We care about making sure that you are safe. An important part of ensuring safety in all of our properties is ensuring that there are no gas leaks. It is a legal requirement to carry out regular gas safety checks on all our properties, to ensure that everything is in working order. We are partnered with Sure Maintenance to provide gas to all homes with relevant appliances.
It is gas safety week at Johnnie Johnson Housing from the 12 to the 18 September. We are therefore promoting the importance of regular gas checks, as well as carrying out gas appliance checks in the relevant properties. We have 1,915 properties that have one or more gas appliances within the property, all of which are checked annually. A large amount of these checks will be carried out in-house, but we also have a third-party partner, Morgan Lambert, who will assist with our service checks.
To carry out these checks, we will always book an appointment with you prior to arriving. As part of your tenancy agreement, we are allowed access to your home to complete these checks in accordance with the law.
If you have any questions about these checks or gas in your home, please speak to your local JJH representative or get in touch at: talktous@jjhousing.co.uk
What do these gas service checks include?
Gas service checks are carried out annually through gas safety week. We also use this time to promote gas safety more generally, to ensure that you can keep yourself safe throughout the year.
We check that:
- Gas appliances are correctly set and adjusted to ensure that gas is burning correctly.
- Gas appliances are suitable for the room in which they are located.
- Gas appliances are stable, securely fitted and properly connected to the gas pipework.
- Gas appliances have an adequate and permanent air supply that is suitable for the appliance type that is installed.
- Any flues or chimneys are operating correctly.
- All safety devices function correctly.
If you smell gas inside of your property or suspect that there has been a gas leak, you must call the National Gas Emergency Service number immediately: 0800 111 999.
If you fear that there has been a gas leak, you should:
- Turn off the gas at the mains tap. This tap is usually located near your gas meter, and you will normally have to turn it 90 degrees to switch it off.
- Open any windows and allow fresh air in and gas out.
- Most importantly, you should leave the property and stay at a safe distance until help arrives. As stated, call the National Gas Emergency Service line to get help.
However, if your gas leak is in a cellar or a basement, you should not enter the property. Instead, you should leave immediately. You also shouldn’t turn any power or light switches on or off, use any appliances that could cause a spark or light any sort of flame.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure?
If there is a problem with your gas appliances, carbon monoxide could be released. Carbon monoxide can cause serious harm and it can even be fatal if you are exposed to it for too long. This is why it is incredibly important to test your appliances every year.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. This makes it difficult to detect. These are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:
- A tension headache.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea and sickness.
- Fatigue.
- Confusion.
- Stomach pains.
- Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
If you experience these symptoms, you should visit your GP as soon as possible.