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Gas Safety

23/12/2012 By Admin Leave a Comment

Find Information for landlords and tenants on short term lets

If you rent a property or room, your landlord has legal responsibilities when it comes to gas safety. Landlords’ duties apply to a wide range of accommodation including:

  • rooms let in bed-sit accommodation, private households, bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels
  • rented holiday accommodation such as chalets, cottages, flats, caravans and narrow boats on inland waterways
  • residential premises.
    Landlords have specific duties for gas safety and these include having gas pipework, appliances and

    chimneys/flues in the property checked for safety by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

    Requirements

    Even if a property is only rented for a short time, there are three specific duties for landlords to keep their tenants safe.

  • Maintenance: pipework, appliances and flues must be maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances should be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If these are not available it is recommended that they are serviced every 12 months unless advised otherwise by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Landlords will need to be able to show, if asked, that regular maintenance of the flues and appliances and any necessary repairs have been undertaken.
  • Gas safety checks: A 12 monthly gas safety check must be carried out on every gas appliance/flue in your rental property, even if you only rent out one or two rooms in your home. A gas safety check will make sure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use and must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • Record: a record of the gas safety check must be provided to tenants within 28 days of the check being completed or to new tenants before they move in. If a property or room is hired out for less than 28 days at a time, it is also permissible to display a copy of the current Landlords Gas Safety Record in a prominent position within the property so a copy does not need to be given to every new occupier. Landlords must keep copies of the record for two years.

    Gas Safety Record

    If you do not have a copy of the current record for your property, you are entitled to ask your landlord for a copy. If your landlord refuses, you can complain to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) using this form: https://extranet.hse.gov.uk/lfserver/external/lgsr1.

    Further Guidance

    For further information on what a gas safety check involves visit: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/safetycheck For additional guidance on landlords responsibilities visit: www.HSE.gov.uk/gas/landlords/index.htm

Filed Under: Gas Safety

23/12/2012 By Admin Leave a Comment

What are the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure?

The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) is a guidance document available to all gas engineers which is designed to protect you from unsafe gas appliances/chimneys/flues/pipework (referred to as gas installations in this factsheet).

GIUSP gives gas engineers guidance on how to deal with the risks from unsafe gas installations, based on the level of risk posed to the occupiers. It assists gas engineers to make sure you are safe and helps them comply with gas safety law, including the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

The guidance is relevant to all gas installations fuelled by different types of gas and applies in both homes and businesses.

Assessing the risk

When looking at existing installations a Gas Safe engineer will do his best to make sure you are safe. It is important that gas engineers can take actions on gas installations, which are proven to be unsafe, and then tell you about them in a way you can understand. You need to appreciate that if a gas engineer tells you of an unsafe installation, it is your (or your landlord’s/agent’s if appropriate) responsibility to make sure it is not used again until it has been repaired. If appropriate the Gas Safe engineer should also tell your landlord/agent that he has found an unsafe situation.

All gas equipment, including pipework, should be installed correctly and safely by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They should follow manufacturer’s instructions and current industry standards. Over time, these may change and, as a result, existing installations may not always meet the current safety requirements.

This does not necessarily mean they are unsafe, as any changes might not have been because of safety concerns.

When a registered gas engineer identifies an unsafe situation they should try to find the cause and repair any faults. Where this is not possible they should tell you that the fault(s) should be repaired before the installation is used again. If it can’t be corrected immediately they should make the installation safe, after first seeking your permission to do so. This is normally done by disconnecting or by turning off the gas to the affected part of the installation. This will be dependent upon how bad the defects are.

Defect categories

The gas engineer uses the GIUSP, as guidance to classify the unsafe gas situation. There are three categories depending on how bad the defects are. Depending on the level of risk there will be different actions you (or your landlord) should take. The three categories are:

‘Immediately Dangerous’ (ID)

An “immediately dangerous” installation is one which, if operated or left connected to a gas supply, is considered to be an immediate danger to life or property.

The installation will be disconnected, with your permission, and must not be used until the necessary work has been carried out to repair the defect(s). If you continue to use an immediately dangerous installation you could be putting you or your family’s lives in danger.

