| Reviewed by: | Suzanne Deadman 20 05 2025 |
| Ratified by: | Resources Committee, 05 06 2025 |
| Next Review: | Summer 2027 |
Contents
Introduction
Oakbridge federation Primary School is fed a gas supply through the mains. The effects of misuse or neglect of gas systems can be extremely serious. It is, therefore, particularly important for the school to consider potential risks when dealing with the gas installation and gas fuelled equipment.
The risks associated with the use of gas are:
- Fire
- Explosion
- Exposure to the by-products of combustion, such as carbon monoxide.
The main requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 are:
- To design gas installations safely and with a view to anticipated use
- To maintain gas installations in a safe condition
- To have an annual safety check on fixed gas appliances. This does not include mobile or portable appliances, such as heaters which operate from a cylinder.
- Only to allow GAS SAFE approved fitters to work on gas installations. Other requirements which our approved contractors must comply with are:
- To supply gas equipment which complies with current manufacturers’ standards.
- To use safe systems of work when installing and maintaining gas equipment.
Building Works
It is a requirement that when works are commissioned, which may affect the gas installation, building contractors make arrangements to identify the location of pipelines and appliances. If necessary, GAS SAFE approved contractors should be engaged to take appropriate action, such as removing pipes.
Maintenance & Servicing
All gas equipment is tested on an annual basis by an approved Gas Safe registered engineer. Records of these checks are kept in the Premises office.
Checklist:
Do not locate the following in basements:
- A gas storage tank/vessel
- An appliance fuelled by LPG which has an automatic ignition device or pilot light. Never allow anyone to interfere with gas equipment, installations or storage vessels and thereby cause a danger to other persons
Never allow anyone to interfere with electrical equipment/earth bonding cables associated with the gas installation and thereby cause danger to other persons.
Never store combustible materials in any meter box or compound or anywhere above or near fires even if they have guards on them.
Keep access to the emergency control (such as a gas shut off valve or stop cock) permanently available and visible / accessible.
Make sure markings and information on gas pipes and appliances are recognisable and a key or lever is attached to the valve spindle.
When installations have been completed, no changes should be made to the permanent ventilation arrangements in buildings unless a competent engineer has been consulted. Ensure all ceiling voids and duct risers are adequately ventilated.
Ensure any information provided by installers of equipment is kept available.
Ensure relevant employees (kitchen / premises / food tech staff) are informed of the emergency procedures to deal with gas incidents through appropriate signs and that they know the locations of emergency controls.
Emergencies
The Fire Alarm is connected to the Main Gas supply, and in the event of activation the supply is cut off. Following activation, the cause must be identified before re-connection of the Gas supply.
Stop buttons are fitted in the boiler room to dis-connect the supply in the event of an emergency
If there has been a Gas leak, or an incident of carbon monoxide poisoning the appropriate reporting must take place i.e.: CS2 and RIDDOR (see accident reporting policy)
Individual Responsibilities
No-one should use a gas appliance if they have reason to suspect that:
- There is an insufficient supply of air for the appliance
- The removal of products of combustion is not being carried out
- There is inadequate oxygen for the people in the room
- There is any gas escaping from the appliance or fittings
- There is a fault on the appliance making it dangerous.
If any of the above applies the appliance must be labelled unsafe and shut off until further action can be taken. A commissioning certificate should be obtained before re-use.
No person should carry out any work to a gas installation or equipment unless they are competent, have been authorised to do so and are GAS SAFE registered. https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/ 0800 408 5500.
All those who are registered carry a Gas Safe ID card, which shows the type of work they are qualified to do and whether their qualifications are up to date.
Gas Escapes – In the Event of a Leak.
Gas emergency services 0800 111 999*
Call free 24 hours a day, seven days a week If you:
- Can smell gas
- Think you have a gas leak
- Are worried about carbon monoxide fumes
- Are worried about carbon monoxide fumes
Portable Gas Appliances
The use of portable gas appliances is prohibited, except where no other equipment is suitable, and would be subject to a specific risk assessment.
PRESSURE SYSTEMS
Oakbrige Federation will take all necessary steps to comply with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000.
It is recognised that the Regulations apply to all pressure systems on site containing steam at any pressure, or a gas, or a liquid, or a mixture of both at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure or hot water above 110 degrees.
The Regulations aim to prevent serious injury from the hazards of stored energy as a result of the failure of a Pressure System or one of its component parts.
Causes of accidents / incidents.
- Poor equipment/system design.
- Poor maintenance of equipment.
- Unsafe systems of work.
- Operator error.
- Poor training/supervision.
- Bad installation.
- Inadequate repairs or modifications.
What is a Pressure System?
A ‘Pressure System’ is a system comprising of one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction and associated pipe-work and protective devices, e.g., boiler, steam engines, air receivers, pressure gauges, pipe-work and protective devices.
Examples:
- Boilers and steam heating systems.
- Pressurised plant and piping. •
- Valves, steam traps and filters.
- Pipe-work and hoses.
- Pressure gauges and level indicators.
- Calorifiers, water heaters. Main Hazards
- Impact from blast of explosion or release of compresses gas/fluid.
- Impact from equipment parts that fail or flying debris such as glass.
- Contact with released gas/fluid such as steam/chemicals.
- Fire resulting from escape of flammable liquids
Information
Sufficient written information should be obtained from any manufacturer / supplier of pressure systems / equipment.
New equipment should display a CE mark and be issued with a Certificate of Conformity. (N.B. this is not a safety standard)
The Pressure Systems must be labelled/identified with the following:
- Manufacturers name.
- Serial number.
- Date of manufacturer.
- Standard to which built.
- Maximum allowable pressure.
- Design temperature.
It is a legal offence to remove or falsify any such markings. All newly installed equipment, must be suitable for its intended purpose and installed correctly.
Safety Devices
Any pressure systems should be fitted with protective devices and regular checks undertaken to ensure they function properly.
- Regular checks and servicing should be undertaken by a competent contractor to ensure suitable protective devices are fitted to the vessels, or pipework (e.g., safety valves and any electronic devices which cause shutdown when the pressure, temperature or liquid or gas level exceed permissible limits).
- All protective devices should be checked regularly by a competent person to ensure they have been adjusted to the correct settings.
- If warning devices are fitted, regular checks should be undertaken by a competent person to ensure they are noticeable, either by sight or sound.
- All protective devices are kept in good working order at all times. And that, once set, protective devices cannot be altered except by an authorised person.
Oakbrige Federation will always appoint a Competent Person to carry out an annual examination of its pressure systems, and will provide adequate and suitable instructions to employees who have to operate / monitor pressure systems.
- this may include onsite training
- supervision
- provision of data and, if necessary, schematic or flow diagrams to help with the identification of important controls, valves, etc.
Competent person
- Premises manager will ensure that the competent person has the necessary knowledge, experience and independence to undertake the functions required of them.
A competent person may be:
- an individual person (e.g. a self-employed person); or
- an organisation providing independent inspection services.
Oakbrige Federation will ensure that its pressure systems are properly maintained in good repair so as to prevent danger and will ensure that it keeps the correct documentation.
This documentation will consist of the following:
- a written scheme of examination of the pressure systems
- the last report of examination of the pressure systems made by the Competent Person
- any other reports if they contain relevant data to assist safe operation, or referring to repairs and modifications and
- information referring to data supplied by the designers or manufacturers.
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed every two years by the resources committee or sooner if required.