A Gas Safe report is a document produced by a registered gas engineer after checking the safety of gas appliances in a property. It confirms that the gas appliances are safe to use and includes any defects found, remedial work required, and maintenance recommendations. It is important for complying with UK gas safety regulations and is needed as proof by landlords, letting agents, or insurers.
How is a gas safe report conducted
- The engineer examines the gas appliances, such as boilers, cookers, and fires, to make sure they are working safely and efficiently.
- The engineer carries out a range of tests, such as checking for gas leaks, carbon monoxide emissions, and the functioning of safety devices, to ensure that the appliances are safe to use.
- The engineer notes down any defects found during the inspection and provides recommendations for any remedial work that needs to be carried out to make the appliances safe.
- The engineer produces a Gas Safe report that includes the details of the appliances tested, any defects found, and any remedial work required. The report also includes recommendations for future maintenance or replacement of the appliances.
- The Gas Safe report is then provided to the property owner/ landlord or letting agent.
when should you get a gas safe certificate
- For rental properties, a Gas Safe report is required annually by law. Landlords must provide a copy of the report to their tenants within 28 days of the inspection. Gas safe offers some flexibility on scheduling the tests, they can be carried out up to 2 months prior to expiry but keep the same expiry date the following year.
- For owner-occupied properties, there is no legal requirement to have an annual Gas Safe report. However, it is recommended to have a gas safety check carried out every 1-2 years to ensure that the appliances remain safe and efficient.
- If any gas appliance shows signs of malfunction, such as a yellow flame instead of a blue one, or if there is a gas smell, it is important to call a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately, even if a Gas Safe report has been conducted recently.
What’s a boiler service
A boiler service is a maintenance check that is carried out by a qualified engineer to ensure that the boiler is working safely and efficiently. During a boiler service, the engineer will typically do the following:
- Inspect and clean the boiler’s components, such as the heat exchanger, burners, condensate trap, pressure sensors, bottle vents and heating filters
- The engineer may also check the expansion vessel is charged and re charge it if not.
- Check that the boiler is working safely and that there are no leaks or damage to the gas valve.
- Check the boiler’s controls to make sure the thermostat and programmer are working and the wiring is safe.
- Carry out combustion tests to ensure that the boiler is burning fuel efficiently and not producing harmful emissions.
- Identify any faults or potential issues with the boiler and provide recommendations for remedial work, if required.
How often should I get my boiler serviced
Having a boiler service carried out on an annual basis is recommended to ensure that the boiler remains safe and efficient and to help prevent breakdowns. It may also be a requirement of the manufacturer’s warranty or insurance policy.
What’s the difference between a boiler service and a gas safe report?
A boiler service and a Gas Safe report are two different types of checks carried out by qualified engineers, although there is some overlap in the tasks performed during each type of inspection. Here are some key differences:
- A boiler service is a maintenance check that focuses on the boiler itself, whereas a Gas Safe report is a wider inspection of all gas appliances in a property, including the boiler.
- During a boiler service, the engineer will clean and inspect the components of the boiler, check its controls and safety devices, and carry out combustion tests to ensure it is working safely and efficiently. During a Gas Safe report, the engineer will also inspect other gas appliances, such as cookers and fires, to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
- A Gas Safe report includes details of any defects found in the appliances or the gas supply, as well as any remedial work required to make the appliances safe. A boiler service may also identify faults or issues with the boiler, but is focused primarily on maintenance rather than defect identification.
- In the UK, a Gas Safe report is a legal requirement for rental properties, whereas a boiler service is not. However, it is recommended to have a boiler service carried out annually to ensure the boiler remains safe and efficient. It is also important to have you boiler service to validate it’s warranty
In summary, a boiler service is a maintenance check specifically for the boiler, whereas a Gas Safe report is a wider inspection of all gas appliances in a property to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
Watch our video explaining the differences here…