Gas Safety Week 2019

What is Gas safety week?

Gas safety week is a week where gas engineers and gas related businesses try to spread the word about gas safety in the UK. The week is a great opportunity for all involved to increase awareness and improve standards within our industry.

Why do we need a gas safety week?

Gas Safety Week sees organisations from across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning

Does Gas safety week make a difference?

We certainly hope so. The aim of gas safety week is to improve standards and teach consumers the dangers of using non registered engineers, it also highlights the warning signs of dangerous appliances and helps consumers know when something isnt right, which in turn will save lives.

What can I do to help spread the word about Gas safety week?

One of the easiest things you can do to spread the word is follow @JASPlumbing on social media and share any posts to spread the word on gas safety. You never know, you could save someones life. Feel free to contact us to find out other great ways to get involved.

So what Can I do to make sure I am gas safe?

By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones. Follow these few simple checks to keep you and your family safe.

Check your gas appliances every year. Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tenants – make sure your landlord arranges this. Set a reminder so you don’t forget at StayGasSafe.co.uk.

Look out for friends and relatives. Some people may be unable to arrange their own gas safety check or may be unaware of what they need to do to keep safe. Help your loved ones by ensuring that they have their appliances checked and serviced regularly.

Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. You can find or check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

Check your engineer is qualified for the type of gas work you need doing e.g. natural gas, domestic boiler. You can find this information on the back of their Gas Safe ID card and on the Gas Safe Register website.

Check for warning signs that could indicate your (or others) appliances are not working correctly. Signs may include lazy yellow /orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out and too much condensation in the room.

Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm and make sure your friends and relatives have one too. Check they are marked EN50291 and display the British Standards’ Kitemark.

For gas safety advice and to find or check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

test your carbon monoxide alarm this gas safety week

How do I check my gas engineer is qualified?

Check the ID card Only an engineer on the Gas Safe Register should fit, fix or service gas appliances. It is important to check the identity of the gas engineer when they arrive to carry out gas work. All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe ID card; you may prefer to check this card for the person that you care for. All gas work is different, and the back of the ID card tells you if they’re registered for the specific job you need them to do

I am a landlord, are the rules different?

Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants. Landlords must make sure maintenance and annual safety checks on gas appliances are carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

If you’re a landlord, you are legally obliged to make sure:

Gas pipework, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition.
All gas appliances and flues provided for tenants’ use have an annual safety check. Your tenants can report you to the HSE if you don’t provide one, so it’s important to remember! You can set a free email and/or text reminder so you don’t forget, visit StayGasSafe.co.uk.
A Gas Safety Record is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check or to any new tenant before they move in.
You keep a copy of the Gas Safety Record until two further checks have taken place.
Maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.
All gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting.

I am a tenant, can I just leave it all to my Landlord?