| Advisory note | 09/2023 |
|---|---|
| For | Licensees and contractors working in the gasfitting industry |
| Scope | Applies to all areas in New South Wales |
Issue
A new revision of AS/NZS5601.1 has been released on 30 September 2022 (AS/NZS5601.1:2022) and becomes the referenced standard from 30 March 2023.
Multilayer piping has less durability and mechanical strength than metallic piping when subjected to fire.
AS/NZS5601.1:2022 requires the provision of emergency isolation when multilayer pipe is installed as part of the consumer piping.
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
5.2.11 Provision of fire emergency isolation for multilayer pipe
Where multilayer pipe is used as part of consumer piping, the following requirements for fire emergency isolation shall apply:
- (a) The installation shall be fitted with a system that will shut off the gas supply when the fire safety system operates.
- (b) The method of isolation shall be a single class 1 safety shut-off valve that meets the requirements of AS 4629 and automatically isolates the gas flow to the building when de-energized. This valve shall –
- (i) operate only when an active fire safety system operates; and
- (ii) be located prior to any multi-layered pipe and be as close as practicable to the gas supply point to the building, and readily accessible.
- (c) The system shall provide pressure proving of the downstream installation prior to restoration of the gas supply.
Alternatively, for a Class 1a building in Australia, or detached or multi-unit dwelling in New Zealand, a system or device that automatically shuts off the gas supply if gas tightness is adversely affected by a fire emergency event shall be provided. The system or device which shuts off the gas supply shall be installed in a readily accessible location as close as practicable to the point of supply and prior to any multi-layer pipe. The device shall be sized and commissioned in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, to ensure safe and correct operation and avoid nuisance tripping.
Relevant definitions - AS/NZS 5601.1 2022:
1.3.1.1 readily accessible
Access can be gained without hazard, undue difficulty, or use of a tool.
1.3.39 fire safety system
One or any combination of the methods used in a building to –
(a) warn people of a fire emergency;
(b) provide for safe evacuation;
(c) restrict the spread of fire; or
(d) extinguish a fire,
which includes both active and passive systems.
Relevant definitions - National Construction Code:
Class 1a Buildings
Class 1a is one or more buildings, which together form a single dwelling including the following:
(a) a detached house
(b) one of a group of two or more attached dwellings, each being a building, separated by a fire-resisting wall, including a row house, terrace house, town house or villa unit
Requirements:
When using any type of multilayer gas pipe as part of the consumer piping system, consideration must be given to the requirement of installing a fire emergency isolation in a readily accessible place.
Installation of the isolation valve
This new requirement also applies to the alteration of existing consumer piping, but not in every instance. The table below lists some common situations of working on a gas installation and whether a valve is required to be installed on an installation that does not currently have one.
| Gas installation type | Fire emergency isolation required |
|---|---|
| New installation using multilayer pipe | Yes |
| Alteration/Addition to existing copper pipework installation using multilayer pipe for the new section | Yes |
| Alteration/Addition to existing multilayer pipework installation using copper pipe for the new section | No |
| Minor repair of an existing multilayer installation using a small piece (e.g. 100mm) of multilayer or copper | No |
| Replacing an existing appliance with no alteration to existing installation | No |
Common questions
When does this requirement come into effect?
This requirement must be adhered to for any work on a gas installation after 30 March 2023.
Is this requirement limited to residential buildings?
No, this requirement is for any gas installation where multilayer pipe is used as part of consumer piping.
Do these changes apply to LP Gas installations?
Yes, this requirement is for any gas installation where multilayer pipe is used as part of consumer piping.
Are there alternate locations for installation of the isolation valve to the meter position?
The valve doesn’t have to be fitted directly to the gas meter, however it must be
- located prior to any multi-layered pipe, and
- be as close as practicable to the gas supply point to the building, and
- be readily accessible.
Will installing these new valves/devices affect my pipe sizing due to pressure loss?
Due to the range of valves/devices available to comply with this requirement, the manufacturers specifications of the valve/device would need to be referenced as they may vary. Any pressure loss of the valve/device to be used would need to be considered when pipe sizing of the installation.
How can I avoid nuisance tripping?
The valve/device must be sized for the megajoule load of the installation and commissioned in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
More information
Energy Safe Victoria, in collaboration with Building and Energy Western Australia and ATCO Australia have developed the following video for industry guidance on the new requirements for multilayer pipe.
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 April 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.