A commercial gas engineer is a skilled professional responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing gas systems and appliances in commercial environments. Think office blocks, hotels, factories, schools, hospitals, restaurants and more. But here’s the key: the commercial gas sector is split into two main sectors, heating and catering, each with its own unique systems, challenges, and qualifications.
What Type of Work Do Commercial Gas Engineers Do?
Unlike domestic gas engineers, who work on homes and small-scale appliances, commercial gas engineers tackle much larger, more complex systems. This means more responsibility, greater variety, and, yes, a higher earning potential. Whether you’re keeping a hospital warm or a restaurant kitchen firing on all cylinders, commercial gas engineers are vital for the safety and efficiency of businesses across the UK.
These engineers are certified to work on high-output appliances (over 70kW) and larger pipework (over 35mm), which you’ll find in places like shopping centres, industrial kitchens, and big public buildings. They both will carry out the following jobs:
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Repairs
- Emergency Call-Outs
- System Upgrades
- Compliance Checks
But here’s how they differ.
Commercial Heating Gas Engineer
Commercial gas heating engineers focus on large-scale heating systems, commercial boilers, and plant rooms and generally work on:
- Indirect-fired gas appliances
- Direct-fired gas appliances
- Radiant tube and plaque heaters
- Gas-fueled engines
- Commercial gas boosters
- Commercial gas burners
Commercial Catering Gas Engineer
On the other side of the commercial gas sector, commercial gas catering engineers primarily work in commercial kitchens, working on:
- Deep fat and pressure fryers
- Griddles
- Grills
- Boiler burners
- Open/solid top ranges
- Hot plates
- Bain maries
- Forced-draught burner appliances such as ovens and fryers
What Industries Need Commercial Gas Engineers?
You might be surprised just how many sectors rely on commercial gas engineers. Here are just a few:
- Education: Schools, colleges, and universities need safe, reliable heating and hot water.
- Healthcare: Hospitals and care homes depend on complex gas systems for heating, sterilisation, and catering.
- Hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, and pubs all run on commercial gas appliances, especially in their kitchens.
- Retail: Shopping centres and supermarkets require large-scale heating and sometimes specialist gas installations.
- Manufacturing: Factories and warehouses often use gas for heating, process equipment, or even power generation.
- Public Sector: Libraries, council buildings, and leisure centres all need regular attention from commercial gas engineers.
Basically, if it’s a building that isn’t a house, there’s a good chance a commercial gas engineer has been involved somewhere along the line.
What is the Difference Between Domestic and Commercial Gas Engineers?
This is where things get interesting. While both roles involve working with gas, the scale, complexity, and regulations are worlds apart.
| Feature | Domestic Gas Engineer | Commercial Gas Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Work Environment | Homes, flats, small residential properties | Offices, schools, hospitals, factories |
| Appliance Size | Up to 70kW | Over 70kW |
| Pipework Size | Up to 35mm | Over 35mm |
| Training | Domestic ACS qualifications | Advanced commercial ACS qualifications |
| Regulations | Domestic Gas Safety standards | Stricter, more complex commercial standards |
| Job Variety | Boilers, cookers, fires | Plant rooms, industrial kitchens, HVAC, etc. |
Domestic engineers are limited to smaller, less complex systems. Commercial gas engineers, on the other hand, can work across both domestic and commercial settings (once qualified), making them more versatile and in higher demand.
Are Gas Engineers Still in High Demand?
In a word: Absolutely. The UK is facing a well-documented shortage of skilled tradespeople, including gas engineers, and the commercial sector is feeling the pinch. Here’s why:
- Ageing Workforce: Many experienced engineers are retiring, leaving a skills gap.
- Rising Demand: New builds, refurbishments, and ongoing maintenance mean there’s always work to be done.
- Net-Zero Transition: Even as we move towards renewables, gas engineers are needed to maintain existing infrastructure and help with the transition to greener technologies.
- Commercial Reliance: Businesses can’t afford downtime, so they need reliable, qualified engineers on call.
Recent data shows gas engineers are among the top five most-advertised roles in UK construction, with tens of thousands of vacancies. For anyone considering a career as a commercial gas engineer, the future looks bright.
How Much Does a Commercial Gas Engineer Earn?
