What gas equipment is covered? The safety check and maintenance requirements generally apply to any gas appliance or flue installed. How do I know whether the gas engineer is Gas Safe registered? The engineer should be able to provide you with a current ID card. The card contains a photo of the engineer, their business registration number and personal licence number, company name, the start and expiry date of the card and a security hologram. The reverse of the card details what kind of gas work the engineer is able to do.
If you suspect, based on symptoms, that you’re experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, open windows and doors, switch off all gas-powered devices, evacuate the property, seek immediate medical advice, and contact the Gas Emergency Service. If you smell gas, whether inside or outside, or experience any of the symptoms of exposure to natural gas (including feeling lightheaded, dizzy or nauseated and experiencing headaches), call the Gas Emergency Service immediately.
Statutory Instrument 2000 No 128: The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 200 requires gas equipment to be examined regularly. Consequently, gas welding and cutting equipment must be checked regularly. The BCGA’s Code of Practice 7 (CP7 – the safe use of oxy-fuel gas equipment) and Guidance Notes 7 (GN7 – the safe use of individual portable or mobile cylinder gas supply equipment) recommends that regulators and flashback arrestors be checked annually and replaced every five years. See more details at CP7 Gas Checks.
When things go wrong, gas can leak out of appliances and cause fire, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning. To avoid dangerous gas leaks, all gas appliances should be fitted, maintained and serviced by qualified and Gas Safe registered professionals only. Whilst it’s important to have a professional tradesperson install and service your gas appliances, there are a number of checks you can make yourself and precautions you can take to make your home gas safe.