testing for gas leaks using a bubble tester

[Chewbacka]

19 hours ago, nottheone said:

The op stated he was asked to light the cooker, does that mean the oven or the smallest ring on the hob ? Would this matter and if not why would the guidelines say small burner / pilot light ? An oven would use many times more gas than a pilot light.  Also what is the problem with metric pipe  ? As far as I can see nothing in the BSS says you cant use it or am I wrong  ? 

Bubble tester

It suggests a small burner/pilot light as when the bubble tester button is pressed all the gas flows through the small ‘tube’ dipped in the fluid, severely restricting the flow which might prevent a large burner from lighting, or possibly the large number of big bubbles might force an over full test fluid out of the test chamber up into the gas pipes.  Neither is wise.  So just enough flow for a steady stream of little bubbles to show the tester does test.  -  I light the smallest ring, wait for the ffd to activate then turn the ring to it’s lowest setting, then press the bubble tester button to ‘test the tester’.  Then turn off the ring, and use the tester to check for leaks.  

Metric pipe

The Regs used to require ‘thick’ wall thickness pipes, which was not easily available in metric, but imperial pipe complied, so as a ‘rule of thumb’ imperial pipe was specified.  However so long as the min wall thickness is achieved (from memory they reduced the requirement so standard metric pipe now complies) metric is ok.

Edited January 10, 2023 by Chewbacka

[Alan de Enfield]

18 minutes ago, Chewbacka said:

However so long as the min wall thickness is achieved (from memory they reduced the requirement so standard metric pipe now complies) metric is ok

 

 

Indeed -  it made a mockery if C&RT (BSS) insisted on differing sizes to the RCD so the BSS was amended to fall inline with the RCD,

[SLC]

I have seen a clamp which goes over the tester to hold it down. Instead of using your fingers to hold the top down, the clamp does it. This means you can focus on or film the window using a camera to look for the bubbles. Two minutes is a long time in a small space especially when you reach a certain age!

Question. Where can you get these?

[PeterF]

4 hours ago, SLC said:

I have seen a clamp which goes over the tester to hold it down. Instead of using your fingers to hold the top down, the clamp does it. This means you can focus on or film the window using a camera to look for the bubbles. Two minutes is a long time in a small space especially when you reach a certain age!

Question. Where can you get these?

I use one of these small quick grip clamps to do mine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313561278033

[SLC]

Probably not enough room PeterF! Good idea though.

[blackrose]

On 02/05/2024 at 15:12, SLC said:

Two minutes is a long time in a small space especially when you reach a certain age!

Question. Where can you get these?

 

How did it get to 2 mins? I thought the recommended OEM test time was originally 15 seconds. I once found a leak after about 40 secs so I test for a full minute now. I think 2 mins might be a bit over the top.

[SLC]

I found a document entitled "Supporting Information Appendices for BSS Procedures, Processes & Checks" and depending upon the tester installed and when it was made (2008), it specifies fitting a clamp, hence my question, and waiting 2 minutes. If you have 4 or less bubbles it is a pass.

Anyhow, our BSS examiner carried out the test as per procedures, waited 2 minutes, there were no bubbles and we passed.

I would attach the document but it is greater than 4Mb. However the title can be googled.

[notts_alan]

I have just had mine done , I had to hold the gas on for 10 seconds to establish bubbles but did not light the ring. Then 2 mins test.