Gas safety

If gas appliances, such as ovens, cookers and boilers, are not properly installed and maintained, there is a danger of fire, explosion, gas leaks and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Employers need to comply with the relevant regulations to help ensure worker and public safety. You can do this by following our advice on maintaining and servicing gas appliances, by using a Gas Safe registered engineer or a competent person.

What do I have to do?

The basics

• Use a competent engineer to install, maintain or repair your appliances
• Ensure that your gas pipework, appliances and flues are regularly maintained
• Check that all rooms with gas appliances have adequate ventilation – don’t block air inlets to prevent draughts, and don’t obstruct flues and chimneys

Gas

• If you suspect a leak, turn off the supply and immediately call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 for natural gas. For liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), call your LPG supplier
• If in doubt, evacuate the building and inform the police as well as the National Gas Emergency Service or your gas supplier
• Do not turn a gas supply back on until a leak has been dealt with by a competent person

Appliances and pipework

• Use a competent engineer to install, maintain or repair your appliances
• Ensure that your gas pipework, appliances and flues are regularly maintained
• Don’t use any appliance you know or suspect is unsafe
• Check that the room has adequate ventilation – don’t block air inlets to prevent draughts and don’t obstruct flues and chimneys