VBA Gas Compliance Certificate

biggles182 · Member

VBA Gas Compliance Certificate

Bicyclecamper · Guru

Why is a flame there, did you light it?, either way I would not use the same plumber for the job, get someone else to do it properly, obviously he probably was not a qualified gas fitter.

biggles182 · Member

I lit the leaks under a controlled environment to substantiate the hypocritical determination of the VBA.

The plumber is register to carry out gas work on caravans and was recommended by Prestige Jayco Geelong as he does their gas work.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

G'day Bryan, that looks very poor work and unsafe as is. I agree, get someone else to fix it properly ASAP and just cut your losses.

I also noticed you used peoples names but not yours. If it was me, I would blank the other names out ASAP. I think you might be leaving yourself open for a little trouble. Maybe. I'm not a legal eagle so could be wrong.

Both the leak and names are easy fixes and will prevent possible trouble down the track.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there, Bryan.

Joda · Senior Member

Hi Biggles, I live in leopold, was he a local guy from Leopold ? That work is not even apprentice standard. John.

Joda · Senior Member

And by the way, next time use soapy water to test for leaks.

biggles182 · Member

No not from Leopold

biggles182 · Member

I did, but soapy water pictures would have been useless in substantiating hypocritical determination of the VBA and the lighting of the leaks was done under a controlled environment.

The reason I posted this is to make people aware that just because they have a Gas Compliance Certificate does not mean they dont have an issue.

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

Original post states a compliance certificate was NOT issued. and work not yet done???

biggles182 · Member

BarneyBDB

I believe you may have misread the original post as I cannot see where it states and work not yet done.

What the post does state is that the plumber did not provide a Gas Compliance Certificate and the VBA without any inspection issued the Gas Compliance Certificate.

The crux of this matter is not the wording of the post but the fact VBA ignored all the documentation provided and issued a Gas Compliance Certificate when the gas system did not comply this is a Serious Health and Safety issue

Whenarewethere · Guru

Always best to write a physical letter to CEO etc. Amazing how much things happen.

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

The "work not yet done" came from this statement..."In November 2024 I had a plumber run a gas line...."

Check todays date...

landy · Guru

5th of August 2024 . ???????? Should your post read November 2023 ??

-- Edited by landy on Monday 5th of August 2024 09:40:04 PM

biggles182 · Member

landy wrote:
5th of August 2024 . ???????? Should your post read November 2023 ??

-- Edited by landy on Monday 5th of August 2024 09:40:04 PM

landy

Yes, and now rectified.

Cheers

biggles182 · Member

BarneyBDB

WOW, more concerned about a typo than the OHS issue

-- Edited by biggles182 on Tuesday 6th of August 2024 01:03:29 PM

Mein · Senior Member

1. In the edited and copied letter from the VBA, 'biggles182' is referred to as Mr X.

2. The edited and copied letter from the VBA incorporates the commentary, "The Caravan LPG fitting supply line was then tested using a gas manometer with Mr X being present at the time of testing. The manometer was left under test in excess of fifteen minutes with no leaks, it was removed, and the test point resealed."

A 15 minute leak test using a manometer in the presence of the O.P. with no leaks detected!!!

What's the OPs response to this commentary?

3. The gas line was modified in November 2023. The caravan's gas system wasn't turned on until April 2024 at which time a leak was detected.

Why was there a 5 month gap between the gas line modification and the caravan's gas system being turned on? What circumstances / conditions was the caravan subjected to during the 5 month gap?

4. The posted photos indicate that the gas line is attached to the underside of the caravan's floor, which basically means that the line is in the open air. On a caravan with 2 gas bottles mounted on the drawbar, I became aware that the regulator was leaking only because one bottle emptied much faster than normal. I never smelled a gas leak.

PRIOR to testing the gas fitting with soapy water and a naked flame, what circumstances / conditions caused the OP to suspect there was a gas leak?

5. The photo of the damaged gas line shows damage that could be attributed to over-tightening of the gas fitting.

Did the OP, or any other person, check the 'tightness' and / or re-tighten the gas fittings between November 2023 and April 2024.

In consideration of ALL of the above points / factors, I understand why the VBA did not find fault on the part of the plumber.

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

biggles182 wrote:
BarneyBDB
WOW, more concerned about a typo than the OHS issue

-- Edited by biggles182 on Tuesday 6th of August 2024 01:03:29 PM

If your original post had read something like " I engaged a reputable plumber, paid his tax invoice and received the appropriate certificate..." my response would have been different.

