Require gas valve accessibility inspections every three years
That every gas transporter be required by law to check the accessibility of each [pipeline isolation] valve on its system at least once every three years and to report the results of that inspection to the Health and Safety Executive as part of its gas safety case review. (113.44)
- The government accepted this recommendation in principle in February 2025 (Government Response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, MHCLG, February 2025).
- The government's annual report stated the Health and Safety Executive developed a delivery plan agreed in September 2025 by its Operations and Regulation Committee, with a pipeline isolation valve access baseline assessment ongoing (Annual Report on Progress, MHCLG, February 2026).
- The government reported that recommendation 28 was one of nine recommendations completed since its February annual report (Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Government Progress Report, MHCLG, 20 May 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartThe government accepts this recommendation in principle. We agree with the Inquiry's findings that accessibility and functionality of such valves is key to ensuring health and safety by stopping gas supplies in an emergency. Whilst inspections every three years may be appropriate, there may be other situations where inspections should be more frequent or where a longer interval is suitable. To inform this, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is engaging with key stakeholders to fully map out and understand current system integrity approaches, noting changes to operator's arrangements since the Grenfell tragedy, and the interrelationships between gas network operators, building owners, accountable persons and landowners to understand the challenges encountered when issues with pipeline isolation valves are identified and routes to resolution. Using this evidential research, HSE will develop initial options by March 2025, with a proposed timetable for taking forward a preferred option.
The government accepts this recommendation in principle. We agree with the Inquiry's findings that accessibility and functionality of such valves is key to ensuring health and safety by stopping gas supplies in an emergency. Whilst inspections every three years may be appropriate, there may be other situations where inspections should be more frequent or where a longer interval is suitable. To inform this, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is engaging with key stakeholders to fully map out and understand current system integrity approaches, noting changes to operator's arrangements since the Grenfell tragedy, and the interrelationships between gas network operators, building owners, accountable persons and landowners to understand the challenges encountered when issues with pipeline isolation valves are identified and routes to resolution. Using this evidential research, HSE will develop initial options by March 2025, with a proposed timetable for taking forward a preferred option.
Progress Timeline
Since the Annual Report published in February 2026, we have completed a further 9 recommendations. Recommendations 22, 23, 27 and 28 are related to the construction industry, and 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 are related to response and recovery.
Health and Safety Executive developed delivery plan agreed September 2025 by Operations and Regulation Committee. Pipeline isolation valve access baseline establishment underway considering risk-based inspection approaches. Targeted stakeholder engagement commencing March 2026, informed by operator engagement on valve access barriers and existing inspection processes.