Gas Safety Guide
Essential information on gas safety in the home. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for any gas work.
If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, leave the building immediately, do not use any switches, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 (free, 24/7).
What is Gas Safe?
The Gas Safe Register is the official list of businesses and engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas appliances in Great Britain, the Isle of Man and Guernsey. It replaced CORGI registration in 2009.
It is a legal requirement that any engineer who works on gas appliances - including boilers, gas fires, cookers, and central heating - must be on the Gas Safe Register. Working on gas appliances without being registered is illegal and extremely dangerous.
Check the Gas Safe RegisterWhat Work Requires a Gas Safe Engineer?
The following work must only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer:
- Boiler installation, repair, or replacement
- Gas fire installation or repair
- Gas cooker installation
- Central heating system installation or repair
- Any work on gas pipework or connections
- Replacing any internal boiler components
- Gas pressure testing
- Flue installation or modification
- Annual boiler service and safety check
What Can a Homeowner Do Safely?
There are a limited number of checks that homeowners can safely carry out themselves:
- Topping up boiler pressure using the filling loop (consult your manual)
- Bleeding radiators to remove air
- Resetting the boiler using the reset button
- Thawing a frozen condensate pipe with warm (not boiling) water
- Checking the thermostat settings and programmer
- Checking that the gas isolation valve is open
If in doubt, do not attempt the repair yourself. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Annual Boiler Servicing
All gas boilers should be serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. An annual service helps ensure the boiler is operating safely and efficiently, can identify faults before they become serious, and is usually required to maintain the boiler warranty.
Landlords have a legal obligation to have gas appliances in their properties checked every 12 months and must provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Record.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas produced by incomplete combustion. A faulty boiler can produce dangerous levels of CO without any visible signs.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and confusion. If you suspect CO poisoning, get everyone out of the building, call 999, and do not re-enter until declared safe.
Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of your home, near any gas appliances. Test the alarm regularly and replace the battery annually. CO alarms are inexpensive and potentially life-saving.