There are many jobs in and around the home that we must carry out on a fairly regular basis, many of these can be delayed and done another day to suit us or the weather, or to fit in with our lifestyle schedules but servicing household gas appliances should not be one of them; the implications of doing so can be quite catastrophic.
Every year in the UK between 30 and 50 people die from gas related incidents in the home and in the workplace; around 20% of these deaths are due to gas explosions and fire, the remaining 80% fall victim to the silent and invisible killer known as carbon monoxide.
Regularly servicing appliances
Regularly servicing household gas appliances helps ensure efficiency and continued safe use and importantly, provides peace of mind.
Household gas appliances are designed to work hard and be reliable, and will often provide years of faithful service, but they do need a fitness check at regular interval. Most gas appliance manufacturers recommend that appliances are serviced at least annually in order to ensure a high and safe standard of functionality.
But keep in mind, the checking and servicing of gas appliances is not a ‘DIY’ project to be attempted by the untrained and unqualified. We can often turn our hand to a bit of joinery or decorating and make a reasonable job of it but playing around with gas appliances is best left to the professionals.
Where gas appliances are not correctly installed and regularly maintained the dangers of gas leaks, explosion, and carbon monoxide poisoning are increased. Appliances that carry risk include:
- Gas ovens
- Gas cookers
- Gas boilers
Gas safety checks and servicing
A periodic gas safety check will assess the basic safety of a gas appliance. This should be carried out by a qualified engineer who will visually inspect the appliance for signs of damage, wear and check all associated pipe work, air vents, and flues.
A full gas safety check will include performance testing of the appliance and focus on four main areas:
- Gas appliances are operating on the design setting, burning correctly at the correct operating pressure.
- Harmful gases are vented unimpeded from the appliance safely to the outside environment.
- All ventilation routes are unobstructed and working efficiently.
- Safety and warning devices are working efficiently.
Airways and ventilation routes that are blocked pose a very real risk to health and safety, and could result in a dangerous gas build up resulting in explosion and fire in the home.
Regardless of how much or how little you use a gas appliance, safety checks should be carried out regularly. Hidden dangers may exist in the form of bird’s nests, fallen, windborne leaves and other natural debris can all pose a danger to airway and ventilation routes.
When dealing with issues that concern health and safety in the home it is important to maintain records of inspections, tests and service activities. Gas appliances serviced and checked by registered engineers will be labeled accordingly; detailing date of test or service, and signature of verification. Gas service Labels should be in a clearly visible position for ease of reference.
Carbon Monoxide – the silent killer
All too often, through tragic accident reporting in the press, we are made aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning; the invisible, and silent killer. Each year in the UK, between 30 and 50 people die from gas related incidents; with 80% of these falling victim to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Installing a carbon monoxide detector in the home is DIY easy, quick, and inexpensive and gives peace of mind: these handy appliances give warning and save lives every year. For maximum protection take the following steps;
- Don’t cut corners, install a carbon monoxide detector in every room in the home containing a fuel-burning appliance
- Position carbon monoxide detectors as near to head height as possible.
- Locate detector alarms at least a metre away from the gas appliance but not directly above a heat source.
- Test alarms on a regular basis and replace batteries when signal strength is low.
Servicing gas appliances also brings financial benefits
Regularly serviced gas appliances tend to perform better, reduce waste and are cost efficient. Under normal operating conditions and use, breakdowns are expected to decrease; with the consequence repair costs are reduced.
Whether your need is for small individual gas service label packs or large volume runs visit our website where our price is always competitive and service is friendly, helpful and reliable.
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