What a CP16 Entails
A CP16 Gas Safety Certificate is a crucial document for commercial properties. It's not a recurring annual check, but a specific certificate issued after gas pipework has been installed, altered, or repaired. Its purpose is to certify that the pipework is safe and ready for use.
- Purpose: To confirm that gas pipework is free from leaks (tightness testing) and that any air has been safely removed and replaced with gas (purging).
- Gas Safe Registered Engineer: This work must be carried out by a qualified engineer who holds the specific certifications for non-domestic pipework.
- Tightness Testing: The engineer uses specialist equipment to pressure-test the pipework, verifying the integrity of every pipe and joint to ensure there are no gas leaks.
- Purging: When new pipework is installed or old pipework is opened up, it fills with air. Purging is the process of safely forcing this air out with inert gas, and then forcing the inert gas out with natural gas, preventing the risk of an explosive air/gas mixture forming.
- Certification: Upon successful completion, the engineer issues the CP16 certificate, which details the work done, the test results, and confirms compliance with safety standards like IGEM/UP/1A.