18
Gas Q & A
Your gas questions answered !
PERFORMANCE-BASED DESIGN CONSUMER PIPING AND FLUES
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
What are the general requirements for consumer piping design and installation ?
Where and how should consumer piping be located ?
Why should consumer piping be supported ?
Does consumer piping require corrosion control ?
Why should there be provision for clearing condensate from consumer piping ?
What are the general requirements for flue design and installation ?
What are the installation criteria for flues ?
Consumer piping shall be designed and installed to : ( a ) convey gas at a predetermined pressure and flow rate ( b ) be gastight ( c ) avoid damage by corrosion , stress or other means .
Consumer piping shall be installed in a manner that does not adversely affect the structural strength and fire resistance of any building or structure . All consumer piping shall be identifiable as part of a pipe system for conveying gas .
Consumer piping : »» shall be installed so that it is protected from damage
»» shall be located to avoid a build-up of hazardous gas in the event a gas leak occurs
»» shall not be placed in any location where it would prejudice egress from a building in an emergency , or interfere with any emergency response »» shall be located so that there is sufficient spacing from other services to ensure they can be safely operated and maintained and to minimise any hazard arising from the failure of either the consumer piping or any other service .
Consumer piping shall be securely supported to minimise stress from differential movements , for example movement caused by earthquake , vibration and thermal effects .
Consumer piping must be suitably protected from corrosive environments and galvanic corrosion potentials to avoid being damaged .
If condensate is likely to occur in consumer piping it shall be installed so that the condensate will fall to a low point with a tailpipe installed for the condensate ’ s removal .
Flues shall be fitted to every gas appliance that requires a flue for safe operation . They shall be designed and installed to safely discharge combustion products from the connected appliances .
A flue shall be installed so that : »» it is supported independently of the appliance
»» it is suitably fastened to the host building or structure to ensure stability and to prevent stressing of joints . any penetration of the building envelope is sealed to prevent ingress of water .
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013 2.4 Consumer piping 2.4.1 General
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013 2.4.4 Location
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013
2.4.5 Support of consumer piping
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013 2.4.6 Corrosion control
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013 2.5 Flues 2.5.1 General
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013 2.5.4 Installation
How should flues be located ? Flues shall be located so that : »» the building or structure shall be suitably protected from the thermal effects of flues
»» damage or interference to or by any other utility or service is averted .
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013 2.5.5 Location
What safety considerations should be considered for the termination of flues ?
Flue terminals shall : »» prevent any material or substance that could impair the performance of the flue or gas appliance entering the flue ( this material includes the fitment of any mesh screen to the flue terminal ) »» be located to minimise entry of combustion products into any building and to minimize the effects of adverse draught on the performance of the gas appliance »» be located to prevent harm to persons ( includes flue cowls ).
AS / NZS 5601.1:2013 2.5.7 Flue termination