Government changes to Building Regulations from January 2005 will directly impact the working life of registered gas installers in the United Kingdom.

Building Regulations compliance over the UK

SCOTLAND:

On 1st May 2005 a new building standards system will come into effect in Scotland. The present Building (Scotland) Act 1959 has been replaced with the Building (Scotland) Act 2003. The Act gives Scottish Ministers the power to make Building Regulations, procedural regulations and fees regulations and other supporting legislation needed to provide a modern, flexible and responsive building standards system. Until the new system comes into force on 1st May 2005, the existing system will continue to function.

For detailed information regarding the changes to Building Regulations in Scotland, please visit the Scottish Building Standards Agency at www.sbsa.gov.uk.

NORTHERN IRELAND, ISLE OF MAN AND THE CHANNEL ISLANDS:

Building Regulations standards for Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and The Channel Islands remain unchanged.

ENGLAND AND WALES:

Changes to Building Regulations in England and Wales, which come into effect from January 2005 onwards will have a significant impact directly upon gas installers. Two of the main changes installers need to be aware of are the requirement to install high efficiency boilers and the requirement to notify Local Building Control of relevant gas work undertaken from April 1st 2005 onwards.

High Efficiency Boilers :

Revision to Part L (Heating Systems) of the Building Regulations require registered installers to ensure that they only install SEDBUK A and B rated domestic gas boiler appliances, unless the work is covered by an exception as specified in the same regulations.

Notification to Local Authority Building Control :

Government led changes stipulate that from 1st of April 2005 it will be a legal requirement in England and Wales for the relevant Local Authority Building Control to be notified of the installation or exchange of any heat producing appliance and associated fittings or services served by the appliance, within a residential dwelling.

Definitions and Jargon

The CORGI Gas Registration Scheme and Building Regulation Compliance

The Government has asked CORGI to amend the Gas Registration Scheme to allow registered installers to notify Local Building Control through CORGI. To meet the Government's requirements to allow Building Regulations notification through CORGI, Gas Work Notification has been introduced as a change to The Rules of the Registration Scheme, to make compliance with the Building Regulations as quick and simple for registered installers as possible.

From 1st April 2005, installers can satisfy the relevant areas of Part J (Gas appliance) and Part L (Heating services) under the Gas Registration Scheme, through Gas Work Notification.

Once you have passed your assessments, you can apply for an application pack from CORGI. After applying for registration, providing you meet the necessary requirements, a CORGI Inspector will carry out a Pre-registration assessment visit. On completion of the pre-registration process, CORGI decides whether your application will be accepted or not.

CORGI registration is valid for a year from April through to March. All registered installers necessarily renew their registration in March. CORGI sends out notification of renewal in advance.

To make further enquiries about CORGI registration please call 0870 401 2300