People who do not work directly on gas installations or appliances, but who work in areas where there are implications for gas safety - such as architects, builders and local authorities working with flues and venting - have a general duty of care under civil law. They should refer to the appropriate regulations covering their work.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 place specific duties on gas users, installers, suppliers and landlords. For example:

• Anyone carrying out work on gas appliances or fittings as part of their business must be competent and registered with CORGI.

• Only a competent person can carry out work on gas appliances or fittings. Do-it-yourself work on gas appliances or fittings could be dangerous and is likely to be illegal.

• Do not use any gas appliance or fittings you know or suspect to be unsafe. Through CORGI, the Health & Safety Executive has asked all registered installers to disconnect any gas appliance or fittings that are so dangerous as to be a threat to life if they are used.

• Landlords are responsible for making sure that gas fittings and flues are maintained in good order, and gas appliances that they own in their residential premises, and flues, are checked for safety every 12 months. They must also keep a record of the safety checks for at least two years and issue it to existing tenants and any new tenants before they move in.

• Tenants are responsible for the maintenance and safety of appliances they own.

The regulations place a number of restrictions on gas appliances installed in bathrooms, shower rooms and bedrooms which are detailed and prescriptive.

It is illegal to install instantaneous water heaters, which are not room sealed or fitted with a safety device that automatically turns the gas supply off before a dangerous level of poisonous fumes builds up.

For further information please call the Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety advice line on 0800 300 363 (or 0800 032 0121 in Northern Ireland).