EnergySafe Magazine Spring 2014, issue 37 | Page 26

26

Gas
Q&A

 gas
Your
questions
answered!

Compiled by ESV’s Gas Installations
and Appliance Safety team.
As per previous issues of Energysafe,
we are pleased to provide answers
for a varied range of frequently asked
questions received on ESV’s Gas
Technical Helpline, 1800 652 563.

Note The technical regulator may require notification before work commences and confirmation that completed work is in accordance with
this Standard (AS 5601—2013) and any other relevant requirements.
Question

Answer

Clause

Before commencing your gas installation
what do you need to establish?

You need to establish:
(a) the gas type available
(b)  hether the gas supply is adequate to satisfy likely simultaneous
w
demands or peak loading
(c)  hether the gas meter or cylinder supply is sufficient to meet
w
the anticipated maximum demand
(d) the gas pressure at the inlet to the consumer piping
(e) he maximum pressure supplied at the outlet of the gas meter
t
or cylinder in the event of a failure of the supply regulator or control
(f) the location of the gas meter.

AS 5601:1:2013
3.1 Gas supply
3.2 Gas demand

Also you need to establish the gas pressure and flow requirements
for all gas appliances including existing gas appliances.
Before sealing or connecting the pipework
of your installation what must you check for?

You must check that your pipework is clear of any debris and
dry before sealing it.

AS 5601:1:2013
3.4.1 Removal of
debris

In a situation (while work is in progress)
where you are required to remove of a gas
fitting or appliance from consumer piping,
or required to cut an installed pipe what
must you do to the open ends of the pipe?

The open ends (other than those of the immediate work area) of the pipe
must be sealed prior to, and for the duration of, the work. When you vacate
the work site you must make sure all open pipe ends have been sealed.
The closing of a shut-off valve will not satisfy this requirement unless
the outlet of the valve is sealed.

AS 5601:1:2013
3.4.2 Open ends
to be sealed while
work is in progress

In a situation where you provide an outlet
in consumer piping (not fitted with a quickconnect device) for the future connection
of a gas appliance what are acceptable
methods for sealing the pipe?

The pipe outlet can be sealed using a plug, a cap, a blank flange or a capped
or plugged manual shut-off valve.

AS 5601:1:2013

Before you put any new gas installation
or altered existing consumer piping into
operation what must you do?

You must test the consumer piping, the installed gas appliances
and the valve trains for gas leakage.

AS 5601:1:2013
3.5.1 Testing a new
gas installation
3.5.2 Testing
consumer piping
after alteration,
repair or extension

Leakage tests also apply to consumer piping that has been altered,
repaired or extended.

3.4.3 Outlet provided
for future connection
to be sealed