Q. I recently heard that ‘CORGI’ the gas safety recognition body has been replaced, if so what implications does this have on me as a landlord?
A. Correct – the CORGI gas registration scheme in Great Britain and the Isle of Man ended on 31 March 2009. It is no longer recognised by law as the gas safety register.
Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the gas registration body in GB on 1 April 2009. The HSE carried out a review of gas safety in 2006 which, after consultation with the gas industry, engineers and the public, led to the decision to change to a new gas registration scheme. The contract to run the new scheme was awarded to Capita and they launched Gas Safe Register. The sole focus of the register is on improving gas safety.
What is Gas Safe Register?
Gas Safe Register exists to protect both the general public and property from dangerous gas work.
Incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained gas appliances are a major cause of lethal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and can also lead to gas leaks and explosions.
To carry out work on gas installations and appliances safely and legally, engineers in Great Britain and the Isle of Man must be on the Gas Safe Register. The new body makes sure the 120,000 engineers on the register are safe by inspecting the gas work they have carried out. If you are a landlord letting a property equipped with gas appliances you need to understand and comply with the law relating to gas safety, it is now your responsibility to use a ‘Gas safe registered engineer’. Registration with the Gas Safe Register is a legal requirement for anyone carrying out gas work in Great Britain and the Isle of Man. To register, engineers must hold a recognised qualification for the areas of gas work that they intend to carry out.