TLC magazine Autumn 2024 - text version - Every check counts

Every check counts  

Norwich City Council supported Gas Safety Week 2024 between 9-15 September, this year’s campaign focused on the theme “Checking – Every Check Counts.”

Poorly installed or maintained gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

CO is especially dangerous as it is invisible, odourless, and highly toxic. As your landlord, Norwich City Council takes a wide range of precautions and checks to ensure you are safe.

These include:

1  Keeping gas safety records up to date
The council ensure all gas-related installations are safe and provide a gas safety check record annually.

2. Checking your gas appliances
If we provide gas appliances such as boilers and gas fires, we will ensure they are serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. We will also carry out a visual inspection on the tenant’s own appliances such as cookers. We advise you to have your own appliances serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

3. Checking for warning signs
Please look out for yellow or orange flames, black marks, pilot lights going out, excessive condensation, or error messages on control panels. Report any issues to the council.

4. Check your carbon monoxide knowledge
Be aware of CO poisoning symptoms: headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse, and unconsciousness. If suspected, move to fresh air and call emergency services and the council.

5. Checking your carbon monoxide alarm
The council install and regularly test CO alarms in every room with gas appliances (excluding cooking appliances) to ensure they meet safety standards.

6. Checking vents and flues
We also check vents and flues are not blocked, as they are vital for safe operation.

Stay informed and safe

For more gas safety advice visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk