Gas safety

Don’t wait! Test your heater now, before it gets cold. Each year, we see a spike in heater issues as soon as the temperature drops. When heaters haven’t been used for a while, they can end up with electrical issues or pilot lights being extinguished. Check now and beat the winter rush to resolve any issues using the troubleshooting tips in this article. If you are unsure or something doesn't feel right, stop and contact us instead for advice.

Is your appliance easily accessible?

If your heater is in your roof space or underneath your house, leave it to the professionals - contact your property manager to report any issues you're having operating your heater.

Thermostat

Believe it or not, we're sometimes requested to attend properties for a heater fault where the controller for the heater just needed new batteries. Save yourself time by checking this first.

Thermostat
Thermostat
Pilot light troubleshooting

If your heater isn't operating, it's well worth checking to see if the pilot light is lit. You should be able to see that through a small access panel or door on the front of your gas heater.

If the pilot light is lit but inconsistent, unsteady and flickering on and off, contact your property manager and report the issue.

If the pilot light is not lit, you can follow the manufacturer's instructions and relight it yourself. Most heaters have step-by-step guides on relighting a pilot light, so the safety risk is minimal if you're confident in reading and following those manufacturer instructions. However, as with any gas appliance, there is risk, and if you're not comfortable with that risk, contact your property manager and report the issue.

Ducted heater
Ducted heater
Electrical troubleshooting

The next simple check is to see if your heater isn't operating due to some power supply issue.

To do this, check if the heater's power cable or plug has any visible damage. The plastic sheathing should be intact, and no bare wires should be visible.

Note: If you see damage in the form of frayed or loose wires DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSERT THE PLUG. Instead, contact us for advice.

Example of a power plug not plugged in correctly
Example of a power plug not plugged in correctly

Additionally, check that the power point is in good condition and that the power plug is inserted securely and flush with the panel.

If it is in good condition, try unplugging the appliance and plugging it back in.

Still not working? Sometimes, switching off the MAINS power at the switchboard for your property can fix the issue. Wait around five minutes before switching it back on.

Note: It is recommended to save any work on a desktop computer before turning off your main switchboard

Typical modern-style electrical switchboard
Next steps

Hopefully, these tips have resolved your issue. If not, it’s time to contact your property manager to arrange a visit from Detector Inspector.

Don’t wait to check your heater. Check it today and stay warm and safe this winter!

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While you’re here

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What’s in a gas safety check? Download our comprehensive checklist
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Carbon Monoxide: What it is, how it kills and how to prevent deadly leaks
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At Detector Inspector, during a gas service, we have an obligation to isolate any dangerous gas installations, which may be an appliance or a gas line. We take the strict guidelines Energy Safe Victoria provides very seriously and have a steadfast commitment to safer homes. Therefore, in some cases, we must disconnect gas appliances or the entire gas supply to a property.  

Energy Safe Victoria provides expectations for gasfitters when dealing with a ‘dangerous installation’. This is communicated and available online through published articles called ‘Gas Information Sheets’; specifically, GIS 27: Dealing with a Dangerous Installation. A dangerous installation is defined as one that presents a threat to life or property.

In dealing with a dangerous installation, renters may experience considerable inconvenience; in this article, we aim to detail the process and clarify why it may occur.

Why do you perform a gas safety check in the first place?

Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) introduced mandatory gas safety checks at residential rental properties from 29 March 2021. Every two years, a gas safety check must be carried out by a Type A Appliance Servicing accredited gas fitter and must meet the requirements outlined in the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021.

The checks ensure that the appliances are running safely and efficiently, and that there are no dangerous faults in appliances or gas lines that could present a threat to life or property, such as carbon monoxide.

What does it mean when an appliance is capped off?

When an appliance is capped off, it means that it has been disconnected or isolated from the gas supply. As a result, the appliance cannot and will not operate until further action is taken. If an appliance is capped off, we promptly submit a quotation or recommendation for repair or replacement, if required, through a third party to the agency for review and action, typically on the same day.

Cap Off Article Appliance
A capped off gas appliance
Why would an appliance be capped off?

