What Makes the Gas Network So Risky?

As the gas network of any property deals with fire and gas, it is riskier than standard plumbing installations. Gas boilers use Natural Gas, which is a highly flammable fuel, and it can catch fire in an instant.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is extremely flammable and also highly toxic. There are countless fire hazards every day because of ignoring natural gas leakages. But that’s not all. Inhaling natural gas for more than a few minutes can lead to life-threatening situations. The exposed person can lose his life without an emergency response. Moreover, natural gas is odourless and colourless, making it extremely difficult to detect. This is why relevant authorities use additives in several different supply points to make its detection possible.

Carbon Monoxide

When natural gas is burnt, in the absence or limited supply of oxygen it produces carbon monoxide, which is even more dangerous than natural gas. It can choke your respiratory system if exposed continuously for a few minutes. Prolonged exposure can be fatal or lead to serious health issues. CO is also odourless and colourless. Also, there is no way to use additives to make it detectable, but thanks to technology, you can now install CO detectors and an alarm system which can alert you if there is any leakage of CO.

Gas Safe Register

It is because of these reasons that special qualifications and skills are required for installing gas boilers and providing repair/maintenance services. It’s now a legal requirement that all engineers be registered as gas safe. The gas safe register, therefore, is your verification source to see if a company/engineer is qualified and experienced enough to deal with your gas network. It is accessible online, and you can check it easily.

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate

The “landlord and tenant act” makes landlords responsible for the safety and well-being of their tenants. To ensure the tenants’ security, landlords must get their gas appliances/network inspected by engineers once a year. This includes gas safety checks and inspections. The engineer will inspect all gas appliances as well as flues. After the inspection, the engineer issues an LGSR- Landlord Gas Safety Record to confirm if the gas appliances are safe and pose no risk to people. Once you receive the LGSR, you are required by law to provide a copy to your existing tenants within 28 days of the safety check. For new tenants, it should be provided once their tenancy begins. As per law, the inspection can only be carried out by gas-safe registered engineers. When your inspection is due, ensure that you hire an engineer, not a plumber. Also, ensure that the engineer or the company is registered as gas safe.

When Should You Call a Gas-safe Registered Engineer?

Any problems you are facing with your gas appliances, including gas boilers, should be checked by gas-safe engineers. Whether you suspect a gas leakage or are facing operational difficulties such as boiler breakdown, boiler error codes, boiler servicing, repairs, etc., the best thing you can do is to check for gas engineers in your vicinity. Inspect their website to see if they are a registered company and check their name in the gas safe register. If you are a landlord, you must submit a gas safety certificate annually to the relevant authorities. The certificate can only be provided by gas-safe registered companies/engineers after they have inspected all your gas appliances. For all these purposes, you should only call a gas-safe registered engineer.

• Installation/replacement of Gas Boilers.
• Installation of Other Gas Appliances.
• Repair and Maintenance of Gas Boilers and Other Gas Appliances.
• General Servicing of Gas Boilers
• Landlord Safety Certificate for Gas Appliances.
• Installation and Repair of Central Heating System
• Boiler Breakdown
• Leakage of Natural Gas
• Leakage of Carbon Monoxide
• Non-operative Co Alarm System
• Boiler Error Codes
• Replacement of a Heating Element
• Anything Related to the Gas Network

When to Call a Plumber?

Plumbers may not be authorized to deal with your gas network, but they are as essential as gas engineers. You will have to deal with countless issues without proper plumbing in your property. For instance, if your drains are blocked, your bathrooms will turn smelly in minutes. If your kitchen drainage is not working properly, you can end up flooding your kitchen. If there is a water leakage in your home or corroded pipes, you will need repair/replacement. Plumbers also provide several other services, such as complete installation of bathrooms, sewerage, drainage, bathtubs, washbasins, bathroom accessories, and many other important items. Your plumbing network provides water supply and drainage to your home, including your bathrooms and kitchen.

• Complete Installation of Bathrooms
• Installation of the Entire Piping Network
• Installation of Bathroom Accessories
• Installation of Sanitary Wares
• Removal of Blockage from Drainage Systems and Pipes
• Replacement of Valves and Pumps
• Emergency Plumbing Services

Building Regulations Pertaining to Gas Installations

When carrying out installations of plumbing as well as gas utilities in new builds, countless building regulations have to be met. A gas engineer will be aware of the regulations related to gas networks, while a plumber will be more acquainted with those pertaining to plumbing. The regulations that pertain to the installation of new boilers cover the following:

• Location of the Gas Boiler
• Installation of Gas Pipes and Condensate Pipes
• Heating Controls
• Flow Temperatures and Boiler Efficiency
• Boiler Sizing
• Heating Zones
• Insulation
• Flues
• Boiler Cleaning

Boilers should be installed at locations which pose the minimum risk to people. Modern boilers are sealed and therefore do not pose a serious threat. However, old boilers draw air from their surroundings and pose a higher risk of CO poisoning. As a precautionary measure, installing boilers in the open air is always a better idea but is not required by law. Installing in the open will also have challenges, such as insulation from extreme weather. Regardless of where they are installed, care should be taken to ensure proper ventilation. A rather complicated aspect of building regulations is gas piping, which requires the expertise of gas engineers. Selecting the right pipe material and dimensions is a decision that an engineer and not a plumber should take. Building regulations also emphasize the importance of flue/discharge gasses. The engineer must decide the position of the flue. A plumber cannot meet these and many other standards & regulations, so you need a gas safe registered engineer.