Decorative gas fires, balanced-flue glass-fronted units, and log-effect inset fires share the same regulatory home as a boiler. They are gas appliances under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, must be inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer once a year, and fall under the same GIUSP classification regime. Open-flue Class 1 chimney fires draw combustion air from the room and exhaust up the flue; balanced-flue Class 2 fires use a concentric pipe; flueless catalytic fires rely on room ventilation alone. Each carries different soot, CO, and spillage risks that a generic boiler engineer will not always catch.
We service gas fires across London under Gas Safe Register #972173. Every visit covers a strip-down of the burner tray and ceramic coal or log set, vacuum-clean of the heat exchanger and pilot assembly, flue clearance and spillage test, and a calibrated Anton Sprint Pro flue gas analyser reading at the appliance flueway. The acceptable CO/CO2 ratio is under 0.004; anything above is flagged At Risk or Immediately Dangerous depending on absolute CO ppm and the GSIUR thresholds. Fuel-effect log sets are reassembled to manufacturer spec, because misplaced logs are the single most common cause of CO spillage on a serviceable fire.
Where this service applies
- Annual gas fire service for owner-occupied homes, recommended every 12 months per the manufacturer's instructions
- Landlord CP12 appliance check on any rental property containing a gas fire
- Open-flue Class 1 decorative fires in period London chimneys, with smoke-pellet spillage test and flue-flow check
- Balanced-flue Class 2 inset and outset fires sharing a concentric flue with an external terminal
- Log-effect and coal-effect fuel beds reassembled to the manufacturer's diagram after sweep or cleaning
- Yellow tipping, sooting, pilot drop-out, or noisy ignition on a serviceable fire
- CO alarm activation in a room containing a gas fire, investigated with flue gas analyser
- Reinstatement of an isolated fire after a CP12 At Risk classification with new parts and full FGA report
How we deliver
No surprises, no upselling. The exact path every job follows.
- 1
Visual and ventilation survey
Hearth and surround logged, room volume measured, fixed ventilation checked against BS 5440-2 (typically 100 cm² per kW above 7 kW heat input on open-flue, none required on balanced-flue). - 2
Chimney and flue clearance check
Per BS 5440-1, flue checked for unobstructed termination, clearances, and draw. Smoke pellet released at the appliance hood on open-flue fires to confirm the chimney is pulling and not spilling. - 3
Strip-down and clean
Coal or log set removed and photographed for reassembly. Burner tray, injector, pilot assembly, and combustion chamber vacuumed and brushed. Glass front cleaned with appliance-safe solvent. Compressed gaskets replaced. - 4
Soundness test of fire isolator
Digital manometer on the appliance test point. Standing and working pressures verified, then a tightness test of the branch at 21 mbar to confirm no let-by on the gas tap or solenoid. - 5
Reassembly to manufacturer's diagram
Logs or coals replaced exactly as the maker specifies. Mis-placed pieces are the single biggest cause of CO spillage and yellow tipping, so this is not free-hand. Diagram and reassembly photos go on file. - 6
Flue gas analyser readings
Anton Sprint Pro probe inserted at the flueway after 10 minutes of stable burn. CO/CO2 ratio under 0.004 is acceptable, 0.004 to 0.008 needs investigation, above 0.008 is At Risk or Immediately Dangerous. - 7
Safety device function test
Flame supervision device (oxypilot or thermocouple) tested by extinguishing the pilot; gas must shut off within 60 seconds. ODS on flueless fires checked for correct cut-off. - 8
Service certificate and GIUSP record
Service sheet detailing FGA readings, pressures, ventilation, flue test, and any GIUSP classification. Emailed same-day, filed against the property's gas history, accepted by landlords, insurers, and warranty providers.