Gas Cookers

What are the main legal requirements for gas cookers?

If you sell or supply new or second-hand gas cookers:

• they must not have any gas leaks;
• they must have a door which is properly sealed so that no harmful gases produced by burning, (for example, carbon monoxide) can escape;
• if the cookers have an ignition switch, these must be working (or removed if not working);
• the flames must be steady and stable;
• they must not release carbon monoxide at a rate likely to cause injury or death;
• if the cookers are fitted with a shut-off device which turns off the gas if the flame accidentally goes out, these must be working;
• they must not give out a level of heat which is likely to be a fire risk or injure someone;
• if they have glass parts, these should be toughened glass;
• they must not have any sharp edges;
• they must be stable (not tip when a 15-kilogram load is put on the centre of the opened oven door, when the grill door is also open);
• if the cookers have pan supports, these should make sure that pans are stable and do not tip over;
• they must have ‘push and turn’ (or similar) knobs so that they cannot be turned accidentally;
• they must be safe if the gas supply is reduced or fails;
• they must have instructions on how to fit, use and maintain them;
• they must have labels showing which taps are for which burners and showing their on/off and high/low positions;
• if the cookers have a shutdown lid, they must have warnings not to close the lid when the gas is on (if they are not fitted with an automatic shut-off device); and
• they must be marked with the name of the manufacturer.

When you sell a gas cooker to a customer you must tell them that any gas appliances should only be installed by a fitter registered with Gas Safe www.gassaferegister.co.uk