Posted on September 16, 2019
Our boiler repair experts are gas safety registered! As the pros in their field, they are written some tops tips for you to keep your gas appliances safe
Gas safety is not something any homeowner or tenant should take lightly. In fact, on any type of property with any type of gas appliance, safety should be treated as a top priority.
Poorly maintained appliances and connections, whether you get your gas from the mains or from a bottle, can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions and a build-up of toxic carbon monoxide. These are all killers, and every year lives are tragically lost in avoidable accidents that arise from inadequate gas safety standards.
That is why, at Go Assist, we are right behind Gas Safety Week (16-22 September), a national awareness-raising campaign run by industry body Gas Safe Register. To mark this year’s event, here are our top tips for staying gas safe for another year.
Boiler checks to do
Keep on top of appliance safety checks
Safety checks should be carried out on gas appliances every year. Failure to keep on top of these services could mean that faulty ignition or potential sources of gas leaks could go undetected, leaving occupants at great risk. Don’t take that chance with your family, your tenants or your staff - if you’re overdue an inspection, book one in today.
Only let qualified engineers inspect or repair your appliances
You should always be absolutely sure that anyone carrying out a safety check or repair on your gas boiler, oven or other appliances is registered and certified by Gas Safe. There are different qualifications for different appliances, so double-check whoever turns up has the right credentials - you can do this by asking to see their Gas Safe Register ID card. You can find a full list of registered engineers and their qualifications at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Go Assist also only employs Gas Safe Register-certified local engineers for all boiler and appliance inspections, services and repair jobs.
Fit a carbon monoxide alarm
Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms save lives by alerting occupants of a building as soon as carbon monoxide concentrations in the air reach dangerous levels. It is best to install an audible alarm which everyone will hear, rather than rely on the visual colour change versions - it’s too easy for people to miss the warning sign with these. Install close to your gas appliance and choose models marked EN 50291.
Familiarise everyone with the gas safety danger signs
As with most types of risk, vigilance is one of the best forms of protection against the dangers posed by faulty gas appliances and boilers. But in order to be vigilant, people have to know what to look out for. Take the time to go through the early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning with your family, your tenants or your employees - headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, followed by collapse and loss of consciousness as the symptoms get more severe. Educate yourselves and the people using a property about the signs that compliance isn’t working the way it should be - spotting a yellow instead of a blue flame should be an immediate trigger to seek professional help, while high amounts of condensation and black sooty marks can also indicate something is not right.
Get your Gas Boiler Checks with Go Assist
What better time than Gas Safety Week to catch up on your annual gas boiler and appliance safety inspections. Click here to book a Gas Safe-registered engineer through Go Assist to carry out your checks.