Only qualified gas safe registered engineers can inspect gas installations and appliances, and undertake any remedial measures or repairs required. Anyone, including contractors and employees who work on gas installations and appliances must be gas safe registered.

REMEMBER: If you allow an unqualified person to work on your gas installation or gas appliances, you too will commit an offence and a Health and Safety Inspector may choose to prosecute you as well as the person undertaking the work.

Gas Safety Factsheet - Find a gas engineer (PDF, 892KB)

For a gas safety check or a service, essential safety checks are done to make sure gas fittings and appliances are safe to use. These checks include;

• checking the flue or chimney to make sure the products of combustion (fumes) are being safely removed to outside
• checking there is an adequate supply of fresh air so the gas burns properly
• checking the appliance is burning the gas properly
• checking all safety devices are working properly and shutting the appliance off if a fault occurs.

As a minimum, the record of a gas safety check must contain:

• The name, registration number and signature of the engineer who carried out the check;
• The description and location of each appliance and/or flue checked;
• The date on which the appliance and/or flue was checked;
• The address of the property at which the appliance and/or flue is installed;
• The name and address of the landlord (or his agent where appropriate);
• Any defect identified and any action required or taken to fix it;
• Confirmation of the results of operational safety checks carried out on the appliances.

The gas safety certificate can vary depending on the company the gas engineer works for and the type of premises the engineer is checking. They can also have different logo’s such as gas safe, corgi or their own businesses logo printed on them.

• It's important to ensure that the gas engineer records their personal registration number and their business registration number on the form for traceability. 
• You should keep records for at least 2 years.
• If your landlord arranges for the inspection, you should ask for a copy of the report.

The Gas Engineer will explain to you what you need to do. They may be able to correct the fault at the time of the visit, or arrange to return and fix the fault.

If the Gas Engineer is very concerned that the appliance is 'Immediately Dangerous' it is very likely they will disconnect the appliance and label it with a sticker, similar to the red and yellow triangle. Should you re-connect the appliance and use it before the fault(s) have been fixed, you will commit an offence.

If the Gas Engineer finds a fault that they think will become serious, then they will label the appliance as 'at risk', but are unlikely to prevent you from using the appliance.

Health and Safety Inspectors will ask to see copies of the gas safety records on inspections. If any appliances have been listed as Immediately dangerous or at risk then the inspector will ask for you to demonstrate that these appliances have been fixed or replaced. This means you will have to keep copies of invoices or other paperwork relating to the works that are undertaken.

If you cannot demonstrate that you have you have had the appliances fixed, and they are now safe, then it is likely that inspectors will take formal action to ensure the safety of the Gas Installation & Appliances, this may mean serving prohibition or improvement notices, and in some cases prosecutions may occur.

It is an offence to use equipment that you know or suspect is unsafe.

Only engineers who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can work on gas systems and appliances. This includes maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, moving and purging etc... Employers must ensure that all works are undertaken by a competent Gas Safe Engineer, that is qualified to work on your equipment.

Gas Safe Businesses

Go to the Gas Safe register and enter your post code. This will produce a list of registered gas businesses in your area. You will then need to search the registered businesses, to find one that is competent to work in your premises. For Example some businesses can only work on domestic gas appliances, some can work in catering establishments and some can work in both.

Once you have selected a company you need to arrange for them to inspect your Gas Installation (Pipework) and your Gas Appliances (Boilers, Cookers, Fryers, Ovens etc..)

Gas Safe Engineers

Gas engineers have a range of qualifications that allow them to carry out specific types of gas work. It’s important to check what work they are qualified to do before you use them. You can find this information on the back of your gas engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card.

Check the front of the card for:

• The photo
• The start date and expiry date
• The licence number
• The security hologram

Check the back of the card to make sure:

• Your engineer is qualified to do the gas work you want done e.g. cooker, boiler, gas fire
• Their qualifications are up to date

You can also check that your engineer is Gas Safe registered by calling Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or by checking on-line.

If you have concerns that the business or engineer carried out works illegally or the works are defective, you can report them to the gas safe register. You can also report them to us.

