Prohibition on the installation of multilayer pipe above-ground external to the building
This advisory note contains information on the prohibition of multilayer gas pipe being installed above the ground outside a building.
| Note | 01/2023 |
| Date issued | January 2023 |
| Last updated | January 2023 |
| For | Licensees and contractors working in the gasfitting industry |
| Issued by | Building Commission NSW Gas Compliance Unit |
| Scope | Applies to all areas in New South Wales |
Issue
A new revision of AS/NZS5601.1 has been released on 30 September 2022 (AS/NZS5601.1:2022) and becomes the referenced standard from 30 March 2023.
AS/NZS5601.1:2022 prohibits multilayer pipe being installed above the ground external to the building.
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.
AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 – Gas Installations
5.3.16 – Location of multilayer piping
Multilayer piping shall not be installed above ground external to a building.
5.4.7 – Termination of plastics or multilayer pipe and metallic continuation
Plastics or multilayer consumer piping shall terminate horizontally at least 300mm below ground level and be connected to a metallic riser that conforms to the requirements of TABLE 4.2 for underground pipe.
Table 4.2 – Consumer piping materials
Consumer piping external to the building shall be metallic and extend at least 1m into the building.
Requirements
Multilayer pipe shall not be installed above the ground external to a building. UV sleeving is no longer an acceptable alternative.
When installed under-ground the multilayer pipe shall terminate at least 300mm below ground and be connected to a metallic riser.
When a metallic gas consumer pipe is installed external to a building it must continue inside the building for at least 1m prior to continuing the gas consumer pipe in a multilayer pipe.
Below are examples of identified non-compliances.
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.