Benchmark And Boiler Warranty 2011

Benchmark And Boiler Warranty

What is Benchmark?

The Benchmark scheme places the responsibilities on both manufacturers and installers to ensure best practice in installation, commissioning and servicing of domestic heating and hotwater products in line with Building Regulations in England and Wales.

Benchmark requires that installers complete a Benchmark commissioning checklist, when commissioning a new heating appliance installation.

It is also recognised by the Government as an effective means of demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations Failure to install and commission according to the manufacturers instructions and complete the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist will invalidate the warranty for Gas Boiler installations in the UK.

What do I have to do to comply?

Installers of Gas Boilers must complete the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist which can be found at the rear of the Boiler installation manual.

This document must be completed in full and then explained to the consumer.

The consumer must then sign the Commissioning Checklist, along with the commissioning engineer.

Why has this change been introduced?

This new measure has been introduced to encourage consumers to use reputable and competent heating engineers.

Installers who already work to the rules will not have any additional work to do to comply to these changes and it will only help to support their work ethic

The vast majority of heating engineers are providing a valuable service to the UKs householders, yet poor and illegal installations are tarnishing this reputation.

This initiative should prevent those minority poor installations from claiming the benefits of warranty and manufacturers support which have been gained by the good work by the majority.

Where can I get more information?

More information can be obtained from Boiler Manufacturers and from the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council who run the Benchmark scheme.