Which gas safety certificate do you need for commercial properties?
We previously discussed the importance of a commercial gas safety certificate for any business. Although you may have drifted off for a bit, and thinking about reading part II might all but make you ecstatic, this blog can be beneficial for you and your business.
How to effectively organise your gas safety certificate situation is essential as these certificates not only play a part in the safety and maintenance of your business, they might also be crucial for your insurance and warranties.
Unnecessary expense and an inconvenience? Yeah, we understand that train of thought.
Having a valid gas safety certificate is a legal requirement for all commercial properties that use gas appliances. Failure to comply with this requirement can result in fines, legal action, and even the closure of your business. If at this point the talk of gas safety certificates has kind of gotten to you and you are losing interest, you can also reach out to us, and have someone take this off your hands, leaving you to do other valuable things with your time.
There are two types of gas safety certificates that may be needed for commercial properties: the Gas Safety Record and the Commercial Gas Certificate.
1. Gas Safety Record
The Gas Safety Record is required for all non-domestic properties where gas appliances are installed or used. So whether you’re running a restaurant, offices, gym, schools, hotels, or a shop at the end of the day the rules are similar for any business. The record must be renewed every 12 months by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
The record consists of the details of all gas appliances on the property, their locations, and any safety checks or maintenance work carried out on them. It must also include a declaration from the engineer stating that the appliances meet the necessary safety standards.
2. Commercial Gas Certificate
A Commercial Gas Certificate may be required in addition to the Gas Safety Record if your property has large or complex gas installations. These could include multiple boilers, pipework systems, or other industrial equipment.
The certificate is similar to the Gas Safety Record but provides more detailed information about the specific installation and its compliance with relevant regulations. It must also be renewed annually by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
It is important to note that even if your commercial property does not have any gas appliances, you may still need a gas safety certificate as part of your insurance requirements or landlord responsibilities.
Although it might not be the most exciting part of your business, both the Gas Safety Record and the Commercial Gas Certificate are essential documents for ensuring the safety of your business and complying with legal requirements. The specific type of certificate needed will depend on the size and complexity of your gas installation. At zoom 247, we work with qualified and registered engineers, to make sure that all gas safety checks and maintenance done on your property remains safe and in compliance with regulations.
How often do I need to renew a commercial gas safety certificate renewed?
Now that we’ve discussed the why and what of a commercial gas safety certificate, let’s dig a little deeper. So a commercial gas safety certificate, also known as a CP12 certificate, is a legal requirement for all businesses and organisations that use gas appliances or equipment on their premises. This certification ensures that the gas installations and appliances are safe to use and comply with the necessary regulations.
But how often do you need to renew this certificate? The answer depends on several factors such as the type of business you run and the type of appliances you have. Let’s take a closer look at these factors to understand how often you need to renew your commercial gas safety certificate.
Type of Business:
The frequency of renewal largely depends on the type of business or organisation you operate. For example, if your business involves using gas for cooking or heating purposes, such as in restaurants or hotels, then your commercial gas safety certificate needs to be renewed annually. This is because these establishments usually have high usage of gas appliances which increases the risk of potential hazards.
Now, if your business operates in an office setting where only a few employees use a small number of gas appliances, then your certificate may need to be renewed every two years. However, it’s important to note that even in this case, regular maintenance checks are essential throughout the year to ensure safety standards are met.
Type of Appliances:
Another factor that determines the frequency of renewal is the type of appliances used in your business. Gas boilers and central heating systems require annual checks due to their complexity and potential risks involved. Smaller appliances, such as ovens or fryers may only require bi-annual checks.
It’s also worth mentioning that certain types of equipment may have specific requirements for renewal set by manufacturers or industry regulators. It’s crucial for businesses operating with specialised equipment to adhere to these guidelines for their own safety and compliance.
Consequences for Failure To Renew:
Failure to renew your commercial gas safety certificate can result in serious consequences including hefty fines and even imprisonment in some cases. Now, that might be a tad bit dramatic for not having a valid certificate, but we did have to mention the possibility just FYI. More relevant is probably the fact that it can void your business insurance, leaving you liable for any damages or injuries caused by faulty gas appliances.
The frequency of renewing your commercial gas safety certificate depends on the type of business and appliances you have. So make sure to do regular maintenance checks, throughout the year to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in your premises. Neglecting this crucial aspect can have severe consequences for both your business and those who use it.
If you’re busy with other more urgent matters concerning your business, it might be worth your time to let us take this task off your hands. Get in touch, and let our qualified Heating Engineers take over. This way you can get productive focussing on other more pressing issues.
