Gas Fire - Safety Check

[starrs]

Yesterday we had our annual safety check on our gas fire and boiler. The thing puzzling me is that some years we get a more comprehensive check ie. the fire is taken away from the wall and the engineer cleans behind it thoroughly whereas other years including yesterday he just cleans the front of the fire. Is this normal practice ie. do you only need a thorough check say every other year or should we expect more.

[gasman]

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use), Regulation 26:9 The fire should always be removed upon a safety inspection. The safety inspection is to check the condition of the Flue/chimney. Check that the flue/Chimney is opperating satisfactory by doing flue flow tests with smoke pellets. Check the correct termination (chimney pot etc..) and to clean any debris in the catchment area behind the fire. All of which require the removal of the fire. Then put the fire back in and test the fire for safety. So The fire should always be removed upon a safety inspection.

Have a look at you're certificate and if it says on it that the visual condition of the flue and termination are satisfactory and that flue performance checks or flue flow and spillage tests have been done, then he should have removed it. If he has not removed the fire, then he has not performed the checks he has said he has done on the certificate. He has neglected his duties, falsified the certificate and could be putting you and you're family at risk. Either get them back or report it to CORGI and they will get him back and an inspector will accompany him to make sure he is doing his job correctly. If he refuses then he is in trouble and will get struck off.

[gasman]

By the way Did you ask to see his CORGI ID card ??? Every engineer has to carry it with them and show it to their customers upon request and we are actualy quite pleased when people do ask us, so dont be afraid to ask. you should Never let anyone in to do any gas related work without seeing their valid and in date CORGI ID card first !!!

[starrs]

Thanks for the info.

Everything was arranged with our landlord, he is CORGI registered.

The safety certificate says the following

visual condition of flue and termination is satisfactory.

flue flow test - pass

spillage test - pass

I have checked with my mum and he definitely didn't remove the fire from the wall but he did remove the white blocks from the front of the fire (the blocks that actually heat up) and cleaned them.

So is it definitely ok to take this further.

Thanks for your help.

[terence7556]

hi starrs everything you were told by gasman is spot on,and the flue cannot be passed as satisfactory without a visual check with a torch and then lighting a smoke pellet
. you need to remove the fire to lean into the chimney breast to look upwards.the white panels the man removed are the elements that sit above the burner rail at or near the front of the fire
also it does not matter that the landlord is corgi registered, it is the man/woman doing the work and signing the certificate that needs to be registered
you need to br ready for a possible disagreement with the landlord/fitter because you will claim that they have not done something they have signed to say that they have.
the chimney breast area should be clean if they removed the fire, should,nt it?
if they prove awkward mention CORGI, (www.trustcorgi.com) good luck

[Hawkwalk]

I had two gas checks on my boiler a while back. The first guy failed it and said I needed a new one although it was still safe and the second one said all was fine and passed it.

The first one tried to sell me a new boiler for �4,000 so you can see why he was keen to fail it.

Although I am sure most are honest there are always some that will cut corners or try and sell you stuff you dont need.

[starrs]

Thanks everyone for the answers. I shall take it further tomorrow.

[gasman]

Yes I would take this further, I would'nt be able to sleep until I knew for certain that my family was safe from been poisened by deadly fumes...
I bet he takes his fire out at home when he does safety checks and he wont even be getting paid for that !!!

[Taknikinc]

The variation in the depth of the safety check for your gas fire and boiler can be due to a couple of reasons:

Routine Maintenance vs. Thorough Inspection: Typically, gas appliances require routine maintenance to ensure they are functioning safely. This includes cleaning the front of the fire and checking basic components. A more thorough inspection, such as removing the fire from the wall and cleaning behind it, may be needed less frequently, depending on factors like the age of the appliance, its usage, and any specific manufacturer recommendations.

Cost and Time Considerations: A comprehensive inspection that involves removing and cleaning behind the fire takes more time and resources. Some service providers may offer this as an optional service or recommend it less frequently to keep costs down. It's essential to discuss with your service provider to understand their approach and whether more comprehensive checks are necessary based on your specific circumstances.

Regulatory Requirements: Gas safety regulations may vary depending on your location, but they generally require regular checks and maintenance of gas appliances to ensure they meet safety standards. The frequency and depth of these checks may vary based on local regulations and the recommendations of gas safety organizations.