esv.vic.gov.au

STORY PAGE 04

New barbecue safety campaign a reminder of how to avoid barbecue fires with a simple soapy water test.

2017 Electrical Installation audit resultsPAGE 06

100 years of electricity supply PAGE 08

Summer 2018/19 energysafe issue 52

Energy Safe VictoriaCopyright © 2018 PP352583/00578

Staying safe from barbecue fires this summer

ESV Zero Tolerance StrategyPAGE 11

Gloves in licensing assessmentsPAGE 19

UNDERSTANDNEGATIVE PRESSURE.

Our new short animation explains what it is, its effects on open �ued gas heaters, how to test for it and how to mitigate it. Watch it now at www.esv.vic.gov.au/NegativePressure

For more information visit www.esv.vic.gov.au

Barbecue season is upon us. While this is a great time of year for a lot of Victorians, it’s worth keeping in mind that CFA and MFB respond to as many as 100 house fires throughout the summer, caused by barbecue gas bottles. These fires are easily avoidable. By simply checking the gas connection and the condition of the bottle, people can avoid gas leaks and the devastating fires that can follow. This is the message of ESV’s new Know The Drill Before You Grill campaign. It’s an important message that I hope you all share whenever you go to a barbecue.

The campaign comes just as Standards Australia looks at mandating the use of the ‘quick connect coupling’ on gas cylinders. Already used in the US and New Zealand, the coupling prevents gas escaping if the cylinder is not connected but still turned on. The issue came to prominence in November when the Victorian Coroner released findings into a man who was killed after an explosion in his van caused by open gas cylinders.

Further on the campaign front; ESV is also developing a new carbon monoxide awareness campaign. After a recommendation from the Victorian Coroner, ESV is updating the CO is a Silent Killer message with a new campaign that empowers people to manage their open flued gas heater. We should be ready to launch by May 2019.

RCDs are still in the news. It’s their 30th birthday. Three decades since they were made mandatory in domestic installations. You can help celebrate the milestone by testing your RCD and getting friends and family to do the same.

In this edition we also publish the results of our annual audit of non-prescribed electrical installation work. Find out what the top 10 defects were and what postcodes they come from.

Happy Christmas and have a wonderful New Year.

Jonathan Granger jonathan.granger@energysafe.vic.gov.au

From the Editor

Latest news06 Electrical Installation work audit

results for 201708 One hundred years of electricity

supply09 The Block10 Gas cylinder valve change to cut

leaks11 ESV Zero Tolerance strategy11 Type B gas appliance audits begin12 EESS empowering consumers of

electrical goods12 Revised AS 3814 published14 The emergency of H2 as an energy

source15 Testing the technical skills of our

plumbing apprentices15 Electrical safety hazards guide

published16 ESV Gas Safety Officers traveling

the distance to keep Victoria safe17 Company fined $300,000 after

apprentice electrocuted

New barbecue safty campaign launched—do you know the drill?

Electrical18 30 year anniversary of mandatory

RCDs a good reminder to test18 ESVConnect update20 Your electrical questions answered

Gas22 Revisions to AS 4575 Gas

Appliances—Quality of Servicing23 Empowering Victorians to manage

open flued gas heaters

Breaches24 Identified non-compliance

breaches26 Prosecutions and infringements

The gloves are on—for electrical licensing assessments

Features

In this issue

4 19

Like ESV on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get important safety updates and ESV news delivered to your news feed.

ISSN: 2209-3818 (Print)

Managing Editor Jonathan Granger

Editor Mirna Bukic

Contributors Paul Fearon, David Granger, Andrew Burgdorf,

David Bibby, Jason Treseder, Simon O’Leary, Paul Harris,

Michael Weber, Tyler Mason, Adam Murdoch Laurie Devitt,

Enzo Alfonsetti, Sue Sizer, Rob Oldfield

Authorised and published by Energy Safe Victoria

Level 5, 4 Riverside Quay, Southbank, VIC 3006

P 03 9203 9700

E info@energysafe.vic.gov.au

Cover Gas heater serviced by a qualified gasfitter testing

for carbon monoxide. Image: Elizabeth Bull.

Design Aer Design

Printed by Southern Colour

Copyright All material appearing in EnergySafe is copyright.

