It’s Gas Safety Week between 9-15 September 2024, and this year’s theme is ‘Checking – every check counts’, which emphasises the importance of regular gas checks.
Why is it important to do regular gas safety checks?
If your gas appliance or pipework is faulty, in extreme cases it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and fires, which can be deadly.
This is why it’s important that gas appliances are checked and serviced every year by an accredited Gas Safe registered engineer.
As a responsible landlord, we have a legal duty to carry out annual checks of the gas pipework, heating and hot water systems in the homes we rent to residents.
However, you are responsible for getting your own gas appliances, such as cookers, checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer every year. Although our contractors will carry out a visual assessment and make a note on the Landlord’s Gas Safety Record.
How to check your gas appliances are safe
Look out for the following signs that could indicate a gas appliance is not working correctly:
- Floppy yellow or orange flame on your gas hob, rather than a crisp blue flame
- Dark, sooty staining on or around your gas appliances
- Increased condensation on the inside of windows
- The boiler pilot keeps going out.
Keeping you safe
There are two types of alarm/detectors that you can find in your home: smoke detectors and heat detectors (heat detectors are usually found in your kitchen). There should be one detector for every level of your home.
We’re responsible for installing detectors inside the homes we provide for rent but it’s residents responsibility to regularly check that they’re working – the Fire Brigade recommends that detectors are checked at least once a month. To carry out a check, simply push the test button to see if it’s working. If it’s on the ceiling, try using a broom handle.
If your detector starts beeping (when you’re not testing it) this means the battery is low. Please don’t remove the battery until you’re ready to replace it with a new one immediately and never cover or disconnect the detector to silence the beeping.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer because you can’t taste, see or smell it but the fumes are highly poisonous.
If you have gas in your home, you need to have a carbon monoxide detector installed. If you do not have one, please contact us.
Like the other alarms/detectors in your home, please check they’re working by testing them at least once a month.
For more information
You can find more information on Gas Safety, and how you can stay gas safe, from the Gas Safety Week team here.
