What is SEDBUK?

Have you ever thought what is that ?

SEDBUK - Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK, the scheme was developed in conjunction with boiler manufacturers and the government and provides a fair comparison of average boiler efficiency.
The model was developed to be a a more accurate method than laboratory tests alone as the theoretical data from test on 20 boilers in the labs was compared against field trials in 99 homes over a 3 year period.
A clear rating system is now applied to all boilers from A-G, A being the best and most efficient.

Source:http://www.homeheatingguide.co.uk/

GAS SAFE REGISTER EMAIL UPDATES

Gas Safe Register can keep you updated. There is a possibility to sign up for a newsletter. They include regular safety information, tips how to stay safe in your home, cover issues such as dangers of using illegal gas fitters and how to check whether an engineer is registered, as well as home improvements and latest campaigns.

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/gas_safety_in_the_home/gas_safe_email_updates.aspx

Don't DIY with gas.

1 in 3 people say they would fit a gas appliance themselves to save money. In the right hands, gas is safe, but badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. You may think you know what you’re doing but it’s not like changing a tap; it’s dangerous to DIY with gas and could put your family’s life at risk.

It’s important that you don’t try to fit, fix or move gas appliances such as your boiler or cooker yourself. Only Gas Safe registered engineers have the right skills to do this safely. Gas Safe registered engineers retrain regularly to ensure they are up-to-date with new technology and appliances.

Source: www.gassaferegister.co.uk

REPORT AN ILLEGAL GAS FITTER

Do you suspect that someone is working on gas appliances without being Gas Safe registered?

By law, all engineers undertaking gas work in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, and Guernsey must be registered with Gas Safe Register. Businesses can only register if their engineers are competent and hold up to date and appropriate qualifications.
You can check if your engineer is registered by using our 'check a gas engineer' service online or by calling us on 0800 408 5500.

Anybody who is carrying out gas work and is not registered with Gas Safe Register may be breaking the law. This includes a registered engineer working out of scope of their qualifications, a previously registered business continuing to work without registration, and gas workers who have never been registered.

Note: For information on what constitutes gas work, please see our Technical Bulletin 014 ‘Gas Work’ if you are a registered engineer, or contact our technical department if you are a customer. The technical department can be contacted by phoning 0800 408 5577 or 01256 650 005 and pressing option 1, or emailing technical@gassaferegister.co.uk.

CLICK HERE TO REPORT ILLEGAL GAS WORK

View a simple flowchart of our reporting an illegal process

Reporting illegal gas work as an engineer

Firstly, make sure the installation is safe. Next, follow the steps below.

Note: It is not acceptable for a Gas Safe registered engineer to knowingly ‘sign off’ gas work that has been carried out by a person who is not registered in order to circumvent legal requirements. Where this has occurred, both the registered and unregistered gas worker may face prosecution.

Reporting illegal gas work as a customer

You can make your report via email, telephone (0800 408 5500), post, and online.

Your initial report is received by our Customer Service Department. Here it is logged and you will be given a unique reference number.

What information do I need to give?

The initial information we need from you is the name and contact details of the person who carried out the gas work. You do not need to provide your name to make a report. Other useful information includes the name of the customer, and the address, type of work, and date the work was conducted.

Note: Reported work must be within six years of age.

What happens next?

If it is suspected, from the information you provide, that the engineer is unregistered, the report is passed on to our National Investigations Team. A free inspection of the suspected gas work will be offered within 10 working days of receiving your report. This visit will last approximately two – three hours, and our Regional Investigations Officer will, with homeowner or landlord permission:

1. Check for any damage on or around the gas appliances.
2. Check there are no gas escapes.
3. Check the chimney/flue for compliance.
4. Check for adequate ventilation.
5. Check for safe operation of the appliance installed by the unregistered person

Our Regional Investigations Officer will also take a supporting statement from you about the gas work that has taken place.

Note: Homeowner permission for access to the site is necessary. Gas Safe Register does not hold any powers of entry.

What if the gas work IS unsafe?

