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Gas Safe Certification for Campervans: What You Need to Know

Why Gas Safe certification matters, what it covers, and how to verify your converter is properly registered. A must-read before commissioning any gas installation.

15 January 20266 min read

The Legal and Safety Requirement

All gas work carried out in the UK must be done by a **Gas Safe registered engineer**. This is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 — not a recommendation, not best practice, but law.

Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI registration on **1 April 2009**. If a converter mentions CORGI certification, they either haven't updated their marketing in 17 years or are being misleading. The current scheme is Gas Safe only.

The stakes are high. Improperly installed LPG systems can cause gas leaks, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is odourless, colourless, and potentially fatal. This is not an area where cutting corners is acceptable.

Not All Gas Safe Engineers Are Qualified for Campervans

This is the critical detail that many buyers miss. Gas Safe registration covers multiple categories of gas work — domestic gas boilers, industrial systems, leisure vehicles, and others. An engineer must hold the specific qualification for the type of work they are doing.

For campervans and motorhomes, the relevant category is: **"LPG Caravans & Motorhomes."**

A Gas Safe registered engineer who normally works on domestic central heating is not automatically qualified to work on an LPG system in a campervan. The systems are different, the appliances are different, and the regulations differ.

When verifying a converter's qualification, you need to confirm not just that they are Gas Safe registered, but that they hold the caravan and motorhome LPG category specifically.

How to Verify Your Converter's Registration

The Gas Safe Register maintains a public database. Go to **gassaferegister.co.uk** and use the "Check a business or engineer" tool. Enter the engineer's Gas Safe ID number.

The result will show:

  • The engineer's name and photo (on individual checks)
  • Their registration status (current or lapsed)
  • The categories of gas work they are qualified to carry out
  • The licence card expiry date

    • **Ask the converter directly: "What is your Gas Safe registration number?"** A legitimate, qualified converter will know this number immediately without having to look it up. Evasiveness, vagueness, or "I'll have to find that out" are warning signs.

    What You Should Receive

    When a qualified Gas Safe engineer completes gas work on your campervan, they must issue a **commissioning certificate** (sometimes called a gas safety certificate) for the installation. This document should cover:

  • The gas appliances installed (hob, oven/grill, space heater, water heater)
  • The LPG system including the regulator, pipework, and locker
  • Confirmation that the system has been tested for leaks and is functioning safely
  • The engineer's name, Gas Safe registration number, and signature

    • **Do not accept a finished van without this certificate.** If a converter is reluctant to provide it, or says it is not necessary, that is a serious red flag.

    Keep this certificate with your vehicle documents. Insurance companies may ask for it if you make a claim involving a gas-related incident. Some insurers require evidence of proper installation when the policy is taken out.

    Common Gas Appliances in UK Campervans

    The most common LPG appliances you'll encounter in UK conversions:

  • **Hob/grill:** Smev and Dometic are the most common brands. Both are designed specifically for leisure use.
  • **Truma Combi:** A combined space heater and hot water system. Very popular in mid-to-premium builds. Runs on gas and/or 230V mains.
  • **Propex HS2000:** A popular gas-only space heater. Compact, efficient, and widely used in budget-to-mid conversions.
  • **Alde:** A hydronic (wet) heating system found in higher-specification builds. Runs on gas and mains electricity.
  • **Webasto/Eberspächer:** These are diesel heaters, not gas, but worth noting as popular alternatives.

    • The LPG Locker: A Specific Requirement

    LPG gas bottles must be stored in a properly constructed, externally vented locker that is:

  • Sealed from the habitation area of the vehicle
  • Vented to the outside at the lowest point (LPG is heavier than air and sinks)
  • Fitted with a properly rated regulator

    • This is a specific installation requirement that a qualified Gas Safe engineer will know. A locker that is not properly sealed from the living space, or that does not vent to the exterior, is dangerous.

    Annual Safety Checks

    There is no legal requirement for annual gas safety inspections of leisure vehicles (unlike domestic gas appliances, which require annual landlord checks). However, **annual checks are strongly recommended.** LPG seals and connections degrade over time, and gas leaks in a vehicle can develop without visible signs.

    Use a Gas Safe registered engineer with the LPG Caravans & Motorhomes qualification for any annual check or servicing work.

    Summary

  • All gas work in campervans must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer
  • The specific qualification required is **LPG Caravans & Motorhomes** — not just general Gas Safe registration
  • Verify at gassaferegister.co.uk using the engineer's registration number
  • You must receive a commissioning certificate on completion
  • A proper LPG locker, sealed from the living area and vented externally, is a requirement
  • Annual checks are not legally required but are strongly recommended

    • Ready to find your converter?

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