Commercial gas safety inspections: what is checked, and how often?

What does the law require of a business?

Regulation 35 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 places the duty on every employer and self-employed person: any gas appliance, flue, pipework or safety device at a place of work under their control must be maintained in a safe condition. HSE's guidance for employers says that in workplaces such as shops, restaurants, schools and hospitals, work on gas fittings must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is qualified for that type of work, and that it is the employer's responsibility to check this.

The law does not name a particular certificate for business premises. What it asks for is a safe, maintained installation. A written inspection record from a Gas Safe engineer is how you show that you have met the duty, and it is usually what insurers, landlords and enforcing officers ask to see.

How often should commercial gas appliances be inspected?

HSE's catering guidance (CAIS23) puts it plainly: the frequency of inspections and servicing may vary with the equipment and how it is used, and should follow the manufacturer's recommendations, but as a general rule annual inspections are a reasonable minimum, with repairs carried out as necessary. Most businesses therefore plan around a 12-month cycle and bring visits forward for equipment that the manufacturer says needs more frequent attention.

What is checked during a commercial gas inspection?

The exact checks depend on the installation and the standards that apply to it, but a commercial inspection usually covers:

• Gas pipework: condition, support, labelling and protection, with a tightness test where the engineer judges it necessary. See our guide to gas tightness testing.
• Isolation: that the emergency control valve and any other isolation valves are accessible and work.
• Each appliance: burner pressure or gas rate against the manufacturer's data, flame picture, ignition and flame supervision devices, and combustion analysis where applicable.
• Flues and chimneys: route, support, joints and termination, and flue performance checks.
• Ventilation: that there is enough air for combustion and that grilles and openings are not blocked. HSE advises employers never to block air inlets or obstruct flues.
• Interlocks: in mechanically ventilated kitchens and plant, that gas is shut off if the ventilation fails. HSE says the gas supply to industrial and commercial plant should be interlocked with the ventilation of the appliance.
• Records: a written report of what was checked, any defects and the action taken.

Which standards apply to my premises?

• Commercial kitchens: BS 6173 covers the installation and maintenance of gas-fired catering appliances, and IGEM/UP/19 covers ventilation and interlocks. See our gas interlock guide and commercial kitchen gas safety.
• Boiler plant: BS 6644 covers the installation and maintenance of gas-fired hot water boilers with net rated inputs between 70 kW and 1.8 MW, and IGEM/UP/10 covers flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises.
• Schools and colleges: IGEM/UP/11 covers gas used for teaching. See our guide to gas safety in schools.
• Pipework testing: IGEM/UP/1, IGEM/UP/1A and IGEM/UP/1B cover tightness testing and purging, depending on the size of the installation.

Do business premises with bedrooms need a landlord gas safety record?

Often, yes. HSE's catering guidance explains that the landlord duty, an annual safety check with a copy of the record given to occupants within 28 days, applies to residential accommodation including hotels, guest houses, bedsits, tied accommodation and staff accommodation, even when it sits on premises that are otherwise commercial. A pub with letting rooms or a business with a staff flat may need both a commercial inspection and a landlord gas safety record (CP12).

What happens if the engineer finds something unsafe?

Engineers follow the gas industry unsafe situations procedure. An appliance classed as Immediately Dangerous or At Risk can be turned off and labelled, with your permission or where the procedure requires it, until it is repaired. HSE's advice to employers is simple: do not use any appliance you know or suspect is unsafe. Keep the warning notice with your records and add the details of the repair when it is done.

Who is responsible in a rented commercial unit?

It depends on the lease and on who controls each part of the installation. A landlord usually looks after shared plant and pipework they control, while a tenant looks after appliances they own or use, such as catering equipment. Check the repair and maintenance clauses, agree responsibilities in writing, and make sure every part has someone booking its inspection.

What records should a business keep?

• The latest inspection or service report for each appliance.
• Any warning notices and how they were resolved.
• Installation and commissioning records, tightness test results and interlock test results.
• Landlord gas safety records for any residential parts of the building.

Set a reminder for each renewal date so inspections do not lapse. For larger buildings, see our plant room maintenance checklist and our heavy commercial services.

This guide is general information, not a substitute for an on-site assessment by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you smell gas, call 0800 111 999.