7 minute read
Gas Safe news
FROM THE EDITOR
Comment
At last month’s COP27 summit in Egypt, the UN said progress on cutting carbon emissions since the gathering in Glasgow a year ago had been ‘woefully inadequate’. And despite summer’s hottest temperatures on record in the UK and a much warmer start to winter than usual, real actions to limit climate change seem to be in short supply.
What’s happening with energy policy in the UK isn’t clear cut right now either. The political turmoil that resulted in a change of Prime Minister not once but twice – with the accompanying shuffling around of ministers – and the impact of the war in Ukraine, has meant that political focus has on the short term rather than the long haul for a while now.
The government has stepped in with some financial support for households experiencing sky-high energy bills. But there’s no getting away from the fact that people will be paying twice as much as last year to keep their homes warm and their lights on.
Using less energy has never been so important, and there’s a lot of good advice around about how we can do this. But many households this winter will simply be turning their thermostats down, turning the heating on for less time and inevitably, in some cases, not turning it on at all.
Nicki Shearer, editor
Gas Safe Register, PO Box 6804, Basingstoke, RG24 4NB.
Email: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk, register@gassaferegister.co.uk or technical@gassaferegister.co.uk Managing editor: Scott Darroch scott.darroch@gassaferegister.co.uk Editor: Nicki Shearer editorial@registeredgasengineer.co.uk News: Jennie Ward news@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Publisher: Peter McCreary publisher@registeredgasengineer.co.uk Technical consultants: Carl Banister, Stephen Gallagher, Jonathan Palmer Production: Mark Turpin Advertising enquiries only: Ian Carter ian@rgemagazine.co.uk
Additional print subscriptions £25 per year email: wgardiner@circdata.com, Tel 01635 869 868
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Gas Safe Register. The publishers will accept an advertisement or other inserted material only on the condition that the advertiser warrants that such advertisement does not in any way infringe copyright or contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act. All copy is subject to the approval of the publisher, who reserves the right to refuse, amend, withdraw or otherwise deal with advertisements submitted to it at its absolute discretion and without explanation. All advertisements must comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice. ABC membership approved 19 March, 2009.
Registered Gas Engineer is written, designed and published by The Team on behalf of Gas Safe Register. 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ
CIRCULATION: Jan-Dec 2021 80,070
Inspection:
“Inspection of gas work is a vital part of the overall gas safety regime, and a condition of your ongoing Gas Safe registration.
“The overwhelming majority of Gas Safe registered businesses meet their inspection obligation and attend inspection as agreed. Those who do not incur costs for the Register, both financial and in terms of resources, which are ultimately borne by ALL registered businesses through their registration fees.
Bob Kerr, Gas Services Director, Gas Safe Register
As a competent and qualified gas business, your work will be inspected by Gas Safe Register periodically, whether you’re newly registered or you’ve been registered for many years. The inspector’s role is not to catch you out: they’re simply making sure that you’re working safely and correctly.
It’s a requirement under the Rules of Registration that you must allow the inspection of gas work undertaken in the course of your business and you must make arrangements for this when you receive a letter or email from the Register advising of an inspection appointment. Failing to attend an arranged inspection comes at a cost to the Register, which ultimately will be reflected in the cost of registration for all businesses and could result in sanctions being applied to your business.
It’s important to be prepared for your inspection and to make sure you’re available at the time that has been arranged. Inspection appointments cannot be changed unless there are exceptional circumstances.
How should I prepare?
You’ll need to arrange access to two addresses within around 30 minutes of your business address where you have carried out gas work previously or where you can carry out work such as a landlord’s gas safety record check or a safety check during the inspection.
It is your responsibility to arrange the location and timings; Gas Safe Register will not do this for you.
What will happen at my inspection?
The inspection will take around 2.5-3 hours. The inspector will gain an understanding of your knowledge from the work you will be undertaking by asking technical questions based on the competencies you hold.
They will inspect your gas safety equipment, which should
What practical work will I have to carry out?
It depends on what work you are showing the inspector, but some of the tests might be: • A visual inspection of the gas installation and appliances • A tightness test • The working pressure at the outlet of the gas meter • Gas rating appliances • The inlet working pressure or operating pressures • Flue gas analysis • Checking the safety device/s of the nominated appliance • Identifying and reporting any unsafe situations.
an important reminder
be available for inspection: this may include tools and equipment that you keep in your vehicle.
The inspector will then observe you carrying out practical gas work that is within your registered work categories. You should make sure you have with you the tools you need to undertake this part of the inspection.
Do I need to show any work records?
You’ll need to show that you keep appropriate records of the gas work you have carried out and have access to suitable documentation to correctly deal with unsafe situations that you may identify through the course of your work.
Applying your competence not just to the work you do but also to the rest of the installation you are working on is just as important to maintain the safety of your customer.
For businesses with 10 or more engineers, the inspection will start with an office-based assessment that assesses how the business manages its gas work. Then the site inspection requirement is proportionate to the number of engineers the business has and the scope of work it undertakes.
What about virtual inspection?
If you are eligible for a virtual inspection, this will take around 1.5 hours and you will need a working laptop, computer or tablet to be able to complete the inspection. A statutory identification check will be carried out and, once confirmed, the inspection test can be completed.
What if I don’t know the answer to a question?
You can refer to any reference material during the visit: the inspections are not closed book. However, inspectors will expect you to have sound knowledge of the Unsafe Situations Procedure and gas safety.
What if the inspector doesn’t think I’m competent?
You will be given feedback at the end of your inspection as to whether the inspector believes you have applied your competencies.
If you have not applied your competencies, you will be signposted to seek some further training, and/or you may need to go and read your training manuals. Another inspection will then be booked.
Don’t forget
You are responsible for arranging the location for your inspection and for attending. Inspection appointments cannot be changed unless there are exceptional circumstances.
In exceptional circumstances, you can request to rearrange but you must do this immediately by emailing the scheduling team at appointments@ gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500, selecting option 5 and quoting your registration number.
If you request and agree a new inspection appointment, the new appointment must be kept: failure to do so will result in immediate suspension from the Register until an inspection takes place.
What do gas engineers think about their inspection?
Gas engineers who have been inspected are invited to give their feedback on the process. The names of the engineers who gave the feedback on the right have been withheld.
WiFi Inside
20% Hydrogen