Reproduction in whole or in part is not permissible without

the written permission of Energy Safe Victoria, depending

on the source of the article.

Liability Howsoever arising as a consequence of use

or reliance upon any advice, representations, statement,

opinion or conclusion expressed herein is expressly

denied by Energy Safe Victoria and all persons

involved in the preparation of this publication.

03

esv.vic.gov.au

03

esv.vic.gov.au

New barbecuesafety campaignlaunched – do youknow the drill?By David Ranger, Internal Communications Advisor

04

Our new barbecue safety campaign; Know The Drill Before You Grill, launched in early November on regional free-to-air TV, catch-up TV, CALD community radio and social media.

The campaign builds on the success of the Look Before You Cook campaign, which did a great job in raising awareness about barbecue safety over the past six years.

The ‘drill’ in the campaign title refers to the steps you need to take to check your LP Gas cylinder before lighting up your barbecue – focussing on the soapy water test.

The campaign was developed by advertising agency DPR&Co, who recently won the Australian Marketing Institute award for their TAFE commercial Chase your calling, for Chisholm Institute.

DPR&Co developed our campaign’s creative to focus on the motif of a burnt LP Gas cylinder to highlight the number of LP Gas barbecue fires over the summer period.

The television commercial opens with a line of burnt LP Gas cylinders, like a row of breadcrumbs, along a suburban street. The camera follows the line to an ordinary suburban house, while the voiceover informs us that there are over 100 gas barbecue fires over summer in Victoria, with some of these fires turning into house fires. The vision leads the viewer up the driveway into the back garden, where a soapy water test is being carried out on the barbecue's LP Gas cylinder. The commercial ends with a group of family and friends enjoying their barbecue after successfully completing the test.

Know the Drill Before You Grill will run on regional free to air TV, catch up TV and social media from November until the end of January 2019, with peaks during holiday periods.

Easy as one, two, three: simple steps that can help avoid gas fires If you see bubbles, turn the gas off

Further information is available on our website at: esv.vic.gov.au/knowthedrill

esv.vic.gov.au

05

Electrical Installation work Audit results for 2017By David Bibby, Compliance Officer – Electrical Installation Safety

Each year, Energy Safe Victoria audits 8-10% of non-prescribed electrical installation work. The results of 2017 are listed below.

Top 10 defect codes Top 10 postcodes

Defect code Standard Clause No. of defects Postcode No. of defects

211150 3000:2007 2.9.7 579 3977 38

211144 3000:2007 2.9.5.2 403 3084 35

211151 3000:2007 2.9.7 212 3046 34

211022 3000:2007 1.7.1(c) 208 3150 34

211395 3000:2007 4.98 189 3029 31

111002 ES Act 1998 44(3) 174 3079 31

111003 ES Act 1998 45A 172 3058 29

211146 3000:2007 2.9.5.4 138 4131 28

211175 3000:2007 3.10.3.6 133 3175 28

211025 3000:2007 1.7.2 117 3171 27

The audit found the top 10 defects and top 10 postcodes where defects were identified for 2017. A total of 4701 defects were identified from the 60,000 completed – less than 0.08%.

All ASNZS 3000 defects relate to ASNZS 3000:2007 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) including amendments 1 and 2. The information below is provided to assist the electrical industry in current and future education and for compliance purposes.

Defect code 211150 relates to AS/NZS 3000:2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules clause 2.9.7 Fire-protective measures. Wiring associated with switchboards shall be installed in such a manner that, in the event of fire originating at the switchboard, the spread of fire will be kept to a minimum.

Defect code 211144 relates to AS/NZS 3000:2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules clause 2.9.5.2 Relationship of electrical equipment. The relationship of switches, circuit-breakers, fuses, RCDs, and similar electrical equipment to the various sections of the electrical installation shall be marked on or adjacent to the switchboard.

Defect code 211151 relates to AS/NZS 3000:2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules clause 2.9.7 Fire-protective measures. Where a switchboard is enclosed in a case or surround, any wiring systems entering the switchboard enclosure shall pass through openings that provide a close fit.

Defect code 211022 relates to AS/NZS 3000:2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules clause 1.7.1 Essential requirement.Electrical equipment, forming part of an electrical installation, shall be selected and installed to—

c) be installed in accordance withthe manufacturer’s instructions.

