Understanding Gas Safety: A Guide for Students in Rented Accommodation

The concept of gas safety is as old as using gas in domestic and non-domestic properties. Although gas is considered a safe energy source, it may become dangerous in case of a leak. Leaked gas can cause fire and explosions, whereas a faulty gas appliance often emits harmful carbon monoxide.

Several cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are reported every year. Many people have lost their lives due to carbon monoxide poisoning over the years. Similarly, fire and explosions have also caused loss of property and injuries to the occupants. Most of the gas accidents happen due to leakage of gas. Still, it can also occur due to other reasons, such as the non-adherence of consumers to the gas safety protocols. 

Another very important reason for fatal gas mishaps is the unawareness of the gas users about the gas safety measures. In most such cases, the consumers are often ignorant of the gas safety laws. Most importantly, the gas users did not know what to do and how to react in case of a gas emergency. The students living in rented accommodations may often face gas emergencies; hence, they need to understand their role in such a situation. 

Gas Safety Regulations – An insight

It is very important for the students living in rented accommodations to understand the concept of gas safety. For this purpose, they need to get complete awareness about the gas safety regulation. 

Gas safety regulations were formulated and implemented in the UK to protect people and properties against the possible risks of using gas for domestic and non-domestic purposes. Although gas safety regulations have been in practice for a long, the most comprehensive law was introduced in October 1998 under the title, “Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.” This basic law was further improved through various amendments. One of the major amendments in this law was implemented under the title “Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendments) Regulations 2018.” This amendment provided flexibility for the users in the renewal of the gas safety certificate. 

The gas safety regulations have outlined the role of landlords and tenants in ensuring the gas safety of a property. Some of the main features of gas safety law are summarized here, which will help the students living in student accommodations:

• The landlords of rented properties must arrange an annual Gas safety inspection on all the gas appliances installed in their properties. It is a pre-requisite for getting a gas safety certificate, a mandatory requirement for all rented properties, including student housing. 
• The landlords are legally responsible for ensuring the safety of the property and the occupants against risks and threats associated with gas usage. 
• The landlords of all student accommodations are legally bound to conduct gas safety inspections of the entire property and all the gas appliances and allied fittings and fixtures. This needs to be done on an annual basis. It also includes boilers, chimneys and flues, and the entire gas pipework within the property. 
• All gas work, including installation, maintenance, servicing, and annual gas safety inspection, can only be done by an engineer registered with the gas safe register. A gas safe registered engineer is also authorized to issue the gas safety certificate if the property qualifies.
• The Gas Safe Register is the only official organization specifically responsible for registering qualified gas safety engineers with expertise in gas installations and appliances. The gas safe register issues a license to such engineers. This license is valid for one year and needs to be renewed annually.
• Landlords cannot rent their properties without a valid landlord gas safety certificate. Any violation of this legal requirement will have serious legal consequences. This restriction is also applicable to the owners of the student accommodations.
• If the engineer detects one or more faulty gas appliances in any student housing, they will mark them as Unsafe for Use. Under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 provisions, any gas appliance marked "Unsafe" cannot be used unless it is repaired or replaced.
• The faulty gas appliances are often labeled under three categories:
• Immediately Dangerous (ID) – The appliances marked as “ID” are unsafe. These appliances might need to be replaced if the fault is serious or otherwise, it can be used after proper repair. The engineer will also disconnect these appliances from the main gas supply line with the landlord's permission.
• At Risk (AR) – Any appliance labeled "AR" is also unsafe for use, but the level of risk might be less than the ones categorized as "ID.” Such appliances can be used after repair and maintenance. The gas supply to these appliances will also be disconnected to ensure the safety of the students. 
• Not to Current Standards (NCS) – the appliances labeled "NCS" are considered fit for use, but it is a warning that they may be somewhat risky as they do not meet the current safety standards. Such appliances should be replaced with new ones as early as possible to avoid mishaps.

Hence, the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 bind the landlords of rented accommodations of students to get a valid gas safety certificate, proving that all the gas appliances installed in the student housing can be used safely.

Important

• Landlords of student housing are bound to provide the students with a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days.
• They must also display a copy of this certificate at a prominent place in the student housing. 
• Students are allowed to use their gas appliances per their requirements. In such a case, the gas safety of these appliances will be their responsibility.

Roles and Responsibility of Residents of Student Accommodations

The gas safety regulations, as explained above, are self-explicit on the roles and responsibilities of both the landlords and the students living in a rented accommodation. Here’s a summary of what the students should know about the gas safety of their accommodation:

• The students must be aware of the main features of the gas safety regulations, especially for their roles and responsibilities as residents or tenants.
• They must ensure that the property is gas safe. For this purpose, the students should ask for a copy of the gas safety certificate. The landlord of their accommodation is legally bound to provide a copy of this certificate to the students. If the landlord does not fulfill this requirement, the students may report this to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 
• The landlords of the rented student accommodations must also display a copy of the gas safety certificate at a prominent location. The students must check if it is in place in their rented accommodation.
• The gas safety regulations also require the installation of safety gadgets and alarms, such as gas leak detectors, fire alarms, and, most importantly, carbon monoxide detectors. While agreeing to live in student housing, the students must check whether these gadgets are in place and are in working condition.
• The student Halls of residence are exempted from the mandatory installation of carbon monoxide detectors. However, the management of student residence halls should get them installed at some appropriate locations to ensure the safety of students. 
• The students must also get at least an essential awareness of the gas safety laws.
• The students must get complete information about the location of various safety gadgets installed in and around their rooms. They should also know the exact location of the main gas supply valve. This will help them react promptly in case of a gas emergency. 
• The students are also required to keep handy the emergency helplines of the local gas emergency service providers. 
• Carbon monoxide poisoning is perhaps the most crucial risk in the properties where gas is used. It is very dangerous for human health and may even cause death. Since carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it is difficult to detect its existence. Carbon monoxide detectors may help to detect it. However, all the students living in rented accommodation should also be aware of the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, as mentioned below:
  1. Nausea
  2. Headache
  3. Dizziness
  4. Shortness of breath
  5. Unconsciousness
  6. Sudden collapse

One or more of these signs may indicate the emission of carbon monoxide in the property. Hence, in case of any such signs, the students must get the assistance of the property manager for timely resolution of the problem to avoid any serious consequences. 

Conclusion

Generally, the safety of people and properties against the risks of using gas is the responsibility of the landlords of the rented properties. Rented student accommodations also fall under this category. Hence, the landlords of student accommodation are legally required to arrange annual gas safety inspections on all the gas appliances installed therein and get a valid gas safety certificate. 

The students opting to live in a rented student accommodation are required to be aware of the basics of gas safety, not only for their own safety but for the safety of other students sharing the rooms. The most relevant factor in the gas safety of student accommodation is the gas safety certificate, commonly known as CP12. While moving in, the students should specifically enquire from the landlord of the rented student accommodation about this certificate. They have the legal right to ask for a copy of this certificate. The students should check its expiry date to ensure that it is still valid.