A gas safety check includes ventilation tests because for the correct combustion to take place gas appliances need the correct amount of Oxygen to burn with the gas to provide correct combustion. It, therefore, follows that the correct air supply is required to provide the Oxygen needed.

The amount of ventilation required will depend upon the capacity of the appliance ie how much gas it burns. In addition the location and flue type of the appliance affect the amount of ventilation required.

There complex rules which dictate the level of ventilation required for each type of appliance and your engineer if he doesn’t have them in his head will carry an industry recognized manual to assist him with this.

Ventilation requirements apply more to open flue and flueless appliances where the combustion air is drawn from the room. An example of an open flue appliance is a gas fire with or without a back boiler. An example of a flueless appliance is a cooker or a hob.

The incorrect supply of combustion air will result in incorrect combustion and the production of toxic Carbon Monoxide. In the case of open flue and flueless appliances it will result in the Carbon Monoxide coming back into the property with potentially fatal consequences.

Most modern boilers are now room sealed and take their combustion air from outside the property by virtue of a concentric flue arrangement. This removes the need for combustion ventilation in the room. There are occasional ventilation requirements for temperature control for some appliances.

Note : FLUELESS GAS FIES We would recommend against the installation of this type of appliance. These appliances require the correct operation of a catalytic converter to clean the combustion gases coming back into the room.

If the catalytic converter fails the risk of Carbon Monoxide is high. The catalytic converter could fail at any time without any other form of protection in place on the appliance. If you have this type of device ensure you have a Carbon Monoxide alarm in the room.

Failure for adequate ventilation during a gas safety check may result in various levels of action depending upon the severity of the problem.

Continue reading about areas of inspection during a gas safety checks such as gas safety check of Chimneys and Flues which is another aspect of the gas safety check.

MTS Heating Services provides the highest possible standards in gas safety checks adhering to ventilation stipulations inspections. Call today on 07971-784046 to arrange your safety check.