We all look forward to the arrival of Spring, with the longer days, warmer weather and the emerging first flowers in the garden.
If you have responsibility for the upkeep of your church property, it might also be a good time to think about checking whether the annual gas safety check and the five-yearly Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) are in date.
The guidance in the Health and Safety Executive Approved Code of Practice advise that effective maintenance should include as a minimum the following:
- Examination of the physical condition and safe functioning of appliances, installation pipework, ventilation and any flue, for deterioration.
- Carrying out performance tests.
- Taking remedial action as necessary.
All checks must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer; please visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk for a list of Gas Safe registered engineers and check that the engineer you choose is registered for non-domestic work as church properties would fall into this category.
Church Growth Trust would always recommend that gas safety checks are carried out on gas appliances, their flues and supply pipework every 12 months.
Electrical installations and equipment may deteriorate over time or may have been damaged or not maintained correctly leading to the risk of:
- Electrical shock
- Electrical fire
- Electrical burns
An Electric Installation Condition Report (EICR) will establish the overall condition and safety of all the electrics in your church property and whether it is satisfactory for continued use and should be carried out by a National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) approved contractor. The NICEIC recommend that an EICR is carried out at least once every five years. Please visit www.niceic.com for a list of local NICEIC approved contractors and check that the contractor you choose is approved to undertake work on non-domestic properties. For further information about these tests, please visit the Church Growth Trust briefing paper on Electrical and Gas Checks for Church Buildings