Gas installations and appliances are found to be dangerous because of various defects, which include the following:

  • Unsafe installations
  • Appliance safety devices tampered with or removed
  • Significant gas escape
  • Significant flue spillage
  • Dangerous storage of LPG bottles
  • Poor location of the appliance
  • Carbon monoxide present or suspected
  • Overheating of surrounding surfaces resulting in scorching with the potential for fire

Below is a bit more information about some of these scenarios. However, it is important to note that under the Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 2018, it is up to the gasfitter on site or their supervisor to decide on the integrity and risk of the appliance at the time. Many other scenarios could result in an appliance or gas line disconnection.

Carbon monoxide present or suspected: Carbon monoxide is poisonous, colourless, odourless and can be deadly. Any installation leaking carbon monoxide must be immediately capped off for the safety of occupants.

Cracked or damaged heat exchanger: Depending on the severity of damage on a heat exchanger, it can pose a safety risk and may lead to dangerous gas leaks or other hazards. The heat exchanger carries all the burnt gasses (carbon monoxide) from the burners to the combustion fan, where they are then pushed through the flue system to make its way to outside the property.

Incorrect air supply to the appliance: Gas appliances must have adequate air supply for combustion, meaning that using the appliance does not make the room or the area where it is installed unsafe. When there is not sufficient air supply, carbon monoxide can form.

Flue Issues: Problems with the flue, such as blockages or damage, can affect the safe venting of burnt gases and require immediate rectification.

What happens when a gas fitter identifies an issue?

At Detector Inspector, we follow the strict protocols outlined by Energy Safe Victoria. If a gas fitter identifies any of the above issues, they will cap off the gas appliance to ensure safety.

During winter, if a gas heating appliance is capped off and there is no alternative source of heating available, and the agency has an agreement with us, we will provide temporary electric heating to ensure renters remain comfortable while repairs are arranged.

If you have any questions or concerns about the capping off of gas appliances or temporary heating provision, please don't hesitate to contact your property manager.

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From 29 March 2021, the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic) requires gas safety checks at residential rental properties every two years. The gas safety check must be carried out by a Type A Appliance Servicing accredited gas fitter and must meet the requirements outlined in the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 ("Regulations").

In order to complete a gas safety check, it’s mandatory to complete a full service of all gas appliances. Without this step, the gas safety check is incomplete and the property is not compliant.

1. Full service of all gas appliances connected to the main property gas supply

At Detector Inspector, we complete a full service of all gas appliances connected to the property’s main gas supply. This includes the following steps:

  • Clean dust and debris from appliances including burner, pilot, fan, filters and air intakes
  • Check the integrity of the heat exchanger
  • Check the gas supply and appliance operating pressures
  • Check that the gas appliance burner ignition is reliable and complete
  • Check for any gas appliance flame abnormality
  • Check the operation of the gas appliance, including safety devices
  • Complete a combustion spillage (carbon monoxide) test on all heating appliances and internal, open flued appliances


Duration

  • A full service of a gas heater will typically take 60-75 minutes.
  • A full service of other gas appliances will typically take 15-30 minutes.


Why it’s important?

A full service of all gas appliances every 2 years is strongly recommended by ESV and is now required by the RTA. The checks ensure that the appliances are running efficiently, that there are not dangerous cracks in the heat exchanger that could leak poisonous carbon monoxide into the home and that they are operating safely and effectively.

Carbon monoxide is poisonous, odourless and can be deadly. Any installation that is leaking carbon monoxide must be immediately capped off for the safety of occupants.

Where the property is enrolled in our Safer Home subscription plan, we will replace faulty or damaged thermocouples at no charge.

2. Gas installation checks

In addition to full service of all gas appliances connected to the main property gas supply, we also complete checks of each gas installation. During the service we:          

  • Check pressure retention on the main gas line
  • Ensure access for servicing & adjustment
  • Check that electrically safe
  • Check that gas installations, including gas cookers, are adequately restrained to avoid tipping over
  • Check that gas installations meet clearance requirements from any combustible surfaces
  • Where LPG cylinders are present, check that they and associated gas components are installed correctly
  • Check that there is adequate ventilation for appliances to act safely
  • Check that gas isolation valves are installed, as required
  • Check gas appliances for evidence of certification


Duration

These checks take approx. 20 – 50 minutes.


