It’s Gas Safety Week 2023 and whilst the Gas Safe Register tends to focus this on householders and the domestic market, gas safety is just as relevant to commercial kitchen operators whose kitchens, unlike those in a house or flat, will possibly be used by a variety of people for much longer periods of time and therefore it needs checking and maintaining on a regular basis.

So, when it comes to maintenance, what do the regulations actually state?

Section 35, Part F of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 (Installation and Use) states:

It shall be the duty of every employer or self-employed person to ensure that any gas appliance, installation pipework or flue installed at any place of work under his control is maintained in a safe condition so as to prevent risk of injury to any person.

The regulations do not actually say how they should be maintained or how frequently, however, other documents do provide some clarification…

HSE Catering Information Sheet 11 ‘The Main Health and Safety Law applicable to Catering’ states:

No set inspection of gas systems is specified but it is good practice to have such systems inspected for safety annually.

HSE Catering Information Sheet 12 ‘Maintenance Priorities in Catering’ states:

Appliances need to be routinely serviced to ensure their continued safe operation. This must be done by competent personnel such as appropriately qualified service engineers.

HSE Catering Information Sheet 23 (rev 1) ‘Gas Safety in Catering and Hospitality’ states:

Periods between inspections may vary dependent on the equipment and its use and should follow manufacturers’ recommendations, but as a general rule, annual inspections will be a reasonable minimum frequency.

So, to summarise, gas equipment should be inspected for safety at least once every 12 months and should be serviced by competent personnel in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Most ceda Members can offer both gas safety inspections and also planned preventative maintenance contracts tailored to suit the needs of any kitchen. To find a member near you go to https://ceda.co.uk/ask-a-specialist/.