CORGI Or Gas Safe?
CORGI ceased to be the government's official gas engineer register in 2009 but many people still refer to themselves as being "CORGI registered". This could be risky for consumers.
In England alone, more than 60 deaths occur annually due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, it is essential to hire an engineer who is gas safe to perform maintenance on your boiler or other appliances.
Qualifications
Often the name CORGI is often associated with a particular model of car or a famous royal dog but it is also the name of a gas training organization. The company offers gas-related training courses and certificates that are recognized by the Skills for Health qualification body. These qualifications are designed to ensure that engineers possess the required knowledge and skills for working safely with gas. To be an Gas Safe engineer an engineer must pass a series of assessments and complete a course of training in the field. Before they are deemed Gas Safe they must prove their knowledge and under go an investigation into their criminal history.
A Gas Safe registration card will be given to the engineer after they have been deemed qualified. The card will include a photo of the engineer as well as their Gas Safe number, as well as an expiry date. The reverse of the card will list the various types of work the engineer is certified to do. These include work on boilers, cookers and other gas appliances. The engineer is allowed to perform the work listed on their certificate.
It is against the law for anyone who isn't registered on the Gas Safe Register to work on gas-related installations or repairs. Gas Safe Register is an official list of gasfitters, and is administered by Capita. If an engineer does not appear on the Gas Safe Register, they are operating illegally and putting you at risk of exposure to carbon monoxide, or other gas-related incidents.
If an engineer claims to be CORGI registered you should always verify this with the Gas Safe Register website or call the relevant Health and Safety Authority to make sure they are. The HSE website will provide you with how to contact your local authority.
Gas Safe Register replaced the CORGI Register on April 1st 2009. It is still essential for consumers to look for the logo and ask an engineer to examine their Gas Safe Register card. This will confirm that they are properly qualified and insured to perform the work. In addition to keeping a list of registered engineers, the Gas Safe Register also runs gas safety campaigns and helps people with their enquiries. It is run by Capita on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Environment Agency in Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Checking your ID card
Gas Safe Register is the UK's registration authority for all gas engineers. They are licensed to perform any task related to a gas appliance such as boiler installation or repair maintenance, or an annual safety inspections. Only Gas Safe registered engineers can operate on your gas appliances. They will have the certificate which shows their registration number and photo along with a list of categories of jobs that they are certified to perform in your home.
It is recommended to inquire from the engineer about their Gas Safe Register ID before they begin any work. If they don't have one, or it is expired, don't let them work on gas appliances. You can also check the details of their registration online to confirm that they're registered with the Gas Safe Register.
Capita is the new operator of Gas Safe Register, which was replaced by CORGI. It's the only body that can legally operate within the GB gas industry. All engineers must be registered with it. It is unlawful for an engineer to work on gas installations unless on the register.
A Gas Safe registered engineer will have a green card with a number on it and an expiry date of five years. A registered Gas Safe engineer will also have a valid phone number and address. You can check whether an engineer is registered on the Gas Safe Register by searching their website for their name.
In order to be qualified as a gas engineer the person must have completed their training and gain practical experience working on gas installations. They also must have checked for criminal records and have no history of misconduct or fraud. Despite all this, a lot of non-registered UK engineers still perform work that puts their clients and co-workers at risk. Engineers who are not registered may not be aware of the dangers of CO poisoning and may not be trained to recognize signs. gas safe registered engineer to prevent these issues is to only use Gas Safe registered engineers.
Verifying the company
Gas Safe registered engineers are the best to work with. Gas Safe engineers have gone through rigorous testing and training to ensure that they are competent enough to work with gas appliances. This is a requirement for all companies in the UK and all engineers who work with gas. If you are unsure if an engineer is Gas Safe, you can verify their credentials online through the Gas Safe register. You can also contact their customer service department by calling 85080, or sending the word "Gas".
In addition to being legally registered, Gas Safe engineers are insured and qualified to work on your boiler. You can be sure of high-quality work and safety. You should only employ engineers who are Gas Safe registered. A rogue installer could cause serious harm. Gas Safe will provide a unique license that can be checked on the register.
If you want to find an experienced gas engineer, the best place to start is by looking for one in your area. Utilize the "Find by Postcode" tool on the Gas Safe site to find an engineer in your area. This will provide you with the list of engineers and their contact information. Look for the engineer's Gas Safe card. It will include a picture of them and their license number.
Unlike CORGI which has been replaced by the Gas Safe Register, all companies and engineers must be Gas Safe registered to carry any gas-related work. This is to safeguard your property and family from illegal work. If you encounter an engineer who is not registered, report them to the Gas Safe Register as soon as you can.
Gas Safe registered heating engineers (formerly Corgi will check your boiler and flue pipe system. This will ensure that all gas appliances are safe to use and that your home is free from harmful carbon monoxide poisoning or fires. Landlords are required by law to have all their gas appliances and pipes checked annually.
Verifying the experience of the engineer
Gas engineers are vital to modern-day life, making sure that heating systems and other appliances at home function smoothly and efficiently. Gas engineers also maintain more complex gas systems, which are utilized by hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Gas safety is a crucial issue. In the UK there are 60 deaths per year due to carbon monoxide.
When choosing a gas engineer It is essential to verify their credentials and experience. The number of certificates and length of training may be used to determine the level of expertise of an engineer. The training to become a Gas Engineer typically takes 26 weeks and includes instruction in the classroom and hands-on workshops. The students will also be required to complete a practical work placement in order to gain experience.
After many years of industry and public pressure, CORGI has been replaced by Gas Safe Register in 2009 In 2006, a study of gas safety led to the decision to shift to an authority for registration. The Gas Safe Register, operated by Capita under contract, is staffed with HSE-approved personnel.
It is accessible online and is accessible to consumers for free. It lists gas fitters, gas engineers and other gas professionals who are registered with the government. The register is updated frequently and contains information on the qualifications of each individual as well as their work experience.
Gas registration bodies are often confusing to consumers and they don't understand what they mean in terms of safety. A nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 UK adults revealed that the majority of people view CORGI registration as one of the most important aspects when deciding on gas engineers. It is more important that recommendations from friends, positive reviews online or even accreditations from the manufacturer.
Gas engineers who are registered with CORGI must also meet a number of quality and safety requirements. They also must pass the ACS (Accredited Certification Scheme) assessments that test their competence and knowledge of the field. Viva Training offers a comprehensive program that prepares trainees for the ACS exams. The course consists of classes and hands-on workshops as well as the opportunity to work in a field which allows students to gain practical experience in the field.