Let’s talk numbers. Commercial gas engineers can expect to earn:
- Starting Salary: £35,000–£40,000 per year
- Experienced Engineers: £45,000–£55,000+
- Specialist/Senior Roles: £60,000+ (especially in London and the South East)
- Self-Employed/Contractors: Day rates can exceed £250–£350, depending on the job and location
Your earning potential increases with experience, additional qualifications, and the ability to take on more complex or high-risk work. Many commercial gas engineers also move into consultancy, management, or even start their own businesses.
Why Would an Engineer Want to Complete Their Commercial Gas Qualifications?
Expanding your qualifications to include commercial gas is a smart move for any engineer looking to future-proof their career and unlock new opportunities, especially if you’re already working in the domestic sector. The commercial gas world is split into two main specialisms: heating and catering. Each requires its own dedicated training and ACS qualifications, reflecting the different systems, safety standards, and technical challenges you’ll face in each environment.
Wider Job Opportunities
By completing your commercial heating or catering qualifications, you’ll dramatically widen your job prospects. You’ll be able to work across a much broader range of settings, from large office blocks and industrial sites to busy commercial kitchens in hotels, schools, and hospitals. This versatility means you’re no longer limited to domestic work, and you can pick up more complex, higher-value projects that simply aren’t available to domestic-only engineers.
Higher Earning Potential
Earning potential is another major draw. Commercial gas work often commands higher rates, reflecting the increased responsibility and technical expertise required to work on larger, more intricate systems. Whether you specialise in heating, catering, or both, you’ll find that your earning ceiling is significantly higher than in the domestic sector alone.
Career Progression
Career progression is also a key motivator. Many senior roles in facilities management, building services, or engineering management specifically require commercial gas qualifications. By upskilling in either commercial heating or catering, or ideally both, you’ll open the door to these advanced positions and set yourself apart from the competition.
Future-Proofing
Finally, as the energy landscape evolves, having commercial gas skills ensures you stay relevant and in demand. Businesses and public sector organisations will always need skilled engineers to keep their heating and catering systems running safely and efficiently. Completing your commercial gas qualifications is a clear investment in your long-term career, giving you the flexibility, earning power, and progression opportunities to thrive in a changing industry.
How to Become a Commercial Gas Engineer
There are two distinct pathways to becoming a commercial gas engineer: Heating and Catering. Each route requires its own specialist training and qualifications, reflecting the different systems, regulations, and safety standards you’ll encounter in the field.
Commercial Heating Pathway
If you want to work on commercial heating systems, such as boilers, plant rooms, and large-scale heating equipment in offices, schools, hospitals, and industrial sites, you’ll need to follow the commercial heating route. Below you can find the different routes you can take to become a qualified commercial heating gas engineer:
- New Entrants: For those new to the industry, the best starting point is a New Entrant Commercial Heating Training Course (Managed Learning Programme). This course covers everything from gas safety regulations and commercial pipework to commissioning, servicing, and repairing commercial boilers and warm air heaters. It also includes essential health and safety modules. After completing the training and building your on-site portfolio, you’ll move on to the core ACS assessments, such as COCN1 (Core Commercial Gas Safety), ICPN1 (Commercial Pipework), and CIGA1 (Indirect Fired Heating Appliances). Passing these assessments allows you to register with Gas Safe and work legally in the commercial heating sector.
- Already a domestic gas engineer: If you’re already qualified in domestic gas and have held your CCN1 for at least 12 months, you can take a commercial heating upskill course. This 8 day course provides all the necessary practical and theoretical training to help you complete the following modules:
- CODNCO1 Changeover Domestic to Commercial
- ICPN1 Installation First Fix on Commercial Pipework
- CIGA1 Indirect-Fired Commercial Appliances
- CORT1 Radiant Tube & Radiant Plaque Heaters
Please note: if you are looking to test and commission commercial gas pipework installations, you may also need to undertake TPCP1 Testing & Purging (>1m³ in Volume and/or TPCP1A Testing & Purging (<1m³ in Volume) module.
Commercial Catering Pathway
For those interested in working in commercial kitchens, installing, servicing, and repairing appliances like ovens, grills, fryers, and specialist catering equipment, the commercial catering pathway is the way to go.
- New Entrants: A New Entrant Commercial Catering Gas Training Course provides in-depth training on gas safety, catering appliance controls, kitchen ventilation, and commissioning and servicing a range of catering appliances. Like the heating pathway, you’ll complete a portfolio of real-world work before progressing to ACS assessments such as CCCN1 (Core Commercial Catering Gas Safety), COMCAT1 (boiler burner, open/solid top ranges, hot plates and bain maries), and COMCAT3 (deep fat and pressure fryers, griddles and grills). Successful candidates can then apply to join the Gas Safe Register and work legally in commercial catering environments.