Defect code 211395 relates to AS/NZS 3000:2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules section 4. This defect relates to any technical electrical installation defects identified with respect to installed equipment that do not have an individual defect number in the current defect list.

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Latest news

• New purpose built Licenced Electrician’sAssessment (LEA) venue 20km from CBD

• Easy access via major arterials• Car parking on-site• Comfortable environment• Café on site• Industry directed facility

New facility, new location

8A, Level 3, Building 2 195 Wellington Road, Clayton

T 03 9654 1299 E enquiries@futureenergyskills.com.au

Monash Freeway

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BentleighEast

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University

Mulgrave

Future Energy Skills

Chadstone

MelbourneCBD

Springvale

Eastlink

Defect code 111002 relates to the Electricity Safety Act 1998 section 44 Compliance and testing of electrical installation work subsection 3, which states:

3. A licensed electrical installationworker must not sign a certificate ofcompliance in relation to anyelectrical installation work carried outby that worker unless the certificate –

(a) describes the work; and

(b) states that the work complieswith this Act and the regulations;and

(c) contains any other details inrelation to the work required bythe regulations.

Defect code 111003 relates to the Electricity Safety Act 1998 section 45A Certificates of electrical safety, subsection 2. Where the Certificate of Compliance for Non-Prescribed Electrical Installation Work has been issued where all or part of the work is deemed to be Prescribed Electrical Installation Work.

Defect code 211146 relates to AS/NZS 3000: 2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules clause 2.9.5.4 Terminals of switchboard equipment. Terminals of bars, links, circuit-breakers, fuses and other electrical equipment mounted on a switchboard shall be marked or arranged to identify the corresponding active and neutral connection for each circuit.

Defect code 211175 relates to AS/NZS 3000: 2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules clause 3.10.3.6 Terminations.Terminations shall be arranged so that wiring enclosures terminate in, and are supported on, electrical equipment in such a manner as to fully protect the enclosed cables as they pass into the electrical equipment. Each end of flexible conduit shall be securely anchored to the fixed conduit, structure or electrical equipment where it terminates.

Defect code 211025 relates to AS/NZS 3000: 2007 (+A1, +A2) Wiring Rules clause 1.7.2 Installation work practice. In order to address the essential requirement of Clause 1.7.1, electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with safe and sound work practices.

esv.vic.gov.au

07

One hundred years of electricity supplyBy Paul Fearon, Director of Energy Safety

100 years ago, in December 1918, the Victorian Parliament passed a Bill that established the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) under 'Electricity Commissioners'.

After returning from the Great War, Sir John Monash was appointed its first full time Chairman. The vertically integrated utility generated, distributed and sold electricity to Victorians for 75 years. The model of electricity supply reflected conventional wisdom of the time including the economics of the industry, known technologies and government objectives of the day. The SECV was by any measure the powerhouse of economic development for Victoria.

Most people took electricity supply for granted because it worked. They vaguely knew about voltage and current because it meant light, heat and power. They also knew that in the wrong proportions it could kill you. But terms like frequency control, harmonics, power factor, capacitance and inertia were hardly mentioned. Few realised that, whilst generally very reliable, the physics of electricity made these systems complex and electrically fragile.

Large grids were particularly hard to keep stable and secure. Around the world we saw how they could collapse and plunge states, large cities even local areas into darkness – even when there was adequate generation. During the second half of the 20th Century, Australia developed a particular expertise in maintaining stable grids and SECV electrical engineers helped many utilities in the US when they experienced these events, such as the 25 hour blackout in New York in 1977.

Engineers and system planners know that the physics of electricity requires careful management in real time as well as having an eye for medium and long term forecasts of demand and supply. There are few other systems that come close to the intricacies and interdependencies of our electricity system. Achieving electrical stability is no mean feat, made all the harder because the system is influenced not just by the source of the electricity but the network delivering it, the direction of flows and how the customers are using their electrical equipment.

Much has changed in the supply of electricity, but the physics of electricity hasn’t, and neither has our high expectations for affordable, secure, reliable, safe and — increasingly — environmentally sustainable power supply. History also tells us that in many cases industry structures left unexamined will, over time, fail to deliver positive consumer or social outcomes.

