Gas safety

Gas safety

Our customer’s safety is a top priority and we will ensure that all the gas appliances in your home are checked & serviced once a year.

It is a legal requirement that we must:

• Repair and maintain gas pipework and ensure flues & appliances are in a safe condition
• Carry out an annual gas safety check on the heating system including any gas appliances in the home and flues

Appliance safety check

An appliance safety check includes checks and tests to appliances in your home. It’s necessary to ensure that the appliances you are using are safe and legally compliant.

How will it be carried out?

We will ensure that:

• Gas appliances will have adequate ventilation in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
• Gas appliances are correctly set and adjusted to ensure the gas is burning correctly
• Gas appliances are physically stable, securely fitted and suitably connected to the gas pipework
• Any flues or chimneys are operating correctly
• All safety devices function correctly
• Gas appliances are of a type suitable for the room in which they are located

Appliance service

An appliance service will include all of the above 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.

The service may include the following:

• If appropriate an analysis of the combustion exhaust gases to ensure the appliance is burning the gas safely
• A check of the condition of the appliance including (but not limited to):
  - the effectiveness of any seals, gaskets, the cleanliness of heat exchangers etc. and checking for any signs of heat or other distress
  - this is not an exhaustive list and servicing requirements will vary across appliance types and models

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
• 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.

In order to stay fully gas safe in your property, you’ll need to be mindful of these potentially dangerous consequences of having poorly maintained or faulty gas appliances.

Once the annual gas safety check has been completed, the engineer will issue with a report detailing the checks they have carried out. If applicable, the engineer will explain any issues that have arisen from the check. We  will send a copy of the annual gas safety record by post within a week of the check.

Gas leaks

Gas leaks can occur from faulty appliances and pipework. While gas is not poisonous like carbon monoxide (CO), leaks can lead to fires or explosions. A distinctive odorant is added to the gas to make it detectable – you can usually smell this briefly any time you turn a gas hob on. If you think you can smell gas, take action and call the free National Gas Emergency Number, 0800 111 999, immediately.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is another potentially deadly consequence of having poorly maintained or unsafe gas appliances in your home.

If you think you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, please take action and call 0800 111 999 immediately.