What is a Non-Domestic Gas Safety Certificate and Do You Need One?

Using gas for domestic and non-domestic purposes is a common practice these days. Given the potential risks involved, the authorities in the UK have introduced a set of regulations to ensure the safety of people and properties.

One of the requirements of these regulations is obtaining a gas safety certificate for residential and commercial properties. The responsibility of getting the property inspected for gas safety rests with the landlords. Hence, the non-domestic, also known as Commercial gas safety certificates, are legal requirements under the provisions of the prevalent gas safety regulations. To obtain a non-domestic gas safety certificate, the landlords must arrange an annual gas safety inspection of all the gas appliances through a gas safe registered engineer.

Understanding Gas Safety Regulations for Non-Domestic Properties

As amended occasionally, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 govern all gas-related affairs, including installation, maintenance, and annual inspection. These regulations apply equally to domestic and non-domestic properties.

The landlord of the non-domestic property must fulfill the following three legal responsibilities:

1. He is responsible for repairing, servicing, and maintaining all the gas appliances in his non-domestic property so that they remain in safe and workable condition. This includes gas pipework, flues, boilers, and other gas-related installations.
2. He is legally bound to arrange annual gas safety inspections on all the gas appliances installed on the property, including the flues and boilers.
3. He is also bound to record annual gas safety inspections for the previous years.

Annual Gas Safety Inspection 

The most important legal requirement is obtaining a Commercial/Non-Domestic Gas Safety Certificate. For that, a non-domestic property holder must have his property checked/inspected for gas safety annually. 

The annual gas safety inspection has to be conducted per the Gas Safety Regulations 1998 provisions. Here's a summary of the process of annual inspection of non-domestic properties for gas safety:

• The landlord is responsible for arranging an annual gas safety inspection of all the gas appliances installed on his non-domestic property.
• Only a gas-safe registered engineer is authorized to conduct an annual gas safety inspection.
• The gas-safe registered engineer will visually inspect all gas appliances and allied installations to detect faults or leaks and ensure that the appliances are installed correctly per the standard safety protocols. 
• The engineer will check that the appliances get the correct gas pressure, which the manufacturers prescribe for correct operations. 
• The engineer will also check for any faulty appliances. The faulty appliances will be classified into the following categories based on the nature and severity of the fault:
  • ID—Immediately Dangerous—Gas appliances that are not working according to the standard safety parameters and the fault is considered serious by the inspecting engineer would be labeled as "Do Not Use,” as these are dangerous for the properties and the occupants. This category of faulty appliances is called "Immediately Dangerous" or ID. The inspecting engineer should disconnect the gas supply to such appliances with the landlord's permission.
  • AR—At Risk—If any gas appliance has developed one or more faults that might not pose an immediate threat but can become more dangerous if left unattended, the engineer will also label it as "Do Not Use" or "At Risk (AR).” The engineer will also turn off these appliances with the landlord's permission. 
  • NCS—Not to Current Standard—One or more gas appliances might be operating safely but are older versions and may not meet the current safety standards. Such appliances would be classified as "Not to Current Standard (NCS)." The engineer will notify the landlord about such appliances and recommend what improvements may be made to fulfill the current standards. Sometimes, the landlord may also be advised to replace them with newer versions.
• On successful completion of the inspection of all the gas appliances, the gas-safe registered engineer will make the "Commercial Gas Safety Certificate.” 
• The landlord is required to give a copy of this certificate to the tenants within 48 hours. 
• This certificate is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed within the last two months before the expiry of the current certificate. For the renewal, the gas-safe registered engineer will conduct the entire process of annual gas safety inspection, as explained above.

What is a Non-Domestic Gas Safety Certificate?

A non-domestic gas certificate is also known as a commercial gas safety certificate. It is required for non-domestic or commercial properties with one or more gas appliances, including boilers and flues. Just like the gas safety certificate for residential properties, it expires in 12 months and needs to be renewed annually after the successful completion of a gas safety inspection.

Commercial gas safety certificates are of the following types:

• Commercial Gas Safety Inspection Certificate (CP 17)

Commonly known as CP17, the "Commercial Gas Safety Inspection Certificate" is the basic requirement for all non-domestic properties having one or more gas appliances installed. This certificate confirms that a gas safe registered engineer has inspected the gas appliances installed on the property and that they conform to the safety standards required by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. It also proves that the occupants can safely use the installed gas appliances. 

• Commercial Boiler Commissioning Record (CP 15)

As the name suggests, CP15 is related to the commissioning of a commercial boiler. So, a commercial boiler commissioning record or CP15 is proof that the boiler was installed and commissioned after ensuring that all the required safety standards are met. This certificate is required for a non-domestic property, where a gas boiler is installed. 

• Commercial Gas Installation Testing and Purging Report (CP 16)

Commonly referred to as CP16, this is a report or certificate that is issued after the installation of gas appliances. It confirms that a gas-safe registered engineer installed and tested the gas appliances. It is also proof that the installed gas appliances meet the required safety protocols and can be used safely by the occupants. If any new gas appliances were installed during the period under reference, all non-domestic properties are required to obtain both CP 16 and CP 17 collectively. 

• Gas Emergency Service Provider Report (CP 22)

If there has been an emergency in any commercial property, such as a carbon monoxide emission or a gas leakage, the service-providing company must have sent a gas-safe registered engineer to fix the issue. The engineer will then provide a "Gas Emergency Service Provider Report," commonly known as CP 22. This is proof that the emergency instance was attended to and resolved by a gas-safe registered engineer and that the gas installations in this property are now safe for the occupants. 

• Commercial Catering Gas Safety Certificate (CP 42)

A commercial Catering Gas Safety Certificate or CP 42 is specifically required for any type of commercial catering services and commercial kitchens. The commercial kitchen has been inspected and tested for commercial gas safety. It includes the burners, cookers, ovens, and grills used by commercial catering service providers.

• Mobile Catering Vehicle Safety Record (CP 44)

Mobile catering service providers are required to get their catering vehicles inspected for gas safety by a gas-safe registered engineer and obtain the Mobile Catering Vehicle Safety Record, commonly known as CP 44. These vehicles use LPG cylinders or bottles; hence a gas-safe registered engineer, having specialization in LPGs would be the appropriate person for this job. 

• Landlord Gas Safety Record for Leisure Industry (CP 2)

The leisure accommodation vehicles (LAVs) or boats that are rented out for leisure trips and use gas appliances installed therein are required to get a "Landlord Gas Safety Record for Leisure Industry," also known as CP 2. This certificate proves that the gas appliances installed in the vehicle or boat were inspected for gas safety and are fit for commercial use. The gas appliances in this type of vehicle and boats are attached to LPG bottles; hence, the engineer must be a specialized registered gas-safe engineer.

Do you Need a Non-Domestic Gas Safety Certificate?

If you own a commercial or non-domestic property where gas appliances are installed, you are bound by the law to have your property inspected for gas safety annually. This inspection aims to ensure that the gas appliances installed on your property comply with the gas safety standards. You will get the commercial gas safety certificate (CP17) upon completing the annual gas safety inspection.

Conclusion

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and its subsequent amendments also cover gas appliances in non-domestic or commercial buildings. Hence, they need to ensure the safety of visitors and employees. The law binds landlords of non-domestic properties to conduct annual gas safety inspections on all the gas appliances and fittings installed in their properties. 

After successfully completing the annual gas safety inspection, commercial properties are provided with the non-domestic gas safety certificate, commonly known as CP 17. Failure to obtain this important document will attract penalties and other legal action against the landlord, especially in case of any unexpected gas mishap.