Gas
Gas leaks should be reported at once and directly to Transco: 0800 111 999. If you smell gas do not switch on any electric appliances and do not strike any lights.
The Adults and Housing department is responsible for carrying out an annual safety check of all the gas appliances belonging to the City Council in our housing stock. It is recommended that homeowners have their gas appliances serviced annually.
Better safe than sorry
Faulty appliances can cause explosions and can also give off poisonous carbon monoxide fumes, with possibly fatal consequences. We therefore have a legal duty to make sure all of our gas appliances are checked every year by properly qualified gas engineers.
City Council tenants also have a legal duty to allow council staff in to their homes to carry out these annual checks. If tenants do not allow access, council staff have the legal right to break in to do the work, and to charge the tenant for the cost of putting right any damage that results.
Once a year
When the safety check is due we deliver a card to the property, suggesting an appointment time. If this is not convenient we ask the tenant to contact us to arrange an alternative time.
Our engineer will then call round at the arranged time to do the work. If the tenant is not in, the engineer will leave a second card, asking them to contact us to arrange another time.
If we don’t hear from the tenant, we send a letter explaining why it is vital that the safety check is carried out which asks them to get in touch.
Final notice
If we still hear nothing, we then issue a formal ‘final notice’, warning the tenant that we will start proceedings to gain entry to the property.
If in the end we are forced to break in to carry out the safety checks, the tenant will be charged for the cost of gaining entry.
Gas leaks
If you think there is a gas leak in your home (or nearby) call Transco at once on 0800 111 999.
In the mean time:
- Turn the gas off at the meter.
- Open the windows and doors to let the gas out.
- Extinguish any naked flames.
- Do not turn any electrical switches or sockets on or off.
The Adults and Housing department is responsible for carrying out an annual safety check of all the gas appliances belonging to the City Council in our housing stock. It is recommended that homeowners have their gas appliances serviced annually.
Better safe than sorry
Faulty appliances can cause explosions and can also give off poisonous carbon monoxide fumes, with possibly fatal consequences. We therefore have a legal duty to make sure all of our gas appliances are checked every year by properly qualified gas engineers.
City Council tenants also have a legal duty to allow council staff in to their homes to carry out these annual checks. If tenants do not allow access, council staff have the legal right to break in to do the work, and to charge the tenant for the cost of putting right any damage that results.
Once a year
When the safety check is due we deliver a card to the property, suggesting an appointment time. If this is not convenient we ask the tenant to contact us to arrange an alternative time.
Our engineer will then call round at the arranged time to do the work. If the tenant is not in, the engineer will leave a second card, asking them to contact us to arrange another time.
If we don’t hear from the tenant, we send a letter explaining why it is vital that the safety check is carried out which asks them to get in touch.
Final notice
If we still hear nothing, we then issue a formal ‘final notice’, warning the tenant that we will start proceedings to gain entry to the property.
If in the end we are forced to break in to carry out the safety checks, the tenant will be charged for the cost of gaining entry.
Gas leaks
If you think there is a gas leak in your home (or nearby) call Transco at once on 0800 111 999.
In the mean time:
- Turn the gas off at the meter.
- Open the windows and doors to let the gas out.
- Extinguish any naked flames.
- Do not turn any electrical switches or sockets on or off.
Gas Safety
Gas is a safe fuel if it is used correctly and treated with respect.
Tenants are asked:
- To let our engineers into their homes to carry out our annual safety checks.
- To report any problems with appliances at once to our repairs call centre - telephone (0116) 252 7007.
- To report any gas leaks at once to Transco - telephone 0800 111 999.
- To be very cautious about buying second-hand gas appliances and always buy from a very reputable company.
- Not to reduce or block the ventilation to gas appliances.
- Not to block gas flues or chimneys taking any poisonous fumes away from gas appliances.
- To be alert for any signs of carbon monoxide leaks, and report them at once to our repairs call centre on (0116) 252 7007.
- Not to carry out any ‘do-it-yourself’ work to install or repair gas appliances - leave it to the experts. Apart from being very dangerous, you could also be breaking the law.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, which has no colour, taste or smell. Exposure to quite low levels can cause brain damage or death.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of flu and other virus infections. They include drowsiness, weakness, headaches, nausea and pains in the chest.
If anyone in your home has any of these symptoms while a gas appliance is being used, stop using the appliance until it has been checked and consult a doctor.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can affect the way the brain works, so people affected can’t always tell that anything is wrong or take any action before it’s too late.
Carbon monoxide can build up to lethal levels in a home because:
- Faulty appliances are not repaired or replaced.
- Flues are blocked or not working properly.
- Not enough air is getting in to the building to keep the gas burning properly in the appliance.
Carbon monoxide detectors
As an extra safety measure, the Adults and Housing department has installed carbon monoxide detectors in 25,000 council homes across the city. These are properties where there is an open flued gas appliance.
Monitors are reasonably priced and can also be bought from DIY stores.
Related information
Go to www.corgi-gas.com for more information about gas safety directly from the Council of Registered Gas Installers.