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Gas Safety Information
Why it is Important to Check that Gas Appliances
are Safe to Use
Most gas appliances need a chimney or flue
to remove the fumes after burning the gas and fresh air.
They make sure
that the
fumes from the gas appliance are not mixed with the fresh
air you need to breath.
Gas appliances need air to burn safely. With enough air,
gas appliances produce carbon dioxide and water in safe
amounts, which are normally taken away by a chimney or
flue. However,
a gas appliance will produce carbon monoxide if there
is too
little air or the chimney or flue is blocked.
Carbon monoxide gas is highly poisonous both to people
and animals. It is difficult to recognise because it
has no colour,
smell
or taste.
 Danger signs
Carbon Monoxide (CO) gas can kill if you are exposed
to it in sufficient amounts. Carbon Monoxide can
be formed whenever
fuels
such as natural gas, charcoal, gasoline, kerosene,
oil, propane, or wood are burned without a sufficient
supply of air for
complete combustion.
The danger signs from a gas appliance are stains,
soot or discolouring around the top of a gas fire
or at
the top of
gas water heater
or boiler. A conventional gas appliance should
have a normal blue flame - not yellow or orange.
Carbon
Monoxide:
- Is Colourless
- Is odorless and tasteless
Carbon Monoxide can be produced
when:
- Appliances are not properly installed, maintained,
or used.
- Flue pipes become plugged
with debris.
- Flue pipes have gaps, leaks, spaces
or are rusted through.
- Too many
appliances are vented to one Flue pipe.
Safety Tips:
- If you use a gas space heater
that is unvented, leave
a nearby window
open
at least an
inch to allow fresh
air
to enter
the room.
- Have your gas
central heating unit checked before the
heating season
begins to make
sure the heat
exchanger is not cracked
or rusted, and that
the burner area is clean.
- You can purchase a
carbon monoxide detector.
From
us and carefully
follow the manufacturer's
directions
for operation,
placement,
and maintenance.
Carbon Monoxide poisoning
can cause collapse or death.
The symptoms of carbon
monoxide poisoning are
similar to
those caused by other
illnesses, such
as colds
or flu.
However, if
you suffer from unexplained
headaches, chest pains,
muscular weakness,
sickness, diarrhoea,
stomach
pains, sudden
dizziness when standing
up, or general lethargy
after
using a gas
appliance, stop using
it, go to your doctor.,
then
ring
Technical
services.
If you are in a room with
gas equipment that is
operating and you experience:
Headaches, dizziness,
and nausea,
Get some fresh
air immediately and seek
medical
help.
If you suspect problems
with your appliances,
call your
local gas
appliance dealer
or contact us.
Gas Leaks
Act immediately by contacting
Transco (British Gas)
Emergency Freephone
number: 0800 111
999. They will
make your home
safe and advise you
on what action to take.
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