Cowboy "tradesmen" / horror pics

[dj.]

Thanks for that George, it prompted me to look at the technical information on Speed-fit, the main type of plastic pipe-work I see in my locality.
They only give a 25 year warranty on their fittings & pipe-work, but more interestingly was their working pressures.

Quote

"Working temperatures and pressures:
Central heating:
Usual working temperature: 82°C.
Working temperature (maximum): 105°C.
Working pressure (maximum): 3 bar.
Speedfit fittings suitable for central heating systems can withstand maximum temperatures of 114°C, intermittently for short periods.

Cold water:
Usual working temperature: 20°C.
Working temperature (maximum): 20°C
Working pressure (maximum): 12 bar.

- Hot water:
Usual working temperature: 65°C.
Working temperature (maximum): 95°C.
Working pressure (maximum): 6 bar."


I was expecting to see higher working pressures if I`m honest.
Most combi boilers safety valves are set at 3 bar & in practice wont lift until system pressure is over 3 bar particularly on older boilers, which gives potential for fitting failure on an over pressurizing system.



Regards.


dj.

 

[George Sansom]

Thanks for that George, it prompted me to look at the technical information on Speed-fit, the main type of plastic pipe-work I see in my locality.
They only give a 25 year warranty on their fittings & pipe-work, but more interestingly was their working pressures.

Quote

"Working temperatures and pressures:
Central heating:
Usual working temperature: 82°C.
Working temperature (maximum): 105°C.
Working pressure (maximum): 3 bar.
Speedfit fittings suitable for central heating systems can withstand maximum temperatures of 114°C, intermittently for short periods.

Cold water:
Usual working temperature: 20°C.
Working temperature (maximum): 20°C
Working pressure (maximum): 12 bar.

- Hot water:
Usual working temperature: 65°C.
Working temperature (maximum): 95°C.
Working pressure (maximum): 6 bar."


I was expecting to see higher working pressures if I`m honest.
Most combi boilers safety valves are set at 3 bar & in practice wont lift until system pressure is over 3 bar particularly on older boilers, which gives potential for fitting failure on an over pressurizing system.



Regards.


dj.

Hi dj

That's why I prefer Hep2O, 25 years longer guarantee and better workmanship IMO.

 

[KevinOKane]

This is ridiculous! I don’t think that an experienced water and gas plumber has done this. Even a neophyte in the business could easily tell that the job was haphazardly done and it could pose a lot of danger to the tenants. I am sure that with these kinds of photos, the contractor should do the refitting free of charge! Such work could pose a lot of danger and would even have inexplicable consequences.

 

[Lons]

This is ridiculous! I don’t think that an experienced water and gas plumber has done this. Even a neophyte in the business could easily tell that the job was haphazardly done and it could pose a lot of danger to the tenants. I am sure that with these kinds of photos, the contractor should do the refitting free of charge! Such work could pose a lot of danger and would even have inexplicable consequences.

Hi Kevin

The post is now 6 months old so well out of date now but I assure you that it's genuine and the works was definately carried out by experienced and registered gas fitters.
My brother lives in a local authority (council house) as a tennant and the works were part of a major program of improvements to hundreds of such houses. The problems are not uncommon and unfortunately often undiscovered as they are covered up by floorboards and carpets etc.
The reason for such poor and dangerous work, though totally unacceptable is that the authorities contract out the work to the lowest bidder and the companies who win the contracts will often cut corners because they have bid very low. Terrible practice as they are playing with peoples lives.

Where in NSW are you btw? I have a brother in Sydney and have been over a couple of times. Planning a visit again next summer probably.

cheers
Bob

 

[Hivenhoe]

What was the outcome?
This is all too common, local authority down here recently had major improvements done to their housing by outside contractors. Most of the materials and labour came from far outside the economic area, so little or no benefit to the greater local community: money taken out of the area! This included solar panels on roofs with no extre load bracing and kingspan type insulation to exterior walls covering all sorts of vents?

 

[Lons]

What was the outcome??

A major row!

Heavy meetings at his house with clerk of works from council and company along with the "tradesmen" involved and my brother demanded an independant inspection which he got and it was a pretty damning report.

Result was a complete renewal of all pipes to the correct specs and a written appology. This was followed by a number of inspections on other houses completed and as far as I know quite a lot of remedial work needed. The workers involved were sacked and the council threatened to revoke the contract. All new installations after that were inspected independantly I believe. The worry of course is that there are probably unsuspecting tennants with no idea their houses are likely to be potentially dangerous. Very short sighted of the local authority!

Bob

 

[flanajb]

They can't be Cowboys they must be certified. I rest my case!

 

[RogerS]

What was the outcome??

A major row!

Heavy meetings at his house with clerk of works from council and company along with the "tradesmen" involved and my brother demanded an independant inspection which he got and it was a pretty damning report.

Result was a complete renewal of all pipes to the correct specs and a written appology. This was followed by a number of inspections on other houses completed and as far as I know quite a lot of remedial work needed. The workers involved were sacked and the council threatened to revoke the contract. All new installations after that were inspected independantly I believe. The worry of course is that there are probably unsuspecting tennants with no idea their houses are likely to be potentially dangerous. Very short sighted of the local authority!

Bob

The LA person who awarded the contract should be sacked.

 

[Hivenhoe]

They can't be Cowboys they must be certified. I rest my case!

Need "certifying" more like!

LA least cost contract and approved contractors club, this is the standard they get.
This may have been awarded to one of its "approved contractors" and then sub'd out by the "AC"

 

[flanajb]

They can't be Cowboys they must be certified. I rest my case!

Need "certifying" more like!

LA least cost contract and approved contractors club, this is the standard they get.
This may have been awarded to one of its "approved contractors" and then sub'd out by the "AC"

No doubt. But my point is more related to the fact that certification means **** all and just because someone has a piece of paper does not mean they are competent to do the job. Where as a competent person who could do the job and would do a good job because it is in their nature, is unable to do so because they don't hold the magic piece of paper. Apologies for the digression.

Glad this did get sorted out though!

 

[Lons]

Actually, the gas fitter concerned was called to the meeting along with the electrician and when asked if they though this work was acceptable, both said yes - both were sacked.

As a matter of interest, the electrician was Eastern European who spoke excellent English, the gas fitter was Nigerian and hardly spoke a word :roll:

Bob