Whether you’re a landlord, tenant or homeowner, if you’re installing a gas cooker, you need to make sure you follow the rules and regulations. We’ve put together a quick and easy guide to help keep you safe, sound and under warranty!
Use a Gas Safe Registered Engineer
A Gas Safe registered engineer is fully qualified to work safely, competently and legally with gas and will carry a Gas Safe Registered ID to prove it. Using a gas safe engineer means your installation will comply with local authority building regulations and it won’t affect your home insurance. You can find a Gas Safe Registered Engineer in your area here.
Gas Safe Example ID Card
Register your Appliance
Make sure the Gas Safe Engineer registers the new cooker with your local authority building control. If they don’t, you could be liable later on!
Get a Gas Safety Certificate
Once the installation is complete and your engineer has registered your cooker, you should receive a Gas Safety Certificate. It’s very important you keep this safe. The certificate confirms that the installation has been checked, that the cooker’s working and meets the correct safety standards. If you’re a landlord, you’ll need to provide this certificate for your tenants.
Get regular Gas Safety checks
It’s important to have your cooker serviced regularly to ensure that it’s safe. At the very least we recommend an annual check, though by law, landlords must have all their gas appliances serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
So if you’re planning on buying a new cooker or installing a brand new kitchen, here are the rules for a safe gas cooker installation that will comply with building regulations and get you that all-important gas safety certificate:
- Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can install your cooker.
- All free standing cookers with a high-level grill must have a minimum of 610mm of clear space above the grill.
- All cookers must have 20mm free space either side.
- If your gas cooker is brand new, it must contain what’s called a ‘Flame Supervision Device’, which detects if a flame has been extinguished and automatically cuts off the gas supply. This is only applicable for installations in flats or flats above shops.
These rules are all about safety, for you, your family and your home. Badly fitted gas appliances can cause leaks, fires, explosions and even carbon monoxide poisoning. So stay safe, stay on the side of the law and go Gas Safe every time.
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