CORGI Or Gas Safe?
CORGI ceased to be the government's official gas engineer register in 2009 but many people still claim to be being "CORGI registered". This is potentially dangerous for consumers.
In England alone, more than 60 deaths occur each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. You should always hire an expert gas safe engineer to fix 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's also the name of a gas training organisation. The company offers gas courses and certificates that are accredited by Skills for Health. These qualifications are designed to ensure that engineers possess the necessary skills and knowledge for working safely around gas. To be a Gas Safe Engineer, an engineer must complete a series of assessments and a course of training. They must also show proof of their knowledge and undergo a criminal record check before being deemed Gas Safe.
After being certified, an engineer will be issued with a Gas Safe registration card. The card will include a photograph of the engineer as well as their Gas Safe number, and an expiry date. The reverse side of the card will list the different categories of work the engineer is certified to perform. This includes work on cookers, boilers and other gas appliances. The engineer is only allowed to carry out the tasks listed on their card.
Gas installations and repairs are only done by Gas Safe Register registered professionals. Gas Safe Register is an official list of gasfitters, and is administered by Capita. If an engineer is not registered, they are illegally working and could put you at risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide or other gas-related accidents.
If an engineer claims to be CORGI registered, it is best to verify this with the Gas Safe Register website or contact the appropriate Health and Safety Authority to make sure they are. The HSE website will tell you how to contact your local authority.
Gas Safe Register replaced the CORGI Register on April 1 2009. Gas Safe Register cards are still available to customers. They should request them and look for the logo. This will confirm that they're properly trained and insured to carry out the work. In addition to maintaining a database of registered engineers The Gas Safe Register also runs gas safety events and assists people with their enquiries. It is managed by Capita on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive for Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as the Environment Agency in Guernsey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Checking the ID card
Gas Safe Register is the UK's registration authority for all gas engineers. They are licensed to do any job involving gas appliances like boiler repair or installation maintenance, as well as an annual safety inspections. Only Gas Safe registered engineers are allowed to do work on your gas appliances. They will have a card that shows their registration number, photo and a list of the categories of jobs they're qualified to do in your home.
It's a good idea request the engineer to show you their license before they begin any work, but if they don't have one, or it's expired, you must refuse to let them work on your gas appliances. You can check their registration details online to ensure they are still registered with Gas Safe Register.
The new Gas Safe register replaced CORGI in 2009 and is operated by Capita. It's the only body which is legally operating in the GB gas industry. All engineers must be registered with it. It is unlawful for an engineer to work on gas installations unless they are registered.
Gas Safe registered engineers will have an ID card in green with the expiry date of five years. A registered Gas Safe engineer will also have a valid telephone number and address. If you're unsure whether an engineer is registered with the Gas Safe Register, you can check by visiting their website and searching for their name.
To be able to work as a gas engineer the person must have completed a course and gained practical experience working on gas installations. They must also have passed an investigation into their criminal record and not have a history of malpractice or fraud. Despite all this, a lot of non-registered UK engineers still carry out work that puts their clients and coworkers 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. The best way to prevent these issues is to use only Gas Safe registered engineers.
Verifying the company
Gas Safe registered engineers are the best to hire. They have been through rigorous training and evaluation to make sure they are competent to work with gas appliances. This is legally required for all engineers and companies who work on gas in the UK. If you're not sure whether an engineer is Gas Safe, you can verify their credentials online at the Gas Safe register. You can also contact their customer service team or text "Gas" to 85080.
In emergency gas engineer to being legally registered, Gas Safe engineers are insured and qualified to work on your boiler. You can rest assured of high-quality work as well as safety. It is recommended to only work with engineers who are Gas Safe registered. A unqualified installer could cause severe harm. They will have an unique license number that can be verified online at the Gas Safe register.
If you want to find an experienced gas engineer who is certified the best place to start is by searching for one in your area. You can use the 'Find by Postcode' tool on the Gas Safe website to find an engineer in your area. You will be given a a list with the details of the engineers' contact numbers. Find the engineer's Gas Safe card. It will have a photo of them and their license number.
Contrary to CORGI which was 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 yourself from illegal work which could put your family or property at risk. If you encounter an engineer who isn't registered, report them to the Gas Safe Register as soon as you can.
Gas Safe registered heating engineers (formerly Corgi will examine your boiler and flue pipe system. This will ensure all gas appliances in your home are safe and free of dangers like carbon monoxide or fires. By law, landlords must have their gas appliances and pipework examined annually.
Checking the expertise of the engineer
Gas engineers are crucial to modern-day living, since they ensure that heating systems and other appliances in the home run smoothly and efficiently. They also oversee the more complicated gas systems that are used by hotels, restaurants and other companies. Gas safety is an important issue that causes 60 deaths each year in the UK caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
It is important to confirm the qualifications and experience of a gas engineer before hiring them. The length of training and the number of certificates an engineer has will help determine their skill level. The process of becoming a Gas Engineer typically takes 26 weeks and includes instruction in the classroom as well as hands-on workshops. The trainees also have to complete a practical work placement to gain experience.
After years of pressure from the public and the industry, CORGI was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. A review of gas safety in 2006 resulted in a decision move to a new registration body. The Gas Safe Register is operated under contract by Capita, and is staffed by HSE-approved staff.
The register is accessible on the internet and is available for free for users. The register lists the names of all engineers, gas fitters and other gas professionals who are registered with the government. The register is regularly updated and includes information about the qualifications of each person and their work history.
Many consumers are confused about gas registration bodies and what they mean for security. A nationally representative poll of 22,000 UK adults revealed that consumers view CORGI registration as one of the most important aspects when choosing the right gas engineer. It is more important than recommendations from family and friends and online reviews that are positive, and even accreditations from the manufacturer.
Gas engineers registered with CORGI must also meet certain quality and safety requirements. They also must pass ACS (Accredited Certificate Scheme) assessments which test their knowledge and skills in the field. Viva Training offers a comprehensive program to prepare trainees for the ACS exams. The course includes classroom instruction and hands-on training and the opportunity to work in a field which allows students to gain experience in the field.