| Advisory note | 05/2023 |
|---|---|
| For | Licensees and contractors working in the gasfitting industry |
| Scope | Applies to all areas in New South Wales |
Issue
Recent gas audit inspections of Class 1 and 2 buildings carried out by Fair Trading’s Gas Compliance Unit have identified piping not adequately supported in gas installations.
All gas installations in NSW must comply with the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 with any installation not conforming to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 considered non-compliant.
Reference
Gas and Electricity [Consumer Safety] Regulation 2018
AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 - Gas Installations
4.5.2 – Installation of proprietary systems
Proprietary systems shall be installed in accordance with TABLE 4.2 and the relevant manufacturer’s instructions.
5.8.1 – Consumer piping support system requirements
The consumer piping support system shall –
(a) be capable of supporting the piping system;
(b) firmly restrain the piping in the intended position and control movement of the piping system, taking into account any seismic requirements where appropriate; and
(c) have any component of the supporting system, which is to be in contact with the pipe, made of material that is compatible with the consumer piping material or electrically isolated from such piping system or equipment.
5.8.2 – Spacing of supporting devices
The spacing of supporting devices shall not exceed those specified in TABLE 5.8.2 or shall be in accordance with the piping manufacturer’s instructions. See Table 5.8.2 below.
Table 5.8.2 - Spacing of supporting devices
Nominal size of pipe | Vertical or horizontal run spacing, m | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Steel pipe | Copper or stainless | Semi-rigid stainless | Multilayer pipe | |
| 8 10 12 | 2 2 - | 1 1.5 - | - - 0.5 | - - 0.75 |
| 15 18 20 | 2 - 2.5 | 1.5 1.5 1.5 | 0.5 - 0.5 | 1 - 1.25 |
| 25 32 40 | 2.5 3 3 | 2 2.5 2.5 | 0.5 0.5 - | 1.5 2 2 |
| 50 - 65 80 - 200 | 3 4 | 3 4 | - - | 2 - |
Requirements
All gas consumer piping must be installed with adequate support as per the requirements AS/NZS 5601.1 2022 and the relevant manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Below are example photos of identified non-compliant installations.
Example 1: The multilayer gas pipe is installed without adequate support and the separation between clips is over the maximum permitted distance
Example 2: The multilayer gas pipe is installed without adequate support and the separation between clips is over the maximum permitted distance
Example 3: The separation between clips is over the maximum permitted distance.
For more information, please email: [email protected]
This advisory note has been approved for issue by the BSCU Technical Review Committee. Information contained within this document is current as of January 2023 and refers to codes and standards current at the time of writing.
NSW Fair Trading disclaims any liability (including for negligence) to any person in respect of anything done, or not done, by that person in whole or partial reliance on any of the information in this advisory note.