Gas Fitters
You might be wondering what a gas fitter does. It’s a very common profession in New Zealand, but it’s not necessarily one you’re familiar with unless you have gas heating or appliances in your home or have had any issues with a gas appliance.
The NZ Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board defines gas fitting as:
“Any work involved in installing, altering or repairing gas appliances including the fixing or unfixing of any gas pipes, ventilation or flue pipes, commissioning gas appliances and ensuring their safe operation (including the testing, setting, checking and adjusting of safety devices, combustion conditions and controls associated with the gas installation and ensuring there is adequate ventilation).”
When would you need a gas fitter in Auckland?
If you use natural gas or LPG/bottled gas as a form of power or heating in your home or in any rental properties that you own, you will at some point need the services of a gas fitter.
As certified gas fitters, the Sumich team is qualified and experienced to help you with a range of gas services:
- repairs or maintenance to gas appliances, fireplaces, flue
- gas hot water cylinder repairs, maintenance, replacements, installations
- repairs, maintenance or installation of instantaneous or continuous flow gas hot water systems
- renovations involving gas appliances, heating or hot water systems
- moving or relocating a gas appliance or fireplace
- installing any new gas appliance or heating system
- upgrading or replacing any gas appliance
- installing or repairing gas pipes
- gas detection
- regular gas safety inspections or gas safety checks
- pressure regulating systems
- as well as residential work, also any work on gas appliances on boats, caravans, holiday homes, motorhomes
- investigating any unusual smells around your gas appliances, gas heating or gas hot water system
- checking the gas appliances, heating or hot water systems of a property you’re considering purchasing – don’t assume a building inspection will cover this; it must be done by a certified gas fitter
Note, by law you don’t need to use a gas fitter for work on portable gas appliances which have the gas bottle attached, such as barbecues, cabinet heaters and patio heaters, although the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board strongly recommends that a gasfitter is used.
Can a plumber or electrician do gas fitting work?
No, not necessarily. These are three distinct professions and three different types of work requiring different experience, training and qualifications or certification.
What you will find, however, is that some plumbers are also trained and certified in gas fitting. They’ll hold a licence to do plumbing work and a licence to conduct gas fitting work. This is true for the team at Sumich Plumbing & Drainage. Some of our plumbers are also certified gas fitters.
How is gas fitting regulated in NZ?
By law in New Zealand, if you need a tradesperson to do any work on gas appliances, you must call in a certified gas fitter. Only a certified gas fitter can conduct maintenance, repair, installation or modification of gas appliances.
This includes connecting, fixing or unfixing any gas pipes, ventilation or flue pipes, commissioning gas appliances and ensuring their safe operation. Ensuring the safe operation includes testing, setting, checking and adjusting safety devices, combustion conditions and control associated with the gas installation and ensuring there is adequate ventilation.
Is gas safe?
When installed correctly and maintained regularly, gas appliances, heating and hot water systems are incredibly safe to use. Ensuring the safe installation and operation of gas appliances, gas heating and gas hot water systems keeps everyone healthy and safe.
You need a certified gas fitter, though, to install, maintain, repair or replace any appliances or systems in your home that use gas.
What can a gas fitter work on?
A gas fitter is experienced in working with a range of gas systems and appliances, including:
- Gas heaters
- Gas hot water cylinders
- Instantaneous or continuous flow gas hot water systems
- Gas kitchen appliances
- Gas fireplaces
- Gas safety inspections
- Gas pipes
The team at Sumich are registered members of the New Zealand Plumbers, Drainlayers & Gasfitters Association. We are skilled and certified in gas fitting, working with gas appliances and conducting gas safety inspections. Our work is heavily regulated to make sure the work we do is safe and managed responsibly.
To book a gas safety check for your property, or for any and all gas fitting work that you need done, please get in touch with the experienced and certified gas fitters at Sumich Plumbing & Drainage.
THE SUMICH DIFFERENCE
There are a number of plumbing and drainage companies in Auckland, so why choose Sumich?
Founded by owner-operator Chris Sumich in 1991, Sumich Plumbing & Drainage has one of the most experienced teams operating in Auckland. Our team has a combined experience of over 100 years and we’ve seen a comprehensive range of scenarios and solutions over the years. Clients trust us to give honest, transparent advice and service.
As registered members of the New Zealand Plumbers, Drainlayers & Gasfitters Association, we are professional, licensed Auckland plumbers for all of your plumbing, drain laying, gas fitting and heating needs. Give us a call to see how we can help.