68Entry to inspect gas installations

68 Entry to inspect gas installations

(1)  A gas safety officer for a licensee may, at any reasonable time, enter and remain in a place to which gas is, is to be, or has been, supplied by the licensee –

(a) to inspect gas installations in the place to ensure that it is safe to connect or reconnect the gas supply; or

(b) to take action to prevent or minimise the risk of an incident occurring; or

(c) to investigate suspected theft of gas.

(2)  In an emergency, a gas safety officer may exercise a power of entry under this section at any time and, if necessary in the circumstances, by the use of reasonable force.

(3)  When a gas safety officer enters a place under this section, the gas safety officer –

(a) may be accompanied by such assistants as the gas safety officer considers necessary or appropriate; and

(b) may take any vehicles or equipment that the gas safety officer considers necessary or appropriate for the functions which the gas safety officer is to carry out in the place.

(4)  A gas safety officer must, if it is practicable to do so, be accompanied by a police officer when entering a place by force in an emergency.

(5)  If in the opinion of a gas safety officer a gas installation is unsafe, the gas safety officer may disconnect the gas supply to the place in which the installation is situated until the installation is made safe to the satisfaction of the gas safety officer.