New Gas Safety Policy and Procedure released

UCL Estates has released an updated Gas Safety Policy and a new Gas Safety Procedure. These documents ensure compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (GSIUR) across all UCL locations where natural gas or LPG is managed or worked on.

Why is this important?

Gas safety is critical due to the inherent risks of fire, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning from natural gas and LPG. UCL's new policy and procedure ensure compliance with safety regulations, mitigating these hazards. Adherence to these documents safeguards the UCL community, prevents injuries, property damage and ensures a secure environment by managing gas systems correctly.

What's covered in the policy?

• Scope: The policy and procedure cover the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and de-commissioning of facilities containing natural gas or LPG. This includes permanently installed pipework and equipment, gas service mains, gas-fired boilers, cookers, fires, air heaters, water heaters, and catering equipment, as well as locally stored LPG
• Exclusions: It is important to note that this policy and procedure do not cover the use of other special gases (e.g. nitrogen, hydrogen) used for medical or experimental purposes.
• Roles and Duties: Heads of Department are responsible for ensuring that all gas systems and appliances within their department are identified, assessed, and comply with legal requirements. This specifically applies to equipment contained within departmental laboratories, not building infrastructure like boilers or main pipework.
• Risk Assessments: Estates will ensure comprehensive risk assessments are completed for all Estates-owned gas appliances and infrastructure. Departments are required to prepare risk assessments for gas appliances and assets within their demised areas, such as laboratories, to ensure safe use and compliance with manufacturer instructions.
• Competency Requirements: A core aspect of the new procedure emphasises that all persons working on natural gas or LPG systems must be registered with an HSE-approved body, such as Gas Safe Register. UCL will use its Contractor Management system, Verature, to collate details of gas registration at both company and operative levels.

Suspect a gas leak? Act fast

If you suspect a gas leak, it is critical to act without delay to ensure everyone's safety. UCL will only use competent gas engineers to work on and test gas systems; any leaks must be investigated only by a competent gas engineer before the area is safe to work in.

Immediately report a suspected gas leak

• Contact UCL Customer Helpdesk: Suspected gas leaks must be reported to the UCL Helpdesk Customer helpdesk. Please contact the team on 020 7679 0000 or UCL ext 30000.

National Gas Emergency Service

• The Gas Safety Management Regulations place duties on Gas Transporters (GT) to provide a 24/7 gas emergency service on their Networks. They operate the National Gas Emergency free phone number: 0800 111 999.
• Emergency Service Providers (ESPs) aim for an uncontrolled response within 1 hour and controlled gas escapes within 2 hours.
• Anyone contacting the National Gas Emergency number will receive safety advice, including how to turn off the supply and ventilate the property.

Where can I get further information?

> UCL Gas Safety Policy and Procedure
> Departmental queries can be emailed to Glynn Barrow, Building Services Engineer (Mechanical) – Resident Engineer

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