Prepare to work on gas systems or appliances in domestic settings

This is about preparing to work on new or existing gas systems or appliances in domestic settings.  This could be in preparation for any work in a domestic setting including installing, servicing, repairing, exchanging, replacing or removing gas systems, appliances, meters or pipework including the disconnection, de-commissioning, testing and commissioning that is involved.

This standard includes recording job requirements, confirming compatibility and siting of system components and appliances, carrying out pre-work checks, assessing risks and organising materials, tools and equipment prior to starting work.  It can apply to any type of fuel gas or combinations of fuel gas including, but not restricted to, natural gas, LPG, blended or 100% hydrogen.

This standard should be used alongside any of the standards listed below for new installations: 

• EUSDSG6 Upgrade, modify and convert systems to alternative fuel sources in the gas industry

• EUSDSG8 Install, service, repair and remove gas water heating and wet central heating

• EUSDSG9 Install, service, repair and remove gas space heating appliances

• EUSDSG10 Install, service, repair and remove gas fired ducted air heaters

• EUSDSG12  Install and remove gas pipework in domestic settings

• EUSDSG13 Install and remove gas meters and regulators in domestic settings

• EUSDSG14 Install and remove positive displacement gas meters and regulators 

This standard is for gas engineers who work in domestic settings.

2. Confirm that proposed siting of any new, replacement or repositioned appliances and input services meet location and clearances specified in manufacturers’ instructions, industry standards and building regulations

3. Ensure service, system, components and appliances meet manufacturers’ and industry standards’ requirements and are compatible

4. Check system operating pressures and volumes meet industry standards 

5. Survey work sites for any key structural features and existing defects that could affect work and record them, advising property occupiers of any defects found 

6. Identify and assess the risks for all aspects and planned stages of the work

7. Check and confirm all materials, tools and equipment necessary for all stages of the work are available, safe and are fit for purpose with safety standard labels when required

8. Use appropriate materials and work methods to protect work sites and building fabric against possible damage 

9. Check and test existing installations for any unsafe appliances and system components, applying gas industry unsafe situations procedures when required

2. Legislation covering your general responsibilities for your own safety and that of others

3. Safety provisions to be considered when assessing risks including those relating to work site, access to work site, movement of workforce, members of the public, and the movement and safe storage of materials, tools and equipment for the job

4. How to access and interpret normative documents, guidance documents, manufacturers’ instructions, industry standards, safety schemes and regulations

5. Industry practices, work standards routines and sequences for installing, servicing, repairing, exchanging, replacing, testing, connecting, removing, de-commissioning and recommissioning gas systems, components and appliances 

6. Operating pressures and volumes for the system with which you are working

7. Information to communicate to building occupiers when agreeing work plans

8. How to record damage or defects to existing building features

9. The use of site diagrams and how to interpret them

10. Tools, test and other equipment, materials and components required for the work, how to use them safely and procedures for ordering, supplying, checking and delivery and steps to take if they are not available 

11. Care, maintenance and storage requirements of tools, test equipment such as portable flue gas analysers and equipment, and checks for safe condition including the purpose of PAT testing

12. Methods of working which protect building décor, customer property and existing systems and components

13. How to confirm that the services and system requirements are adequate for installation and extension of the new gas appliance, gas system and components

14. Gas industry unsafe situations procedures and how to isolate unsafe gas appliances, gas systems and components