We can’t deny that we are living in the digital age, where fax machines are considered antique items and landline telephones are mostly a thing of the past.
Tasks and processes that are conventionally carried out with pen and paper are now being digitalized, not only to save paper, but also to save time and other valuable resources.
The South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC) has recently introduced an electronic Certificate of Conformity (COC) system for the gas industry.
According to The Pressure Equipment Regulations, every gas installation in South African homes or businesses must be assigned a COC once the installation is complete. Additionally, upon repair and maintenance of gas installations, a COC should also be issued.
This includes installations for:
As it currently stands, gas installation technicians and practitioners make use of a COC book which is filled out on site and issued immediately after completing the installation, repair and/or maintenance.
The purpose of a COC is to document and confirm compliance for each gas installation that has been completed. However, there are some potential risks involved with paper versions of gas compliance certificates.
Firstly, these certificates are issued to home or business owners and often get lost along the way. In these cases, a gas technician will have to either provide a copy of the certificate, or a new inspection will have to take place and the necessary costs involved will be incurred.
Secondly, the gas industry has seen a significant increase in fraudulent COC documents. A forged COC means that the installation is likely not compliant with the necessary safety standards making it a dangerous situation.
Gas installations that are not compliant or generally installed incorrectly and have not been well-maintained. This is a direct safety hazard for anyone who lives or works in the building. Gas is combustible and extremely dangerous when not installed, stored, handled, and maintained correctly.
There are several specific requirements that gas installations must meet in order to be awarded a certificate of compliance.
Most of these requirements serve to protect the user from potential harm.
Click here to find out more about gas COC requirements.
To replace the COC book, each gas practitioner will be given access to a personalised digital system which will allow them to complete the electronic COC before sending it to the owner or end user.
As usual, this may only be done once the installation, inspection, repair or maintenance has been carried out according to regulations, and the practitioner is satisfied with the installation.
The electronic system will automatically send SAQCC a digital copy of the completed COC for their own record keeping.
Our registered gas technicians are experts in their field and have been trained to carry out gas installations of the highest standard.
We make sure that your gas installation meets all the necessary regulations, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.
For more information about our gas services, or to request a gas inspection in Cape Town, please feel free to contact us.
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