The Importance of Boiler Safety Checks: What to Look Out For

Research conducted by the Gas Safe Register in 2023 found that 33% of homeowners thought of missing their annual gas or boiler safety check due to budget constraints.

As you can imagine, it’s a bad idea that a solid third of UK households are thinking of skipping safety checks.

Annual safety checks are essential; not only do they ensure that you’re safe in your home but they also help identify potential issues before they become dangerous situations.

After all, an unsafe boiler is:

• A carbon monoxide (CO) threat
• A fire hazard
• A potential explosion issue

While home explosions are rare, they do happen. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the number of explosions and fires caused by gas leaks rose from 28 in 2017 to 41 in 2020 with 178 people injured between 2017 and 2022.

What Is A Gas Or Boiler Safety Check?

For those wondering, a gas safety check refers to investigating all gas appliances in the home. This includes:

• Cookers and hobs
• Fires
• Laundry dryers
• Barbeque grills and fire pits
• Heaters
• And of course boilers

The primary purpose of a gas safety check is to ensure that everything is working as it should with regard to the appliances rather than focusing on individual parts for specific items. An example of what they won’t be suggesting is recommending replacing worn heat plate shields in a barbeque grill, which is responsible for distributing heat efficiently.

So what exactly are the inspectors looking at? Well, the professionals are looking for general checks that include:

• Boiler pressure
• Air supply
• Whether the gas is being burned correctly
• That flues and chimneys are clear and working
• And checking the functions of the appliances’ general safety features.

Safety features in gas appliances are cut-off devices or safety valves. These devices’ names are somewhat self-explanatory, but to elaborate, they are designed to cut off the gas supply if a fault is detected.

A Gas Safe registered engineer can extend this safety check to a complete gas installation check in certain circumstances. If your home requires this extensive check, the professional will make sure that the installation has been done correctly and is in good shape and conduct a gas pipe check for leaks.

A Gas Safe registered engineer must carry out gas safety checks. Before they start their inspection, ensure you have confirmed their qualifications and accreditations. You can confirm their credentials via the Gas Safe Register website.

Depending on the scope of the project, the Gas Safe registered engineer will issue you some paperwork on completion of the job. Be aware that this is not a legal requirement, so make sure to ask for proof of work completed to include in your own personal gas safety records.

If you didn’t already know, your boiler should be serviced every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. When you book an annual boiler service, the Gas Safe registered engineer will perform a safety check on the unit.

If you are suspicious of any of your gas appliances, book an impromptu service with a Gas Safe registered engineer.

One of the checks is to inspect the combustion exhaust gases. This, as well as many of the other checks, requires specialised equipment.

The next item on the Gas Safe registered engineer’s checklist is to look for signs of heat or distressed materials, ensure that all the seals and gaskets are in good condition, and check that the heat exchanger is clean.

Private homeowners in the UK are not legally required to have their boilers safety checked or serviced annually. However, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998 say all gas appliances, including boilers, must be maintained safely. Otherwise, the owner can be held accountable for mishaps.

Unfortunately, the costs of getting a gas safety check can fluctuate greatly for private homeowners. However, depending on your energy supplier, you may be eligible for a free gas safety check.

As for UK landlords, they have no choice as the law requires them to have an annual CP12 and boiler service, which is non-negotiable.

While we suggest private homeowners conduct an annual safety check or service for their gas boilers, we also think they need to recognise the signs that something is wrong with their appliances.

Important Safety Signs To Be Aware Of

For homeowners who have their boilers serviced once a year via a maintenance subscription, there should be less of a need to worry about safety issues.

However, when the Gas Safe Register asked homeowners how confident they were in spotting unsafe gas appliances, almost 98% said their home was gas safe. However, when 2000 homeowners went through the Gas Safety Challenge, just four (0.2%) passed the test.

This means most UK citizens don’t know what gas danger signs to be vigilant for around their homes. As we are a team player in providing information about gas safety, here are the five questions the Gas Safe Register asks:

What Colour Should The Flame On Your Hob Be When Turned On?

