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Renfrewshire Community Plan 2008 - 2017 Choosing a gas engineer
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Only qualified gas engineers should install and maintain appliances - including gas boilers, ovens and freestanding cookers.
Any work involving gas requires a fully qualified Gas Safe-registered gas fitter. Every trader on the Gas Safe Register carries an identity card.
A gas engineer has to have the necessary knowledge to install pipe work from the gas meter to, for example, a gas boiler located in the kitchen. This can include lifting up floorboards, drilling through walls and installing ventilation ducts through the exterior wall to provide ventilation for a gas appliance.
A Gas Safe-registered gas engineer may also be a competent electrician and registered with the Corgi building regulations electrical competent persons scheme. This enables them to install the necessary wiring and controls so heating installations meet building regulations requirements.
Any work involving gas requires a fully qualified Gas Safe-registered gas fitter. Every trader on the Gas Safe Register carries an identity card.
A gas engineer has to have the necessary knowledge to install pipe work from the gas meter to, for example, a gas boiler located in the kitchen. This can include lifting up floorboards, drilling through walls and installing ventilation ducts through the exterior wall to provide ventilation for a gas appliance.
A Gas Safe-registered gas engineer may also be a competent electrician and registered with the Corgi building regulations electrical competent persons scheme. This enables them to install the necessary wiring and controls so heating installations meet building regulations requirements.
Anyone proposing to carry out work on a gas appliance is required by law to be on the Gas Safe Register. You can check an engineer or firm's registration on the Gas Safe Register website or by calling directly on 0800 408 5500.
You can use our trader checklist to help you select a reliable trader and guide you through the process of forming a contract.
Trader Checklist (pdf - 788Kb)You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents. Download Acrobat Reader here.
Gas fitter qualifications
To be qualified as a gas engineer, a trader needs to have studied and passed the N/SVQ 6012 and have passed the relevant units of the Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) for individual gas fitting operatives. Their ACS qualification has to be retaken every five years.
- It is crucial that you ask to see their Gas Safe Register ID card.
- Some unscrupulous people claim to be a member when they are not, or their ACS qualification has lapsed.
- Check that the date on the front of their card is valid and that the rear of their card stipulates they are entitled to carry out the gas work you want them to undertake.
- A date next to a work category indicates that the cardholder can no longer work on that particular appliance after the date stated.
If you smell gas
- Call the National Grid emergency line on 0800 111 999 (0800 002 001 in Northern Ireland). The service is free, 24 hours a day.
- If you are calling from a mobile phone, go outside or call from a neighbour's property.
- Do NOT smoke.
- Do NOT turn light switches on or off.
- Do NOT do anything to create a spark.
- Turn off the supply at the meter (as long as you do not have to switch on a light to find it) and open doors and windows.
- Wait outside for the emergency services or trades people to arrive.
Renfrewshire traders have signed up to become members of our Trusted Trader Scheme. We have a directory of consumer rated businesses that have agreed to abide by a specific code, as set out by Trading Standards. You will see their average score out of 10 for their previous jobs and also a compiled list of customer comments to help you make a decision when choosing a trader.
How to record a complaint against a trader
- In the first instance, you should contact the trader in writing and give them the opportunity to resolve any issues you may have.
- Send your complaint letter by Recorded Delivery and keep a copy of the letter and the Recorded Delivery receipt for records.
- Consumer Direct and Directgov have produced template letters to make a complaint.
If your letter fails to resolve the complaint and you require to speak with an adviser for further consumer advice:
- contact our partners, Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
- If Consumer Direct advice does not resolve your complaint, they will refer it on to us for further investigation. Please note that, depending on the circumstances, it may take up to 10 working days before we can contact you.
- For further consumer advice please visit the Directgov website.
Alternatively, you can complete the following form and submit direct to Trading Standards:
- Consumer Complaint Reporting Form (PDF - 604kb)
Contact us
- email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- call in or write to us at:
- Trading Standards
Environmental Services
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1BR