For Natural Gas installations, if you refuse the gas engineer permission to disconnect the installation or an individual appliance they will report the installation to the Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP). The ESP has legal powers to demand entry to make the situation safe or may disconnect the gas supply to the property. The ESP does not have the same legal powers with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) installations.

www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk 0800 408 5500

‘At Risk’ (AR)

An “at risk” installation is where one or more recognised faults are present which could constitute a danger to life or property without further faults developing.

With your permission, the installation will be turned off and should not be used again until the fault has been repaired.

‘Not to Current Standards’ (NCS)

A “not to current standards” installation is one which does not meet with current standards, but is safe. You may however wish to improve the installation to meet current standards as this could improve the reliability and lifespan of the installation. If the installation has been carried out recently, you should contact the registered gas business that carried out the work to correct any identified faults. For older installations your gas engineer can advise you whether the installation should be brought in line with current standards.

Further information specific to Gas Emergency Service Providers

If the Gas Emergency Service Provider has visited a property as a result of a smell of gas or fumes and cannot confirm the installation is safe, they may use a further category – ‘Concern for Safety’ and issue an appropriate notice.

Where a ‘Concern for Safety’ notice has been issued, by the Gas Emergency Service Provider, you will be told not to use the installation until it has been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It is your (or your landlords) responsibility to get the installation checked.

The Gas Safe registered engineer should keep you (or your landlord where appropriate) informed of the actions they are taking. Please be aware that they are carried out for you & your family’s safety. If you have any concerns you can contact Gas Safe Register.

Filed Under: Gas Safety

23/12/2012 By Admin Leave a Comment

Flues concealed in voids

What is the problem?

Some properties, mainly flats and apartments, have been built with appliance flue systems which cannot be inspected because they are hidden behind walls or ceilings. This makes it difficult to identify any safety concerns with the flue system and could be dangerous. It affects a type of flue system that is termed ‘room- sealed fanned draught’ and does not apply to ‘open flues’ such as brick chimneys serving gas fires.

Jargon buster

  • Flue system: the pipe (or pipes) that take fumes away from the gas appliance and also provides fresh air for the gas to burn correctly.
  • Void: a space above the ceiling or behind a wall where the flue is located.
  • Room-sealed fanned draught appliance: is one which is sealed from the room in which it is located. The flue

    system takes fumes away from the appliance and also provides fresh air for the gas to burn correctly.

Gas Safe registered engineers need to be able to see the flue system as part of essential safety checks whenever the appliance is worked on. A flue system in poor condition, combined with an appliance that is not working properly, could put you and your family in danger from carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause death or serious injury.

If your appliance is situated on an outside wall, it is unlikely you have the type of flue system that is affected. Alternatively, if your engineer can see all of the flue system, you will not need to take any further action in relation to this matter.

What is the background?

In October 2008, following a fatal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning incident, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in Great Britain issued a Safety Alert concerning certain gas appliance flues in voids. It explained that if appropriate action was not taken, there was a risk of further serious incidents occurring if there was a defect in a concealed flue system. In December 2010, following a period of review and consultation by industry, revised guidance was published. Subsequently the HSE in GB and the HSE in Northern Ireland (HSENI) took the decision to issue an updated Safety Notice.

The Safety Notice has revised guidance which includes advice and requirements for Gas Safe registered businesses, builders and home warranty providers. It aims to help them bring the safety concern to the attention of affected residents, landlords and managing agents so that suspect installations can be addressed.

What properties are affected?

Visit: www.gassaferegister.co.uk  for information.

Did you know?

Although the HSE Safety Notices apply to GB and NI, similar requirements apply in the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

In properties where a gas appliance is located away from external walls, its flue system is more likely to run through the ceiling or wall void or be boxed-in. These situations are more likely, but not exclusively, to be encountered in flats and apartments built since about 2000.

What needs to be done if my property is affected?

If you think that your property may be affected by this issue, the first thing to do is contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a safety check of the appliance and flue. To find a Gas Safe registered engineer go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call us on 0800 408 5500.

If you do have an appliance where all, or part of, the flue system cannot be seen, you, or your landlord, will need to arrange for inspection hatches to be fitted. This does not mean, however, that your flue system is suddenly unsafe. As long as the boiler passes a series of safety check−s including having audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms fitted − it can be used normally for the time being.