The answer: A crisp blue flame

If the flame on your hob, heater, or boiler is yellow or orange (sometimes called a floppy flame), it is a sign that your appliance is not correctly igniting the gas, otherwise known as incomplete combustion.

Incomplete combustion is caused by insufficient oxygen to the flame, and it can lead to a by-product of carbon or carbon monoxide (CO).

CO is colourless, odourless, tasteless, and poisonous. According to the HSE statistics, annually seven people in the UK die of CO poisoning caused by unsafe gas appliances.

Other signs to look out for are:

• Soot, yellow, and brown stains around an appliance’s ignition area
• The pilot light keeps getting blown out
• And lastly, a visible increase of condensation on the inside of windows

CO poisoning can also take time and make residents sick. Early symptoms can mimic common illnesses like food poisoning, colds, and flu, or being exceptionally tired.

But according to the HSE, the main symptoms to look out for are:

• Headaches or dizziness
• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Loss of consciousness
• Tiredness
• Pains in the chest or stomach
• Erratic behaviour
• And visual problems

If you suspect a gas leak, switch off the appliance immediately and shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve.

Open all doors and windows to ventilate the gas out and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Once you’ve dealt with the problem, visit your local GP and ask for treatment for CO exposure.

Is Your Boiler Operating Correctly?

If you suspect your boiler is operating incorrectly, contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to investigate.

A boiler that makes any noise is a concern, whether it is the danger of CO emissions or simply running at a lower efficiency rate.

While it is normal for a boiler to produce a low hum, if it’s:

• Gurgling
• Whistling
• Knocking or tapping
• And banging

This is not normal.

If your boiler makes the above mentioned noises, you will want to bleed your radiators or system as air might be in the system.

Also, if your ignition system is faulty (AKA: not lighting), it could be a disrupted gas supply issue. As a warning, if it shows signs of incomplete combustion, call a professional.

If you have persistent issues, call a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you need help locating one, we’re always here to help within 48 hours.

Is Your Boiler Flue Clear From Obstructions?

Boilers by their nature create harmful gases, including CO. A boiler’s flue is a pipe that carries exhaust gases from the boiler to the outside so that your health isn’t in danger.

Therefore, it is essential to know if your boiler’s flue is working properly. Make sure to clear it of debris such as plants, build-up of soot, and generally anything that can wedge itself in the pipe.

Do You Own a CO Detector?

If you answered no, you need to buy one. These CO alarms are inexpensive and can be purchased at any general hardware store around the UK.

Before purchasing a CO alarm, ensure it complies with the British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval rating.

And here’s the last question.

Do You Know Where To Turn Off The Gas In An Emergency?

For those of you who are not DIY-minded, the location of this gas shut-off valve can be a mystery.

But all gas appliances will have a local gas shut-off valve. For a boiler, it will be alongside the machine. The valve’s handle will be yellow. When this yellow handle is in line with the pipe, the valve is open. And when the handle is 90 degrees perpendicular to the pipe, it is closed.

You should also know there is a backup plan in case you can’t get to the valve near the gas appliance. There is also the gas mains shut-off valve. Usually, the valve is located alongside the main gas meter outside your home. If you struggle to locate it, you can ask your Gas Safe registered engineer for assistance.

Now that you know the answers to the Gas Safety Challenge, what else should you know about boiler safety?

What To Do If There’s A Fire?

If you are unfortunate enough to be in a gas fire, you must stay calm and leave the premises. Don’t be tempted to grab anything, just go. Also, do not attempt to put out the fire.

If the fire is caused by natural gas, oil, LPG, or petrol, it is considered a Class B fire by emergency services. Do not attempt to put this type of fire out with water as this can cause the fire to spread and worsen.

Class B fires need to be smothered by a blanket or sand. But as we said before, don’t attempt to put out the fire!

When you’ve left your property and are safe, call 999. Remember to “Get out, stay out, and call 999”.

If you are worried about the general safety of your boiler, you can always apply for a new one via a grant or purchase one through us.

Buy A New And Safe Boiler Today!

Take our simple boiler questionnaire and we’ll help you find the exact boiler you need.

If you have any questions, you can contact us via multiple channels/methods or the chat window in the bottom right-hand corner.