A gas safety check is different from a gas service. It is mainly designed to inspect any gas appliances, such as cookers, fires and boilers, to ensure they are working correctly and safely. A gas safety check has to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
What is Involved in an Annual Gas Safety Check?
Whereas a gas service involves a more in-depth inspection of gas appliances, pipework, vents and flues, a gas safety check is designed to inspect the following:
- Whether the appliance is operating at the correct operating pressure.
- Whether there is adequate air supply to the appliance.
- Whether the appliance is burning gas correctly.
- If the flues and chimneys are clear and if they allow the appliance to emit gases and fumes safely.
- Whether all safety devices, for example cut out devices, are working correctly.
Failures to have gas appliances inspected regularly may lead to potentially fatal gases, such carbon monoxide, escaping into your home.
Who Needs a Gas Safety Check
As a homeowner it is not a legal requirement to have a gas safety record. However, any household that has gas appliances should have a gas safety check. This is on top of your annual servicing, not instead of. It gives you confidence and peace of mind that all your appliances are working as they should.
As a landlord you must, by law, have a gas safety check every year. This must be done on all gas appliances and installations owned by you, in each and every one of the properties you own. This does not just apply to private landlords, but also B&B owners, holiday rental owners, schools, colleges, hotels, hostels and local authorities. It is your responsibility to ensure all appliances are safe, unless the appliance is owned by the tenant themselves, in which case you are not responsible for this.