Gas safety contacts and information sources
Gas safety information
HSE runs a free Gas Safety Advice Line offering information on gas safety that is open between 9.00am and 5 .30 pm Monday to Thursday and 9.00am to 5.00pm on Friday (excluding bank holidays). To contact the Gas Safety Advice Line freephone 0800 300 363.
National Landlords Associtation (NLA)
The National Landlords Association (NLA) provide a short video on their website regarding general gas safety, landlords duties and CO poisoning.
Product safety advice
The product safety for domestic gas appliances is overseen by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and enforced by the Trading Standards departments of local councils. If you have a concern about the product safety of a gas appliance you should contact ConsumerDirect on 08454 04 05 06 or the Trading Standards Department of your local council
Building Regulations
The installation of all combustion appliances, ie gas, oil, wood and coal appliances, is covered by requirements of the Building Regulations. In England, the Building Regulations are overseen by the Department for Communities and Local Government and enforced by the Local Authority Building Control Department of local councils. If you are having a new or replacement appliance installed you should check your responsibilities under the Building Regulations. In Scotland, the building regulations are overseen by the Building Standards Division of Scottish Government with the 32 local authorities having responsibility for enforcement within their own geographical area. For Wales, the Building Regulations are overseen by the Welsh Government. If you are having a new or replacement appliance installed you should check your responsibilities under the appropriate national building regulations.
Specialist advice
Advice on gas safety onboard boats can be found on the Boat Safety Scheme website.
A number of organisations provide industry guidance on gas safety in caravans.
Support for vulnerable consumers
Help with ensuring the safety of your gas appliances is available through the Priority Services Register. If you are of pensionable age, have a disability or are eligible for certain benefits you may qualify to become a member of the Priority Services Register.
If you think you may be eligible you should contact your gas supplier (the company you pay your bills to) for further advice and information.
Financial help with fuel bills
If you are having problems paying your gas bill there are sources of financial help available depending on your circumstances. Further advice and information can be found on the Directgov website.
Energy efficiency
You may be able to get energy efficiency grants and offers to help you make energy saving improvements to your home. These grants and offers come from government, your local council or your energy supplier. Further advice and information can be found on the Directgov website - Energy Efficiency grants.
Safety of non gas appliances (oil, wood, coal burning appliances) and chimneys
Carbon monoxide can be produced by any combustion appliance, including those that burn fossil fuels eg oil, wood and coal. If you have one of these appliances you should make sure that it is serviced and maintained by a competent person and the chimney is regularly swept. The following organisations offer further sources of advice on the safe use of non gas appliances and chimneys.
- HETAS – Offer advice on biomass and solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services.
- OFTEC – Offer advice on oil heating and cooking.
- Solid Fuel Association - Offer advice on biomass and solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services.
- National Association of Chimney Sweeps - Offer advice on professional chimney sweeping, safe operation and maintenance of chimneys, appliances and the installation of flue systems, stainless steel flexible liners and flue terminations.
- National Association of Chimney Engineers - Offer advice on chimney lining and lining systems, flue and chimney construction, and the use of chimney components.