Time to check your gas installation

Published: Thursday, 07 September 2017

IT IS Gas Safety Week again, when we are urged to check our boat's installation to make sure there are no leakages.

Mind you, we would have thought it more sense to have a gas safety week awareness at the start of the boating season not near its end, but of course ours is not to wonder why...

Encouraging its moorers

Various marinas are involved with the scheme and have pledged support for Gas Safety Week, that takes place next week from Monday 18th to 24th September. British Waterways Marinas Ltd are encouraging its moorers to have their installations checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and so protect against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, such as fires, leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

We are told that with 21 deaths and over 800 gas-related injuries in the last three years, it’s sensible that boaters have their appliances checked, and it is suggested, every year, to make sure they are working safely and efficiently.

Stay Gas Safe advice:

Be aware of the signs that an unsafe gas appliance may cause such as a lazy yellow flame instead of a crisp blue flame; soot or staining on or around the appliance; excess condensation in the room.

Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO gas is known as the ‘silent killer’ as it has no smell, taste or colour. The symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness, which can easily be mistaken for something else.

‘Trust the Triangle’ and always ask to see an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card and check it to make sure the engineer is qualified to check or fit the appliance in question.