When you get gas work done, ensure it is installed safely, properly certified and maintained regularly.

Install safely

• Have any gasfitting done by a currently licensed gasfitter or certifying gasfitter. This includes installation of pipework, gas appliances and flues, and any additions and alterations.
• Always ask to see their current practising licence ID card.

Certification

All gasfitting carried out since 1 July 2013 requires certification.

Once gasfitting is connected, the person responsible for the work has to issue a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) that indicates the gas installation or part installation is safe to use and the gasfitting work has not adversely affected any other part of the gas installation. This is supported by Certificates of Compliance (CoCs) for any gasfitting defined as high-risk or general risk.

GSCs must be issued as soon as practicable after the gas installation or part installation is connected to a gas supply, but in any case no later than 20 days after connection. General and high-risk gasfitting is not considered complete until a CoC has been issued.

The person responsible for issuing a CoC for high-risk gasfitting is required to enter selected details related to the work on the Electricity & Gas High-risk Database (EGHRD)(external link), within 20 working days of issuing the CoC. Certain details of the work, but not your personal details, are publicly accessible.

Certificates of Competence (CoCs) and Gas Safety Certificates (GSCs) are required by the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations (GSMRs)(external link). They attest to the safety of the work, and that the installation itself is safe to use. A GSC also serves as a certificate confirming that any gasfitting done on the gas installation or part installation complies with the building code.

Persons responsible for certification of gasfitting are required to keep records of CoCs and GSCs they issue for at least seven years. They are required to provide copies of CoCs and GSCs if requested by the person who contracted for the work or owner, or a one of the regulatory agencies identified in the  Regulations.

Prior to 1 July 2013 most gasfitting had to be certified using a system operated by the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). The PGDB online register(external link) lists details of certificates lodged with that system.

Maintain regularly

Consumers, home owners, landlords and tenants are responsible for ensuring the safe operation or maintenance of their gas appliances and equipment.

To ensure the safety and efficiency of your gas appliance get it checked regularly, always by an authorised and competent person:

• flame effect heaters and LPG cabinet heaters should be serviced annually
• other types of space heaters and water heaters should be serviced at least every two years
• whenever a licensed gas worker is working in your home, get them to check that your gas appliances and installation are safe
• consider replacing old appliances
• avoid buying second-hand appliances.

If ventilation inlets are blocked or restricted, or if a gas appliance is faulty or has not been adequately maintained, it can operate poorly, leak gas and catch fire, or possibly produce carbon monoxide, which can be fatal.