Lecrín Town Hall has issued a warning via social media about bogus gas fitters doing the rounds around the valley.

We have covered this kind of tricksters quite a few times over the years in the magazine but it’s worth explaining what to do and what not to do, if one comes knocking.

Firstly, there is no obligatory periodic gas inspection. However, somebody who calls at your door will either convince you that there is, or implies it without actually saying it.

Secondly, the Butano/Respsol office does not phone around announcing that they will be calling in for a routine check: they will only carry out such an inspection at your request; not visa versa.

What is happening is that many bogus and bona-fide gas companies are carrying out these inspections, calling at doors, flashing butano-like badges. The modus operandi is to say that the regulatory time has elapsed and you are now due for an inspection. They might simply say they are from Butano (which is not a company; the company is called Repsol-Butano). Saying that they are from Butano is misleading as it implies that they are from Repsol, however, any company can include the word ‘butano’ in its name.

Thirdly, nobody is entitled to enter your home without your consent, so you are not obligated to let such people through your door unless you wish to. If you do let them through your door then they are entitled to charge you for the inspection, as inviting them in implies that you conform to the inspection.

Fourthly, people have been receiving calls claiming to be from ‘Butano’ saying that they will be calling round for an inspection. This is false. Repsol-Butano S.A., does not do this.

The fact is that Repsol-Butano does not have a monopoly on gas-installation inspections and private companies can carry them out, which is why we said before that there are bogus and bona-fide companies, but whereas they are licensed to carry out inspections and sort out your deficiencies, it can only – repeat, ‘only’ – be at your request. If you are worried about your installations, phone Repsol-Butano S.A. for them to come around.

Up here in the valley, you can either use Repsol/Butano or Cepsa. You can request an inspection via their website or phone them on 664 43 28 50. They are situated in Albolote.

And then there are out-and-out thieves who masquerade as gasfitters and work in pairs. Once inside, one keeps the victim (normally an elderly person) occuppied whilst the other one goes through drawers in bedrooms looking for jewellery.

Of course it is a good and wise thing to have checks carried out, as installations deteriorate – at the end of the day, it is your personal safety that is at risk. Quite apart from your life being at risk, you would be responsible for any damage and/or injuries incurred by third parties. Therefore, it is your responsibility and decision. If you ask somebody to come around, get a quote on how much this service costs first, as well as a separate quote for how much putting things right will cost.

Lastly, here are some points on what to look for in your gas installations. Rubber piping cannot be longer that 1.5 metres; for greater lengths, metal piping should be used. In the kitchen, by law, you must have ceiling and floor-level ventilation ducts. Whereas rubber piping has an end-of-life date, the gas-bottle, valve-attachment does not, I believe, and should be replaced according to its continued correct functioning.

(News: Valle de Lecrin, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Gasfitters, Bogus, Repsol/Butano, Thieves, Inspections