IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4: What Engineers Need to Know

The gas industry does not change its standards without good reason.

IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4 has been developed to reflect better working practices, improve safety standards, and bring procedures more in line with how modern gas installations are actually built and serviced.

The update has been in development for well over a year and has gone through several rounds of changes before arriving at its final form.

The aim is to make tightness testing and purging safer, clearer, and more consistent across the industry.

For engineers who follow the standard closely, these changes should ultimately make their job more straightforward, even if the transition period feels a little unsettling right now.

What Is Actually Changing?

This is where a lot of the confusion has come from.

There has been quite a bit of back-and-forth over the course of the standard's development, with different versions circulating and creating uncertainty.

Here is what engineers need to focus on.

The changes primarily affect how tightness testing is carried out, including the pressures used, the timings involved, and the specific procedures required for different types of installations.

Purging procedures are also updated, with clearer guidance on how direct purging should be carried out safely on small installations covering Natural Gas and LPG systems.

For engineers who have been working to the old standard, some of the new requirements will feel familiar, but there are enough differences to mean that you cannot simply carry on as you were. Getting properly up to speed before 1st October 2026 is essential.

What Types of Installations Does It Cover?

IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4 applies to small installations using the following fuel types:

• Natural Gas
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• LPG/Air mixtures

If you regularly work on any of these systems, this update applies directly to your work.

Should Engineers Be Worried?

The short answer is no, but you do need to be prepared.

A lot of engineers are understandably anxious about this change, particularly those who have been in the industry for a long time and are used to working a certain way.

The key thing to understand is that this is not a complete overhaul of everything you know.

It is an update to existing procedures, and with the right training and support, it is very manageable.

What you want to avoid is going into October 2026 without having updated your knowledge.

Working to an outdated standard is not just a compliance issue. It is a safety issue.

The good news is that there is still time to get yourself ready.

How to Get Ready for IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4

The best way to prepare is to take a dedicated training course that covers the new standard in full.

At Gas Training & Assessment, we offer approved training in a relaxed and friendly environment, with small class sizes so you actually get the attention you need rather than being lost in a room full of people.

Our experienced trainers will walk you through exactly what has changed, what the new requirements mean in practice, and how to apply them correctly on the job.

We have been delivering high-quality gas training to engineers across the industry for over a decade, and our courses are recognised by the major official bodies.

If you are based in or around Essex and are looking for a straightforward way to get up to speed with IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4, getting in touch with our team is a great starting point.

We can talk you through the right course options for your specific situation.

The October 2026 Deadline Is Real

One of the pieces of misinformation going around is that the deadline might shift again.

It has moved before during the development process, which is partly why there has been so much confusion.

But the 1st October 2026 date is now confirmed.

Engineers need to treat it as a firm deadline and plan their training accordingly.

Leaving it until the last minute puts you in a difficult position, both in terms of getting a training spot and in terms of having enough time to absorb the new procedures before you need to apply them at work.

What Happens If You Do Not Update Your Practice?

Working outside the current standard puts you at risk professionally and creates genuine safety concerns for the customers you are working for.

Gas Safe registered engineers are expected to work to the most up-to-date industry standards, and IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4 will be the standard from 1st October 2026 onwards.

Beyond the professional risk, tightness testing and purging done incorrectly can lead to serious incidents.

The whole point of this standard is to make sure work is done safely and correctly every time.

Frequently Asked Questions