Importance of Non-Domestic Gas Safety Certificates for Businesses

Gas safety is an essential matter whether used for domestic or non-domestic purposes. Potential risks associated with gas are fire, explosion, and the emission of harmful gases. Any such event may result in loss of lives, injuries, and property damage. Hence, safety against possible gas-related accidents has been a concern for regulatory bodies worldwide, including the UK.

The destruction volume may be much higher in the case of a business or commercial unit, compared to homes, when it comes to gas-related accidents, as many people are present in a non-domestic property at a time. Gas safety is even more critical for business and commercial properties. Gas Safety Certificate has therefore been made a legal requirement for every non-domestic property under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 in the UK.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 is the fundamental law regulating gas-related affairs for domestic and non-domestic units. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure the safety of people and properties against the potential risks linked with the use of gas. According to these regulations, landlords and property owners are legally required to get a Gas Safety Certificate, also known as Gas Safety Record (CP 12).

This certificate is given after a successful gas safety inspection, which has to be conducted by a qualified gas engineer registered and licensed by the Gas Safe Register. The Gas Safe Register is an official regulatory and registration authority that deals with the safe use of gas for domestic and non-domestic purposes.

Types of Gas Safety Certificate

There are three main types of gas safety certificates:

• Residential (Domestic) Gas Safety Certificate. All domestic properties, primarily leased or rented, need this type of gas safety certificate. The landlords of these properties are responsible for getting this certificate for their rented-out properties.
• Commercial (Non-Domestic) Gas Safety Certificate. As the name suggests, this certificate is meant for non-domestic, commercial, or business properties. This includes shops, malls, warehouses, commercial buildings with offices, and any other building where a business is being run. It may also include hotels, restaurants, or any other building where commercial activity occurs. 
• New Build Gas Safety Certificate. This certificate is meant for the under-construction and new buildings.

A comprehensive inspection of all the gas appliances, flues, boilers, pipe networks, and gas fittings is required for the above gas safety certificates. This inspection must be done by a gas engineer who must be registered with the gas safe register. This certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. It needs to be renewed well before the expiry, preferably during the last two months of the currency of the existing gas safety certificate.

What is a Gas Safety Inspection?

Annual Gas Safety inspection comprises of following essential steps:

1. Visual inspection of gas installations and appliances to ascertain if there’s any apparent damage in any of the gas appliances or pipework.
2. Checking gas pressure. Appropriate gas pressure is crucial for the flawless working of any gas appliances, especially the burners.
3. Check for any leakages. Gas leaks are hazardous. They may cause an explosion or fire and cause health issues for humans.
4. Examine the ventilation system's performance to ensure exhaustion of burnt gases and supply of fresh air.
5. Check the working of the safety devices, such as the gas leak detector.
6. Check boiler performance, including the pressure vessel.

Why is Gas Safety so important?

The Gas Safe Register recently published an interesting and eye-opening survey report. This report highlights some important points:

• Gas accidents were prevented in around 68000 homes in a year due to the implementation of gas safety regulations. Gas-related accidents can be prevented or eliminated if every household or commercial property strictly observes and follows gas safety rules and regulations.
• While conducting gas safety checks, 57% of their engineers found one or multiple faulty gas appliances in homes and businesses, such as boilers and cookers. As per their report, these appliances were hazardous and faulty. The engineers had to shut down these appliances forcibly to avoid any potential damage. The report further reveals that this was mainly due to the need for regular and timely maintenance and service.
• The report also reveals that out of 120000 homes inspected by their engineers, every 6^th home had one or more unsafe gas appliances.

So, the report indicates two main facts:

1. People are either ignorant or willfully violate the rules and regulations, which results in the use of faulty gas appliances that may cause a fatal incident at a later stage.
2. If the provisions of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are implemented, the chances of any mishap can be eliminated.

Hence, all domestic and non-domestic property owners must comply with the main legal requirement of having a valid gas safety certificate.

Importance of Non-Domestic Gas Safety Certificates for Businesses

A commercial (non-domestic) gas safety certificate is an important document that every landlord or business owner must have.

Here is a brief description of the importance of this certificate:

• It Is Required for the Safety of People And Properties

The safety of the tenants and employees is of vital importance. The commercial gas safety certificate is documentary proof that a qualified gas safety engineer has inspected the property and that all the gas appliances installed on the premises are safe and fit.

• It Is A Legal Requirement

A commercial gas safety certificate is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, as amended occasionally. The law binds business owners or landlords to have their properties inspected once every 12 months to obtain a valid gas safety certificate. Any violation of this legal obligation may result in the initiation of legal proceedings, including fines. Hence, legal bidding is very important for landlords.

• It Is A Moral Responsibility

Owners and landlords are therefore liable for the safety of people in commercial space as far as their employees. It puts the moral as well as legal burden of proof on any business owner to show concern for his people's safety in view of any happening related to gas. An issued gas safety certificate, therefore, ensures that gas appliances have been checked and maintained as per the regulations.

• It Saves Money

Having a valid commercial gas safety certificate and timely inspection of gas appliances can save businesses a lot of money. It protects you from the imposition of a fine for not having a valid certificate. On the other hand, it also saves a lot of money by avoiding any gas mishap on your premises. This may include loss and damage of business assets and employee injuries.

• It Saves You From Complex Legal Proceedings

Not having a valid commercial gas safety certificate is a legal offense that may attract legal proceedings. Apart from the imposition of fines, you may have to face imprisonment. In the event of any gas mishap at your business place, when you don't have a valid gas safety certificate, the relevant regulatory body can initiate legal action, which may result in a problematic and embarrassing situation for the landlords.

Conclusion

Those landlords who have non-domestic buildings under their ownership must need to have a gas safety certificate at any cost. They need to properly get their property’s gas pipelines, fittings, and appliances inspected. After the inspection, they need to get a gas safety certificate which basically is a piece of evidence that the property is gas safe and all gas appliances are in good working order. Well, this not only fulfills a legal obligation but also keeps your employees safe. Apart from this absence of a gas safety certificate is not only dangerous for the lives of people but can also lead landlords to heavy penalties and fines.