From the helplines

Gas Safe Register’s Technical Team answer some of the questions that they most regularly receive on the Technical Helpline.

If there is no CO alarm fitted in a rented property, should I record At Risk on the landlord’s gas safety record?

No. The landlord’s gas safety record is an annual report required to confirm that the gas appliances at the property are safe to use. The engineer is required to complete the appropriate tests on the appliances and record the results on the report to confirm that they are working safely.

Many records have the option to record CO alarms within the property; however, this is an option, it is not mandatory. If there are no CO alarms installed, this does not in itself deem the appliances to be unsafe. Simply choose “no” on the report in the field that asks whether a CO alarm is fitted. You can also highlight this in the section for remedial work required to alert the landlord: it is their responsibility to ensure that one is fitted – not yours.

Is there any leeway for the renewal date on a landlord’s gas safety record?

The renewal date is the date by which the next safety check must be carried out. There can be no overrun of this date. However, GSIUR Regulation 36 now allows for “MOT-style” checks that can be carried out up to two months early, while retaining the renewal date.

You can call Gas Safe Register’s Technical Helpline on 0800 408 5577, choosing Option 2. The helpline is open from 0800 to 1800 Monday to Friday and from 0830 to 1230 on Saturday. You can also ask a question via email at: technical@gassaferegister.co.uk

For instance, a landlord’s gas safety check that is due for renewal on 12 April 2023 can be carried out any time between 12 February and 12 April, and the renewal date would be 12 April 2024. The previous two safety records must be retained by the landlord for this to come into effect.

You can find out more in Technical Bulletin 055: The Duties of Landlords, which can be downloaded by logging into your online account at: www. GasSafeRegister.co.uk/sign-in

I have a gas hob installed with no flame safety device (FSD): is the appliance unsafe?

No. FSDs are required on gas cooking appliances if they are installed in any flats or multioccupancy buildings. Existing cooking appliances installed in these properties without FSDs fitted would not be classed as being unsafe: however, they do not meet current standards. Any new cooking appliances fitted in this type of property are required to have FSDs fitted.

You can find out more in Technical Bulletin 015: Technical Bulletin 015 the requirement to install gas appliances (including cooking appliances) with flame supervision devices in flats and other multi occupancy buildings, which can be downloaded by logging into your online account at: www.GasSafeRegister.co. uk/sign-in

Why does my unvented hot water cylinder qualification not show on my ID card or on the Gas Safe website? Unvented hot water is a plumbing qualification and, as such, certification bodies do not always inform Gas Safe Register when an engineer has successfully completed this course. You should send a copy of the certificate to: enquiries@ gassaferegister.co.uk and ask for it to be added to your qualifications.

My gas qualifications have expired but I have just re-sat them at the training centre. Can I carry on doing gas work now?

No. It can take four to six weeks for your new qualifications to reach Gas Safe Register. When the certification body has successfully audited the paperwork, it will inform Gas Safe Register that your qualifications have been renewed. Only then can you carry out any gas work. Our advice would be to make sure you know when your qualifications expire and book a date at your local gas training centre at least two to three months beforehand so as to avoid any issues.

I’ve been asked to install a secondary gas meter or alter a gas meter position for a customer. Can I carry out this work?

The CCN1 qualification only allows you to temporarily remove and refit a gas meter for safety while undertaking hot work such as soldering gas installation pipework. Meter work such as installing, exchanging or moving primary or secondary gas meters requires the appropriate meter qualifications, such as MET1. You can find out more in Technical Bulletin 127 Gas industry guidance on work on meter installations, which can be downloaded by logging into your online account at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/ sign-in ■