What Is A Commercial Boiler?
A commercial boiler is not that different from a boiler found in residential properties, but a key difference is that they can generate a much larger output, over 70kW usually, and the manufacturer has classified it as such.
The total amount of output needed from a commercial boiler will always depend on a range of factors such as how big your property is, how insulated and efficient it is, and what kind of heating demands will you be requiring.
Most commercial boilers have larger pipes to channel the water flow, over 35mm in diameter, so a qualified engineer registered with Gas Safe is required when it comes to the servicing and repairs of commercial boilers.
Some of the main places commercial boilers are installed include hotels, leisure centres, retail outlets, warehouses and factories, even churches and restaurants. Many businesses need hot water on demand as well as heating around the clock, such as hotels and hospitals.
If the boiler isn’t working as it should, it can cause major problems, and even impact on health and safety regulations – businesses need to assure a safe, warm and clean environment not only for guests but their staff too. If your commercial boiler is to stay in great working order, then it should undergo regular servicing.
This will ensure that smaller issues are found and dealt with well before they can develop into serious and expensive ones.
Most commercial boilers last around 10-15 years, and regular maintenance will improve the longevity of the boiler, cause minimal disruption to the daily running of the business and also lower energy costs – not to mention a reduction in safety-related problems like gas leaks and corrosion.
Is Commercial Boiler Servicing Expensive?
The costs associated with servicing a commercial boiler come down to a range of factors, such as the output and style of boiler, but usually it is in the region of £250 + VAT. This is not inclusive of any parts that need to be replaced.
How Often Does A Commercial Boiler Need To Be Serviced?
The manufacturers of modern boilers state that servicing should take place once a year in order to keep the warranty valid. However, due to the increased demands of commercial boilers, they can wear out their parts much quicker, so we’d always advise a bi-annual service – once every six months. This regularity prevents your boiler from a serious breakdown which affects your business’ ability to generate heating and warm water.
Legally, the owner of the premises bears the responsibility for maintenance of gas appliances, and it also falls to them to ensure boilers are serviced in a reasonable timeframe as stated by the manufacturer. It’s also imperative to have a Gas Safety assessment completed every 12 months by a registered boiler engineer with the credentials to fix commercial boilers.
As well as having the boiler serviced, there are some tell-tale signs which let the owner know that a boiler needs to be inspected. If there are any changes in the overall operation of the heating system – leaks, strange sounds, lack of heating – then it points to issues with the boiler.
One of the most obvious signs is a hike in gas bills, due to the fact inefficient appliances waste much more energy. Some people will switch supplier, however the real problem may lay with the boiler itself.
What Happens During A Commercial Boiler Service?
A full service means all of the mechanisms, both internally and externally, takes place and the engineer will visually inspect the pipework for leaks and/or corrosion, as well as checking the ventilation.
When the boiler housing is opened up, the flame will be checked in addition to numerous interior components including: electrical connections and electrodes, the heat exchanger, the burner, the spark probe, the flue, all seals and fans, the main injector, the condensate pipe as well as the trap.
Attention will also be paid to the flow and pressure of gas within the system. After this, the boiler is cleaned up to rid it of any dust or grime affecting its functioning.
Just some of the tests that are carried out on the boiler include:
- Signs of corroding or leakages
- An analysis of combustion, once the burners have been cleaned up
- A report of emissions to see if they are compliant
- Water gauges are cleaned thoroughly and checked
- Various safety features are examined
- AQMD checking
When checking a commercial boiler, it should be compared to the regulations currently in place which pertain to business-only facilities. Some of the legislation and regulations in place require certain actions to be taken, such as ensuring the boiler is compliant with the 1998 Gas Safety Regulations governing Installation and Use.
If the business is being leased by a landlord, then they must make sure the current tenant is given a copy of the updated certificate for Gas Safety. This will include a report of any issues encountered and replacement parts needed, or repairs undertaken. Many insurance companies will want a copy of this documentation.
Conclusion
The vast majority of boilers used for commercial purposes have been designed to be efficient and durable, but to keep them in the best condition frequent servicing by a Gas Safe boiler engineer is needed. By having a regular schedule of boiler servicing your boiler will:
- Suffer from less breakdowns
- Have extended longevity
- Be more efficient
- Stop gas and carbon monoxide leaks
- Prevent flooding from the boiler
- Maintain a valid manufacturer warranty
Here at Rowlen, we advise that commercial boilers are services bi-annually, once every six months, and it takes approximately 60-90 minutes to conduct a full commercial boiler check. If you’d like more information, or to book a commercial boiler service, contact Rowlen today on 020 8395 8616 or email us on info@rowlen.co.uk
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