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Helena wants to know:
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"How often should gas appliances be checked for gas safety?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Gas appliances should have a safety
check every year.
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Frankie wants to know:
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"What's your opinion on electric heaters - I've been using
one to heat my room at uni? Is gas better?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Gas is better in certain circumstances,
for instance, it's often cheaper. But without knowing the
full circumstances I couldn't give a specific answer. The
important point is to make sure the appliance is used safely.
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Georgina wants to know:
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"What can happen if gas appliances aren't checked regularly?
"
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Steve Bratt said:
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They can produce a highly poisonous
gas called Carbon Monoxide. This gas can seriously harm or
even kill someone. So please make sure your gas appliances
are regularly checked.
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Angie wants to know:
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"What are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning? "
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Steve Bratt said:
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The symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
are flu like, ie headaches, dizziness, nausea, tiredness etc.
If you get any of these symptoms whilst using gas appliance,
turn the appliance off, go to the doctor and ask the landlord
to get a CORGI registered installer to check the appliance.
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betty wants to know:
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"Who is qualified to perform a gas safety check? "
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Steve Bratt said:
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Only CORGI registered installers can
work on gas. They possess necessary qualifications to do this
work and their work is regularly inspected by CORGI. This
is the law!
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Anna wants to know:
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"How do I know whether the gas installer is CORGI registered?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Ask to see their CORGI ID card - all
registered installers carry them. On the card there is a photograph
of the Installer and details of what type of work they are
able to do. If you have any doubt contact CORGI (the telephone
number is on the ID card). To find a CORGI registered installer
you can look in Yellow Pages or Thomson Directory, on the
CORGI website (www.corgi-gas.com) or call 0870 401 2300
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Wendy wants to know:
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"I have recently purchased a buy to let property in a student
area. What safety checks do I have to do before I can allow
tenants to live there?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Get a CORGI registered installer to
do a full safety check on the property and they will issue
you with a gas safety certificate. Then provide that certificate
to the tenant within 28 days. This check should be done annually.
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Jules wants to know:
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"Does a landlord have to show proof of gas safety checks
before or after I sign the contract?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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It is a legal requirement for the landlord
to provide a tenant with proof within 28 days of the check
being carried out. We recommend a safety check is done before
any re-let. The landlord should have a current gas safety
certificate, and I would advise you to see it before you sign
your lease.
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Jude wants to know:
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"Why are students in particular a group who can be particularly
at risk from poorly maintained gas appliances"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Statistically, rented properties have
a higher risk of having unsafe gas appliances, and students
traditionally inhabit some of the less desirable properties.
So always ask to see a certificate!
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Jennie wants to know:
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"Which equipment is covered by the annual check?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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All of the pipe work and gas appliances
belonging to the landlord.
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Emma has asked:
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"What if an appliance fails the safety check?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Firstly, it should not be used. It
will be recorded on the certificate and the landlord should
get a CROGI registered installer to repair it or install a
new appliance and make it safe.
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A common question asked is : "What is a Carbon Monoxide detector?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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A Carbon Monoxide detector is a device
that identifies if Carbon Monoxide is present in a room. There
are different forms of detectors on the market and our advice
is to only use ones that have a suitable accreditation (for
instance are CORGI approved or British Standard Kite marked).
Carbon Monoxide detectors are useful as an extra form of warning
but should not replace regular safety checks.
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Robbie wants to know:
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"What is Carbon Monoxide and why is it called the silent
killer? "
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Steve Bratt said:
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Carbon Monoxide occurs when gas doesn't
burn correctly and is highly toxic. It's called the silent
killer because it is difficult to detect as it has no smell
or taste.The first you know that it is affecting you is when
you start to suffer the symptoms.
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Jon wants to know:
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"Where should the installer be placed?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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All detectors come with instructions
advising where to install them. Normally they recommend that
they should be at a relatively high level in a room containing
the gas appliance and not where they would be subject to interference.
The important thing is to follow the manufacturer's instruction.
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Simon wants to know:
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"Can I get one for free?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Many detectors are often given away
for free. The best place to start is with your University
or your Student Union. Some gas suppliers and local authorities
often give them away as part of safety campaigns. However,
if it is a rented property then clearly you need to speak
with the landlord and they should provide you with one.
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Sara has asked:
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"Do I have to renew my carbon monoxide detector?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Again, the important thing to do is
read the instructions. Some of the detectors do have a limited
life span after which the sensor inside them becomes inaccurate.
This is why it is important to choose one that has some form
of official approval.
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And are there any specific models that
are recommended by CORGI?
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Steve Bratt said:
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CORGI do approve some detectors and
so do British Standards. More information is available on
the CORGI website.
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Hilary wants to know:
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"What action do I take in the event of a gas escape?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Turn off the gas supply, open the windows,
don't use any switches or anything that could ignite the gas
and call our emergency number on 0800 111 999.
