Legal
Fit for purpose
Now that CORGI is no longer with us, how can specifiers
of gas appliances ensure that these are being fitted safely?
Hywel Davies explains the new accreditation scheme
O
n 1 April 2009 the Gas Safe Register and their family at risk; and they may also be liable in
replaced CORGI as the approved a civil court if there is an accident and others suffer
scheme for gas installers in Great Britain loss. In addition, a gas safety check must be carried
and the Isle of Man under the ‘Gas out annually.
Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998’. Landlords must issue a gas safety certificate to each
These state that “no person shall carry out any work of their tenants within 28 days
in relation to a gas fitting or gas storage vessel unless of the check being completed
he is competent to do so”. That competence is based and to any new tenants before
Consultants and
on belonging to a scheme approved by the Health they move in. Records must
and Safety Executive (HSE). Gas Safe is now the only be kept for at least two years. contractors need
approved scheme for gas technicians. Landlords must also show
to understand the new
While most gas work is in domestic premises, tenants how to turn off the gas
this change affects anyone procuring gas work. supply in the event of a gas rules, as they have duties
Consultants and contractors need to understand the leak.
under the health
new rules, as they have duties under the Health and Employers or the self-
Safety at Work etc Act when appointing anyone to employed have duties under and safety
undertake gas work. It is also particularly relevant health and safety law when
legislation.
to residential landlords who must, by law, have gas engaging someone to work on
appliances in flats and lodgings inspected. gas fittings. In the event of a
With some 40 people a year killed or injured in gas-related incident, the HSE will look at the checks
gas explosions, and 14 people dying from carbon made by the employer to ensure that the work was
monoxide (CO) poisoning in 2008 due to badly being carried out by someone legally competent to
installed, repaired and maintained gas appliances, do so.
this is a matter of life and death. Everyone engaged in the procurement of gas-
To check that a Gas Safe
The regulations require that anyone employed related work needs to be familiar with the rules,
fitter’s ID card is genuine,
to work on any gas fitting be a Gas Safe-registered ready to use the new facilities for checking technician
and the holder competent in
technician. The term ‘gas fitting’ covers gas pipework, qualifications and, if need be, use the facility on the the areas claimed, go to www.
valves, regulators and meters, and any other fittings, Gas Safe Register website to report anyone working
gassaferegister.co.uk/help/
apparatus and appliances designed for use by illegally.
check_an_engineer.aspx and
enter the ID card number,
consumers of gas for heating, including portable In addition, the HSE strongly recommends the use
or call 0800 408 5500 for a
heaters, lighting, cooking or other non-industrial of carbon monoxide alarms to detect the presence of
check.
purposes. the highly toxic gas, which can be produced by gas
The Gas Safety (Installation
All Gas Safe-registered technicians have ID cards appliances. On average 25 people a year die from
and Use) Regulations 1998,
confirming their registration and show which fittings carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and many more
Statutory Instrument (or SI)
and appliances they are qualified to work on. suffer health problems from CO exposure directly No. 2451, can be downloaded
The Gas Safe Register has routine monitoring related to gas.
from
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/
procedures for those registered, and for investigating Alarms should comply with BS EN 50291 and
si1998/19982451.htm
complaints over gas work. Anyone can nominate carry a British or European approval mark. But such Visit the Gas Safe
work done for them for inspection via the Gas Safe alarms are not a substitute for regular maintenance
Register website at www.
website. and safety checks. l
gassaferegister.co.uk .
There is a separate site
It is not an offence for a householder to engage
an unregistered technician to work on their own
Hywel Davies is technical director of CIBSE
for technicians, https://
technical@cibse.com
engineers.gassaferegister.
appliances, although they may be putting themselves
co.uk
28 CIBSE Journal June 2009
www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEjun09 pp28 legal.indd 28 29/5/09 12:21:53
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