On Sun, 30 May 2004 19:13:19 +0100, rrh wrote:

Sorry, this is probably an old chestnut, but googling the group doesn't give
me the answer.

Once a CORGI person has connected up a gas cooker with the usual flexible
hose into bayonet fitting, is it sensible for the average DIYer to
occasionally disconnect it in order to move the cooker out - eg to fit new
flooring - then push it back in and connect it up again? I know it's not
illegal to do it for oneself but that's not my point; I don't feel competent
to do any gas work whatsoever myself and don't want to do even this simple
thing if there is a safety risk I might not be able to spot or fix.

On the other hand if this apparent no-brainer really is OK then I don't want
to waste a hundred nicker (going rate here in sunny Norf London) on getting
a CORGI bod in for a five minute job.

I beleive the intention of the bayonet connector it provide a means of
disconnecting the supply for the user to remove the cooker temporarily for
cleaning etc.

The analogy with electricity is the difference between _using_ a
plug/socket and installing a socket.

I have been called in occasionally to disconnect cookers where the
connector has become very stiff through disuse. Generally IME the bayonet
connectors are quite reliable although I did find one that leaked a
little. Evenso if the cooker is being 'permanently' disconnected then
replacing the bayonet outlet with a plugged pipe is better.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html