21
For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
July 2014
energysafe issue 36
Flue termination under
caravan annexes
By Enzo Alfonsetti, Manager Type A
Gas Appliance Safety
products may linger or cause a nuisance to
the occupants.
A ventilation problem may exist where a
flue terminates under a caravan annexe.
Gasfitters need to be aware that a gas
appliance flue should not terminate under
a covered area without adequate ventilation
being provided.
It is important to note that when installing flued
gas appliances in caravans that their flue terminals
must be installed where combustion products can
readily disperse.
Caravans fitted with flued gas appliances
may have a ventilation problem where a flue
terminates under the cover of a caravan annexe.
In this situation there may be insufficient free flow
ventilation when annexe doors and windows are
closed. Combustion products may not readily
disperse.
Part 2 of Australian Standard AS/NZS 5601:2013
states clearly the ventilation requirements for a
flue installed under cover where combustion
8.4.2 Termination of a flue under a cover
Where the flue terminal of a balanced flue
appliance, room-sealed appliance, a fan-assisted
appliance or the flue terminal of an appliance
designed for outdoor installation is to be installed
under a covered area, where combustion
products might not readily disperse or a
nuisance could occur, either:
»» the covered area shall be open on at least
two sides and the terminal shall be located
to ensure a free flow of air across it is
achieved; or
»» in the case of a fan-assisted flue appliance
only, when one side is open, the terminal shall
be within 500mm of the opening, discharging
in the direction of the opening and there shall
be no openings into the caravan or boat along
the wall within that distance and the terminal
shall be located to ensure that a free flow of air
across it is achieved.
Note: These requirements do not apply to
domestic gas barbecues and radiant gas heaters
designed for outdoor use. For these appliances,
refer to Appendix L. This requirement is not new.
AS 5601:2004, and previous editions, have also
stated this requirement.
To be clear, this requirement only applies to
flued gas appliances such as refrigerators, water
heaters and space heaters where the flue terminates
under cover, such as an annexe. It does not apply
to flueless cooking appliances that are attended
appliances and are operated for relatively short
periods of time. However, ventilation is still required in
any space within the caravan where gas appliances
are installed