This advisory note covers recreational vehicles (RV’s), caravans, campers, and camper trailers
| Advisory note | 10/2023 |
|---|---|
| For | Licensees and contractors working in the gasfitting industry |
| Scope | Applies to all areas in New South Wales |
Issue
Gas installations in Recreational Vehicles must comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 5601.2 2020.
Fair Trading have been conducting audit gas inspections on recreational vehicle manufacturers.
During the audit gas inspections, we identified non-compliances within the installations. Some of the most common non-compliances found are listed in the table below.
Non-Compliance Identified | Related Legislation or Standard |
Specialist work (gas installation) was being carried out by unqualified persons. | Clause 33 of the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 |
Gas installation for low pressure piping was not installed using fully annealed copper piping. | AS/NZS 5601.2 2020 - Clause 5.1.4.2 Low pressure |
The use of press fit connections which is prohibited. | AS/NZS 5601.2 2020 - Clause 5.1.4.4 Prohibited types of piping, joints and fittings. |
Failure to maintain a minimum of 25mm between the gas pipe installed clipped to the chassis/underfloor and an electrical service. | AS/NZS 5601.2 2020 - Clause 5.2.1 General requirements |
Gas pipe work was insufficiently supported. | AS/NZS 5601.2 2020 - Clause 5.2.11 Pipe supports and fixings |
The refrigerator installed in a caravan was not installed in a sealed recess to prevent the infiltration of combustion products into the living space | AS/NZS 5601.2 2020 - Clause 6.12.3 Location |
References
Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017
AS/NZS 5601.2 2020 (installation of gas pipework in a caravan)
Relevant Definitions - AS/NZS 5601.2 2020
1.1.1 Scope
This Standard specifies requirements and means of conformance for the design, installation, repair, alteration, modification, replacement, and commissioning of LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes.
The requirements cover —
(a) caravans;
(b) mobile homes, mobile holiday homes, campervans and motor homes;
(c) transportable structures with fixed gas installations, other than transportable homes and classroom units;
(d) trucks and trailers incorporating fixed gas installations;
(e) boats;
(f) houseboats;
(g) floating restaurants, whether fixed or mobile; and
(h) catering vehicles, whether self-propelled or towed.
NOTE 1: A mobile home includes what is often referred to as a “tiny house”, which is a relocatable home as distinct from a permanent structure that is transported from one fixed location to the next.
NOTE 2: Where commercial catering equipment is to be installed, refer to AS/NZS5601.1 for specific appliance installation requirements downstream of the appliance installation valve.
1.3.7 caravan
structure designed or adapted to be moved from one place to another, whether towed or transported, which is intended for human habitation or use as a workplace, and includes a self-propelled recreational vehicle or mobile home, and any associated annex or similar structure, whether permanently or temporarily attached to, or adjoining the main portion of the structure.
1.3.34 gas installation
combination of the following used or intended to be used in the supplying and utilization of gas, taken as separate items or as a whole: piping, fittings, components, appliances, flues, apparatus or other devices and associated requirements.
Requirements
LP Gasfitting work must only be carried out by a qualified person or under the immediate supervision of a qualified person.
A qualified person is a person who holds an endorsed contractors’ license or supervisors’ certificate in the category of LP Gasfitting.
It is illegal for someone to employ an unqualified person to carry out LP gasfitting work. If an unqualified person is working under the immediate supervision of a qualified person, they must also be employed by a person or company who holds a contractor's license in the category of LP Gasfitting.
All gas installations on recreational vehicles must comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 5601.2 2020.
More information
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 May 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.