Even those nostalgic for the SECV are unlikely to recall the double digit increases in electricity prices that were experienced through the early to mid-1980s in Victoria, or the relatively poor reliability and state of rural distribution networks at that time. It is now 25 years since competitive markets were introduced and the SECV disaggregated and privatised. These reforms were motivated by the need to address the institutional factors that were perceived to have led to poor reliability, low productivity and over-investment. This in no way diminishes the huge contribution made by the thousands of engineers, technical trades and commercial staff who worked for the SECV.

But today we rely on electricity markets and regulated networks to deliver electrons in sufficient proportions of quantity and quality to ensure electrical supply is safe, reliable, secure and stable in real time. That’s difficult under “normal” conditions and even harder in an increasingly distributed energy world. If the proportions are wrong, then the grid or parts of it will become unstable or constrained. Reliability suffers, intervention follows and costs inevitably increase.

Distributed generation and renewables are the future, but they are challenging the traditional one way flows of electricity. They are also challenging the traditional roles played by the existing businesses. Like tectonic plates, the established players in energy generation, distribution and retailing are now colliding with the new entrants at the edge of the grid and outside it.

For all players, new energy forms and digital technologies offer the solutions to manage the physics of electricity through embedded smart networks, smart meters and battery storage.

But designing market rules and regulations that attempt to manage the transition as well as harmonise competing commercial interests, the physics of electricity and desirable social and environmental outcomes is not easy.

Director of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Latest news

Nine’s reality television show, The Block, came under ESV scrutiny after an episode broadcast in September showed what appeared to be a contestant installing electrical cables.

During the episode, contestant Carla led to believe she could do her own electrical work, even to the point of creating her own do-it-yourself videos on YouTube. The segment later showed Carla receiving a call from ESV indicating that it was likely all the electrical work would have to be pulled out, as she was not a licensed electrician.

However, it all turned out to be a prank – the call from ESV was from someone on set pretending to be from ESV. Regrettably, the whole incident occurred under the eye of a licensed electrical contractor.

The show implied that it was acceptable for non-licensed DIYers to do their own electrical work, which is both unsafe and illegal.

Following the broadcast, ESV met with the producers of the show who apologised for the incident, and conceded that the prank didn’t come across as intended. ESV made it clear that their actions were unacceptable, and that the segment had contradicted our long term safety campaigns. The show’s producers accepted this, and have offered ESV the opportunity to carry out inspections during the 2019 season of the show.

The licensed electrician spoke to ESV and claimed it was his understanding that the segment would never be broadcast.

While The Block would argue that they did tell their audience that electrical work must always be carried out by a qualified electrician, the fact that they broadcast the segment to hundreds of thousands of viewers trivialises what is an incredibly dangerous task.

Too many times ESV has been called to incidents that have resulted in fatalities from unlicensed people doing their own electrical work. Only recently a man was killed attempting to install a power point when he inadvertently touched a live electrical cable.

All electricians have to be vigilant about this – never knowingly allow people to do unlicensed DIY. If you hear about it happening, remind these people that that sort of work is not only illegal, it is also extremely dangerous.

It is not only suburban DIY work either. The warning against DIY electrical work is also important for farmers and farm workers, particularly after a number of fatalities in recent years.

The decisions taken in Victoria 25 years ago to introduce competitive wholesale and retail markets linked by regulated integrated distributor-retailers was a satisfactory basis to initiate reform, but it was never assumed that this industry structure would or should remain unchanged. Instead it was assumed that, with appropriate competition oversight and incentive regulation, product and captial markets would motivate firms to focus on dynamic efficiency and meeting changing consumer preferences.

Today that includes the perspectives of the disinterested, the disadvantaged and those who prefer renewables. As we contemplate the respective roles to be played by competition, regulation and markets for the next 100 years of electricity supply, it is worth reflecting on three things.

First, the laws of physics never yield to the laws of humans. Second, in the long term, better outcomes are achieved, not by writing more rules or mandating objectives but by facilitating their attainment.

As Nobel Laureate Douglas North observed, it is through the institutional settings, such as the form of regulation adopted, that incentives are created. Appropriate incentives, in turn, drive firms to employ their technical and entrepreneurial talent towards creating consumer value rather than higher costs. Third, electricity markets are unlike most other markets. Some level of engineering coordination, planning and control is still required.

Where and how this is optimally carried out is one of many questions facing policy makers today.

