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 Energy Regulation (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 Energy Regulation (CER) 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 Energy Regulation (CER) has developed and published a Criteria Document (Ref. CER /08/130) 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 CER/08/130 V1.4 is available at : http://www.cer.ie
1.3 Who is RGII?
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has appointed the RGII as the Gas Safety Supervisory Body (GSSB).The company called the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII) (a wholly owned subsidiary of RECI) a company limited by guarantee, has been formed with the sole purpose of operating as the GSSB on behalf of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and is now solely responsible for registering gas installers in Ireland.
1.4 When does registration begin?
Registration for Domestic Gas Installers begins 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 RGII.
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 RGII have been appointed by the CER in compliance with the 2006 Act, therefore RGII 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.
1.6 Who funds RGII?
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 CER are published by RGII.
1.7 If already an RGI with Bord Gais, will this do?
No, registrations for the voluntary Bord Gáis scheme will no longer be accepted after Dec 2008. Existing Bord Gais RGIs can automatically transfer to the new scheme until 27th April 2009. The Bord Gais scheme will continue to issue completion certificates and carry out inspections until 26th June 2009. After this date the RGII new scheme will be fully operational. The brand RGI will be assigned to the new registration scheme.
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 RGII 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:
- Be a holder of a current GID Award (or equivalent)
Or for the initial period of registration between Jan.5th and April 27th 2009
- Be registered with the BGE voluntary scheme as of the 01/01/09
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 RGII deal with applications?
Full details of RGII’s Registration Procedure are available on application to:
Register of Gas Installers of Ireland,
Unit 9,
KCR Industrial Estate,
Kimmage,
Dublin 12
(01) 4929966