is safe for use after work has been done.

IndigoPrime

All, thanks for the responses - I have my answer.

Re: posting the same question in two different places
@Wearb, understood. Can you delete the duplicate post in DIY? I cannot.

Ubbquittious

I doubt the lad who designed the PCB and wrote the firmware for it is a RGI or is even familiar with the term. Come to think of it I doubt the lad in the boiler factory who connected the cables and put in the few screws is one either.

ednwireland

Ubbquittious wrote: »

I doubt the lad who designed the PCB and wrote the firmware for it is a RGI or is even familiar with the term. Come to think of it I doubt the lad in the boiler factory who connected the cables and put in the few screws is one either.

it wasnt connected to a gas supply then either

Cordell

Ubbquittious wrote: »

I doubt the lad who designed the PCB and wrote the firmware for it is a RGI or is even familiar with the term. Come to think of it I doubt the lad in the boiler factory who connected the cables and put in the few screws is one either.

I'd bet they are quite familiar with some specific safety regulations and standards that you (and me both) aren't even aware that they exist.

DGOBS

I doubt the lad who designed the PCB and wrote the firmware for it is a RGI or is even familiar with the term. Come to think of it I doubt the lad in the boiler factory who connected the cables and put in the few screws is one either.

The difference being as pointed out above, it wasn't connected to the network at that point (and wasn't even in our country!)

BUT, the company making these appliance are governed by the GAD (gas appliance directive) and all products they design and produce must meet all aspects of this directive and pass a certification test (in designated test houses) before being allowed for sale within the EU, and also hold a CE mark.

Further more, each member state of the EU have technical committees from industry professionals that work together to debate and and formulate these safety regulations that govern the manufacture of gas appliances.

I'd bet they are quite familiar with some specific safety regulations and standards that you (and me both) aren't even aware that they exist.

Exactly!