The BlockBy Jonathan Granger, Head of Communications and Marketing

The Block’s apology is on ESV’s Facebook.

esv.vic.gov.au

09

Gas cylinder valve change to cut leaksf

By Jason Treseder, Senior Gas Engineer

The connection on an LP Gas cylinder has a known weakness that enables dangerous gas leaks to occur. This contributes to over 100 LP Gas barbecue fires over the summer in Victoria. Standards Australia are looking at rectifying this issue through a change to a new safer connection, known as CGA 791 Quick Connect Coupling (QCC).

In October, Standards Australia held a stakeholder forum in Sydney to discuss the future of the LP Gas cylinder valve. The forum discussed a proposal to amend relevant standards and change the LPG cylinder valve connection from its current type 21 ‘POL’ design to the CGA 791 Quick Connect Coupling (QCC) for leisure LPG cylinders ranging 4.5kg up to 9kg.

The significant number of incidents involving portable LPG appliances like barbecues each year drove the appeal for change. A common cause of these incidents is a gas leak from the connection to the cylinder valve, which eventually ignites and explodes damaging property and injuring anyone nearby.

The Type 21 cylinder valve outlet connection has been the default LPG cylinder connection for many years. The outlet connection on the cylinder valve consists of an internal thread leading to an internal cone. The mating fitting on the hose assembly consists of a matching external thread and a round nipple with a 19mm radius. A leak tight seal is achieved by compression of the radius against the internal cone.

Historically, the nut fitting was provided with spanner flats and tightening was achieved by using a spanner to apply sufficient torque to the nut. The connection was subsequently revised to permit soft seals on the nipple to assist with sealing, enabling a hand wheel to make a leak tight seal this resulted in making the connection process easier for consumers.

However, over time, consumer expectations for the connection have changed and the number of incidents involving the cylinder valve connection has made it clear that the Type 21 connection is no longer an appropriate connection for leisure use. The QCC fitting is considered a reasonable and effective alternative to the Type 21 fitting.

This fitting has a number of additional safety advantages over the current Type 21 connection.

» The cylinder valve incorporates a checkvalve that will only enable gas to flowwhen a gas tight connection is made.

» The connection is a large diameter righthanded thread that is able to be madewithout the use of tools.

» All perishable rubber seals are locatedwithin the body of the gas valve. so itcan be assessed as part of the refillingprocess and replaced with the cylindervalve as part of the cylinder test process.

» The connection is widely usedinternationally including New Zealandand the USA.

» The connection incorporates a thermalfuse that will melt when exposed to heat.This allows the internal check valve toclose and shut off gas flow in the eventthe connection is exposed to a fire.

» The QCC valve is compatible withexisting appliances that use the Type21 connection, which will assist in thetransition process.

Standards Australia will now start the process to amend a range of relevant standards as part of the normal consensus process. A proposed transition timeframe will be confirmed in the near future along with further details of the transition.

Step towards safety: the new QCC safety valve

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Latest news

ESV has begun random audits of approved Type B appliance installations that have been in service for over three years.

The purpose of these audits is to ensure that the owner of the appliance is fulfilling their obligations under section 30 of the Victorian Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 2018.

Section 35 outlines the responsibilities of the owner to maintain the appliance in a safe condition and a proper state of repair, and to retain maintenance, repair and modification records for a period of at least three years. Section 30 outlines the following.

Duty to keep complex gas installation in a proper state of repair

A person who is the owner of a complex gas installation must-

a) keep the installation safe and in a proper state of repair; and

b) keep any Type B appliancecontained in the complex gasinstallation in a safe conditionand in a proper state of repair;and

c) keep records relating tothe service, maintenance,repair and modification of thecomplex gas installation andany Type B appliance containedin the complex gas installationfor a period of three yearsafter the relevant service,maintenance, repair ormodification.

Extract from Victorian Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 2018

During the site visit, ESV will carry out a visual inspection of the appliance and conduct an examination of the owner’s maintenance records to determine their compliance with the regulations. It is estimated that site visits will take around an hour to complete, and the owner will be given sufficient lead time to prepare their records for presentation to ESV at the time of the visit.

On completion of the audit, the owner or operator will be given a written report outlining the outcome of the audit and any further action that may be required.

