18 October 2024
At present, the cited version under Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 (GSMR), AS/NZS 5601.1: 2013 (unamended) Gas installations—Part 1: General installations, is the correct version to use.
The current 2022 version of AS/NZS 5601.1, as amended, has not been cited in Regulations for use.
All gas Certificates of Compliance should refer to the cited version of AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 when selecting the standard that was complied with. When the GSMR is next amended and a possibly different version of AS/NZS 5601.1 is cited, whether in full or in part, WorkSafe – Energy Safety will advise gasfitters of the changes, including working closely with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. This will include an email out to gasfitters registered on the Electricity and Gas High-Risk Database.
Any person who designs, constructs, maintains, uses, or manages a gas installation must do so in a way that ensures that the gas installation is safe when used for its intended purpose and in a lawful manner.
Any person who owns, supplies, sells, hires, or operates a gas installation, must not use, and must not allow any other person to use one that is deemed unsafe.
General installations include all installations other than those in caravans and boats. Any person who designs, installs, commissions or tests a gas installation or part of an installation must do so in accordance with AS/NZS 5601.1.
The mandatory essential safety requirements are set out in Section 2 of the standard. The following sections are a way of meeting those safety requirements (means of compliance).
Section 2 states that anyone who deviates from the standard's means of compliance sections must still meet the levels of safety, convenience and efficiency set out in the standard and they must document the design and keep a record for 7 years. The regulations require a certified design where an alternative to the means of compliance is applied.
Caravans and boats
Installations in caravans and boats must be designed, installed, commissioned and tested in accordance with AS/NZS5601.2.
In a similar manner to general installations, section 2 sets out the essential safety requirements, with the following sections being the means of compliance. Deviations from the standard must also be documented and the documentation kept. The regulations require a certified design where an alternative to the means of compliance is applied.
Imported installations
Any person who supplies or intends to supply an imported installation must ensure that it meets the essential requirements of AS/NZS 5601.1, section 2 or AS/NZS 5601.2, section 2 as applicable.
If any gasfitting is carried out that enables the imported installation to be supplied by gas, (such as the fitting of New Zealand compatible connection hoses), then the person carrying out the gasfitting is also responsible for ensuring the installation meets the essential requirements of AS/NZS 5601.1, section 2 or AS/NZS 5601.2, section 2 as applicable.
Large installations
Large installations with design capacity to consume more than 60,000 MJ per hour must meet the essential requirements of AS/NZS 5601.1, section 2 as modified by the regulations in respect to connection to electrical supply and gas supply. The regulations require a certified design where an alternative to the means of compliance is applied.
What appliances require a declaration?
The Gas (Safety & Measurement) Regulations 2010 (GSMR) require that gas appliances sold by a NZ supplier must be certified to one of the certification regimes and standards specified in Schedule 2A of the GSMR(external link), and must carry a compliance label.
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