Two men have been fined for illegally installing and commissioning a gas boiler at a house in Cornwall.

Michael Birch, 50, of Carpalla Road, Foxhole, St Austell pleaded guilty to breaches under Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and Section 3(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

He was fined £2,000 with £5,000 in costs.

Peter Hopper, 58, of Trevanion Road, Trewoon, St Austell pleaded guilty to a single offence under regulation 33(2) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

-- Advertisement --

He was fined £1,500 with £5,000 in costs.

Bodmin Magistrates' Court heard how Mr Birch fitted the boiler at the property in Edgecumbe Road, St Austell in June 2013.

However, after the homeowner watched a TV documentary on gas installations, they contacted Gas Safe Register who found the boiler flue was not fitted to the manufacturer's instructions and therefore could not have been properly commissioned for safety purposes.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Birch was not registered with Gas Safe, while Mr Hopper illegally commissioned the work, knowing fully that Mr Birch was not allowed to work on gas appliances.

HSE Inspector Simon Jones said: "This was a deliberate attempt to claim the work Mr Birch carried out was safe and legal.

"Both men tried to circumvent gas safety regulations which are there for the sole purpose of protecting the public. All work on gas appliances must be carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers to ensure proper safety standards are met."

(LM/CD)