Some important information to note

  • Testing and checks are required to be carried out every 2 years. Where the gas regulator is unable to be accessed to complete the tests, it’s impossible to certify the compliance of the installation and it is a requirement that work is undertaken to permit servicing and adjustment.
  • Sudden movement of unrestrained gas installations could disconnect the gas line into the appliance, with potentially catastrophic effect. It is a requirement that gas installations are restrained.
  • Incorrectly installed LPG cylinders and components can present a significant risk to the health and safety of occupants.
  • Inadequate ventilation for gas appliances can present a significant risk to the health and safety of occupants.
  • Gas isolation valves act as emergency isolation valves and are required to be installed to enable rapid shut off of the gas flow in the case of an emergency.
  • Where the property is enrolled in our Safer Home subscription plan, we will rectify certain compliance issues including basic PTR line extensions, reconnection of minor loose ductwork, minor flue repositioning, securing of freestanding oven, gas regulator rotation and gas cooktop raising at no charge.
Download our easy reference checklist

We have picked out the essential elements of the gas check from the respective standards and created a checklist that set out the main checks and testing required in the plainest English we could.

We are aware that some other providers are failing to complete all the required tests. If you are not currently enrolled in our gas safety service, please ensure you validate that all of these checks, including a full service of each gas appliance, is included in any service provided.

We have worked closely and collaboratively with Energy Safe Victoria and Victorian Building Authority to ensure that our gas safety service meets all the requirements outlined in the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 ("Regulations").

Download our gas safety check checklist (PDF 160KB)

Get the protection you need with our gas safety service

Detector Inspector's gas safety service provides peace of mind that all gas appliances, installations and fittings at a property are safe and compliant.

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Do you know what carbon monoxide is or exactly how gas appliances put people at risk? Do people really still die from CO poisoning at home? And what does the new RTA legislation on gas safety mean for property managers and landlords?
Carbon Monoxide: Carbon Dioxide’s deadly cousin

Have you heard of carbon monoxide? It’s often confused with carbon dioxide (CO2), which is one part carbon to two parts oxygen. Carbon dioxide is what we exhale every time we breathe, and it occurs naturally in the earth’s atmosphere.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one part carbon to one part oxygen. With its extra concentration of carbon, CO is like carbon dioxide’s deadly little cousin. It’s a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas, and if inhaled, it displaces the oxygen in a person’s lungs. This starves vital organs of oxygen and leads to carbon monoxide poisoning.

You might be thinking, “thanks for the chemistry lesson, but how does this apply to me?”

The thing is, carbon monoxide—the deadly, undetectable gas—is what gets emitted from faulty gas appliances into people’s homes. Inhalation of this gas can overcome a person in minutes, causing serious illness and death.

Does Carbon Monoxide really kill that many people?

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the stuff of nightmares, but does it really happen in modern homes in Australia? The short answer is yes.

In the past decade, countless Australians have suffered and even died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. In Victoria alone, at least nine people have died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning since 2000 and hundreds more have been admitted to hospital.

In 2015, following a string of tragic carbon monoxide incidents, the Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources teamed up with Energy Safe Victoria. They spearheaded a safety campaign to educate unaware residents, landlords and property managers about the dangers relating to carbon monoxide poisoning from gas heaters and other gas appliances. The main recommendation of the campaign was that householders “find a gasfitter in the local area and have gas heaters serviced at least every two years” (Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, May 2015).

As Australia’s leading residential safety and compliance service provider, Detector Inspector has inspected thousands of homes for gas safety. Our data reveals that at least 1 in every 10 rental properties has a critical gas safety issue posing a significant health risk to the occupants.

So how do you keep people safe?

As a landlord or property manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure that gas appliances are checked regularly and meet compliance standards. From March 29, 2021, new inclusions in the Residential Tenancies Act make gas safety checks mandatory every two years in residential rental properties in Victoria.

