$5,600 fine for illegal gasfitting in Auckland

For immediate release
16 October

$5,600 fine for illegal gasfitting in Auckland

An Auckland man has been convicted and fined $5,600 in the Waitakere District Court today for illegally carrying out gasfitting work.

Chen Hui (Kevin) Ye was not authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board to carry out gasfitting work at a home in Mt Wellington.

The gasfitting work involved connecting a gas cooker to the gas supply, and connection of a gas water heater to the gas supply.

The gasfitting work carried out by Mr Ye was defective.

A restraint or a stabilising bracket was not fitted to the gas cooker to prevent the gas cooker from accidently falling over or stressing the pipework . There was also no pressure regulator fitted to the cooker to eliminate the risk of overheating and fire.

The gas cooker was not commissioned to ensure safe start-up and operation, which could have resulted in significant injury to the occupants of the home or damage to the property.

Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are regulated industries in New Zealand and it is illegal for anyone to do this work unless they are authorised to do so by the Board. Mr Ye was not authorised to carry out the gasfitting work.

The Board’s Chief Executive, Max Pedersen said: “There are serious health and safety risks associated with work carried out by an unauthorised person. Any defective gasfitting work can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and explosions”.

Unlicensed gasfitters place consumers at risk. I hope this sentence will serve as a deterrent to other unlicensed gasfitters in New Zealand.“

“All authorised tradespeople are required to carry their current authorisation card. We urge consumers to ask tradespeople for this card before any work commences so that they can be assured that the work is being done by an authorised and competent tradesperson.”

If a homeowner or building inspector believes that work has been done by someone who is not authorised, or has concerns about the competency of tradespeople, they can make a complaint to the Board.

Mr Ye was sentenced in the Waitakere District Court on 16 October.

Meanwhile, another Auckland man has been convicted and fined $2,000 for fraudulently claiming to be a registered or licensed drainlayer. Aaron L’Estrange Corbet signed a producer statement using the details of a certifying registered drainlayer and submitted it to the Auckland City Council. Mr Corbet was also convicted and fined $1,500 for carrying out drainlaying work without an authorisation from the Board and ordered to pay Court costs of $130.

Terry King of Henderson was also convicted and fined $1,200 in the Waitakere District Court today. Mr King carried out sanitary plumbing work at a home in Henderson without authorisation from the Board. A complaint was made to the Board after the home owner experienced problems with the shower installed by Mr King and called on the services of another authorised plumber. He was also ordered to pay solicitor’s costs of $113 and Court costs of $130.

Ends

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