Error FA

Safety first

1) If you smell gas, or suspect a gas leak: get everyone out, do not operate electrical switches or phones inside the property, open doors and windows, isolate the gas at the meter if you can do so safely, and call the national gas emergency number immediately. Do not use the boiler until the gas supply and appliance have been made safe by a qualified person.

2) If there is no smell of gas, isolate/turn off the boiler at the electrical isolator or the fused spur and switch off any external controls. Keep the area ventilated.

Initial homeowner checks you can safely do

1) Note the exact error code and any cause code shown in the information menu. If your boiler has a spanner/return button, press it to read the cause number and write down both the FA code and the cause code for the engineer.

2) Try one controlled reset: follow the handbook reset procedure (usually press and hold the reset button or hold the dial to reset for three seconds). If the fault clears and does not return, monitor the boiler closely. If it reappears, stop further attempts to reset.

3) Look for obvious signs of water ingress, corrosion or wet wiring around the ignition/electrode area and the top of the boiler casing. Do not remove covers or dismantle the burner assembly. If you see dampness, dry the surrounding area with a cloth and note that this information is important to pass to the engineer.

4) Ensure the flue terminal and any ventilation openings are clear of blockages, birds' nests or debris. Ensure the external condensate pipe is not frozen or blocked (relevant for other faults but useful to check general condition).

What an engineer will check and do (do not attempt these unless you are Gas Safe qualified)

1) Perform instrument checks of the ionisation/flame detection circuit: measure ionisation current to confirm whether a false signal is present or the signal is genuine.

2) Carry out gas valve leak tests (EV1/EV2 leak test) and inspect gas valve operation. If a valve is leaking or sticking it will need repair or replacement by a Gas Safe engineer. FA is commonly associated with a valve leak or failure.

3) Inspect and test the ignition/ionisation electrode and lead for moisture, carbon, cracks or insulation faults and replace the electrode or lead if needed.

4) Inspect the air/gas ratio valve and burner settings. Replace or adjust the air/gas ratio control if it is allowing residual combustion or causing unstable flame sensing.

5) Check PCB/burner control module operation and connections. Faulty control electronics or loose connectors can report incorrect flame signals and may require repair or replacement.

6) Inspect flue, combustion path and ventilation for anything that could interfere with safe burner shutdown. Recommission appliance and run leak and safety checks after any repair.

Information to give the engineer and next steps

1) Tell the engineer the FA fault plus any cause code you recorded, when the fault started, whether it is intermittent or constant, and whether you smelled gas or saw any wetness/damage.

2) Do not use the boiler for heating or hot water until a Gas Safe engineer confirms it is safe. A persistent FA fault can indicate a gas valve leak or other unsafe condition and should be treated as urgent.

Summary and final safety note

1) FA means flame or ionisation detected after gas shut off and is a safety locking fault. A single reset is acceptable as an initial step but repeated resets are not advised. The underlying causes are typically gas valve failure, a false ionisation signal, moisture or PCB faults. Replacement or testing of gas valves and internal components must be performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Do not attempt gas repairs yourself.