Technical Bulletin 025 – Responsibilities when disconnecting or reconnecting gas cooking appliances utilising self-sealing connectors

Date issued: 3 August 2026

Note: This version of Technical Bulletin (TB) 025 replaces the version originally published on 14 November 2014, which is now withdrawn. This version has been reviewed and revised, where appropriate, to ensure that it remains both current and relevant.

Introduction

The debate around who is permitted to disconnect and reconnect a self-sealing connector (or bayonet fitting) serving a gas cooker has led to different opinions being offered, eg, where appliances are disconnected and reconnected by other trades as part of a property refurbishment, or by a removal and/or storage company. 

The aim of this Technical Bulletin is to clarify the requirements of the relevant legislation, to ensure that any person involved in any kitchen refurbishment process or similar activities, is working within the requirements of the law (see also Appendix 1 for details of relevant regulations and guidance).

Legislation

The primary legislation relevant to the safe installation, maintenance and use of gas systems and appliances in Great Britain is the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) (see Note 1). This legislation, along with the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance – Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances (ACoP)(1) – published by HSE, describes what is considered ‘work in relation to a gas fitting’ (‘gas work’) and provides guidance on what needs to be considered when disconnecting and/or reconnecting any self-sealing appliance connector (see also Appendix 1 for relevant regulations and guidance).

Note 1: Similar legislative requirements apply in other geographical areas covered by Gas Safe Register. For details of current gas safety legislation, building legislation and industry standards for the geographical areas covered by Gas Safe Register, see the Legislative, Normative & Informative Document List (LNIDL)(2) by logging into your online account at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/sign-in/.

Note 2: For further guidance on what is regarded as ‘gas work’ when undertaking ‘Work’ as defined in GSIUR see TB 014(3) (see also Note 1).

Where a gas cooker is installed for the first time or repositioned permanently, it is considered gas work within the meaning of the GSIUR and must therefore be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer who holds the appropriate proof of competence.

The temporary disconnection/reconnection (at the same location) of a self-sealing appliance connector where a gas cooker is not being installed for the first time or repositioned permanently is NOT deemed gas work and therefore may be carried out by a non-registered person(s): for example, when a homeowner temporarily removes the cooker when cleaning. 

The alteration of any gas installation pipework to allow the cooker to be permanently repositioned is considered gas work.

Disconnection of a cooker

When a person AT WORK disconnects or re-connects a self-sealing connector, they must be competent to a level that will ensure that the action of doing so does not cause gas to escape. It is recommended that proprietary bayonet blanking fittings are fitted to the bayonet opening until the appliance is to be reconnected. 

While a self-sealing connector is considered an appropriate fitting, where a cooker is being permanently removed, it is advised that a suitable fitting (such as a screwed plug or cap) is installed in place of the self-sealing connector. This option would involve gas work and is only to be carried out by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. 

Conclusion

Where any alteration is to be made to a premises that involves gas work as defined under GSIUR or where it may affect the safe operation of a gas appliance/installation, the responsible person for that work needs to ensure that a registered gas engineer is consulted. Such consultation is essential before any refurbishment work starts and may be required both during and after its completion. This will help to ensure that the gas appliance(s)/installation remain safe to be used.

Note 3: For general information about the process behind the development of Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins and the expectations for all stakeholders, see TB 1000(4).

Bibliography

• Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances – Gas safety (Installation and Use) Regulations1998 Approved Code of Practice and Guidance – L56 (Forth Edition) 2013 – http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l56.pdf 

• LNIDL – Gas Safe Register Legislative, Normative & Informative Document List 

• TB 014 – Gas Work
• TB 1000 – An introduction to Gas Safe Register Technical Bulletins

Appendix 1

Legislation

The following requirements/guidance is taken from the GSIUR and the ACoP to the GSIUR in Great Britain (GB) (see Legislation in the main part of this Technical Bulletin).

Regulation 2(1) of GSIUR defines work as: 

“Work” in relation to a gas fitting includes any of the following activities carried out by any person, whether an employee or not, that is to say –

• installing or re-connecting the fitting;

• maintaining, servicing, permanently adjusting, disconnecting, repairing, altering or renewing the fitting or purging it of air or gas;

• where the fitting is not readily movable, changing its position; and removing the fitting.