Gas safety checks and services must be carried out by a properly qualified and licensed gas fitter. Managing these services on time for all properties and maintaining accurate records represents a huge administrative load for property managers.

Detector Inspector’s Safety Solutions

To meet the demands of new legislation and take the hassle out of your hands, we’ve developed an all-inclusive gas safety service for peace of mind. Gas appliances are checked and serviced every two years in accordance with legislation, with minimal administrative hassle for landlords or property managers.

All Detector Inspector gas services are completed by fully licenced gas fitters who can provide on-the-spot carbon monoxide test results from each gas appliance serviced. All of our compliance services are automatically documented to create a digital audit trail in case of an incident, and automatically scheduled year after year to maintain uninterrupted compliance coverage.

Bundle gas, smoke alarm and electrical safety and get a package discount with a Safer Home Package, our one-stop home safety solution with a single low annual fee.

Most importantly, Detector Inspector services are about more than just ticking a compliance box. Regular gas safety checks save lives.

Prevent deadly carbon monoxide leaks before they occur. Contact us today to enquire about a gas safety service or a safer homes package for the properties you manage.

 

Are you one of our current clients? Contact your Account Manager to learn more about the legislation changes, our gas safety service or our one-stop solution; the Safer Homes Package.

Are you looking for a trusted provider to ensure that the properties you manage are compliant and safe? Fill in the form below and we will be in touch.

 

Our Safer Home Package is a subscription service that provides Victorian property managers and their landlords with a total compliance solution across smoke alarm, gas and electrical services

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You may know us as one of Australia’s largest smoke alarm servicing companies, but in the 5 years since we started providing our gas service, we’ve learned that for us, for you and for landlords, servicing gas appliances is different, more involved and more complicated than smoke alarm servicing.

In this video, our focus is on providing property managers with the information they need to speak to their landlords about our gas safety service. In it, we explain:

  1. Details regarding the elements that make up the service;
  2. Discuss some of the inclusions that we’ve added in to reduce the hassle for property managers and their landlords; and
  3. Let you know what actions we take when we find issues at a property and how we’ll make sure property managers are notified.
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Detector Inspector. We make safer homes.

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Regular gas safety checks are mandatory under new Residential Tenancies Act changes, came into effect on March 29, 2021. Organise a set-and-forget solution for gas appliances in your properties and sleep peacefully knowing that your tenants are safe, and you are compliant.

In 2020, Victorians spent more time at home due to COVID-19 and gave their gas appliances a bigger workout than ever before. And yet, only around 5% of gas appliances are serviced regularly in line with Energy Safe Victoria recommendations (mandatory under new legislation), meaning thousands of appliances are left working inefficiently and possibly leaking dangerous gas.

Why get regular gas safety checks?

Paying for a gas safety service might seem like yet another expense for weary landlords. But regular servicing has multiple benefits including:

  • Minimising danger –A gas safety check every 2 years will decrease the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide leaks going unnoticed.
  • Meeting legislative requirements –As of 29 March, 2021, gas safety checks every 2 years will be mandatory for all rental properties.
  • Maximising efficiency –Regular servicing increases appliance efficiency and extends the life of the appliance.

With Detector Inspector’s gas safety & compliance service, our Type-A servicing accredited gas fitters will make sure all gas appliances, installations and fittings at the property are safe and compliant and our system will automate the process from start to finish saving you and your landlords time.

What happens if gas appliances go unserviced?

Organising a gas safety service might seem like another hassle on your to-do list. But regular servicing prevents future problems and gives you peace of mind.

  • Maximise efficiency – Regular services increase appliance efficiency, maximising performance and extending the life of the appliance.
  • Minimise danger – A gas safety check every 2 years will decrease the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide leakage going unnoticed.
  • Meet legislation – Regular gas safety checks are mandatory for all Victorian rental properties.

With Detector Inspector’s gas safety & compliance service, there’s no hassle to you. Our system automates the process from start to finish, ensuring gas appliances are kept up to date and property managers have one less thing to worry about.

