There's A New Name In Gas Safety
Friday, February 13, 2009
by
John McKie
As from the 1st April 2009 it’s all change for the gas industry. The old CORGI gas register goes out and the new Gas Safe Register™ comes in. This new register will be unveiled to the public before the old CORGI register goes out on the 30th March 2009 and will be recognised as the official industry stamp for gas safety.
The Health and Safety Executive, who is responsible for regulating gas safety in Great Britain, will own the Gas Safe Register™ on behalf of installers but Capita will administer the scheme for an initial ten-year period.
It will be the law that anyone carrying out gas work that is within the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 is on the Gas Safe Register™ from 1 April 2009.
The new register will provide enhanced levels of service together with new services and benefits designed to improve the registration scheme and promote gas safety.
The Gas Safe Register™ is intended to:-
- Raise public awareness of gas safety and the gas register,
- Manage inspection and enforcement,
- Provide technical support and standards updates to registered engineers, and
- Provide facilities for the reporting of notifiable gas works.
From 1 April 2009, landlords and employers should check that anyone carrying work on gas appliances or flues is registered under the new Gas Safe Register™. CORGI registration will no longer carry any statutory force. There is no grace period.
In the commercial sector, failure to check that an installer is registered under the Gas Safe Scheme™ may mean a breach of the Building Regulations and Regulation 3 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
In the residential sector, as well as a breach of the Building Regulations, residential landlords (including those in the social housing sector) will breach Regulation 36 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 if a person who is not registered on the Gas Safe Register™ carries out their regular gas appliance checks.
Therefore, if you plan on having any gas appliances installed, upgraded or repaired after 1 April 2009, make sure the installer is registered with The Gas Safe Register™.
To find out more or to seek advice please speak with your usual Biggart Baillie contact or contact John McKie, Associate, on 0131 226 5541 or e-mail jmckie@biggartbaillie.co.uk.
The information contained in this article is given for general information only, reflects the current law on the date of this article, and does not constitute legal advice on any specific matter