The importance of gas safety

"One small mistake can have a dramatic effect on people's lives" – our Managing Director explains why gas safety training and registration is essential for our engineers, and any engineer that comes to work in your home.

What is the Gas Safe register?

The Gas Safe register is the only official gas registration body for the UK. They are the organisation that certifies businesses and engineers as qualified to work with your gas appliances, and their register is available to check online.

Before allowing any plumbing and heating company to work on your boiler, whether it's to fit a new system or simple maintenance like a boiler service of gas safety check, you should check their registration number against the Gas Safe register to ensure their qualifications are up-to-date.

How can I practice gas safety in my home?

One of the best ways to ensure the safety of your gas appliances is to have them checked regularly. Annual boiler servicing not only keeps your heating system in good maintenance, but it can also diagnose potentially expensive failures before they become difficult to fix. If you're a landlord, it's required by law that you book a gas safety inspection in your property every year, and that your tenants receive a CP12 certificate stating the equipment is all safe to use.

It pays to know what to look out for in an unsafe appliance, too. For example, while the gas in your hob or oven doesn't technically smell, an odourant will have been added to help you pick up any leaks. You'll usually be able to identify the smell when you turn on the gas hob, oven or other gas appliances, so keep an eye (or nostril) out for that scent when you're not using them. It could mean there's a leak, and that may lead to fires or devastation explosions.

Carbon monoxide also doesn't have an odour, and it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. This is why having a carbon monoxide alarm is absolutely essential.

Get in touch for more tips on Gas Safety in the home, and to book a boiler service or appliance check with one of our Gas Safe registered engineers. Got more plumbing questions? Read our FAQs.