Industries & Occupations
Safety issues
Gas appliance conversions
Procedures are being finalised on the requirements gasfitters will need to undertake for gas appliance conversions. Please refer all enquiries to Workplace Standards in relation to the conversion of type A gas appliances when converting the appliance to operate on another fuel gas, eg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to Natural Gas (NG).
Glass splash backs in residential kitchens
Glass splash backs if not installed correctly may contribute to heat radiation and become a source of fires. Glass splash backs installed in commercial and domestic kitchens must be installed in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and pursuant to AS 5601 Gas Installations
Individual appliance certification
Procedures are being developed for the certification of gas appliances to ensure consumer confidence in products without certification from the Australian Gas Association [AGA] or other accredited certifying bodies.
Gasfitters should ensure that gas appliances or components have product safety certification from the AGA.
Where gas appliances with appropriate AGA certification are not available, appliances or components purchased from retailers, distributors or importers in other Australian states must have product safety certification from the state regulator where the product was purchased prior to installation in Tasmania.
Appliances without appropriate safety certification may be able to obtain Tasmanian certification if constructed to appropriate standards determined by the Director of Gas Safety.
To be confident that the appliance you wish to install has or will be able to obtain appropriate product safety certification please contact Workplace Standards as below, prior to purchase.
Instantaneous gas water heaters
The office of Energy Safe Victoria have recently implemented a program for removal of Instantaneous Gas Water Heaters from toilets and bathrooms, leading to raised awareness of carbon monoxide [CO] problems in the community, and a need for CO incident data on national basis. All related warnings and documents can be viewed on the OGS.
Energy Safe Victoria websiteUnflued gas heaters
Recent studies have found that there may be an increased risk to health due to the emissions from "unflued" gas heaters, which release emissions directly into an occupied room.
The amount of emissions produced can vary depending on;
- The type of heater
- Correct installation of the heater
- Correct use of the heater
- Frequency of servicing of the heater.
In addition, the level of emissions in the room will vary depending on;
- The way the room is used
- The size of the room
- The effectiveness of the natural ventilation in removing or diluting emissions in the room.
Never use an unflued gas heater in the room where you sleep or in a caravan.
For more information see the publication on 'Unflued gas heaters and your health' (produced by enhealth) or contact the Department of Health and Human Services.
Department of Health & Human Services
34 Davey Street
PO Box 125
HOBART, TAS, 7001
Phone: (03) 6233 3185
Local rate: 1300 135 513
