Advice on staying Gas Safe in your home

Gas safety is important all year round, but it is not always a household’s top priority.

Gas Safety Week, usually every September - coordinated by Gas Safe Register -  it is a good communications resource for anyone who uses gas and provides valuable tips to help you stay safe at home.

What’s the difference between a safety check and a Boiler service?

What is a Safety Check?

A gas safety check isn't just for boilers, but should be conducted on all the gas appliances connected to that properties gas meter and gas supply pipework, i.e. cookers, hobs, gas fires and water heaters.

Landlords who have tenanted property have a legal obligation to have a safety check conducted every 12 months.

Sellers of property in the UK will be asked by their solicitor to provide proof of gas safety of all gas appliances in that property.

Home owners should have periodic checks conducted of their gas appliances for their own peace of mind.

A safety check should includes all of the checks and tests to ensure the appliance is safe to operate, for example:

• Visual inspection of the gas installation, appliance(s) location, chimney/flue route and termination position.
• Gas meter/emergency control valve for accessibility.
• It is physically stable, securely fitted and properly connected to the gas pipework
• There is an adequate and permanent air supply suitable for the appliance type installed
• Any flues or chimneys are operating correctly
• All  flame supervision and safety devices function correctly
• Appliance burner pressure and gas rate checked
• Flue flow and spillage testing of open flued appliances
• Investigate any evidence of unsafe operation of the appliance
• Tightness test of the gas installation is recommended

What information must be recorded?

• The address of the property where the appliance and/or chimney/flue is installed
• A description of and the location of every appliance and/or chimney/flue is installed
• The name and signature of the person carrying out the check and their registration number
• Date on which the appliance and/or chimney/flue was checked
• The name and address of the Landlord, Householder or agent of the property
• Any gas safety defect/s identified and any remedial action taken
• A statement confirming that the safety checks completed complies with the requirements of the gas safety (installation & use) regulations 1998, regulation 26(9)

I provide an electronic copy of the gas safety record, which complies with all the above, which is emailed over to you for your records. If you mislay your version of the record a replacement can be sent again by us.



 What is an Appliance Service?

An appliance service will include all of the above regulation 26(9) checks and tests and any other specific checks, for inspection and/or cleaning of the appliance as specified and detailed in the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. This may include:

• To operate the boiler briefly and ensure it appears to work correctly
• Isolate the boiler/heating system electrically and confirm this with suitable test equipment, check the fuse rating is correct
• Visually inspect the appliance for any sign of distress, corrosion, water leaks etc
• Visually check the boilers flame and carry out a flue-gas-analysis test
• In the event of any safety defect/s being noted; advise you of the details,and either rectify these, or act in accordance with the gas industry unsafe situations procedure.
• Where rectification is not possible, discuss with you any remedial action necessary and the options to correct the faults
• Complete the benchmark service record if to hand, and provide any additional work documentation

I provide an electronic copy of the gas service record, which complies with all the above, which is emailed over to you for your records. If you mislay your version of the record a replacement can be sent again by us.

This is not an exhaustive list and servicing requirements will vary across appliance types and models.

Note: Some appliance servicing regimes provide an interim performance check (annual) to be used in order to determine the degree of dismantling the appliance and the level of servicing required.

What is a Gas Installation Safety check?

If a gas installation safety check (all appliances and internal pipework) is required or specified each appliance will need to be checked as outlined above and additionally:

• All accessible gas pipework is visually inspected to ensure the installation is in good condition, and;
• The gas pipework is tested to ensure there are no gas leaks

Flues, chimneys and air vents

These all play an important role in the safe operation of gas appliances, allowing products of combustion to escape and ensuring a high level of ventilation. As cold as it might get during winter, never block up these airways – this could result in a build up of carbon monoxide in your home.

Chimneys will need to be checked every year for blockages (such as birds’ nests and debris) which can prevent dangerous fumes from escaping. The Gas Safe registered engineer will be on the lookout for these.

If you live in a property with a shared flue or chimney, you’ll need to share responsibility with others to ensure they are checked annually as it’s possible for carbon monoxide to enter properties through these shared vents.

Call Tony on 07831 623711