Mr Wood,
Having read the article by Chris Caton from Ideal Commercial Boilers covering work in light commercial properties (HPM November 2016), I feel that I have to make the following points.
I have concerns that the article was somewhat misleading when it comes to carrying out light commercial gas work. Mr Caton states that domestic engineers can work on appliances up to 70Kw net, which is correct, but not the only criteria that has to be met to be classed as domestic. A domestic gas engineer registered with Gas Safe Register can only work on appliances up to 70Kw net if the gas system has a gas volume less than 0.035m³ with a flow rate up to 6³ per hour and the pipework is less than or equal to 35mm. This means that many larger houses and light commercial premises are in fact commercial and not domestic. The picture shown with the article has what appears to be a 2” steel gas supply going to the boiler. This will require gas engineers to have a commercial qualification and Gas Safe Registration in order to work on the gas system within the premises.
I feel that as a quality and industry leading magazine you should take steps to clarify this situation in order to stop domestic engineers falling foul of the current gas regulations.
Best Regards
Phil Garrett