Enclosure of external gas appliances

Purpose

This advisory note has been issued to remind plumbers, gasfitters, and building industry contractors of the regulatory safety requirements for externally operated gas appliances and the significant risks associated with inappropriate enclosure by building works.

Issue

A serious risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can arise when a gas appliance certified and installed for external operation is enclosed by subsequent building works. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas and may cause rapid incapacitation. Enclosing an external appliance may result in unsafe combustion, inadequate dilution/dispersion of products of combustion, and spillage of flue gases into occupied spaces which may result in serious injury or death.

The Building Commission NSW has identified instances of gas appliances enclosed by building works. Examples of these non-compliant installations include:

• Construction of roofs and walls around an external gas appliance.
• Installation of glazing, windows, screens, or other enclosure elements to a balcony/verandah containing an external gas appliance, thereby restricting ventilation.

Works must be planned and performed to ensure any gas appliance are not enclosed or surrounded and make the appliance not comply with the relevant requirements for flueing and ventilation within the AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 (Gas Installations) and the manufacturer’s specification.

Advice must be obtained from a licensed gasfitter before proceeding to determine if the appliance must be relocated to ensure compliance and to prevent carbon monoxide hazards.

Example of a non-compliant installation

The image below shows an external gas appliance installed on a balcony that is enclosed by glazing and louvred windows. 

In this instance, the installation of the glazing has interfered with the gas appliance flue and created a hazard to users of the balcony.

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References

Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017

Section 36: Offence of interfering with electrical, gas or autogas installations

1. A person who carries out any type of work for fee or reward at or near a place where an electrical installation, a gas installation or an autogas installation is located must ensure that the carrying out of the work, and the work, do not interfere with the installation in a way that adversely affects the safety of the installation. 
   
   Maximum penalty: 500 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 200 penalty units in the case of an individual.

2. A person who:

   1. carries out any type of work without fee or reward at or near a place where an electrical installation, a gas installation or an autogas installation is located, and
   2. carries out the work in a way that adversely affects the safety of the installation, and
   3. knows, or ought to have known, that the installation has been adversely affected, 

   must as soon as is reasonably practicable after becoming aware that the installation has been adversely affected take reasonable steps to make the installation safe.
   
   Maximum penalty: 500 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 200 penalty units in the case of an individual.