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How Often Should a Commercial Boiler be Serviced?

It is believed that the UK is the third-largest boiler market worldwide accounting for about 1.7 million sales. The country is home to more than 26 million boilers that are installed and the majority of them being gas condensing variety. A boiler with 70kW or more is classified as commercial boiler.

The life expectancy of commercial boilers is between 10 and 15 years. The most common error made by homeowners is to become too comfortable in the presence of a working boiler and not pay attention to the necessity to maintain it regularly.

If small damage isn’t detected in the early stages, it can result in a more serious issue that could impact the operations and possibly put people at risk. Regular maintenance can significantly lower the risk.

There are many indicators that a boiler requires inspection. First, there is an issue with the boiler the property is still cold despite the boiler being turned on. If, after confirming the pipes and radiators are heating simultaneously and at an identical temperature and it is confirmed that they’re operating correctly, then the issue most likely lies in the boiler.

The sound of any previously unheard or unknown noises shouldn’t be ignored. Strange sounds like the sound of ticking, whirring, or clunking can be a sign of boiler issues.

Another indicator of a boiler’s issue is the increase in fuel costs. A poorly functioning boiler consumes more fuel, resulting in an organization with continuously increasing costs for gas. Many business owners but, prefer switching gas providers without considering whether they have a issue prior to doing so.

The importance of Boiler Service

If you’ve got a modern heating system in your commercial space or an old, reliable boiler that you are hoping will last several more winters until it’s replaced the necessity of preventative maintenance should not be undervalued.

Commercial boilers are an investment that is significant, so it’s only natural to try to safeguard your purchase by getting your heating unit regularly maintained. A commercial heating system, which may have been able to shut down within a couple of months, can be maintained for several years longer if maintained by a skilled HVAC engineer.

Incorrectly maintained boilers could result in a risk for the public and disrupt the company. An approach that is proactive to maintenance of the system is beneficial in several ways. From a safety point of view an unintentional boiler failure that results in gas leaks or poor ventilation can create occupational health risks. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes approximately fifty deaths in UK every year.

Regular maintenance means that any issue no matter how minor, will be identified in the early stages and reported. This is much better than finding the issue too to late, or in the time that heating is particularly needed i.e. in winter and the fall. If you adhere to a schedule of maintenance in the fall and winter, all parts that require replacement or repair can be recognized. Regular maintenance is much less costly than paying for repairs that are reactive. A well-functioning boiler can also reduce costs, since the waste of fuel can be avoided and reduce the amount of fuel you use each month.

There are a variety of laws and regulations with implications regarding boiler maintenance and servicing. For instance, as a matter of law, landlords and businesses are required to provide tenants an official copy of the property’s Gas Safety Certificate. Some of the rules you have keep in mind are The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Frequency of Boiler Service

The most recommended frequency for commercial boiler maintenance is once a year. Commercial boilers are particularly vulnerable for wear and tear due to their high-use. In addition, the majority of insurance companies require that boilers be serviced at least every 12 months to ensure the validity of their warranty. The documentation will be available at the end of each service. It will be presented at the insurer’s request should it is required.

A property owner is accountable to monitor all HVAC equipment, which includes that of the commercial boiler. It is essential to monitor it continuously by performing daily and weekly, monthly and semi-annual inspections that help identify the indicators of a malfunction or unsafe operating. If there is any issue it is recommended to have a service promptly scheduled to get the boiler fixed before the problem gets worse.

The checks that the owner performs are to be limited to basic inspections and maintenance procedures. Like we said it is important to be aware of modifications in the operating conditions, like the development of strange sounds or the system’s inability to heat in the same way it did in the past is part of regular house examinations.

For more detailed commercial boiler maintenance, it is best to be handled by professionals to avoid harm to the boiler. Professional HVAC technicians are equipped and certified to conduct thorough checks on UK boilers. They can provide you with a complete information about its safety as well as any indication of wear and wear and tear.

It is the Annual Commercial Boiler Service

The engineer in charge of service will verify whether that the pipework, boiler and flue are set up correctly. This includes both parts, both external and internal. Proper venting, the flame inside your boiler, as well as signs of leaks and corrosion are also checked.

Commercial boilers will also be inspected against the current regulations that apply to non-domestic facilities. This includes gas safety rules as well as water by-laws, building regulations, British and European standards and other similar regulations.

Then, the boiler casing is removed for an examination of each internal part. The parts that require special attention are:

Burner
Heat exchanger
Main injector
Spark probe
Electrical connections
Fans
Seals
The flow and pressure of the gas
Combustion and flue
Electrodes
Pipe and condensate trap
Safety devices

Then, the inside that of your boiler will be cleaned in order to eliminate any debris or obstructions.

The next step is an inspection to confirm that the boiler is operating in compliance with The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

If there are any problems found, like gas leaks or damaged components The engineer will note them and report them in the final report.

After the procedure is completed after the process is completed, the engineer will submit an extensive summary of the steps they took. Any noteworthy issues will be reported particularly if it requires repair or replacing. A notice will also be issued in the situation where the boiler is in breach of any building or gas safety rules.

The boiler service typically takes about 30 minutes to finish.

Once everything is complete and the report is completed, it is prepared for signature. The report should be reviewed to verify that all notes are true. A duplicate of the report should be requested since the majority of insurance companies require this document to validate the warranty.