The Detector Inspector Advantage

We provide the best gas safety & compliance service in the business. With Detector Inspector, you know you’re getting:

  • Industry-leading equipment and appliances –we use Testo branded equipment for carbon monoxide testing, and we supply and install all industry-leading appliances for heating, cooling and hot water.
  • Ongoing safety & compliance –Our testing regime includes carbon monoxide tests and air for combustion assessment to ensure appliances are operating properly and tenants are safe.
  • Access to qualified Type A servicing accredited technicians –this is the only class of technician permitted to carry out safety checks under the new legislation.
  • Detailed safety and compliance reports after every service –so that all the information is in your hands. We also keep a digital trail of communications and services on record for audit purposes or in case of an incident.
  • Fast appliance changeover and amazing customer service –because it’s our business to make gas safety as hassle-free as possible.
Why now?

It is time to get your gas safety services organised right now. With 600,000 properties in Victoria requiring these checks in 2021, demand will outstrip supply and prices may rise.

Maximise efficiency with a comprehensive gas safety & compliance service

Our gas safety service ensures that all appliances have the correct gas operating pressures, making appliances run more efficiently.

Using our qualified Type-A servicing accredited technicians means you’ve ensured professional commissioning of appliances, which protects the manufacturer’s warranty.

Regularly serviced appliances have a more efficient operation, better performance and longer life, backed up by a non-voided warranty in case of unexpected issues.

Efficient services from us, efficient appliances in your properties. It’s a win-win!

Remember, regular gas safety checks are mandatory under Victorian legislation effective from March 29, 2021. Get organised now and enjoy peace of mind.

If you’re a landlord, ask your property manager about enrolling in Detector Inspector’s gas safety service for uninterrupted compliance and safety of tenants.

If you’re a property manager, enquire below to find out how Detector Inspector can ensure your landlords' properties are compliant with the recent legislation.

One in ten properties we visit has a critical safety issue with a gas appliance that requires immediate action. That’s pretty scary when you consider that only around 5% of properties are complying with the recommendation to have gas appliances serviced and checked every 2 years.

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Our Safer Home Package is a subscription service that provides Victorian property managers and their landlords with a total compliance solution across smoke alarm, gas and electrical services

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When it comes to carbon monoxide (CO), there are some scary facts out there. According to Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) 9 people have been killed in Victoria by carbon monoxide poisoning in the past decade alone.

The most frightening part of this is that the deadly gas responsible is colourless, odourless and virtually undetectable without the proper equipment – which is exactly why is it often referred to as ‘the silent killer’. Technically, carbon monoxide is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. In the home environment, carbon monoxide is produced by faulty gas appliances, often caused by a lack of, or improper servicing.

The legislation with regard to gas and electrical servicing is clear. The Residential Tenancies Act (1997) section (68) states that “A landlord must ensure that the rented premises are maintained in good repair.”

This includes gas appliances provided by the landlord.

Furthermore, Energy Safe Victoria states “Failure to ensure gas and electric appliances are properly installed or correctly maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions could not only potentially kill or harm the tenants, but could cause significant property damage and expose the landlord to civil liability and potentially costly litigation. There might also be unintended impacts on the landlord’s insurance if injury or damage is found to have been caused by poorly serviced or unsafe appliances.”

Visiting over 250,000 properties in the past year across 6 states and territories, Detector Inspector partners with property managers to provide smoke alarm, gas and electrical safety services, corded blind compliance checks and a range of further services to make homes safer for tenants and compliance simpler for landlords.

Our gas services are carried out by a gas fitter with Type A Servicing accreditation, supported by our advanced workflow technology that ensures the service is completed in accordance with all applicable standards, codes and legislation.

The combination of state-of-the-art carbon monoxide testing equipment, specialised industry knowledge and comprehensive reporting means you can rest assured that tenants lives are kept safe, landlord’s properties are secure and you remain compliant with legislation and protected from potential litigation.

For further information visit the ESV’s gas safety at home page.

Our Safer Home Package is a subscription service that provides Victorian property managers and their landlords with a total compliance solution across smoke alarm, gas and electrical services

Learn more
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