Your Legal Handbook
Your catering equipThe Technical Stuffment works hard and consequently needs servicing and maintenance. There are also legal requirements that need to be met. Abraxas can help you navigate these potential problems.
The Technical Stuff
Gas Safe Certification
12 monthly gas safety check According to sections 35 and 36 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998, you are required by law to ensure that all gas appliances are examined by a competent and licenced provider every twelve months. Abraxas can send a Gas Safe-registered engineer out to you to perform this vital test and provide you with a certificate afterwards proving that your kitchen is compliant with current regulations.
What a Gas Safety check includes
We’re a Gas Safe-registered company, (Reg 180427) When you call us, we’ll arrange for one of our certified engineers to visit your premises. They will inspect your equipment and check all components to make sure that you are compliant with Gas Safety regulations.
Following a successful check, they will provide you with a ‘Gas Safe’ certificate, which will contain:
- Descriptions and locations of all equipment and flues examined during the visit
- Details of the inspection and whether or not the equipment is safe to use
- Any defects or problems identified and any actions taken to provide solutions
- Outcome of visual inspection of equipment and supply pipework
- Details of any other work carried out
- The Gas Safe register number, name and the signature of the engineer
For a commercial catering inspection, the certificate will also contain details of the inspection of the ventilation/extraction system on gas-burning equipment.
HACCP
According to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004, commercial kitchens are required to have a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan in place at all times, and must also provide their local food safety authority with evidence that the plan is being followed in order to provide for the safe preparation and distribution of food. To help you with this we supply only high quality equipment that will make it easy to include this information in your HACCP plan for future reference and auditing purposes.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
This policy was developed by the Government to help minimise the risk of fires in business settings. It requires a ‘responsible person’ to carry out fire risk assessments and take appropriate precautions against fire on their premises. This includes regular cleaning of canopy hoods and extractor fans in commercial kitchens. Abraxas can arrange for Duct and canopy cleaning as well as Fire suppression systems installed.
Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines, prosecution and even a custodial sentence as you could be held personally liable in the event of a fire. If an investigation shows that a fire was caused through a lack of preventative maintenance, then you may not be able to claim for losses or damage under your insurance policy.
WRAS
WRAS approved products are compliant with water supply regulations and have backflow prevention devices to protect the public water supply. Many of our products, such as our Dishwashers are WRAS-approved so you can rest assured that you’re keeping the water supply safe and meeting regulations without even thinking about it!
HVCA TR19 Section 7
This guidance from the Building Engineers Services Association governs the cleanliness of ductwork and ventilation systems, Section 7 specifically addresses minimum standards for kitchen extraction while providing advice on the layout, construction and maintenance of canopy hoods, extractor fans and ductwork. It also stipulates that kitchen extract systems must be cleaned and inspected regularly to minimise the risk of fire in order to satisfy safety regulations and even insurance policy requirements.
We can help you organise a professional Cleaning company to meet these regulations.
Our Services
The Repair
Abraxas’s fully qualified engineers can repair all types of catering and refrigeration equipment. If spares are required we always supply a quotation for the works including labour so you always know the full cost of the repair and there are no surprises.
The Maintenance Contract
Equipment breakdowns happen, and usually at the most inconvenient time. For peace of mind, why not consider a labour inclusive maintenance contract. We offer a range of contracts to suit all budgets, tailor-made to suit your requirements, Payment can be by monthly instalments to help your budget. As a valued contract customer you are given priority for any call outs you may need.
Installation
Abraxas can supply and install from a small hand mixer to a walk in Coldroom. We are Rational and Foster refrigeration specialists and only offer equipment that will meet the tough working conditions that professional caterers expect.
