Gas Certificate of Compliance Cape Town
A Gas Certificate of Compliance (officially known as a gas certificate of conformity) is a legal requirement for any property transfer where a gas installation is present. Under Regulation 17(3) of the Pressure Equipment Regulations (OHS Act, 1993), a Gas Certificate of Compliance is mandatory whenever there is a change of ownership — this has applied since 1 October 2009. Even a single gas hob or fireplace triggers the requirement for a Gas Certificate of Compliance. Inspecto’s registered gas inspectors cover Cape Town and the surrounding region. Many clients and agents refer to this as a Gas COC Cape Town inspection.
Pricing: Compliance inspections from R510 per inspection when bundled with your other transfer certificates — VAT included. Bundle all five standard-house certificates from R2,700 upfront (R3,050 on transfer); apartments from R1,955. Use the pricing calculator for an exact quote before requesting an inspection.
What Does a Gas Certificate of Compliance Inspection Cover?
Our inspectors assess the entire gas installation against the Pressure Equipment Regulations, including:
- Gas leak check — the installation is pressure tested throughout
- Emergency shut-off valves — must be installed in the correct positions and functioning correctly
- Gas piping, regulator, and valves — must be in safe working condition and free of corrosion
- Gas appliances — must be in safe working condition
For cylinders installed outside the property:
- At least 1 m from doors, windows, and airbricks (openings below the container valve level)
- At least 2 m from any drain, pit or manhole
- At least 3 m from the property boundary (1 m if only 2 cylinders)
- Sources of electrical ignition (motors, air-conditioners, distribution boards) must be outside a 3 m prohibited zone around the containers
For cylinders installed inside (e.g. kitchen cupboard):
- Not positioned directly below the hob
- Cupboard must be vented to prevent gas accumulation
- No electrical connections or plug points in the same cupboard section as the cylinder
Note: Electrical switches and plug points must be positioned at least 200 mm horizontally from the edge of the closest burner on any gas hob, or alternatively at least 1.5 m from the floor.
For more information on LP gas safety standards in South Africa, visit the LP Gas Safety Association of SA (LPGSASA).
Find a registered installer at SAQCC Gas
Common Reasons Properties Fail a Gas Inspection
These issues come up regularly during gas compliance inspections in Cape Town:
- Gas leak detected — even a minor leak on an aging fitting or flexible hose is a failure; have fittings checked and hoses replaced if in doubt
- Missing or incorrectly positioned emergency shut-off valve — must be present and accessible
- Cylinder too close to a door, window, or airbrick — common with retrofit installations
- Cylinder too close to an electrical source of ignition — distribution boards, gate motors, and air-conditioners are common culprits
- Corroded piping or regulator — outdoor installations in Cape Town’s coastal air are especially susceptible
- Gas fireplace in a flat above ground floor — apartments are limited to 9 kg cylinders; many fireplaces require 19 kg to operate, making them non-compliant. Address this before an offer to purchase is signed
- Total gas volume exceeding 100 kg — requires Fire Department–approved plans
If you have a gas fireplace in an upper-floor apartment, discuss this with us before listing your property. A decommissioned fireplace is far less disruptive than a failed CoC during transfer.
Why Book Your Gas Certificate of Compliance Inspection Early?
Some gas compliance issues — particularly apartment fireplaces or cylinder placement problems — take time to resolve. Decommissioning a fireplace or obtaining Fire Department-approved plans cannot be done overnight. Booking your gas compliance inspection early gives you the information you need to make good decisions, not rushed ones. We cover the full Cape Town metro — Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs, Atlantic Seaboard, Helderberg, and Winelands.
Why Choose Inspecto for your Gas Certificate of Compliance?
Inspecto has been Cape Town’s trusted name for compliance certificates since 1995. Our inspectors are registered under the OHS Act’s Pressure Equipment Regulations and know the failure points that catch sellers off guard. Estate agents and attorneys across Cape Town rely on us because we’re thorough and don’t create surprises.
Book Your Gas Inspection
To book your gas compliance certificate inspection:
Fill in our online form
Call us on 021 551 4185
We cover the full Cape Town metro including the Northern Suburbs (Bellville, Durbanville, Brackenfell), Southern Suburbs (Claremont, Constantia, Tokai), Atlantic Seaboard (Sea Point, Camps Bay, Green Point, Hout Bay), Helderberg (Somerset West, Strand), and Winelands (Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek).
Also need your Electrical, Water, Beetle or Electric Fence CoC?
Inspecto issues all five compliance certificates required for property transfer. View all compliance inspections →
Also commonly required: Electrical CoC Cape Town | Electric Fence Certificate Cape Town
Video answers
Watch short Gas COC explanation videos
Practical video answers about gas certificate timing, seller risk and common transfer delays.
Note: Gas rules can change. Use the written guide on this page for current distances and exact requirements.
For the full set of short compliance videos, visit the Inspecto video guide library.