Why choosing a Gas Safe engineer is so important

September 14, 2021

We all know that gas can be dangerous, and so choosing a Gas Safe registered engineer is important to make sure that any gas work carried out in your home is done so legally and safely. In today’s blog we want to explain why choosing a qualified engineer to work on your heating is so important.

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We all know that gas can be dangerous. So its vital that you choose a Gas Safe engineer to ensure your gas work is carried out legally and safely.

Rest assured that engineers at The Heating People are Gas Safe registered for working on gas.

Your safety is of paramount importance to us. So, in today’s blog we want to explain why choosing a qualified engineer is vital.

Not just to keep you and your family safe, but to keep your boiler running smoothly too.

What are the risks of having unsafe gas appliances at home?

If you have any gas appliances in your home; so it’s essential to have them checked once a year by a Gas Safe engineer to keep them safe.

If any of your appliances are improperly fitted; repaired; or maintained; or any of their vents; flues; or chimneys have become blocked, they can pose three main risks to life:

Gas leaks

A gas leak can cause fires or explosions. So, if you think you can smell gas, then you’ll need to call your emergency service provider immediately.

During a gas safety check; a Gas Safe registered engineer will do a visual inspection of pipework; and a tightness test to confirm there aren’t any gas leaks.

Fires and explosions

Safe appliances burn gas in a controlled way. But faulty appliances or pipework can potentially leak gas. If ignited, this causese fires and explosions.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

If any of your gas appliances aren’t burning their fuel as they should; they can produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO).

Exposure to this gas can lead to death; and it’s especially dangerous because you can’t see, taste or smell it.

Thankfully you can avoid all of these dangers, by making sure that you have a gas safety check once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What is Gas Safe?

The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses, who can work safely and legally on boilers; cookers; fires; and all other gas appliances.

It’s the only official gas registration body of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

It’s a legal requirement that gas engineers are listed on the Gas Safe Register.

The Gas Safe Register issues licenses for engineers to undertake gas work on behalf of a registered business. They must evidence competency through valid and current qualifications.

Is Gas Safe different to CORGI?

‘CORGI’ no longer exists. Because it was replaced by The Gas Safe Register on the 1st of April 2010. So, The Gas Safe Register is the only gas registration body in Great Britain and the Isle of Man.

What does the law say about Gas Safe?

Only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally fit, fix, and service gas appliances. This requirement ensures that engineers who are working on gas hold valid and current qualifications.

Rest assured, our engineers are Gas Safe registered.

What does the Gas Safe Register do?

The Health and Safety Authority for each region operates the Gas Safe Register.

The Gas Safe Register can’t recommend a particular Gas Safe registered engineer over another. So what exactly is their role?

Here’s a handy guide to what the Gas Safe Register does, and doesn’t do:

What the Gas Safe Register does:

Operates the official UK list of gas businesses and qualified gas engineers; so that only qualified engineers are licensed to legally work on gas.
Inspects businesses on the Gas Safe Register so that they are applying gas competence.
Investigates gas safety complaints.
Applies sanctions for unsafe work or breaches of rules of registration.
Investigates reports of illegal gas work and reports their findings to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Undertakes consumer campaigns to raise the awareness of gas safety issues such as carbon monoxide (CO); and the dangers of using illegal engineers not on the Gas Safe Register.
Provides a facility for registered businesses to notify that the installations of heat producing gas appliances; and the hot water and heating systems they serve; are compliant with the Building Regulations in England and in Wales.

The Gas Safe Register do not:

Have the authority or ability to recommend a registered engineer.
Employ the Gas Safe registered businesses or engineers.
Investigates or deal with matters such as: financial, contractual or commercial disputes.

So in other words, you can check whether your engineer is Gas Safe via the Gas Safe register.

This gives you the peace of mind that they will be operating legally and safely.

Why is it important to use a Gas Safe engineer?

Choosing a Gas Safe engineer to work on your gas appliances is a legal requirement. It’s vital for your safety in avoiding risk of fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Regardless of what type of gas appliance your engineer is fixing; be it a boiler; oven or gas fire; it’s crucial that your engineer is technically competent and follows all of the relevant health and safety regulations.

Gas Safe engineers demonstrate competence through their qualifications and are therefore licensed to undertake gas work.

In addition to their qualifications, they receive ongoing support to ensure their work meets current regulations; and is technically of a high standard.

