Safe use of church heating systems

Historic Churches usually have large internal spaces, high ceilings and the construction of their doors and leaded windows will make it difficult to insulate. Heating systems create several risks, of which trustees need to be aware.

Most churches will have a system powered by either mains gas or fuel oil, stored in an external tank. Both require an annual service by a suitably qualified engineer, which means they are registered with Gas Safe or, for oil systems, OFTEC. You will need to keep records of these inspections.

A common problem we see with heating systems is water leaks. Pipes burst in cold weather as the water inside them freezes. When the ice thaws, water pours into the church, damaging the fabric of the building as well as its contents. To prevent this, we recommend an annual inspection of the church’s plumbing system by an engineer registered with the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers.

How to protect your church against frozen pipes:

• All pipes should be lagged to protect against the cold.
• Locate the stopcock and ensure volunteers and trustees know its location.
• If able, invest in a frost stat. This device will turn on the heating should the temperature drop too low.

If you do not maintain your heating system, it could produce Carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas that is odourless. Installing a carbon monoxide detector is a simple way of managing this risk.

Some churches supplement their heating with portable heaters powered by cylinders of liquid petroleum gas (LPG). These are not recommended as they pose a fire risk and, should a fire break out in the church, the emergency services will be wary of entering if they know there are LPG cylinders inside which could explode. There is also the risk of children or vandals entering the church and interfering with the cylinders. If your church does need to use them, think carefully about where you site them.

Under current legislation, anyone with an oil tank is required to have a drip tray or a bund – a protective wall or embankment – beneath the tank to capture any oil that leaks. The law also specifies how large these should be. If in doubt, speak to an engineer or contact our customer services team on 0345 777 3322.

Keep on top of your annual checks and regular servicing to ensure your heating system is well-maintained.