ACS Gas Safety Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under GSIUR 1998, what is required before a gas installer can put a new gas appliance into service?
- Written approval from the gas supplier only
- The installation must comply with the relevant standards and the appliance must be commissioned and verified as safe before handing over to the customer (Correct answer)
- A planning consent from the local authority
- Notifying the Gas Safe Register within 5 days of completion
Correct answer: The installation must comply with the relevant standards and the appliance must be commissioned and verified as safe before handing over to the customer
Before commissioning, the engineer must verify the installation complies with standards, test tightness, verify combustion, and complete a commissioning checklist before the appliance is handed over for use.
Question 2: Which regulation places a duty on gas engineers to report gas escapes they become aware of?
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Regulation 37 GSIUR 1998 — and the National Gas Emergency Service (0800 111 999) must be called (Correct answer)
- The Gas Act 1986 only
- The Environmental Protection Act 1990
Correct answer: Regulation 37 GSIUR 1998 — and the National Gas Emergency Service (0800 111 999) must be called
GSIUR 1998 reg.37 requires any person who suspects a gas escape to immediately inform the gas emergency service — engineers have a professional and legal duty to report escapes.
Question 3: What does 'approved' mean when referring to gas appliances and fittings under GSIUR 1998?
- Approved by the engineer carrying out the installation
- Certified as meeting the relevant essential requirements under the Gas Appliances Regulation (EU) 2016/426 or equivalent UK legislation (Correct answer)
- Approved by the building owner
- Approved by the local fire service
Correct answer: Certified as meeting the relevant essential requirements under the Gas Appliances Regulation (EU) 2016/426 or equivalent UK legislation
Gas appliances must carry CE or UKCA marking (post-Brexit) demonstrating conformity with the Gas Appliances Regulation — using unapproved appliances is a breach of GSIUR 1998.
Question 4: What are the duties of an employer of a gas engineer under GSIUR 1998?
- To ensure the engineer is registered with Gas Safe Register and competent in the work being carried out (Correct answer)
- To provide a company van and tools only
- To carry out annual performance appraisals of the engineer
- To notify Ofgem of all gas work carried out
Correct answer: To ensure the engineer is registered with Gas Safe Register and competent in the work being carried out
Employers must ensure their gas engineers are Gas Safe registered, hold the appropriate ACS competencies for the work being done, and work within those competencies.
Question 5: Under GSIUR 1998, which work is exempt from the requirement to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer?
- Disconnecting a gas cooker for a house move
- Reading a gas meter — no work on the fitting itself (Correct answer)
- Replacing a gas hob in a kitchen
- Changing a thermocouple on a gas fire
Correct answer: Reading a gas meter — no work on the fitting itself
Simply reading a gas meter involves no work on the gas fitting itself and is not 'gas work' under GSIUR 1998; any work that involves the fitting, pipework, or appliance must be done by a registered engineer.
Question 6: What is the Gas Safe Register ID card and what information does it contain?
- A driving licence for gas engineers operating commercial vehicles
- A card showing the engineer's name, photo, registration number, and the specific types of gas work they are qualified to undertake (Correct answer)
- A certificate confirming an employer's gas safety policy
- An annual tax document provided by Gas Safe Register
Correct answer: A card showing the engineer's name, photo, registration number, and the specific types of gas work they are qualified to undertake
The Gas Safe Register ID card identifies the engineer and lists their specific competencies (domestic gas, LPG, commercial catering, etc.) on the reverse — customers should always ask to see it.
ACS Gas Safety Regulations 2
Under GSIUR 1998, what is required before a gas installer can put a new gas appliance into service?