A gas boiler service that does not include a flue gas analysis and a visual inspection of the full flue run is not a compliant service under Gas Safe guidance. Flue blockages, condensate traps and partial disconnections are among the most common causes of dangerous CO ingress in commercial buildings.
Why this matters
Incomplete flue inspections are among the most frequently cited gas safety shortcomings in HSE enforcement cases. An engineer who services the boiler without inspecting the flue has not discharged the duty of care. If the service record shows no flue gas analysis, it may not be accepted as evidence of compliant maintenance during a HSE investigation.
What to do
- 1Review your last boiler service record and confirm it includes a flue gas analysis result (CO and CO2 readings at the boiler flue outlet) if absent, the inspection was incomplete and should be revisited.
- 2For concealed or long flue runs, confirm with your contractor that the full flue route has been visually inspected and any accessible joints or connections checked for integrity.
- 3Ensure your service specification explicitly requires a flue gas analysis, flue integrity check, and written record of both as part of every annual boiler service.
- 4Check condensate trap drains on condensing boilers blocked condensate can cause dangerous back-pressure and CO migration. This should appear as a line item on every service record.
Primary source
HSE Gas Safety: Responsibilities for Duty Holders
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