Your Safety is paramount to usWe've dealt with too many dangerous gas and electrical installations to ever be casual about safety. We are determined to ensure that all our customers enjoy peace of mind regarding the safety of their equipment.
However, safe equipment needs to be used correctly if it is to remain safe. It also needs to be serviced regularly, which is part of the service we offer. Please read the following safety information, and make sure that all your equipment is properly maintained.
We are fully qualified, CORGI registered gas installers, so are able to assist you in all aspects of Gas safety. If you have a Gas appliance which has not been serviced by a CORGI registered gas installer in the last twelve months, or if any Gas appliance is behaving abnormally in any way, or if any part of your gas supply is cut-off for safety reasons, or if you have any concerns regarding your gas appliances, please call us and we will resolve your problems and set your mind at rest. |
Gas SafetyThere are two critical dangers associated with Domestic Gas Safety:
Gas Leaks
Carbon Monoxide |
Gas Safety Advice There are two main danger areas associated with Gas appliances: Gas Leaks and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. We are please to reproduce the impartial advice offered by Energywatch, the Gas and Electricity Consumer's Council, regarding Gas Leaks, and the advice from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. |
EnergyWatch: Gas Leak AdviceAll gas distribution companies (National Grid, Scotia Gas Networks, Northern Gas Networks and West & Wales Utilities) are responsible for dealing with gas leaks and emergencies in their respective networks. If you smell gas or if you suspect that there has been an escape of other fumes such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), call the free 24 hour national emergency number on 0800 111 999.
Engineers of the gas distribution company owning the network in your area, will attend any gas leak free of charge. If the leak is inside your home, they may make it safe by turning off the supply. However, if it is safe to do so they will maintain the supply for heating and cooking appliances. If the engineer can fix the appliance or pipe work that is leaking within 30 minutes, and at a cost of no more than £4.65, they will do so. If not, they will isolate the appliance (to prevent unsafe use) and turn the gas back on, if it is safe to do so. The engineer will leave behind information about who to contact to have the appliance repaired. If the disruption of the supply to you property has been caused by the distribution company, you will be entitled to compensation, if you are without gas for more than 24 hours. You should contact your supplier if this applies to you"
What you should do if you suspect a leak:
OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS
MAKE SURE THAT THE GAS SUPPLY TO AN APPLIANCE HAS NOT BEEN LEFT ON OR THAT THE PILOT LIGHT HAS NOT GONE OUT
TURN THE SUPPLY OFF AT THE METER
DO NOT USE MATCHES OR NAKED FLAMES
DO NOT SMOKE
DO NOT TURN ANY ELECTRICAL SWITCHES ON OR OFF - INCLUDING LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOORBELLS |
Safety and Supply InterruptionsFree Services
Your personal safety is important. To find out if you are eligible to receive a free gas safety check along with many other free services, see Energywatch's Free Services information.
Repairing gas appliances and pipes in your home
Repairs to gas equipment must be carried out by CORGI registered gas installers. If you do not have a service contract or know a suitable engineer, contact the CORGI helpline on 01256 372 200 for details of registered gas installers in your area who do repair work. You may want to get more than one quote for the cost of the repairs. Before you let any engineer into your home, ask to see their CORGI identification to ensure that they are genuine, qualified engineers competent to work on your specific appliance.
Your personal safety is important; why not visit Energywatch's Free Services site and find out if you are eligible to receive a free Gas Safety Check along with many other free options. |
HSE Advice: Carbon Monoxide 'The Silent Killer'Every year about 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained, whilst many others also suffer ill health.
When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as coal, wood or oil, excess CO is produced which is poisonous.
You can't see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill without warning in just a matter of hours.
You are particularly at risk when you are asleep because you cannot recognise the early symptoms of CO poisoning. These include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, pains in the chest, breathlessness, stomach pains, erratic behavior and visual problems. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused as flu, or simple tiredness.
If you or your family experience the above symptoms and you believe CO may be involved you must seek urgent medical advice. Your doctor will need to test you for a blood or breath sample. Be aware, CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.
You are at risk from CO poisoning if
Your appliance was poorly installed
Your appliance is not working properly
Your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly
There is not enough fresh air in the room
Your chimney or flue gets blocked up
You allow non-CORGI registered engineers to install or maintain your appliance(s)
Signs to look out for include
Yellow or brown staining around, or on appliances
Pilot lights that frequently blow out
Increased condensation inside windows
Yellow rather than blue flame (apart from flueless fires)
If you think your appliance is spilling CO
Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until remedial action has been taken
Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room - do not sleep in it
Visit your GP urgently and tell them that you believe your symptoms may be related to CO poisoning and request either a blood and/or breath sample
Contact a CORGI registered installer to make repairs
Further advice and information
Campaign for Bedsit Rights 02075052135
Carbon Monoxide Support Group (South West) 01278786488
CO-Awareness
email: LynnCoAwareness@aol.com
CO-Gas Safety 01372 466112
email: office@co-gassafety.co.uk
HSE Gas Safety Advice Line 0800 300 363 (Freephone service)
Transco Gas Emergency (24 hours) 0800 111 999 (Freephone service) |
Electrical SafetyOld-fashioned switches and socket, scorch marks around socket, sparks from switches are all indications of old, potentially dangerous wiring.
As NICEIC approved contractors, we are fully qualified to assist you will all your electrical needs, including periodic inspection reports (PIRs). Please contact us if any part of your electrical installation is giving cause for concern. We are able to resolve any problems you may have; our professionalism will give you peace of mind.
We can also assist you if you are considering moving house and need a professional evaluation of the gas,electrical or plumbing installations in your intended property. |
Electrical Safety AdviceThe following electrical safety advice is published by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa):
Many accidents and fatalities involve electricity - it must be treated with respect. Here are some tips.
Have your wiring installation checked at least once every five years by an approved contractor, or straightaway if you are buying an older property. Look for an NICEIC or ECA member.
Do not use appliances with worn or damaged flexes. Don’t wire flexes together.
Keep portable mains-operated appliances out of the bathroom.
Have electric blankets serviced and checked regularly.
If an appliance appears faulty stop using it and have it checked at once.
Consider having a RCD (Residual Current Device) for whole house protection. These are especially valuable when power tools are used.
Look for the CE mark, the BEAB mark, BS safety mark or British Standard number when you buy electrical equipment.
Never overload an electric socket. |
Other Sources of AdviceElectrical Safety advice can be found from a variety of independent sources, the most important are listed below:
NICEIC Safety Leaflet
Fire Safety Advice from the UK Government |
Plumbing Safety TipsKnow how to turn off your water supply in an emergency
If you have a water leak, it is important to turn off the water supply quickly before it becomes a major flood. So, you should know where your stop cocks are, and ensure that you have easy access to them at all time.
• Internal Stop Cock
There should be a stop cock inside the house close to where the water main enters your property. This is usually the first stop cock to switch off in an emergency. Sometimes you may find more than one (as shown above), so it is important to know which one is the main stop cock.
If you are unsure which is your main stop cock, ask one of our plumbers who will be pleased to assist you.
• External Stop Cock
There should be a stop cock in the pavement just outside your property. Turning this stop cock off should shut off the water supply to your property. Make sure that you know which stop cock is yours (rather than your neighbours), and ensure that it is kept clear at all times.
To operate this stop cock, lift the cover, the stop cock should be underneath it.
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