From April 1 2014, the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist will make it a formal requirement for Gas Safe Registered Engineers to measure and record the level of carbon monoxide (CO) and the combustion ratio (CO/CO2) when commissioning newly-installed condensing boilers. Lee Robinson, Baxi Customer Service Director, explains more.
Benchmark is a nationally recognised scheme that places responsibility on both manufacturers and installers to ensure best practice in the installation, commissioning and servicing of domestic heating and hot water products in line with the Building Regulations in England and Wales. It is managed and promoted by the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC).
As part of the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist, installers are required to record the levels of both the CO and the combustion ratio of the flue gas when commissioning a condensing boiler in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. This will help to validate the safe installation and operation of domestic boilers, so it is important that installers fully understand exactly what it is and how it can be put into practice easily and efficiently.
Once the necessary checks have been carried out by using a suitable electronic flue gas analyser (ECGA) and the results confirmed as being within the stated tolerances/ limits, these should be recorded in the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist. This document should then be left with the customer for future reference by other visiting Gas Safe registered engineers.
HHIC boiler manufacturers have agreed that completion of the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist is regarded as a condition of the manufacturer’s warranty. Failure to leave the completed Checklist with the homeowner or to fill it out correctly may affect the warranty provision for the customer. It is a requirement of Building Regulations for the installer to complete appropriate commissioning documentation.
As part of their follow- up processes, Gas Safe Register have indicated that they will ‘defect’ an installation for non –compliance if the CO level and combustion ratio are not correctly recorded on the commissioning documentation.
Therefore, it is crucial that the guidelines regarding the Benchmark document are carefully adhered to. For the installer, further guidance on the use of Electronic Flue Gas Analysers (ECGAs) is provided in BS 7967. ECGAs should have a valid calibration certificate (annual checks are needed to guarantee accurate readings).
For Gas Safe registered installers who are unfamiliar with using flue gas analyser equipment, training is available. For example, Baxi runs a one-day course on Combustion Performance Analysis. This will cover the science of combustion, the new regulations and how to use a flue gas analyser on domestic heating equipment.
Undergoing such training courses and gaining a thorough knowledge of the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist will ensure that installers are equipped to offer their customers the very best advice. The dangers of CO are well publicised, so carrying out the correct checks will also provide peace of mind for the homeowner, offering reassurance that their boiler is installed correctly and working safely.
