AUTUmN/WiNTER 2010 ISSUE 20 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

More documents

Recommendations

Info

New gas installation or changeover– there is no difference30www.energysafe.vic.gov.auBy ESV Gas safety Officer,Roger LambieThe recent incident in Lansell Road,Toorak, in which a man suffered severecarbon monoxide poisoning (see page 4)possibly resulting from the incorrectchangeover of a central heating unitis a wakeup call for all gasfitters.The simple message is that the same planning,work standards and practices have to beapplied whether one is installing a new gasinstallation or when a single gas appliance isbeing changed over. There is no differencebetween the two procedures.For starters, a good knowledge andunderstanding of current regulations andstandards, such as AS5601, have to be appliedin both instances.Changing one appliance over for another isoften seen as a simpler job as quite often anappliance of similar dimensions is obtainedto suit the location of the replaced appliancei.e. an outside storage hot water service.But it is not simple and whether it’s a newinstallation or a changeover, these points mustbe followed:> > As above, knowledge of current regulationsand standards is paramount as the appliancethat is to be removed would in all probabilityhave been installed to the regulations andstandards accepted in previous years; it isnot as simple as swapping one for one.> > Read the installation instructions for thenew appliance as anomalies may be foundbetween the regulations, standards and themanufacturer’s instructions. It will also assistin installing the appliance correctly.> > The new appliance in many instances mayhave electronic equipment as part of itsoperational features or include the latesttechnological efficiencies in gas consumptionand flue technology that requires carefulplanning before it replaces the original unitwhich did not have these features. Clearancesfrom combustible surfaces may varyconsiderably, flue spigots can be at differentheights in space heaters that require structuralchanges in chimney design.> > It is the responsibility of the installer of areplacement gas appliance to ensure therequired energy requirements are available,are safe and will meet the operationalrequirements of the new appliance.> > Gas supply must be the right type, thepressure must be correct and very importantlythe existing supply needs to be at a highenough volume for the new appliance. Thismay require the meter to be upgraded to alarger one. Incorrect operating pressures andvolume of gas to the appliance may causecombustion problems that will result in sootbuild up and high carbon monoxide (CO)discharge. High gas pressure may causeearly failure of certain components withinthe appliance.> > The electrical supply must be checked toensure the operating load and the supplypolarity are correct. The design of olderappliances may have hidden faults such asreversed polarity where the active and neutralsupply are crossed. With many modernappliances that incorporate an electronicsPC board, the incorrect polarity maydestroy the board. This could be verycostly for the installer.> > Where necessary the water supply must beof the correct pressure, clean and suit thedemands of the appliance. Many modernappliances include inlet filters to ensure thewater supply is clean. A continually blockingfilter will cause inconvenience. Similar to gas,a poor supply pressure and volume of waterflow may result in the sub-standard operationof the new appliance.> > The provision of flowing ventilation is to beclosely checked, two openings of the correctdimensions as required by AS5601 into thesame area is very important as they providecombustion air and help prevent the appliancefrom overheating during operation.> > In days gone by wall vents in homes werelooked upon as a means of ventilation whenin fact the flywire screen on these vents wasoften blocked.> > Prior to using the existing flue of the replacedappliance it must be in good condition, soundand have no blockages and be of the rightsize and have a currently approved cowl fitted.ATTENTION...THE KEY INGREDIENTFOR A SAFE KITCHEN> > Many older flues will be constructed inasbestos cement. Dependent on the fluescondition it may require replacement. Anotherconsideration is the clearances from any fluematerial to combustibles or electrical wiring.> > When replacing a central heating unit makesure the existing ductwork is of the right sizeand in good condition. All central heatingsystems must now incorporate a returnair duct unlike previously and the locationof it must have unrestricted access to thereturn flow of as many duct outlet points aspossible. This is particularly evident in manyolder properties. Old ductwork sizing and itscondition should be checked as many moderncentral heaters have variable flow operationalfeatures that will soon overheat should theducting be not of the right size.