Gas Safety Certificate when hiring out your California

[snowy55]

In the last couple of days I have rang Gas Safe http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/default.aspx and asked their technical helpline if a VW California being hired out with an LPG gas cooker needed a Gas Safe Certificate? The answer was "yes, it is a legal requirement, you are renting out accommodation therefore just as you would if you were renting out a house." I have also spoken to a Gas Safe registered engineer who at the time was on a Gas Safe refresher course and was sat with two Trainers and the answer from all three was "yes, it is a legal requirement."



See section 2 paragraph 5 a i

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2451/made



http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/renting_a_property/for_landlords.aspx



http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/ocs/400-499/440_34.htm#what


http://www.pims.co.uk/penalties-non-compliance-gas-safety/



Of course non of the above applies to your personnel use of your own vehicle!

 

[Meoncoast]

So what are those hiring out that van doing ?

 

[sidepod]

Always amusing that people ignore the electrical cert. Not a legal requirement but I wouldn't want to leave it to an insurance claim to test the process.

 

[briwy]

Does the little round sticker on the tailgate cover it??

 

[sidepod]

Don't know? What does it say?
Does it confirm earthing loop tests and RCD disconnection times ?

 

[MattBW]

Specifically:

(5) Nothing in these Regulations shall apply in relation to the supply of gas to, or anything done in respect of a gas fitting on—

(a)a self-propelled vehicle except when such a vehicle is—

(i)hired out in the course of a business; or

(ii)made available to members of the public in the course of a business carried on from that vehicle;

 

[briwy]

Don't know? What does it say?
Does it confirm earthing loop tests and RCD disconnection times ?

This is it, nothing to do with electrics, just gas. Appears to be valid for two years.

 

[snowy55]

Does the German test count on this country?
A phone call to Gas Safe would clear this question up.

 

[briwy]

Don't see why not as we're all EUed up, at the moment anyway.

 

[larrylamb]

Don't know? What does it say?
Does it confirm earthing loop tests and RCD disconnection times ?

Maybe as far as hookup goes the campsite electrics, rcd's etc are the main concern/liability?

 

[AlanC]

As an aside, I noticed today that our Gaz Regulator has a label on it stating that it should be replaced before 2016. That is six years from the van's manufacture, and will apply to private use.
It would be picked up by a test engineer.

Alan

 

[Brianc26]

How can you confirm loop test when every supply is going to vary ?
Insulation resistance
Continuity
Polarity
Rcd test
Functional test

 

[Raggedroy]

Maybe a PAT test as they are portable.

 

[Brianc26]

Definetly not a pat test

 

[Raggedroy]

Definetly not a pat test

You don't say. (Jesting). Don't forget to test the lead.

 

[Brianc26]

A lot of people would believe it !

 

[Raggedroy]

It would be nice to think a California approved VW van centre would test and certify all aspects of the vehicle when carrying out a full service and MOT. This would ensure it is safe to use in the way it has been designed for another 12 months.

 

[Hotel California]

As an aside, I noticed today that our Gaz Regulator has a label on it stating that it should be replaced before 2016. That is six years from the van's manufacture, and will apply to private use.
It would be picked up by a test engineer.

Alan

Not only the regulator but also the rubber hose need change ! Don't want it to age risking to endure...

 

[Hotel California]

This is it, nothing to do with electrics, just gas. Appears to be valid for two years.

Think this is the German approval for the gassystem

 

[snowy55]

Would a mains kettle supplied in the Cali for use when on hook up need a pat test?

 

[larrylamb]

Would a mains kettle supplied in the Cali for use when on hook up need a pat test?

Pat testing is not required by law, it just shows you have taken measures to check the safety of your appliances for staff/customers. But it is like an MOT, i.e. pass on the day of the test, may fail 2 weeks later.

 

[bigmac77]

The little round sticker on the back does not cover anything if you are renting out the vehicle in the UK. You need the gas system to be checked out on a 12 month basis by a Gas Safe registered engineer and one who is qualified to work on LPG and Leisure Accommodation Vehicles. This is also a good idea if you let friends or family borrow your Cali even if no money changes hands. If someone else is using your vehicle and there is a gas related incident if you have not taken necessary steps to ensure all appliances, supply and pipework are in correct working condition you will be liable.

 

[sidepod]

How can you confirm loop test when every supply is going to vary ?
Insulation resistance
Continuity
Polarity
Rcd test
Functional test

Yes but only within certain specified limits. Hence the reason for a test.

From a hiring out perspective, I'd at least have the supplied hook up cable PATested. (It's not actually called Pat anymore and only applies to stuff over one year old. Or is it two? Can't recall)

 

[larrylamb]

Surely a Motorhome Habitation check covers all bases, gas and electric. See the second link for a checklist of items to be tested.
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/habitation-service.html
http://www.motorhomefacts.com/modul...AWSMotorhomeAnnualServiceChecksheet140809.pdf

 

[sidepod]

Nothing more than a basic mot. I wouldn't want to rely on that in court.