Latest gas installation standards published AS/NZS 5601.1 & 2:2013

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 Gas installations – Part 1 General installations and AS/NZS 5601.2:2013 Gas installations – Part 2: LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes replace the 2010 documents. However, the 2010 standards continue to be the ones referenced in the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 until the Regulations are amended, which is likely to be in 2014. The 2010 standards will not be withdrawn until the Regulations are amended.

Parts 1 and 2 of AS 5601:2013 provide essential requirements and deemed-to-comply solutions, and to promote uniform standards of gas installation. Part 2 provides a stand-alone standard for LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes.

Changes introduced by Parts 1 and 2 of AS/NZS 5601:2013

Part 1

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 includes the mandatory requirements and means of compliance for the design, installation, and commissioning of gas installations associated with the use or intended use of fuel gases such as natural gas, LP Gas, or biogas. For New Zealand, these requirements cover gas installations downstream of the point of supply (as defined in the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010).

The standard does not apply to:

• portable or mobile gas appliances (such as barbecues or patio heaters) that are connected directly, or by hose assembly, to an LP Gas cylinder
• automotive CNG compressors and refuelling stations
• installations in vehicles for automotive use
• caravans and boats (covered in AS/NZS 5601.2).

New Zealand legislative changes in 1992 removed the responsibility for inspection and certification of gas installations from the gas suppliers and introduced a regime of gas certification by a person authorised under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006. It is intended that only the performance requirements of section 2 (performance-based design and other essential requirements) will be mandatory in New Zealand.

Section 2 covers the various aspects of a gas installation that contribute to its safety. It includes performance criteria for compliance with legislative requirements for the safety of gas installations. Sections 3 to 6 provide more detailed information as a means of compliance with the performance criteria. The means of compliance in sections 3 to 6 are not the only means of compliance with the performance criteria of section 2.

The key changes from AS/NZS 5601.1:2010 include:

• exclusion of 1st family gases (for example, tempered liquefied petroleum)
• temperature limitations for press fit connectors
• new means of compliance for ventilation of flued appliances, including new normative appendix for combustion products spillage testing
• adoption by Australia of a table (Table C1) that was previously for New Zealand only
• revised Appendix F for pipe sizing in relation to increased flow capacities where supply and equipment pressure permits
• revised Appendix G for the method in calculating breather vent orifice sizes
• new normative Appendix O for gas appliance commissioning
• new normative Appendix P for symbols used in gas control system diagrams
• new normative Appendix Q comprising a gas installation checklist
• new normative Appendix R for spillage testing of combustion products.

Part 2

AS/NZS 5601.2:2013 covers the mandatory requirements and means of compliance for the design, installation, and commissioning of LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes. The requirements cover caravans, mobile holiday homes, campervans and motor homes, trucks and trailers incorporating fixed gas installations, boats, houseboats, floating restaurants (whether fixed or mobile), and catering vehicles (whether self-propelled or towed).

The standard does not apply to:

• installations covered by statutory requirements of the Maritime Transport Act 1994
• the use of LP Gas as a fuel for automotive or propulsion purposes
• installations in transportable homes and mobile classroom units
• installation of commercial catering equipment.

Section 2 covers the various aspects of a gas installation that contribute to its safety. It states performance criteria for compliance with legislative requirements for safety of gas installations. Sections 3 to 9 provide more detailed information as a means of compliance with the performance criteria, but are not the only means of compliance with the performance criteria in section 2.

The key changes from AS/NZS 5601.2:2010 include:

• clarification of drainage and ventilation requirements for LP Gas cylinder compartments and lockers
• clarification of refrigerator installations
• guidance on increase in ventilation area where mesh is installed
• new warning label for vents
• mandatory requirements for consumer instructions in Appendix G
• new informative Appendix I for gas appliance commissioning
• new informative Appendix J for symbols used in gas control system diagrams
• new informative Appendix K with a gas installation checklist.