New Zealand draft standards

The revision of this standard by Standards New Zealand Committee P4206 serves as a specification for reticulated methane-based gas. It acknowledges and accommodates blending renewable gases (such as biomethane and hydrogen) supplied to consumers, to help ensure that the gas is suitable for transportation, and safe to use in gas-burning appliances and equipment. The committee has, therefore, decided to drop the word ‘natural’ from the previous title of this standard, to reflect that blending other gases with methane-based gas in the network is an acceptable practice.

While there are no specific limits on the level of biomethane that can be blended, the committee determined that blending hydrogen is restricted to injection within the LDS (< 20 barg) and limited to 10% maximum. The rationale for this requirement comes from a body of international research. The limits set by the committee are designed to remain within the range set by the Wobbe index parameters, while being consistent and aligned with hydrogen blending limitations in the latest revision of AS 4564, General-purpose natural gas.

The current recognised industry good practice, soon to be superseded by the adoptions, come via AS/NZS 1838:1994 Swimming pools – Premoulded fibre-reinforced plastics – Design and fabrication and AS/NZS 1839:1994 Swimming pools – Premoulded fibre-reinforced plastics – Installation.

In 2021 the joint standards were revised with New Zealand opting out, leading to a ‘dejointed’ Australian-only standard progressing in Australia. However, the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of both Australia and New Zealand (SPASA), through its New Zealand subsidiary Pool and Spa Association Ltd, recognised the need to bring current good practice to the New Zealand market, subsequently commissioning the adoption with modification of both AS 1838:2021 and AS 1839:2021. The resultant standards will supersede AS/NZS 1838 and AS/NZS 1839 as ‘NZS AS 1838’ and ‘NZS AS 1839’.

To be adopted ‘with modification’ means a committee representing New Zealand interests will consider if updated material in the recent Australian Standards is suitable for the New Zealand swimming pool and spa industry and, if not, develop appropriate modifications.
SPASA and other industry leaders have recognised that New Zealand manufacturers, installers and consumers would benefit from newer, improved technologies and materials and updated design and installation practices being detailed in a more modern standard. Also, the improvements will result in improved and longer lasting pool structures that reflect current best practice.

A committee representing material experts, engineering, equipment installers, manufacturers and installers, along with independent consultants, will provide a balanced view to assess and inform the modifications. The committee has a combination of New Zealand and Australian participants to ensure the right balance of expertise is extracted across both countries