Type A Appliance Gasfitter's Toolkit
Amendments to the Gas Safety Regulations
The Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 2018 were amended 17 May 2022 and came into operation 1 June 2022. The objectives of these amendments are to prescribe AS 4575 as the standard to which Type A appliance service work applies and require the creation and giving of records in relation to Type A appliance service work carried out in a standard gas installation.
Open-flued gas heaters and safety shutdown features
As of 1 August 2022, open-flued gas space heaters (OFGSH) must have safety shutdown features. Refer to the Victorian Government Gazette links below for detailed information.
- Victorian Government Gazette 28 July 2022 [PDF 440 KB]
- Victorian Government Gazette 1 August 2022 [PDF 460 KB]
For further information, read the FAQ on OGFSH and safety shutdown features
It is an offence to sell or install OFGSH that are no longer accepted (certified).
Energy Safe Victoria and Victorian Building Authority (VBA) guidance material
Ensuring a gas installation is safe is a fundamental responsibility for all gasfitters licensed to perform gas servicing on Type A appliances. As a qualified gasfitter, you must ensure that the gas installation is safe for use.
AS 4575 is another tool in your toolkit to ensure you meet this obligation.
The following gas information sheets, test and service report sheets and animations will assist you in satisfying your obligations.
2021 Gas Safety webinar FAQs
Read the FAQs from our 2021 gas safety webinar series, held jointly with the VBA and Master Plumbers:
Gas information sheets
Gas Information Sheets 37 and 44 are designed to assist you with selecting the correct carbon monoxide (CO) measuring equipment and provide guidance on safe working levels.
Sheet 37: Carbon Monoxide Measuring Equipment
Sheet 44: Carbon monoxide safe working level
Sheets 57, 58 and 59 outlines the importance of carrying out a comprehensive service on open-flued gas heaters, and ensuring there is adequate air supply for the appliance to operate safely. They also highlight how important it is to understand the impact of negative pressure – created by extraction or exhaust fans – on an open-flued gas heater.
Sheet 57: Type A appliance service – your obligations under the Gas Safety Act
Sheet 58: Type A appliance service – the quality and adequacy of air supply
Sheet 59: Type A appliance service – inspecting and servicing Type A appliances
Information sheet 38 and test and service reports
Energy Safe and the VBA have developed Information Sheet 38, which provides information on how to test for negative pressure and carbon monoxide spillage when carrying out gas servicing work. The test report sheet is available for use – fill out this reports and provide it to your client to outline the tests conducted.
Negative Pressure and Carbon Monoxide Spillage Test Report
Animations
Energy Safe has developed an easy-to-follow animation that simplifies the concept of negative pressure and its effects on open-flued gas heaters. This may be useful to share with clients who may have a gas heater installed in a room affected by negative pressure.
See:
Gas safety alert
Energy Safe has raised Safety Alerts on a number of open-flued gas space heaters. These need to be checked for compliance or modified to ensure they operate safely.
For further details, see Open-flued gas space heaters
In April 2020, Rinnai announced an Energysaver Installation Audit Program
Additional information for your client
Sheet 36 outlines the benefits of installing carbon monoxide alarms as a back-up measure to regular servicing. This includes specifications to look for when purchasing one.
Sheet 36: Carbon monoxide alarms for domestic use
Negative pressure
When you service an open-flue gas heater and detect negative pressure, you have a responsibility to make the situation safe and inform your client of your findings.
To help you explain the potential dangers of carbon monoxide and the steps needed to overcome negative pressure, the VBA and Energy Safe Victoria have prepared an advice letter which you should fill in and provide to your client after completing an inspection and service:
Type A Open-flued gas appliance advice letter (PDF, 149.47 KB)
In all cases, clearing existing vents and installing additional permanent ventilation are the recommended solutions for overcoming negative pressure. If this is not possible, check with your client to see whether they are happy for you to isolate their heater.
Sometimes a client may not want you isolating their gas heater or installing additional ventilation in their home. In such cases, you should take the following actions:
- Hand your client the advice letter and reiterate the potential dangers of carbon monoxide and the effect of negative pressure.
- Remind your client of the need to install additional ventilation in their home to overcome the effect of negative pressure.
- Inform your client that you will notify the VBA of the situation, and that the VBA will contact them directly.
- Notify the VBA as soon as possible by emailing gasservicing@vba.vic.gov.au or by calling 1300 815 127 during business hours. Make sure you supply the client’s contact details, site address and heater details.
Once you have notified the VBA of your actions regarding a client’s gas appliance, your job is done. The VBA will take over and work with your client to resolve their negative air pressure situation.
Please note: The VBA will not take enforcement action against a registered or licensed gasfitter if we have been appropriately notified of the situation regarding your client’s gas heater.
IMPORTANT: On completion of any service or repair work, if the gas heater is spilling carbon monoxide, the source of the carbon monoxide must be found and eliminated, or the appliance isolated.
If your client refuses to have their heater isolated, contact Energy Safe's 24/7 emergency line on 1800 652 563 and select option 5.
Date: 05/10/2024 14:27
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