The regulations state that Type B gas practitioners are required to provide their customers with a detailed report whenever any service, maintenance or repair is carried out on the appliance. This requirement extends to any work which is not invoiced to the customer (for example warranty repairs).

Watch ESV's guide to the Australian Standards for the Installation of Commercial Kitchens and Appliances at www.esv.vic.gov.au/commercial-kitchen-gas-installation-guide

The clearance between any part of a grease filter and the nearest part of the cooking surface or trivet shall not be less than the clearance specified in Table 6.9.

ESV has now added the minimum clearance between grease filters and char grills to its list of zero tolerance fault items.

As of the date of this notification, please be advised that gas installations that fail to meet the minimum clearance prescribed by the Australian Standard will be escalated to ESV Investigations and will receive an Infringement Notice incurring 4 penalty units for an individual or 20 penalty units for a company.

Type B gas applianceaudits beginBy Paul Harris, Head of Gas Operations

By Paul Harris, Head of Gas Operations

If you have any questions in relation to these audits, regula-tions or the audit process, con-tact our Gas Technical Helpline on 1800 652 563.

esv.vic.gov.au

ESV ZeroTolerance strategy

By Paul Harris, Head of Gas Operations

Char grills-clearances to grease filters.

As a result of recent inspection activity, Energy Safe Victoria has identified repeated installation non-compliance.

The identified non-compliance involves commercial kitchens and the clearances between grease filters and char grills. The minimum required clearance is currently 1350 millimetres.

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 [Amendment 4] Clause 6.10.2.2, Additional Requirements for Installation of Specific Gas Appliances, Commercial Catering Equipment – Clearances to a Grease Filter states that:

11

EESS to empower consumers of electrical goods

By Adam Murdoch, Head of Electrical Equipment Safety and Efficiency

New requirements will soon be put in place for household electrical goods with the introduction of the Electrical Equipment Safety Scheme (EESS).

The EESS – developed by Australian energy regulators including Energy Safe Victoria and passed into law by the Victorian Government in September – addresses the increasing numbers of recalls and the deteriorating standard of electrical goods.

The new legislation will target importers and manufacturers based in Australia and establishes a national database where suppliers must register as ‘responsible suppliers’.

The national database will be searchable and include a register of certifications, responsible suppliers and registered products. Consumers will be able to check that a product is registered and identify the responsible supplier for the product. This includes purchases made online from Australian suppliers.

A single regulatory compliance mark, known as the RCM (pictured), will identify appliances that comply with Australian standards of safety. Regulators will be able to trace products back to the relevant supplier and, if necessary, contact other responsible suppliers that are importing the same or similar equipment.

“When it is implemented, the EESS will empower Victorian consumers to make more informed decisions about the electrical appliances they buy,” Director of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon said.

“It also allows for a significant increase in check-testing by regulators.”

“Previously, Victoria’s electrical equipment safety system was designed for electrical equipment manufactured in Australia by large Australian-based companies. The new EESS requirements address a significant shift where most electrical equipment is now manufactured offshore.” He said.

The EESS is a national program, and Victoria is the second jurisdiction to pass an EESS Bill through its parliament after Queensland. The EESS Bill passed the Victorian Parliament without amendment on 8 September.

We will keep you posted about the plan for implementation.

The EESS Bill is available to at esv.vic.gov.au/eess-legislation-andregulations

Revised AS 3814 published

By Kevin Dwyer, Gas Safety Officer

AS 3814:2018 – Industrial and Commercial Gas-Fired Appliances, which supersedes AS 3184:2015 was published on 25 October 2018.

ESV encourages all Type B gas practitioners to familiarise themselves with the new version of AS 3814, as it will form the basis for all applications that ESV reviews for Type B appliance acceptance.

Some changes worth noting in this revision include the addition of new clauses relating to purging after flame failure, safety shut-off valve concessions, and the use of flexible gas hoses in valve trains.

The revised AS 3814:2018 is available on SAI Global.

If you have any questions in relation to the new standards or ESV’s application acceptance process, contact ESV’s Gas Technical Helpline on 1800 652 563.

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Latest news

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The emergence of H2 as an energy sourceBy Tyler Mason, Gas Engineer

As part of the global effort to reduce man-made carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and prevent possibly damaging changes to the Earth’s climate, work is being undertaken on a number of fronts to provide viable alternatives to reliably deliver the enormous amount of energy our society requires.

