Gas Installation Technology

Introduction xi
 
Acknowledgements xiii
 
1 The Gas Industry 1
 
The Gas Industry 1
 
Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Individual Gas Fitting Operatives (ACS) 4
 
Required ACS Assessments and Flowcharts 9
 
Legislation Affecting Gas Operatives 10
 
Specific Legislation Affecting Gas Operatives 15
 
Industry Documents and British Standards 17
 
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 21
 
The Future of Gas 24
 
2 Gas Utilisation 27
 
Gas: Its Origin 27
 
Characteristics and Properties of Gases 29
 
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) 33
 
The Combustion Process 34
 
Air Requirements for Combustion 37
 
Products of Combustion 39
 
The Gas Flame 41
 
Flame Pattern and Characteristics 44
 
Atmospheric Burners 46
 
Pre-mix Burners 48
 
Gas Pressure and Flow 50
 
Gas Pressure Readings 52
 
Quick Reference Guide to Taking Pressures 54
 
Estimating a Suitable Pipe Size 56
 
Domestic Natural Gas Pipe Sizing 58
 
Domestic LPG Pipe Sizing 62
 
Commercial Natural Gas Pipe Sizing 67
 
Gas Rates and Heat Input 69
 
Electronic and Smart Meters 72
 
Quick Reference Tables: Gas Rate/Heat Input 73
 
The Physical Laws Relating to Gas 76
 
Measurement of Gas 78
 
3 Gas Controls 87
 
Quarter Turn Gas Control Valves 87
 
Screw Down Gas Control Valves 90
 
Valve Application 93
 
Spring-loaded Gas Control Valves 94
 
Electrically Operated Gas Control Valves 96
 
Heat-operated Gas Control Valves 98
 
Pressure-operated Controls Valves 100
 
Low- and High-pressure Cut-off Devices 102
 
Pressure Regulators 105
 
LPG Regulators 108
 
Flame Supervision Devices 113
 
Testing Flame Supervision Devices 120
 
Thermostatic Control 120
 
Multi-functional Gas

Andrew S. Burcham is an Engineering Technician Member of The Institution of Gas Engineers. He has over 40 years of experience in the gas industry, starting as an apprentice Gas Service Engineer with British Gas in 1981. He worked for British Gas for 25 years, later becoming an assessor and trainer. In 2006, he left British Gas and worked as a self-employed heating engineer while also assessing ACS programs at colleges. Since 2014, Andrew has been the ACS Centre Manager at Colchester Institute, delivering training and assessment programs for plumbing and heating engineers. His depth of knowledge and hands-on experience make him an invaluable resource.
 
Stephen J. Denney is a highly respected tutor and assessor in the gas industry, bringing over 30 years of invaluable experience. After graduating as an award-winning plumbing student in 1991, he established a successful business in mechanical services. In 2014, Stephen became a full-time lecturer and assessor and currently holds a pivotal role at Colchester Institute's Gas and Utilities Department. In this position, he oversees quality assurance and develops industry courses, equipping professionals with essential skills for success in the gas industry. His extensive practical experience, combined with his role as an assessor, enables him to provide valuable insights and real-world perspectives to professionals in the gas and utilities sector.