 Gas
safety - FAQs Owner Occupiers
Q. What can I do if I cannot afford
to have a service and/or Safety check done every year ?
Every year around 30 people die from gas-related carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning. HSE strongly advises that gas appliances and/or flues
are regularly checked for safety at least once every 12 months.
Q. Can I use a handyman or plumber
for gas work ?
A. A CORGI
registered installer with the required competence to do the particular work
should always be used. By law (a) anyone (whether an employer or self-employed)
running a business, e.g. a plumber, who carries out work on a gas
appliance/fitting must be CORGI registered, and (b) any individual doing gas
work must be competent to do it safely. DIY gas work could be dangerous and is
likely to be illegal. Landlords must use only a registered installer for
maintenance and safety checks on gas equipment provided for tenants use.
Q. How can I ensure an installer is
CORGI registered ?
A. CORGI
registered installers should have a current CORGI identity card on which is an
expiry date and details of the appliances they are competent to work on. If in
any doubt you can ring CORGI or check on their web site to see if an installer
is registered.
Q. What should I do if the installer is not CORGI
registered and/or has falsely claimed they are CORGI registered ?
A. It is against the law for a non-registered installer to do any work on gas
appliances and/or flues. Phone your local HSE
area office or CORGI.
Q. Is it legal to do DIY on appliances and/or flues ?
A. A competent person must carry out all work on gas appliances. It is always
safer to use CORGI
registered gas installers to carry out any gas work. Any employer or
self-employed person, for example, a landlord, who carries out gas work must be
CORGI registered.
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