We have a statutory duty that a gas safety check is carried out yearly under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, Regulation 36 – Duty of Landlords.
We check all gas heating appliances in council owned homes, to make sure our appliances are safe and in good working order. All our gas appliances are installed and checked by Gas Safe registered engineers.
You must let our engineers into your home to perform these important checks. You should be flexible when making appointments and notify us as soon as you can if appointment times are no longer convenient.
You are responsible for having your own appliances serviced and safety checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Faults or breakdowns
If you have a breakdown or a fault to any council gas appliances or heating systems you should report them immediately by telephoning 01482 300 300.
If you have a breakdown or a fault to any of your own gas appliances you should only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out the repair.
Smell of gas or fumes
If you can smell gas in your home, or suspect there is a gas escape or a carbon monoxide leak you must telephone the gas emergency freephone number 0800 111 999 immediately and follow the instructions given. These include -
- turning off the gas supply immediately at the meter or emergency control valve
- extinguishing all sources of ignition
- not smoking
- not operating electrical light or power switches (on or off)
- opening doors and windows to ventilate the property
Access Cadent's video about reporting the smell of gas
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, which has no colour, taste or smell. Faulty gas appliances could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms include -
- fatigue
- headaches
- flu like symptoms such as nausea
- chest pains
- dizziness
- sickness, diarrhoea and stomach pains
If anyone in your home has any of these symptoms while a gas appliance is being used, stop using the appliance until it has been checked and seek medical advice immediately.
Visit the NHS choices website for more information
Safety advice
You should never -
- use a gas appliance if you think it is not working properly. Signs to look out for include yellow or orange flames (except for fuel effect fires), soot or stains around the appliance and pilot lights which frequently go out
- cover an appliance or block the convection air vents
- block or obstruct any fixed ventilation grilles or air bricks
- block or cover outside flues
Visit the Health and Safety Executive website for more information on gas safety