If you smell gas or suspect there is a gas leak you should take the following action:

• DO open doors and windows to ventilate the property.
• DO turn off the gas at the mains tap. This can usually be located near the gas meter and has a handle that can be turned 90 degrees. If the gas leak is in a cellar or basement, do not enter and instead evacuate the building.
• DO call 0800 111 999 for further advice, they will usually send an engineer to make the situation safe
• DO evacuate the premises

If you smell gas or suspect there is a gas leak you should not take the following actions:

• DON’T turn any power or light switches on or off.
• DON’T light any sort of flame within the property.
• DON’T use any appliances that could cause a spark.

What should I do if I think my appliance is leaking Carbon Monoxide?

• Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
• Switch off the appliance and shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve
• Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room
• Visit your GP and tell him/her that you believe you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide

Some top tips for commercial gas safety:

• Don't use domestic appliances, they wont be able to keep up with the demand of a commercial kitchen.
• Ensure all new or second hand equipment is fitted by a gas safe engineer.
• Ensure staff know where the mains gas shut-off is located (usually with the gas meter). Ensure it is easily accessible. 
• Ensure each piece of equipment has an isolation valve.
• Ensure that you use commercial gas hoses (yellow) and that they are not kinked, stretched or trapped.
• Ensure any equipment on wheels (pulled out for cleaning) has a wire restraining cable attached. This prevents accidental damage to the gas hose.
• Ensure all commercial gas equipment is located underneath the extract hood or has it's own flu; if you're unsure check with a gas safe engineer.
• Ensure the ventilation duct work has the filters fitted. Clean the filters at least weekly.
• Ensure the ventilation duct work is cleaned at suitable intervals and as a minimum once a year. Keep any certificates for cleaning work for at least 2 years.
• Ensure that the extract ventilation is turned on before you light any gas equipment. If not already installed, consider having a gas interlock fitted, they can cost as little as a few hundred pounds.
• Old or imported equipment will need to have a flame supervision device (FSD). If an FSD cannot be fitted it is likely that the equipment will need to be replaced.
• Ensure any broken or damaged is promptly equipment is repaired or replaced by a gas safe engineer. Typical issues include missing knobs, missing FSD's and failures of the piezo ignition systems. 

Failing to keep your gas equipment properly maintained is an offence!

Further information:

• Gas safety in catering and hospitality
• Ventilation of kitchens in catering establishments
• Gas Safety Factsheet - Find a gas engineer (PDF, 892KB)
• Gas Safety Factsheet - Maintaining gas equipment (PDF, 634KB)
• CO alarms

Many other premises operate gas appliances. Hotels, guest houses, offices, caravans, rented cottages, warehouses and shops etc. will provide gas boliers, gas water heaters, gas fires (including portable appliances) etc for keeping warm and heating water. These appliances must also be serviced annual by a gas safe engineer.

Carbon Monoxide is a particular risk in rooms where people sleep and CO alarms must be provided.

HSE - who is a landlord?

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon-based fuels are safe to use. It is only when the fuel does not burn properly that excess CO is produced, which is poisonous.  When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs.

You can't see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill quickly without warning. According to the HSE statistics every year around 7 people die from CO poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or that are poorly ventilated. Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a long period. In extreme cases paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a result of prolonged exposure to CO. Increasing public understanding of the risks of CO poisoning and taking sensible precautions could dramatically reduce this risk.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. Symptoms to look out for include:

• headaches or dizziness
• breathlessness
• nausea
• loss of consciousness
• tiredness
• pains in the chest or stomach
• erratic behaviour
• visual problems

For more information visit the NHS or telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
If you or your family experience any of the above symptoms and believe you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide, you should seek urgent medical advice from either your GP or an A&E department.

What should I do if I think my appliance is leaking CO?

• Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
• Switch off the appliance and shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve
• Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room
• Visit your GP and tell him/her that you believe you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide

Also see gas emergencies.

