Gas Safety
Gas Safety
Why do gas appliances need to be correctly installed and maintained?
Do gas installers and engineers need to be registered?
Who is responsible for regulating domestic gas safety?
I am a tenant - what do I need to know?
I am a landlord - what should I do?
More information about the Gas Safe Register
Gas appliances must be correctly installed and maintained to ensure they work safely. Appliances which do not work correctly can produce carbon monoxide which is poisonous, but has no colour, smell or taste and is therefore highly dangerous. All gas installations in domestic premises must be installed or serviced by an engineer who is registered with the "Gas Safe RegisterTM".
The Gas Safe RegisterTM" is the registration scheme for gas installers from 1stApril 2009, prior to this installations and servicing of gas products was conducted by registered members of CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers.
The new gas safety brand is held by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), on behalf of gas installers, and will be used by the provider for the duration of the contract, and will be available to whoever runs the registration scheme in the future. The new brand will focus exclusively on gas safety.
The HSE is responsible for regulating domestic gas safety in Great Britainand does this largely through the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998; however the Local Authority may also take action under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if:
- your gas appliance was poorly installed;
- your gas appliance is not working properly;
- your gas appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly;
- there is not enough fresh air in the room;
- your chimney or flue gets blocked up;
- a non- "Gas Safe RegisterTM" engineer installs or maintains your appliance
If you rent a property your landlord must ensure that:-
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An annual safety check is carried out on each gas appliance, e.g. the Boiler and cooker by a "Gas Safe RegisterTM"registered installer. - Gas fittings (inc. appliances and pipework) and flues are maintained in a safe condition.
- A Safety check has been carried out within one year of the start of your tenancy unless the appliance has been installed for less than 12 months.
- You are provided with a copy of the current safety check certificate within 28 days of the check being completed.
- Note that the Certificate from 1st April 2009may still be on CORGI-headed paper but may also be on an unfixed-format certificate produced by the individual Gas Safe RegisterTMContractor or a generic Certificate.
- Ensure that any contractor who comes to check or service your gas appliance is registered with the scheme - ask for their membership card.
Remember: your landlord has a legal duty to ensure annual gas safety checks are carried out and non compliance is an offence.
If your landlord has not provided you with a current valid gas certificate you can contact a Housing Officer at the Council to seek further advise and assistance.
You can obtain further information regarding Gas Safety by going to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/index.htm.
Further information on Gas Safety can be obtained from the "Gas Safe RegisterTM" at http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
As a landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 specifically deal with the duties of landlords to ensure that gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants' use are safe.
Under the above Regulations you are required to ensure the following:-
An annual safety check is carried out on each gas appliance in your property by a "Gas Safe RegisterTM"registered installer.
-
Gas fittings (inc. appliances and pipework) and flues are maintained in a safe condition.
- All installation, maintenance and safety checks are carried out by a "Gas Safe RegisterTM" Registered Installer
- A Safety check must be carried out within one year of the start of a new tenancy unless the appliance has been installed for less than 12 months.
- Any existing tenants are provided with a copy of the current safety check certificate within 28 days of the check being completed.
- Any new tenants are provided with a copy of the gas safety check certificate before moving in.
- Note that the Certificate from 1st April 2009may still be on CORGI -headed paper but may also be on an unfixed-format certificate produced by the individual Gas Safe RegisterTMContractor or a generic Certificate.
- Ensure that any contractor who comes to check or service your gas appliance is registered with the scheme - ask for their membership card.
Remember: As a landlord you have a legal duty to ensure annual gas safety checks are carried out and non compliance is an offence.
You can obtain further information regarding Gas Safety by going to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/landlords/index.htm or downloading HSE's leaflet: 'A guide to landlords duties'.
Further information on Gas Safety can be obtained from the "Gas Safe RegisterTM" at http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
The "Gas Safe RegisterTM" maintains a register of competent gas installers who are allowed to undertake work involving gas and gas appliances and this can be found at their website.
Devestation after a gas explosion at a house