Warning Signs to Look Out for With Your Gas Appliances

Gas is an efficient energy source, commonly used almost everywhere, including the UK. Gas is supplied either in cylinders and bottles or directly through gas pipelines. The most common usages of gas are heating the space, warming the water, and cooking. It is equally useful for domestic as well as commercial purposes.

Gas appliances play a vital role in efficient and safe gas usage for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. It may include cookers, kitchen hobs, burners, heaters, and boilers. Like other fuels, such as oil or coal, the gas can be useful, safe, and economical only when the appliances are perfectly maintained and regularly serviced. 

A faulty gas appliance might be risky in many ways, such as a gas leak, fire, explosion, or emission of harmful gases. That's why all the gas appliances installed in your property must be in perfect working condition, strictly following the safety standards as required by prevalent gas safety regulations.

Understanding Gas Safety Practices

Gas safety is directly related to the gas appliances, from installation to maintenance and servicing. Here are some essential points to keep in mind:

• Always buy gas appliances manufactured according to the current safety standards. 
• Hire the services of a qualified and experienced gas-safe registered engineer for the installation and subsequent maintenance and servicing of the gas appliances. 
• Every appliance has a useful life span. Using an ancient gas appliance, especially a boiler, should be avoided. Old appliances should be replaced with new ones to prevent any unfortunate mishap.
• All the gas appliances should be periodically serviced, through a qualified gas-safe registered engineer. 
• Gas appliances should be perfectly installed, per the specifications provided by the manufacturers.
• Joints and connections should be tight enough to prevent gas leaks.
• Keep an eye on the gas pipework. Any damaged or corroded part of the pipework should be replaced instantly. Otherwise, it may result in a gas leak. It is often said, "Gas is safe unless it remains confined within the pipework.” That's why pipework is so essential.

Warning Signs to Look Out for With Your Gas Appliances

The gas appliances, installed correctly while following the safety standards, should typically perform for quite a long time without any risk. However, like any other machine, the gas appliances are also subject to wear and tear, with consistent usage. On the other hand, variation and fluctuation in the volume and pressure of inflowing gas may also hurt the performance of the gas appliances.

Given these susceptibilities, gas appliance maintenance and timely servicing are crucial. Apart from the periodic servicing, the gas appliances may also require immediate attention when a sudden abnormality appears in their performance. This is a very important part of the perfect performance and upkeep of the gas appliances. Hence, the users must be aware of such signs of abnormal performance of the appliances, which can easily be noticed.

Here are some of the most crucial signs of abnormal performance of the gas appliances, which you need to understand:

• Color of Flame

The most common sign of abnormal behavior in a gas appliance, such as cookers and burners, is the color of the flame. A perfectly working burner is supposed to produce a clear blue flame. Any deviation in the color of the flame, especially if it turns yellow or orange, is the most obvious sign of the imperfect burning of the gas. Usually, it happens due to a fault in the burner. However, at times, it may also result from improper gas pressure. Any such abnormality would ultimately result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Abnormal Smell 

The gas itself is colorless and odorless. A chemical is mixed in a minimal quantity to make it detectable. It gives a smell like a rotten egg. So, suppose you start feeling a scent like that around the area where gas appliances are installed. In that case, it clearly indicates that the gas is leaking somewhere in the appliances or the associated pipework. This is a serious sign that needs immediate fixing; otherwise, it may result in a fire or explosion. The immediate step in such a case is to shut the gas appliances, close the main gas inlet valve, and open the windows so that fresh air may come in.

• Stains or Black Spots Around the Gas Appliances 

Normally, gas appliances do not produce any stains or black or brown spots around them. If any such thing happens, it is a sign of either a minute gas leak or some internal disorder in the functioning of the gas appliances. It may also happen due to imperfect burning of the gas. Such abnormal stains may also be observed on the walls near the burners or cookers, as well as near the flues and vents. In such an eventuality, there is every possibility that the burners are causing the emission of carbon monoxide. In any case, it needs immediate remedial steps.

• Problems with Pilot Lights 

The pilot lights are supposed to remain lit, throughout the functioning of the gas appliances. Sometimes, it does not happen. You might face the problem with pilot lights, which frequently shut. This is a sign of some internal issue with the thermocouple. It may also happen if there is a disruption in the gas supply line. In any case, you need to call a qualified gas engineer to check for the problem and resolve the issue. You cannot leave it unattended for a long time, as it may result in a serious problem, if not resolved timely.

• Abnormal Gas Bill

If you come across an abnormally higher gas bill without any plausible reason, it is a clear sign that one or more gas appliances are not functioning as expected. It is also a very clear indication of a gas leak, somewhere in the pipework. Whatever may be the reason, it needs your immediate attention. It is highly recommended to get the entire pipework inspected by a qualified gas-safe registered engineer. It is important, not only to save money but also to ensure safety against any possible fire or explosion.

• Abnormal Sounds

Sometimes, you may notice abnormal sounds emerging out of your gas appliances, especially the boilers. Gurgling sounds, abnormal vibrations, banging, or whitling are the common sounds, which often occur due to improper functioning of the boilers. A hissing sound may also emerge due to a small leak in any part of the gas pipework or any of the appliances. Don’t let this go unattended. Immediately call the gas engineer to detect the problem and get it resolved. 

• Problems in Igniting a Gas Burner

If you face difficulty in lighting a gas burner or any other gas appliance, it is also a sign of abnormality. It often happens that after a short time, the appliance would shut down without any reason. It happens due to internal faults in the appliances. Sometimes, it may also happen due to the internal safety mechanism of an appliance, which forces it to shut down. In any case, it is a sign of an internal malfunction of the appliance, which needs immediate attention to avoid a major mishap. 

• Medical Situation 

In the event of long exposure to unchecked carbon monoxide emission, the residents may face a sort of medical emergency, such as dizziness, headache, drowsiness, nausea, or unconsciousness. These are all the symptoms of prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide. This often happens due to incomplete combustion of gas and blocked flues and chimneys. To avoid such an extreme situation, it is highly advisable to install a carbon monoxide detector on your property. 

How to React If Any of the Above Signs Are Noticed?

• Shut down the gas appliances.
• Open the windows to let fresh air come inside.
• Close the main gas inlet valve.
• Don't turn on any electric gas appliances that may cause a spark. It may result in fire. 
• Call an experienced and qualified gas-safe registered engineer to detect and remove the fault. 

Important

• Ensure annual gas safety inspection on all the gas appliances installed in your rented-out property, as required by the gas safety regulations. 
• Install gas leak detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire alarms on your property. 

Conclusion

Gas appliances, whether installed in a residential or commercial property need due attention by the users. Though it is safe enough to use gas appliances, it is not risk-free. For perfect and safe performance of these appliances, it is important to keep them maintained and serviced all the time. It is also of vital importance to keep a close watch on their performance. If any abnormality occurs in their functionality, it may be detected from various signs that may appear well before the disaster. The users must get the knowledge of understanding the signs of abnormalities, which often start appearing around the faulty gas appliances. 

Understanding these signs and reacting promptly is crucial in protecting the property and its occupants against any possible mishap.