Benchmark and boiler records

1 What Benchmark is

Worcester's 8000 Life manual describes Benchmark as a code of practice to encourage correct installation, commissioning and servicing, and calls the checklist "a vital document".¹ It sits with the installation instructions, so ask for it at handover. The same manual says the service record can help when selling a property, by showing a buyer the system's servicing history.¹ Ideal's guide says the record must be completed after each service, and that the installer's Gas Safe ID and registration number should be on the checklist.⁴

2 What the rules in England say

Approved Document L, 2021 edition, covers commissioning at paragraph 8.8: circuits cleaned and flushed, inhibitor added, hard water treatment where needed, commissioned to BS 7593.² The Benchmark Commissioning Checklist "can be used" to show this was done. Paragraph 8.5 says a competent person sends the commissioning notice to building control within 30 days of completion.² For the wider rules, see building rules for a new boiler. Wales has its own edition, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems.

3 Records worth keeping

4 When something goes wrong

Have these to hand when reporting a fault. Baxi's 600 Heat guide says the Benchmark checklist is useful when calling, because it holds details of the boiler and installation.⁷ Note any fault code too.