All gas installers will soon be required to take a qualification in the use of a flue gas analyser. Bob Towse, head of technical and safety at the HVCA, understands why this decision has been made, but thinks it is a mistake.
The new Strategic Management Board in charge of the standards' setting procedure for gas safety competence has made its first big decision.

From February 1, anyone taking an ACS appliance module (HTR1 or CEN1) will also have to be competent in the use of a flue gas analyser (FGA), which means they have to also take ACS module CPA1. This is the new board's response to growing public concern over carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

The whole ACS system is due to be reviewed in 2010, but this decision has been taken in advance of that as this issue was seen as urgent. FGAs are now widely available and measurement of the composition of flue gases is an important method for establishing whether a gas-fired appliance is working safely. However, not all appliances can be checked this way and it is important that installers don't think just checking the flue gases is enough to ensure safety.

Consumer groups have been campaigning for the widespread use of FGAs for years, but there is still no legal requirement in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) regulations for gas installers to use them. This makes the board's decision look like a knee-jerk reaction, albeit a well meaning one, as it has no basis in law.

These devices will show an installer if the appliance in question is burning correctly, if the flue is working properly and if CO or CO2 is leaking into the building from neighbouring premises.
A British Standard has been developed (BS 7967) for FGAs and, by referring to that, installers can ensure they meet best practice guidance. The trouble is that until the legal situation is cleared up and it becomes mandatory to use FGAs this issue will remain confused.

FGAs are not the complete answer to ensuring gas appliance safety and they are relatively expensive pieces of kit to buy and maintain. They must be properly serviced and calibrated at regular intervals to remain effective, so this becomes another financial burden on gas installer businesses.

Also, now installers have to take the CPA1 module on top of all the other modules they are expected to pay for. They could, rightly, ask why they should if it is not a legal requirement.

Don't get me wrong, flue gas analysis is an important part of ensuring an installation is safe and most companies will be prepared to foot the bill. It is just unfortunate that this decision will add yet another financial burden to hard pressed contractors without any guarantee that it will reduce safety concerns.

The Health & Safety Executive's decision to separate standards setting from management of the Gas Safe Register is a very positive move and addresses one of the biggest weaknesses in the system under Corgi, which had responsibility for both.

However, it is a shame that the new regime's first decision looks like a compromise to keep consumer pressure groups at bay rather than one based on sound safety principles with the best interests of both the public and the industry at heart.