Gas

How will the route to becoming Gas Safe Registered change? The areas covered by new entrants training to become Gas Safe Registered are changing on the 1st October 2017. Here is a breakdown of what newcomers to the gas industry can expect when they train to become gas engineers.   Why has it...

It’s not long until the busy heating season, the time of year when the heating systems of England spark back into life as the cold sets in again. That also means it’s nearly time for Gas Safety Week, the annual celebration of gas safety and awareness. Gas Safety Week is...

Over the weekend you may have seen on Twitter the hashtag #RegardTheCard go a bit crazy ………….  If you don’t know what #RegardTheCard is find out here. There has been some great involvement from suppliers, training providers, magazines and installers, however, not everyone agrees. We think it’s a great idea and...

As we countdown to October and the ACS changes, you as an aspiring gas engineer might be wondering what, if anything, you should do about this. Taking the time off to train requires a pretty big commitment and is not to be taken lightly. If you have already been to...

With change imminent, we thought we would look at some of the key statistics surrounding ACS throughout its 20-year history. Failure stats Experienced trades professionals often complain that it’s impossible to fail ACS assessments. The statistics beg to differ. These figures are the total numbers of failures for each sector...

The Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) is the industry recognised route for someone looking to become a member of the Gas Safe Register. It was introduced in 1997 and has seen many changes throughout its 20 year history. From the 1st October 2017 the scheme is being updated and as...

Over the past couple of months you may have seen on Twitter the hashtag #RegardTheCard but what does it actually mean? Simply put, #RegardTheCard is trying to point out the importance of having a gas safe card on show by encouraging gas installers to share/upload a picture showing theirs. This trend was brought about...

Recent research by both the Gas Safety Register and Plentific.com, a home services marketplace based in London, show that the majority of homeowners aren’t checking the qualifications and necessary insurances of the trade professionals they employ to work on their homes and thereby putting themselves at risk. The statistics are...

Are you a school leaver or A-Level student thinking about your future career prospects?  It’s one of the toughest decisions you will have ever had to make – will you apply for uni, take a gap year, seek an apprenticeship or go straight into the world of work? You’re probably...

MPs have demand that low income families must be protected by the government from CO poisoning. Thanks to recent research from Liverpool John Moores University, it showed that those from low income households are most at risk of CO poisoning. The Government also stated an intention in its White Paper in the...

New research from Gas Safe Register shows around 5 million people are put at risk from CO poisoning, gas leaks and explosions by illegal gas engineers around the UK.  Gas Safe Register is the nation’s only official legal gas registration scheme. Thanks to its recent study (4 years worth of data) they...

After 3 weeks of escalating pressure from installers following the release of the CGCS scheme, it has now been withdrawn today on the 23rd February 2017.  Hundreds of installers joined together to protest against the new scheme. Many felt that being Gas Safe Registered should be enough to prove competency. Gas Engineers...

There has been a 10% rise in recorded incidents of suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning at NHS Trusts across the UK: 2014/2015 – 2,220 incidents 2015/2016 – 2,430 incidents That’s an average of 6 people attending A&E every day with suspected CO poisoning! Young and elderly people were the most...

Here’s something we often get asked by gas installers: “When are my qualifications due to expire?” It may be easy as a sole trader to keep track of but what if your business has 5 or more engineers with several qualifications due to expire at different times? Gas Safe Register...

The key to becoming a gas installer is being Gas Safe Registered, but it’s not as easy as it sounds!  Installers applying to be Gas Safe Registered must meet strict conditions before they are legally allowed to work as a gas installer. According to Gas Safe Register: “Before applying to...

This week is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, a campaign started by the charity CO Awareness to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. So far this year the deadly gas has been responsible for 47 deaths with a further 722 people hospitalised. The charity was set...

With the strapline “Fighting to make gas safety safe” Gas Safety Superheroes are campaigning to improve standards, training and safety in the gas industry. Started by a group of plumbing and heating engineers, PRHull LTD, Gas Man God and PB plumber alongside The Builders Babes, The Gas Safety Superheroes are looking...

On the 7th November the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) began consulting on changes to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR). The consulation will end around the 27th January 2017, so if you’re an installer and want to respond to the consultation make sure you do it before...

Are your customers private landlords? They should be aware that they are responsible for the gas safety of their tenants. If not then it’s important you let them know.  Landlords are expected to follow throught with their legal duties if any of the following  accommodation is occupied under a lease or licence; (but not...

The British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA) have created a new guide so that you can get a clearer understanding of how chimneys and flues should be selected and installed in commercial applications. It also offers guidance on CE designations and even highlights key points from the regulations. The...