Gas Detection & Maintenance in London By FIT Although a large percentage of residents in the United Kingdom use gas appliances &

flues, many of these people are unaware of the dangers that these appliances can

present. If a gas appliance or flue is installed incorrectly or is not ventilated properly,

there is a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The lack of taste, colour, and scent merge to make the poisonous gas, carbon

monoxide (CO), impossible to detect. A number of the effects of carbon monoxide

are stomach and chest pains, vomiting, tiredness, and even death. Carbon monoxide

leaves the body quickly, and blood and breath tests used to decide the presence of

carbon monoxide may be ineffective hours after exposure to the gas.

Researchers at the University of London, under the direction of the HSE (Health &

Safety Executive), revealed some startling statistics from a residential carbon

monoxide study. One or more gas appliances were found to be defective in 25% of

homes in the study, & high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning was present in 8% of

these homes. 50% of the residents in the study did not have adequate knowledge

about the health risks of carbon monoxide. Everyone living in a residence is in

danger for a variety of illnesses, paralysis, & death if basic gas safety rules are not

followed. The shortage of gas safety schooling is obvious; over 60% of carbon

monoxide-related deaths are the result of an improper response or the total lack of

response to a gas appliance malfunction.

For gas appliance installations, repairs, safety checks, and maintenance, do not

permit anyone except a registered technician to perform the work. Only service

workers have the expertise and skills to safely and expertly complete a gas appliance

job. Do not be tempted to hire any service technician for the recommended annual

service checks for your gas appliances. Look for a registered technician for this job,

and use a qualified chimney sweep to give your flue a thorough cleaning every year.

The area around the gas appliance or flue must be well ventilated so the gas can

burn. Keep objects off the appliances, do not block vents, and be definite there is

plenty of fresh air circulating through the room. Poor ventilation is of the most

prevalent causes of residential carbon monoxide poisoning.

Any gas appliance that is not working properly ought to be turned off promptly. To

bring fresh air in to the area, open all windows and doors. In the event you

understand how to turn off the gas supply line, do so. Indications that a gas

appliance needs to be checked are pilot lights that do not stay on, a yellow-orange

flame, and noticeable soot and stains on and near the appliance.

About Author: Terry Hayes is owner of the company First Intervention Training Ltd

(FIT) which was established in 1999. The company operates from a fully equipped

training and service centre in Essex, utilising all the various skills gained over many

years of experience. They offer Gas Detection Maintenance and Installation in

London & Essex UK.

Follow On: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest