The legal requirement
In Great Britain, anyone doing gas work must be on the Gas Safe Register under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. That includes fitting, moving, servicing and repairing gas boilers. An unregistered installer is breaking the law, and unsafe gas work can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and explosions.
How to check an engineer
- Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card before they start. It shows their photo, licence number and expiry date.
- Turn the card over. The back lists the types of gas work the engineer is qualified to do. Check that it covers what you need, for example natural gas appliances such as boilers.
- Check the Gas Safe Register. You can look up the engineer or the company on the official Gas Safe Register website at gassaferegister.co.uk.
Be careful with logos. Only registered businesses may use the Gas Safe logo, and a logo on a van or website is not proof on its own. Always check the register.
What to ask before you agree to the work
- Who exactly will fit the boiler, and are they Gas Safe registered for this type of work?
- Will I get a written, itemised quote?
- Will the boiler be commissioned and the paperwork provided (including the Benchmark checklist)?
- Will the guarantee be registered with the manufacturer?
- Will my old boiler be removed and disposed of?
Boiler installation at McInally's
Every boiler we install is fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and you receive your certification and commissioning paperwork on completion. Our Gas Safe registration number is 980504, and you are welcome to check it, and the engineer's ID card, on the Gas Safe Register before work starts. Read about our boiler installation service, or see what affects the cost.
Sources: HSE: gas safety for installers and householders · Gas Safe Register