How Often Should a Commercial Boiler be Serviced?

The UK is the third largest boiler market in the world, accounting for around 1.7 million units of sales. The country has more than twenty-six million boilers installed, with almost all of the units being the gas condensing type. Any unit that has a 70kW power rating and above is classified as a commercial boiler.

The average lifespan of a commercial boiler is anywhere between ten to fifteen years. A common mistake of property owners, however, is to be too complacent with a functioning boiler and to ignore the need for regular maintenance.

The problem is that if slight damage is not detected early on, it could lead to a much bigger problem that could affect operations and potentially put people at risk. Regular maintenance will significantly reduce this risk.

There are several signs that a boiler needs checking out. Firstly, there could be a potential boiler problem if a property remains cold despite the boiler being switched on. If, having checked that radiators and pipes are heating up at the same time and to the same temperature, it is found that they are working properly, then the problem almost certainly lies with the boiler.

Any previously unheard noises should not be ignored. Unusual noises include whirring, ticking, or clunking could be an indicator of a boiler issue.

Another potential indicator of a boiler problem is rising fuel bills. An inefficient boiler will use more fuel, giving a company consistently increasing gas bills. A lot of owners, however, opt to switch gas suppliers without considering the possibility of a boiler problem first.

The Importance of Boiler Servicing

Whether you have a state-of-the-art heating system installed in your commercial premises or a reliable old boiler that you hope will see you through a few more winters before it is finally replaced, the importance of preventative maintenance cannot be underestimated.

A commercial boiler installation represents a significant investment, so it is only natural that you should seek to protect this investment by having your heating equipment serviced on a regular basis. A commercial heating installation that might otherwise have packed up in a matter of months, could possibly be kept running for several more years if tended to by a professional HVAC engineer.

Poorly maintained boilers can prove to be unsafe to people and disruptive to the business. A proactive approach to system maintenance is beneficial in a number of ways. From a safety perspective, a damaged boiler resulting in a gas leak or poor ventilation can cause health hazards in the workplace. Carbon monoxide poisoning results in around fifty deaths in the UK each year.

Regular maintenance means any issue, however minor, will be identified early and reported. This is better than identifying an issue when it’s too late or when heating, is especially needed i.e. in the autumn and winter. By sticking to a maintenance schedule, it also means any parts that need repair or replacement will be identified. Proactive maintenance is a lot cheaper than paying for repairs on a reactive basis. An efficient boiler will also save money, as fuel wastage can be prevented, reducing your monthly fuel bill.

There are several laws and regulations that have implications for boiler servicing and maintenance. For example, by law, businesses and landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the building’s Gas Safety Certificate. Among the regulations you need to be aware of include The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992, and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Frequency of Boiler Servicing

The recommended frequency of commercial boiler servicing is annually. Commercial boilers are especially susceptible to wear and tear, given their heavy-duty use. Furthermore, most insurance companies require boilers to be serviced every twelve months in order to maintain warranty validity. Documentation will be provided after each service, which can then be shown to the insurance company if or when repairs are needed.

A building owner, however, is responsible for keeping an eye on the HVAC equipment, including the commercial boiler. It should be monitored continually by the performance of daily, weekly, monthly, and half yearly inspections to help spot signs of unsafe or inefficient operation. If anything wrong is noticed, a service should be scheduled right away to have the boiler repaired before the problem escalates.

The inspections the owner makes should be limited to simple observations and maintenance procedures. As already mentioned, being aware of changes in operation, such as the development of odd noises or the system failing to heat the way it once did is part of the regular in-house checks.

More formal maintenance procedures should be left to a professional to prevent damaging the equipment. Professional HVAC engineers are fully equipped and trained to carry out detailed checks on UK boilers, giving you a comprehensive report of its safety and any indication of wear and tear.

The Annual Commercial Boiler Service

The service engineer will check if the boiler, pipework, and flue are all installed correctly. This includes all internal and external components. Proper ventilation, the flame in your boiler, and signs of corrosion and leaks are also checked.

A commercial boiler will also be checked against existing regulations that cover non-domestic establishments. This includes gas safety regulations, building regulations, water by-laws, British and European standards, and the like.

Next, the boiler casing is removed to take a closer look at each internal component. Among the parts that need particular attention include:

• Burner
• Heat exchanger
• Main injector
• Spark probe
• Electrical connections
• Fans
• Seals
• Gas pressure and flow
• Flue and combustion
• Electrodes
• Condensate trap and pipe
• Safety devices

Afterwards, the inside of the boiler is cleaned to remove any debris or blockage.

The next step involves a performance test that would ensure that the boiler is working in accordance with The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

If there are any issues discovered such as gas leaks or damaged parts, the engineer will take note and include them in the final report.

When the process is done, the engineer will provide an extensive report of the process they have conducted. Any notable issue will be included, especially if it involves repairs or replacement. Notice will also be provided in the event of the boiler being in violation of any building and gas safety regulations.

The boiler service usually takes around half an hour to complete.

When everything is done, a report will be provided for signing. It should be looked over to see if all the notes are accurate. A copy of the report should also be requested as most insurance companies need this document for the warranty.

Learn More with MFM Group

Annual boiler servicing minimises the chances of a major breakdown. If you have experienced the breakdown of a commercial boiler at the coldest time of the year, you will not need to be told that such an occurrence can be a complete disaster. Whatever business you are running, a sudden loss of heating in the middle of winter could cost your company hundreds of thousands of pounds. When you consider the possible losses, the cost of commercial boiler servicing simply pales into insignificance.

For further advice on boiler servicing and maintenance contact the MFM group today.