It is important to understand that only Fixed Gas Appliances installed per the manufacturer's instructions will be warrantable. This includes the use of a qualified (registered) installer. Additionally, installing them in other ways may cause risk of fire and explosion that may cause damage to your property and void your insurance.
We take the safety and wellbeing of our customers very seriously. So, just as we are required only to sell Gas Appliances that have been approved for use in New Zealand, you as the purchaser are required to have them installed in a safe and proper manner, which requires the use of a registered Gas Installer.
This is part of New Zealand law, not just best practice (so you have a warranty). This is not new but has been a requirement since 2010 to meet the 'Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010'.
As per Worksafe:
Gasfitting is any work involved in installing fixed gas appliances, and most work involved in altering or repairing gas appliances including the fixing or unfixing of any gas pipes, ventilation or flue pipes, commissioning gas appliances and ensuring their safe operation (including the testing, setting, checking and adjusting of safety devices, combustion conditions and controls associated with the gas installation, and ensuring there is adequate ventilation).
Gasfitting includes work on appliances fitted to buildings, ships, boats, caravans, motorhomes, trains and any other vehicles, and also includes work on fixed appliances that are supplied by gas bottles of any size.
Gasfitting must be carried out by a person authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (the Board). These people can be certifying gasfitters; tradesman gasfitters or people otherwise authorised. Always ask to see a tradesperson’s authorisation card.
You should record the gasfitter's details (as we will ask for them) and ask them to certify the work and provide you with a certificate of compliance (this is all standard practice).
Don't cause a fire.
Unfortunately, we have seen more than a few installations where the customer had someone install the unit for them or did their own hook-up and created a fire that caused property damage. If installations do not use the supplied cabling and piping and/or the installer reconfigures where the feeds go into the unit, a small gas leak can cause a major issue.
A qualified Gas Fitter will test the installation before putting it into commission - removing concerns about gas leaks and potential fires from any very rare manufacturing issues.
If you have an installer wanting to change anything from standard, please ensure they are qualified to do so and prepared to warranty and back up their work should something go wrong. Ensure the installer is registered and has a current licence.
Portable Units - BBQs, Cookers, Califonts
Most portable units do not require a gasfitter. People who are not gasfitters are able to work on portable gas appliances which have the gas bottle attached such as barbecues, cabinet heaters and patio heaters, although WorkSafe (and ourselves) recommend that a gasfitter or person authorised by the appliance manufacturer or importer is still used.
It is important to note, that some portable califonts are actually permanently installed - i.e. mounted in a bach. If this is the case, it falls under the above requirements, requiring a gasfitter.
Check your Batteries!
A common issue we see, particularly with Gas Califonts - is dead or dying batteries. This can cause no operation, or, intermittent operation as the voltage on an old alkyline battery reduces. One of the first troubleshooting steps you should take is to replace the batteries with some good quality, fully charged batteries. It could save all of us some time and frustration as we get a unit back here, just to tell you there is nothing wrong with it.
What we will be asking for...
Should your unit exhibit any issues, we will ask for the installer's details and a copy of the certificate of compliance they should be providing you. Doing this protects the supplier, ourselves, and ultimately you - ensuring you have a safe product and installation. As you can appreciate, once products leave us, we have little control over how they are installed or used - so - compliance with New Zealand Law provides us all with a nice clear starting point.
Once this is checked off, we will do everything in our power to ensure a quick and efficient resolution to any product warranty issues you might have.
https://marinedeals.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/44001449141
Califont Maintainence
Everything requires a regular check to ensure it's working as it should. Califonts are no exception.