- Already a domestic gas engineer: If you’re already qualified in domestic gas and have held your CCN1 for at least 12 months, you can take a catering changeover course. This 8 day course provides all the necessary practical and theoretical training to help you complete the following modules:
- CODC1 Changeover Domestic to Commercial Catering Core
- COCATA1 Changeover Domestic to Commercial Catering Appliances
- COMCAT1 (boiler burner, open/solid top ranges, hot plates and bain maries)
- COMCAT3 (deep fat and pressure fryers, griddles and grills)
- CORT1 Radiant Tube & Radiant Plaque Heaters
If required, COMCAT5 – Catering Forced Draught Burners can be added to this package for an additional £165.00 + VAT.
Please note: Like the commercial heating route, if you are looking to test and commission commercial gas pipework installations, you may also need to undertake TPCP1 Testing & Purging (>1m³ in Volume and/or TPCP1A Testing & Purging (<1m³ in Volume) module.
Key Steps for Both Pathways:
- Get Qualified: Complete a recognised commercial heating or catering training programme (MLP for new entrants, changeover for domestic engineers).
- Gain Experience: Build a portfolio of supervised, on-site commercial work.
- Pass ACS Assessments: Take and pass the relevant ACS modules for your pathway (heating or catering).
- Register with Gas Safe: Once qualified, register with the Gas Safe Register to work legally.
- Keep Learning: Stay up to date with industry changes and regulations through regular CPD and upskilling.
Commercial Reassessment Courses
All commercial gas qualifications in the UK have to be renewed every 5 years. For engineers who need to renew or reassess their commercial gas qualifications, Logic4training offers a range of dedicated packages:
- Heating (commercial only): For engineers who work solely in the commercial sector and need to renew their commercial heating ACS qualification.
- Heating (commercial and want to keep their domestic live): Ideal for those who want to keep both commercial and domestic qualifications active.
- Catering: For those needing to renew their commercial catering gas qualification.
Commercial Upskill Modules
If you’re looking to expand your expertise or add new specialisms, Logic4training offers a range of upskill modules:
- Heating: Specialist modules for commercial heating appliances and systems.
- Catering: Modules covering a variety of commercial catering appliances and environments.
- Commercial Laundry: For those wanting to branch out into commercial laundry gas systems.
To keep individual module qualifications live, you will need to retake the individual training courses to prove competency. These courses are designed to build on your existing skills and prepare you for the relevant ACS assessments in your chosen commercial sector.
Conclusion: Your Route to Commercial Gas Engineering Success
Stepping into the world of commercial gas engineering is a move that brings variety, challenge, and serious career rewards. Whether you’re drawn to the technical complexity of large-scale heating systems or the fast-paced demands of commercial kitchens, the sector offers two clear pathways, heating and catering, each with its own specialist qualifications and opportunities.
By choosing the right training and keeping your skills up to date, you’ll open the door to a career that’s always in demand, pays well, and offers real progression. From new entrants to experienced domestic engineers looking to upskill, Logic4training is here to support your journey every step of the way, with expert trainers, flexible course options, and a proven track record of helping engineers succeed.
The commercial gas sector is evolving, and businesses across the UK are counting on skilled professionals to keep their operations safe and efficient. If you’re ready to future-proof your career, improve your earning potential, and take on bigger, more rewarding challenges, now’s the perfect time to get started.
FAQs
Do I need to be Gas Safe registered to work as a commercial gas engineer?
Yes, it’s a legal requirement. You must pass the relevant ACS assessments and register with the Gas Safe Register before working on commercial gas systems.
Can I move from domestic to commercial gas engineering?
Absolutely. Many engineers start in domestic and then complete a commercial upskill course to expand their skills and job opportunities.
What qualifications do I need to become a commercial gas engineer?
You’ll need to complete an industry-recognised training programme and pass the relevant ACS training and assessments (such as COCN1, CDGA1, CIGA1). Logic4training offers all the gas courses you need to get started.
Are there jobs for commercial gas engineers outside of London?
Definitely. Demand is high across the UK, especially in areas with lots of commercial and public sector buildings. Our gas courses are designed for engineers nationwide.
How can I boost my chances of getting hired as a commercial gas engineer?
Stay up to date with the latest regulations, get hands-on experience, and consider additional qualifications in areas like LPG, catering, or renewables. And don’t forget to optimise your CV for the commercial sector!
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