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Plumbing Industry Alert: Gas Consumer Piping

Recently, the VBA has seen multiple occurrences where the installation of underground plastic and multilayer gas consumer piping is not compliant with AS/NZS 5601.1:2013.

Recently, the VBA has seen multiple occurrences where the installation of underground plastic and multilayer gas consumer piping is not compliant with AS/NZS 5601.1:2013.

Licensed plumbers must install the gas consumer piping with adequate depth, separation, protection, and identification to reduce of risk of damage. Non-compliance poses a safety risk and rectification of this non-compliant work is costly.

Please note the following extracts necessary for compliance with AS/NZS 5601.1:2013:

  1. Depth

    Trafficable areas 450mm,non-trafficable and rock areas 300mm.

  2. Identification

    Marker tape complying with the requirements of AS/NZS 2648.1 shall be laid above plastic and multilayer consumer piping when installed in an open-cut trench.

  3. Separation

The separation between any underground consumer piping and any service, including other consumer piping:

  1. 100mm for consumer piping not exceeding 65mm nominal size.
  2. 300mm for consumer piping exceeding 65mm nominal size.

The separation between any underground consumer piping and a communication cable shall be at least 100mm

Any underground consumer piping crossing any other service shall:

  1. cross at an angle of not less than 45 degrees.
  2. have a vertical separation of not less than 100mm.

  1. Protection, bedding and backfill

Bedding material and backfill shall be:

  1. of a type and grade which will not have an adverse effect on the pipe or pipe coating.
  2. within 75mm of the pipe, be free of stones or other materials which could damage the pipe or coating.

Example: There is no visible evidence of tracer tape or wire installed over the gas pipe. There is insufficient separation between the poly water pipe and PVC gas pipe as required.