If you own an office block, restaurant unit, warehouse or shop in London, the building probably runs on gas. Commercial boilers, catering equipment, pipework and heating systems all need regular care. As the landlord, some of that responsibility may fall to you.
The rules for commercial premises are different from those for residential lettings, and many landlords get caught out by this. A specialist engineering firm can help you stay on top of your duties. UK Commercial Gas Ltd is a UK-based commercial and industrial gas engineering company. It provides gas installation, maintenance, testing and repair services to businesses, commercial property owners and industrial facilities throughout the United Kingdom.
This guide explains which laws apply, who is responsible for what, and how to keep your buildings safe and compliant.
Which Gas Safety Laws Apply to Commercial Property?
Two main laws cover gas safety in commercial buildings.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 set out how gas appliances, pipework and flues must be installed and maintained across Great Britain. Regulation 35 requires employers and self-employed people to keep gas appliances, pipework and flues safe in any workplace they control.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 adds a wider duty. Section 4 of the Act places duties on people who control non-domestic premises, and that often includes commercial landlords. So you may have legal duties for gas safety even if you don’t run a business from the building yourself.
Do Commercial Landlords Need a Gas Safety Certificate?
Not automatically. The annual landlord gas safety check, often called a CP12, comes from Regulation 36. Regulation 36 applies to rented homes, not business premises. If gas equipment only serves non-residential areas, the law doesn’t require that particular annual check.
The equipment still can’t be left alone, though. Workplace safety law requires commercial gas installations to be kept safe, and most engineers treat an annual service as the minimum.
What About Mixed-Use Buildings?
Mixed-use buildings are harder to work out. A common London example is a shop or restaurant on the ground floor with flats above. If a shared boiler in a commercial plant room heats those flats, Regulation 36 may apply to it, and you could need an annual landlord gas safety record after all. Check this before you book an inspection.
Who Is Responsible: Landlord or Tenant?
Responsibility usually depends on three things: what the lease says, who owns the equipment and who controls the space it’s in.
As a general guide:
- Landlords often look after shared boilers, communal heating, plant rooms and pipework serving several units.
- Tenants usually maintain equipment installed only for their own business, such as a restaurant’s cooking ranges.
Your lease should say who arranges servicing, who pays for repairs and how engineers will get access. However, a lease can’t remove duties set by health and safety law. The safest approach is to agree to a clear maintenance plan with your tenants so nothing gets missed.
Types of Gas Equipment in Commercial Buildings
Each type of installation needs its own checks and maintenance.
Commercial Boilers and Heaters
Commercial boilers supply heating and hot water to offices, hotels, shopping centres and other business premises. During a service, an engineer checks the burners, flues, safety controls and combustion performance. Warm air heaters and radiant tube heaters, which are common in warehouses and industrial units, also need regular servicing.
Commercial Gas Pipework
Commercial gas pipework carries natural gas or LPG to boilers, kitchens and industrial equipment. Engineers inspect the pipework, valves and joints they can reach. New installations, alterations and suspected leaks may also need tightness testing, purging and commissioning. Specialist firms such as UK Commercial Gas provide industrial gas pipework, gas testing, purging, servicing and certification as part of this work.
Commercial Kitchens
Restaurants and cafés often run gas appliances for long hours every day. A catering gas inspection covers the appliances, the ventilation and safety devices such as gas interlocks. A gas interlock cuts the gas supply if the extraction fan fails. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) treats annual inspections as a reasonable minimum, though busy kitchens may need more frequent checks.
Gas Safety Planning for Larger Buildings
Large London developments often have connected systems serving many tenants. These can include central boilers, gas boosters, industrial pipework and sometimes combined heat and power (CHP) units. A gas-fired CHP system generates electricity on site and captures the heat for use in the building. That makes it efficient, but it also makes it more complex to maintain, and it needs engineers with specialist knowledge of commercial plants.
On complex sites, your maintenance plan should cover access to the plant, how and when the gas will be isolated, and which contractor is responsible for each part of the system. UK Commercial Gas supports both small commercial premises and large industrial projects. Its services cover each stage of a system’s life: initial assessment, system design, installation, testing, maintenance and decommissioning. It also provides project-specific solutions for commercial, industrial and hospitality clients.
Why Your Engineer’s Gas Safe Registration Matters
By law, gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is competent for the job. Registration alone doesn’t cover every job, though. Commercial boilers, catering equipment, LPG and industrial systems each need their own qualifications. An engineer who is qualified to work on domestic boilers may not be qualified for commercial ones.
Before you book anyone, ask to see their Gas Safe ID card. The back of the card lists the work they’re qualified to do, so you can check it matches your equipment. The Gas Safe Register website also lets you look up an engineer’s details. Specialist firms such as UK Commercial Gas employ Gas Safe registered commercial gas engineers to carry out commercial and industrial gas work.
What Happens During a Commercial Gas Inspection?
The exact checks depend on the equipment and the reason for the visit. An engineer will typically:
- examine appliances and the pipework they can reach
- test safety devices and controls
- inspect burners and ignition parts
- check combustion performance where needed
- assess flues and ventilation
- look for leaks and faulty connections
- record any defects and recommended repairs
Afterwards, you should get a written report that lists the equipment checked and any problems found. A routine service, a safety inspection and a formal gas safety record aren’t always the same thing, so confirm what your premises need before the engineer arrives.
How Often Should Commercial Gas Systems Be Serviced?
Most commercial gas appliances need a service at least once a year, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Equipment that runs constantly or works hard may need more frequent checks. The same goes for older equipment that is showing signs of wear.
A register of every gas appliance and its service history makes this much easier to manage. Many property managers use a planned preventative maintenance programme to schedule visits, track repairs and catch problems early.
What to Do If You Suspect a Gas Leak
A gas leak needs action straight away because of the risk of fire or explosion. If you smell gas or suspect a leak:
- Don’t use light switches, electrical equipment, naked flames or anything that could cause a spark.
- Open doors and windows if it’s safe to do so.
- Turn off the gas supply at the meter or emergency control valve if you can reach it safely.
- Get everyone out of the affected area.
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Equipment that might be unsafe must stay out of use until a qualified engineer has inspected it and made any repairs. UK Commercial Gas offers emergency repair services and works seven days a week. It also helps to have a written emergency procedure so staff and tenants know how to report a problem.
Keeping Your Commercial Property Gas Safe
Good gas safety management comes down to a few simple steps:
- List all the gas equipment in each property.
- Check your leases to confirm who controls and maintains each item.
- Use Gas Safe engineers who are qualified for commercial work.
- Fix any defects quickly.
- Keep clear records of inspections and repairs.
Getting these basics right protects your tenants, their staff and visitors, and keeps your London buildings running smoothly all year.
