There are plenty of businesses making use of gas appliances nowadays – from gas ovens to boilers, cookers, and more. But even though gas appliances bring plenty of benefits for the commercial enterprise, there are still some responsibilities business owners and establishments have in ensuring that their gas systems are installed well – and also well-maintained.
As a business owner, it is your duty to follow various regulations in safety when it comes to installing, operating, and maintaining gas systems and appliances. So what are you responsible for? Let’s find out.
Your Foremost Responsibility
Your most basic responsibility – as a business owner is to make sure that the engineer who will install as well as maintain and repair your gas system and appliances is competent and qualified. Additionally, you have to make sure that your gas system, including the pipework, flues, and appliances are maintained regularly. As a business owner, it is also your duty to make certain that the rooms or areas which contain gas appliances are properly ventilated – air inlets should never be blocked, and chimneys and flues should not have any obstructions which block the proper ventilation of the area.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
For the installation, maintenance, or repair of pipework and appliances, always use a professional. If you think that a gas appliance is unsafe or dangerous, stop using it and tell your staff not to use it. If necessary, place a warning sign on the appliance to prevent anyone from using it, and call a gas engineer as soon as you can.
In Case of Emergency
If you think there may be a leak in your commercial premises, make sure the supply is turned off as soon as possible. Contact the NGES or National Gas Emergency Service immediately if you are using natural gas. If you are using LPG, contact your supplier right away.
Even if you are still unsure about the leak, you should have your premises evacuated immediately. Call the police if necessary. Reminder: never turn the supply back on until the leak has been checked by a qualified professional, such as those from www.milgas.co.uk.
Additional Factors to Remember
If you are a commercial enterprise engaged in catering, for example, you should know that explosions can be triggered by un-burnt gas which is suddenly ignited. You need to prepare for such instances by having explosion relief procedures in place and making sure you have flame/fire protection equipment on hand. The equipment you use should also be designed as well as operated in such a way that there are no harmful levels of CO or carbon monoxide produced. There should also be a safe procedure in place for operating appliances; including purging, lighting up, and shutting down, as Milgas gas engineers (see www.milgas.co.uk) would always tell you.