Gas and electricity don't mix

[switt775]

Just made the big move up to Brisbane, and am about to move into a new house. The house uses 45KG gas bottles. At least it will once this problem is cleared up.

A guy came out to install the bottles, but took one look and refused. He told me the powerpoint for the split AC system was too close to the gas bottles, and would have to be moved.

So I'm sure he's right, and the power point will have to be moved. My questions are: What is the minimum distance, and why didn't either of the installers pick up the problem? Surely there is legislation which clearly states requirements?

[journeyman Mick]

If the gas bottle connection was installed before the split system was then the refrigeration mechanic would have had to know the gas requirements. Unfortunately the gas regulations would be outside the scope of knowledge of the fridgie. This is why larger jobs have detailed drawings with the locations for all the services clearly identified.

Mick

[Vernonv]

Unfortunately the gas regulations would be outside the scope of knowledge of the fridgie

I would guess that the power point was installed by a sparky and he should have been aware of the requirements ... for that matter so should a fridgie, if he's doing electrical work.

[Stevenp]

We had a similar situation this week when we were told the gas suppliers would not fill our gas bottles because our recently fitted gas hot water service was too close to the bottles.Rang the plumber who installed the hotwater and he came around and raised the unit, at his expense.
rang the gas supplier and they came and inspected the job and told me they still would not fill the bottles because the power point that was installed at the same time as the hotwater was too close to the gas bottles.I ended up moving the power point myself and all is well.
The regs stated (I think) that any ignition point , in our case the h/water and power point have to be a minimum of 500mm from the gas bottle valve.
Hope this helps. Cheers Steven

[arjay]

The guy who came out should have told you how far everything needs to be from the bottles. the entry point I presume.

[AIRMAN]

For gas bottles filled on site, the unit must be 3m or more away or 1/2m above For replacement gas bottles, the unit must be 1.5m or more away or 1/2m above

[davo2310]

airmen is right, except for the insitu fill cylinder location, i thought was 3.5mts at the base.for exchange bottles its 1.5 from base, unless the code has changed.

[wonderplumb]

Exchange cylinders:

From the base of the cylinder its is a radius of 1500mm from centre,
From the centre of the valve it is 500mm in height and a radius of 500mm.


In-Situ Fill:

From the base of the cylinder it is a radius of 3500mm from centre,
From the centre of the valve it is 500mm in height and a radius of 1500mm.

And lets not forget the 1m rule for openings into a building, vents, drains etc.

[switt775]

Thanks everyone who replied.

The good news is the builder got it sorted out within 2 days, I didn't have to threaten or even yell at anyone.

Just another thing to be aware of if getting any work done around gas bottles I guess. Don't count on the sparkie to know the rules, he may have never come across this situation before.