Gas safety
Why is it Important to Have Safe Gas Appliances?
Gas is commonly used for heating and cooking, but faulty appliances and pipes can cause fires or explosions, leading to serious injuries or even death. In the UK, about 20 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning due to poorly maintained or faulty gas appliances.
What Does Mansfield District Council Do to Keep You Safe?
Mansfield District Council (MDC) has a responsibility to ensure that gas heating systems and pipes in its buildings are properly maintained and safe to use. Here’s what MDC does:
- Conducts annual gas safety checks and repairs on all gas fires and boilers they supply, with a goal to complete these checks every 9 months to avoid delays.
- Prohibits customers from installing their own gas fires or using Propane or Calor gas inside their properties.
- Provides paper copies of gas safety certificates to each household and keeps a copy for records.
- Ensures all gas engineers are registered and qualified by the Gas Safe Register.
- Offers an out-of-hours repair service for urgent gas repairs or safety issues.
What Can You Do to Keep Safe?
- Allow MDC to access your property for the annual gas safety check to identify and fix faults that could lead to gas leaks, fires, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer to install a gas cooker.
- Report any faults with your gas boiler to MDC at 01623 463463.
- If you smell gas or suspect a leak, do the following:
- Do: Turn off the gas supply at the meter and open all doors and windows.
- Do Not: Smoke, vape, strike a match, or turn electrical switches on or off.
Arranging Access to Your Home
About two weeks before your gas safety check, MDC will send you an appointment letter with the date and time of the visit. If the time isn’t convenient, you can reschedule, and you can request an AM/PM appointment to avoid school runs. It's crucial to contact MDC if you cannot keep the appointment, as failing to provide access could lead to legal action.
Preparing for the Safety Check
To make the safety check quick and easy, please ensure:
- You have credit on your gas and electric meters.
- Someone over 18 is at home.
- There is clear access to the gas meter, all gas appliances (boiler, fire, cooker), and all smoke, heat, and CO alarms.
- Any dogs are secured in a room or outside.
- You allow enough time for the test.
If you foresee any issues or have specific requests, contact MDC at 01623 463463. For your security, all engineers carry photographic ID cards.
During the Safety Check
The engineer will:
- Test all smoke, heat, and CO detectors to ensure they work and check the battery expiry date.
- Perform a gas tightness test at the gas meter to ensure there are no leaks.
- Inspect and test the boiler for harmful emissions and ensure it operates efficiently.
- For MDC-installed gas fires, remove the fire from the wall, clean it, perform a flue test, and reattach it. For customer-owned gas fires, they will perform necessary safety tests but not clean it.
- Visually inspect gas cookers for correct installation and operation.
- The results are recorded on a certificate, a copy of which is provided to you.
If you have any questions or concerns about the Gas Safety Check, please contact MDC at 01623 463463 or email gassafety@mansfield.gov.uk.