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In any and all commercial catering establishments that use gas cooking appliances, you're required to have a gas interlock system in place, in order to comply with BS 6173 and IGEM/UP/19, and this should always be installed by a professional, qualified gas engineer.

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What is a Gas Interlock System?

Gas interlock systems provide a fail-safe that helps to maintain safety within the kitchen and reduce the risk of an accident occurring. Gas interlock systems restrict and prevent gas supply to any appliances from being turned on until your ventilation system is fully operational. Gas interlock systems such as the Merlin CT1650+ ventilation interlock system are designed specifically for use in commercial kitchens to meet BS6173. The Merlin CT1650+ acts as an interlock between the ventilation system and the gas solenoid valve. The system uses unique built in current monitors displaying the exact fan current, in order to interlock with the ventilation with precise accuracy. All of our systems, also includes an emergency stop button in order to safely shut the system off. All of our gas interlock systems work in a similar way to prevent potential accidents from occurring.

Why Do I Need a Gas Interlock System?

As we've mentioned, any business operating a commercial kitchen needs to ensure they have a gas interlock system fitted by a specialist to meet British Standard BS6173. If you fail to have a gas interlock system fitted by a specialist, then it could result in the following:

  • Unacceptable health and safety risks to employees working within the kitchen, as well as the general public visiting the establishment.
  • You face potential prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive.
  • Closure of the kitchen/business until such safety systems have been installed and meet all gas safety requirements.
  • Fines that could threaten the financial future of your business.

No business wants to deal with fines and even potential closure. As such, it is essential that any and all businesses that operate a kitchen have a gas interlock system fitted properly by a specialist.

Is a Gas Interlock System a Mandatory Requirement?

It is a legal and mandatory requirement for all new and refurbished commercial kitchens to have a gas interlock system installed by a professional. 

How Does a Gas Interlock System Work?

A gas interlock system cuts off gas flow to applications in the event of kitchen extract fan failures in order to maintain safety within the kitchen and reduce the risk of an accident occurring. Many gas interlock systems such as the Merlin CT1650+ ventilation interlock system are designed specifically for use in commercial kitchens to meet BS6173.

Gas Safety Obligations

Your obligations according to the Gas Safety (installation and use regulations) 1998 and the Gas Appliance (safety regulations) 1995 are as follows:

1. As a commercial kitchen owner, you are required to ensure that all gas appliances, pipework, fuels, as well as safety devices are safe to use and in good working conditions. If they aren't you're required to ensure they're repaired to a safe and working condition.

2. While the frequency of equipment inspections may vary depending on the type of appliances you own within your kitchen and their use. The law states that you should ensure that your gas appliances are inspected a minimum of once per year and when necessary all repairs are carried out by a professional.

3. You are required to ensure that your employees, especially those that work with and operate gas appliances, are fully trained on how to use the appliances and how to carry out visual inspections when required in order to enable them to identify any potential faults.

4. The people you hire to install your gas appliances should be competent, well trained and qualified. Ensure that they are certified. Having a certificate is one way of proving that they passed the GSIUR examination.

Health and safety Executive: Ventilation in Catering Kitchens

Who can work with Gas Interlock Systems?

Gas interlock systems must be installed and worked on/with by F-GAS 2079 certified engineers to meet the Gas Safety regulations. It is also illegal for anyone who is not Gas Safe registered to carry out any work on a gas interlock system as this . Always ensure that any subcontractor hired to maintain your gas interlock systems is suitably qualified.