Kitchen emergencies: gas leaks, power cuts and broken fridges
The UK emergency numbers and the first things to do if you smell gas, lose power, have a water leak or a fridge breaks down in a restaurant or takeaway kitchen.
Updated · 3 min read
Key facts
- Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999 (Northern Ireland: 0800 002 001). Free, 24 hours a day.
- Power cut? Call 105, free, to reach your local electricity network.
- If chilled food has been out of the chill for more than 4 hours, throw it away.
- Every member of staff should know where the gas valve, water stopcock and fuse box are.
When something goes wrong in a busy kitchen, every minute counts. Keep these numbers and steps where every member of staff can find them, together with your own list of engineers.
Emergency numbers
| Emergency | Number |
|---|---|
| Fire, or anyone in danger | 999 |
| Gas leak or carbon monoxide (England, Scotland, Wales) | 0800 111 999 (free, 24/7) |
| Gas leak (Northern Ireland) | 0800 002 001 (free, 24/7) |
| Power cut | 105 (free, 24/7) |
If you smell gas
- Do not smoke or light matches, and do not turn electrical switches on or off.
- Open doors and windows.
- Turn the gas off at the meter control handle, unless the meter is in a cellar.
- Call the gas emergency number straight away.
- Get everyone out and wait outside for the engineer.
If the power goes off
- Check whether it is only your building (your fuse box) or the whole street.
- For a power cut in your area, call 105.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors shut to keep food cold.
- Write down the time the power went off and check food temperatures when it comes back.
If a fridge or freezer breaks down
- Move the food to another fridge or freezer, or to a cold area.
- If you cannot, or you do not know how long it has been broken, ask your council’s environmental health team.
- If food that must be kept cold has been out of the chill for more than 4 hours, throw it away. Frozen food that has started to defrost must be handled as defrosting food.
- Record what happened and what you did, then call your engineer.
Water leaks and electrical faults
- Water leak: turn off the water at the stopcock, protect food and electrics, and call your plumber.
- Electrical fault or burning smell: turn off the power at the fuse box if it is safe, do not touch damaged equipment, and call an electrician. If there is fire, call 999.
Be ready before it happens
- Keep a list of your own engineers for gas, electrics, plumbing and fridges, with phone numbers and account details.
- Make sure every member of staff knows where the gas valve, water stopcock and fuse box are.
- Keep a record of every emergency and repair.
Questions
What number do I call for a gas leak in the UK?
In England, Scotland and Wales, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. In Northern Ireland, call 0800 002 001. Both are free and open 24 hours a day.
Who do I call in a power cut?
Call 105. It is free and puts you through to your local electricity network operator.
What should I do with the food when the fridge breaks?
Move it to another fridge or a cold area. If food that must be kept cold has been out of the chill for more than 4 hours, throw it away. If you are unsure, ask your council's environmental health team.
Sources
- National Gas: emergency contacts
- EDF: gas and electricity emergency contacts (105)
- GOV.UK: Safer Food, Better Business for caterers (chilling)
- HSE: gas safety in catering (CAIS23)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always check with your local council's environmental health team.