Natural Gas

Materials 


Gas pipework must be:

  • Metal from the authority meter location to the entry to the building and in risers and branch lines
  • As per approved sample throughout the building.



Below Ground Clearances 


Separation between other services must be in accordance in with 'Below Ground Separation Distances'.



Below Ground Backfill and Cover


  • Cover must be not less than that given in the Table outlined below.
  • Metal gas pipes which are permitted to be used in the ground for gas in accordance with Table 4.1 of AS 5601.1:2013 must be:
  • Coated or covered with a proprietary wrapping.
  • Installed with underground pipe warning tape and trace wire 150mm above all underground pipes for the full length of the pipe.



Above Ground Clearances 




Casting into Concrete


  • Copper pipes must not be embedded or cast into concrete structures
  • PEX pipes embedded in a concrete must be:
  • Installed in an approved conduit.
  • Installed with no joints in the pipe.

Brackets and Supports 


Piping in an air duct, plenum ceiling, air handling plenum or ventilating duct


  • Consumer piping as per Clause 4.10.17 of AS5601 in an air duct, air plenum ceiling, air handling plenum or ventilating duct must:
  • Have an operating pressure not exceeding 7 kPa
  • Keep number of joints to the minimum
  • Have all permanent joints.

Gas Piping in Concealed Locations


  • Gas piping in concealed locations must be in accordance with Table 4.6 of AS 5601 outlined below:

Testing 


  • Pressure test the gas pipework to 3 times the working pressure with compressed air for 5 minutes.