When you need work doing on your boiler, gas fire or other gas appliance, it can be tempting to simply search for a local gas engineer and book whoever is available. But there is one important check you should always make first: are they actually qualified and legally registered to carry out the work?
In the UK, anyone carrying out gas work as part of a business must be appropriately registered with the Gas Safe Register. Checking this only takes a few minutes, and it is well worth doing before allowing somebody to work on gas appliances in your home.
What Is the Gas Safe Register?
The Gas Safe Register is the official register of businesses and engineers who are legally permitted to carry out gas work in the UK.
It replaced CORGI as the gas registration body in 2009, so if you still hear people asking whether an engineer is ‘CORGI registered’, Gas Safe is what they should now be looking for.
Being Gas Safe registered means an engineer has demonstrated the necessary competence to carry out particular types of gas work safely.
However, there is another important point that homeowners don’t always realise.
Not every Gas Safe engineer is qualified to carry out every type of gas work.
An engineer may be qualified to work on boilers, for example, but that doesn’t automatically mean they are qualified to work on every other type of gas appliance.
Ask to See Their Gas Safe ID Card
A genuine Gas Safe registered engineer should carry a Gas Safe ID card.
Don’t feel awkward about asking to see it. A reputable engineer will be used to customers checking their credentials and should have no problem showing you their card.
When they show you the card, check the photograph and make sure it matches the person standing in front of you. You should also look at the engineer’s name, Gas Safe registration details and the expiry date.
Gas Safe ID cards are renewed regularly, so make sure the card is still valid.
Don’t Forget to Check the Back
This is probably the most important part of the card to look at.
The front helps you establish that the person is a registered engineer. The back tells you what gas work they are actually qualified to undertake.
Their qualifications are broken down into different categories and appliances.
So, if someone has come to repair or install your boiler, check that their card shows that they are qualified to work on boilers. The same principle applies to cookers, fires and other gas appliances.
Never assume that being Gas Safe registered gives an engineer permission to undertake every type of gas work.
Check Them on the Gas Safe Register
You don’t have to rely solely on the ID card.
You can also check an engineer or business directly through the official Gas Safe Register. This allows you to confirm that their registration is genuine and current.
If you have arranged the work through a company, remember that the engineer who arrives at your property should still be appropriately registered and qualified for the particular job being carried out.
It is a simple check, but one that can provide considerable peace of mind.
What if Someone Says They Are ‘Gas Qualified’?
Be wary of vague descriptions.
Someone describing themselves as a heating engineer, plumber or ‘gas qualified’ doesn’t necessarily mean they are currently Gas Safe registered.
Plumbing and gas engineering aren’t the same thing either. A plumber may be excellent at installing bathrooms, repairing pipes and dealing with water systems without being legally permitted to work on gas.
If gas is involved, check the Gas Safe registration.
Why Does It Matter?
Gas appliances need to be installed, serviced and repaired correctly. Poorly completed gas work can potentially lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions or carbon monoxide entering the home.
Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because you cannot see, smell or taste it.
Using a properly qualified engineer isn’t therefore just about making sure the boiler works when they leave. It is about knowing that the appliance has been worked on by someone with the appropriate training and competence to do the job safely.
Be Cautious if an Engineer Won’t Show Their Details
If somebody refuses to show you their Gas Safe ID card or becomes defensive when you ask about their qualifications, don’t allow them to carry out the gas work.
The same applies if you check their details and can’t find them on the Gas Safe Register, or if their card doesn’t show the qualification needed for the work you require.
There is nothing unreasonable about checking.
You’re allowing somebody to work on a potentially dangerous appliance inside your home, and a professional engineer will understand why you want to know that everything is in order.
Choosing a Gas Engineer
Price and availability will naturally play a part when choosing an engineer, but they shouldn’t be the only considerations.
Before booking, look for:
• Current Gas Safe registration
• Qualifications covering the appliance being worked on
• A valid Gas Safe ID card
• Clear information about the work being undertaken
• An established business with genuine customer reviews
• Appropriate guarantees or warranties where applicable
Taking a few minutes to make these checks can help you avoid unqualified traders and give you confidence that your gas appliances are being looked after properly.
Need a Qualified Gas Engineer?
At Home Gas, we understand how important it is to feel confident about the person working in your home.
Whether you need a boiler service, repair, installation or other gas and heating work, choosing an appropriately qualified engineer helps ensure the job is completed safely and professionally.
If you’re unsure what type of engineer you need or would like to arrange a visit, contact Home Gas today and our team will be happy to help.