Gas Safe ACS - Accredited Certification Scheme Unsafe Situations and Notices Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An engineer inspects an older, open-flued gas boiler. The boiler itself is in good working order and passes a flue flow test, but it is installed in a room where the homeowner has recently fitted a powerful mechanical extractor fan without any additional purpose-provided ventilation. How should the engineer classify this situation according to the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP)?
- Immediately Dangerous (ID), as the fan will cause spillage when operated.
- At Risk (AR), because a potential danger exists when the fan and boiler operate concurrently. (Correct answer)
- Not to Current Standards (NCS), as the ventilation was likely adequate before the fan was installed.
- Not Unsafe, provided a warning notice about using the fan is issued to the homeowner.
Correct answer: At Risk (AR), because a potential danger exists when the fan and boiler operate concurrently.
The situation is classified as 'At Risk' (AR). The appliance is not immediately dangerous while the extractor fan is off, but a potential for danger exists. Operating the fan could overcome the natural draught of the flue, causing products of combustion to spill into the room. This fits the definition of AR: an installation with one or more faults that could pose a danger to life or property in the future. [9, 13, 22]
Question 2: Which of the following sets of information MUST be included on a 'Warning/Advisory Record' issued to a responsible person for an unsafe situation?
- The cost of a replacement appliance and the date of the next required service.
- The engineer's personal mobile number and the appliance manufacturer's helpline.
- The engineer's name, Gas Safe registration number, details of the defect, and the classification (e.g., AR/ID). (Correct answer)
- The property's council tax band and the time the engineer arrived on site.
Correct answer: The engineer's name, Gas Safe registration number, details of the defect, and the classification (e.g., AR/ID).
The Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) requires that a Warning Notice clearly identifies the engineer and their registration details, the address of the installation, the specific appliance or fitting concerned, a clear description of the defect(s), the safety classification (ID or AR), and the action taken or advice given. The other options contain information that is either irrelevant or not a mandatory requirement for the safety notice itself. [11, 16, 22]
Question 3: While performing a Landlord's Gas Safety Record inspection in a tenanted property, you identify an 'At Risk' (AR) situation with the gas cooker. The tenant is present, but the landlord is unavailable by phone. What is the correct course of action?
- Take no action until the landlord can be contacted to authorise the work.
- Verbally inform the tenant of the risk, turn off the appliance, and leave without issuing any paperwork.
- Isolate the appliance with the tenant's permission, issue a Warning Notice to the tenant, and make all reasonable efforts to send a copy to the landlord. (Correct answer)
- Disconnect the entire gas supply to the property as the landlord is uncontactable.
Correct answer: Isolate the appliance with the tenant's permission, issue a Warning Notice to the tenant, and make all reasonable efforts to send a copy to the landlord.
The engineer has a duty to make the situation safe and inform the relevant parties. The correct procedure is to explain the risk to the gas user (the tenant), seek their permission to turn off and isolate the appliance, and issue a formal Warning Notice to them. The engineer must also take reasonable steps to ensure the responsible person (the landlord) receives a copy of this notice. [8, 12, 21]
Question 4: Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), which of the following events requires a mandatory report to the HSE by a Gas Safe registered engineer?
- Discovering a gas installation that is dangerous solely due to a lack of routine maintenance.
- A gas fitting that, due to its faulty design or installation, causes a person to be taken to hospital for treatment. (Correct answer)
- An appliance that breaks down and requires a replacement part to be ordered.
- Finding pipework that does not meet current standards but was compliant when installed and is otherwise safe.
Correct answer: A gas fitting that, due to its faulty design or installation, causes a person to be taken to hospital for treatment.
RIDDOR requires engineers to report any gas fitting that they consider dangerous to the extent that it could cause death, loss of consciousness, or hospital treatment, due to its design, construction, installation, modification, or incorrect servicing. [4, 6, 7] Situations dangerous purely due to a lack of maintenance are specifically excluded from RIDDOR reporting, as are appliances that are simply broken or 'Not to Current Standards' but otherwise safe. [4, 6]
Question 5: You are servicing a gas cooker and find that the hotplate burners do not have flame supervision devices (FSDs). The cooker was installed in 1995, is in good condition, and all burners operate with stable, blue flames. According to the GIUSP, how should this be classified?
- Immediately Dangerous (ID), as it lacks a modern safety feature.
- At Risk (AR), because if a flame goes out, gas could continue to escape.
- Not to Current Standards (NCS), as it was compliant when installed but new standards require FSDs. (Correct answer)
- A reportable defect under RIDDOR.
Correct answer: Not to Current Standards (NCS), as it was compliant when installed but new standards require FSDs.
This situation is classified as 'Not to Current Standards' (NCS). While modern standards require FSDs, the appliance was compliant when installed and is operating safely. An NCS classification notes that the installation is not in line with current standards but is not considered unsafe. It has no place in the Unsafe Situations Procedure itself but can be noted for the customer's information. [10, 21, 25] It is not ID or AR because there is no immediate or potential danger from a fault, merely the absence of a modern safety feature. [25]
Question 6: A customer reports a faint, intermittent smell of fumes around their open-flued gas fire. After a visual inspection of the appliance, flue, and ventilation, what is the most critical and logical next step for the engineer?
- Immediately classify the appliance as 'Immediately Dangerous' and disconnect the gas supply.
- Perform a flue gas analysis on the appliance's combustion products.
- Recommend the customer installs a carbon monoxide alarm and arrange to return next week.
- Conduct a spillage test using a smoke match or smoke puffer at the draught diverter. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Conduct a spillage test using a smoke match or smoke puffer at the draught diverter.
After a visual inspection, the priority is to determine if the flue is spilling products of combustion into the room. A spillage test, using a smoke match or similar device at the edge of the draught diverter, is the direct method to check this. [14, 23, 26] Classifying the appliance without confirming a fault would be premature, and simply recommending a CO alarm does not address the potential root cause of the fumes. A flue gas analysis is useful but confirming spillage is the primary concern.
Gas Safe ACS - Accredited Certification Scheme Unsafe Situations and Notices Questions and Answers
An engineer inspects an older, open-flued gas boiler.
The boiler itself is in good working order and passes a flue flow test, but it is installed in a room where the homeowner has recently fitted a powerful mechanical extractor fan without any additional purpose-provided ventilation.
How should the engineer classify this situation according to the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP)?