> > The reality at this time is that the installerof the original appliance may not havebeen trained or have had any professionalknowledge on how to install it.Installers of any gas appliance have anobligation and duty of care to not just replacean appliance but ensure that all its associatedservices and existing equipment is not onlysound but operate safely.One last point. It is a requirement of AS5601-2004 Clause 9.1 ~ 9.3 that when the applianceis commissioned the consumer should whereavailable be instructed in the safe and correctoperation of the appliance and any auxiliaryequipment.The single biggest cause of house fires is distractionin the kitchen.Visit homefiresafety.com.auto be home fire safe this winter.ESV joined Victoria’s fireauthorities in launching FireSafety Awareness Week inMelbourne’s City Square on31 May. The campaign posterfeaturing ESV’s logo amongothers is reproduced here.ESV’s “take care when cooking”TV commercial played constantlyduring the launch. Thecommercial was also shown inESV’s latest public awarenesstelevision campaign whichconcluded in mid June.
Important Alertfor GasfittersEnergy Safe Victoria (ESV)alerts gasfitters that all openfluedinstantaneous gas waterheaters (IGWHs) in toilets andbathrooms should be replacedas a matter of urgency.31Open-flued IGWHs, in a confinedliving space, can expose gas usersto the risk of Carbon Monoxidepoisoning. Gasfitters are uniquelyplaced to help in removing this risk.This important safety alert is a followup to the safety alert issued by EnergySafe Victoria’s predecessor, Office ofGas Safety (OGS), after the death ofa young woman in March 2003, in ahome of Housing Commission design.This alert is not limited to any particularhousing type or ownership, and coversall installations in Victoria.What should I do if I find an openfluedinstantaneous gas waterheater in a toilet or bathroom?> > Inform the resident that the IGWHshould be urgently replaced as advisedby ESV and of the $500 financialassistance offered by ESV to help withreplacement costs.> > Inspect and carry out tests to verify,and do required work if necessary,to ensure that “Conditions to be metfor IGWH to remain in operation”, asdescribed below, are being met. If youcan verify that the required conditionsare being met, it is allowable to leavethe IGWH in operation.> > If the resident does not allow you tocheck, or do the necessary work, toensure that “Conditions to be metfor IGWH to remain in operation”, asdescribed below, are being met, takeall steps that are necessary to makethe installation safe and notify ESV.> > Determine when the IGWH wasinstalled. If it was installed after 1November 2003, the installation isillegal and ESV must be notified.> > Ensure that the resident knows of thedangers and symptons of CarbonMonoxide poisoning and has the ESVdisplay, “Symptoms and warnings forCarbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning are.”Conditions to be met for IGWH toremain in operation> > Flue is complete, in good conditionand unobstructed;> > Flue integrity and effectivenessis confirmed (Refer to ESV’s GasInformation Sheet No. 28, “Confirmingflue integrity and effectiveness”, foundon the ESV’s website);> > If flue cowl has bird-proof mesh,it is to be in good condition andunobstructed, otherwise it is to betaken out and replaced;> > Fixed ventilation complies withAS 5601-2004;> > IGWH is in good working order underall types of running conditions, i.e. withdoors and windows open or closed;and any exhaust fans operating ornot operating.If the resident refuses to have the IGWHreplaced, notify ESV of the refusal andcontact details. ESV will then approachthe resident directly.You are not empowered to make theIGWH inoperative.What action has ESV taken so far?> > We have previously warned plumbersand gasfitters not to install a new orreplacement open-flued instantaneousgas water heater in a bedroom,bathroom, toilet or sleeping area.(The Gas & Fuel prohibited theseinstallations in 1985.)> > We prohibited ‘like-for-like’ replacementpractice in January 2002.> > OGS notified all known addresseswhere these installations may havebeen in use with an Important SafetyWarning that urged residents tohave their IGWHs replaced, and to beaware of Carbon Monoxide poisoningsymptoms.Since 2006, ESV has paid rebatestotalling over $10,000 to health cardand pension card holders replacingtheir IGWHs.If you need more information on thisimportant matter, contact ESV on1800 652 563.Paul FearonDirector of Energy SafetyAutumn/Winter 2010 ISSUE 20
Page 6 and 7: 6www.energysafe.vic.gov.auESV alert
Page 8 and 9: Victorian Bushfires RoyalCommission
Page 10 and 11: Beware carbon monoxide -the silent
Page 12 and 13: 12www.energysafe.vic.gov.auAnother
Page 14 and 15: 14www.energysafe.vic.gov.auA disput
Page 16 and 17: 16www.energysafe.vic.gov.auQ: The a
Page 18: 18www.energysafe.vic.gov.auPower co
Page 21 and 22: Positive responses for ESV fromstak
Page 23 and 24: ESV issues importantsafety advice o
Page 26 and 27: 26www.energysafe.vic.gov.auNew Elec
Page 28 and 29: Guidance notes for the electricaltr
Page 32: ESV_Advert(LIVE).indd 126/5/08 4:23

AUTUmN/WiNTER 2010 ISSUE 20 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?