For all the latest energy safety news visit www . esv . vic . gov . au Spring / Summer 2016 energysafe issue 45
15
Chisholm Trade Expo
By Laurie Devitt , Gas Inspector
In October Chisholm Institute hosted the Chisholm Trade Innovation Expo 2016 at its Berwick Campus to showcase the latest innovations in the building trades industry .
The expo was the first of its kind for the booming construction industry in southeast Melbourne . It focused on collaboration and innovation across the construction and building industries , the plumbing and gasfitting industries , manufacturing , engineering and telecommunications and electrotechnology .
ESV participated by hosting an information stand and GasTrac information sessions . GasTrac is ESV ’ s new online gas installation acceptance system designed to quickly and easily manage gas applications for plumbers and gasfitters and ESV staff .
ESV ’ s Alan Hamilton and Sue Sizer at the Expo .
ESV ’ s stand was manned by Gas Inspectors Alan Hamilton and Laurie Devitt and Compliance Officer – Electrical Installation Safety Sue Sizer .
Apprentices , employers and trade teachers were able to discuss gas and electrical safety and licensing issues with ESV staff .
ESV ’ s Manager Gas Operations , Paul Harris , and Senior Gas Inspector Darren Tilley conducted the GasTrac information sessions for ESV ’ s new online service . GasTrac allows plumbers to submit their gas applications online as well as allowing them to track their progress .
Chisholm Institute ’ s Plumbing Department is the largest in Victoria servicing 950 apprentices , 330 Certificate IV students , 210 Certificate II students and employs 400 staff . The Plumbing and Gasfitting courses are conducted at Berwick , Dandenong and Frankston campuses .
Chisholm ’ s Project Director , Stuart Hoxley , and Bryan Ornsby , Manger Plumbing and Water Industries Department , are to be congratulated for organising such an exciting event .
Gas standards
By Jason Treseder , Type A Gas Appliance and Component Safety
Standards are used throughout the gas industry and are critical for ensuring gas is able to be used safely by setting minimum acceptable performance requirements . The fundamental expectation for gas appliances and gas installations is that they be safe and fit for purpose under normal use .
Standards specify minimum acceptable requirements for gas installations and appliances to provide a level of confidence that they will be safe and efficient over a reasonable lifespan .
Standards are used in all areas of the gas industry , from gas transmission and distribution networks to gas installation work and appliance approvals . The consistency and safety requirements specified in standards help ensure that gas can be supplied and used safely .
The use of standards also allow for increased national uniformity . Gas safety regulation is the responsibility of each state and territory jurisdiction , however for most products each jurisdiction can call up the same national standard , allowing the same products and installation requirements to be applied anywhere . So what are standards ? Standards are documents setting out clear and unambiguous requirements , procedures and guidelines . Standards enable products and services to follow consistent rules to ensure the outcome of the system is safe and reliable .
In Australia the primary standards organisation is Standards Australia ( SA ). Standards are used in many industries and can be Australian Standards , combined
Australian and New Zealand Standards or international standards as appropriate .
Standards are developed through a consensus process . A committee is formed comprising expert representatives from a range of stakeholders to provide input into the standard requirements . The AG-001 committee that oversees gas appliance standards includes representatives from manufacturers , regulatory authorities , consumer representatives and certification bodies .
Compliance with gas standards is a core part of the gas safety regime . A number of standards are called up in legislation directly , such as AS / NZS5601.1 Gas Installations . This means licensed gasfitters are legally required to ensure gas installations comply with the relevant part of AS / NZS5601-2013 Gas Installations .
Other standards are mandated through product certification requirements , such as AS5263.1.1 – 2016 Domestic gas cooking appliances ( previously AS4551 ). Gas appliances require approval under the Gas Safety Act 1997 before they can be sold , installed or used .
Type A appliances , which are the common mass-produced domestic and commercial appliances that are sold or installed in Australia , are required to meet minimum levels of safety and performance . These are set out in a range of appliance standards . They cover requirements relating to temperature , combustion , stability and markings , instructions and may other areas .
Suppliers of Type A appliances are required to achieve certification through authorised certification bodies that ensure all appliances sold comply with standard requirements . This involves physical test of a representative sample assessed against a standard ’ s requirements .
Under the certification scheme , appliances are also subjected to regular audits that routinely compare the products that are
being sold to the certified design to ensure the appliance is unmodified .
Type B appliances , which are typically large commercial and industrial appliances , are required to comply with AS3814- 2015 Industrial and commercial gas-fired appliances . This standard includes detailed safety and risk assessment requirements to enable even very large burners to be operated safely and the licensed Type B gasfitter is required to demonstrate the appliance is compliant .
Standards are based on knowledge at the time of publication , meaning they require regular maintenance to allow for new innovations or to address new safety concerns . Over time , new problems are observed from safety incidents or near misses , and changes to how products are being used can introduce new risks . There may also be new technologies and innovations that were not available when the standard was originally published . An example is the upcoming new requirement for all domestic gas cookers to include flame failure valves on all burners , which will come into effect on 1 July 2017 .
The SA committee is responsible for all changes to a standard . SA has a formal proposal process to enable new standards to be developed and existing standards to be revised or amended .
Interested stakeholders can propose changes to standards or respond to proposed changes either directly through the relevant industry representative on the committee or through the public comment process . The changes are considered by the committee and , if accepted , are included in the next revision .
Further details on the standards amendment process are available on the Standards Australia website www . standards . org . au . Standards are currently available for purchase from SAI Global .