What is a gas safety inspection?

Gas Safety Inspection


 

The gas safety inspection is a check of all gas appliances within a property.
Checking there is no danger to the user when the appliances are working.



Statistics state that around 70% of homes in the United Kingdom

never have there gas appliances checked over until something goes wrong.



Property that is classed as rented needs to have an annual gas safety inspection carried out every 12 months by law.

My boiler is serviced every year, is this not a gas safety inspection?

No, The boiler service is only to check the boiler and no other appliances.



Let me explain the difference between a boiler service and a gas safety inspection.



A boiler service is checking first that it is still safe to operate and in no danger to the user.

The boiler is checked to make sure it is fitted to the wall correctly and is stable,

then we move on to the flue, this is checked to make sure it is still in good condition and has no corrosion.

Over the last 12 years, all boilers installed are condensing boilers,

they produce condense water which is acidic.

Should the condense leak within the boiler or flue it will cause corrosion and let products of combustion leak out,

so this check is very important.

The gas supply is checked to ensure it is adequate for the boiler,

one of the most common problems found is the gas is undersized, normally on combination boilers.

The boiler combustion is checked with a gas analyser and checked against the boiler specifications if needed adjustments can be carried out.

When a boiler service is carried out it’s advisable to follow the maker’s service instructions if possible.

If the service manual is not present then you can normally find one online.

Most boilermakers now list their manuals online.

All safety devices are checked to make sure they are functioning correctly,
if the boiler has an expansion vessel fitted, this is also checked and reset if needed.

Gas safety inspection.

The gas safety inspection is safety check on all gas appliances,
a little similar to the boiler service.

Whatever the appliance maybe, it has to be checked to make sure it is safe to use and of no danger to the user.

The appliance is checked to ensure it is installed correctly and stable and is suitable for the room it is located in.

If the appliance has a flue connected this needs to be checked to ensure there are no blockages and the products of combustion can disperse correctly.

Ventilation is checked to ensure it is adequate for the appliance to burn correctly, and cannot be closed off.

The flame picture is checked to make sure it is crispy blue and not a yellow colour.

Gas cookers are checked to ensure they have a stability bracket or chain fitted to stop them being pulled over by young children.

Gas hobs are checked to make sure they have the correct clearances around them.

The gas supply to the hob must have an isolation valve fitted,

so if the hob needs to be removed it can be without disrupting the supply to the other appliances.

The most common fault found on a gas safety inspection is a flexible cooker hose connected to the hob, all gas hobs must be connected to a solid pipe.

Any visible gas pipes are checked for signs of corrosion and stability, ensuring that they are supported with clips and labelled if needed.

The gas supply for the whole property is checked to ensure it is adequate when all appliances are working.



One of the most important checks is a gas leak test, this is called a tightness test.

This test is carried out at the gas meter.

While at the gas meter we are also checking to make sure the meter is secured to the wall correctly and not moving around.

We are also checking the gas pipe has the correct earth bonding and is of the right size.

A gas safety inspection is a very important process and should be carried out at regular intervals.