Registration of Gas Installers engaged in installing, repairing and servicing equipment and appliances for the use of natural gas in domestic type premises commences on the 5/01/2009
1.1 Why register to work on Natural Gas?
Because, it has now become a requirement under Irish law.
1.2 What Irish Law applies?
Under the provisions of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 (the‘Act’), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (the ‘Commission’) has the responsibility “to regulate the activities of natural gas undertakings and natural gas installers with respect to safety. As required under the Act, the Commission will discharge this responsibility through the establishment and implementation of a natural gas safety regulatory framework (the ‘Framework’).
1.2.1 How does this Law apply to gas installers?
As part of the regulatory framework the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has committed to developing a comprehensive system for the regulation of the activities of natural gas installers with respect to safety which will incorporate “a system for the regulation, certification, ongoing inspection of the work and assessment of competence of individual trained natural gas installers”
1.2.2 How does ‘a system of regulation’ work?
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has developed and published a Criteria Document (Ref. CRU /20/088) which sets out how the natural gas installer safety regime will operate and be governed. The 2006 Act provides that the Criteria Document relates to gas safety supervision, safety standards to be achieved and maintained by gas installers and the procedures to be operated by the Gas Safety Supervisory Body (GSSB).
1.2.3 What is in the Criteria Document?
The Criteria Document guides the adherence to the provisions of the Framework. The aim of the Criteria Document is to facilitate the achievement of a stable and robust regulatory system that adheres to legislative requirements and sets out clear and transparent rules for the Gas Safety Supervisory Body (GSSB), the Registered Gas Installer and other relevant parties under the Regulatory System. Note The full text of the Criteria Document CRU/20/088 V1.6 is available at: https://www.cru.ie
1.3 Who is Safe Energy Ireland?
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has appointed Safe Energy Ireland as the Gas Safety Supervisory Body (GSSB).The company called Safe Energy Ireland, has been formed with the sole purpose of operating as the GSSB on behalf of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and is now solely responsible for registering gas installers in Ireland.
1.4 When does registration begin?
Registration for Domestic Gas Installers began on the 05th of January 2009.
1.4.1 Who should register?
As the law states ‘every individual’ who works on the installation, repair or maintenance of domestic Natural Gas installation should register. Domestic Gas Installations means Natural Gas installations included in the scope of I.S. 813.
1.4.2 Can a company register?
The regulatory system also provides for individually registered gas installers to operate under company registration.
1.4.2.1 Each registered installer who will undertake gas works on behalf of a registered company must have either full, trainee or provisional registered members of Safe Energy Ireland.
1.4.2.2 However General Registration conditions such as commercial insurance, fees etc. can be met at a company level.
1.4.3 Can an installer operating under company registration do gas works other than for the registered company?
Only if the installer meets the general membership conditions such as commercial insurance, etc., in his own right.
1.5 Who can register installers?
Only Safe Energy Ireland have been appointed by the CRU in compliance with the 2006 Act, therefore Safe Energy Ireland are solely responsible for the registration of domestic Natural Gas installers.
1.5.1 What is I.S. 813?
The current issue of Irish Standard 813 ‘Domestic Gas Installations’ sets out requirements which if complied with by a competent installer, ensures the safe installation/repair/inspection/maintenance of domestic gas installations. Note: Copies of I.S. 813 are available from www.standards.ie or from Safe Energy Ireland.
1.6 Who funds Safe Energy Ireland?
Registered installers or companies employing them, will fund the operation of the GSSB by annual registration fees and by the purchase of completion certificates.
1.6.1 How much does it cost to Register?
Membership fees and certificate prices as approved by the CRU are published by Safe Energy Ireland.
1.8 Who can apply to be registered?
Installers active in working on domestic type natural gas installations.
1.8.1 How does an installer apply?
Applications will be processed by Safe Energy Ireland only if submitted on the appropriate application form.
1.8.2 Does an installer need qualifications?
Yes to become a registered installer each individual must show proof of training and qualifications.
1.8.3 What Qualifications are needed?
To be registered an installer must either:
I. A Domestic Gas Safety Award (DGS); or,
II. A Gas Installer Safety (GIS) award obtained prior to the 1st January 2017 and a Gas Installer Domestic (GID) award obtained prior to the 1st January 2017, or equivalent
III. Confirmation as a competent gas installer by the Panel of Experts as part of the Recognition of International Professional Qualifications of Gas Installers.
AND EITHER
I. A Level 6 Advanced Craft Certificate in Gas fitting, Electrical, Plumbing or Refrigeration
OR
II. Confirmation as a competent gas installer by the Panel of Experts as part of the Recognition of international Professional Qualifications of Gas Installers. “
1.8.4 Can apprentices or trainees be registered?
Trainees/apprentices must also register but applicants must show evidence of education/training achieved to date and must also be in a position to nominate a supervisor(s) who will take resposibility for supervising work and signing off completion certificates issued by the trainee.
1.8.5 What about installers who have worked in the industry for years but do not have a GID or equivalent?
If an installer can produce proof of having been active as a gas installer for more than 4 years prior to the 01/01/09, then for a very limited period between Jan.5th and April 27th 2009 and subject to conditions, they may be allowed to register but, will be categorised as Provisional Registered Installers.
1.8.5.1 What are the conditions for Provisional Registration?
Applicants must be able to show independent evidence of their being active in gas work and experience within the industry for a time period of four years or more.
1.8.5.2 Will Provisional Registration lead to full Registration?
No, an installer who is successful in his application for Provisional registration will only be allowed to remain on Provisional Registration until the 18th of December 2009. Within that time period the installer must obtain the necessary requirement for full registration. If an installer fails to achieve these requirements Provisional registration will lapse on the above date and the installer will then be unable to perform gas works until such time as full registration is achieved.
1.8.5.3 Will Provisional Registration continue to be available?
No. Provisional registration is only open until the 27th of April 2009 and no applications for Provisional Registration will be accepted after this date. Provisional membership ceases for all on the 18th of Dec 2009.
1.9 Is there Registration for Installers engaged in Non Domestic installations?
There is not a statutory requirement for the registration for such installers at this time. It is probable that such a scheme will follow in the future.
1.10 How will Safe Energy Ireland deal with applications?
Full details of Safe Energy Ireland’s Registration Procedure are available on application to:
Safe Energy Ireland,
Hazel House
Millennium Business Park
Monread South
Naas
Co. Kildare
W91 PXP3
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