A newly renovated restaurant looked perfectly safe. But hidden behind the kitchen equipment was a safety issue that could have prevented an important gas safety system from working as intended.

A by-pass valve had been left in the wrong position. Normally, if a gas leak is detected, the restaurant’s safety system automatically shuts off the gas supply. In this case, however, gas could have continued flowing through the by-pass valve instead, putting people at serious risk. Fortunately, the issue was detected and corrected before an incident occurred.

For Chow Chin Choeng, such incidents show why regular gas inspections matter. In his 25 years with the Energy Market Authority’s (EMA) Inspectorate Department, he has encountered situations where gas safety features were unknowingly disabled or not properly maintained.

Commercial kitchens that are not naturally ventilated have safety systems designed to automatically shut off the gas supply if a leak is detected, or if the ventilation system is not working properly.

This is known as a safety interlocking system. It links the gas detector, mechanical ventilation system, and safety cut-off valve. Together, they act like an emergency stop for the gas supply.

There is also a by-pass valve that allows trained professionals, such as Licensed Gas Service Workers, to temporarily keep the gas flowing when the safety system is being maintained. At all other times, the by-pass valve needs to be in the correct position so that the automatic safety system can do its job. 

“If the by-pass valve is left open, the interlocking system cannot do its job properly. Some operators may not realise that the gas supply may not be automatically isolated when something goes wrong, increasing the risk of a gas-related incident,” Chin Choeng said.

All gas installations in Singapore, from HDB flats and condominiums to landed homes and commercial buildings, must be inspected regularly. These checks help ensure that the gas installation remains safe and that potential gas leakage can be detected and rectified early.

This is important because many homes, businesses, and industries rely on piped town gas for their daily needs.

Keeping a gas installation safe is a shared responsibility. Depending on the type of premises and the part of the installation involved, responsibility may fall to parties such as the property owner, occupier, Management Corporation, gas transporter, or gas consumer.

Under the Gas Act 2001, these responsible parties are known as Prescribed Persons. They must ensure that required actions and inspection deadlines specified in notification letters from SP PowerGrid Ltd are met in a timely manner. 

The inspection must also be carried out by a Licensed Gas Service Worker or Professional Engineer. If the installation passes inspection, they will issue a Certificate of Fitness confirming that it is safe to use. The certificate must then be submitted to SP PowerGrid Ltd within 30 days of the inspection.

Since amendments to the Gas Act took effect on 1 September 2025, missing the inspection deadline or failing to submit the Certificate of Fitness is an offence. “The inspection regime is intended to safeguard users and the wider community,” Chin Choeng shared.

EMA licenses gas service workers so that only competent persons are allowed to carry out gas service work, including inspections. EMA also oversees the regulatory framework, performs investigations, and takes enforcement action when necessary.

“Ultimately, our goal is to safeguard public safety,” Chin Choeng stressed. “The enhanced requirements reinforce the responsibilities of the relevant prescribed persons associated with each part of a gas installation.”

Chin Choeng, 61, joined the water department in 1996 and later moved to the gas inspectorate when it was still part of the Public Utilities Board. After many years in gas safety, he believes that public awareness remains essential.

EMA has worked with SP PowerGrid Ltd to improve the frequency of notifications of gas inspections by carrying out earlier engagement and site visits. Regular reminders are important because some Prescribed Persons may not fully understand what they need to do after receiving a gas inspection notice.

A gas inspection helps ensure that hidden faults and potential leaks are detected early and rectified quickly. If you receive an inspection notice from SP PowerGrid Ltd, arrange for the gas inspection to be carried out prior to the deadline. Everyone should also know where their gas meter is located and keep City Energy’s 24-hour emergency hotline number handy – it can be found on the gas safety sticker affixed to the gas meter.