How Safe is Gas?

Gas is very safe compared to electricity with a lot less injuries. Having been in the industry for over 46 years servicing and installing gas appliances. It is not as dangerous as most people think. It is very hard to generate the right conditions for an explosion. Just ask some one how hard it is to light the pilot on their water heater and that is designed to be easy. The gas mixture has to be just the right proportions to air, the ignition source hot enough and in the right place before ignition will occur.

The smell makes gas easily identifiable too. If you do smell gas, open the windows and doors to ventilate the space, do not operate any electrical device either on or off, and call us, from a phone not near the gas leak – 0800 484 353.

We will test for leaks and locate the source of the leak. Turn off the gas if you can at the gas meter.

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Regulations for Gasfitting

Regulations we adhere to Gas Safety Regulations

Gasfitting is fairly prescriptive and we have regulations and Gas Installation standards to work to. Each time we visit to service or install we carry out a safety inspection including a gas pressure test on the entire system to check for leaks. We can let small leaks go but bigger ones must be repaired or the installation made safe. 

I’ve heard of explosions how does that happen?

• Although it is very rare if it does happen it is usually caused by a lack of maintenance or a known design fault in the gas appliance.
• Occasionally a string of situations occurs to cause the gas to not ignite when it should and when it does there is a bang. Most of the time its harmless occasionally it causes damage. I have personally only known of one death about 30 years ago under very unusual circumstances.
• Get your appliances checked each year specially Gas fires, flame effect gas fires and storage water heaters inside the building.

Things to check to ensure things are safe – 

• Keep Flammable things like bottle of cleaning fluid and clothing away from gas hot water cylinders.
• Service appliances every 2 years at least and during this process will spot things and get them sorted. 
• Ensure flues are not corroded and are working.
• That flues are not too close to combustible surfaces.
• Things like heat protection to walls behind gas hobs to stop walls from scorching. 
• Make sure vents are not blocked
• Check pipes are not corroded. 
• Gas fires are serviced to stop delayed ignition.
• Central heating burners are serviced.
• Check pipes are secured and not laying on the ground and not attached to fences. 
• Check that overhead rangehoods are not too low and are not covered in grease or oil.