• Removing the fitting;

but the expression does not include the connection or disconnection of a bayonet fitting or other self-sealing connector.”

Guidance Note 57 to Regulation 2(1) states: 

“For the purpose of the definition of ‘work’, readily movable appliances include appliances such as laboratory Bunsen burners and mobile barbecues, which are readily portable. Other appliances, eg, free-standing cookers connected by standard flexible hose, are not considered to be ‘readily movable’, but can be moved temporarily, eg, to clean the space they normally occupy; this type of activity is not regarded as ‘work’ within the meaning of GSIUR. (Where an appliance is connected by means of a bayonet fitting, this will need to be disconnected before moving the appliance – such disconnection is also excluded from the definition of ‘work’, as is the connection or re-connection of this type of fitting.”

Regulation 6(3) of GSIUR states:

“Any person who disconnects a gas fitting shall, with the appropriate fitting, seal off every outlet of every pipe to which it is connected.”

Guidance Note 119 to Regulation 6(3) of GSIUR states:

“This regulation is largely intended to deal with situations in which gas appliances are removed, for instance because they are no longer needed or are being taken away when owners moved home. When an appliance is disconnected and open-ended pipework is left, the pipework should always be left sealed with an appropriate fitting”.

Regulation 6(5) of GSIUR states:

“No person searching for an escape of gas shall use any source of ignition.”

Guidance Notes 121 to Regulation 6(5) of GSIUR states: 

“This prohibition extends to householders and other members of the general public.”

Guidance Notes 122 to Regulation 6(5) of GSIUR states: 

“The source of leaks should be located by sense of smell, gas detection instruments approved for use in flammable atmospheres, leak detection fluids, pressure test equipment or a combination of these methods.”

Regulation 8(1) of GSIUR states:

“No person shall make any alteration to any premises in which a gas fitting or gas storage vessel is fitted if that alteration would adversely affect the safety of the fitting or vessel in such a manner that, if the fitting or the vessel had been installed after the alteration, there would have been a contravention of, or failure to comply with, these Regulations.” 

Guidance Note 139 to Regulation 8(1) states:

“This regulation embraces a wide range of physical alterations to premises that might affect the safety of an existing gas fitting or gas storage vessel installed in the premises where the alteration is to be made (see paragraph 146). Before a significant alteration to premises where a gas appliance is installed (eg, installation or removal of windows, air bricks, extractor fan units, etc) any implications for gas appliance/fitting safety should be properly addressed.” 

Regulation 8(2) of GSIUR states:

“No person shall do anything which would affect a gas fitting or any flue or means of ventilation used in connection with the fitting in such a manner that the subsequent use of the fitting might constitute a danger to any person, except that this paragraph does not apply to an alteration to premises.”

Guidance Note 147 to Regulation 8(2) states: 

“This regulation applies to everyone, not just gas installers. It supplements regulation 8(1), by prohibiting other activities (ie, except alteration to premises) which have the potential to compromise safety. This might, for instance, include modifications which cause blockage/obstruction of an air supply vent or flue, or incorrect installation of an air extraction or condensation control unit. As with regulation 8(1), it is essential for the implications of any such change or modification to be properly addressed before work is commenced, to ensure that gas safety cannot be prejudiced in any way.”

Guidance Note 148 to Regulation 8(2) states: 

“Modification of any gas fitting should be made only by a competent person who is, or is employed by, a member of an HSE approved class of persons (eg, Gas Safe registered) under regulation 3(3). Alterations not comprising ‘work’ on a gas fitting but which nevertheless may affect gas safety (eg, a change to the provision of ventilation in a room) should also be made only by a competent person. Similarly, any significant modification needs to be checked by a competent person before the gas fitting concerned is taken into use, to ensure that appropriate standards have been met and safety has not been compromised (see regulation 26(9)).”

Note A1: Similar legislative requirements apply in other geographical areas covered by Gas Safe Register (see also Note 1 in main part of this Technical Bulletin).