CP44 Gas Safety Certificate for Mobile Catering: The Complete UK Guide (2026)
Last updated: July 2026
In 30 seconds:
- A CP44 is the annual LPG safety inspection record for mobile catering units — food vans, trailers and stalls.
- It typically costs £150–£350 for a single unit, plus around £25–£40 per extra appliance.
- It’s valid for 12 months. Most events, markets and councils ask to see one before you trade.
- Only a Gas Safe registered engineer with commercial mobile catering competence should carry it out.
Not sure your setup is inspection-ready? Hoses and regulators are the most common reasons a unit fails. Our LPG hose and regulator rules guide covers the dates and standards to check first.
What is it? CP44 is the standard gas safety certificate for commercial mobile catering units running on LPG in the UK. It’s widely regarded as the accepted proof that your propane system has been independently checked and is safe to trade with.
Who asks for it? Event organisers, market managers, local councils and insurers. Most UK street food markets and festivals want to see a valid CP44 before they issue a pitch.
The biggest mistake? Leaving it until the week before a big event. Engineers book up fast in spring. If your certificate lapses mid-season, you can lose pitches you’ve already paid for.
What Is a CP44 Gas Safety Certificate?
A CP44 is the inspection record for mobile catering units that run on LPG cylinders. It confirms a qualified engineer has checked your appliances, hoses, regulator, ventilation and emergency shut-off.
CP44 at a glance
- Covers: food vans, catering trailers, converted horse boxes, gazebo and market stalls on LPG
- Issued by: a Gas Safe registered engineer with commercial mobile catering competence
- Valid for: 12 months (6 months in some higher-risk cases)
- Cost: typically £150–£350 per unit
- Not for: fixed kitchens on mains natural gas — that’s the CP42
If your unit moves and runs on propane cylinders, CP44 is the certificate you need. It’s one of the first documents to sort when you convert your food van to LPG.
Who Needs a CP44 Certificate?
Any operator trading commercially with LPG-fired equipment should hold a current CP44. That includes:
- Food van and food truck operators
- Catering trailer owners
- Street food traders at markets and festivals
- Gazebo and pop-up stall holders using LPG appliances
- Converted horse box and vintage van caterers
No single law names CP44. But health and safety regulations expect commercial LPG systems to be maintained and safe. The CP44 is how you prove it.
In practice, the people who control where you trade make it essential. Most organisers ask for the certificate weeks before the event — some won’t confirm your pitch without it. Your insurer may also ask for proof of inspection.
What Does a CP44 Inspection Cover?
The engineer works through your whole LPG system. Expect checks on:
- Appliances — fryers, griddles, bain maries, water boilers. Correct installation, burner pressure, flame quality, no damage.
- Flame failure devices (FFDs) — the safety cut-off that stops LPG flowing if a flame goes out. Tested on every appliance that has one.
- Hoses and pipework — wear, cracking, leaks, and whether hoses are within their service life.
- Regulator and cylinder connection — condition, correct working pressure, secure cylinder storage.
- Emergency shut-off and ventilation — valves present and reachable, enough fresh air for safe burning in the unit.
Hose and regulator condition trips up more traders than anything else. Both have replacement dates stamped on them, and out-of-date parts are an easy fail. Cylinder securing and sizing matter too — our LPG cylinder sizes guide explains what suits each setup.
How Much Does a CP44 Certificate Cost?
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Single-unit CP44 inspection | £150–£350 |
| Each additional appliance | £25–£40 |
| Return visit after a failed check | Varies — ask when booking |
Location moves the price. Engineers in London and the South East typically charge more than those in northern England or rural areas.
More appliances means a longer inspection and a higher bill. Before you book, confirm two things: whether the quote includes VAT, and whether the written certificate itself is included.
How Long Does a CP44 Certificate Last?
A CP44 is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Annual renewal is the standard expectation for mobile catering.
Some engineers issue a 6-month certificate instead. That usually happens where connections are made and broken constantly — gazebo traders who unhook cylinders at every pitch, for example — or where kit is judged higher risk. If that’s you, budget for two inspections a year.
Smart timing: book your renewal a few weeks before festival season, so the certificate is fresh when organisers ask for it.
