Light Switch Causes Gas Explosion. Landlords Take Note.

I wonder how easy it will be to trace whoever did the gas works - after all a leak test by pressure drop is pretty much standard, and not doing after a major refit of pipework  it would appear to be be negligent.

I assume the property management company that organised the works would normally be the first port of call, if they were not already bankrupt.

it does not help the poor chap who was burnt of course, but I suspect that no-one will appear to be fully liable.

As I read it there was not a gas leak in the flat he had rented and lived in, so if he had been provided with a copy of a gas safety certificate stating his flat was safe and had been tested it would not have made any difference as the dangerous pipework was in other parts of the building. Back in the kitchen fitting days I had a couple of gas fitters get uppitity, because they said they don't certify disconnecting pipework, but alterations to pipework are certifiable.


Over the last couple of years I have been paid to drive considerable distances just to disconnect electrical circuits, I don't issue a certificate for the disconnection, but I do take photos and keep them, showing the circuit disconnected and made safe at both ends, rather than being left live and taped up within a wall.


If there was a gas explosion in a house or flat adjacent to where you live and you were severely injured I am sure you would sue the neighbours.


Andy B.

Re: Light Switch Causes Gas Explosion. Landlords Take Note.

 

Shouldn't that read: Gas leak causes Gas Explosion?


There was nothing wrong with the light switch.


regards

I wonder how easy it will be to trace whoever did the gas works

It does seem odd that there's no mention of the gas fitter in the story. I wonder if there's been something odd going on - e.g. builder told that the old gas pipes are disused so chops through it/hammers it flat or whatever when it happens to be in the way of something new (not illegitimate), meanwhile gas fitter connects his new installation to an existing gas supply, tests & certifies his work & connection but not the upstream pipework nor branches therefrom  (probably not illegitimate either). So the buck floats up a level in the hierarchy...


   - Andy.

My take from this is the insurers will likely be paying out. Looks like the suit against the landlord isn't malicious but just the legally best way to go. She was fine with stuff being left behind provided it WAS NOT LIVE.... (emphasis mine). These provisions were not adhered to.


We frequently abandon cables where it's not reasonable to physically remove them during a rewire,  I usually mark them with where they used to go (sharpie on a piece of white insul. tape, i found such a label a few years back and thanked the likely long retired electrician and noted the technique)


So her attitude seems reasonable to me. It's the fact that the company who are actually at fault is now dissolved that's the issue here