Gas Installations
Any work on gas appliances or pipework in the UK legally has to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer — this isn't optional guidance, it's a legal safety requirement, because incorrect gas work is a genuine risk of fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide poisoning. This page covers installation of gas appliances and pipework beyond boilers specifically (which have their own dedicated pages).
What's Included
- Gas pipework installation and alteration
- Gas appliance connection (hobs, fires, and similar)
- Safety certification for all completed gas work
- Carried out to current Gas Safe regulations
How It Works
- 1 Confirm exactly what appliance or pipework change is needed
- 2 Plan the safest, most appropriate pipe route or connection point
- 3 Carry out the installation to current regulations
- 4 Test for safety (tightness testing, ventilation, flue where relevant) and issue the appropriate certification
Common Issues
- • Connecting a new gas appliance (hob, fire) safely
- • Altering existing gas pipework for a kitchen or room change
- • Confirming whether existing gas work was carried out to current standards
Pricing: Quoted per job depending on the installation (indicative — confirm actual pricing with Rainbow Fix Ltd)
Gas Installations — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a gas appliance myself if I'm confident doing DIY?
No — legally, any gas work in a UK home must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, regardless of DIY confidence or general plumbing experience. This isn't a recommendation, it's a legal requirement (under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations), because gas work carries risks — fire, explosion, and carbon monoxide poisoning — that aren't always obvious even when the work looks straightforward.
How do I check an engineer is genuinely Gas Safe registered?
Every Gas Safe registered engineer carries an ID card with their licence number and the specific categories of gas work they're qualified for (not all registered engineers are qualified for every type of gas work), and you can check this against the official Gas Safe Register. It's reasonable, and sensible, to ask to see this card before work starts, or to check the register yourself beforehand.
Do I need a new gas safety certificate every time I have gas work done?
A completed installation or alteration should come with documentation confirming it was tested and is safe, but this is different from a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), which is an annual legal requirement specifically for rental properties covering all gas appliances in the property, not just newly installed ones. Which certificate is relevant depends on what work was done and whether the property is rented out.
I can smell gas faintly near an appliance — is that an emergency?
Yes, treat any suspected gas smell as an emergency: don't operate electrical switches, turn off the gas at the meter if you can safely reach it, ventilate the area by opening windows and doors, leave the property, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 immediately — this is a national emergency line, not something to wait on a routine callout for.