There are an increasing number of people using gas in their homes, whether for a stove or fireplace, however, while there has been much talk of all the compliance certificates (electricity, water, etc) needed for the sale of a home, they do not have up to date gas compliance certificates.
Should there be a fire in a home with a gas installation in it, and if there is no up to date compliance certificate, the insurance company could possibly reject the claim.
This is according to Lanice Steward, managing director of Knight Frank Anne Porter, who says when the sellers are asked if there is a gas certificate, there isn’t one.
A little known fact though, she says, is that if there were to be a fire in a home with a gas installation in it, if there is no up to date compliance certificate, the insurance company could possibly reject the claim.
She says the majority of insurance companies would require this certificate to prove that the installation was safe and had been serviced regularly.
According to an insurance consultant, gas certificates should be renewed every year, and all the safety aspects of keeping gas in a home need to be adhered to strictly.
Steward says gas canisters must be in a metal cage if they stand outside and if any gas canisters are left unattended in a holiday home or garage, these must be empty or should rather be taken away from the premises if the home is to be empty for a time.
She says if there is maintenance or repair work done to a gas appliance, the owner of the home should make sure they use an accredited gas company, which is registered with the Liquid Petroleum Gas Safety Association (LPGSA) and the person that does the actual repair needs to be registered as well.
As with gas, Steward says electrical compliance certificates are also needed to ensure safety compliance, but these certificates need only be renewed every two years. Any electrical repair work or maintenance must also be accompanied by a certificate of compliance.
“These inspections would only cost in the region of R250, and although the chances are slight that there would be such an incident in a home, the chance is still there. Rather have the certificates needed to protect yourself and ensure that if you need to claim from your insurance for fire damage, there is little chance of it being rejected.”
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