Does a Gas Safety Check Involve Radiators?

Incorrectly installed, maintained, or operated gas appliances can cause deadly carbon monoxide (CO) leaks. That's why it is important to perform a safety inspection of these appliances at least once a year to avoid any leaks, which, in a worst-case scenario, could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

During a Gas Safe engineer's visit, you might be curious as to whether they will check your radiators as part of the inspection. Simply put, yes, they should be checking radiators during an inspection. This is because it is a gas appliance, and all appliances must be inspected, from the gas fire to the gas boiler.

Checking the radiators

A Gas Safe engineer comes to your house to perform a gas safety check. They will examine your gas appliances and visually check your whole heating system, which includes your radiators.

The engineer will test your appliances. If they suspect problems, they will check each radiator individually. However, if the readings are satisfactory, they will not always need to check each radiator.

What do they check during a gas safety check?

During a gas safety check, the engineer will look at your gas appliances to assess their safety. They inspect the gas emergency control valve/meter for correct labelling and maintenance. They may also perform a tightness test to find gas leaks in your installation or the pipework.

All the gas appliances in your home will be checked, from the cooker to the radiator. Gas safety checks also include:

• Inspecting the stability and location of the gas appliance. Making sure that it is secure on your floor or the wall.
• The gas supply from the meter to each appliance.
• Ensuring adequate ventilation and air supply to a specific appliance in the room.
• The gas rate and burner pressure of the appliance is checked to ensure that it burns properly.
• They will visually inspect the whole length of the chimney or flue system.
• The engineer will perform a flue flow test or a spillage test where necessary. This is done to ensure that fumes are not spilling into the room.
• The operation of the safety devices on each appliance.
• The overall condition of each appliance to make sure that there is no evidence of any unsafe operation and to make sure that all of the suitable materials have been used. They will also check for rust etc.
• Checking the flame picture when the appliance is turned on. Or they may use an analyser for precise readings.

Requirements for gas safety checks

Annual gas safety checks have a number of requirements and rules that must be followed. There is much more involved than just checking all of the gas appliances. During your annual boiler service and gas check, make sure you are aware of the following:

Gas safety checks must be done yearly

All of the appliances that your landlord has provided will need to be checked every year. Every time a new tenant moves into the house or apartment, an engineer must do a new check, and if there is a new gas installation, another check must be done.

An engineer must check appliances every year to ensure everything is working safely and correctly.

Get a copy of your record

Within 28 days of the entire safety check being completed, a gas engineer or the landlord must hand a copy of the record to the renter. Before a new tenant moves in, they must also be given any existing records.

The current record and at least the previous two years' worth of gas safety checks must be kept by landlords.

It must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer

Everything from the gas installation to the gas safety check must be done by a registered engineer. This person must have the required qualifications and competence to complete the job. They should be qualified to work on a gas fire, gas cooker, gas metre, boiler, and more.

Regular maintenance must be done by someone qualified and registered.

Arranging your gas safety check

Advertisements and local directories are good places for landlords to look for a Gas Safe registered engineer. For the appliance to be tested, the engineer must possess all necessary certifications. These can vary depending on whether the device is a boiler, cooker, or gas fire.

By getting in touch with the Gas Safe Register, it is possible to confirm the engineer's credentials and other information.

The cost

According to Checkatrade, the lowest charge for a gas safety check is often around £60, if only one device, such as a boiler, needs to be tested. The average cost of a gas safety check is £80. A home with a boiler, stove, and gas fireplace will cost about £90. Instead of the tenant, the landlord will be responsible for paying for this.

Three or more appliances can take around an hour to inspect, while one or two will take about 30 minutes.

Depending on where you reside and how many appliances in your house need to be tested, the gas safety check cost may differ. It's best to compare several quotations.

It is legally required for your landlord to plan and fund an annual gas safety check if you rent an apartment.

You also should be getting gas safety checks if you are not in rented accommodation. If any of the following four statements apply to you, you might be eligible for a free annual gas safety check:

• You have not had a gas safety check for the last 12 months.
• You live in your own house.
• You are currently on a means-tested benefit.
• One of the following applies to your living situation: You have a child under five living with you, or someone in your household is chronically sick, disabled, under 18, or old enough to claim their pension.

If an appliance fails the gas safety check

If an appliance fails a gas safety check, the defect will be mentioned in the final record. The engineer will report on this, even if they are successful in resolving the problem.

Otherwise, before the appliance is used again, the landlord must ensure that a licensed gas engineer fixes any gas defects. The completed work should be kept in a copy.

If any appliance is listed as unsafe after the service or gas safety check, the engineer must note this in writing and explain why there is a problem. In this case, the appliance should not be used and must be replaced as soon as possible.

If the engineer informs you that the appliance has been emitting CO into your home and you have been exposed to it, go to the hospital. Inform the hospital that you think you may have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.

The risks involved

Three main risks can arise if you have any unsafe gas appliances. These include:

• Explosions and fires: Gas is burned safely by safe equipment in a controlled manner, but a malfunctioning device or pipes may leak gas, which might then catch fire or explode.
• Gas leaks: Explosions or fires can be caused by gas leaks. You must phone your emergency service provider immediately if you suspect you smell gas. A Gas Safe trained engineer will perform a tightness test and a visual inspection of the pipework as part of a gas safety check to ensure there are no gas leaks.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless toxic gas, making it impossible to detect without a CO detector. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, chest pain and shortness of breath. According to the Office for National Statistics, it claims more than 100 lives in the UK each year. In the US, there are over 50,000 instances of carbon monoxide poisoning annually.

Additionally, getting your gas piping tested concurrently with your yearly gas safety inspection is strongly advised. It is also required of landlords to maintain piping. Your gas fire, boiler, and all other appliances can pose the serious threats above if not working safely.

Explore our range of radiators

Ensuring your home is equipped with up-to-date and working radiators is a great way to retain heat, which is especially important during the colder months. If you need to upgrade your central heating systems then take a look at our range of radiators, parts and accessories available to buy at PlumbNation.

FAQs

Why are none of my radiators getting hot?

The most frequent cause of one (or more) of your radiators failing to heat up is trapped air. Your radiators may become cold at the top yet warm at the bottom if you've recently restarted your heating system after the summer.

Do radiators need to be serviced?

To keep your radiator in the greatest condition possible, you should conduct some basic maintenance on it once a year. The most crucial step is to "bleed" out any air that enters the radiator. Even though all pipes are sealed, air can easily escape from the water.