Gas Safe engineers perform gas work safely, and prevent harm from occurring.

Gas Safe engineers assess the physical condition of your gas appliances, installation pipework, air vents and any flues for deterioration.

They carry out performance tests to ensure your appliances are operating safely and efficiently. They take any necessary remedial action, alerting you to any issues.

How to check whether an engineer is Gas Safe registered

Not all engineers are qualified to do all types of gas work. So you should check whether they’re Gas Safe registered, before you employ them.

You can inspect an engineer’s official ID card before any work is carried out.

The ID contains important information about the engineer. It says who they are; states their licence number; the business they work for; and the work they are qualified to carry out.

You can check the back of the ID card to see the qualifications that your engineer holds.

They divide qualifications into domestic and non-domestic categories. And list the name of the work they are qualified to undertake along with the expiry date.

You should check that your engineer has the relevant qualification to carry out the work required. For example, if they have come to service your boiler it should list ‘Gas Boiler’.

Also check that the qualification has not expired. 

How to check with the Gas Safe Register

You can check if a business is currently Gas Safe registered by entering their business registration number; or their trading name at: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer/.

If you don’t know their registration number; or business name; or it is not returned as a search result; you can send an email to the Gas Safe Register at register@gassaferegister.co.uk. They will be able to confirm the businesses registration status for you.

Unfortunately, the Gas Safe Register cant recommend a Gas Safe engineer over another one. But they can tell you whether a business is registered to work on gas, or not.

What happens during a gas safety check?

Only Gas Safe engineers can carry out gas safety checks. A Gas Safe engineer will test your gas appliances to make sure they’re safe.

At The Heating People, our engineers will check that your appliances are:

Properly set and adjusted so the gas burns correctly;
Are suitable for the room it’s located in;
Is physically stable, securely fitted and properly connected to the gas pipework.

We will also check that:

There’s an adequate and permanent air supply that’s suitable for the appliance installed;
All safety devices are functioning properly;
Any flues, chimneys and air vents are operating correctly.

We can extend to a full gas installation safety check, in which we will:

Check the installation is in good condition by visually inspecting the pipework as far as reasonably practicable;
Test the gas pipework to make sure there are no leaks.

Do Gas Safe engineers provide any particular documentation following completion of gas work?

When an engineer undertakes gas work at your property; it’s helpful to know what documentation you can expect to receive from them.

The documentation an engineer leaves after having fitted; serviced; or safety checked an appliance; depends upon the purpose and type of work involved.

Building Regulations Compliance Certificate

If a Gas Safe registered engineer installs a heat producing gas appliance in your property; you will receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

This informs the Local Authority of the new appliance. And you should receive it in the post within 28 days of a new appliance being installed.

Landlord Gas Safety Record

The law requires all gas engineers to be on the Gas Safe Register. But they don’t have to provide a Gas Safety Record after they visit you, unless you’re a landlord.

The only documentation required by law is a Landlord Gas Safety Record.

This is because landlords have a legal duty to ensure residential properties are safe for their tenants.

Landlords must employ a Gas Safe engineer to perform an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances. The Landlord Gas Safety Record records the results.

Landlords should give a copy of this record to their tenants; so that they know that their appliances meet the appropriate safety standards.

What steps should I take for Gas Safety?

To sum up, here are the key steps that you can take to ensure that your home stays safe:

Find a Gas Safe registered engineer that you can trust

Remember that only Gas Safe registered engineers can legally fit, fix, and service gas appliances.

You can find a Gas Safe registered engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk (the UK’s official gas safety body) by postcode; by company name; by service and areas of work.

Our engineers are Gas Safe registered; and will be happy to show you their ID cards.

Get your engineer to service your boiler (and gas appliances) every year

Remember that you must have all of your gas appliances checked each year to check they are burning gas properly.

Npower says 61% of the UK hasn’t had their boiler serviced in the last year. This is very worrying! It’s vital we take precautions in our home to protect ourselves and our families from the dangers of gas.

If you are a tenant – ask your landlord for a copy of the gas safety record

You’re entitled to a certificate that guarantees the gas fitting has been checked; and meets the national safety standards. Landlords are legally responsible for providing you with a gas safety record.

Be aware of the warning signs of unsafe gas appliances

Warning signs include higher levels of condensation in your home; black marks on your gas appliances; yellow or orange flames of the gas cooker (rather than blue).