With an apparent increase in the number of homes and businesses suffering from “gas service” explosions, I will ask the question:
Should the USA adopt the UK’s regulatory approach to “gas service” construction and maintenance?
I am used to working with flammable gas in chemical plants and we have layers of protection built-in to our protection schemes, but a smaller business or a residence will have almost none of these layers of protection. So several years ago, the HSE over in the UK recognized that the only absolute protection layer for most “gas fittings” is PROPER DESIGN and INSTALLATION. Because once there is an LOPC event in these types of structures, there are plenty of ignition sources. We even see a DECREASED level of respect for the odorant used to WARN people of a gas leak. People can still SMELL the odorant; they are not responding appropriately.
The UK has created a database so private parties and businesses can check to see if the person they are hiring or have hired meet some credentials for working on flammable gas systems in homes, businesses, factories, mines, construction sites, etc.
Here is a summary of the UK’s Gas laws (emphasis by me):
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In domestic properties and workplaces such as shops, restaurants, schools, and hospitals, work on gas fittings must be carried out by a GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEER who is qualified to do the work. It’s illegal for anyone else to do it. It’s your responsibility to check a person is registered and qualified. You can check if a person is registered with Gas Safe and their gas qualifications by:
People who are registered carry a Gas Safe ID card, which shows the type of work they are qualified to do and whether their qualifications are up to date.
In the following places, work on gas fittings must be carried out by a COMPETENT PERSON:
It’s your responsibility to check they’re COMPETENT to do the work. A competent person should have the necessary training, skills, experience and knowledge to do the work safely. Work on a gas fitting in any part of the premises listed above used as domestic, residential, or sleeping accommodation must be carried out by a GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEER. |