Gas safety - FAQs - Owner occupiers

Q. What can I do if I cannot afford to have a service and/or Safety Check done every year ?

Every year around 30 people die from gas-related carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. HSE strongly advises that gas appliances and/or flues are regularly checked for safety at least once every 12 months.

Q. Can I use a handyman or plumber for gas work ?

A. A CORGI registered Engineer with the required competence to do the particular work should always be used. By law (a) anyone (whether an employer or self-employed) running a business, e.g. a plumber, who carries out work on a gas appliance/fitting must be CORGI registered, and (b) any individual doing gas work must be competent to do it safely. DIY gas work could be dangerous and is likely to be illegal. Landlords must use only a registered Engineer for maintenance and safety checks on gas equipment provided for tenants use.

Q. How can I ensure an Engineer is CORGI registered ?

A. CORGI registered Engineers should have a current CORGI identity card on which is an expiry date and details of the appliances they are competent to work on. If in any doubt you can ring CORGI or check on their web site to see if an Engineer is registered.

Q. What should I do if the Engineer is not CORGI registered and/or has falsely claimed they are CORGI registered ?

A. It is against the law for a non-registered Engineer to do any work on gas appliances and/or flues. Phone your local HSE area office or CORGI.

Q. Is it legal to do DIY on appliances and/or flues ?

A. A competent person must carry out all work on gas appliances. It is always safer to use CORGI registered gas Engineers to carry out any gas work. Any employer or self-employed person, for example, a landlord, who carries out gas work must be CORGI registered.