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.

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?

If you absolutely check that the bayonet fitting has totally cut the supply
and there is no smell of gas afterwards, then you should be OK for short
supervised periods when you are in the house, such as to do the job in
question. When I got my tame CORGI (Hi John!) to connect my bayonet, I
ensured that he installed an isolating lever valve at the same time to cover
the outlet. Therefore, I can be somewhat more confident when removing the
cooker, even for long periods when I might not be present. It is good for
holidays, too, even when the cooker is connected. There can be no more "did
I leave the cooker on" when you are 100 miles down the motorway when you can
remember an unusual event such as turning off a lever valve, even if it does
confuse the wife shortly after your return.

Christian.

In message , rrh
writes
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.

Well the bayonet fitting should cut off the gas when it's opened. To be
sure, you could turn off the gas at the mains and then do it

At the end of the day, it's up to you as to whether you feel competent
to do it. Nobody can make that decision for you

--
geoff

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