In the UK, it is a legal requirement for all businesses with a commercial premises to hold a valid gas safety certificate, which can be obtained by carrying out a gas safety check. This check needs to be done annually in order for your business to remain compliant, efficient and risk-free.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 stipulates that all commercial properties must have a valid gas safety certificate; otherwise, you could face fines and even jail time.
A gas safety check is carried out by a qualified engineer who will conduct a series of tests on the gas appliances operating in your business in order to determine if they are fit for purpose and mitigate danger.
Gas safety check costs can vary massively based on the size of your business, your location, who conducts the work, and the number of gas appliances present. There is no set number, so it’s best to get guidance from your account manager who can confirm how much the price will be.
Checks usually last around an hour, but this can vary depending on the size of your site and the amount of appliances that need testing. It is best to speak with your account manager to determine how long your check would take for your business.
A member of your team will need to be present in order to direct the engineer to the relevant equipment which needs testing.
To deliver these tests, the engineer will visit your premises at a time and date prearranged, where they will visually inspect your gas connections, appliances, machines and boilers. They will also test things such as functionality and pressure and ensure all hardware is operating up to a specific standard.
The engineer’s findings will be documented on a gas safety record form. This form includes everything from the date the inspection took place, who carried out the test, what was included and any repairs that need to take place.
Once the check is complete and the engineer is satisfied with your gas appliances, you will be issued your gas safety certificate.
If there are any issues found during the engineer’s inspection, they will try to rectify them; however, if they are unable to, they will be noted down. In some cases, if the machine is potentially dangerous, the engineer may choose to disconnect the gas line.
You should not use any appliance which fails the gas safety check until repairs have been carried out. The engineer can then talk you through your options and may be able to make the repairs themselves before booking a return visit to your site to retest and issue your certificate.
To arrange your next gas safety check, speak with your account manager, who will be happy to help arrange a visit from one of our trusted and qualified gas engineers. We can also then keep an eye on when your next one is due, meaning peace of mind for future checks.