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Lenny wants to know:
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"Can I - as a tenant - take responsibility for these gas
safety checks?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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It is advisable for tenants to make
sure safety checks are doneand it is clearly a sensible and
safe thing to do to make sure the check is carried out. The
legal responsibility lies with the landlord. But if the landlord
is happy for you to do it, you should then pass a copy of
the certificate to the landlord.
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Brat wants to know:
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"We asked our Landlord about Carbon monoxide. He said it
was fine because we have a bit of paper that supposedly turns
a different colour in the presence of CO. Is this legal?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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We do not recommend those types of
CO detectors. The idea of a detector is that it gives a warning
which gets someone's attention. The type you have described
simply changes colour and will only come to your attention
if you happen to look at it - by the time you come to see
such a device, you could already be seriously affected by
Carbon Monoxide.
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Gus wants to know:
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"How do the detectors work?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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It has a sensor inside which analyses
the atmosphere and if Carbon Monoxide is present it gives
off an audible warning (sound). It is similar to a smoke alarm
but instead of identifying smoke it identifies Carbon Monoxide.
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Justin wants to know:
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"What does CORGI stand for?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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It stands for the Council for Registered
Gas Installers and we register people that carry out gas work
and monitor the standard of their work to ensure that they
work safely.
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Steve Bratt
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CORGI operates the gas registration
scheme on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive and are
accountable to them for it's performance.
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Imogen wants to know:
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"What should I do if the installer is not CORGI registered
and/or has falsely claimed they are CORGI registered?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Firstly do not let them do your gas
work . Secondly report them to CORGI so that we can take action
against them. In order to check whether an installer is registered
always ask to see their ID card. The card has a photograph
of the person and also has the details of the work they are
able to do. If in doubt contact CORGI to check it out.
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Will wants to know:
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"Do you think that students are naive about health and safety
issues? "
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Steve Bratt said:
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I'm not sure that it's naivety but
I don't think that safety is a priority amongst students.
It is something that is often taken for granted and we don't
see how important it is until something goes wrong. That's
why we suggest students always ask to see a gas safety certificate.
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Adam wants to know:
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"What were the most striking statistics revealed by your
survey?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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The worrying statistic from our research
is that over 60% of people in rented properties have never
seen a gas safety certificate. This means that they do not
know whether the gas appliances are safe or not.
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Davey Boy wants to know:
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"If i died of carbon monoxide poisoning through a faulty
appliance and there was no detector could my mum sue the landlord?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Yes! If you were to be killed and the
landlord had not carried out the safety checks then they would
be acting illegally and could be prosecuted . The important
thing is to make sure that the safety checks are done by a
registered CORGI installer, so that you, your landlord (and
your mum) can have confidence in your safety.
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Jamie wants to know:
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"What is the law concerning fire escapes in student houses.
My window only opens a little bit and i have an attic room.
What's more all my mates are smokers. Should i have a word
with my landlord?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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I am not an expert in fire regulations
but clearly any property needs to meet fire safety requirements
which, as I understand it, require multiple routes for exiting
a building in an event of a fire. Your local fire service
should be able to give you specific information and also inspect
the properties to make sure it is safe.
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Damien D wants to know:
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"We are on gas and the fittings look like they came out of
the ark, can I, and if so how can I force my landlord to get
them checked?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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A landlord has to have a gas appliances/fitting
check for safety every year and provide a copy of the safety
certificate. If they do not do this, then contact firstly
your University to see if they can help you, also any bodies
that your landlord is a member of such as the local authority
or trade association. The Health and Safety Executive can
also help. If you suspect the appliances to be unsafe then
do not use them until they have been checked out.
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gonzo wants to know:
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"Isn't there an old wives tale about keeping budgies as a
way of telling if you have a gas leak?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Well actually it was canaries and it
used to work for the miners many many years ago however on
a serious note if you want something to warn you of CO the
electronic versions are much more reliable than the feathered
versions.
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Simon wants to know:
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"How much is a carbon monoxide detector?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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The average cost of a decent detector
is less than £50.
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Nell Atkins wants to know:
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"My mum's heard all this news about carbon monoxide poisoning,
what can I do to reassure her that I'm ok?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Be nice to her on Mother's Day and
make sure you call her regularly! Staying alive is probably
the best present you can give her, so make sure that you see
the gas safety certificate for your rented property.
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Andrew wants to know:
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"What can I do if my landlord won't give me a record of the
gas safety check?"
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Steve Bratt said:
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Firstly, do not use the appliances
if you cannot be sure that they are safe. Secondly, speak
to the university and the student union to see if they can
help you. If they cannot help you speak to your local HSE
office or contact CORGI. If the landlord is registered either
with a Trade Association or with a local authority you can
also speak to them to help you. At the end of the day they
have to provide you with a certificate by law.
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Steve Bratt
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It has been a pleasure. Never
let safety be a secondary issue and always remember you can
always check out www.corgi-gas.com or call 0870 401 2300 for
further information.
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