In an emergency, get everyone out first and call for help on 112 from a cellphone, or your local fire brigade. This guide is general information; always follow the manufacturer's instructions and local regulations.
A gas CoC (Certificate of Conformity, often called a gas compliance certificate) confirms that a fixed gas installation meets the Pressure Equipment Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. You need one when a gas installation is put in or altered, and when you sell a property that has one. Only a gas practitioner registered with SAQCC Gas, the body that registers gas installers, can issue it, and since 1 April 2023 only the digital certificate is accepted.
What a gas CoC covers
The certificate covers a gas installation: the cylinders or supply, regulators, pipework, valves and connected appliances. Typical household examples include:
- Gas hobs and stoves
- Gas geysers and water heaters
- Built-in gas fireplaces
- Built-in gas braais (see our built-in braai guide)
- Fixed gas heaters plumbed to an outside cylinder
- Gas tumble dryers, pool heaters and outdoor kitchens on a fixed supply
When an installer issues the CoC, they’re confirming that the installation was inspected and conforms at that point, including things like cylinder placement, ventilation, leak tests and the condition of components.
The legal basis
| Item | What applies |
|---|---|
| Law | Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 |
| Regulations | Pressure Equipment Regulations (the 2009 regulations as amended), which require a CoC for gas installations |
| Who can issue | An “authorised person”: a gas practitioner registered with SAQCC Gas for the relevant type of gas and scope of work |
| Registration body | SAQCC Gas, appointed and mandated by the Department of Employment and Labour to register gas practitioners |
| Format | Digital CoC only. SAQCC Gas confirmed paper certificates are no longer valid from 1 April 2023 |
| Technical standard (LPG) | Domestic LPG installations are designed to the SANS 10087 series (SANS 10087-1) |
When you need a gas CoC
- New installation. Whenever a fixed gas installation is put in.
- Alterations, additions or maintenance. Adding an appliance, moving a cylinder, replacing a regulator, or changing pipework all call for a new or updated CoC.
- Selling a property. A valid CoC must be issued to the new owner when a property with a gas installation is sold. Conveyancing sources say you need one on sale regardless of how old the existing one is. The seller is usually responsible, unless the sale agreement says otherwise.
- Change of user or tenant. Industry and legal sources also link a new CoC to a change of user. Landlords should check their lease and with their installer.
- Insurance. Your insurer may ask for a valid CoC after a gas-related claim. An installation without one may give the insurer grounds to dispute a claim, so check your policy.
Does a gas CoC expire?
The regulations don’t set a fixed validity period, but because you need a new CoC on sale and after any alteration, many certificates are effectively replaced every few years. If you’re buying a property, ask for a CoC issued for the transfer.
What about portable gas appliances?
A portable appliance on its own cylinder, such as a mobile indoor gas heater, a skottel or a camping stove, is generally not treated as a fixed installation needing a CoC, and conveyancing sources say portable appliances aren’t usually part of a sale. Those appliances still need safe use: see our gas heater safety guide. If an appliance is plumbed in, connected to a cylinder outside, or built into the house, treat it as an installation and ask a registered installer.
Who can issue a gas CoC
Only a gas practitioner registered with SAQCC Gas, for the right gas type (for most homes, LPG) and the right category of work. A plumber or handyman who isn’t on the register can’t legally issue one.
How to check your installer:
- Ask for their SAQCC Gas registration number and their practitioner card. SAQCC Gas says licences can also be viewed as a digital card on its electronic CoC app.
- Search the practitioner register on saqccgas.co.za by name, registration number, company or area.
- Confirm their registration covers LPG (or natural gas, if that’s your supply) and the type of work you need.
The process
- Book a registered installer. Tell them whether it’s a new installation, an alteration, or an inspection for a sale.
- Inspection and testing. The installer checks the cylinders, regulators, pipework, valves, appliances and ventilation, and carries out a leak (pressure) test.
- Fixes. If anything doesn’t comply, the installer lists the remedial work. Common issues include cylinders too close to doors, windows, drains or electrical points, perished hoses, the wrong regulator, missing isolation valves and poor ventilation. You may need to fix these before a CoC can be issued.
- Digital CoC issued. Once the installation passes, the installer issues the digital certificate. Keep a copy and send it to your conveyancer or insurer if needed.
What affects the cost
We don’t publish rand amounts because prices vary by area and installer, but these factors drive the cost:
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Inspection only (installation already compliant) | Lowest; a single call-out and test |
| Number of appliances and cylinders | More points to check means more time |
| Remedial work needed | Parts and labour for fixes can cost more than the certificate |
| New installation | Highest; materials, cylinders, cages, pipework and the CoC |
| Location and travel | Rural and remote areas often cost more |
| Urgency | Short-notice bookings, for a sale deadline, may cost more |
Tips: get at least two or three quotes, ask whether remedial work is included or quoted separately, and book early if you’re selling, so the CoC doesn’t delay the transfer.
Get quotes from registered gas installers.
Safety basics for any gas installation
- Know where to shut off the gas at the cylinder.
- Do a soapy-water leak test on connections when you change a cylinder. Never use a flame.
- Smell gas? Don’t switch lights or appliances on or off, don’t use a flame, close the cylinder valve if it’s safe, open doors and windows, get out and call your installer or emergency services (112 from a cellphone).
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with gas appliances. See our smoke and CO detector guide.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. See our fire extinguisher guide.
FAQ
What is a gas CoC?
A Certificate of Conformity confirming that a fixed gas installation complies with the Pressure Equipment Regulations. It’s issued by a gas practitioner registered with SAQCC Gas, and only the digital certificate is accepted since 1 April 2023.
Do I need a gas CoC to sell my house?
Yes, if the property has a fixed gas installation. A valid CoC must be issued to the new owner, and conveyancing sources say a new one is needed regardless of the age of the existing certificate. Check the specific requirements with your conveyancer.
How long is a gas compliance certificate valid?
The regulations don’t set a fixed validity period. You do need a new CoC after any alteration and when the property is sold.
Can any plumber issue a gas CoC?
No. Only a gas practitioner registered with SAQCC Gas for the relevant gas type and scope of work can issue it. Check their registration on the SAQCC Gas register before work starts.
Do I need a CoC for a portable gas heater?
A portable heater on its own cylinder is generally not treated as a fixed installation. If the heater is connected to a fixed supply or an outside cylinder through pipework, it’s part of an installation and needs a CoC.
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