20
Gas
news
Tackling
men’s
health
and
safety
issues
By Laurie Devitt, GIAS Inspector
Recently ESV was invited to contribute to
a men’s health seminar organised by PJM
Engineering Pty Ltd. At the invitation of
Pat Heverin, OH&S Manager, gas inspector
Laurie Devitt spoke about ESV’s role as
Victoria’s energy regulator.
The seminar, held on 26 June, focused on
men’s health issues on the job site and at home.
Laurie spoke to a large group of plumbers
and apprentices about a number of gas safety
topics includi ng:
»» carbon monoxide safety awareness campaign
»» the importance of gas appliance servicing
»» ventilation requirements
»» purging of gasfitting lines
»» LPG safety
»» Look before you cook safety campaign.
He stressed that open flued gas appliances can
be affected by lack of maintenance and incorrect
installation. Faulty flues, exhaust fans and lack
of adequate ventilation all contribute to the
possibility of carbon monoxide being present.
Participants were encouraged to follow
ESV’s guidelines on testing for the presence of
carbon monoxide in the workplace or home.
Guest speaker Steve Cornell, from Incolink,
spoke of the effects of stress on men’s health
Warning about
non-compliant
fire-resistant
boards
ESV is warning gasfitters and plumbers
that 9mm FRB (fire-resistant board)
has been found not to comply with the
requirements of clause C2 (c) of AS/NZS
5601.1:2013.
ESV is aware of some fires in commercial
kitchens occurring in combustible surfaces
behind this material even though the
installation of appliances appeared to comply
Let’s talk about health: ESV’s Laurie Devitt spoke to a large group of plumbers and apprentices about
a range of topics including the health risks associated with carbon monoxide.
as well as drug and alcohol abuse, depression
and suicide. Steve provided advice to
participants and explained the support that
Incolink could provide for people in difficult times.
PJM Engineering Pty Ltd was founded
in 1981 by Phillip Meade and has developed
into a technically sound, professional and
significant plumbing, heating and air-conditioning
contractor.
PJM employs in excess of 90 people
including a team of 75 plumbers and plumbing
apprentices. PJM has completed a number of
major projects including SWH-Warrnambool
Hospital, Frankston Hospital, CSC Docklands
and the Swinburne University Hub Building.
Phillip Meade and Pat Heverin of PJM
Engineering are to be congratulated for organising
this safety seminar and giving ESV the opportunity
to speak to plumbers and apprentices.
with AS/NZS 5601.1:2013. Consequently these
boards are no longer acceptable to be used
where fire resistance protection is required.
Testing has identified that the heat
transfer coefficient of this board is above the
maximum allowable limit as required by
AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 and therefore it will not
provide the thermal protection required for
combustible material.
By placing 9mm FRB fire resistant board
directly over combustible materials, such as
timber, and applying heat, there is a possibility in
certain conditions that heat transfer through the
fire resistant board will be above the allowable
limit of 65 degrees Celsius above ambient and
cause a fire.
On the basis of test results, ESV will no
longer accept gas installation applications that
have nominated 9mm FRB fire resistant board
as a fire resistant material used to protect
combustible surfaces.
However, should 9mm FRB fire resistant
board be used in combination with Gyprock
10mm plasterboard, then the heat transfer
coefficient is not exceeded and this setup is
considered acceptable (safe).
ESV is also investigating other boards
sold as fire resistant materials and previously
listed on Gas Information Sheet 3:
Fire resistant boards.
ESV’s investigation is ongoing, and Gas
Information Sheet 3 has been withdrawn.
Plumbers and gasfitters are advised to seek
written confirmation from the manufacturer/
supplier that the material meets the requirement
of AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 Appendix C.
To request gas safety information
for your workplace, or to
arrange for an ESV employee
to give a talk, call the ESV
Gas Technical Helpline on
1800 652 563