Gas safety advice
Important information about gas safety, your annual check-up, and dealing with gas leaks.
Let’s get you gas safe
We are required by law to give your home a yearly gas safety check before your current certificate expires. Please look out for your appointment letter.
The good news is that gas safety appointments are quick and simple. 20 minutes is usually all it takes for our engineer to check your home is gas safe and your appliances are working well.
It’s really important you keep your appointment date and time and give our engineer access on the day. Your appointment letter will explain how you can book a timeslot or re-arrange your appointment if you need to. This should arrive around 10 months after your last gas safety check.
If you haven’t had a gas safety check in the last 12 months please call our Customer Support Team immediately on 0300 333 6591
What you need to know about your gas safety check
Gas safety check-ups save lives.
You have a legal responsibility to give our engineers access on the day of your appointment. You risk breaching your tenancy agreement and facing legal action if you don't:
- keep your appointments
- allow our contractor into your home.
Gas safety check-ups save lives
If your gas heating and appliances are in poor condition or not checked, they can be extremely dangerous. We carry out gas safety checks to make sure your gas and heating systems are safe, to protect you, your neighbours, and your home.
If you miss your annual appointment, the risk of a gas leak, carbon monoxide poisoning, or fatal explosion increases.
Identifying your contractor
Our contractor will always be happy to show their company ID and Gas Safe ID card. They are also all registered with the Gas Safe Register. If you’re not sure whether they are genuine, call the Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer.
Gas appliances that belong to you
If you have gas appliances that belong to you, not Clarion, the contractor will inspect them too. But you’re responsible for having them serviced and maintained. The engineer will also test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
If the contractor finds a problem
If the contractor finds any safety concerns, they’re required by law to make the appliance safe. This may include disconnecting the appliance from your gas supply. If this happens, you’ll be given a report that explains what to do to have the appliance reconnected safely.
If you haven’t had a gas safety check in the last 12 months, please call our Customer Support Team immediately on 0300 333 6591. You can also request an appointment from your local contractor.
Gas leaks
If you smell gas, or suspect a gas or carbon monoxide leak, immediately phone the National Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999.
You should also:
- switch off all your gas appliances
- open all windows and doors to ventilate your home
- turn off the gas supply at the mains (there’s usually a large lever next to the gas meter)
- evacuate the property immediately and wait for advice from the emergency services
- get immediate medical help; you may have been affected by carbon monoxide
- arrange a safety inspection and any necessary repairs with your local gas contractor.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
You can’t see, taste, or smell carbon monoxide, but it can kill you.
When fuel is burnt a small amount of poisonous carbon monoxide gas is produced. However, properly functioning gas appliances only produce tiny, safe amounts.
If your appliances aren't maintained, the amount of carbon monoxide they create could increase. Using them would then become a dangerous risk. Appliances include:
- boilers
- cookers
- heaters
- fireplaces.
Dangerous signs to look out for
- yellow or orange flames (except for fuel-effect fires, which display this colour flame)
- soot or stains around appliance
- pilot lights that often blow out.
You should have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If you don’t, please call our Customer Support Team on 0300 333 6591 or contact your local contractor.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
- feeling light-headed, dizzy or sleepy
- being short of breath
- headaches
- nausea
- chest or stomach pains.
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning you should switch off any fuel-burning appliance, open your windows to get as much fresh air in as possible, and seek urgent medical help.
Gas safety advice
Do
- look out for damaged gas fittings
- check your appliances are burning gas properly
- check your appliances are shutting off properly
- test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every month
- arrange your free annual gas safety check.
Don’t
- use a gas appliance if you think it isn’t working properly
- cover an appliance or block the air vents
- block or obstruct any ventilation grilles or airbricks
- block or cover chimneys or flues.
Broken or poorly maintained gas heating, pipes, or appliances can cause dangerous gas leaks. If you think you have a problem with your gas heating, pipes, or appliances, turn them off immediately and contact your local gas contractor.
More information about gas safety
Gas Safe Register: www.gassaferegister.co.uk.
Health and Safety Executive: www.hse.gov.uk/gas.