Gas Boiler Service Archives

Carbon Monoxide (also known as CO) is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas and is a common yet preventable cause of death from poisoning worldwide. Approximately half of the deaths from unintentional CO poisoning result from the inhalation of smoke from fires. Other significant causes are vehicle exhausts and deaths in industrial/commercial settings. On average between 1 and 2 people die each year in Ireland from unintentional CO poisoning in the home in incidents related to domestic heating or other fossil fuel installations in the home (i.e. excluding the inhalation of smoke from fires).

The incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal is a common environmental source of CO and is responsible for many cases of non-fatal unintentional CO poisoning.

In normal conditions the combustion process (the addition of oxygen) will result in carbon in the fossil fuel, combining with oxygen, in the air, to produce Carbon Dioxide (CO2), the same substance we exhale when we breathe.

However, if there is a lack of air for the combustion process or the heating appliance is faulty, Carbon Monoxide can be produced.

When CO is inhaled into the body it combines with the blood, preventing it from absorbing oxygen. If a person is exposed to CO over a period, it can cause illness and even death.

Where should I place carbon monoxide detectors in my home ?

Since we are most vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning while we sleep, it is important to place alarms near your family’s bedrooms. If you only have one CO alarm, place it as close to everyone’s sleeping area as possible.

Ideally, you should have carbon monoxide detectors placed throughout your home, as you do smoke alarms. You should place a CO detector in each major area of your home: in the kitchen, in your living/dining room, in your bedrooms, and the office. If you have children or elderly family members living with you, provide extra protection near their rooms. If you live in a multi-story home, be sure to place at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level.

If you have a gas clothes dryer, put an alarm in the laundry room. Place one in the garage, if you park your cars there. Wherever you have a solid fuel-fired appliance – anything that could produce carbon monoxide – you should also have a CO alarm.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You can be in danger of Carbon Monoxide poisoning at home if dangerous amounts of Carbon Monoxide accumulate in the home. This can happen as a result of any or a combination of the following:

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be similar to those caused by other illnesses such as a cold or flu. They include

What to Do?

If anyone in your house has any of the symptoms outlined above, they should get fresh air immediately, then go to your doctor and ask him/her to check for Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Stop using the appliance immediately and do not use it again until it has been checked by a registered gas installer.

The amount of CO which the blood absorbs depends chiefly on two things: how much CO is in the air and the time of the exposure. Adverse effects of CO on humans are reduced by periods of breathing fresh air. The degree of recovery depends on the number and length of those periods. The general state of health and degree of physical activity of a person exposed to CO are other factors involved in the effects of Carbon Monoxide on the body.

Prevention is always better than cure: by having your gas boiler and gas appliances correctly installed in good ventilated areas, properly repaired and getting a gas boiler service annually by Registered Gas Installers (RGI) the risks of being exposed to CO poisoning are reduced.

Annual Gas Boiler Service Checklist

It is strongly recommended that you get an annual gas boiler service carried out on your central heating system. A gas boiler service ensures that your system is running at its maximum efficiency levels and ensures that no fuel (and, therefore, money) is wasted unnecessarily when operating your gas boiler. The service also acts pre-emptively, weeding out small problems before they can take hold and cause larger problems (such as boiler breakdown) which would require costly gas boiler repair services further on down the line.

Among the main things which are inspected during an annual gas boiler service are boiler location, ventilation, and clearance. Once these are deemed to be acceptable the gas boiler can be cleaned and reassembled. Lastly, the gas boiler’s functions are tested to make sure that everything is in working order and a combustibility test is carried out to ensure that the gas boiler is working at its full capacity.

Gas boiler services can only be carried out by an RGI (registered Gas Installer) who represents the RGII (Registered Gas Installers Ireland). All DeWAR gas contractors are registered gas installers.

Below you will find a complete gas boiler service checklist which outlines everything that you should expect/demand from your gas contractor when they are carrying out an annual gas boiler service for your heating system.

Annual Gas Boiler Service Checklist:

Gas Boiler Visual Inspection:

• Make sure the gas boiler’s location is suitable.
• Check that the gas boiler is properly ventilated.
• Look for visible damage on the gas boiler.

• Check the flue’s location and condition.
• Check for spillages around the flue.
• Check the condensate drainage system (this only applies to high efficiency condensing boilers)
• Check that the gas boiler has suitable clearance from any flammable materials.
• Check the main burner and clean it where necessary.
• Check the main burner operation and adjust if need be (the manufacturer’s specifications should be checked when doing this).
• Check the pilot burner and its cables. They should also be cleaned if necessary.
• Check the heat exchanger and clean where necessary.
• Check the flue’s effectiveness while running the gas boiler.
• Check to make sure that a 3-amp fuse is properly connected.
• Check for electrical isolation.
• Check electrical wiring for damage.
• Check that electrical wiring is properly connected to the gas boiler.
• Check to ensure that the gas boiler’s thermostat is functioning correctly.
• Check the system’s pressure levels (the manufacturer’s specifications should be checked when doing this).
• Check the expansion vessel and charge it (if necessary).
• Check that the flue guard is fitted properly.
• Check boiler controls (where applicable). These include zone valves, time clock, and the thermostat.
Once all checks are completed, a combustion efficiency test should be carried out.

After the gas boiler service is completed a Declaration of Conformance Certificate (sometimes called a ‘Completion certificate) is issued by the registered gas installer.

Please note that while this is what is typically involved in a gas boiler service, no two gas boilers are exactly alike. Some units may require a slightly non-conventional approach to servicing. In all cases, it is best advised to adhere to the manufacturer’s specifications when having a gas boiler serviced.

Where is the best place to put a carbon monoxide detector?

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO) ?

Where should I place carbon monoxide detectors in my home ?

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

What to Do?

Annual Gas Boiler Service Checklist

Annual Gas Boiler Service Checklist:

Gas Boiler Visual Inspection: