We are all aware that in the construction sector, safety is the most important issue. Qualifications are achieved, skills trained and experiences earned in order to guarantee not only the safety of all contractors and their employees, but also that of their clients.

Particularly in HVAC jobs, safety is of ultimate importance in both new build and refurbishment projects. As the aim of all jobs in HVAC is to enhance indoor air quality and provide thermal comfort, the safety of those building occupiers, who will be breathing the highly conditioned air, needs to be unconditionally guaranteed. It is the responsibilities of both building owners and building services managers to ensure that first-rate contractors are hired to conduct HVAC jobs to the highest safety standards.

Take heating as an example. In the UK, there has always been a statutory registration scheme that ensures anybody who undertakes work on gas fittings or appliances by way of business is approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Created by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the HSE is a non-departmental public body that encourages, regulates and enforces workplace health, safety and welfare. Since 1991, it had been relying on the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) to register gas operatives and businesses as being approved under the law.

However, from April 1, 2009, the Gas Safe Register will become the new scheme for all installers and maintenance engineers who deal with natural gas appliances. Those who had previously registered with CORGI will now have to identify themselves as Gas Safe registered engineers or businesses. Meanwhile, a series of new procedures will be introduced to handle unregistered and illegal gas engineers and businesses.

Nonetheless, although consumers today are increasingly conscious of the importance of gas safety in commercial and residential buildings, a recent telephone survey of 162 customers conducted by Wolverhampton-based Northern Gas Heating has found that only one in ten members of the public is aware of the new Gas Safe Register scheme.

As all with HVAC jobs would know, branding is critical in securing contracts and client confidence. Once they have successfully registered and gained the rights to use the Gas Safe brand, gas engineers and businesses are able to market themselves as providers of highly qualified and government approved services. This will no doubt help generate new trading opportunities and considerable growth in profits.

As for building owners and building services managers, it is commonsense that all jobs in HVAC should be performed by qualified and highly experienced personnel. Particularly in cases that involve gas heating, all pipe work, appliances and flues need to be maintained and checked annually by Gas Safe registered engineers and businesses. According to the scheme, every registered gas engineer must carry a licence card that shows the type of work he or she is registered to do. It is advised that building owners and building services managers check the engineer?s licence card before letting him or her begin work on their gas appliances.