At the time of writing this article (08/09/09), there is a rumour going around that all gas cookers provided in rented accommodation must have a lid that, when closed, shuts off the gas.
We have researched this and can find no law that states such a thing.
We spoke with the HSE and gas safe register helpline, and they are unaware of such requirements. The only requirement for their purposes is that the cooker is safe.
The only thing we can think of regarding the confusion is where a lid is mentioned in The Gas Cooking Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1989. In these regulations, it states under regulation 4 (Condition of appliances when in normal use):
” (i) in the case of an appliance fitted with a shut down lid, any device which is designed to shut off automatically the supply of gas to every burner comprised in the hot-plate when the lid is shut down operates to ensure that the supply of gas intended to be controlled by the device is promptly and safely shut off;.”
However, this only refers to if the cooker has a shut-down lid. It does not require there to be one.
I am, therefore, of the opinion that this is a simple rumour with no substance.
If anyone hears any different, I would like to know what Act of Parliament people state a lid is required under.
