On 1 September 2012 a new Gas Supply (Consumer Safety) Regulation commenced. The Regulation continues the regulatory framework for gas appliances connected to networks and non-networks, gas installations, autogas, licensed gas fitters and the testing of gas meters.

What’s changed?

The 2012 Regulation is a remake of the Gas Supply (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2004 with several amendments, including the items below.

Certificates of compliance and certificates of inspection

From 1 March 2013 gas fitters and autogas mechanics are required to provide Fair Trading with a completed copy of a Certificate of Inspection or Certificate of Compliance following any gas fitting or autogas work.

Download the Licensee's Certificate of Compliance/Inspection (PDF size: 495kb) and fill it in.

How to use the form

Start filling out the licensee copy, and the details will also appear in the duplicate forms to be provided to Fair Trading, the consumer, and to the network operator or gas supplier.

The new form can be used by both gasfitters and autogas mechanics. The sections for vehicle details and autogas containers only need to be filled out by autogas mechanics. Autogas mechanics do not need to provide a copy of the form to the network operator or gas provider.

Licensees need to create their own unique serial numbers for these forms, using their licence number followed by a number. For example, if your licence number is 444444C, you should use 444444C001 for your first certificate, 444444C002 for the second, and so on.  Enter the serial number in the box at the top right hand corner of the form.

Forms can be submitted to Fair Trading in a number of ways.

Mail:

Energy Utilities Unit
NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972
PARRAMATTA  NSW  2124

Email: gassafety@services.nsw.gov.au

Fair Trading is working on a system for completing certificates online in a simple, cost effective manner. The system will be similar to the one currently being developed for plumbers and drainers. Fair Trading will shortly begin consulting with industry on the implementation of the system.

Time period to lodge certificates of compliance and inspection

Gas fitters and autogas mechanics now have 5 business days to provide a certificate of inspection to owners or occupiers and NSW Fair Trading (plus the network operators or usual suppliers of gas for gasfitters) following the completion of gasfitting or autogas work. While this does not prevent a tradesperson from providing the certificate immediately, it will allow a suitable time period to lodge and is more consistent with other similar fair trading regulation.

When gas fitters working on gas installations not supplied from a gas network complete a certificate of inspection and determine that the installation is patently defective, they now must provide a copy of the certificate to the usual supplier of gas to the installation within 5 business days.

Notification of a serious gas accident to Fair Trading

Owners or occupiers are now required to notify Fair Trading if a serious gas accident occurs on their premises. An accident can be reported to Fair Trading in the following manner:

Mail:

Energy Utilities Unit
NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972
PARRAMATTA  NSW  2124

Phone: 13 32 20

Email: gassafety@services.nsw.gov.au

Please include information on where, when and what happened, and provide contact details for Fair Trading to get back in touch with you.

While gas accidents are reported to the WorkCover Authority (if it is a workplace) and emergency services are usually involved, this requirement will cover other situations involving outdoor heaters or gas barbecues and will allow Fair Trading to investigate and ensure gas consumer safety is maintained.

A serious gas accident means an accident:

• caused by the use of a gas appliance, gas installation or autogas installation to supply gas, or by work carried out on a gas appliance, gas installation or autogas installation, and
• in which a person dies or suffers permanent disability, is hospitalised or receives treatment from a health care professional or is unable to attend work for any period of time.

Responsibility to maintain gas installations

There is a new requirement for owners or occupiers to maintain their gas installations in safe working order. The requirement is not onerous, but is designed to ensure the owner or occupier make sure the gas installation is not impaired by interference, damage, ageing or wear, is used as designed, and is not made a fire danger by having combustible materials stored in the vicinity of the gas outlet. 

Autogas identification labels

Autogas identification labels must now comply with AS/NZ1425 in the case of LPG or AS/NZ 2739 in the case of CNG. 

Compliance Plates

The requirements for compliance plates attached to gas installations have been updated to ensure the numbers better reflect modern appliances. The appliances are now numbered as shown in the table below.

Other minor amendments

The new Regulation also provides the Director-General with the power to make exemptions, amends penalty provisions to remove the specific penalty for employees to reflect that Fair Trading does not regulate workplaces, and makes other minor reorganisation and drafting amendments.

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