The news follows comments made in the media by CBI director-general Digby Jones, who warned that the economy might be severely damaged if meteorologists' forecasts prove accurate.
As part of its bid to reduce costs, the BPIF has set up an energy-buying consortium in conjunction with energy advisors CMR Consultants.
CMR chief executive Dr Cedric Rodrigues agreed that there is cause for concern.
"We know that our clients have received notices from National Grid Transco asking for emergency procedures and notifications to be up-dated. They sent them this year to all major gas users. There is therefore a plan in place to establish a hierarchy of switch-off."
The first firms to be considered for switch-off will be those with interruptible gas contracts where firms pay less for their gas and usually have a back-up energy supply.
However, "very large gas users", which include major print firms, have also been asked to update their emergency procedures and notifications. Dr Rodrigues said that this is an indication that a switch-off is possibly on the radar.
The consortium plans to meet this week.
Printers warned of winter fuel shortages
Some of the UKs largest printing firms have received a written notification from the National Grid Transco that a severe winter could lead to their gas being cut off because of insufficient reserves.
