Gas Safety in Static Caravans
This article has been drafted with the help of Gas Safe Register and aims to advise holiday caravan owners about gas safety. We hope that it helps you with your situation. However, if you read through the information and would rather discuss your issues with a member of our Advice team, just give us a call.As a matter of course, we must inform you that our advice is given to you based on our industry experience and knowledge of previous cases. We are not solicitors, although in some cases we will gather legal advice from them. Consulting NACO does not preclude you from taking independent legal advice at any time.
Gas Safety in Holiday Caravans
Modern static caravans and leisure lodges are all built to high standards, and are often fitted with domestic gas appliances. All gas appliances must be installed in accordance with current gas safety requirements and the appliance manufacturers instructions. This is to comply with the law and to ensure minimal risk to you and your family.
Annual gas safety checks are not mandatory in the UK, however they are increasingly becoming a requirement of many park operators. Most parks now require that privately owned static caravans have an annual gas safety check. Typically a gas check will cost no more than £50 to £60 and a check certificate will be issued providing the gas pipework and appliances are considered to be in safe working order.
In addition it is always important to ensure gas equipment and appliances are regularly serviced for peace of mind. NACO recommends that you have your gas appliances serviced annually.
If you are a landlord and letting a caravan equipped with gas appliances you need to understand and comply with the law relating to gas safety. This law states that if you let a property, you must make sure all gas appliances you provide are properly maintained and a gas safety check is carried out every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must give your tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of it being carried out or before they move in.
Our number one enquiry on this topic regards park operators insisting that a gas safety check is undertaken annually. Even if your contract doesn’t mention the requirement we advise that you arrange for a check to be completed by a competent person. If your park operator is only allowing the work to be undertaken by their preferred engineer, give us a call as we consider this to be unfair, restrictive practice.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. You can't see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning. Accidents which have occurred as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation are caused by a combination of circumstances, usually involving two or more of the following factors:
· Inadequate ventilation (permanent air inlets)
· Unsatisfactory flueing
· Poor appliance performance
· User interference
· Lack of servicing and routine maintenance
· Incorrect use and failure to follow user instructions
For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning visit: www.co-awareness.org & www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk
Annual Servicing
Regular servicing can ensure your gas appliances are working safely and effectively. A service will typically include:
· A check for gas leaks and condition of pipework and hoses
· Ventilation check (air inlets are clear and adequate)
· Flue check (smoke spillage test)
· Checking safety devices are work correctly
· Appliances are safe to use
GAS Safe Register - the new UK register for Gas Engineers
Gas Safe Register manages the register of gas engineers who are properly qualified to work with gas. To carry out work on gas installations and appliances safely and legally, gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register.
All Gas Safe registered engineers carry a Gas Safe Register ID card with their own unique licence number, showing the type of work they are qualified to do. Before any gas work is carried out always make sure you ask to see their ID card and check the engineer is qualified for the work you require.
Aside from a gas check it is also a good idea to install an audio Carbon Monoxide alarm, alarms are available from most DIY retailers and cost around £20.
For more information and to find and check an engineer visit Gas Safe Register at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk
