Gas Safe
Gas safety is imperative in the installation and servicing of gas appliances as poorly fitted and serviced appliances can cause leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
‘Gas Safe’ is the term given to operatives and businesses that qualify as competent for the Gas Safe Register, the UK’s official gas registration body, administered by Capita Group on behalf of HSE. Since 2009, when the Gas Safe Register replaced the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI), it has been a legal requirement for gas engineers to be registered.
Gas work is taken to mean:
- Installation, repair or servicing of a gas boiler.
- Installation, or repair of a gas fire, gas cooker or hob.
Gas appliance users may only undertake activities in relation to a gas appliance as set out in the manufacturer’s user instructions. They should not carry out any work that involves disturbing the gas carrying components or that could affect the combustion process.
Other competent tradespersons can undertake work involving the replacement of a water carrying component housed within the boiler’s decorative casing, providing it can be undertaken without having to break a combustion chamber seal or disturbing a gas carrying component.
Gas engineers are required to carry a Gas Safe Register ID card that should be checked before being hired for gas work on domestic or commercial premises to verify they are qualified to carry out that specific work. The card gives assurance that they are competent and qualified to work safely and legally with gas. There are a range of qualifications that allow them to carry out specific types of gas work.
The details on the front of the card include:
- Personal photograph.
- Issue and expiry date.
- Unique licence number.
- Security hologram.
- Business for which the engineer works.
The details on the back of the card include:
- The list of qualifications that enable the engineer to carry out specific types of gas work.
- The date of the qualifications.
After completing the installation or servicing of a gas appliance, the engineer will provide a report (sometimes referred to as a gas safety certificate) detailing the checks that have been carried out and advice as to when the appliance will require servicing again.
If requested, landlords must be able to provide tenants with an up-to-date gas safety record which demonstrate that an annual check has been carried out.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Asbestos in construction.
- Carbon monoxide.
- Carbon monoxide detector.
- Carbon monoxide Requirement J3.
- Fire authority.
- Health and Safety.
- HSE.
- Kitemark.
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
- Maintenance.
- Mains gas.
- Risk assessment for construction.
- Smoke detector.
- Third party accreditation.
[edit] External references
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.
Why construction can't afford to ignore the skills gap.
Building Safety Regulator, 19 August
Gill Kernick appointed Independent Chair of Residents’ Panel.
Connecting knowledge, technology and conservation
Building competence for the future of built heritage.