Mobile Catering Certificates

What is a CP44 gas safety certificate for mobile catering businesses?

This certificate is a document provided by a suitably qualified gas engineer. Its purpose is to prove that your mobile or outdoor catering business operates safe gas equipment and uses it in a safe environment.

When do you need a CP44 mobile catering gas safety certificate?

If your catering business operates LPG (bottled gas) equipment in a mobile vehicle or outside location, you will require an annual CP44 gas safety certificate by law. Your vehicle and/or equipment must be inspected by an engineer adequately registered with Gas Safe for gas safety. You cannot operate commercially unless you can provide an event organiser with proof that your gas equipment and/or vehicle has been inspected and is gas safe.

How much does a mobile catering gas safety certificate cost?

Companies may charge varying amounts for a mobile catering gas safety certificate. Firstly, it’s essential to make sure the company are appropriately qualified. Many companies charge a standard domestic LPG rate, which may seem like a great deal; however, they are often not qualified (or registered) to inspect your gas equipment. This means the gas certificate they supply will be invalid. A company registered adequately with Gas Safe to provide a gas safety certificate for a mobile catering business will usually charge £200-300 (ex VAT).

Why is a mobile catering gas safety certificate so expensive?

The cost of a mobile catering gas safety certificate may seem expensive. However, there is a good reason to explain this. The gas engineer will have completed many complex and costly gas safety qualifications. They will have reached one of the highest levels of gas safety registration.

What qualification does a mobile catering gas engineer need?

As a mobile caterer, you’ll already appreciate the importance of LPG gas safety, but you might have noticed it can be tricky to find a gas engineer you trust. Some gas engineers have been known to bend the rules, so we’ll clear those rules up for you now.

-You must have all gas installation work done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, whether domestic or commercial. The engineer must be registered with Gas Safe to provide mobile catering gas safety certificates.

-Mobile caterers must only use Gas Safe engineers who have mobile catering qualifications to work on their specific appliances (i.e. they can’t only be qualified to work on domestic LPG appliances)

Gas engineers must be qualified in the field and product they are working on. For example, to sign off on an LPG griddle, the engineer needs to be qualified in “Mobile Catering Range Cookers LPG.” If the appliance is a range cooker inside a kitchen running on natural gas, the qualification must be “Commercial Catering Range Cookers NG.”

How often do I need a mobile catering gas safety certificate?

You’ll need to have your gas appliances checked annually and keep a gas safety certificate as proof. Some engineers will only issue certificates for six months if they consider your equipment at high risk of becoming unsafe through use. Gazebo trader’s equipment tends to be exceptionally high risk due to being connected and disconnected regularly.

Is a mobile catering gas safety certificate the same as a catering gas safety certificate?

No. Mobile catering gas safety certificates (CP44) are specifically for mobile vehicles or outdoor catering businesses (such as market stalls or gazebos) that use only LPG bottled gas. Catering gas safety certificates (CP42) are specifically for fixed kitchens in an establishment such as a hotel, restaurant, school, or pub (for LPG or natural gas).

What locations does MHL provide mobile catering gas safety certificates?

MHL provides mobile catering gas safety certificates (CP44) in select locations: Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Bristol, Birmingham, and Greater London.

If you would like a competitive quote for a mobile catering gas safety certificate, click here to be directed to the MHL website.