CO alarms are not an alternative to being able to see the flue system and you will still need to have inspection hatches fitted. You have until 31 December 2012 for this work to be completed. It is recommended, however, that inspection hatches are fitted as soon as you are able to do so. From 1 January 2013, any registered gas engineer will ask your permission to turn the appliance off and formally advise you not to use it until inspection hatches have been fitted in appropriate places.

If the property is one to two years old you should contact your builder for help in getting inspection hatches fitted. If the property is between two to 10 years old you should contact your Building Warranty Provider for help.

Further Guidance

For more information, FAQs and list of the main home warranty providers visit:

www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/advice/flues_in_voids.aspx

For further information about this gas safety concern, visit the HSE or HSENI website and view the HSE/HSENI Safety Notice, which also includes a number of frequently asked questions.

HSE Safety Alert: www.HSE.gov.uk/gas/domestic/alert021008.htm HSE Safety Notice: www.HSE.gov.uk/safetybulletins/fluesinvoids.htm

Update to the HSE 2008 Safety Alert

HSENI Safety Notice: www.HSENI.gov.uk/news.htm?id=8254&safety-notice-gas-boilers-flues-in-voids

Remember, whenever having any gas work carried out, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer holding the relevant qualifications for working on your gas appliance. To find or check a Gas Safe registered engineer go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call our free helpline on 0800 408 550

Filed Under: Gas Safety

23/12/2012 By Admin Leave a Comment

Gas safety for landlords and tenants

If you live in rented accommodation, your landlord has legal responsibilities when it comes to gas safety.

Landlords have specific duties for gas safety and these include having gas pipework, appliances and chimneys/flues checked for safety by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The responsibilities are laid out in the relevant gas safety legislation, such as the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 in Great Britain.

Requirements

There are three specific duties for landlords to keep their tenants safe.

Annual gas safety checks

To make sure that any gas appliances and flue provided for tenants are safe for continued use, landlords must arrange for them to be checked for safety every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Record

A record of this annual gas safety check will include specific information. A copy of the gas safety record must be provided to an existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed or to new tenants before they move in. Landlords must keep copies of the record for two years.

Maintenance

Maintenance arrangements should normally involve a series of regular inspections and any necessary repairs. Landlords must ensure that gas pipework is maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances and flues provided for the tenants use must also be maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances and flues should be serviced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions but if these are not available, annual servicing is recommended unless advised otherwise by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

There are no formal requirements for landlords to keep maintenance records. However, landlords will need to be able to show, if asked, that regular maintenance of the flues and appliances and any necessary repairs have been undertaken. Landlords do not have to provide maintenance records for tenants.

These duties do not extend to appliances in wholly non-residential buildings or parts of a building. For example, if you live in a rented flat over commercial premises, landlords’ duties will apply to the gas appliances, pipework and chimneys/flues serving the flat. Landlords’ duties will not apply to gas appliances, pipework, or chimneys/flues used exclusively in the non-residential commercial premises below.

Landlords do not have an obligation to have any checks carried out on gas appliances owned by their tenant(s). Tenants are responsible for the maintenance and safety of their own gas appliances. Gas Safe Register recommends that tenants should have their own gas appliances serviced and checked for safety annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What should I do to make sure my home is safe?

Access

Landlords need to ensure that they take reasonable steps to gain access to their properties in order to meet their legal responsibilities.

If you are a tenant you should allow the Gas Safe registered engineer appointed by your landlord access to your property to carry out maintenance or safety checks on appliances and/or chimneys/flues that the landlord provides for your use. Remember to ask to see the engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card to confirm they are registered and able to carry out the necessary work.

www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk 0800 408 5500

Tenants own appliances

You are responsible for the maintenance and safety of your own gas appliances. The landlord is still responsible for the maintenance of the gas pipework. However, if your Gas Safe registered engineer advises you of an issue with the chimney/flue serving your gas appliance, you need to discuss this with your landlord as they have responsibility for all chimneys/flues in the property under other legal duties.

Annual gas safety record

If you do not have a copy of the current record for your property, you are entitled to ask your landlord for a copy. If your landlord refuses, you can complain to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) using this form: https://extranet.hse.gov.uk/lfserver/external/lgsr1.

Further Guidance

For further guidance visit:

www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk

www.HSE.gov.uk/gas/landlords/resources.htm

Remember, whenever having any gas work carried out, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer holding the relevant qualifications for working on your gas appliance. To find or check a Gas Safe registered engineer go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call our free helpline on 0800 408 5500.


