Gas fires should be serviced every year, as they burn in the room and rely on a flue or chimney to clear waste gases. Gas cookers and hobs should be checked at least as part of a regular gas safety check, and straight away if you notice yellow flames, poor ignition, a smell of gas or soot marks. Landlords must have all gas appliances they provide checked every 12 months.
A carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with gas appliances is an important extra layer of protection. Our cookers and gas fires page explains the work we carry out.
Warning signs to act on
- Yellow, orange or floppy flames instead of crisp blue (unless it’s a decorative fire designed to burn yellow)
- Burners that won’t light or light with a pop
- A pilot light that keeps going out
- Soot or staining around the appliance or on the wall above a fire
- A smell of gas when the appliance is off
- Condensation on windows in the room
- Headaches, dizziness or nausea that ease when you leave the room
If you smell gas, turn off the supply at the meter if it’s safe, open windows, avoid switches and naked flames, and call 0800 111 999.
What a gas appliance check covers
- Checking the appliance is installed correctly and secure
- Testing burner operation and gas pressure
- Checking flues, chimneys and ventilation (for fires)
- Testing flame supervision devices, which cut the gas if the flame goes out
- Checking connections are gas tight
For gas fires, a service also includes cleaning the burner, fuel bed and radiants.
Simple safety habits
- Keep the area around gas fires clear
- Never block air vents or bricks fitted for ventilation
- Don’t use a gas cooker or hob to heat a room
- Keep pan handles turned in and tea towels away from burners
- Test your CO alarm regularly and replace it when it expires
Landlords
If you let a property, every gas appliance you provide, including cookers and hobs, must be checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Our landlord gas safety page explains more.
Older gas fires in Berkshire homes
Some homes around Reading, Caversham and Woodley still have older gas fires, sometimes in front of back boilers. These need careful checking, and parts for some older models can be hard to find. If yours is ageing or failing checks, it may be worth replacing. Our guide on upgrading a back boiler covers that combination.
Frequently asked questions
Can I service my own gas fire?
No. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can keep the area clear and dust the outside, but nothing more.
How often should a gas cooker be checked?
There’s no fixed legal interval for homeowners, but having it checked alongside your annual boiler service is a sensible routine.
Why is my gas hob flame yellow?
It can be caused by a dirty or misaligned burner, spilled food or a problem with gas pressure or air supply. Get it checked by a Gas Safe engineer.
Fire or cooker overdue a check?
If your gas fire or cooker hasn’t been looked at for a while, give us a ring on 0800 334 5658 or send us a message and we’ll book you in.