Carbon Monoxide alarms

You should undertake a risk assessment consider providing Carbon Monoxide alarms in all rooms that have gas fired appliances, boiler rooms, commerical kitchens etc. If gas appliances such as water heaters or fires are present in rooms in which people sleep, for example bedrooms in hotels, guest houses, or caravans then you must provide a CO alarm. The alarms can be hard wired to the electrical supply or battery operated. They must be tested reguarly (at least annually) and we would recomend that you keep a record of the test. 

Further information

NHS Carbon Monoxide poisoning

GOV.UK General information on Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide and gas safety charity

All party parliamentary Carbon Dioxide working group

LPG is used as a fuel in a range of applications including in heating and cooking appliances, industrial applications, in vehicles and as a propellant and refrigerant. LPG can be obtained primarily as propane, butane or a mixture of the two. A powerful odorant is added so that it is easily detected.

LPG is flammable and heavier than air so that it will settle and may accumulate in low spots such drains and basements. Here it could present a fire or explosion or suffocation hazard. The diagram below shows safe distances that LPG cyclinders should be from vqarious building services.

External storage of LPG cylinders should be in a secure cage. LPG cylinders can only be stored indoors under very strict conditions, you should contact Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for advice if you wish to store LPG cylinders indoors.

LPG should never be used to power natural gas (mains gas) appliances. LPG gas installation should only be fitted by a qualified Gas Safe Engineer. Like natural gas installations your LPG installation will need servicing and inspecting every year by a qualified Gas Safe Engineer.

You must always read the instructions for any gas appliance. Many LPG appliances such as patio heaters are only meant to be used outdoors and must never be used indoors. 

LPG is supplied in a variety of ways including in canisters, cylinders and in bulk storage tanks. This part of the HSE website concentrates mainly on safety issues relating to small bulk storage and associated installations but provides links to information available on other aspects of the safe use of LPG

• LPG Codes of Practice
• Gas Safe Register - LPG
• Inspecting and maintaining or replacing buried metallic pipework carrying LPG vapour:  Advice for commercial and industrial users of LPG
• LPG Bulk Tank Safety
• UKLPG - Safe use of propane and butane cartridges and cylinders
• Gas bottles & cylinder storage
• Handling gas bottles safely
• LPG Patio Heaters - Safe use
• NCAS - Guidance for the Installation of LPG & LPG-Fired Equipment 2012
• CIEH National Guidance Outdoor & Mobile Catering (PDF, 839KB)

Please see the home gas safety pages from the gas safe register.

If you are a landlord letting a property equipped with gas appliances you need to understand and comply with the law relating to gas safety, See our Gas safety for landlords pages.

The Council undertook a number of visit to commercial premises to support gas safety week!

Gas Safety Week is an annual safety week to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of your gas appliances. It is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are legally allowed to work on gas.  

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning, as you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it.

What we did;

Contacted over 700 commercial catering premises to remind them of their gas safety duties; Letter to commercial caterers gas safety week 2023 (PDF, 1MB)

Undertaking snap shot safety inspections focusing on gas safety in takeaway premises to check they are safe and offer advice.

We found that:

• 50% of premises were broadly complaint (had the relevant paperwork and no obvious defects with their gas appliances/installation).
• 33% of premises had minor shortcomings (missing paperwork, minor issue with their appliances).
• 16% of premises were unsatisfactory (obvious defects found with equipment that was considered a safety issue).

We continue to carryout audits of commercial kitchens whilst undertaking food hygiene inspections;

We produced videos to raise awareness through our social media channels.

• Do you know how to stay gas safe? (PDF, 191KB)
• Gas Safety Factsheet - Find a gas engineer (PDF, 892KB)
• Gas Safety Factsheet - Maintaining gas equipment (PDF, 634KB)

See our section on commercial kitchens for more details information

• Suspended prison sentance for takeaway owner following gas las leak
• Restaurant fined £175,000 after chef is burned in gas explosion
• Supended jail sentence, community service and fine for restaurant owner for dangerous gas cylinder installation
• Preston restaurant fined £43,919.50 for continuing to operate with 'serious gas leak'
• Jail for illegal fitter who showed ‘blatant disregard for the law
• Lincolnshire firm fined £20,000 over unsafe LPG work