The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations amend the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 (“the principal Regulations”).

2.  Regulation 4 of these Regulations amends regulation 2(1) of the principal Regulations by—

(a) altering the definition of “emergency control”, “gas appliance”, “gas fittings”, “installation pipework”, “primary meter”, “service pipe” and “service valve”;

(b) adding the definition of “gas water heater” and “re-fillable cylinder”; and

(c) removing the definition of “primary meter installation” and “public gas supplier”.

3.  Regulation 5 of these Regulations amends regulation 2(4) of the principal Regulations so that the principal Regulations are further disapplied in respect of—

(a) specified premises deemed to be a factory under the Factories Act 1961, that is, electrical stations, institutions, docks and ships;

(b) premises used for testing gas fittings; and

(c) premises used for treating sewage.

4.  Regulation 6 of these Regulations amends regulation 2(5) of the principal Regulations so that the disapplication of the principal Regulations is limited with respect to self-propelled vehicles and specified vessels.

5.  Regulation 2(6) of the principal Regulations, which is introduced by regulation 7 of these Regulations, disapplies the principal Regulations in respect of propulsion systems for vehicles and bunsen burners in laboratories of educational establishments.

6.  Regulation 8 of these Regulations amends regulation 3(3) of the principal Regulations so that work in respect of a gas storage vessel is not required to be carried out by a member of a class of persons approved by the Health and Safety Executive (“the Executive”).

7.  Regulation 3(3A) of the principal Regulations, which is introduced by regulation 9 of these Regulations, provides that the replacement of specified hoses and regulators is not subject to the requirement that such work must be carried out by a member of a class of persons approved by the Executive.

8.  Regulation 6(10) of the principal Regulations, which is introduced by regulation 10 of these Regulations, prohibits the storing or keeping of natural gas on domestic premises.

9.  Regulation 8(3) of the principal Regulations, which is introduced by regulation 11 of these Regulations, requires an employer or self-employed person to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the preceding provisions of regulation 8 (existing gas fittings) are complied with.

10.  Regulations 14 and 15 of these Regulations amend respectively the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3) of regulation 14 of the principal Regulations regarding the installation of regulators in specified circumstances.

11.  Regulation 34(1A) of the principal Regulations, which is introduced by regulation 19 of these Regulations, amends the definition of “responsible person” for the purposes of paragraph (1) of regulation 34 concerning the reporting of unsafe gas appliances.

12.  Regulation 35A of the principal Regulations, which is introduced by regulation 21 of these Regulations (and which replaces former paragraphs (2) to (4) of regulation 35 of the principal Regulations)—

(a) clarifies the duties of landlords in respect of the maintenance of gas appliances and installation pipework by confining those duties to relevant gas fittings and relevant premises (as respectively defined);

(b) extends the duty of maintenance to flues;

(c) requires maintenance and safety checks to be carried out by a member of a class of persons approved by the Executive; and

(d) provides for specified matters to be included in a safety check carried out for the purposes of this regulation.

13.  In addition there are a number of minor or consequential amendments to the principal Regulations.

14.  A copy of the cost benefit assessment prepared in respect of these Regulations can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, Gas Safety Policy Section, Safety Policy Directorate, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London, SE1 9HS. A copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.