Gas safety

Gas equipment and services must only be installed, maintained and repaired by a Gas Safe registered installer. Check if your engineer is registered on www.gassaferegister.co.uk or contact 0800 4085500. You can search using their ID number or their business name or postcode. 

Gas appliances, flues, pipework and safety devices should be inspected by a gas safe engineer once a year or as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. 

If the equipment or services are not correctly fitted or maintained, gas escapes or water leaks could occur or the appliance could give out poisonous fumes into the workplace.   

The Gas Regulations require all gas appliances, flues, pipework and safety devices to be maintained in a safe condition.  They should be inspected by a competent person regularly.  You must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations or speak to your gas safe engineer. 

An emergency isolation valve (EIV) must be fitted in the gas supply.  It should be accessible by all staff.  An emergency stop button/control must be fitted if the EIV is not readily accessible.   

A notice must be displayed next to the EIV or Emergency Control button.  

All catering staff who use the gas equipment should be trained in its proper use and how to carry out visual checks for obvious faults.

Connecting and disconnecting plug in gas connections to appliances when moving for cleaning or changing LPG cylinders or hoses can be carried out by you but you must be competent.

Fixed appliances should have a single manual means of isolation and pipes shall be located to leave a space of at least 25mm between the pipe and the wall.

To ensure the gas supply can be turned off in an emergency.  The EIV should be located outside the catering area or near an exit.    

The notice will remind staff what to do in an emergency. 

To ensure they can spot any signs of damage and to activate your emergency procedures. 

Staff should check: 

• Is there any damaged pipework or connections? The flexible connection should have a smooth U shape curve and not twist or drag on the floor.
• Does the flame supervision devices work? If the appliance is lit, turn off the gas at the wall, listen for the ‘click’ of the valve closing (takes about 60-90 seconds)
• Is the flame quality good?
• Are the restraint chains in place?
• Do the castors on mobile equipment lock in place? 

You must be able to connect and disconnect your gas connections safely—ask your gas engineer to demonstrate how this can be done to ensure you are confident and competent to do so.  

This is to allow access for cleaning and servicing.