Gas Safe Registered, or Not?


I am NOT a Gas Safe Registered gas installer, or heating engineer as they tend to be called these days. Gas Safe Registration is a requirement for all gas fitters but as I am a plumber who works on water installations, being Gas Safe Registered is irrelevant.

Of more importance is knowledge of the latest Water Regulations and mains pressure, unvented, hot water systems enabling me to work on the latest installations safely. I have trained and successfully been assessed in both Water Regulations and unvented (high pressure) hot water systems.

I fully support Gas Safe registration for gas installers. Registration is now a legal requirement for businesses and self-employed people working on gas fittings or appliances. In order to protect the general public, registered Installers are:

* Given an identification card which should be shown upon request

* Required to obtain competency certificates in areas of gas work they carry out. I.e., they need individual competency certificates for gas fires, boilers, etc

* Required to update their proof of competence regularly

* Subject to regular work inspections carried out by Inspectors

Make sure you ask to see your gas fitter's ID card and don't be tempted to think that a registered gas fitter will necessarily know about the latest plumbing systems. It'sa gas qualification, not a plumbing qualification.

As plumbing for showers and baths becomes more complex,

I suggest you use a plumber for plumbing, and a gas fitter for gas!