Guide
How often should a commercial boiler be serviced?
A plain English guide to commercial boiler servicing for building owners, managing agents and facilities managers: how often, who is responsible and what to keep on record.
The short answer
A commercial boiler should be serviced at least once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is qualified for non domestic gas work. Plant that runs hard or is getting older may need checking more often, and many manufacturers require an annual service to keep the warranty valid.
01
Who is responsible
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require gas appliances, pipework and flues to be kept in a safe condition. In a commercial building that duty usually sits with the employer, owner or managing agent who controls the heating plant.
Landlords of residential property must also arrange an annual gas safety check on the gas appliances they provide, and keep a record of it.
02
What a service covers
A service checks that the boiler is safe and working efficiently. It typically includes:
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A visual inspection of the boiler, the flue and the plant room ventilation
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Flue gas analysis to check the boiler is burning safely and efficiently
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Cleaning of the burner, heat exchanger and condensate trap where fitted
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Checks on gas pressure, safety devices and controls
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A check of the heating system pressure and expansion vessel
03
Choosing an engineer
Only a Gas Safe registered business may work on gas appliances. Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card: the back of the card lists the types of work they are qualified to carry out, and commercial boilers need non domestic qualifications.
Those qualifications are specific. An engineer qualified for commercial heating boilers and water heaters is not automatically qualified for commercial catering appliances, so check the card covers the plant you actually have.
Always check the back of the Gas Safe ID card for non domestic qualifications before work starts.
04
What to keep on record
Insurers, fire risk assessors and building safety managers may ask to see your boiler records, so keep them together and up to date:
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The date of each service and who carried it out
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The service report or gas safety record
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Any faults found and the work done to put them right
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The service history needed for warranty claims
05
Why regular servicing pays
A well maintained boiler uses less gas, breaks down less often and lasts longer. Booking the service in the warmer months also means problems are found and fixed before the heating is needed most.
06
Warning signs between services
Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer if you notice any of these:
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A yellow or orange flame where it should be blue
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Soot or staining around the boiler or flue
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Frequent lockouts or loss of system pressure
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Unusual noises from the boiler or pumps
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A carbon monoxide alarm sounding
07
In an emergency
If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, turn off the gas supply if it is safe to do so, open doors and windows, get people out of the area and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
At a glance
Yearly
The minimum service interval for a commercial boiler
Gas Safe
Registered engineers only, with non domestic qualifications
0800 111 999
The National Gas Emergency Service
Did you know?
Booking the service in the warmer months means problems are fixed before the heating is needed most.
Related service
Reactive and planned maintenance
We service commercial heating boilers and water heaters as a Gas Safe registered business, as part of planned maintenance for schools, residential blocks and commercial buildings. We do not work on commercial catering equipment.
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