ATAG Boilers call for an urgent clamp down on illegal gas work in UK

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ATAG Heating Technology has called on MPs to enforce tighter restrictions on who can purchase gas boilers, amid new findings that revealed the widespread impact of illegal gas work.

A nationwide survey of certified gas installers found that more than 82% are forced to rectify unsafe installations by unregistered fitters at least once every quarter. The research conducted by ATAG also revealed that almost half of installers have warned that faulty work poses a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

One in five installers said illegal gas work is directly harming their business, from lost contracts and reputational damage to time and money spent rectifying botched jobs.

The survey highlighted concerns not just about customer safety, but about cost, as a third of installers reported that customers typically pay over £400 to repair these dangerous installations.

ATAG cited that the figures suggested a lack of oversight is a major source of this problem. A total of 45% of illegal work is promoted via social media advertisements. The company noted that this makes it easier for unqualified individuals to offer services without scrutiny.

A majority of respondents, 61%, said they believe the most effective way to prevent this dangerous practice is to prohibit boiler sales to anyone who is not Gas Safe registered.

ATAG stated that it has long maintained a strict policy of only selling boilers to certified Gas Safe engineers. The business has now urged the wider industry to adopt the same approach. It has encouraged both tradespeople and the public to sign a letter to MPs, to call for legislation that would restrict boiler sales exclusively to Gas Safe registered operatives.

Kevin Treanor, director of ATAG Heating Technology UK, said: “Illegal gas work poses a serious threat to our profession, but more than that, it endangers the lives of UK residents.

“Every year, around 250,000 gas jobs are carried out by unqualified individuals, and we need to work to bring that number to zero.

“According to the Gas Safe Register, two-thirds of work is unsafe, and our engineers routinely uncover dangerously installed systems that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, or even explosions. Government data also shows that dozens of people lose their lives annually to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty appliances.

“The fact that over half of installers are never asked to show ID when attending a job shows just how vulnerable the current system is. We urgently need tougher safeguards to protect the public and uphold professional standards.”

From an article in Heating & Plumbing Monthly