In today's construction and engineering landscape, compliance with safety and environmental regulations is crucial. For gas installers, ensuring that all gas installations meet the stringent requirements of British Standards (BS) and the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) is non-negotiable. Flexigas, with our innovative range of CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) systems, not only simplifies the process of gas installations but also provides peace of mind by helping installers easily comply with both environmental and safety regulations. In this blog, we will explore how Flexigas supports gas installers in adhering to these important standards in gas installations.
Gas installations in the UK are governed by a range of regulations and standards aimed at ensuring both safety and efficiency. Two key sets of guidelines are:
1. British Standards (BS) – BS 6891 specifically governs the installation of low-pressure gas pipework in domestic premises. It outlines requirements for safe installation practices, including pipe materials, sleeve usage, and safety testing.
2. IGEM Standards – The Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) provides best-practice guidelines, such as IGEM/UP/2 and IGEM/UP/3, which deal with gas pipe installations, focusing on elements like sleeving, system testing, and component durability.
Complying with these regulations can sometimes be a complex and time-consuming process. However, using the innovative CSST products from Flexigas can significantly simplify adherence to these regulations while maintaining high safety and environmental standards.
Safety is the cornerstone of all gas installations. Flexigas is designed with safety in mind, featuring patented technology and components that help installers comply with UK safety standards without additional effort. Here are some key ways in which Flexigas helps gas installers meet safety regulations:
1. Flexigas DS: Meeting Sleeving Requirements
The need to sleeve gas pipes when passing through walls, floors, and unventilated voids is an essential part of complying with BS 6891 and IGEM standards. Traditional copper or steel pipes often require additional sleeves to be installed on-site, a process that can increase installation time and complexity.
Flexigas DS is specifically designed to eliminate this need. With its double-layered, fire-rated construction, Flexigas DS can pass through all installation scenarios without the need for additional sleeving. This saves time on-site and ensures that the system complies with the sleeving requirements straight out of the box.
2. FG Bond: Simplifying Earth Bonding
Another important safety consideration is earth bonding for gas installations. Traditional methods require separate bonding clamps, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming to install. Flexigas’s FG Bond provides a patented, integrated solution that simplifies the process of earthing.
This not only speeds up the installation but also ensures compliance with safety regulations, such as BS 7671 (Wiring Regulations) and BS 951 (requirements for earthing tags). The integrated design eliminates the need for traditional clamps, making it easier for installers to meet regulatory requirements without compromising on safety.
3. Fire Resistance
Gas pipes installed in domestic or commercial properties must be able to withstand certain fire conditions, as outlined in EN 1775 Annex A & B. Flexigas has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its CSST systems meet fire safety standards, making it suitable for protected areas of installation. This added layer of safety ensures that Flexigas installations comply with relevant fire safety regulations, providing peace of mind for both installers and property owners.
As the construction industry increasingly shifts towards sustainability, gas installers are under more pressure to minimise environmental impact during gas installations. Traditional rigid gas pipe systems, like copper and steel, require extensive cutting, joining, and soldering, often leading to material waste and increased energy use. Flexigas offers an environmentally friendly alternative to gas installations.
1. Efficient Use of Materials
Flexigas's flexible gas pipe systems are designed to reduce material waste. With its ability to be installed in long, continuous runs, there is less need for joints and fittings, resulting in less material being used overall. Moreover, Flexigas can be easily cut to the exact length required, ensuring that no excess material goes to waste. In contrast, rigid pipes often result in offcuts that cannot be reused, adding to overall material waste.
2. Energy-Efficient Installations
The installation process for Flexigas requires no soldering or welding, both of which are energy-intensive processes. Traditional copper and steel gas installations often rely on these methods, increasing the carbon footprint of the project. Flexigas’s tool-free installation system reduces the environmental impact by minimising energy usage on-site.
3. Long-Lasting Durability
One of the key environmental benefits of Flexigas is its longevity. Made from stainless steel, Flexigas’s CSST is highly resistant to corrosion and wear, ensuring that our gas installations have a long lifespan. This reduces the need for repairs or replacements, cutting down on the environmental impact over the life cycle of the system. By choosing durable materials, installers contribute to sustainability by reducing the overall resource consumption and waste.
Regulations for gas pipe installations prioritise the prevention of gas leaks, which can have catastrophic consequences. Flexigas's flexible gas pipe systems, with our innovative fittings and secure seals, reduce the likelihood of gas leaks compared to traditional methods. Here’s how:
* Fewer Joints, Fewer Leak Points: Flexigas’s ability to bend around obstacles and create long runs of tubing means fewer fittings and joints are needed, reducing the number of potential leak points.
* Metal-to-Metal Seals: Flexigas uses a patented sealing method to create secure metal-to-metal seals in seconds, providing a more reliable connection than some traditional pipe materials that rely on sealants or gaskets.
By reducing the risk of gas leaks, Flexigas not only enhances safety but also ensures compliance with IGEM and BS standards related to system integrity and gas tightness.
When it comes to gas installations, safety and environmental considerations are paramount. Flexigas is designed to make it easier for installers to meet the strict requirements set out by British Standards and IGEM, while also contributing to more sustainable installation practices. Whether it's the all-in-one sleeving solution offered by Flexigas DS, the streamlined earth bonding provided by FG Bond, or the material efficiency of our CSST, Flexigas stands out as the superior choice for compliance and sustainability.
By choosing Flexigas, installers can be confident that their projects will not only meet regulatory requirements but also be safer, faster, and more environmentally friendly. Contact our team today to begin your Flexigas journey.