Gas news
AS4575: 2019
By Enzo Alfonsetti, Manager, Type A
Gas Appliance & Component Safety
The scope of the standard focuses on
the minimum requirements for Type A
appliance servicing, repair, conversion
from one gas type to another, testing
for safe and correct operation, in
addition to associated quality systems.
AS4575:2019 covers the following:
» competency
» preparation to work including
site familiarisation and OH&S risk
assessment
» electrical safety
» appliance inspection
» steps to take when encountering unsafe
appliances or installations
» equipment requirements
» general servicing requirements
» replacement or repair of components
» gas type conversion; and
» testing for spillage of combustion products.
Much of the focus in the revision of
AS4575 was on the development of a
test procedure to test for spillage of
combustion products. The procedure
was initially based upon Appendix R
in the gas installation standard
AS/NZS5601.1. Field experience,
however, demonstrated that climatic
conditions such as wind gusts or
extreme hot weather can impact on
the outcome of testing.Therefore,
methodology to establish baseline
conditions was introduced. As a result,
Appendix R in AS/NZS5601.1
is currently being amended to also
include this additional methodology.
AS4575:2019 is currently a voluntary
standard as it is not referenced in
Victorian legislation. Consideration will
be given to referencing AS4575 through
an amendment to the Gas Safety (Gas
Installation) Regulations 2018. In the
meantime, it would be considered
good practice to use AS4575:2019 as a
reference document when undertaking
any servicing work on Type A gas
appliances.
Search for the standard on Standards
Australia and purchase it via SAI Global
or Techstreet.
22
Summer 2019
energysafe issue 56
Clearances to overhead
grease filters
By Doug Rennie, Gas Safety Officer
Clearances to overhead grease filters in
commercial kitchen installations are an
ongoing problem when it comes to installation
acceptance. However, there are a number of
ways to achieve compliant clearances between
commercial catering equipment and extraction
canopy grease filters.
The best solution is to provide the
required clearance between any part
of the grease filter and the appliance’s
cooking surface by raising the height
of the canopy. If this isn’t possible,
then modifications to the appliance
installation or canopy may be required.
Canopy modifications may include the
installation of metal blanking plates or
smaller grease filters.
Always remember, modifications to
the canopy can only be carried out by
the canopy manufacturer or a person
authorised by the canopy manufacturer
to install or modify the canopy to the
manufacturer’s design, which may be a
licensed plumber.
From 1 March 2020, if the canopy is
new you will also require a letter from
the canopy manufacturer (or a person
authorised by the manufacturer to install,
commission or modify the canopy) to the
manufacturer’s design to the installation
address stating the modification has not
affected the canopy’s compliance within
the Australian Standard for canopy
approval e.g. AS1668.
Note: existing canopies are exempt
from this requirement.
The letter will need to be on the
canopy manufacturer’s or the authorised
person’s letterhead and submitted as
part of a new gas application, or as
supporting documentation to resolve
a non-compliance.
Any modification must be permanent.
This means the canopy cannot be
returned to its original non-compliant
state by means of cleaning or
exchanging filters.
Don’t forget – the clearance from a
grease filter is a zero tolerance non-
compliance, and will result in an
infringement notice if detected.
For more information refer to Gas
Information Sheet 62: Clearances to
overhead grease filters and acceptable
means to comply.