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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
Summer 2015
energysafe issue 38
DIY disaster: gas explosion
rocks suburban Frankston
By Stephen Nolan, ESV Investigator
ESV is warning of the dangers of amateur
gas and electrical work after a DIY job on
a gas hot water unit went horribly wrong.
Late in the afternoon on 7 January, a home in
Frankston was partially destroyed by an explosion
that was heard up to 2km away.
ESV representatives attended the next day to
assist Victoria Police detectives with the investigation.
It was determined that a hot water service
situated outside the house in Drum Close
exploded and was thrown 100m, landing in
a nearby street. The force of the explosion
severely deformed the hot water service.
Remarkably, nobody was injured.
The explosion caused significant property
damage but fortunately there was no fire. This
could have been catastrophic as the yard
contained various types of gas cylinders.
One side of the house was totally demolished
and debris was strewn over a wide area. Palings
were blown off the neighbour’s fence.
On being interviewed, the occupant admitted
to making rectification works to the gas hot water
service. This work changed a safe installation into
a very dangerous installation.
The occupant had removed the leaking
Suburban nightmare: the remains of the home in Drum Close after amateur repairs caused a gas hot
water service (below) to explode. Victoria Police and ESV are investigating and charges are pending.
temperature relief valve, which all hot water
services have to reduce pressure build-up inside
the tank, and replaced it with a standard tap fitting.
This simple operation removed a critical safety
feature and allowed excess pressure to build-up
alarmingly. With nowhere to go, the pressure built
up in the hot water tank and caused it to explode.
All this could have been avoided if the
occupant had engaged a suitably qualified
plumber/gasfitter to fix the leak in the first place.
Victoria Police arrested the occupant following
the explosion. He may be charged with criminal
offences of conduct endangering persons and
unsafe modifications to a Type A appliance, which
is an offence under the Gas Safety Act 1997.
The potential for injury was enormous and
thankfully no one was hurt. This incident identifies the
need for the public to be made aware of the dangers
of carrying out plumbing/gasfitting work themselves.
It is against the law and it is dangerous.
The learnings from this incident are clear—
always engage a qualified, licensed person to do
your plumbing, gasfitting or electrical work.
For further information go to
www.esv.vic.gov.au or phone
1800 652 563
Automatic mutual recognition of licences
By Neil Fraser, Executive Manager
Electrical Installations, Licensing
and Equipment Safety
On 1 December 2014, NSW introduced
Automatic Mutual Recognition for east
coast electricians and some contractors.
This means a person holding a current
Victorian electrician’s licence who does
not reside in NSW can carry out work within
the scope of the NSW equivalent licence
without applying to NSW.
If you are a Victorian registered electrical
contractor and licensed electrical worker you
may contract in NSW. While working in NSW,
you are subject to NSW laws.
To meet compliance and enforcement
requirements, state and territory regulators have
agreed to share information about disciplinary
actions with the home state licensing authority.
The Victorian Electricity Safety (Registration
and Licensing) Regulations 2010, under
Regulation 30, allow a person with a current
interstate electrical licence that is not residing
in Victoria to carry out the work of an electrician
(A Grade) in Victoria after notifying ESV.
While working in Victoria, the person is
required to comply with the Victorian Electricity
Safety Act and regulations, including certification
of work and issuing of Certificates of Electrical
Safety. They are also subject to the Victorian
disciplinary and enforcement regime.
There is currently no automatic mutual
recognition in Victoria of RECs. A person moving
to Victoria must apply for a Victorian licence under
mutual recognition.