In 1968, the 22-storey Ronan Point apartment block in Canning Town, London, was devastated by a massive gas blast that claimed five lives.
The tragedy led to a determination to protect the public from unsafe gas installations. CORGI was duly founded in 1970 and was given the task of ensuring that gas work was carried out safely, but was known then as the “Confederation for the Registration of Gas Installers”.
Initially, gas installers could become affiliated to CORGI on a voluntary basis. In 1991, however, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) asked CORGI to maintain a mandatory register of competent gas installers in the UK. CORGI became the “Council for Registered Gas Installers”. CORGI's responsibilities have now extended to include Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and we are also working to improve gas safety in the other Channel Isles.
Registration is now a legal requirement for businesses and self-employed people working on gas fittings or appliances. Around 55,000 gas installation businesses employing approximately 110,000 gas fitting operatives are currently registered.
More information on the 1968 Ronan Point disaster.