Gas installations must be inspected. This is not a formality: these inspections are essential for your safety and the proper functioning of your installation.
Depending on the situation, this involves inspections of new installations and periodic inspections of existing appliances:
- Compliance certificate for a new gas installation
- EPB inspection upon commissioning
- 2-yearly EPB inspection (all installations)
- 5-yearly EPB inspection (large installations)
These are all required by law.
Compliance certificate for a new gas installation
Are you having a new gas installation fitted or an existing installation modified? Then the pipes and gas appliances must comply with the applicable technical and safety standards, including NBN D51-003.
To have your installation connected to the gas network and the gas meter opened, you must submit an compliance certificate (also known as an Article 48 certificate) to Sibelga. In addition, Sibelga always checks that the installation is leak-free.
Is your installer Cerga-certified?
- Yes → they can draw up the compliance certificate themselves.
- No → then a recognised inspection body must inspect the installation and issue the compliance certificate and a positive inspection report.
What is an EPB inspection?
The EPB regulations (for the energy performance of buildings) aim to limit the energy consumption and emissions of heating systems. Today, all gas-fired boilers, regardless of their capacity, and all gas boilers for domestic hot water in Brussels must comply with the mandatory EPB inspections.
EPB inspection upon commissioning
When a gas installation is commissioned for the first time, moved or when the boiler or burner is replaced, a type 1 EPB heating consultant recognised by Brussels Environment must check the installation. Or a type 2 EPB heating consultant, if the boiler has a capacity of 100 kW or more.
They will check, among other things:
- The system's controls
- The insulation of pipes
- The ventilation of the boiler room
- The combustion and flue gas discharge
- The draught of the chimney
After completion, you will receive an EPB completion certificate.
2-yearly EPB inspection (all installations)
The periodic EPB inspection is mandatory every 2 years for all gas-fired boilers, gas water heaters and gas boilers
It is carried out by a certified GI or GII technician, depending on the appliance:
- Type GI: for gas-fired boilers and water heaters, except for appliances that require combustion air flow control (see the list of approved technicians).
- Type GII: for all types of gas-fired boilers and water heaters (see the list of approved technicians).
This inspection also covers safety and efficiency aspects and is often carried out in conjunction with boiler maintenance.
Recommendations for improvements can also be added to the periodic inspection report.
5-yearly EPB inspection (large installations)
In the past, you were required to have an EPB diagnosis carried out every 5 years. This obligation no longer applies to small installations.
Today, an EPB diagnosis is only mandatory for large heating systems (more than 100 kW or multiple connected boilers). The diagnosis must be carried out by a type 2 EPB heating consultant. Afterwards, they will provide you with an EPB diagnosis report for the heating system.
Don't forget: the maintenance of your central heating boiler
In addition to the mandatory checks, regular maintenance of your gas installation remains important. This:
- Increases safety
- Reduces the risk of CO poisoning
- Improves efficiency
- Reduces gas consumption and emissions
Good news: this maintenance is carried out automatically during the periodic EPB inspection. The technician cleans and sweeps the chimney, replaces, repairs and adjusts all parts as required.