What Do Gas Fitters Do?

Do you use gas in your home? Whether you’re installing or repairing gas appliances and gas lines, the services of a licensed gas fitter are of vital importance. Gas-related work anywhere in the country must be completed by a licensed contractor to ensure consumers’ safety and proper installation.

Take note that it is not legal for an inexperienced and untrained individual to attempt gas-related tasks. Doing so without any training or license is not only against the law but is also extremely unsafe. Learn what professional gas fitters do and why you should hire their services in today’s post.

What are gas fitters?

In simple terms, gas fitters are professionals who service natural gas appliances and fixtures. Their services include installing gas appliances or systems. These individuals may work in industrial, commercial, or residential areas.

When a new commercial property is constructed, the installation of a heating system may be needed. The services of gas fitters may also be required when a residential property owner needs help installing gas-run appliances. Other tasks that they regularly perform also include making repairs to gas-related appliances and systems.

Here is a quick rundown of the jobs that they are qualified to complete:

• Installing gas pipes, gas-run appliances, and associated equipment;
• Installing gas appliance flues, gas detection, and pressure regulating systems;
• Marking and measuring points where gas equipment will be installed;
• Testing pipes used for gas appliances;
• Reading and interpreting specifications, drawings, and plans;
• Installing LPG systems in boats and caravans;
• Completing gas appliance maintenance;
• Educating customers on how to operate and maintain gas appliances; and
• Maintaining pipes and ancillary equipment used for the safe operation of appliances.

What’s the difference between gas fitters and plumbers?

Things can get a little confusing when trying to differentiate the roles of plumbers and gas fitters. Perhaps you have seen various plumbing services that offer gas fitting and vice-versa. You need to be sure that you’re choosing a professional with the right qualifications to match your specific job.

Among their water pipe, drainage, and sewerage responsibilities, qualified and licenced plumbers in Australia are able to provide some gas-fitting services. These include disconnection, installation, repair, and maintenance of all gas pipes and fittings. A professional solely qualified as a gas fitter cannot undertake any plumbing work, but they are permitted to perform gas work, such as the repair, installation, and maintenance of wall ovens, cooktops, upright cookers and bayonetted points, and gas BBQs.

They are also licensed to convert BBQs to natural gas. Tradies across the country usually opt to begin with a plumbing apprenticeship and undertake the necessary courses to specialise in gas fitting. Others undergo a combined plumbing and gas fitting apprenticeship. There are numerous career pathways available to them, depending on their preferences and existing experience.

What are their roles and responsibilities?

As what you may have already gleaned from the above section, a gas fitter performs a variety of jobs. Here, we’ll list their duties and why their help is crucial in making your home a safer space for your family if you have issues with your gas system.

• They assess houses and building plans

  While house and building plans seem simple enough, there’s more to them than meets the eye. Spaces indicate floor space, lines indicate walls, and doors and frames are drawn in. Properly reading a house or building plan takes a lot of work and training.

  When a gas work involves tapping into a gas line, careful planning becomes imperative. The sketches of the plan should be interpreted and assessed carefully. This is not a task that any person can do.

  A person who has not undergone training may not be able to comprehend everything sketched down on a house plan. This is where a gas fitter comes into the picture. They are trained to read house and building plans and take the necessary steps to ensure that the gas appliances fit into one’s home properly and safely.

• They connect homes and buildings to gas lines

  One of the most important roles that gas fitters play is that they connect one’s home to the area’s gas lines. They make sure that you are supplied with the necessary amount of gas to perform your day-to-day routines, including cooking, regulating temperature, and heating. They also ensure the smooth operation of buildings.

  It’s worth emphasising that gas lines can be quite risky. This is because they carry natural gas, which is highly flammable. A professional gas fitter is well-trained to tap into these gas lines and help connect homes safely to them. But their work doesn’t end there as they also maintain a consistently safe and working gas line.

• They repair gas line-related appliances and equipment

  Gas-run appliances deal directly with volatile gases and substances. Gas fitters also do repair work for these appliances and equipment when they get damaged. From burners and gas regulators to gas metres, there is no equipment they can’t repair.

  For example, gas regulators deal directly with the main gas line. Any damage to them may affect how well the other gas appliances can function. Make sure you contact your local gas fitter as soon as you notice any damage to your gas regulator.

  Some visible signs of damage are a result of improper gas readings, mechanical problems, and failure to manually increase or decrease gas flow. A licensed gas fitter ensures that these don’t happen. Leaks need attention as soon as they are detected.

• They put up safety systems in place for detecting gas leaks

  When installing gas line-related appliances and equipment, they also install safety systems. These safety systems ensure that your property and family are safe from any untoward incidents resulting from faulty gas lines. With regard to gas-related concerns, you can trust that they’re in charge of the safety of your home or building.

Got any gas-related concerns?

Whether you need to install gas-run appliances and equipment or repair gas pipes, Gasman has got your back. We provide a wide range of services to help clients with the installation, repair, and maintenance of their gas appliances and pipes.

Contact our friendly team here at Gasman to learn more about our services.