The dangers of employing unqualified and inept…

I enjoyed reading the Gas Installer magazine, yesterday.   I enjoyed it because I was eating chips in the Dalby Cafe at the same time!  There was a full page about the baby-scalding case (my blog ,11 Jan). The article stated the obvious: unqualified and inept people tampering with the plumbing could be dangerous.  

I quote in full from the Institute of Plumbers:   http://www.iphe.org.uk/news/news.html#scald

The chief executive of The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE), Blane Judd, was deeply worried by the summing up of the Coroner in the Rhianna Hardie inquest.

“My fear is that by focusing purely on the failure of a particular type of thermostat many members of the public may be confused about the true causes of this catastrophe and the earlier one in 2002.  The facts are that the cold water storage cistern was incorrectly installed and not supported over its full diameter, this in conjunction with the thermostat failure was the reason that the cistern split and boiling water cascaded through the ceiling of baby Rhianna’s bedroom.

“The concern is that due to the use of unqualified plumbing and heating engineers there are many more incorrectly installed cisterns which may remain unchecked as people are being advised to check their thermostat.

“As the standard setting and professional body for the plumbing and heating industry, we provided advice to the government and informed our members immediately on the problem arising from the older style thermostats and inadequate support of the cold water storage cistern.

“What makes me so angry is that cases like this and similar tragedies will continue to happen because the unqualified and inept are allowed into people’s homes to carry out plumbing and heating jobs. The public need to be sure that the people they use to check their systems are professionally qualified and up-to-date.”

The tanks in the roof space have a limited life span and need to be replaced, periodically.  They are designed to cope with boiling water, even though that is not their purpose in life.

I have to say, again, that these are the sort of things that may be neglected when customers opt for tradesmen who offer a half price service. 

Half-price will often make sure you get your heating and hot water.

The going rate charged by reputable firms will make sure you get your heating and hot water AND that it is correctly installed AND that it meets current regulations.  AND you are paying someone who will be aware of the potential dangers and who will take those into consideration. 

A reputable tradesman who knows his stuff will advise you of anything dangerous that he sees in your house.  Even if it is not part of the job he is doing.  Even if he has just come to give you a quote!

Half price man – probably would not recognise dangers unless they were clearly labelled!