What Are Boiler Inspection and Condition Reports?
If you have a boiler in your home or business then you should do everything you can to keep it in good working efficient order and working safely. A boiler inspection and condition report will ensure any current or future faults are identified and tell you if it is working safely. They can save you a lot of time and money by identifying potential faults before they happen as well as prolonging the life of your boiler.
Homeowners are not required by law to have an annual report or service but they have a duty of care to ensure that any gas appliances in their home are working safely. Faults with gas appliances can be extremely dangerous and can be a risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, both of which can be life-threatening.
As a landlord of either a commercial or domestic property, you have a legal requirement to have an annual Gas Safety Check for any gas appliances in the property. If you are a business owner then again you should have an annual gas safety check completed by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Whatever industry you are in if there is a gas appliance connected within the premises then you MUST have a Commercial Gas Safety Certificate provided by a fully certified commercial gas safe engineer
You can find out everything you need to know here or read our full article which explains everything.
What are the differences between a gas safety check and a service?
- A full gas safety check and condition report check a gas appliance is operating safely.
- A gas boiler service checks the boiler parts to ensure they are clean and working as efficiently as possible.
Think of a gas safety check as an MOT and a boiler service as a car service where work is carried out.
Boiler breakdowns whether domestic or commercial can be expensive and very inconvenient and often mean you are without heating or hot water. or both. If your boiler breaks down then it will normally be more costly to repair compared to being advised you need to change a part before it actually breaks down. A boiler breaking down due to one component can often cause damage to other parts of the boiler which is why a boiler inspection and condition report is worth having done. A boiler is also often more costly to repair if it hasn’t been serviced annually so both are important maintenance requirements of a boiler.
Having annual boiler inspection and condition reports enables you to preempt potential problems and resolve them before they turn into a full-blown boiler breakdown.
An initial boiler inspection can be anything between £100 and £300 but it is very much dependent on the size of your boiler if it is used in a domestic or commercial. environment Domestic or commercial a boiler inspection and condition report will often save you a lot of money further down the line and prolong the life of your boiler. They can take anything from half an hour upwards, again depending on the size of your boiler or plant room.
What are the risks of unchecked gas appliances?
There are 3 main risks associated with an unsafe gas appliance. These have been sourced from The Gas Safe Register.
Gas Leaks – A gas leak can cause fires or explosions. If you think you can smell gas, then you’ll need to call your emergency service provider immediately. During a gas safety check, a Gas Safe registered engineer will do a visual inspection of pipework and a tightness test to confirm there aren’t any gas leaks.
Fires and Explosions – Safe appliances burn gas in a controlled way, but a faulty appliance or pipework may leak gas which can then be ignited, causing a fire or explosion.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas that can be especially deadly because you can’t see, taste or smell it.
We also highly recommend getting your gas pipework inspected at the same time as your annual gas safety check. As a landlord, it is also law to maintain pipework
The Gas Safe Register offers a free gas safety check reminder service here. Just sign up and they will send you a reminder by text or email to let you know when it’s time for your yearly gas safety check.
What is a gas safety inspection?
A gas safety inspection and condition report is a service provided by a qualified Gas Safe Registered heating engineer. The engineer will visit your property to carry out an assessment of your gas boiler and associated equipment, such as its pipework and radiators.
What is involved in a Gas Safety Check?
A gas safety check is when a Gas Safe Registered Heating Engineer assesses an appliance’s safety and confirms that it is working properly and efficiently.
A Gas Safet Check Includes:
- Checks to confirm the ventilation ducts are unobstructed and fully operational as they should be
- The appliance/system lights up at the required operating pressure
- The system is working efficiently and within the required guidelines
- Dangerous and harmful gases are emitted outside the property
After a boiler or gas appliance inspection, the engineer will provide you with a detailed report of their findings. The report will show any areas of concern now and in the future and recommend any actions that should be taken to keep your appliance safe and running smoothly.
Only a Registered Gas Safety Engineer can carry out a certified Gas Safety Check and can save your and others’ lives, and a lot of time and frustration.
Gas Inspections and Condition Reports
Gas inspections and condition reports should be carried out on all gas appliances every 12 months. These can include; cookers, hobs, fires, and boilers, any pipework that supplies gas to these appliances.
Details Boiler Inspection Checklist
- A visual check of the boiler to check for any signs of damage or corrosion that could cause problems in the future.
- A check of the pressure gauge to ensure the boiler and its components are operating at the correct gas pressure
- Checking the safety valves which are a vital safety feature of the boiler and essential for it to function correctly
- Water level checks to ensure the boiler is not running dry, which will cause a great deal of damage
- A check of the burner flame to ensure it is stable and blue in colour, if not this indicates a problem
- A check for leaks which should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent damage and potential floods in the property if they worsen
- A test of the boiler’s controls to ensure they are working as they should do
- A thorough check of the gas supply pressure means your boiler is working safely and efficiently. Low or high gas pressure can be extremely dangerous.
Often a boiler is one of the most important appliances in a home or business, making it really important that it runs smoothly and safely. A boiler service will help to prolong the life of your boiler and prevent costly and unexpected breakdowns.
If your boiler is under warranty then a qualified gas engineer will ensure it remains within its warranty and help you understand what is required and what you are entitled to if there are any issues. You should always check the conditions of your warranty before any repairs are carried out.
Normally it is recommended by a boiler manufacturer that a boiler is serviced annually although some manufacturers can recommend more frequent servicing dependent on the type of boiler. Having your boiler serviced will cost you much less than having to pay for repairs or replacements.
What are the benefits of Boiler Inspection and Condition Reports?
A boiler inspection helps ensure that your boiler is working safely.
It will prevent accidents and injuries.
A boiler inspection can aid in the detection of potential problems both now and in the future both of which can shorten the life of a boiler. Resolving issues quickly can extend the life of a boiler and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Regular boiler maintenance will increase the efficiency of a boiler, resulting in lower energy bills.
Boiler downtime can be expensive and disruptive to your business. Regularly inspections of your boiler will help to minimise unexpected shutdowns and disruptions to your home or business.
Knowing that your boiler is regularly checked will give you peace of mind, knowing that you are doing everything possible to keep it running safely and efficiently.
Regular inspections can prolong the life of a boiler.
Many insurance companies will need annual boiler inspections to ensure your property or business is covered in case anything happens due to your boiler, floods, leaks, fires etc.
In the UK Businesses and Landlords are required by law to have their boilers inspected and serviced on an annual basis to make sure they are safe and operating efficiently.
Total Boiler Services Boiler Inspection and Condition Reports
If you have a Boiler Emergency or need a Boiler Inspection and Condition Report contact us today on 02922 407934 and our experts will answer any questions you may have and arrange an appointment for you. Our engineers are all Gas Safe Registered and have the qualifications and experience to work on all sizes, types and makes of boilers. We work with all the major manufacturers when it comes to boilers, plant room appliances and gas appliances.
