The illegal gas fitter left the property ‘at risk’ as he did not commission the work
An illegal gas fitter has received a suspended jail sentence and community service. He installed a gas boiler at a property and then left the homeowners ‘at risk’ by not commissioning it.
52-year-old Mark Evans fitted the machine at the property on Denys Road, in Torquay.
The installer completed the installation but failed to commission the boiler. In addition, he didn’t leave any paperwork. He also failed to register the new gas boiler with the Local Authority. All three of these are legal requirements when fitting a new machine.
The homeowners were concerned about the installation. As a result, they contacted a Gas Safe Registered engineer to come out and inspect the installation.
With no way of knowing, the engineer who came to inspect the work was none other than Mark Evans’ brother. He voiced his concerns to the homeowners regarding the installation and asked them to contact the Gas Safe Register.
A Gas Safe Registered inspector checked out the work afterwards. He deemed the installation of the new boiler as ‘At Risk’, meaning there was risk to life for the homeowners.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation
Mr Evans, from Sladnor Park Road, Torquay, accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty to two breaches of gas safety regulations.
The judge delivered an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years. On top of this, he was to do 100 hours of unpaid work. He had to pay costs totalling £3,541.00 too.
“Mark Evans put lives at risk by undertaking gas work which he was neither qualified nor registered to undertake,” said Simon Jones, a HSE inspector.
Mr Jones also added that a gas boiler must be commissioned immediately. This makes sure everything is working perfectly and safely. However, Mr Evans did not carry out any checks and left knowing that the boiler hadn’t been commissioned. Essentially, the machine could have been dangerous for a period of time after installation.
Warm.co.uk only work with Gas Safe Registered engineers. Therefore, we assure you that fully qualified experts will handle boiler installations. Contact us to arrange a service.