Can You Still Trade If Your Gas Interlock Has Failed?
Short answer? Usually, no.
If your gas interlock system has failed, most commercial kitchens are not legally permitted to continue trading until it’s repaired and fully operational.
Here’s what that means in practice and what to do next:
What Does a Gas Interlock Actually Do?
A gas interlock system is a safety device that prevents gas from flowing to cooking appliances unless the kitchen’s ventilation system is running correctly.
If the airflow drops, a sensor fault occurs, or the system fails:
- The gas valve closes
- Appliances won’t fire
- Your kitchen grinds to a halt
This isn’t a fault to “work around” it’s a legal safety requirement.
Can You Legally Keep Trading?
In most cases, no.
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) expect:
- A working gas interlock system
- Linked to mechanical ventilation
- Tested and compliant
If your interlock has failed and you continue to trade:
- You risk immediate closure
- You may invalidate insurance
- You could face enforcement action
This applies across restaurants, takeaways, schools, care homes, and catering facilities throughout London, Kent, and Surrey.
Common Reasons Gas Interlocks Fail
We’re often called out for:
- Faulty airflow sensors
- Damaged or disconnected cabling
- Ventilation fans not proving airflow
- Incorrect original installation
- Systems bypassed during previous works
Sometimes the kitchen looks fine, but the interlock correctly detects a safety issue and shuts the gas off.
“Can We Bypass It Just for Today?”
This comes up a lot, especially during busy service.
The answer is no.
Bypassing or disabling a gas interlock:
- Is unsafe
- Is non-compliant
- Can lead to immediate closure if inspected
EHOs are particularly alert to this, and penalties can be severe.
What Should You Do If Your Gas Interlock Has Failed?
- Stop using gas appliances
- Do not attempt to override the system
- Call a qualified commercial catering engineer
- Get the fault diagnosed and repaired properly
In many cases, the issue can be resolved the same day, depending on access and parts.
Gas Interlock Repairs Across London & the South East
At RTC Technical Solutions, we provide:
- Gas interlock fault finding
- Repairs and replacements
- New installations
- Compliance advice following EHO inspections
We support commercial kitchens across London, Kent, Surrey, and the surrounding areas, helping businesses get back up and running safely and quickly.
Reduce the Risk of Future Shutdowns
Gas interlock failures often happen without warning unless they’re:
- Regularly tested
- Maintained as part of a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme
Routine checks significantly reduce the risk of unexpected downtime during service.
We hope we have answered your question: Can You Still Trade If Your Gas Interlock Has Failed?
Need Help Fast?
If your kitchen won’t get gas and you suspect an interlock issue, don’t guess get it checked properly.
👉 Visit our Gas Interlock Installation & Repair page to learn more or arrange a call-out.
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