In light of the recent Gas Safety Week, we wanted to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. While busy running a business, it can be easy to forget or delay the annual business gas appliance check. We take it for granted that our boilers, cookers and gas fires are safe, but badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning and although there is awareness that gas appliances need to be safety checked annually, 43% of Britons don’t do it, and 10% have gas appliances, which have never been checked. In fact, one in ten landlords failed to carry out a gas safety check for their property last year and 15% of landlords didn’t even know it was their legal duty to have an annual gas safety check and certificate for their property. All businesses, not just landlords, are legally required to meet gas safety regulations otherwise they can face unlimited fines or a custodial sentence. It’s important to use a qualified engineer to install, maintain and repair gas appliances, pipework and flues. Gas Safe Register estimates that there are around 7,500 illegal gas fitters operating across the UK and up to 250,000 illegal gas jobs may be carried out each year so be sure to check their accreditation. For domestic properties like shops, restaurants and housing, these annual checks must be carried out by a qualified engineer who is on the Gas Safe Register. At industrial premises, work on gas fittings must be carried out by a ‘competent person’ such as a Gas Safe Register engineer with the correct qualifications. In the meantime, just be on the lookout for warning signs that gas appliances aren’t working correctly including: lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones on cooking appliances, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room. A property should be evacuated immediately if you suspect a leak. We hope this keeps your business and your employees safe. For advice on business energy or for an instant gas or electricity quote, give Business Juice a call on 0800 051 5770, email us at quote@businessjuice.co.uk or use our contact form. In light of the recent Gas Safety Week, we wanted to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. While busy running a business, it can be easy to forget or delay the annual business gas appliance check. We take it for granted that our boilers, cookers and gas fires are safe, but badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning and although there is awareness that gas appliances need to be safety checked annually, 43% of Britons don’t do it, and 10% have gas appliances, which have never been checked. In fact, one in ten landlords failed to carry out a gas safety check for their property last year and 15% of landlords didn’t even know it was their legal duty to have an annual gas safety check and certificate for their property. All businesses, not just landlords, are legally required to meet gas safety regulations otherwise they can face unlimited fines or a custodial sentence. It’s important to use a qualified engineer to install, maintain and repair gas appliances, pipework and flues. Gas Safe Register estimates that there are around 7,500 illegal gas fitters operating across the UK and up to 250,000 illegal gas jobs may be carried out each year so be sure to check their accreditation. For domestic properties like shops, restaurants and housing, these annual checks must be carried out by a qualified engineer who is on the Gas Safe Register. At industrial premises, work on gas fittings must be carried out by a ‘competent person’ such as a Gas Safe Register engineer with the correct qualifications. In the meantime, just be on the lookout for warning signs that gas appliances aren’t working correctly including: lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones on cooking appliances, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room. A property should be evacuated immediately if you suspect a leak. We hope this keeps your business and your employees safe. For advice on business energy or for an instant gas or electricity quote, give Business Juice a call on 0800 051 5770, email us at quote@businessjuice.co.uk or use our contact form.