Leaking gas from poorly fitted appliances or pipe work can cause major fires and explosions that could endanger occupants and/or damage the consumer's property and adjacent premises. The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road ( “ADR”) regulates the transport of hydrogen, which is classified as a dangerous good under Annex 5 of the ADR. Hydrogen transport is excluded through ten tunnels in the UK, based on its ADR classification.

reg 36A, Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 SI 1998/2451 as inserted by reg 6, Gas Safety (Installation and Use)(Amendment) Regulations 2018.https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Traction-Decarbonisation-Network-Strategy-Interim-Programme-Business-Case.pdf It now plans to showcase its low-carbon train technologies at COP 26 in Glasgow, including a hydrogen-powered HydroFLEX train. the way forward to developing a hydrogen business model and revenue mechanism, namely, launching a consultation on the proposed models with the ambition to finalise this in 2022; In August 2021, the UK government published its long-awaited and first ever Hydrogen Strategy for the UK. As highlighted throughout this chapter, the Hydrogen Strategy reinforces prior commitments (such as the ambition for 5GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030) but also provides clarity on plans for the near future to develop a hydrogen economy in the UK, taking a “whole-system” approach. In particular, it sets out (amongst other things): maintain all gas appliances, and flues serving those appliances, for which they are responsible in a safe condition to prevent risk of injury to any person [7] In addition, a Gas safety registered engineer is required to inform both the landlord and the tenant when an appliance is found to be dangerous. If the engineer is unable to obtain agreement to disconnect the appliance, the matter must be referred to the gas transporter who can use its power to disconnect the supply. [15]

Acorn: led by Pale Blue Dot Energy, this hydrogen production plant is focused on the delivery of an energy and cost-efficient process for hydrogen production, using natural gas produced in the North Sea, with carbon capture and storage technology for the associated emissions. Drivers transporting hydrogen must be appropriately trained, and vehicles must meet specifications required for hazardous cargoes. Gas transporters have powers under which they can disconnect and seal off any gas fitting or any part of the gas system in residential premises for safety reasons. [37] They must send the customer written notice within five days of the disconnection, detailing the nature of the defect, the danger involved, and what action has been taken. [38] If occupiers want to object they have 21 days to appeal to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. [39] The meter stays disconnected until the fault is remedied or the appeal is successful. [40]Gas transporters, for example National Grid and Centrica, are the bodies responsible for taking action in the event of a gas leak or escape. The transporter is usually a different part of the same company that supplies the gas (for example the company which issues gas bills for the property). Supply Point Administration Agreement – this is a multi-party agreement to which all gas transporters and suppliers are required to comply with. It facilitates supply point administration, being the change of gas supplier.

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002 sets out requirements for the use of equipment and protective systems in potentially hazardous environments, including those where hydrogen is produced or stored. Hydrogen, like other gasses is heavily regulated from a health and safety perspective. The Health and Safety Executive (“ HSE”) requires compliance with the following regulations:DUTY OF SECRETARY OF STATE AND DIRECTOR TO CONSULT WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE ON SAFETY QUALIFICATIONS OF GAS CONTRACTORS Independent Gas Transporter Uniform Network Code – sets out the common rules applying to independent gas transporters. It aims to harmonise the network code arrangements of Independent Gas Transporters, who operate extensions to the gas network such as those serving new housing developments. HyPER: led by Cranfield University, in collaboration with Gas Technology Institute and Doosan, this project is working to design and build a pilot-scale hydrogen supply system based on new technology involving steam (the “sorption enhanced steam reforming process”) that may be capable of bulk hydrogen production. Construction commenced in April 2021. The installation and use of gas appliances (such as gas fires, boilers, cookers, water heaters and lighting appliances) or accessories (such as gas fittings, service pipes, valves and flues) creates fire and explosion risks and carbon monoxide poisoning risks to the consumer.

Advisers should be aware that, despite its powers, the Health and Safety Executive is unlikely to be able to deal with every case it receives. For tenants in houses in multiple occupation, local authorities have powers under the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation) (England) Regulations 2006 [35] to ensure the safe (and continuous) supply of gas. Local authorities can serve notice on landlords to comply with the regulations for houses in multiple occupation, and can prosecute where necessary. Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996 – concerns the flow of gas through the network. All gas transporters must prepare and submit a safety case to HSE. This identifies the hazards and risks, explains how they are controlled, and describes the system in place to ensure that controls are applied. The gas transporter will be audited to ensure compliance with their safety case There has been a number of hydrogen projects developing over the course of 2021. Notably, the following have been successful in securing public funding to progress demonstration of the role that hydrogen can play in the UK’s energy, transport, industrial and heating sectors: Health and Safety Executive inspectors have wide powers of enforcement under the 1974 Act. They can: [29] Although the gas safety regulations apply generally to occupiers of residential property, they impose particular responsibilities on landlords and tenants. These responsibilities apply to all property occupied for residential purposes under a licence, a periodic tenancy, or a lease (tenancy) for a fixed term of less than seven years (a 'lease' does not include a mortgage term). [6]require any person to assist them with their investigations, for example by answering questions and/or giving a witness statement reg 36(3) Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 SI 1998/2451 as amended by reg 5(4)(i) Gas Safety (Installation and Use)(Amendment) Regulations 2018. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/945899/201216_BEIS_EWP_Command_Paper_Accessible.pdf South Wales Industrial Cluster (“SWIC”): led by a partnership of utilities, power generation and heavy industry companies, SWIC aims to decarbonise various sectors in the region such as energy, oil, chemicals, steel and cement. To that end, collaborators, including RWE, Shell, Tarmac, SIMEC Atlantic Energy and Tata Steel, are working to devise options to support regional hydrogen deployment as well as carbon capture technologies. detain any item which is likely to cause danger to health or safety to examine it, or use it as evidence in proceedings relating to an offence