A Domestic Gas Safety Certificate (often referred to as a CP12 or Gas Safety Record) confirms that your gas appliances have been inspected and found to be safe at the time of the inspection.

Whether you're a landlord meeting your legal responsibilities or a homeowner looking for added peace of mind, this guide explains what you can expect when you book a Domestic Gas Safety Certificate with EPM.

Before Your Appointment

There's very little you need to do before we arrive.

If possible, please ensure there is clear access to all gas appliances included in the inspection. We may also need to inspect the full length of the flue where accessible. If part of the flue runs through a loft or roof space, please ensure this area is accessible where it is safe to do so.

If there are any parking restrictions or access instructions, please let us know before the appointment.

This guide relates to domestic natural gas appliances. If you have LPG or oil-fired appliances, please let us know when booking so we can arrange for a suitably qualified engineer to attend.

What Happens During the Visit?

When your Gas Safe engineer arrives, they'll carry out a visual inspection of each gas appliance included in the inspection.

This typically includes checking the appliance, gas installation, ventilation requirements where applicable, accessible flues, appliance operation and carrying out the necessary gas safety checks.

The engineer will also carry out a gas tightness test where appropriate and check that any carbon monoxide alarms are present and operating correctly.

Once the inspection has been completed, your engineer will explain any observations made during the visit. If the installation meets the required safety standards, a Domestic Gas Safety Record (CP12) will be issued.

How Long Does It Usually Take?

A Domestic Gas Safety Certificate covering up to two appliances typically takes around 1 hour.

Additional appliances will increase the appointment time.

Things That Could Affect the Job

While most gas safety inspections are straightforward, every property is different. Occasionally we may find:

• An appliance is found to be unsafe.

• An appliance cannot be fully tested due to an existing fault.

• Parts of the flue aren't accessible for inspection.

• Additional gas appliances are present that weren't included when the appointment was booked.

If we discover anything that significantly changes the scope of work or identify any safety concerns, we'll explain our findings and discuss the available options before carrying out any additional work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally required to have a valid Gas Safety Record for rental properties. Homeowners aren't legally required to have one, but many choose to have a gas safety inspection for additional peace of mind.

Is a Gas Safety Certificate the same as a boiler service?

No. A Gas Safety Certificate is a safety inspection carried out to confirm that gas appliances are operating safely at the time of the inspection. A boiler service is a maintenance service completed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations to help keep the appliance operating safely and efficiently.

How long does a Gas Safety Certificate take?

A standard inspection covering up to two appliances usually takes around one hour.

What happens if you find a fault?

If we identify a fault or safety concern during the inspection, we'll explain our findings and discuss the available options before carrying out any additional work.

Related Services

Many customers choose to combine other annual gas safety and maintenance services during the same visit.

You may also wish to consider:

• Domestic Boiler Service – Helps keep your boiler operating safely and efficiently while maintaining many manufacturers' warranties.

• Domestic Unvented Cylinder Service – Manufacturers recommend annual servicing to ensure the cylinder and its safety devices continue to operate correctly.

• Carbon Monoxide Alarm Supply & Installation – An important safety measure for any home with gas appliances.

Combining services can often be more convenient and may reduce the number of appointments required throughout the year.

Key Points

Typical appointment: Around 1 hour (up to two appliances)

Engineer required: One Gas Safe engineer

Typical visits: Usually one

Materials: No materials are normally required unless faults are identified or additional work is requested.

Property disruption: Individual gas appliances will be turned off as required during testing. Any appliance inspected will be returned to service before the engineer leaves unless it is found to be unsafe.

Access required: Clear access to all gas appliances and, where necessary, accessible flue routes and flue terminals.