Safety advice for gas appliances

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When it comes to gas appliances, many homeowners are neglecting to follow the basic safety advice. As a result, they are placing their lives and their homes in danger. Fires are easily caused by gas appliances that are not performing correctly, or that are not being used safely. Here at RWM, we are plumbing and gas specialists. Consequently, we have produced this safety advice for gas appliances.

Follow minimum distance guidelines

Whether its a gas stove, gas fire, or portable gas heater, you need to follow the minimum distance guidelines. These state that a minimum of 3 foot should separate the gas appliance and anything flammable. This is because sparks can easily jump, even if you do not see them. And all it takes is one spark to start a devastating house fire. So whether its an errant tea towel, or a stack of paperwork, make sure it is well out of the way.

Install and test alarms

You need to make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home. Especially in rooms with gas appliances. It can take less than 30 seconds for a fire to start, and the more warning you have, the better chance you have of making it out alive.

In addition, you also need to make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms, set up in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. This is because faulty gas appliances can emit carbon monoxide, an odourless, colourless gas, that can be fatal if left unnoticed.

Portable gas heaters

Probably the most risky gas appliance is the portable gas heater. You need to make sure you only use these in a well ventilated room, with the correct fuel, and that you always switch it off when you are not there to watch it.

Gas safety check

An annual gas safety check is a good way to make sure that your gas appliances are still perfroming as they should, and not emitting potentially deadly gasses.

For more information or advice, or for gas appliance installations, get in touch with the experts today, here at RWM.