There are over 26 million boilers in the UK, and any units that have a power rating of 70kW or above are said to be commercial boilers. Commercial boilers have a lifespan of around 10 – 15 years, but all-too-often, commercial property owners overlook their need to regularly maintain them.
Yet, if small problems with a boiler aren’t detected at an early stage, much larger problems can develop. In time, this can affect your business operation and could even put staff and customers at risk. If you carry out regular maintenance though, these risks will be significantly reduced.
What Are The Signs Of A Boiler Requiring Servicing?
Several signs indicate your commercial boiler will need checking. First, if your property is still cold after the boiler has been switched on, there could be a problem. If the pipes and radiators are working correctly, the boiler is almost certainly at fault.
Another common sign of a potential problem is unusual noises. Clunking, ticking or whirring are all signs of boiler issues. If your fuel bills are also increasing for no apparent reason, this could be an indicator that your boiler is losing efficiency. Inefficient boilers use more fuel, and this causes gas bills to rise over time.
Why Do I Need To Service A Boiler?
Whether your heating system is cutting-edge or whether your boiler is a reliable old one that will still last for several more winters, having preventative maintenance carried out regularly is vital.
Commercial boilers are a major investment, so you need to protect it by having the equipment regularly serviced. Commercial heating installations can be kept functioning for many years if they’re regularly tended to by professional engineers.
A poorly maintained boiler may not only disrupt your business but could also be unsafe. Damaged boilers may cause a gas leak, while poor ventilation may be a health hazard. If you carry out regular maintenance, however, even small problems will be spotted and reported at an early stage. They can then be rectified before they get out of hand and cause a major breakdown.
Proactive maintenance will certainly be cheaper than having to pay for each repair as and when a breakdown occurs. Also, efficient boilers save you money, since wastage of fuel can be prevented and fuel bills will drop.
Finally, some regulations and laws require you to service and maintain your commercial boiler. For example, tenants are required to have a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate for their building.
How Often Do I Need To Service My Commercial Boiler?
It’s recommended to service a commercial boiler once per year. Commercial boilers will always be particularly vulnerable to wear and tear because they are subject to heavy-duty usage. Also, insurance companies will usually require a commercial boiler to undergo a service every 12 months to keep the warranty valid.
After every service, documentation is provided which may be shown to insurers if required. Nevertheless, owners of commercial buildings have a responsibility to maintain commercial boilers to spot any signs of inefficient or unsafe operation. Therefore, more frequent inspections may be the best solution.
You can carry out simple observations of your commercial boiler and note any changes in its operation – for example, strange noises or problems with heating. However, formal maintenance must be carried out by professionals to guard against any damage being caused to the equipment.
What Is Checked During A Commercial Boiler Service?
Service engineers check the flue, pipework and boiler are installed correctly, including all the external and internal components. The boiler flame, ventilation, and any signs of leaks or corrosion will also be checked.
Commercial boilers are checked against the regulations covering non-domestic properties. These include building regulations, gas safety regulations, European and British standards, and water bylaws.
After removing the casing, closer inspection will be made of the internal components, including the heat exchanger, burner, main injector, electrical connections, spark probe, seals, fans, gas flow and pressure, combustion, flue, electrodes, condensate pipe and trap, and safety devices.
The interior of the commercial boiler will also be cleaned and performance tests carried out to make sure it’s functioning in line with the Gas Safety Regulations. A report will then be presented for you to sign, and this will be able to be supplied to your insurer should repairs be needed under the warranty in future.
If you need to arrange a boiler commercial service in Surrey, contact our professional team of Gas Safety Engineers today. We’re looking forward to keeping your system up and running efficiently.
