EnergySafe Magazine Winter 2019, issue 54 | Page 18

Gas news Winter 2019 energysafe issue 54 ESV tackling non-compliant flexible hose assemblies in commercial kitchens By Doug Rennie, Gas Officer, Gas Operations This breach continues to be the most common non-compliance issue during routine ESV inspections. ESV takes a zero tolerance approach to non-compliant installations of this type. Failure to comply with the Australian Standard may cause embarrassment for you, inconvenience to your client, and a delay in the installation of a gas meter. Inspectors often find flexible hose assemblies sitting on the floor under or behind appliances, kinked, strained, or subjected to temperatures above what is certified as safe. While the flexibility of a hose assembly makes installation easier, gasfitters are responsible for the correct and compliant installation of appliances and hose connections in accordance with AS/NZS 5601.1.2013. If your gas installation is found to be non-compliant, ESV may enforce legal action that can result in an infringement notice. Fail, and fail, and fail again... Information and support is available ESV has developed a technical bulletin to assist gasfitters in presenting a compliant gas installation at the time of inspection, which can result in an infringement notice being issued for non-compliant plumbing work. In addition, ESV has produced an animated video, available online, that outlines an ESV preferred installation using flexible hose assemblies on commercial cooking appliances. This video is available on the ESV website and our YouTube channel. It is important to ensure that before starting a commercial kitchen gas installation and using flexible hose assemblies, gasfitters familiarise themselves with the bulletin, our animated video, and all the requirements under the Australian standard. Exemplar: what a pass looks like. Case files: examples of non-compliance. Once a gas application is submitted, the gasfitter will receive a guidance sheet, which outlines the conditions of an acceptance letter. Watch our Commercial Kitchen Installation Video available at: www.esv.vic.gov.au 18