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:

1. An inspection to ensure that a new installation complies with technical and safety standards.
2. Inspections to ensure compliance with Brussels BEP requirements (which includes, among other things, BEP approval upon commissioning and periodic BEP inspection of the boiler and water heater).

Compliance inspection for a new installation

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.

If your installer is not Cerga-registered

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.

If your installer is Cerga-registered 

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.

Inspections for compliance with BEP requirements

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.

1. Approval of the heating system when it comes into use

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:

• its settings
• the insulation of the pipes
• boiler room ventilation
• the quality of the combustion and the gases emitted
• the chimney draught...

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.

2. Periodic inspection of gas boilers and water heaters every two years

This inspection must be carried out by a BEP boiler engineer registered with Brussels-Environment:

• type GI for gas boilers or water heaters, with the exception of appliances for which combustion air flow rate and gas flow adjustment is needed
• type GII: for all types of gas boilers or water heaters

3. BEP heating system inspection every five years

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?

• to improve the energy performance of your heating system
• to check whether certain technical requirements are met
• to guarantee a minimum maintenance programme

Why boiler maintenance is also essential

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.