Looking for someone to service old outset gas fire in Cork.

citycowgirl

Looking for someone in the Cork City area who is able to service an old ( installed around 1988) outset gas fire. I think that's what they're called. Its for my elderly mother who is currently without a fire in her front room. The boiler works fine so she has working rads but the fire wont stay lit when it ignites. The minute she takes her hand off the switch it turns off. She had a great guy who used to service it for her and advised her to try and keep it going as long as she could as it gives off great heat. However he has retired and we're struggling to find someone with the knowledge to service these cos of their age. A few guys have come and backed out the door the minute they saw it. Any help would be appreciated. PM if necessary. I'm in a different county but said I'd try and get her sorted if possible. I'm new to boards so dont think I can include links or pics to the type of fire she has.
Thanks!

Lenar3556

Try the RGII register for installers in the area concerned, make a few calls, sending some images via WhatsApp might also help.

http://www.rgii.ie/support/find-a-gas-installer.100.html

Bear in mind that the reason some may be walking away is because the applicance itself or manner of installation is unsafe - I would suggest parking any sentiment on the previous service provider for the time being, and giving due consideration to any reports of this nature. (There is unlikely to be any remarkably specialised skill to get this operative again, and the cause of the presentation you describe will be immediately apparent to any Registered Gas Installer on inspection. The appropriateness of repairing it could be a different matter)

citycowgirl

Thanks for that. I'll have a look and see if I can find someone. I genuinely don't think there's anything unsafe about her current installation. A couple of guys have literally walked in, taken one look at the fire from the doorway and said straight out they couldnt do it. Didn't check anything or look any closer. Fingers crossed I'll get someone. Otherwise she's facing in to getting her whole system revamped

DGOBS

Bear in mind that the reason some may be walking away is because the applicance itself or manner of installation is unsafe

Any RGI that comes into your home and sees something unsafe has a duty of care to act and make safe.

It's called an off-set gas fire (i.e. it sits out on the hearth, and not in the builders opening of the fire place)

1. Make sure your mum has a CO alarm in that room fitted in a location specified by the CO alarm instructions .
2. Make sure that fire is serviced regularly(every 1 2months), during which it is removed completely and the catchment space behind it is cleaned and chimney checked.
3, Make sure the permanent fixed ventilation is in place in the room for the safe operation of the fire.

Sounds like it may just need a new thermocouple (universal ones are available and cheap, and fit most fires)
Any decent RGI should be able to repair this for you.

Lenar3556

DGOBS wrote: »

Any RGI that comes into your home and sees something unsafe has a duty of care to act and make safe.

Well they have a duty to notify the customer of the defect and issue an NOHZ. The responsibility lies with the customer as to what action to take to make safe.

Anything in addition to that - I think it would be inadvisable to act without the consent of the householder save for an emergency or immediate threat to life.

While RGI has been a great example of effective regulation, and with excellent outcomes in improving safety, there have been cases of overzealous individuals acting in a manner ultra vires.

DGOBS

DGOBS wrote: »

Any RGI that comes into your home and sees something unsafe has a duty of care to act and make safe.

Well they have a duty to notify the customer of the defect and issue an NOHZ. The responsibility lies with the customer as to what action to take to make safe.

Anything in addition to that - I think it would be inadvisable to act without the consent of the householder save for an emergency or immediate threat to life.

While RGI has been a great example of effective regulation, and with excellent outcomes in improving safety, there have been cases of overzealous individuals acting in a manner ultra vires.

Would be interested if an RGI didn't act where a known gas hazard existed, and someone got hurt or worse, would the man with the curly wig have your outlook on Duty of Care.......(and he/she would be the one to decide, not you nor I).....where the notice of hazard requires the isolation of an appliance or installation, and the customer refuses the advice, the RGI should inform a higher authority who has the power to act.

The general principle is that you should not harm those people to whom you owe a duty of care by your acts or omissions. If you fail in the standard of care owed, you will be liable for your acts or omissions due to negligence.

Lenar3556

DGOBS wrote: »

Would be interested if an RGI didn't act where a known gas hazard existed, and someone got hurt or worse, would the man with the curly wig have your outlook on Duty of Care.......(and he/she would be the one to decide, not you nor I)

The general principle is that you should not harm those people to whom you owe a duty of care by your acts or omissions. If you fail in the standard of care owed, you will be liable for your acts or omissions due to negligence.

And I agree, but the duty of care would generally extend to formally notifying the owners / managers of the building and/or gas suppliers.

It is no different than you bringing your car to a garage to be serviced, and a dangerous defect being identified. The garage owes a duty to you to bring this to your attention, and advise you not to drive it. But it wouldn’t be reasonable or appropriate for the garage to impound the car, or otherwise immobilise it until the customer agreed to repair it.

There was a case in the south of the country about three years ago where a representative of a larger firm attended to undertake a routine service of a gas boiler. During the course of the service, he identified that a sensor had been bypassed - I think it was a water pressure sensor. The owner recalled that various providers had worked on the installation over the previous 10+ years, but she was unaware at what point this clearly illegitimate work was carried out.

The installer (whom was a registered gas installer) wrote up a hazardous notice, and then proceeded to isolate and cap off the gas supply at the meter, despite objection from the customer who asked him to cease works and leave the dwelling.

The outcome of that particular case involved a financial settlement from the installers employer for the cost of a brand new boiler complete with installation, as a final settlement without any admission of liability. There was an associated complaint to the Garda in respect of the installers conduct at the house on the date in question - this was investigated but no charges were brought by the Garda. Solicitors were instructed by both the customer and gas servicing firm, but the matter didn’t go to court.

DGOBS

I have no issue that a gas installer does not have the power to force anyone to isolate (or allow him to) a gas appliance or installation.
But customers invite me into their homes in my professional capacity.

But should a gas installer find a situation that may affect the safety of the gas installation and/or persons/property, there is a clear duty of care to act. This action failing customer agreement, would be to inform the gas supplier (or network operator) whom have the power to isolate/act.

I would rather stand in front of a judge and justify my actions to keep a customer safe, than justify my inactions that lead to someone being injured or worse. I stand by that statement.