Whilst public debates about electrification, renewables and battery storage continue, a promising potential solution is emerging in the form of hydrogen (H2).

Hydrogen is a gas that still undergoes combustion/oxidation, resulting in usable heat release. However, there is no carbon involved in this reaction, meaning no carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide is produced and the only combustion by-product is water. Therefore, what you can create with natural gas can also be done with H2, including fuelling power stations—without generating CO2.

Additionally, H2 can be used in conjunction with oxygen from the air to generate electricity in a fuel cell. This technology has existed for over half a century and provided electrical power for the Apollo Command Module (the vehicle that took us to the moon) throughout the 1960s and ‘70s.

Hydrogen gas can be generated from renewable energy sources by using renewably-generated electricity to electrolyse water, which is an established process that produces both hydrogen and water.

In the shorter term, while renewable generation capacity is still lacking the capacity to fully satisfy society’s energy needs, hydrogen can be extracted from natural gas or coal through a process known as thermal reforming. Thermal reforming is a modern and proven technology that can be combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to capture the vast majority (approximately 98%) of generated CO2.

Beyond the almost too-good-to-be-true properties of H2 for energy transport and delivery, hydrogen also has a similar energy storage potential to natural gas, which is piped to the vast majority of Australian homes and businesses. This means there is the potential to repurpose gas infrastructure to store, transport and deliver hydrogen instead.

Whilst it can be easy to overlook gas in a pipe as an energy storage means, the piping network’s volume actually allows the storage of a vast amount of gas under pressure.

In comparison, the United Kingdom’s Northern Gas Networks’ H21 Project estimates that Northern England’s natural gas distribution network can store, by volume of hydrogen, the equivalent energy potential of more than 62,000 South Australian mega batteries. This stored energy can be rapidly converted to either heat or electricity, as required.

While it sounds like the answer to all our energy and environmental needs, a huge amount of work is needed to bring it all about, not to mention that the storage and use of hydrogen has its risks that need to be managed — see ‘Hindenburg disaster’.

The H21 Project from the Northern Gas Networks (UK) is working closely with the UK’s safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, to design and conduct a significant range of tests to determine the potential impacts on consumer and industrial safety that may result from the radical adoption of hydrogen in place of natural gas, within the existing distribution infrastructure.

ESV is closely monitoring this project and other emerging technologies as a part of our role overseeing the safe use of gas and electricity in Victoria.

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Latest news

Hard day's work: participants of this year's skills competition

The technical skills of plumbing apprentices was tested at the end of August in the 2018 Plumbing Apprentices Skills Competition, at Swinburne University of Technology in Croydon.

ESV has supported this competition since it began in 2016, along with other industry partners, including VBA. This event leads up to World Skills Australia – a nationwide vocational educationand excellence competition.

In the weeks leading up to the event, competing students have the opportunity to work closely with a mentor to focus on developing their skills for the competition.

Apprentices from Swinburne, Chisholm, RMIT, Federation and Holmesglen Colleges competing in areas including cutting, joining, bending and fabricating different types of pipe work used in the plumbing trade.

The competition, required competing apprentices to work diligently throughout the day to complete each skill challenge, after which the judging panel of current and former plumbing instructors chose the top three performers.

» First place: Liam Bower from RMIT» Runner up: Charlie James from

Federation College» Third place: Jake Styles from

Swinburne University of Technology.

ESV congratulates the three winners, their colleges, mentors and plumbing instructors, and all of the apprentices who took part. We also congratulate Paul Burke and Swinburne University Plumbing Department for hosting this very important event.

Testing the technical skills of our plumbing apprenticesBy Laurie Devitt, Gas Safety Officer

Electricity hazards safety guide published

By Rob Oldfield, Work Practice Advisor

ESV has produced an update of the Electricity Hazards Safety Guide.

This guide provides guidance to Victorian emergency services personnel dealing with potential electricity hazards and managing safety, where the electricity supply system may be involved in fire, rescue and other emergency situations.

To view and download your copy, head to esv.vic.gov.au/ electricity-hazards-safety-guide

esv.vic.gov.au

15

ESV Gas Safety Officers traveling the distance to keep Victoria safeBy Michael Weber, Data Analyst, Gas and Pipeline Strategy

ESV’s Gas Safety Officers (GSOs) are responsible for completing site assessments across Victoria, traveling considerable distances to support the needs of industry and the community.