Your opening statement "In November 2024 I had a plumber run a gas line from an existing bayonet fitting on the LH side of the caravan to a new bayonet fitting on the RH side of caravan in he was paid cash and left without issuing a Gas Compliance Certificate."

and then complaining about the work raised too many red flags for me.

biggles182 · Member

BarneyBDB

Seriously, havent you ever made a mistake? Get a Life

biggles182 · Member

Mein

In reply I provide the following:

1. In the edited and copied letter from the VBA, 'biggles182' is referred to as Mr X.

Thats correct

2. The edited and copied letter from the VBA incorporates the commentary, "The Caravan LPG fitting supply line was then tested using a gas manometer with Mr X being present at the time of testing. The manometer was left under test in excess of fifteen minutes with no leaks, it was removed, and the test point resealed."

A 15 minute leak test using a manometer in the presence of the O.P. with no leaks detected!!!

What's the OPs response to this commentary?

Of course, I was present when the plumber purportedly carried out leak testing the caravan Gas System as it was carried out at my home and is totally irrelevant as I was not involved in the testing procedure and I have no idea what a manometer is or how it functions or how it is used and to imply that my presence is verification of no Gas Leak is ludicrous.

3. The gas line was modified in November 2023. The caravan's gas system wasn't turned on until April 2024 at which time a leak was detected.

This statement is incorrect what I wrote was:

The Gas system was turned not on until March 2024

Why was there a 5 month gap between the gas line modification and the caravan's gas system being turned on? What circumstances / conditions was the caravan subjected to during the 5 month gap?

I do not leave the gas turned on when the van is not in use or while travelling and after the gas leak was discovered I was attempting to have the plumber rectify his faulty work as any reputable tradesman would to avoid having to pay another plumber.

4. The posted photos indicate that the gas line is attached to the underside of the caravan's floor, which basically means that the line is in the open air. On a caravan with 2 gas bottles mounted on the drawbar, I became aware that the regulator was leaking only because one bottle emptied much faster than normal. I never smelled a gas leak.

Correct the line is open to the air and under the caravan is totally different to a regulator mounted on the drawbar, in this case due to the confined caravan storage area and the severity of the leak the smell of gas was obvious.

5. PRIOR to testing the gas fitting with soapy water and a naked flame, what circumstances / conditions caused the OP to suspect there was a gas leak?

Due to and A/C failure in the house 10^th March 2024 and very hot weather we spent time in the caravan and as we were using the appliances the gas was turned on, it was at this time the smell of gas became evident.

6. The photo of the damaged gas line shows damage that could be attributed to over-tightening of the gas fitting.

If you look at photos 2 & 3 you will see a gap at the bottom between the flare nut and the copper line. Due to the height difference between the floor of the caravan and the flare nut the flare on the copper pipe was damaged when the plumber fastened the copper line to the floor.

Did the OP, or any other person, check the 'tightness' and / or re-tighten the gas fittings between November 2023 and April 2024.

No

In consideration of ALL of the above points / factors, I understand why the VBA did not find fault on the part of the plumber.

Thats correct and how could the VBA without an inspection.

In relation to the plumber not issuing a compliance certificate I suggest you read this;

https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/home-renovation-essentials/plumbing-compliance-certificates

You have seen the photos and how intense the Gas was and I ask:

1. Would you like to be in a caravan park next to a caravan with like this?

2. Why are you looking to defend the VBA and the plumber?

3. Are you a plumber?

IMO this is a serious OH&S issue as Gas is a Silent Killer or a Big Bang associated with Fire and for anyone to treat this matter lightly is Insane.

BarneyBDB · Senior Member

biggles182 wrote:

BarneyBDB
Seriously, havent you ever made a mistake? Get a Life

My reply was not related to your typo but to the fact you opted to pay cash then not ask for a compliance certificate raising red flags...

biggles182 · Member

The last time I looked cash was legal tender and I did ask for a compliance certificate on more than one occasion but it is evident by the caravan details he failed to obtain when he carried out the work, he had no intention of providing a compliance certificate or rectifying the gas leak.

The Plumbers response to my request:

Hi Brett
You forgot to give us a gas compliant certificate.
Regards
Bryan
Hi Brett
Please provide a gas compliant certificate for the work you carried out on our caravan.
Bryan
No worries Bryan its $ 120.00 plus gst just send me your email and Ill send an account Ill will also need pictures of the van and gas appliances including the van compliance plate cheers
The conversation regarding the gas complaint certificate we had when you we doing the work was the front had to be altered to comply and you would issue the certificate.
There was no mention of additional cost it was all included.

Before I pay for the certificate you need to rectify the gas leak at the isolation valve you fitted prior to the bayonet fitting.
Brett
Do you intend to rectify the gas leak in your work on our caravan?

The VBA regulations state in part:

A licensed plumber is required to lodge a compliance certificate with the VBA within five days of completing any work that has a total value of $750 or more and the total for the work completed by the plumber was in excess of $750.00.

FYI;

https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/home-renovation-essentials/plumbing-compliance-certificates

NOTE. The alterations to the front was part of the work carried out by the plumber to ensure the gas system complied.