Frequently Asked Questions – AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Gas installations Part 1: General installations

This publication is for: 
Gas worker

On 30 September 2022, Standards Australia published a new version of AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Gas installations Part 1: General installations.

A summary of the major changes is provided on Building and Energy’s webpage, 'AS/NZS 5601.1: 2022 published'

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am replacing a gas turret in an existing science classroom or laboratory in an educational facility, do I need to meet the new requirements for the isolation of installations?

No. Replacing a gas turret in an existing science classroom will not trigger the new isolation requirements for installations in educational institutions.

This requirement does apply when an educational facility is renovating or upgrading the science classroom or laboratory.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 5.2.9.1

Do isolation valves in existing commercial kitchens need to be retrofitted?

Not necessarily.

The isolation valve is required to be retrofitted only if fitting line has been increased in size due to an increase in gas loads or additional appliances are installed.

Like-for-like replacement of an appliance in a commercial kitchen will not require the retrofitting of a commercial kitchen isolation valve.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 5.2.9.2

If I am only replacing a cooker in a house where a multilayer pipe was installed, do I need to install fire emergency isolation on that installation?

No, the gasfitting work is not required to comply with the new emergency isolation requirements for multilayer pipe in AS/NZS 5601:2022 because the gasfitting work was not done on or affected the installed multilayer pipe.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 5.2.11

Is fire emergency isolation required for residential and commercial gas installations where I install multilayer pipes?

Yes. It is important to note that the requirement for a fire emergency isolation system may differ depending on the building class.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 5.2.11

If I use copper, do I need fire emergency isolation?

No. If you only use copper pipe for the entire gas installation, the fire emergency isolation requirements will not be required. The new requirement is only applicable to installations containing multilayer piping.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 5.2.11

Can multilayer plastic gas pipe be used as an upstand for a gas meter if it is covered with UV-rated protection?

No. The use of multilayer pipes above ground, external to a building, is prohibited.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 5.3.16

If I install a gas appliance on a balcony (e.g. a continuous flow hot water heater), and the balcony has two open sides, do I still need to extend the flue terminal beyond the covered area?

Yes. Gas appliances on balconies are required to have the flue terminal extend beyond the covered area and discharge towards the open side.

This requirement does not apply to barbecues and radiant gas heaters designed for outdoor use. An eave is not considered a covered area unless it abuts an adjoining structure.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 6.9.4

If I change over a gas cooker and the range hood is less than 600mm, do I have to raise the range hood?

Yes. If the installation was non-compliant, the installation must be made compliant with the clearance requirements at the time of the original installation.

Additionally, you must check the new gas cooker appliance installation instructions to establish the required clearance, as it may be greater than 600mm.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 6.10.1.1

Do all freestanding commercial catering equipment with the inlet connection under the appliance now need to be installed using rigid connections?

No. Freestanding commercial catering equipment with the inlet connection under the appliance can be installed using a hose assembly, provided the connection point from under the appliance is extended to a higher level (e.g. extended in copper) to allow the hose assembly to be installed in a U-shape.

Reference: AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Clause 6.10.2.6

 

Building and Energy
Technical standards
Last updated 24 Mar 2023
First published 24 Mar 2023

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