Filed Under: Gas Safety

23/12/2012 By Admin Leave a Comment

Who can work on gas appliances?

Gas safety legislation in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Guernsey set out what is defined as gas ‘work’. Generally the definition of “work in relation to gas fitting” lists specific activities which are:

  • maintaining, servicing, permanently adjusting, disconnecting, repairing, altering or renewing the fitting or purging it of air or gas;
  • where the fitting is not readily movable, changing its position;
  • removing the fitting.

    These activities can only be undertaken by a competent Gas Safe registered engineer.

    What gas work can I do myself?

    The definition of gas ‘work’ is quite wide ranging but you can perform the tasks set out in the user’s instructions, (provided by the appliance manufacturer) that are intended for the user to carry out. This would not be a breach of the law.

    The law allows you to replace or adjust any component or control that is designed to be operated, or replaced by the gas consumer e.g. a cooker tap control knob. However you should not do anything that involves disturbing the gas carrying components (such as the gas supply pipe) or that could affect the combustion process (such as removing the combustion case of an appliance – see Can I take the case off my gas appliance? below).

    What gas work can be undertaken by other tradespersons?

    If the work required only involves the replacement of a water carrying component e.g. a pump or central heating control valve, housed within the boiler’s decorative casing, the work could be undertaken by another competent tradesperson e.g. plumber/electrician. Providing the work could be undertaken without having to break a combustion chamber seal (see Can I take the case off my gas appliance? below), or disturbing any gas carrying component, it would not need to be undertaken by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

    However, many Gas Safe registered engineers will also have the necessary competence required to determine and rectify plumbing and electrical faults on gas appliances.

    It is not acceptable for someone who is not Gas Safe registered to fit a gas appliance or do other gas work and then have the work checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Both parties would be breaking the law.

    Can I take the case off my gas appliance?

    It depends on whether the case is purely decorative or whether it is an integral part of the appliance.

    Decorative casing: These cases can usually be removed by the consumer e.g. can be lifted off or are hinged panels and do not need to be unscrewed. A decorative case can be removed safely by the consumer or anybody else remembering to follow any warning labels and making sure you have isolated any electrical parts. However, if you are in any doubt, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer.

    Integral casing: Many appliances have cases which form a seal around the gas carrying components e.g. burner, combustion chamber, etc as well as being decorative. If removing the case involves undoing a number of screws, this normally means it is a functional case and it should not be removed by the consumer or a person who is not Gas Safe registered.

    www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk 0800 408 5500

For further guidance on whether you can remove the case from your gas appliance:

  • refer to the manufacturer’s instructions
  • contact manufacturer’s helpline
  • visit the manufacturer’s website

    Remember, whenever having any gas work carried out, always use a Gas Safe registered engineer holding the relevant qualifications for working on your gas appliance. To find or check a Gas Safe registered engineer, go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call us on 0800 408 5500.

Filed Under: Gas Safety

23/12/2012 By Admin Leave a Comment

Tips on how to be Gas Safe at home.

We rely on our gas boilers, cookers and fires to keep warm, have hot baths and showers and cook hot meals. It’s important that gas appliances are regularly serviced to help keep us safe and prevent them from breaking down when we need them the most.

Stay Gas Safe in your home with these top tips:

  1. Have all your gas appliances, including boilers, gas cookers and gas fires, safety checked annually.
  2. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and check gas appliances in your home – it’s the law and will help keep you safe.
  3. Always ask to see an engineers Gas Safe ID card and check the back of the card to ensure they are qualified to carry out the specific type of gas work you need.
  4. Find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area or call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500
  5. Recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
  6. Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
  7. Buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm for your home and make sure it is located near to your gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. Carbon monoxide can leak from appliances and kill.
  8. Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose e.g. don’t use a gas oven to heat a room or use a gas barbeque inside the house.
  9. Always ensure there is enough ventilation for your gas appliances to allow them to burn correctly and make sure you are not blocking any air vents that provide an air supply to the gas appliance.
  10. Anybody working with gas has to be Gas Safe registered by law. Report someone working without registration or call Gas Safe Register on the free phone number 0800 408 5500.

Find out more: Gas safe register

Filed Under: Gas Safety

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