Recommendation P2-28: Require gas valve accessibility inspections every three years
From Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report, published 4 September 2024.
Recommendation
We therefore recommend that every gas transporter be required by law to check the accessibility of each such 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)
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended requiring gas transporters to inspect valve accessibility every three years. In September 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the recommendation was "complete and has been fully discharged" (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sep 2026). The department previously reported in February 2026 that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was analysing network operator data to inform targeted engagement on valve access (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Feb 2026). In February 2025, HM Government had accepted the recommendation in principle, agreeing that valve accessibility is key but noting that inspection intervals might need to vary (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government response, Feb 2025).
Sources
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 19 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
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
- 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.
How this response relates to the recommendation
Site note: This is the government's response to the Phase 2 report (CP 1248, published 26 February 2025). It prints each recommendation and then the response to it. Where the recommendation is addressed to a body outside government, the response prints that body's own acceptance (the Architects Registration Board and RIBA, HMICFRS, London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, the British Standards Institution, the National Police Chiefs' Council), and the row is filed under that body.
Delivery
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says completed (10 September 2026)
This recommendation is complete and has been fully discharged.
Site note: This is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's progress report of September 2026 on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, fire and rescue services, the British Standards Institution or the Cabinet Office, it is the Ministry's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry.
Earlier statements on delivery (2)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (20 May 2026)
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.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (25 February 2026)
By May 2025, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had gathered information on pipeline isolation valve (PIV) access challenges experienced by network operators, informing initial options to address issues highlighted by the recommendation.
By September, HSE’s Operations and Regulation Committee (ORCo) had agreed on a preferred approach, and approved a delivery plan for stakeholder engagement which aims to improve assurance on PIV access. and clarify stakeholder roles and responsibilities.
By December, HSE had engaged with network operators to establish a baseline on PIV access and existing barriers.
Data received from the network operators is being analysed to inform targeted engagement with stakeholders who may have an influence over the accessibility of PIVs.
Following completion of the data analysis in February 2026, HSE will establish a baseline of pipeline access issues. This will inform targeted stakeholder engagement which will commence from March 2026. The approach, scale and duration of any such engagement will be informed by the data analysis.
Site note: This is the annex of the government's Phase 2 annual report (CP 1512, published 25 February 2026) as GOV.UK publishes it, one page per theme: the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's account. Where the passage describes work by another body, such as the National Fire Chiefs Council, London Fire Brigade, the British Standards Institution, the Health and Safety Executive or the Cabinet Office, it is the report's account of that body's progress, and the row is filed under the Ministry. The status is what the passage says: completed only where it says the recommendation is complete or closed.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Delivery statement