CHAPS’ Covid-19 Policy

by | Mar 18, 2020 | Infosheet

A message to all of our valued customers:

The safety and well-being of our customers and colleagues is always our number one priority, even more so now with the ever-changing progression of the Coronavirus outbreak.

We know that people’s day-to-day lives are being disrupted and this is likely to become significantly worse but as far as possible for CHAPS, we will endeavour to provide the service and customer care we are known for. As the situation evolves, we will do everything in our power to resolve any plumbing & heating issues you may have.

Our policy:

If you are currently self-isolating, or suspect that you might be suffering from Coronavirus, we ask that as a precaution you inform us when booking an engineer visit so that we can plan the most suitable approach. Whilst the situation develops rapidly each appointment involving a customer who is self-isolating, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

In order to ensure we get to as many vulnerable people as possible during this period, we’re looking at our demand and capacity and prioritising as you would expect us to.

For all other work, our engineers will undertake the following;

  • Engineers have been instructed that they must self-isolate if they display any symptoms
  • We will be requesting customers to clear any working areas
  • No handshakes on arrival
  • Currently, keeping suitable distance between ourselves is recognised as best practice, we trust our customers will support our engineers and maintain a safe distance whilst they are at the property
  • Our engineers all carry personal protective equipment that can safeguard the working environment
  • We are providing our engineers with regular updates and coaching on hygiene and how to deal with their work in these situations

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work through these challenges.

If you have any further questions regarding our Covid-19 strategy please do not hesitate to contact us.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

by | Feb 24, 2020 | Blog

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The Importance of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The safety of our customers is of utmost importance to us at Chaps – this blog explains the importance of having working, reliable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home/in your tenanted properties (if you’re a landlord).

We are all taught from a young age the dangers of fire and therefore we are likely to ensure our smoke detector is working. Although, it is very easy to forget about as a smoke detector is one of those appliances that we don’t notice every day, it sits there silently until we burn a bit of toast… It is very important that you check your smoke detector regularly to ensure it is reliable and doing its job.

Landlords and Tenants

By law a smoke detector must be installed on every floor of a property where a room is used wholly or partly as living accommodation and carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in any room containing a solid fuel-burning appliance such as a wood burner, coal fire or biomass.

On the first day of a new tenancy the landlord/letting agent must make sure the alarms are tested and in working order.*

Carbon Monoxide Awareness

What is carbon monoxide (CO)?

CO is an odourless, colourless poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal.** Don’t worry, carbon fuels are safe to use, it’s just when they’re not burnt properly that they release the harmful CO.

Signs of CO Leakage

There are a few signs you can look out for which may indicate that incomplete combustion is occurring in your boiler:

  • Soot or yellow/brown staining on or around appliances
  • Increased condensation inside windows
  • Pilot lights keep going out
  • Yellow or orange rather than blue flames (except fuel effect fires or flueless appliances which display this colour flame).

It is important to keep a regular eye on your boiler so that you can recognise these signs before it is too late. This is one of the main reasons annual boiler services are undertaken – if your boiler is due a service book it in now. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Follow this link to find out the full symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, here are just a few to be aware of:

  • Headaches or dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Breathlessness
  • Erratic behaviour

If you or other members of the household are displaying these symptoms please act immediately:

  1. Call an ambulance if you or a member of the household is unconscious/having difficulty breathing
  2. Switch off the faulty appliance and shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve
  3. Open all doors/windows to ventilate the space
  4. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
  5. Visit your GP if you feel you have been exposed to CO

How can Chaps help?

At Chaps install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – so if you don’t have one already, let us know and we can get an installation booked in now.

We also test and provide Gas Safety Certificates to landlords once we’re happy their appliances are safe to use

References:

*https://www.propertymark.co.uk/advice-and-guides/landlords/safety-it-s-more-than-smoke-alarms-and-gas-checks.aspx

**https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm