1.1   This Standard supersedes IGEM/UP/19 Edition 1, Communication 1777, which is obsolete. 
 
1.2   This Standard has been drafted by a Panel appointed by the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers’ (IGEM’s) Gas Utilisation Committee, subsequently approved by that Committee, approved by the Technical Coordinating 
Committee and published by the authority of the Council of the Institution. 
 
1.3 Commercial Catering Establishments are generally defined as those preparing meals for the public other than in domestic situations.  
 
1.4 It is possible that natural ventilation could achieve adequate air quality in a kitchen environment but, for small spaces with a large cooker or large catering installations, the fitting of mechanical ventilation would normally be required. This may require extract canopies, but special care will be needed to ensure good air movement within the space to ensure a safe working environment. 
 
1.5 The application of mechanical ventilation will generally require the fitting of associated interlocks to ensure the safety of staff in respect of the air quality of their working environment. 
 
1.6 This Standard is not intended to deal with mechanical ventilation systems in domestic applications although the principles of safety may be similar if increased ventilation is necessary to meet the desired air quality. 
 
1.7     This Standard makes use of the terms “must”, “shall” and “should” notwithstanding Sub-Section 1.9, 

• the term “must” identifies a requirement by law in Great Britain (GB) at the time of publication 
• the term “shall” prescribes a requirement which, it is intended, will be complied with in full and without deviation 
• the term “should” prescribes a requirement which, it is intended, will be complied with unless, after prior consideration, deviation is considered to be acceptable. 

 
Such terms may have different meanings when used in legislation, or HSE ACoPs (Approved Code of Practice) or guidance, and reference needs to be made to such statutory legislation or official guidance for information on legal obligations. 
 
1.8 The primary responsibility for compliance with legal duties rests with the employer. The fact that certain employees, for example “responsible engineers” (e.g., suitably Gas Safe registered) are allowed to exercise their professional judgement does not allow employers to abrogate their primary responsibilities. 
 
Employers must: 

• have done everything to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that there are no better protective measures that can be taken other than relying on the exercise of professional judgement by “responsible engineers” 
• have done everything to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that “responsible engineers” have the skills, training, experience, and personal qualities necessary for the proper exercise of professional judgement • have systems and procedures in place to ensure that the exercise of professional judgement by “responsible engineers” is subject to appropriate monitoring and review  
• not require “responsible engineers” to undertake tasks which would necessitate the exercise of professional judgement that is not within their competence. There should be written procedures defining the extent to which “responsible engineers” can exercise their professional judgement. When “responsible engineers” are asked to undertake tasks which deviate from this they should refer the matter for higher review. 

 
1.9    Notwithstanding Sub-Section 1.7, this Standard does not make obligatory the use of any method or specification against the judgement of the “responsible engineer”. New and improved practices may be adopted prior to this Standard being updated. Amendments to this Standard will be issued when necessary and their publication will be announced in the Journal of IGEM and elsewhere as appropriate. 
 
1.10    It is now widely accepted that the majority of accidents in industry are in some measure attributable to human as well as technical factors in the sense that people’s actions initiated or contributed to the accidents or people might have acted better to avert them. 
 
It is therefore necessary to give proper consideration to the management of these human factors and to the control of risk. Further advice may be found in HSG65 and HSG48. 
 
1.11    Requests for interpretation of this Standard in relation to matters within its scope, but not precisely covered by the current text, should be either: 

• addressed to Technical Services, IGEM, IGEM House, 26 & 28 High Street, Kegworth, Derbyshire, DE74 2DA; or 
• emailed to [email protected]. 

 
These will be submitted to the relevant Committee for consideration and advice but in the context that the final responsibility is that of the engineer concerned. If any advice is given by or on behalf of IGEM, this does not imply acceptance of liability for the consequences and does not relieve the responsible engineer of any of their obligations. 
 
1.12     This Standard was published in July 2022. 
 
 

2.1     This Standard provides requirements for the design and application of various air flow and air quality interlock devices and associated systems used in conjunction with gas appliance installations in new commercial catering establishments, (see Figure 1).  

Note 1: Catering establishments will normally fall within the definition of a ‘Food Business’ in The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations. 
 
Note 2: This Standard does not apply to mobile catering installations or transportable temporary event catering installations. See Liquid Gas UK CoP 24, Part 3. 
 
2.2 This Standard applies to replacement of, or extension to, existing installations. It is not retrospective, but it is recommended that existing installations be modified to meet this Standard, when appropriate. 
Note: Standards rarely cover the retrospective issue of existing installations. They can, however, set a basis for consideration of performance upon which a risk assessment can be developed. Where appropriate, regular ventilation checks for CO2 levels need to be performed to maintain safety. 
 
It can be argued that any improvements in safety are better than none at all. It may be unreasonable to expect that an old installation is brought right up-to-date in all respects. Where a major refurbishment of the installation takes place, it would be reasonable to consider the installation as a new installation.  
2.3 This Standard provides the requirements for air quality testing of new and existing commercial catering establishments. 
 
2.4     This Standard applies to installations of maximum operating pressure (MOP) not 
exceeding 100 mbar supplied with Towns (manufactured) gas, Natural Gas (NG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), LPG/air, or biogases. 
 
2.5     Pressures quoted are gauge pressures unless otherwise stated. 
 
2.6     Italicised text is informative and does not represent formal requirements. 
 
2.7 Appendices are informative and do not represent formal requirements unless specifically referenced in the main sections via the prescriptive terms “must”, “shall” or “should”.