Our Regional Investigations Officer will classify any gas safety faults found according to their severity. They will explain to the homeowner/landlord what this means and, with their permission, make the installation safe. The homeowner/landlord will be given a Warning Advice Notice which explains what is wrong with the work, and how to find a qualified and registered engineer to fix this. Gas Safe Register will even come back and check the work your registered engineer has done free of charge.

Finally, a formal written report will be sent to the homeowner/landlord within 10 working days. If you are a registered engineer reporting Illegal gas work, Gas Safe Register will endeavour to keep you informed, without breaching data protection aspects.

What happens to the illegal fitter?

If we have identified that an unregistered person undertook the gas work, they may have broken the law, such as The Gas Safety Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act. As Gas Safe Register does not hold any enforcement powers, we are obliged to provide a report to the relevant enforcement agency, the regional Health and Safety Executive, within 10 working days of the inspection. If appropriate we may also inform other enforcement agencies such as Trading Standards. In certain situations it is possible we may advise you to contact organisations such as Local Authority Environmental Health, Building Control, Citizens Advice Consumer Service, or small claims courts.

For further information as to the outcome of the investigation, you may contact the Health & Safety Executive on 0300 003 1647.

Source: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING – WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly and with no warning.

Unsafe gas appliances produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO). It can cause death as well as serious long term health problems such as brain damage.

Remember the six main symptoms to look out for:

1. headaches
2. dizziness 
3. nausea 
4. breathlessness 
5. collapse 
6. loss of consciousness 

Being aware of the symptoms could save your life.

Carbon monoxide symptoms are similar to flu, food poisoning, viral infections and simply tiredness. That’s why it’s quite common for people to mistake this very dangerous poisoning for something else.

Other signs that could point to carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Your symptoms only occur when you are at home
• Your symptoms disappear or get better when you leave home and come back when you return 
• Others in your household are experiencing symptoms (including your pets) and they appear at a similar time 

What should I do if I experience any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

• Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and leave the house
• See your doctor immediately or go to hospital - let them know that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. They can do a blood or breath test to check 
• If you think there is immediate danger, call the Gas Emergency Helpline  0800 111 999
• Get a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect your gas appliances and flues to see if there is a dangerous problem 

Don’t assume your gas appliances are safe: get a Gas Safe registered gas engineer to do a check. This is the only safe way to prevent yourself and those around you from incurring serious illness or death due to carbon monoxide exposure.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous substance produced by the incomplete burning of gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).

This happens when a gas appliance has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained. It can also occur if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.

Oil and solid fuels such as coal, wood, petrol and oil can also produce carbon monoxide.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when you breathe in even small amounts of the gas.
When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it gets into your blood stream and prevents your red blood cells from carrying oxygen. Without oxygen, your body tissue and cells die.
Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health when breathed in over a long period of time. Long term effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include Paralysis and brain damage. Such long term effects occur because many people are unaware of unsafe gas appliances and subsequent gas leaks.

How do I avoid a carbon monoxide leak in my home?

Your home may show signs of carbon monoxide. Any one of the following could be a sign that there is carbon monoxide in your home.

• The flame on your cooker should be crisp and blue. Lazy yellow or orange flames mean you need to get your cooker checked
• Dark staining around or on appliances 
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out 
• Increased condensation inside windows 

If you have a faulty appliance in your home, it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Get your gas appliances checked to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Why should I get a carbon monoxide alarm?

Because carbon monoxide has no taste, smell or colour. Gas Safe Register strongly recommends you fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

While an alarm will alert you to carbon monoxide in your home, it is no substitute for having an annual gas safety check and regular servicing by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

A carbon monoxide alarm looks similar to a smoke alarm and is very easy to fit by following the manufacturer’s instructions. You can purchase a carbon monoxide alarm from £15 at your local DIY store, supermarket or from your energy supplier.

Before purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm, always make sure it is marked to EN 50291. It should also have the British Standards' Kitemark or another European approval organisation's mark on it. Follow the alarm manufacturer’s instructions on siting, testing and replacing the alarm.

You are particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping, as you may not be aware of early carbon monoxide symptoms until it’s too late. Do not use the ‘black spot’ detectors that change colour when carbon monoxide is present. These will not make a sound to wake you up if the poisonous gas is present while you are sleeping.

Source: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/