Gas Safety
One of the most important gas safety measures you can take could also save you money. Keep your boiler serviced regularly and it will keep your energy consumption down and keep you safe!
Just because your boiler is working does not mean it is running efficiently or safely.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
An unserviced boiler may be burning more gas than it should, it may be getting clogged up and it could leak carbon monoxide (CO).
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas which is highly poisonous. It leaks from flues and gas appliances when they have been poorly maintained. It is invisible and has no smelll or taste and so can be difficult to recognise. ROSPA report around 200 deaths in the UK each year from CO poisoning in the home.
Carbon Monoxide detectors are highly recommended.
They detect Carbon Monoxide before it reaches dangerous levels. The latest CO detectors recommended by British Gas use the latest detection technology and are guaranteed for 5 years.
They are easy to install and use, and constantly monitor for CO 24 hours a day.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide gas is very poisonous and can kill quickly. If you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning you might have symptoms such as headaches, nausea, chest pains, sudden faintness, erratic behaviour, diarrhoea or stomach pains. People and animals are at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning. Experts believe that those most at risk are young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with respiratory problems.
Signs of Problems
There are likely to be no obvious signs you have a problem gas appliance.
A properly running boiler will burn gas efficiently, produce carbon dioxide and water vapour in safe amounts and these are normally taken away by a chimney or flue.
If there is too little air or the air vent, chimney or flue is blocked, any carbon monoxide produced cannot escape. Look out for stains, soot or discolouration around a gas appliance. There should not be a strange unusual smell when a gas appliance is on. The flame on a gas appliance should not burn yellow or orange.
Gas Safety Tips
- Never attempt to repair a gas appliance yourself - Only GAS Safe Registered engineers (previously CORGI) are permitted to work on gas appliances.
- Do not block up air vents, even if there is a draught.
- Fit a Carbon Monoxide detector.
Gas Safety: If you smell gas.....
- Do not smoke or light matches
- Do not turn electrical switches on or off
- Open door and windows
- Turn off the meter at the control valve (unless the smell of gas and the meter are in the cellar, as often this will need a light to be turned on)
- Call the free 24 hour national gas emergency number 0800 111 999 whether the smell is inside or outside the property.
Gas Safe Register
Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for Great Britain and Isle of Man, appointed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for Great Britain and HSWI for Isle of Man.
Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI on 1st April 2009.
Only a Gas Safe Registered installer is legally allowed to install, maintain and service gas appliances boilers in your home or workplace.
Hertfordshire (Herts), Bedfordshire (Beds) and Buckinghamshire (Bucks)
Freephone 0800 652 7542
