Gas engineer talking to a customer

Baxi sets out its top gas safety tips

Following a year of disruption, Baxi says it’s more important than ever that industry professionals are doing their bit to ensure gas safety in UK homes.

Marking Gas Safety Week 2021, Chris Riley, National Operations Manager at Baxi, says: “With many people making changes to their homes and servicing schedules being disrupted, it is vital that installers explain the reasoning behind regular performance checks and maintenance.

“When highlighting the benefits of annual servicing to homeowners, comparing boiler maintenance to a car MOT and service can be helpful. Most people understand the importance of keeping their vehicle in good working order, so it makes perfect sense to apply this thinking to the boiler too.

“After all, this is a home appliance that can be in constant use, providing heating and hot water for the entire home. It’s only when a breakdown happens that the consequences of neglect become clear, by which time it is usually too late. While the MOT analogy is a good one to use, there are other ways to advise and educate customers about safety at home.

“Installers will always remember the fundamental role of W.A.G.E.S in their job – checking the water, air, gas, electrical and sample points – so it is always worth talking this through when attending a call. For each day of Gas Safety Week, we have chosen a top tip for heating engineers to best promote gas safety with their customers.”

  1. Ask questions
    Asking plenty of questions will give you a better idea of the current status of appliances in the home and also show the homeowner what they may need to flag for future visits. You could ask how the system has been performing, whether they have noticed any changes, or whether there has been work done on the house since the last visit.
  2. Have a look around
    Visual clues can be crucial in identifying a gas safety problem, like staining on walls or perished seals. This is not just around the boiler that’s being serviced, but also other appliances, like cookers and gas fires, that could pose a risk through leakage or defect.
  3. Check for Safety Alerts
    Make sure you check – and also encourage your customers to be aware of – the Safety Alerts on the Gas Safe Register website. Remember, as the Gas Safe professional on site, you will need to report on other gas appliances you have encountered that may be unsafe.
  4. Recommend setting up a service reminder
    For safety, as well as warranty requirements, an annual service must be carried out, so ensure that customers set a reminder to book in.
  5. Ensure there are CO alarms
    Make sure your customers have a CO alarm.
  6. Check previous work
    With new kitchens, bathrooms, and extensions, it is important to check that existing heating systems are still working correctly. Check that the chimney/flue outlet isn’t blocked, and that the boiler can still cope if new radiators have been fitted. You should also explain that renovations and refurbishments in the home can change the load on the heating system, so it is always wise to get this checked if changes are made.
  7. Keep an eye on pressure
    If the gauge on the boiler keeps showing a drop in pressure, it could be a sign of a leak somewhere in the system, so ask customers to give you a call if this happens so that you can fix it.

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