New Gas Regulations for Domestic Properties Commencing 1st October 2026

Important Notice with regard to Soundness/Tightness Testing on Domestic Gas Pipework, particularly when carrying out Gas Safety Certification in domestic dwellings.

As of 1st October 2026, there is a change in the way soundness/tightness testing is to be carried out. Although the process is the same, the criteria is now changed inasmuch as there is no 'permissible drop' on the gas pipework. The gas pipework installation must not have any pressure drop on the pipework/carcass installation; this is with all of the appliances isolated from the gas supply, turned off by means of the isolation valve. There is a permissible drop when the appliances are turned on, with this permissible drop being determined by the volume of gas within the system. This will vary from system to system and is calculated by the total amount of pipework and fittings within the system and meter volume to calculate the installation volume of gas in relation to the permitted pressure drop. This will inevitably result in a failure in some systems that were previously deemed safe or were within range. Why the change in criteria? We believe this new process found in IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4 is being implemented for the introduction of hydrogen into the natural gas system, effectively giving an 80% natural gas and 20% hydrogen mix (the introduction of hydrogen is not imminent).

The last time there was a quantum shift in gas supply was in the early 1970s with the transition from town gas to natural gas. The natural gas supply is not an unending supply, but it will be around for a good few decades, and one way of stretching that out is by mixing it with hydrogen. We do not doubt that there will be some difficult situations on occasion, but as registered gas engineers, we need to make our valued customers aware of the change.

David J. Hockley
Head Technical Gas Engineer
Thanet Heating Co Ltd