More than just an obligation, the inspections for gas appliances offer protection for your safety, the environment and your pocket. In Brussels, there are two types of inspection:
If you have a new gas installation put in, piping and appliances must meet the relevant standards, principally NBN D51-003.
You will have to prove to Sibelga that your installation complies with these standards so that it can be connected to the gas network and the meter started, by presenting a certificate of compliance, also known as a 'Section 48 certificate'. Before starting your gas meter, Sibelga will also inspect your installation for leaks.
Have your installation inspected by a government-approved inspection body. If everything is in order, you will receive the certificate of compliance and the favourable inspection report that Sibelga requires to start your meter.
He may draw up the 'Section 48 certificate' himself. This is sufficient for Sibelga to start the meter. View the list of Cerga installers here.
The Building Energy Performance (BEP) requirements guarantee the maximum energy efficiency of heating systems.
All gas or heating oil boilers must be subject to a periodic BEP inspection (no longer only those over 20 kW). Gas water heaters are now also included.
Three types of BEP inspections must be carried out in Brussels.
Before using or re-starting the boiler, you must call out a type 1 BEP heating consultant (or a type 2 heating consultant if the boiler power is equal to or greater than 100 kW) to approve the boiler. This entails recognising the validity of the technical procedures applied for its installation or repair.
The purpose of this approval is to check it has been properly installed with regard to:
This approval is required after installing or moving a boiler, and also after replacing a boiler body or burner.
Once you have the BEP approval, the accredited professional will hand you a BEP approval certificate, in accordance with the BEP heating regulations.
This inspection must be carried out by a BEP boiler engineer registered with Brussels-Environment:
The old BEP inspection for type 1 heating systems (system with one single boiler with a maximum power of 100 kW) has been replaced by recommendations on the BEP periodic inspection certificate.
A BEP inspection of type 2 heating systems (boilers of more than 100 kW or several boilers) must now be carried out every five years. The inspection must be carried out by a type 2 BEP heating consultant. This is a professional accredited by Brussels Environment who, after carrying out the inspection, will hand you a BEP heating inspection report.
Why are these recommendations needed?
Maintenance is recommended by the manufacturers to ensure a long service life and trouble-free operation. It also reduces the risk of accidents and carbon monoxide poisoning. Finally, a well-maintained boiler consumes less gas, costs less and pollutes less!
The good news is that this maintenance is carried out systematically during the periodic BEP inspection.
In addition to inspecting your appliances, the BEP boiler engineer registered with Brussels-Environment cleans, sweeps, replaces, repairs and adjusts everything as and when required. |
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