Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) and the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) will adopt a revised Australian Standard over the next six months, improving gas installation safety by reducing the risk of explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Standard AS/NZS 5601.1 “Gas Installations: General installations” sets out added requirements for the design and installation of pipes, components and appliances in order to make gasfitting work safer for Victorian gasfitters and make gas installations safer for their customers.
The revised Standard was published by Standards Australia on 30 September 2022 and will become mandatory from 30 March 2023. 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.
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.
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
“ESV has been directly involved in the development of this revised Standard working to protect both gasfitters and their customers, reducing the chance of gas leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.” “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.” VBA Principal Plumbing Specialist Anwar Gayed “At every opportunity, we aim to increase awareness of the plumbing sector’s regulatory environment and help practitioners and industry navigate the system. “These changes are aimed at improving consumer safety and clarifying aspects of gasfitting work.”
Media contacts:
Adrian Bernecich 0437 729 194 | adrian.bernecich@energysafe.vic.gov.au; Clayton Bennett 0417 854 245 | media@vba.vic.gov.auReviewed 14 December 2022