If you already have a Gas line installation but you don't know if its legal? Compare it to the following diagrams or give us a call to make sure.
Outside placement
Containers shall be at least
1 m away from any opening (into a building) that is below the level of the container valve, doors, windows and airbricks
2 m away from any drain, pit or manhole
3 m away from the property boundary, unless the boundary has a firewall, in which case the containers could be next to the firewall (see figure 8), and where there are only two containers, the boundary distance can be reduced to 1 m, and
3 m away from any opening (or window) directly above the containers. The 3 m distance from the top of the cylinder, valve connection or the manifold whichever is the higher, to the bottom of the window(s) may be reduced to a minimum of 300 mm providing that: - a non-combustible roof (see SANS 10400) is installed between the containers and the roof shall extend beyond the cylinder(s) such that when measured from the valve connection and around the roof to the nearest point of the window a minimum of 1,5 m safety distance shall be obtained, or - the window frames shall be steel and the total size of the glazing does not exceed 1 Glazing shall be of wire woven glass not larger than 450 mm × 450 mm per pane. Such windows shall not be openable.
where a roof is installed over the cylinders there shall be sufficient space above the cylinder valves to facilitate the exchange of Roof structures of concrete shall not be installed above the manifold or cylinder
5m away from a switchable electrical point i.e. plug socket, Inline power isolator, Aircon units, Pool pumps, Water pumps etc. Note, a wall light only needs to be 1.5m to the left/right of the bottles, or 1.5m above the bottles.
Inside placement
Additional Info
If an instillation consists of copper, Only Class 1 or 2 gas copper piping Is to be used. The copper tubing is required to have markings showing the specs
Copper lines are required to be sleeved/protected if it’s to enter through a wall, Concrete or underground. This stops the copper from corroding
All Pex-Al-pex manufactured to standards accepted for use on Lp Gas installations must be sleeved if it is in any contact with Sunlight/UV
In the event that a gas line is required to run in a roof where heat is impractical, it is required to use corrugated stainless-steel gas pipe that is protected with no joins from entry to exit
In a domestic installation, it is required to have a shut off valve/Isolation valve for every appliance connected to the gas line
Flexible hose may not be more than 2m and may not go through any partition at all. This includes Wood, Dry walling, Concrete etc
Where LPG containers are permanently installed or stored in a building, the type of building (In accordance with SANS 10400-A, see also annex B) and the corresponding size of the container(s) shall be as follows: a) Flats (H3): a maximum of 9 kg per flat; b) Houses (including cluster housing and group housing (not exceeding two storeys, a total of 19Kg's per unit.
A total of 100kg's is allowed outside per a ERF number. If a property has more than 100 kg's, The property will require approval from the fire department.
Water heater placement
Cylinder placement specs for under a window
Cylinder placement specs for under electric fencing
Cylinder distances required from a boundary
Cage requirements
Domestic installations do not require that the cylinders be placed in a cage but shall be secured in such a manner so as not to accidentally fall over. However, where public access to the cylinders is possible, the cylinders and manifold, if fitted, shall be in a locked cage or fenced area that meets the requirements.
Each gas installation/upgrade must be completed in accordance to the regulations of both the South African National Standard (SANS: 10087) and with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of South Africa (LPGSA) and SAQCC Gas.
According to the regulations SANS 10087-1:2013, All gas installations must have a Certificate of Conformity according to the Pressure Equipment Regulations that have been promulgated under the Occupation Health and Safety Act (No 85 of 1993).
While this may sound like a complex, legal document – essentially it is a certificate that states that the installation has been properly inspected and is determined to be safe and leak free. It is critical that this certificate is also issued by an authorized person who is registered with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Southern Africa (LPGAS) and SAQCC Gas.
So now if your home is damaged or destroyed, as a result of a defective gas appliance and you do not have a valid certificate issued by someone registered with LPGAS – the insurance implications could be significant. An insurance company would be well within their rights to repudiate a claim which could have severe financial repercussions for the home-owner/estate.
Be sure to install with a registered Installer. There are a lot of installers out there that are not registered and this can cause a home owner major problems with insurance company's. Please remember that a plumber is not qualified to install gas unless he can present to you his SAQCC Card.
For all home owners with gas installations already installed on their property or for those planning on doing so in the future, It is vital to ensure compliance with all the above regulations and regulations as stated in the SANS 10087-1:2013 not only to ensure you adhere to stipulations within your home owners insurance policy but to also make sure you and your precious family are safe from any gas related disasters.
Please note that not all the regulations have been placed on this page. This is purely a basic guide from SANS 10087-1:2013.