A revised Australian Standard to improve gas installation safety by reducing the risk of explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning will be adopted by Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) and the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) over the next six months.
An ESV statement said standard AS/NZS 5601.1 ‘Gas Installations: General installations’ sets out added requirements for the design and installation of pipes, components and appliances to make gasfitting safer for Victorian gasfitters, as well as make gas installations safer for customers.
The revised standard will become mandatory from March 30 next year.
“The six-month transition will allow industry time to familiarise itself with the changes. After that point, ESV and the VBA will enforce compliance with the revised Standard,” ESV said.
“The Standard directly impacts works associated with appliances, pipes, fittings and other components installed or to be installed for or for purposes incidental to the conveyance, control, supply or use of gas.”
ESV said some of the key changes include:
– New definitions for an ignition source, open flued appliance, fire safety system and semi-rigid connector.
– Prohibition on the use of flexible flue liners for applications other than within chimneys,
– Restrictions on the use of semi-rigid connectors in the installation of commercial catering equipment.
– Prohibition on the installation of multilayer pipe above ground external to buildings.
– Provision of emergency isolation for buildings with multilayer pipe for fire protection.
– New requirement for the isolation of installations in educational institutions and commercial kitchens.
– New drawings for consumer piping located in cavities (notching and drilling studs).
– Revised requirements for the location of flue terminals under a covered area, in a recess or on a balcony.
– Increased overhead clearance requirements between domestic cooking appliances and rangehoods.
ESV chairperson and commissioner Marnie Williams said ESV had been directly involved in the development of the revised standard.
“We will be supporting the industry to transition to the new Standard over the next six months to allow industry time to adapt to the changes,” she said.
Details: www.esv.vic.gov.au and www.vba.vic.gov.au/plumbing/asnzs5601.
