As previously communicated, on 30 September 2022, Standards Australia published a new version of AS/NZS 5601.1 Gas Installations part 1: General installations.

The six month transition period ended on 29 March 2023, and full compliance with AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 will be required from 30 March 2023 except for clause 5.2.11 which is subject to a new variation notice by the Director of Energy Safety.

Pursuant to regulation 32(3) to the Gas Standards (Gasfitting and Consumer Gas Installations) Regulations 1999, the Director of Energy Safety WA, has issued the following variation, which was published in the Government Gazette on 24 March 2023.

“Where a gas installation is newly installed or an existing gas installation is altered or modified, that gas installation is not required to comply with clause 5.2.11 of AS/NZS 5601.1 where the work of installing, altering or modifying the gas installation was commenced prior to 30 June 2023.

For this variation to apply in respect of a given gas installation, a gasfitter must, as part of their notice of completion for installing, altering or modifying the gas installation, include a note setting out when that work (of installing, altering or modifying the gas installation) was commenced.”

This variation has effectively extended the transition period for clause 5.2.11 of AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 by an additional three months. The remainder of AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 are not affected by this variation notice and will apply in Western Australia from 30 March 2023.

The Director of Energy Safety issued the variation notice for clause 5.2.11 for the following reasons:

1. Advice from the industry that excess flow valves required by the new clause 5.2.11 for Class 1a buildings is not readily available but that supply is expected to arrive shortly; and
2. Concerns raised in relation to the wording of the new clause 5.2.11 for buildings other than Class 1a buildings where multilayer pipes are used. The wording of clause 5.2.11 is being reviewed nationally and if necessary the Director of Energy Safety will vary the wording by another notice during this extended transition period.

The Director of Energy Safety WA has also issued variation No. 2, which was published in the Government Gazette on 31 March 2023. The variation allows the overhead clearance between the range hood and gas cooker installed in connection with a building permit obtained before 30/3/2023 to comply with 600 mm of overhead clearance unless the manufacturer’s installation instructions (for the cooking appliance or range hood) require a greater distance. For this variation to apply, the gasfitters are required to see the applicable building permit and include a note in the Notice Of Completion setting out when the building permit was granted.

The reason for issuing variation No. 2 is due to delays in the WA building industry. Building and Energy has been advised that the kitchen cabinetry for some new developments have already been designed and fabricated to comply with the 600 mm clearance for the range hood before the implementation of AS/NZS 5601:2022. Hence, it will be impractical to modify the already fabricated kitchen cabinets for these new developments to allow 650 mm for range hood clearance, which is required by AS/NZS 5601.1:2022. However, the industry has assured Building and Energy that in every case the separation distance will meet the manufacturers’ specifications.

Building and Energy worked with ATCO and Energy Safe Victoria, to produce this this video to assist people understand the new requirements for multilayer pipes: www.youtube.com/watch?v=leXJDmyzPQI 

Building and Energy has also prepared some answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have any further questions on changes, please contact Building and Energy at (08) 6251 1900 or be.info@demirs.wa.gov.au.