Commercial Gas Purging & Tightness Testing
Specialist commercial and industrial gas purging, strength testing and tightness testing, including work undertaken within the scope of IGE/UP/1 and IGE/UP/1A.
Request a Commercial Gas Purging QuoteCommercial Gas Purging Specialists
Johnson Stratton Services provides specialist commercial gas purging, tightness testing and gas pipework services for industrial and commercial premises.
Commercial gas installations often require more than a standard domestic gas test. The size of the installation, pipework volume, operating pressure, gas type and nature of the work all need to be considered when deciding the correct testing and purging procedure.
We support businesses, commercial landlords, facilities managers, mechanical contractors and industrial clients with commercial gas pipework that is being installed, modified, recommissioned, extended or taken out of service.
Our commercial gas engineers can assess the installation and determine the appropriate testing and purging procedure, including where IGE/UP/1 or IGE/UP/1A applies.
Commercial Gas Testing & Purging Services
Commercial Gas Purging
Controlled purging of suitable commercial and industrial gas installation pipework during commissioning, alteration, recommissioning or decommissioning works.
Commercial Tightness Testing
Tightness testing of commercial gas pipework following installation, modification, maintenance or where the integrity of an installation needs to be established.
Strength Testing
Appropriate strength testing of new or altered commercial gas installations where required by the relevant procedure and installation circumstances.
Commercial Gas Commissioning
Testing, purging and associated commercial gas engineering support when installing or returning gas pipework and plant to service.
IGE/UP/1 & IGE/UP/1A Gas Purging
IGE/UP/1 and IGE/UP/1A are industry procedures covering strength testing, tightness testing and direct purging of gas installations. Which procedure applies depends on the installation.
Industrial & Commercial Gas Installations
IGE/UP/1 is the wider procedure for strength testing, tightness testing and direct purging of industrial and commercial gas installations within its defined scope.
- Covers selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases.
- Applies to commercial and industrial installation pipework within the limits of the procedure.
- Includes applicable Natural Gas installation pipework downstream of the Emergency Control Valve.
- Can include associated appliance and plant pipework where this falls within the procedure.
- Its overall scope includes installations with a Maximum Operating Pressure up to 16 bar, subject to the detailed requirements and limitations of the procedure.
- IGE/UP/1 is commonly relevant where an installation falls outside the smaller low-pressure scope of IGE/UP/1A.
Small Low-Pressure Commercial Natural Gas Installations
IGE/UP/1A provides a specific procedure for qualifying small, low-pressure industrial and commercial Natural Gas installations.
- Applies to Natural Gas installations within its defined scope.
- Installation volume not exceeding 1 m³, including relevant meter volume and allowance for fittings.
- Nominal bore not exceeding 150 mm.
- Maximum Operating Pressure / operating pressure not exceeding 40 mbar.
- Supply Maximum Operating Pressure not exceeding 75 mbar.
- Covers strength testing, tightness testing and direct purging within its defined scope.
When Might Commercial Gas Purging Be Required?
Testing and purging requirements depend on the installation and work being undertaken, but common situations include:
New Gas Pipework
Testing and purging newly installed commercial gas pipework before commissioning and use.
Gas Pipework Alterations
Following alteration, replacement or modification of an existing commercial gas installation.
Gas Pipework Extensions
When new commercial gas pipework is connected to or extends an existing installation.
Loss of Gas Pressure
Where an installation has experienced a complete loss of pressure and testing or purging is required before reinstatement.
Recommissioning
Returning suitable commercial gas installation pipework to service following maintenance or planned shutdown.
Decommissioning
Commercial gas pipework being taken temporarily or permanently out of service.
Our Commercial Gas Purging Process
Assess
Review the installation, gas type, pressure, pipework volume and scope of work.
Plan
Establish the appropriate procedure and site-specific controls required.
Test
Undertake the appropriate strength and/or tightness testing where required.
Purge
Carry out the appropriate purging procedure for the installation and planned works.
Complete
Carry out relevant completion checks and documentation.
Commercial Gas Purging Across Staffordshire, the West Midlands & Nationwide
Johnson Stratton Services supports commercial and industrial clients throughout Staffordshire and the wider West Midlands with specialist gas testing, pipework and purging services.
We provide commercial gas engineering services across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stone, Stafford, Cannock, Lichfield, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Nationwide commercial and industrial gas projects undertaken.
Commercial & Industrial Clients
Our commercial gas services are suitable for a wide range of premises and organisations, including:
Factories & Industrial Sites
Commercial gas pipework, plant and industrial heating installations.
Facilities Management
Planned commercial gas works, plant changes and specialist testing requirements.
Schools & Public Buildings
Commercial heating plant rooms and associated gas installations.
Mechanical Contractors
Testing, purging, pipework and commissioning support for commercial projects.
Commercial Gas Purging FAQs
What is commercial gas purging?
Commercial gas purging is the controlled displacement of gas or air from installation pipework. It may be required when commissioning, recommissioning, altering or decommissioning commercial and industrial gas installations.
What is the scope of IGE/UP/1?
IGE/UP/1 is the wider industry procedure covering strength testing, tightness testing and direct purging of industrial and commercial gas installations within its specified limits.
It covers selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases. For Natural Gas, it can apply to installation pipework downstream of the Emergency Control Valve and can include associated appliance or plant pipework. Its overall scope extends to a Maximum Operating Pressure not exceeding 16 bar, subject to the detailed limitations and requirements contained within the procedure.
The correct application of IGE/UP/1 depends on factors including the gas type, installation design, operating pressure, pipework volume and the work being undertaken.
What is the scope of IGE/UP/1A?
IGE/UP/1A covers qualifying small, low-pressure industrial and commercial Natural Gas installations.
Within its defined scope, the installation section has:
- A volume not exceeding 1 m³.
- A nominal bore not exceeding 150 mm.
- An operating or Maximum Operating Pressure not exceeding 40 mbar.
- A supply Maximum Operating Pressure not exceeding 75 mbar.
It covers strength testing, tightness testing and direct purging within those parameters. Installations outside the scope of IGE/UP/1A may require assessment against IGE/UP/1 or another applicable industry procedure.
What is the difference between IGE/UP/1 and IGE/UP/1A?
Put simply, IGE/UP/1 has the broader industrial and commercial scope, while IGE/UP/1A is specifically intended for qualifying smaller, low-pressure Natural Gas installations.
The appropriate procedure should be determined from the actual installation, including pressure, volume, pipe size, gas type and work being undertaken, rather than simply the size of the building.
Do you carry out commercial gas tightness testing?
Yes. Johnson Stratton Services provides commercial gas tightness testing alongside commercial gas purging, gas pipework, commissioning and associated commercial gas engineering services.
Can a commercial gas installation need testing after a loss of pressure?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, a complete loss of pressure can require the installation to be appropriately assessed, tested and purged before the gas supply is reinstated.
Do you provide commercial gas purging in Staffordshire?
Yes. Johnson Stratton Services provides commercial gas purging, tightness testing and associated commercial gas engineering services throughout Staffordshire, including Stafford, Stone, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cannock and surrounding areas.
Do you provide nationwide commercial gas purging?
Yes. In addition to Staffordshire and the West Midlands, Johnson Stratton Services undertakes commercial and industrial gas projects nationwide.
Need Commercial Gas Purging?
Speak to Johnson Stratton Services about commercial gas purging, IGE/UP/1, IGE/UP/1A, tightness testing, commissioning or commercial gas pipework.
Commercial & industrial gas engineering across Staffordshire, the West Midlands and nationwide.
CONTACT JOHNSON STRATTON SERVICES