13 July 2018
The Health and Safety Inspectorate (HSI) has written to all known cleaning companies in Jersey that carry out an oven cleaning service using a vehicle equipped with a hot water tank that is heated by a gas supply on the vehicle.
This initiative followed a matter of concern reported to the Inspectorate by Jersey Fire and Rescue Service.
Oven cleaning services often use a van equipped with a water tank in the vehicle to soak parts of the oven in very hot water and cleaning chemicals. The hot water is generally heated by a burner supplied by pipework from a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) canister mounted in the vehicle.
This arrangement is considered to be a ‘gas appliance’ and will require periodic (at least annual) inspection by a competent gas engineer.
In order to operate these appliances safely, users should:
- check that all gas appliances used in connection with work are CE marked
- check that the gas appliance is fitted with a flame supervision device (these shut off the gas supply automatically if the flame disappears)
- ensure that LPG cylinders carried in the vehicle are securely strapped into the vehicle with the valves uppermost and that an LPG warning sign is displayed on the outside of the vehicle
- ensure that all persons that use the gas appliance are trained in how to use it and how to carry out visual checks for obvious faults
- ensure that appliances are not in use while the vehicle is in motion and that the gas supply is turned off at the cylinder
- have the appliance inspected at least annually by an independent competent gas engineer who will provide a safety record for the appliance
Further information is available in 'UKLPG Code of Practice 24 – Part 3: Use of LPG for Commercial Catering Events, Street Food and Mobile Catering'.
This publication is available from UKLPG's website and sets out the requirements for gas-fired appliances and systems supplied from LPG cylinders, in mobile commercial catering vehicles and similar commercial units.
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