One of the less glamorous elements of operating a food truck are the maintenance and compliance requirements to keep your vehicle safe and operating smoothly. When it comes to gas compliance, owners will require a certificate to document that the gas installation complies with the standards and regulations of the area in which the vehicle operates.
As compliance requirements vary from state to state, it is important to check the specifications for the area in which you operate. For example, in Queensland, any gas system in a commercial vehicle (including mobile kitchens and food vans) must be checked and certified for compliance on an annual basis, whilst in other states this differs.
It is important to be aware of the requirements for your business and to ensure compliance, because if the vehicle is involved in an accident, insurance may not cover all damages if everything is not being run to standard and an owner is liable if equipment is not tested and tagged as required.
Commercial fit outs and the standards that relate to food trucks and trailers are highly specialised and domestic plumbers are not always aware of the requirements. There are many standards that must be adhered to, including (but not limited to) things like
- Gas bottles for use on a trailer must be stored 1.5m from an opening (i.e. window or doors)
- Gas bottle holders must be built to withstand four times the weight of gas bottles to remain safe in an accident.
- Gas bottles must be located no closer than 1.5m distance to a point of ignition (anything electrical)
It is always a good idea to opt for a qualified commercial gasfitter to ensure your vehicle remains compliant. This is especially true when considering the purchase of a second-hand mobile catering vehicle – ensure gas compliance is one of the items to be checked off your due diligence checklist as it may be that additional work needs to be done to confirm it meets current codes and standards.
Bella Manufacturing can assist with annual gas certificate renewal and compliance at our factory, and it is a good opportunity to book in for a quick service of your vehicle for any necessary repairs or updates. We can re-silicone, re-seal, check gas struts, add shelving or other upgrades, and look after any other repairs or maintenance that may be required in your mobile kitchen.
For assistance with servicing or compliance requirements, have a chat to our team and book your vehicle in at your convenience.