97. Safety requirements in relation to gas
Feedback & supportNo person shall carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting in such a manner that gas may escape unless precautions are taken to prevent any escape of gas from being a danger to any person or property.
gas fitting
“gas fitting” includes any pipe, fitting, conveyance, valve, regulator or any other device used or to be used for the control and use of gas;
No person shall connect a gas installation to a source of gas supply without ensuring that every outlet is sealed with the appropriate gas fitting and the gas installation is tested for gas tightness.
gas installation
“gas installation” means an arrangement of gas fittings for the utilisation of gas;
Any person who disconnects a gas fitting shall, with the appropriate fitting, seal off every outlet of every pipe to which it is connected.
No person carrying out work in relation to a gas fitting which involves exposing any part of the gas installation which contains or has contained flammable gas shall smoke or use any source of ignition unless the gas installation has been purged so as to remove all such gas or has otherwise been made safe from risk of fire or explosion.
gas
“gas” means any substance in a gaseous state supplied through pipes and used for cooking or heating purposes, but does not include gas supplied to a public gas licensee and liquefied petroleum gas;
No person searching for an escape of gas from a gas fitting shall use any source of ignition unless the source of ignition is incorporated as part of an instrument designed for detection of gas.
Where a person carries out any work in relation to a gas fitting which might affect the gas tightness of the gas supply system, he shall immediately thereafter test the system for gas tightness.
gas tightness
“gas tightness” means the freedom from leak when a gas supply system or gas installation or gas fitting is tested at the appropriate test pressure;
No person shall use any naked flame or carry out any hotwork in the vicinity where gas is known to be leaking.
hotwork
“hotwork” means any work involving the use of a local source of ignition and includes welding, gas-cutting, grinding, chipping and any process capable of generating heat, sparks or both, which may be capable of igniting flammable vapour or any other combustible material;
Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $250 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.