Importance Of Gas Safety Checks After A Long Winter

Gas safety checks are not a seasonal event. It is not restricted to any particular time as well. But it needs to be done at least once a year. All homeowners must ensure an annual gas safety inspection and get a gas safety certificate.

Gas safety checks involve the inspection of all gas appliances and gas pipework in a home to ensure that there is no gas leakage and that all the appliances and flues are in perfect condition. It also involves the detection of any possible emission of carbon monoxide.

In winter usage of gas increases manifold. Resultantly, the gas appliances may develop some faults. Consistent use of these appliances in the winter season may also result in the malfunctioning of some components of these appliances. It is, therefore, very important to have a complete inspection of all gas installations at the end of the winter season. Springtime may be a better option to do this.

What Is A Gas Safety Check?

A gas safety check is a mandatory requirement for all homeowners. The aim is to ensure the safety of the property and the people living or working on that property.

You need to call a gas safe engineer to do this safety check on your gas appliances and flues installed in your home. Gas leak detection, heating system inspection, and boiler maintenance and inspection are the main focal points in this annual safety check. He will also check whether there is any generation of carbon monoxide in your home. This can be done through a carbon monoxide detector if installed in your home.

During the winter season, gas appliances such as heaters and boilers are frequently used; hence the gas safety check must involve winter maintenance of these appliances, as well.

After completion of this safety check process, the engineer will produce his complete report with a gas safety certificate. This certificate is valid for one year.

Importance Of Gas Safety Check After A Long Winter

Apart from being a legal requirement, an annual inspection of all gas appliances installed in your home is important for the safety of your property and tenants. As said earlier, the usage of gas increases in the winter season. A prolonged winter season may cause wear and tear on gas appliances due to excessive usage. Some of these appliances may develop faults resulting in malfunctioning. Hence it becomes even more essential to have a deep inspection of these appliances once the winter is over.

Gas safety checks at the end of winter and the start of the spring season are significantly necessary. Here are some of the most relevant aspects of gas safety checks, especially after the long winter season.

• The first and foremost significance of annual gas safety checks is that the engineer classifies all your gas appliances according to their current operating status, which helps you to decide whether they need repair, replacement, or any other action required. He will mention each appliance he checks and mark a standard code against each. If an appliance is marked as ID, it means it is "immediately dangerous" and needs to be replaced instantly. The second category is AR which stands for "at risk" These appliances should also be replaced at the earliest. If an appliance is rated as NCS (not to current standards), they are fit for use but should be replaced with ones compatible with the current market standards.
• Gas appliances work properly on prescribed gas pressure, as notified by the manufacturers. The appliances must be getting the required operating gas pressure. During the winter season, these appliances have to work consistently. After the long winter season, thoroughly inspecting these appliances will ensure they operate on the required pressure. The engineer will resolve any such issue with the appliances and may also advise replacing the faulty one if required.
• Incomplete burning of gas results in the generation of carbon monoxide, the silent killer. Carbon monoxide is one of the main threats associated with the use of gas appliances. Gas safety checks will detect any such problem with the appliances. If any such emission of CO is detected, the gas engineer will fix it immediately to make your home safe from any possible threat of CO.
• Flues and chimneys play a vital role in the safe functioning of home gas appliances. If these are blocked or choked, the appliance may not work efficiently and may be dangerous for your health. An annual inspection of these appliances will identify problems with the flues and chimneys. It is more likely to happen during the long winter season due to excessive use. You need to clear the flues and chimneys to ensure better performance of the linked appliances.
• Correct installation of gas appliances is yet another key factor. The engineer will check each appliance to ensure that it is correctly installed. Incorrect installation may prove dangerous for your property and tenants..
• Leakage of gas from any gas appliance or gas pipework is very risky. Any such leakage may cause an outbreak of fire. It may also cause various gas-related injuries. Annual gas safety checks can help to detect if there is any gas leakage in your home. The gas engineer will fix this problem to make your home gas-safe.
• There may be more than one gas safety device installed in your home, such as CO detectors. The gas-safe engineer will also check whether these devices are working or not. If any defect is identified, you may need to replace that device.
• Fresh air is not only required for human life, but at the same time it is also required for the burning of natural gas. If there's an inadequate supply of fresh air, the appliances may not work properly due to the non-availability of the required amount of oxygen. During the annual inspection, the gas engineer will also have a look at this factor and will suggest how it can be managed.

Conclusion

A regular gas safety inspection is highly important for the safety of human life and property. Under the prevailing laws, every homeowner must arrange an annual inspection of all gas installations by a qualified and registered gas engineer.

During winter, gas appliances have to work consistently for long hours. That makes it essential to ensure their optimum performance during and after the winter season. It is therefore strongly recommended that annual inspections of all gas appliances and gas pipework must be carried out at the end of the prolonged winter season.

You need to hire a qualified engineer to do this crucial job for the safety of your property. That may cost you a bit, but you cannot compromise the safety of your property and tenants..