Another pathetic question, I'm afraid

[Moo]

We're about to swap our ok range-style cooker for our son's far superior one. (He's selling up and moving to Paris)

Having just pulled ours out to inspect its connections* we find that it has a bayonet type connector.

I maintain that disconnection will involve simply unplugging the electric and gas leads.

However, He Who Knows About These Things (B.Eng. and all that) has misgivings and wonders if we should call in a Corgi person. If not for the disconnection, then for the installation of the replacement cooker - just in case air in the system might cause an explosion.

Please tell us what to do.


* It has been standing there undisturbed gathering muck for over ten years. John was impressed by the adhesive properties of long-established grease.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Moo,

Not a pathetic question at all ! I should play safe especially if you did not install the appliance that you are removing--- you may have unwittingly inherited old installation that will have to be updated anyway, in order to put your 'far superior' appliance in its place!

Have fun de greasing!!!! Try Kim and Aggie's trick with the old salt, lemon juice and bicarb!

Joss

 

[NT]

AIUI the whole point of these connectors is that the householder can connect and disconnect appliances. However I'm not a corgi, or a dog of any variety.


NT

 

[chuckey]

In theory these bayonet connectors are self sealing. I would disconnect it and with a paint brush go over the end of the connector with a mixture of soap and water (shaving soap lather is excellent!) and see if the connector blows any bubbles at you. It is best to put your fag out while doing this job.
Frank

 

[Penners]

Moo - I'm afraid I have no experience of gas whatsoever (not the kind in pipes, anyway).

All I would say is - play it safe (bloody obvious comment, Penners)!

Even if the connection is designed to be disconnected by the householder, if the old cooker has been connected for many years I think I would be a little concerned about the possibility of deterioration of the valve's self-sealing capabilities.

If your gas supply has a master valve that you can turn off without causing yourselves any major inconvenience, then perhaps you could close it before you risk disconnecting the cooker. Then, once the cooker has been disconnected, try carefully turning on the master valve again, using Chuckey's trick to see if the connector has sealed itself properly.

But - better safe than sorry (I'm being obvious again)!

 

[Silinman]

The safest way to disconnect your cooker is to light one of the burners, then close the main gas cock to shut off the supply. All the gas within the supply pipe will then have been burnt, and you can safely disconnect the bayonet fitting.

 

[Flyfisher]

. . . . but don't forget to turn off the cooker before reconnecting it :shock:

I would vote with the 'play it safe' brigade. Personally, I can't see the point of a 'non-fixed' connection; it sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I wouldn't have any real concerns about removing the old appliance providing I could turn off the gas at the main valve (usually at the meter), but I would get a corgi in to connect up the new cooker and turn everything back on again.

Actually, I'd be surprised if it was legal to do otherwise.

 

[Nemesis]

I recall (from past posts on this site) that Corgi stuff is not actually a legal requirement.

We do not have gas. We are in fact lucky to have a basic eletrickery connection, ditto water.

 

[shelli]

I would always say get a corgi guy in for gas disconnection - you aren't covered on insurance otherwise

the best thing to get ride of grease is washing soda - a strong solution e.g 1 tablespoon in a cup warm water - forget lemon juice - although it does smell nice

 

[Flyfisher]

I recall (from past posts on this site) that Corgi stuff is not actually a legal requirement.

From the Corgi website:

In recent years, registration has become a legal requirement for anyone installing or repairing gas fittings or appliances. So, you can be sure that any work completed by a CORGI technician will be done competently and safely.

Perhaps Corgi is not the only registration/certification body, but DIY does seem to be a legal no-no these days. If your house blows up, I bet the first thing an insurance company would ask for is a copy of the appropriate certification paperwork.

I suppose you could say the paperwork was destroyed by the explosion :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

Only I gather if you charge for the work, not if you DIY:

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6996&highlight=corgi

 

[Penners]

I would get a corgi in to connect up the new cooker.

I wonder why corgis are specialists in gas installations. Specially adapted little paws, perhaps?

I've heard people refer to labradors as water dogs, but which breed specialises in electrical work?

Come on - there must be a canine pun in there somewhere.

 

[Nemesis]

P(l)ugs?

 

[Penners]

Yeah - not bad. How about wire-haired terriers?

 

[Nemesis]

Yeah - sock it to 'em Penners babe.

 

[Penners]

Excellent! Socket to 'em!!

But babe? Perlease - that's so wrong on so many levels!

 

[Moo]

I love you all.



If I don't report back by the weekend, keep your eyes out for press reports of explosions in either Norwich or Brockley.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Moo, that's a good selection of advice to choose from!

Let us know how you get on.

 

[NT]

I recall (from past posts on this site) that Corgi stuff is not actually a legal requirement.

From the Corgi website:

In recent years, registration has become a legal requirement for anyone installing or repairing gas fittings or appliances. So, you can be sure that any work completed by a CORGI technician will be done competently and safely.

Corgi is famous for misinforming the public on this.

Perhaps Corgi is not the only registration/certification body, but DIY does seem to be a legal no-no these days.

Incorrect. But it suits corgi quiet nicely.


NT

 

[Flyfisher]

Only I gather if you charge for the work, not if you DIY:

http://periodpropertyshop.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6996&highlight=corgi

How bizarre; can this really be true? I know that our beloved rulemakers make some strange laws but this almost defies belief - you need to be officially certified as competent to charge for any gas work but if you DIY its OK to be completely incompetent and blow yourself, and maybe half the neighbourhood, to smithereens?

OK, I can understand it's in Corgi's interest to promote themselves, but what's the real deal with gas?