Wolseley the parts and fittings supplier who also own Parts Center is promoting further gas safety by refusing to sell to anyone attempting to buy a safety critical gas part that is not CORGI-registered.
From 1st January all branches of Parts Center and Plumb Center, part of the Wolseley group, will only sell these parts to CORGI-registered members. Installers visiting any of Parts Center’s 200 branches must show their CORGI ID card if they want to buy ‘safety critical’ gas parts.
This is the first time that a merchant has teamed up with CORGI to restrict the sale of specified industry parts . A spokesman for the UK’s largest distributor of plumbing and building products said its move was part of the group’s ‘drive to raise safety standards and discourage cowboy HVAC installers’. It also happens to have been a policy of UK Whitegoods since we started selling spares in 2003!
Steve Ashmore, the managing director of Plumb and Parts Center, said: “I hope to see other merchants adopt a similar policy to help raise safety standards across the industry.” Sorry Mr Ashmore, we beat you to it.
Wolseley have also become the first distributor to join the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA). COCAA is co-ordinated by CORGI to raise awareness about carbon monoxide. COCAA members include representatives from the major energy retailers and victim support charities.
Dan Caesar, COCAA chair, said: “Until now a distributor was the missing link in the chain and we are delighted to have Wolseley on board.
“With all members working closely together we can continue to raise public awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning, including advice on how to spot symptoms and how to keep safe.”