Gas Safety Week runs from 14-20 September 2015. If you haven’t already done it during the summer, now is the time to get your gas appliances checked and serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It’s important to ensure that gas fires and gas boilers (as well as gas cookers) are working safely and efficiently before the start of winter. It could save your life so don’t put it off.
Check Your Gas Appliances Yearly
Nowadays gas appliances are pretty reliable but if you ignore basic maintenance then you can put yourself and your family in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. The bare minimum is a gas safety check which makes sure:
- the gas appliance is at the correct operating pressure, burning correctly and on the right setting
- dangerous gases are being removed to the air outside thee home
- essential ventilation is clear and working effectively
- every safety device is working
For more details on gas appliance servicing see gas boiler service.
It’s also a good time to check that you have alarms in place. An audible carbon monoxide alarm, located near to your gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance, is money well spent.
Check Your Engineer Is Gas Safe Registered
It is important that any service and safety work is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. To check that an engineer is Gas Safe registered ask for their Gas Safe ID card number or the company’s Gas Safe registration number and check it on the gas safe website at gassaferegister.co.uk.
Check Your Engineer’s Gas Safe ID card
When a heating engineer calls you should ask to see his Gas Safe ID card before allowing him to start work. That way you can protect yourself from cowboys and illegal gas fitters. If still unsure about an engineer you can also ring the number found on the Gas Safe ID card.
What About Rented Properties?
A landlord’s responsibilities to make sure tenants are safe are covered in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations. For those living in rented accommodation your landlord should ensure gas appliances are checked for safety every year.
Can I Get A Free Gas Safety Check?
Energy suppliers can offer free gas safety checks for those on means tested benefits. you should qualify if you:
- Are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick and either live alone or with others who are all of pensionable age, disabled, chronically sick or under 18
- Are living with others where at least one is under 5 years old
- Have not had a gas safety check carried out at the premises in the last 12 months
A gas safety check is a test of the safety of the appliance. Appliances should also be regularly serviced to ensure that they perform at optimum efficiency.
For more details on Gas Safety Week visit Gas Safety Week .co.uk
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