Campaign on safe use of gas

required and low running costs.

But the installation of any gas fire or other gas heating system

demands quality materials and the attention of highly qualified fitters.

Gas leaks can be dangerous, so any offer of ''I can fit your system for

half that price'' from a handyman or unregistered installer should be

firmly rejected.

This autumn the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) is

running a Gas Safe 94 campaign. The campaign is aimed at advising

consumers on the safe use of gas in the home as well as publicising a

new booklet on the subject, which is freely available from any CORGI

registered installer.

The brochure is the first of a series which will advise consumers on

the various types of home heating, with tips on how to save costs.

Safety advice is included, with plenty of valuable information on the

effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and what to do in the event of a

gas escape.

CORGI marketing manager, Tony Luker, pointed out: ''More than 17

million homes use gas which is widely recognised as the most efficient

and economical way of home heating. But there are pitfalls to be

avoided.

''We hope the brochure will assist consumers to select the right

appliance for their needs.''

But what is CORGI and how does it function? In short CORGI is the body

given the responsibility by the Health and Safety Executive to establish

and maintain a register of approved gas installers in mainland Britain.

Following the introduction of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use)

(Amendment) Regulations 1990, which came into force in 1991, anyone

performing gas work in this country must, by law, be registered with

CORGI.

This covers all businesses, whether employers or self-employed

persons, who undertake work on fittings supplied by natural gas.

At present the register covers 48,000 installers and more than 125,000

operatives.

CORGI plans to promote safety within the industry and with the general

public by raising awareness of the register and by other means, such as

stressing the need to have appliances regularly checked to ensure they

are working efficiently and safely.

Gas is a safe fuel if used correctly, but not only is it a legal

requirement, but it makes good sense to use an expert when having

gas-related work carried out on your premises.

0 Installers have to demonstrate their competence to CORGI inspectors

before acceptance. Once registered, they must be willing to submit

samples of their work for inspection in order to prove that the initial

standard is being maintained.

What has to be remembered is that the body is not just another

self-serving group out to establish a monopoly. It was formed after a

series of gas-related accidents which claimed several lives generated

public concern about standards within the industry.

In 1990 regulations were finally laid before Parliament. These require

the compulsory registration of those engaged in the installation and

servicing of equipment.

Following this, the Health and Safety Executive decided that CORGI

should operate the registration scheme.