A commercial gas cooker in a care home kitchen labelled "Danger, do not use" by the previous engineer was still in active use by kitchen staff. Multiple leaking valve taps, no accessible test nipple, undersized supply pipework. Cooker isolated and labelled under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.
Attended site, signed in, and liaised with management. Located the gas hob appliance in the basement kitchen area.
A warning sticker on the left-hand door of the appliance stated "Danger, do not use", presumably from a previous engineer. Despite the warning, kitchen staff were still operating the appliance and serving food cooked on it.
Spoke with the chef on site. They confirmed that the appliance had experienced faults the previous week, including the gas flame repeatedly blowing out during operation. They had continued to use it because there was no alternative cooker in the kitchen.
Carried out an inspection of the gas pipework throughout the kitchen area. No leaks detected on the main pipework.
However, there was no accessible test nipple installed within the kitchen, which prevents proper testing and commissioning to current standards.
Further inspection of the appliance itself identified multiple leaking gas valve taps on the cooker (the taps were unable to hold off when set to "off"). This is dangerous use of gas regardless of the warning label, and was the cause of the flame-out faults the chef had described.
Due to the unsafe condition of the appliance, we immediately isolated and disconnected the gas cooker from the supply. The gas supply valve was shut off. Warning and Danger labels were applied to the appliance, the isolation valve and the associated pipework to prevent further use of the cooker.
A Gas Warning Notice was filed for the property.
We also inspected the mains water inlet pressure-reducing valve (PRV) at the request of the manager. PRV was faulty and leaking, replacement required. Office advised that replacement parts were already on order via a separate plumbing contractor.
Gas isolation visit including Gas Warning Notice typically £180-£280 + VAT. Replacement commercial cooker install with pipework upgrade typically £2,500-£4,500 + VAT depending on appliance specification and gas-supply rework.
Gas Safe registered. From £150 + VAT. Multi-site portfolios welcome. Care, hospitality, office FM.
