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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
Summer 2015
energysafe issue 38
Protection of combustible
surfaces in domestic
and commercial catering
installations
by Jason Treseder, Gas Engineer
All gasfitters should now be aware of the
changed requirements that may apply
to gas installations as a result of the
publication of AS/NZS 5601.1-2013 and
AS/NZS 5601.2-2013 that was called up
in Victoria in March 2014.
The new standard has a number of
changes compared to AS 5601-2004 and ESV
has received a number of queries in relation to
the protection of combustible material using
fire resistant materials and other materials in
domestic and commercial installations.
In particular, there has been some confusion
over the introduction of a new Table C1 into the
2013 standard, which allows a number of new
options that are deemed to provide adequate
protection for combustible surfaces in domestic
cooker installations.
However, gasfitters need to be aware that the
options specified in Table C1 may only be used for
domestic installations and it is not acceptable to
use Table C1 in commercial catering installations.
Combustible material in commercial catering
installations must continue to be protected with
fire resistant material in accordance with clause
C2 from Appendix C.
Combustible materials near gas appliances
will often require either minimum clearances from
hot surfaces or the combustible materials will
require additional protection to reduce the risk
of fire and damage.
Minimum clearances are generally
specified in the manufacturer’s installation
and operating instructions. Commercial catering
appliances and domestic gas cookers have
further minimum clearance and protection
requirements to combustibles that are
mandated in AS/NZS 5601.1.
Domestic cooker installations
One of the more significant changes
to the requirements for the protection of
combustible surfaces is in the installation
of domestic cookers.
Requirements for the protection of
combustion surfaces near hotplate burners on
domestic cookers are specified in clause 6.10.1.1
and 6.10.1.2 of AS/NZS 5601.1-2013. Where
hotplate burners are less than those specified
either in the manufacturer’s instruction or 200mm
from a combustible side or rear wall, the surface
must be protected to a height of at least 150mm.
In the 2004 standard the protection means
options included fixing 5mm ceramic tiles or fitting
fire resistant material covered by 0.4mm sheet
metal. The 2013 standard has introduced a new
Table C1 in Appendix C that specifies a number
of acceptable means of protection in domestic
cooker installations, which include a range of
different options.
In many cases fire resistant material is no
longer required if the underlying material has
been chosen appropriately.
The options in Table C1 include the following:
»» 5mm ceramic tiles installed over
10mm gypsum-based wall board
»» 5mm ceramic tiles installed over
6mm fibre cement board
»» 5mm toughened safety glass installed
over 10mm gypsum-based wall board
»» 5mm toughened safety glass installed
over 6mm fibre cement board
»» 0.4mm sheet metal installed over
12mm fibre cement board
»» 0.4mm sheet metal installed over 6mm
fibre cement board installed over 10mm
gypsum-based wall board.
Previously compliant installation methods
that use 0.4mm sheet metal installed over fire
resistant material are also still acceptable.
Commercial appliances installations
The requirements for commercial
catering appliance clearances are specified
in clause 6.10.2.3 and table 6.10 of AS/NZS
5601.1-2013 and generally have not changed
from AS 5601-2004.
Commercial catering installations must
either provide the minimum required clearances
or, if clearances are not available, install
fire resistant material in accordance with
appendix C2.
Compliance with Table C1 is not acceptable
for commercial installations. Minimum overhead
clearances to grease filters are also unchanged.
Gasfitters should also be aware that the
requirements for fire resistant materials have
changed. Generally, to be accepted as a fire
resistant material the material must have
evidence that it is non-combustible as well
as having sufficient thickness and insulation
to prevent heat flowing through to underlying
combustible surfaces.
In the 2004 standard evidence of noncombustibility was demonstrated through testing
to both AS1530.1 and AS/NZS 1530.3. Under
AS/NZS 5601.1-2013 testing to either standard
is acceptable evidence of non-combustibility.
Any material that complies with the
requirements of Appendix C2 can be used
as a fire resistant material.
ESV information sheet 3, which is available
on the ESV website at www.esv.vic.gov.au,
contains a list of materials for which evidence of
compliance has been supplied to ESV.
Maintaining appropriate clearances to
combustible materials or providing adequate
protection against combustibles is critical to
ensure the risk of fire or injury is minimised and
is the responsibility of the licensed gasfitter.
For more information please contact the
ESV technical helpline on 1800 652 563.
Gasfitters with queries can
phone ESV on 1800 652 583
or visit www.esv.vic.gov.au