We’re supporting Gas Safety Week 2019 this week and reminding customers how they can help us make sure their home is safe.

Every year we carry out inspections in more than 26,000 homes across the Midlands and south west to ensure gas appliances are in good working order. During 2018-19 we were 100% compliant against all our requirements for gas safety in our homes. But this is only possible with the support of customers to allow us to enter their homes to carry out the inspections.

Asset compliance team leader Abigail Bailey explained why these inspections are so important: “We are legally obliged to carry out safety checks to gas heating systems every year to ensure customers are safe in their homes. Checking the boiler allows us to notice anything that could become an issue in the future or spot something that’s not right and get it repaired. 

“To do this we need customers to be in to allow us to carry out the inspection. In the vast majority of cases we’re able to carry out the safety check with no issues. But sometimes we face problems accessing a home and if a customer repeatedly fails to allow us to inspect their gas heating system, unfortunately, we have to take further legal action to ensure we gain access to undertake these necessary checks. Letting us carry out a gas safety check helps customers keep themselves and their families safe.”

Gas Safety Week is run by the Gas Safe Register which maintains the nationwide list of all engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas appliances. The week highlights the importance of keeping gas appliances in good working order by having them serviced on a regular basis.

Gas surveyor Martin Deakin said: “It only takes around 20 – 30 minutes to carry out a safety check but it’s so important to do. When the engineer visits a customer’s home, they will service the boiler and check the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as well. It’s all about safety, not just for them but potentially for their neighbours as well.” 

The reminder comes as we’ve just awarded a new heating maintenance contract for homes in our northern areas. We’ve appointed J Tomlinson to deliver heating maintenance and repairs to our customers all the way from Erewash to South Staffordshire. The scope of works covers a wide range of heating systems, including oil and gas, as well as renewable energy sources comprising ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and solar heating.

Tracy Potter Senior Contracts Manager at Bromford said: “We have a long relationship with J Tomlinson and are delighted to be working with them again to deliver excellent services to our customers to ensure their homes are safe and warm.”

Steve Kirkland, maintenance director at J Tomlinson, commented: “We are very much looking forward to continuing to work closely with Bromford and its customers to deliver an excellent service, characterised by quality workmanship, a dedication to compliance, and a compassionate, customer-centric ethos.”

Gas safety advice for tenants:

Follow these few simple checks to keep you and your family safe.

• Allow us access to your home to look at your gas appliances every year. We ensure gas heating systems are safety-checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You’ll be contacted to arrange a suitable appointment for the inspection to be carried out.
• We will service our gas appliances. If you have a gas cooker, we will visually check it for you, but for a full service you need to get it serviced by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
• Check your engineer’s ID, including their Gas Safe Register ID card. Always ask to see an ID card before you let anyone into your home.
• Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.
• Contact us if you have any concerns about your gas boiler on 0330 1234 034.

Gas safety advice for leaseholders and shared owners

• Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
• Check both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.
• Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year.
• Know the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.
• Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly, for example lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

Interested in helping us keep our gas appliances working safely?

We have opportunities available now for qualified gas engineers to join our team - find out more about our latest vacancies on our jobs page.