Gas servicing

All council installed gas appliances are serviced within 12 months of their previous service.

The annual gas safety check is a legal requirement. If it does not take place, we will postpone repairs and maintenance to your property until you allow us access to carry this out. If you do not allow us access to complete the works, your details will be passed over to our legal department, who will go to court to obtain an injunction. This is an expensive process and you will be asked to repay the costs.

Why is gas servicing important?

• regular servicing reduces the chance of serious risks to life from fires, explosions or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
• gas boilers that have not been serviced cost more to run and are at risk of breaking down when most needed
• deposits build up inside the boiler and central heating system which reduce the efficiency of the system
• over time parts become worn and may break down causing the system to stop working

A regular service will address all of the above and keep the equipment working efficiently.

Gas appliances and your health

Every year in the UK some 30 people are killed and many others are affected by carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty gas installations such as fires and boilers in their homes.

Your property has been fitted with a carbon monoxide detector. Contact the National Grid Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 immediately if the alarm sounds.

Carbon monoxide is a particularly dangerous gas because you cannot smell it. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, tiredness and nausea (feeling sick). Some of these symptoms can be mistaken for flu and other common viruses, or even food poisoning.

If you believe that you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning you should seek immediate medical attention and contact us to check the heating system.

What is involved in a gas service?

The service, which usually takes no more than an hour, will be carried out by a Gas Safe registered contractor, and will leave you with the peace of mind that your appliances are safe and working well.

During the servicing procedure the following will be cleaned and checked:

• gas soundness test
• gas fire/boiler
• the whole system - by testing the pressure at the gas meter
  all other council installed gas appliances
• obstructions and ventilation
• loft water tanks
• radiators and pumps
• flues
• we will show you how to use the time clocks properly, should you wish
• we will give you a copy of the Landlords Gas Safety Record (CP12) which you will need to sign

If the contractor calls, and you are not home, they will leave another appointment card. If this is unsuitable please call the number immediately to book another appointment at a suitable time.

Gas leaks

If you smell gas:

• call the National Grid Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999
• do not turn electric switches on/off or do anything else that could create an electric spark
• do not smoke
• do not use naked flames and extinguish any that are present
• turn off your gas supply at the meter
• open your doors and windows
• keep people away from the area

They will attend immediately to identify and isolate the cause of the leak. When you report it to them they will give you a reference number. Call us immediately to let us know and we will repair the fault once they have completed their work.