Keep LPG Regulator Safety Top of Mind This Holiday Season

Wednesday 7th May 2025

With summer around the corner and parks preparing for a busy season, Liquid Gas UK is reminding holiday and caravan park owners and managers of the importance of checking LPG regulators on static caravans, holiday homes, and communal facilities.

While LPG is a safe, efficient, and low-carbon fuel when properly maintained, regulators – which control the pressure of gas from cylinders into appliances – can degrade over time and pose serious safety risks if not replaced in line with the manufacturer’s guidance. This is often every ten years from the date of manufacture.

Richard Hakeem, Director of Technical and Safety Policy at Liquid Gas UK, explains:

“LPG regulators play a vital role in keeping gas appliances safe by reducing the pressure from the cylinder to a suitable level. A failed or aged regulator can cause over-pressurisation and lead to a dangerous gas leak or even explosion if there is a source of ignition.”

“All regulators should be clearly marked with their date of manufacture. If the original manufacturer’s instructions aren’t available, a good rule of thumb is to replace them no later than ten years from this date.”

Park managers should ensure that maintenance checks across their sites include inspection and timely replacement of all LPG regulators. Where possible, use regulators with built-in overpressure protection to safeguard hoses, pipework, and appliances in the event of a fault.

These warnings come following an incident at a holiday cottage in Staffordshire, where a faulty, aged regulator was found to be the cause of an explosion. With thousands of holidaymakers relying on LPG for heating, cooking and hot water, park owners have a crucial role in ensuring equipment is safe and up to date.

“It’s about peace of mind – for you, your staff, and your guests,” says Hakeem. “We encourage all park managers to include regulator checks in their pre-season inspections, and to speak with a qualified Gas Safe installer if unsure about the safety of any equipment.”

LPG Regulator Safety Tips for Holiday Parks:

✅ Replace regulators 10 years after manufacture
✅ Never force a regulator onto a cylinder valve – if it doesn’t fit, it’s not compatible
✅ Avoid using excessive force on the mechanism
✅ Never use US POL regulators with UK cylinders – they may look similar, but the fittings are different
✅ Never tamper with or try to adjust non-user adjustable regulators
✅ Avoid buying or using second-hand regulators

For full guidance, download our LPG Regulator Safe Use Sheet here.