What You Need to Know About Commercial Boiler Servicing
Just as your domestic boiler needs regular servicing (usually this is an annual service), so, too, does your commercial boiler. Though a boiler breakdown is a frustrating inconvenience at the best of times, for businesses this poses even more of a pressing issue, since a faulty boiler could potentially affect your business operations and even lead to business downtime - which subsequently leads to a loss of revenue.
On top of that, it is also your responsibility to ensure that all your employees have a safe and comfortable environment to work in for the sake of their health and safety. Likewise, you must ensure that your commercial premises are safe for any customers or other personnel that set foot inside.
In order to avoid this inconvenience to yourself, your staff and your customers, read on below to learn all about what a commercial boiler service entails and why it’s important.
Why is Boiler Servicing Important?
Though you often won’t be giving your commercial boiler a second thought in comparison to everything else involved in running a business, they play a vital role in supplying your commercial property with sufficient heating and hot water. However, when issues arise unbeknownst to you, they can have a severe impact.
For one, as well as leading to an inefficient boiler, any physical internal or external defects could lead to gas or carbon monoxide leaks, which pose a safety hazard that could potentially cause dangerous situations. By having a regular boiler service conducted, these issues would be detected and fixed early in order to avoid them becoming this serious.
As well as keeping your premises safe, maintaining the health of your commercial boiler through servicing also keeps the environment comfortable for employees and customers alike. This is especially important in establishments such as schools, restaurants and healthcare facilities, where heating is heavily relied on in the colder months to maintain an ambient and healthy temperature. Boiler servicing ensures that your boiler is working on cue when it’s needed most.
One thing that all businesses would happily accept where they can is financial relief. Well, if your boiler is faulty and not working as well as it should be, then this could lead to more energy being used than necessary in order for it to work effectively, which diminishes its efficiency and costs you more in already-hiking utility bills.
During a boiler service, your boiler will be cleaned of any dirt or rust that has built up and optimised where required, making sure that your boiler is at peak performance and has a high energy efficiency rating - saving you money on your outgoings whilst also contributing to a more sustainable premises.
On top of that, failing to have your boiler serviced regularly also means that any minor issues could go undetected and worsen to the point where urgent (and costly!) repairs are needed. Paying for these repairs works out as much more expensive and disruptive to your business than booking in regular servicing.
Regular servicing also gives you peace of mind that your boiler is working as it should be, while prolonging its lifespan, rather than allowing premature wear and tear to fester.
What Does it Involve?
The process of a boiler service usually takes around half an hour to complete and typically includes five key steps:
- Visual inspection
- Component check
- Testing
- Reporting
- Signing documents
During the visual inspection, the heating engineer will check that your boiler, pipework and flue are all installed correctly. They will also check for proper ventilation and that the flame in your boiler is as it should be, as well as look for any signs of corrosion or leaks.
They will then remove your boiler casing and take a closer look at each internal component as part of the component check. This pays particular attention to components such as the gas pressure and flow, heat exchanger, burner, spark probe and more. Once these checks have been completed, the inside of your boiler will then be cleaned and any debris or blockages removed.
Next comes testing. This is a performance test that is carried out to ensure that your boiler is working in accordance with The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Any identified issues will be included in the final report for repairs or replacements to be arranged.
Speaking of the final report, this is an extensive report that will be completed at the end of the process detailing their findings throughout the survey, including any notable issues. The heating engineer will also inform you if your boiler is in violation of any building and gas safety regulations.
Once the report has been completed you will be asked to sign it as evidence that the survey took place. You should then ask for a copy of this report, which you will most likely need to keep for the warranty as required by your insurance company.
Requirements & Regulations of Commercial Boiler Servicing
In The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, it states that employers have the duty ‘to ensure that any gas appliance, installation pipework or flue installed at any place of work’ are ‘maintained in a safe condition’. Though this doesn’t specify a regular interim during which servicing should take place, arranging regular servicing is expected of you in order to ensure compliance with this rule.
As for how regular this should be, the general rule is that you should service your commercial boiler once every 12 months. This is because most manufacturer’s will no longer cover your boiler under warranty if you do not meet this requirement, similarly most insurance companies require you to have your boiler serviced every 12 months in order to maintain this warranty validity, else any claims you make may not be accepted if you fail to ensure this.
Commercial boilers are especially susceptible to wear and tear due to their heavy duty use, so annual servicing is also in your best interest!
Choosing the Right Company for the Job
When arranging a boiler service, you want to ensure that the company you’re employing will do a reliable job that meets industry standards. As such, there are a few things you’ll want to look out for when finding a trustworthy company.
Firstly, you should only hire a company who employs heating engineers that are Gas Safe registered. In accordance with the law, all businesses who offer boiler servicing must be on the Gas Safe Register if they are to carry out gas work. Upon entering your premises, don’t be afraid to ask the engineer to show their Gas Safe ID card as proof of this - if they really are registered then they’ll have no qualms about showing you!
You’ll also want to choose a company who has evidential experience and has earned themselves a reputation as being reliable. One of the ways you can decipher this is by looking at testimonials from their previous/existing customers. When it comes to a company that offers the cheapest price vs one that has a solid reputation, we advise you choose the one with the better reputation!
Speaking of cost, an annual commercial boiler service can range in price depending on the size, output and location of your commercial heating system. On average, a full commercial boiler service could range anywhere from £100-200, with there being some exemptions that could cost you slightly more or less.
Commercial Heating Services in Edinburgh
If your business is located in or around Edinburgh, then don’t let your boiler go without a service - get in touch with Caledonian Heating & Plumbing Ltd.
We offer both ongoing and reactive maintenance plans, including commercial gas servicing, to ensure that your commercial boiler is always running as it should be and to minimise any downtime where possible - allowing your business to continue running smoothly with minimal disruption.
In need of a boiler replacement? Not to worry - in addition to maintenance and repairs we can also install complete heating systems to meet your needs.
For more information regarding our services and to discuss how we can find the right solutions to suit your requirements, then don’t hesitate to contact us today. We serve Edinburgh, Dundee and the surrounding areas!
