All gas appliances in your home need to be checked each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Usually most services take place towards the end of the summer, sometimes before, to ensure when the time comes to switch the fire on, it will work as designed, and the chances of a risky malfunction greatly reduced.
Having your gas fire serviced in the summer will possibly mean a much shorter wait for an engineer, and if there is an issue, you have time on your side to get any repairs completed well in advance of using it.
Not having your gas fire (or any appliance for that matter) serviced can greatly increase the chances of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning and other risks, like gas leaks and appliance inefficiency or failure.
According to Gas Safe Register – nearly 1,300 sites were identified as unsafe by their inspections team last summer, due to dangerous gas appliances being found, 18% higher than the number of unsafe sites recorded in winter months.
Being Aware of Warning Signs:
Apart from the annual service, which is never a complete guarantee against any issues occurring, you should be aware of the following things, which indicates your gas fire needs immediate attention:
- The fire is burning with a lazy yellow flame
- Black marks and stains showing around the appliance
- The pilot light keeps going out
- There is increased condensation in the room where the fire is located
A Service or a Safety Check – Is There a Difference?
In simple terms – yes there is. It is important to check and agree with your engineer what their scope of work covers. Below are what an appliance safety check covers vs an appliance service.
Appliance Safety Check:
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- It’s correctly set and adjusted to ensure the gas is burning properly
- It’s of a type suitable for the room it’s in
- It’s physically stable, correctly fitted and correctly connected to the gas pipework
- There is an adequate and permanent air supply that is suitable for the appliance type installed
- Any flues or chimneys are operating properly
- All safety devices work as intended
Appliance Service:
An appliance service will typically cover all the above points, plus:
- If required provide an analysis of the combustion exhaust gases to ensure it is burning the gas safely
- Check the condition of the appliance including things such as seals and gaskets, whilst also looking for any wear or distress to the various parts of the appliance
Chimney & Flues:
Chimneys and flues need to be checked before you stat using your gas fire to ensure there are no blockages, such as a birds nests, or general debris, which could cause a risk when the fire is in use.
To find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area you can use The Gas Safe Register’s search facility online at:
https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer/
