What is the Gas Safe Register, and why is it important?

Working with gas can be dangerous. Getting it wrong can have disastrous consequences. 

For that reason, strict regulations ensure that everyone working with gas is doing so safely. It’s required by law that all gas businesses must be on the Gas Safe Register, which is the official body of gas engineers and companies in the UK.

In business, any downtime costs money, which means it's crucial to use the right people to install and maintain any gas appliances you may use. 

This guide explains what you need to know about the Gas Safe Register and why it’s so important.

What is the Gas Safe Register?

The Gas Safe Register is a list of businesses and individuals that are legally permitted to work with gas and related appliances.

Before 2009, all gas installers had to be Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) registered by law. The Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI in 2009, taking its place as the official gas registration body in the UK. 

Each engineer must complete training and assessments to demonstrate competencies in gas safety before they can commence working with gas. If they pass, they’re added to the register.

What does the Gas Safe Register do?

The Gas Safe Register operates the only official list of gas businesses, engineers and installers in the UK. Those on the list are then licensed to carry out gas works legally and safely. It has to be renewed every 12 months to keep the level of competencies up to date.

The Gas Safe Register will carry out competency inspections and investigate any complaints against anyone on the register. If it finds breaches in registration, it can revoke the license and remove the offending party from the register. It also has the power to report anyone using unsafe practices to the Health and Safety Executive, which can lead to prosecution.

Not only do they operate to ensure compliance by the installers on the register, but the Gas Safety Register’s remit also authorises it to investigate any reports of work carried out by unlicensed engineers.

The Gas Safety Register is also responsible for running public-facing campaigns aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of gas and carbon monoxide. 

Who should be on the Gas Safe Register?

Anyone carrying out gas works should be on the Gas Safe Register. Engineers that aren’t on the register are putting the lives of their customers at risk, plus they’re risking hefty fines and prosecution.

Appliances that are not correctly installed and maintained by a registered gas engineer can lead to severe problems, invalidated warranties and insurances, and even death. Dangerous gas and carbon monoxide leaks can have catastrophic consequences, which is why it is so vital that it’s regulated to avoid any issues. 

Work done by illegal fitters costs the British public millions each year to rectify. One-fifth of homes were found to be “Immediately Dangerous” by the Gas Safe Register; they disconnected appliances until they were made safe by a qualified engineer. 

How to check if a business is currently registered

It’s easy to check if an engineer or business is listed on the Gas Safe Register. Head over to the Gas SafeRegister website and use their handy checking service to search for the company. 

If you don’t have access to the internet when your engineer arrives, ask to see their Gas Safe ID card. Don’t forget to check if the work they are carrying out is listed on their card before you let them do the job. 

You can also email or call the Gas Safe Register to find Gas Safe businesses.

How to check if an individual engineer is registered

To check whether an individual engineer is registered is simple; just enter their details on the Gas Safe Register’s Find An Engineer page. 

You can even check what qualifications they have, when they got them and when they expire. Each ID card is renewed annually with a different number, so don’t assume someone you used in the past will still be registered in the future. Always check their credentials to be safe each time you employ someone.

Is Gas Safe registration a legal requirement?

Only Gas Safe qualified engineers are licensed to legally work with gas and gas appliances.

How long does a Gas Safe qualification last?

Gas Safe qualifications last for 12 months. All engineers must update their registration every year to allow them to legally work with gas. Always check the details on your engineer's identity card.

What to do if a business or engineer is operating illegally

If you believe a company or engineer is working on gas illegally, you can report them to the Gas Safe Register via their website. 

Rogue installers can invalidate your appliance warranties and your property insurance. They’ll also leave you with a dangerous appliance that could harm you or your staff.

How to find a Gas Safe engineer

The simplest way to find a Gas Safe engineer is to search for one using your postcode on the Gas Safe Register website. This ‘Find by Location’ tool will then show you a list of Gas Safe registered engineers in your area along with their contact details. You can also select whether you are looking for an engineer for domestic or commercial purposes.

What are the Buildings Regulations?

Building Regulations (or “Building Regs”, as you may hear them called) are standards that ensure buildings are safe. They’re used in every aspect of a build. 

Installers must inform the local authority to check the build or allow tradespeople to self-certify at each stage to ensure it meets the requirements of current regulations. 

Building Regulations make sure your gas appliances are installed correctly. They cover things like flue position, the number of joints in a flue, or the position of an appliance.

How to get a Building Regulations Certificate

Your local authority will issue a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate once they have received the self-certification from your engineer. You should keep it safe in case you want to move or remortgage in the future, as you’ll need to prove this is in place as part of mortgage requirements. 

If you’re a landlord, you’re legally obliged to have gas safety checks carried out by a qualified engineer who appears on the Gas Safe Register. Certification is required to be in place by law.

Get safe business gas today

For any gas works or installations of gas appliances, ensure your engineer is on the Gas Safe Register — both for your benefit and that of your business.

If you’re looking for more information on Gas Safe or to compare your business gas prices, or business electricity, contact the Bionic energy experts today.