CP44 vs CP42 — What’s the Difference?
| CP44 | CP42 | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Mobile catering units | Fixed commercial kitchens |
| Fuel | LPG from cylinders | Mains natural gas |
| Typical holder | Food vans, trailers, stalls | Restaurants, cafés, pubs |
Trade only from a mobile unit? CP44 is the one you need. Run a fixed kitchen as well? You may need both certificates — one for each site.
How to Get Your CP44 Certificate (Step by Step)
- Check your kit before booking. Hoses and regulator in date, cylinders secured, appliances clean and working. Obvious faults mean a failed visit and a re-check fee.
- Find a qualified engineer. Search the Gas Safe Register and confirm they hold commercial mobile catering competence — not just domestic qualifications.
- Book 2–4 weeks ahead. Ask what the price includes and how long the visit takes for your number of appliances.
- Be there for the inspection. A typical single unit takes roughly 1–2 hours. The engineer will talk you through anything borderline.
- Keep the certificate with your trading documents. Photo on your phone, copy in the van. Organisers often ask for it by email before event day.
How to Pass First Time
Most CP44 failures are preventable. Before the engineer arrives:
- Check the date stamps on your hoses and regulator — replace anything out of date
- Look for cracked, kinked or perished hose anywhere in the system
- Make sure cylinders are upright, secured, and connected properly
- Clean burners and check every appliance lights and holds a steady flame
- Clear access to the emergency shut-off — the engineer needs to reach it, and so do you
Good habits between inspections keep the unit pass-ready all year. If you’re building or refitting a unit, our off-grid mobile catering setup guide covers safe LPG, power and water from the start — and every appliance in the MobCater LPG catering equipment range is selected for compliant mobile use.
Frequently Asked Questions: CP44 Gas Safety Certificate
What is a CP44 gas safety certificate?
A CP44 is the inspection record issued for mobile catering units running on LPG. It confirms a Gas Safe registered engineer has checked your appliances, hoses, regulator, ventilation and emergency shut-off. It’s valid for 12 months and is the document most events and markets ask to see before you trade.
Do I legally need a CP44 certificate for my food van?
No single law names CP44, but health and safety regulations expect commercial LPG systems to be maintained and safe. In practice, most event organisers, markets and councils typically require a valid CP44 before you can trade. Your insurer may also ask for proof of inspection. Treat it as essential.
How much does a CP44 inspection cost in the UK?
Most mobile caterers pay £150–£350 for a single-unit CP44 inspection. Extra appliances usually add £25–£40 each. Prices run higher in London and the South East than in northern England. Always check whether VAT and the written certificate are included in the quote before you book.
How long is a CP44 certificate valid for?
A CP44 is valid for 12 months from the date of inspection. Some engineers issue a six-month certificate where the setup is higher risk — for example, gazebo traders who connect and disconnect cylinders at every pitch. Book your renewal a few weeks before it lapses, especially ahead of festival season.
What is the difference between CP44 and CP42?
CP44 covers mobile catering units running on LPG cylinders — food vans, trailers and outdoor stalls. CP42 covers fixed commercial kitchens on mains natural gas. If you trade only from a mobile unit, CP44 is the one you need. Operators with both a unit and premises may need both certificates.
What does the engineer check during a CP44 inspection?
The engineer checks every LPG appliance, tests each flame failure device, inspects hoses and pipework for wear and leaks, checks the regulator and cylinder connections, confirms the emergency shut-off works, and assesses ventilation. Burner pressure and flame quality are checked on each appliance too.
Can one CP44 certificate cover more than one unit?
No. Each mobile catering unit needs its own CP44 certificate — the engineer inspects each van, trailer or stall setup individually. If you run two units, budget for two inspections. The process and paperwork are the same for vans, trailers, converted horse boxes and gazebo setups.
What happens if my unit fails the CP44 inspection?
The engineer will list the faults — commonly out-of-date hoses, a worn regulator or a failed flame failure device. You fix them, then the engineer re-checks the work, often for a return-visit fee. Checking hose dates, regulator dates and cylinder securing before the visit avoids most failures.