Gas installation – two Standards published

Issue 24 – February 2011

Two joint Australia/New Zealand gas installation Standards were published in December 2010. In due course these Standards, AS/NZS 5601.1:2010 and AS/NZS 5601.2:2010, will replace NZS 5261:2003 Gas installation and NZS 5428:2006 LPG installations for non-propulsive purposes in caravans and boats.

AS/NZS 5601.1:2010 Gas installations – General installations

Update – Standards development in the gas sector

Issue 24 – February 2011

New Zealand's Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 ('Regulations') came into effect in May 2010. The Regulations included a requirement for appliance certification, to improve the safety of gas appliances and facilitate implementation of the trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA) for gas appliances.

Reflecting the intent of the previous regulatory regime, the Regulations recognised certification from the European Union and Australia, and established a New Zealand certification regime.

Energy services – potential ISO Standard for energy suppliers

Issue 24 – February 2011

Standards New Zealand is consulting with stakeholders about a potential International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard for energy suppliers. The Standard would provide sector specific guidance for energy suppliers to measure and assess services, to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these services to household users, and to increase customer satisfaction.

New guide – supplying safe electrical and gas products

Issue 24 – February 2011

Energy Safety has published A Guide to Supplying Safe Electrical and Gas Products. The Guide:

• provides safety and compliance requirements for manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and traders of electrical and gas appliances and fittings
• outlines the compliance and enforcement programme implemented by Energy Safety
• is to be read in conjunction with the relevant electricity and gas safety 2010 regulations.

LPG cabinet heaters to require approval prior to sale

Issue 24 – February 2011

LPG cabinet heaters have been added to the 'Declared Articles' Register and will, from 1 April 2011, need approval by the Ministry of Economic Development before being offered for sale.

Cabinet heaters are mobile or portable, unflued heaters, which are designed for indoor use and operate on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) using an LPG gas cylinder self-contained within the heater.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

AS/NZS 4552.2:2010 Gas fired water heaters for hot water supply and/or central heating – Minimum energy performance standards for gas water heaters

Specifies minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) requirements for gas water heaters intended for use with natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and simulated natural gas (SNG) up to a nominal gas consumption of 50 MJ/h for storage types and 250 MJ/h for instantaneous types and which fall within the scope of AS 4552. This Standard does not specify safety requirements. For safety requirements see AS 4552, Gas fired water heaters for hot water supply and/or central heating, or NZS 5262, Gas appliance safety.

STANDARDS IN DEVELOPMENT

Gas appliance safety

Committee: P5262
Project Manager: Hagen Kerr
Estimated Publication Date: June 2011
Comments: The committee met in December 2010 and reviewed clauses of the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 that reference NZS 5262. The final outcome of this is still under consideration by the committee.

In-service inspection handbook for gas installation

Committee: In-Service Inspection Handbook
Manager: Hagen Kerr
Estimated publication date: June 2011
Comments: Standards New Zealand will start work on this handbook shortly.