Making sure your boiler is well-maintained and regularly checked is essential to the safety of everyone using the building. However, it is especially important to take a proactive approach to boiler maintenance in a public setting, such as a hospital, school or nursery.
Here are some guidelines to follow to ensure the boiler system continues to work effectively at keeping people warm, and does not put anyone in danger.
Regular servicing
There are strict regulations when it comes to boilers in commercial or public-facing buildings, so that they remain safe to use.
These include an inspection carried out at least every 12 months to ensure it complies with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Though it is not legally binding, it is highly recommended that servicing occurs once a year, if not more often, as this improves the safety of the premises.
For busy settings where demand for the boiler is extremely high, such as large commercial buildings and hospitals, bi-annual check-ups are advisable, if not more frequent servicing.
The checks need to be carried out by Gas Safety Registered engineers, as they are properly qualified to complete the job successfully and safely.
Not only does regular servicing ensure the boiler is safe to use, protecting everyone who frequents the building, it also keeps the appliance running efficiently, makes sure repairs are conducted at the earliest opportunity to avoid larger problems down the line, and extends the life of the boiler.
This can help avoid expensive repairs later on, reduce energy bills, and maintain the boiler warranty.
Most importantly, it can help steer clear of dangerous problems including carbon monoxide poisoning and gas leaks.
Legal installation
When it comes to the boiler installations in public settings, there are specific requirements that need to be adhered to.
For instance, flue terminals need to be 30cm away from any windows or vents, and 2.1m off the ground if they face public walkways. If this is not possible, a terminal guard needs to be fitted.
New boiler installations need to fit in with building regulations regarding combustion appliances (Approved Document J) and energy efficiency (Approved Document L).
Furthermore, once the system has been fitted, a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate must be recorded, as this confirms that the boiler has been installed according to legal requirements.
Regular inspections by trained staff
As well as full servicing by Gas Registered Safety engineers, the boiler must be checked out regularly by members of staff that are on site.
They should be trained so they know what issues they are looking for, from leaks to strange noises, and this will help them detect problems early on before they become much bigger, costlier and more dangerous.
They should also keep an eye on warning lights, low pressure, frozen pipes, and the system shutting down entirely.
It is important to regularly test parts of the system to make sure they are working effectively, including the safety valves and boiler controls.
The boiler room also needs to be kept in good condition, which includes being properly ventilated, at ambient room temperature not exceeding 40C, and free of flammable materials. It should also be dry and clean.
Only authorised members of staff should be allowed access to the boiler room and those who are trained on boiler safety also need to be told what to do in case of an emergency.
The dangers of a faulty boiler
The risks of having a faulty boiler in any setting can be extremely dangerous, but in a public space where there may be hundreds or thousands of people, it could be catastrophic.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of improperly maintained or installed gas appliances every year.
This is because when the gas is not able to burn properly, it produces an excess of carbon monoxide, which can cause headaches, dizziness, sickness, weakness, tiredness, chest pain, flushing, a loss of vision and shortness of breath.
High levels of exposure can even cause death, and as the symptoms can be hard to spot, this is a real risk if it is not known there is a faulty boiler.
Additionally, gas explosions can occur if there is pressure build-up, corroded heat exchangers, gas leaks that ignite or combustion issues. If this happens, it could lead to a huge number of injuries and even deaths.
That is why it is essential boilers are regularly checked and any minor issues are fixed at the earliest opportunity.