Draft for public comment: AS/NZS 5601.2:2019

Gas installations, Part 2: LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes The draft for public comment DR AS/NZS 5601.2:2019, Gas installations, Part 2: LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes was published in late 2019. Some of the proposed changes include:

• Clause 1.3.8 – New definition for a “domestic caravan,” which allows for no more than 2x 9kg LPG cylinders.
• Clause 1.3.17 – A definition for “controlled area” for LPG cylinders mounted on the drawbar of domestic caravans.
• Clause 1.3.23 – A definition for “encapsulated”.
• Clause 1.3.42 – A new definition for an “ignition source", which excludes electrical equipment that is “non-sparking by nature” or “encapsulated”.
• Clause 1.3.49 – A definition for “non-sparking by nature”.
• Clause 2.4.5 and 3.1.5.1 – Prohibiting in-situ fill cylinders on caravans.
• Clause 3.1.4 – New requirement for orientation of cylinders on caravan drawbars to allow for unobstructed relief of cylinder pressure relief.
• Clause 3.1.8 – New figure 3.1.8(A) demonstrating the “controlled area” on caravan drawbars for ignition sources, which will allow for the installation of electrical equipment that is “non-sparking by nature” as defined in the standard and will allow for electrical equipment required for vehicle operation safety, but will not allow any other electrical equipment. New figure 3.1.8(D) for clearances on caravan drawbars from cylinders to openings.
• Clause 3.3.1(f) – New figure 3.3.1(B) demonstrating venting through a drain outlet.
• Clause 3.3.1 (g) and 3.3.3(i) – Shut off solenoid valves in LPG cylinder compartments will be required to be “encapsulated”.
• Clause 3.3.4.1 – Clarification of access to internal cylinder compartments in caravans.
• Clause 5.1.4.2 – Hard drawn copper has been included for use on houseboats on inland waterways on the low pressure side of the gas installation.
• Clause 5.1.4.3 – Hose assembly pigtails only to be class F.
• Clause 5.1.4.4(g) – Prohibition on the use of press-fit end connectors.
• Clause 5.3 – Requirements for encapsulated electrical devices.
• Clause 6.11.1 – Clearance from cookers to rangehoods has increased from 600mm to 650mm to align with international standard for rangehoods. The 650mm clearance is only applicable to new installations. Where a cooker is being replaced in an existing installation it can still be installed at 600mm. The 450mm clearance is still allowed as long as the rangehood is designed for that clearance and provided the cooker is certified as a caravan/marine cooker.
• Clause 7.5 – Carbon monoxide alarms when required in boats must conform with referenced internationally recognised standards.
• Appendix B – New requirements for thermal protection of combustible surfaces.
• Appendix C – New pipe sizing tables which allow for more flow capacity.
• Appendix E3.2(b) – Gas leakage tests now require for any interlocks (e.g. on cooker lids) to be in the open position when testing for leaks.
• Appendix E4 – Requires testing for leaks between the cylinder and first stage regulator with soapy water.
• Appendix L – New appendix on purging in line with AS/NZS5601.1.

The draft standard can be downloaded and comments submitted via Standards Australia. The closing date for public comment is 30 January 2020.