PUBLIC AT RISK FROM PLUMBERS WHO UNDERTAKE ILLEGAL GAS WORK
The case of a Milton Keynes plumber sentenced for undertaking illegal gas work is all too common. The Heating Helpline warns homeowners to be vigilant and not take any risks – always check that the installer is Gas Safe Registered.
29 February 2012 – A Milton Keynes plumber who recently put a householder at risk by illegally installing and working on a gas boiler has now been sentenced. Christopher Johnson pleaded guilty to breaching gas safety regulations and was given a three-month community order and ordered to pay £475 in costs.
With a banging sound coming from the boiler, the homeowner contacted the manufacturer who classified it as “immediately dangerous” and disconnected the gas supply. An engineer from Gas Safe confirmed the existence of dangerous defects that were potentially lethal. The investigation also established that Mr Johnson was not registered with Gas Safe and was therefore working illegally.
The Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk), the home heating advice service operated by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), says that this case is now all too common, with one in five of the homes investigated by Gas Safe Register found to be ‘immediately dangerous’. In all of these cases the work had been done by an illegal gas fitter.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), comments, “Every week families are put at risk to the extent that their lives are threatened by bogus gas fitters who don’t have the skills or qualifications to work on gas appliances.
“Working with gas appliances requires highly specialist knowledge and should only be undertaken by a qualified, reputable engineer.
“Don’t simply rely on the recommendation of a friend or use a plumber that has done work for you in the past – it is vital that anyone who undertakes gas work in your home is Gas Safe Registered, and always ask to see their Gas Safe Register identity card and contact the Register immediately on 0800 408 5500[1]if you have any concerns or if you think the gas fitter is using a falsified ID card or still using a CORGI ID card which is no longer valid”.
An easy way to locate a qualified, reputable gas installer is to use the Heating Helpline website at: http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk or call them on 0800 840 4069. Operated by the HVCA, the Heating Helpline provides essential information on where homeowners can find a local, reputable Gas Safe Registered installer, how to employ them, how to get the best from them and what to do in the unlikely event that things do go wrong.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the HVCA by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert
Tel: 44(0)1256 472020
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010
E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Note to Editors
On 1 March 2012 the HVCA, the organisation behind the Heating Helpline, is rebranding and will be known as B&ES – the Building & Engineering Services Association.
Established in 1904, the HVCA is the premier organisation representing central heating contractors across the UK, and exists to promote fair dealing and the sound installation of heating systems.
HVCA members all undergo third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability every three years. This process is carried out by an independent certification body with an established industry reputation.
HVCA members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.
HVCA operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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