Care homes in rural areas or off-gas-grid locations commonly use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for heating and cooking. LPG installations are subject to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and additionally to DSEAR 2002 for bulk tank installations.
Why this matters
LPG creates a higher ignition risk than mains gas because it is denser than air and accumulates at floor level in the event of a leak. Care homes that have inherited an LPG installation frequently lack current DSEAR risk assessments and emergency procedures.
What to do
- 1Confirm your annual gas safety check (CP12) covers all LPG appliances a single certificate covering both mains gas and LPG is acceptable if the engineer holds the relevant Gas Safe categories.
- 2For bulk LPG tank installations, obtain or update your DSEAR risk assessment this covers tank siting, exclusion zones, ignition source control and emergency procedures.
- 3Ensure staff know the LPG emergency isolation procedure: location of the tank isolation valve, that LPG sinks to the ground and accumulates in low-lying areas, and that the emergency number for your LPG supplier is posted at the tank.
- 4Check that your LPG tank installation meets LP Gas Association Code of Practice 1 Part 1 siting distances from the building and boundaries.
Primary source
LP Gas Association Code of Practice 1: Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations
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