Consumer piping not adequately supported

This advisory note outlines the requirements for consumer gas piping in gas installations.

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Note	05/2023
Date Issued	January 2023
Last updated	January 2023
For	Licensees and contractors working in the gasfitting industry
Issue by	Building Commission NSW Building Specialist Compliance Unit
Scope	Applies to all areas in New South Wales

Issue

Recent gas audit inspections of Class 1 and 2 buildings carried out by Building Commission NSW's Gas Compliance Unit have identified piping not adequately supported in gas installations.

All gas installations in NSW must comply with the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 (the Act) with any installation not conforming to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 considered non-compliant.

Reference

Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2018

AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 – Gas Installations

4.5.2 – Installation of proprietary systems

Proprietary systems shall be installed in accordance with TABLE 4.2 and the relevant manufacturer’s instructions.

5.8.1 – Consumer piping support system requirements

The consumer piping support system shall –

be capable of supporting the piping system
firmly restrain the piping in the intended position and control movement of the piping system, taking into account any seismic requirements where appropriate
have any component of the supporting system, which is to be in contact with the pipe, made of material that is compatible with the consumer piping material or electrically isolated from such piping system or equipment.

5.8.2 – Spacing of supporting devices

The spacing of supporting devices shall not exceed those specified in TABLE 5.8.2 or shall be in accordance with the piping manufacturer’s instructions. See Table 5.8.2 below.

Table 5.8.2 – Spacing of supporting devices

Nominal size of pipe DN	Vertical or horizontal run spacing, m
Nominal size of pipe DN	Steel pipe	Copper or stainless steel pipe	Semi-rigid stainless steel pipe	Multilayer pipe
8 10 12	2 2 -	1 1.5 -	- - 0.5	- - 0.75
15 18 20	2 - 2.5	1.5 1.5 1.5	0.5 - 0.5	1 - 1.25
25 32 40	2.5 3 3	2 2.5 2.5	0.5 0.5 -	1.5 2 2
50 - 65 80 - 200	3 4	3 4	- -	2 -

Requirements

All gas consumer piping must be installed with adequate support as per the requirements AS/NZS 5601.1 2022 and the relevant manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Below are example photos of identified non-compliant installations.

A multilayer gas pipe is installed without adequate support and the separation between clips is over the maximum permitted distance — Example 1: The multilayer gas pipe is installed without adequate support and the separation between clips is over the maximum permitted distance.

A separation between clips is over the maximum permitted distance. — Example 3: The separation between clips is over the maximum permitted distance.

Information contained within this advisory note refers to codes and standards current at the time at when it was last updated.

Building Commission NSW disclaims any liability (including for negligence) to any person in respect of anything done, or not done, by that person in whole or partial reliance on any of the information in this advisory note.

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