Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 there is a general duty imposed on employers and self-employed persons to ensure that any gas appliance, installation pipe work or flue in a place of work under their control is maintained in a safe condition as to prevent risk of injury to any person.
In addition, there is a similar duty imposed on landlords of premises occupied under lease or a licence to ensure that all gas fittings and associated flues are maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances and flues should be checked, inspected and maintained for safety once in a period of 12 months. The responsible person must also keep a record of the safety checks for at least two years and issue the latest certificate to existing tenants and any new tenants before they move into the premises.
Separate gas safety check records for each appliance can be included on one record. Your gas safety check record form must be given to the Gas Safe Registered Engineer to complete before they carry out the gas safety check.
Such checks include;
- The effectiveness of any flue
- The supply of combustion air
- The operating pressure and/or heat input of appliance
- The operation of the appliance to ensure its safe functioning.
Anyone carrying out work on gas appliances or fittings must be competent and registered with the Gas Safe Register. The Gas Safe Register operates under agreement with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and maintain details of businesses and operatives that are competent to undertake both piped natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Great Britain. To find a local registered engineer simply input your postcode details on the Gas Safe Register website.
For further information is available in the following articles:
Gas Safe Register - provided by the Gas Safe Register
Installation, Servicing and Maintenance - Gas Appliances