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Using gas as fuel in the home usually is very safe. However, poorly maintained gas appliances can put people’s lives at risk. Gas leaks can lead to explosions, which could kill.
Faulty gas appliances and lack of ventilation can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which has serious health effects. You must let us into your home and allow us to inspect your gas appliances.
Leaking gas can cause an explosion. If you smell or suspect a gas leak, report it immediately to Northern Ireland Gas Emergency Service on 0800 002 001 (24-hour phone line).
As your Landlord, by law, we must make sure your gas appliances, gas piping and flues in your home are well maintained and safe.
A gas safety check will be carried out every 12 months by a gas engineer who is registered with Gas Safe. We will give you a copy of the inspection report at the start of your tenancy and then every year when the safety check is carried out.
If you have gas appliances in your home, you are responsible for getting them safety checked; you must use a Gas Safe Engineer. Get more information on finding a Gas Safe Engineer or telephoning 0800 408 5500.
NB Housing will charge an administrative fee in specific circumstances:
Because we have to carry out this safety check by law, you must allow us into your home every year. Whether you use your gas supply or not, failing to allow us to carry out this essential check will result in the following action:
We only employ contractors who are Gas Safe registered and who are qualified to work on your gas appliance. Before allowing anyone into your home to carry out gas work, ask to see their Gas Safe identification card. It is the size of a credit card and shows their photograph, name, Gas Safe registration number, card expiry date and the Gas Safe logo. The primary information is also in Braille.
If you are unsure about their identity, ask them to wait outside, then phone us on 028 9035 1131, and we’ll check them out.
Listed below are several helpful websites for gas in Northern Ireland:
Many aspects of gas safety may rely on other people, but you also have specific responsibilities as a tenant. Some of these are in the gas safety regulations; the others are common sense.
Ventilation
All gas appliances need air to work safely.
You should not block off any source of ventilation that helps a gas appliance to work correctly.
It would be best to make sure that all appliances, flues, ventilation grilles and airbricks are kept clear.
About 30 people a year die accidentally from carbon-monoxide poisoning related to gas appliances. Many more (over 200) suffer from symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is produced by gas appliances that are poorly installed or not maintained properly or do not have enough ventilation.
Carbon monoxide is invisible and has no smell or taste. Even small amounts can lead to various serious health problems, including brain damage.
You can buy a detector that will tell you if there is carbon monoxide in the air.
You can buy them from DIY or hardware stores.
If you buy a detector, make sure it has a label saying that it meets the standard BS 7860.
Health symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include such things as:
A faulty gas appliance may be responsible, especially if:
We have created a downloadable document with more information on Gas Safety.