Gas Tap, Regular

Quick Answer: The Gas Tap, Regular is the standard laboratory bench gas tap: it controls the fuel gas supply to a Bunsen burner through tubing pushed onto its nozzle, and is opened and closed by turning its handle.

Using the Tap with a Bunsen Burner

The regular gas tap is the everyday bench fitting found at student positions in chemistry and science labs. Its job is simple, but the way it is used is where lab safety is won or lost, so the routine for lighting a Bunsen burner is worth teaching alongside it.

Before lighting, check that the tap is closed, push the burner tubing firmly onto the nozzle and close the burner’s air hole. Have the lighter or lit splint ready at the top of the burner first, then open the gas tap: the gas lights at once, and the yellow safety flame shows that the burner is on. Open the air hole to get the hot blue flame for heating. To finish, close the gas at the bench tap, not only at the burner’s own control, so no gas is left in the tubing.

On many quarter-turn taps the handle lies in line with the nozzle when open and across it when closed, which makes a quick visual check possible across a room; see how this model shows its position before teaching it. The listing does not give the body material or dimensions. For comparison, the Gas Tap, Economy is the plainer grade in the same range.

Daily Safety Checks

• Teach students to shut the bench tap, not only the burner control, at the end of every practical.
• Inspect the tubing on each tap before class and replace any that is cracked or perished.
• If gas is smelt, turn off the main valve, open windows and avoid switching electrics on or off.
• Keep paper, sleeves and hair away from the burner end of the tubing.

Specifications

Applications

• Supplying gas to Bunsen burners for heating, flame tests and boiling in school practicals.
• College chemistry benches where burners are used for glass bending and ignition.
• Microbiology benches where a burner flame is used during aseptic transfer.
• Replacing damaged or leaking taps on existing gas lines.

Why Choose LabEquip

School and college science departments fitting or replacing student gas points buy the regular tap as their standard fitting. LabEquip lists it in General Lab Products; where piped gas is not available, an Electric Bunsen Burner avoids gas altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct order for lighting a Bunsen burner?

Close the air hole, hold the lit splint or lighter at the top of the burner, then open the gas tap. Once the yellow flame is lit, open the air hole to get the blue heating flame.

How can I tell if the gas tap is open?

On most quarter-turn gas taps the handle lies along the nozzle when open and across it when closed. Check how this model shows its position, and teach students to look before connecting a burner.

Should the burner or the bench tap be used to turn off the gas?

Always close the bench tap. Closing only the burner’s control leaves gas in the tubing, which can escape if the tubing is damaged or pulled off.

What should I do if I smell gas in the lab?

Turn off the main gas valve, put out any flames, open windows and do not operate electrical switches. Have the installation checked by a gas fitter before it is used again.

Does the tap work with a microbiology burner?

Yes. It supplies gas to any gas burner that connects by tubing, including those used for flaming loops during aseptic work. Electric burners do not need a gas tap.

How long does burner tubing last on the tap?

Rubber tubing hardens and cracks with age and heat. Check it before each practical and replace it at the first sign of cracking, stickiness or hardness.

Last Updated: September 2026