Winter Weather

15th October 2020 - 11:02am

Winter is on its way……….

Heating Systems

As we enter the winter months, heating systems will be used more heavily. We recommend having your heating systems inspected and serviced by a suitably qualified heating engineer.  In doing this, it ensures the system is functioning safely and efficiently.

This is of particular importance for gas heating systems, where a Gas Safe Registered heating Engineer should be used, your engineers registration can be checked at https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/find-an-engineer/

Gas Safety

In the event of a gas escape or activation of a carbon monoxide alarm caused by a faulty gas /fuel burning appliance, the following advice should be followed:

• Turn off gas appliances;
• Do not smoke or light matches or naked flames;
• Do not turn electrical switches on or off;
• Open doors and windows;
• Turn off the gas meter at the emergency control handle, located at the gas meter;
• Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999;

The following symptoms can be attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning, Nausea, Light-headedness, Headaches, Shortness of breath, Dizziness, Sleepiness.

Water Systems

Escape of water forms a significant proportion of common block insurance claims; this is more prevalent more during winter months.

During this period, help reduce the risk by ensuring heating systems are set to provide a level of background heat, or their frost protection set.

If your property is going to be empty for a prolonged period of time, then additional measures would be advisable, including turn off the mains water at the stop cock, arrange for pipe work or storage tanks to be drained down, including any heating system and also advising a neighbour or CWL of how to contact you in an emergency.

Fire Safety

Following a number of recent tragic fires, the Scottish Government in February 2019 introduced new measures to improve fire safety in all Scottish homes. All homes in Scotland should have a smoke alarm system which achieves the following requirements, by February 2021:

• Smoke Alarm in every circulation space on each storey of the building;
• Smoke alarm installed in the principal habitable space within the property, generally the lounge/living room;
• Heat Alarm installed within the kitchen;
• All smoke and heat alarms are to be interlinked;
• Where a fuel burning appliance is present, a carbon monoxide alarm should be fitted;
• Alarms should have a battery back-up power source;

Where a home does not meet these requirements, action could be enforced by your Local Authority, as your home fails to meet the Tolerable Standard as defined by the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.  This new requirement is designed to protect life, CWL would recommend checking your current smoke detector provision and where required arranging upgrades.

Where a property is marketed for sale, the RICS Home Report is expected to highlight properties where the alarm requirement has not been met, it is also anticipated that insurers will look to establish compliance with this requirement, during policy renewals.

If you are considering upgrades, CRB Electrical one of CWLs regular contractors, is happy to provide advice and upgrade estimates, CRB Electrical can be contacted on 07792343297

Latest Update :

The regulations were due to come into force in February 2021, however, in light of difficulties caused by COVID-19, Scottish Parliament has delayed the implementation of this legislation for a period of 12 months to February 2022. However, installing alarms at the earliest opportunity, will provide improved fire safety in your home.

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