esv.vic.gov.au
Non-compliant pipe
support systems
By Alan Hamilton, Gas Safety Officer
The main non-compliance surrounding
pipe support systems involves undersized
threaded rod hangers.
This includes supporting single and
multiple pipes at the one support point,
with undersized diameter rod hangers or
non-compliant support spacing, or both.
The main concern for plumbing
practitioners and gasfitters is that pipe
clips, rod hangers, and associated pipe
support components are not readily
available for support systems greater
than 10mm in size.
Gas piping support systems are
required to comply with the ‘deem
to satisfy’ requirements of AS/NZS
5601.1:2013 (Section 5.8).
Where a proposed gas piping support
system varies from requirements,
a Performance-Based Design
application (as per Section 2 of AS/NZS
5601.1:2013) can be submitted to ESV
for acceptance of that part of the gas
installation.
A Performance-Based Design
application normally starts with the
initial GasTrac gas application.
In your scope of works, a design for the
proposed piping support system should
be attached as a separate file within the
application. However, if it is in response
to an identified non-compliance, the
proposed design must be submitted
to ESV for review. This will delay the
acceptance of the installation, so it’s
best practice to avoid non-compliance
in the first instance.
When making a Performance Based
Design application for gas piping
support, ESV has a number of
expectations and requirements you
will need to meet.
The first of which is to always submit
the design application as a separate
document with your gas application
and clearly state the document relates
to a Performance-Based Design within
the installation. ESV Information sheet
No.45: Performance-Based Complex
Gas Installations provides guidance on
making a Performance-Based Design
application.
Your documentation will also need to
include a number of important details
clarified in Gas Information Sheet 63:
Gas Piping Support Systems and
AS/NZS 5601.1:2013.
Gas inspection
on extreme fire
danger days
By Paul Harris,
Head of Gas Operations
For the safety of our staff, ESV gas
inspectors may not be carrying out site
inspections in known bushfire areas
on extreme bushfire risk days.
This may lead to the cancellation of
scheduled inspections on extreme fire
danger days, and will most likely
affect rural and country areas.
ESV will work with licensed plumbers to
achieve a practical solution to achieve
acceptance. ESV may also ask licensed
plumbers to provide checklists, test
results, and photos of the completed
work as part of the complex gas
application acceptance process.
As usual, all gas installations and
installations issued with a final
acceptance without inspection may
be audited once the fire risk has
passed.
ESV asks for your cooperation and
patience for the fire season ahead.
For the specific requirements for your
installation, always refer to the relevant
clause in AS/NZS 5601.1:2013.
Alternatively, contact ESV’s Technical
Information line on 1800 652 563 or at
[email protected]
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