In Australia, each state has different regulations for the gas industry – they help to control workmanship standards and the safe use of LPG.
Whenever you need gas work done, you should always use a licensed gas fitter. They’re trained professionals who will help make sure the installation complies with the regulations for your state and the Australian Standards requirements.
Gas bottle installation regulations
Gas bottles are placed in specific locations with set clearance zones designed to keep you and your property safe. So, what are the key things to watch for?
Solid and upright. Gas bottles must be placed on a solid base made of a fireproof material like concrete or pavers, and kept upright at all times. This will keep the gas bottles stable and allow them to safely vent any excess pressure through their pressure relief valves.
Cylinder storage. To prevent leaks, movement or damage, LPG cylinders must be restrained to prevent falling using safety chains or straps. Alternatively, you can store the bottles inside a cage made from heavy-duty materials with bump rails.
Ventilation. The space the gas bottles sit in needs to be well ventilated – so spots under stairways, buildings, alcoves or underground are usually not suitable.
No ignition sources. As LPG is flammable, gas bottles must be kept a minimum distance away from ignition sources. This reduces the risk of fire in the unlikely event of a gas leak, or during delivery when small amounts of LPG can escape into the air. Potential ignition sources include anything that carries electricity or a flame, like light switches, power points, air conditioning units, lights, motion sensors, security cameras, hot water heaters or BBQs.
No building openings. To prevent an LPG leak entering buildings or accumulating in an enclosed space, gas bottles must also be placed away from any wall openings like windows, doors or air vents.
No ground openings. As LPG is heavier than air and will sink to the ground if there is a leak, gas bottles need to be kept away from any ground openings like drains or pits.
Gas exchange installations
If you have a gas exchange installation – where your empty LPG bottles are swapped for full ones when they run out – the minimum clearance levels are shown below.
Minimum clearance to ignition sources for gas exchange
Minimum clearance to openings for gas exchange
Gas refill installations
If you have a gas exchange installation – where your empty LPG bottles are swapped for full ones when they run out – the minimum clearance levels are shown below.
Minimum clearance to ignition sources for gas refill
Minimum clearance to openings for gas refill
Delivery requirements
There are some essentials we will be looking for when it comes to safely visiting your property. These include:
Clear access. Locked gates, steep driveways, uneven pathways, low-hanging trees, lots of steps and unrestrained dogs are all items which can prevent a gas truck and its driver from accessing your property.
No obstructions. The space around your gas bottle installation also needs to be kept clear. Be sure to keep the area free of shrubs, wood, bins, rubbish and other household items.
Line of sight. If your gas is refilled using a hose connected to a gas truck, and the driver is on their own, there’ll need to be a clear line of sight between the bottles and the truck while completing the filling. There’ll also need to be a space within 30 metres of the bottles where the truck can safely park.
LPG compliance certificates and plates
Once your LPG installation is complete, your gas fitter must give you compliance documentation to show that the relevant regulations have been met.
Each state government regulates this differently, so the documentation you’re given will depend on where you live. Here’s a quick guide:
ACT – compliance plate affixed to the installation
NSW – compliance plate affixed to the installation or a Certificate of Inspection/Compliance
Northern Territory – compliance plate affixed to the installation
Queensland – Certificate of Compliance
South Australia – Certificate of Compliance
Tasmania – LP Gas Storage Notice (also known as a Start Work Notice)
Victoria – Certificate of Compliance
Western Australia – Notice of Completion (NOC) and compliance badge
It’s important to keep these documents in a safe place. In some parts of Australia, your LPG supplier will need a copy of the document or your compliance number before they can deliver gas to you. If you’ve lost your compliance documentation, you can get a replacement from a licensed gas fitter.
Compliance requirements are regularly reviewed, and the acceptable standards can change. Make sure you let us know about any problems with pipework, regulators, appliances, or access to cylinders so we can guide you on what you need to do before your next LPG delivery.
Compliance issue with your installation?
If there is a problem with your LPG bottles, contact your gas supplier to assess the issue.
However, if there are compliance issues with the pipework, regulator, appliances or access to the cylinders – you must rectify these with the relevant suppliers prior to your next LPG delivery.
Your gas supplier won’t be able to deliver LPG until all issues with your installation have been resolved.
If the problem is due to the location of the gas bottles, pipework or components, or if there is a faulty or non-compliant component, the gas fitter will need to test the site, identify the issue and let you know what needs to be done to make the site compliant.
If there’s a potential gas leak on the installation, the gas fitter will need to conduct a pressure test of the regulator, pipework and appliance, and repair any leaks found.