As well as a great deal of work behind the scenes assessing gas applications, GSOs travel far and wide to complete the site assessment of higher risk gas work, before granting final acceptance and gas supply to complex gas installations. Approximately five GSOs are scheduled to perform inspections at any one time via a roster.

A review of ESV’s Gas Operations department activities for July 2018 revealed the following information.

As the majority of complex gas work is carried out in the metropolitan areas, so individual distances travelled to inspection sites are not significant on there own; however, in July 2018 GSOs travelled a total of 47,814km for scheduled inspections. If we add the additional distance travelled for re-inspections, that is, where non-compliances were identified on initial inspection, the total for July 2018 hits 52,294km. The average round trip distance for inspections is 139km, with a variance of as little as 6km to a metropolitan inspection site and as much as 1134km to regional sites, such as Robinvale in North East Victoria.

GSOScheduled

Inspections (initial)Total Distance Travelled (km)

Average Distance per Inspection (km)

1 10 9238 924

2 40 6694 167

3 25 5762 230

4 44 5220 119

5 31 4224 136

6 45 3500 78

7 45 3326 74

8 33 3204 97

9 30 2808 94

10 4 1142 286

11 15 1008 67

12 18 792 44

13 2 622 311

14 1 274 274

Total 343 47,814 139

Distances travelled during July 2018.

During July 2018, GSOs attended 375 inspections equating to around 19 inspections per working day carried out by roughly five GSOs. Inspection scheduling efficiencies are improved by grouping work together based on geographical location. GSOs also fly to Mildura as required to service the North West of Victoria.

With all this travel, two thirds of inspections are within 50km distance of ESV’s Glen Waverley office, while the remainder is spread across the state.

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Latest news

Across Victoria and in particular Melbourne, the distribution of inspections varies. The greatest concentration is in Melbourne’s North and East. The chart below identifies 15 of the most common places our GSOs visit.

Heat map indicating the density of inspections in Victoria, July 2018.Blue/green indicates few inspectionsYellow/red indicates a large amount of inspections

Suburb/townComplex

InspectionsType B

InspectionsTotal

Inspections

Melbourne 27 27

South Yarra 12 12

East Melbourne 11 11

Robinvale 8 8

Campbellfield 7 1 8

Eildon 8 8

Dandenong South 1 6 7

Carlton 7 7

Reservoir 2 4 6

Glen Waverley 6 6

Southbank 6 6

Box Hill 5 1 6

Brooklyn 4 1 5

Shepparton 4 1 5

Kew 3 2 5

Inspections by suburb, July 2018. Based on July 2018’s figures, a yearly estimate of total distance travelled by GSOs to inspect complex gas installations is in excess of half a million kilometres.

Company fined $300,000 after apprentice electrocutedA Melbourne electrical company has been convicted and fined $300,000 after an unsupervised, third-year apprentice electrician died from electrocution while laying cables at a Camberwell property.

3 Point Electrics Pty Ltd pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to two charges under section 21 of the OHS Act for failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the workplace was safe and without risk to health, and for failing to provide the supervision as was necessary for employees to perform their work safely and without risk to health.

The company was also ordered to pay $6,067 in costs.

The court heard how the 26-year-old apprentice was sent to the property alone to install cables in preparation for a new smoke alarm in August 2016.

He was working on the roof when his hand contacted an exposed live wire, electrocuting him.

A firefighter who attended the scene found that all the circuit-breakers on the switchboard were in the 'on position'.

WorkSafe’s investigation also found the company failed to prepare a Safe Work Method Statement for the work.

WorkSafe Head of Hazardous Industries and Industry Practice, Michael Coffey, said it was unacceptable for apprentice electricians to undertake electrical work without being effectively supervised by qualified electricians.

"Mature-aged apprentices are becoming more common so employers need to remember that age does not necessarily relate to experience or competency."

"It is vital all inexperienced workers are effectively supervised, trained to perform their tasks safely, and encouraged to speak up or ask questions if they are unsure about something," Mr Coffey said.

"This is a tragic reminder of what can happen when electrical circuits are not isolated as they should be."

By Worksafe Victoria

esv.vic.gov.au

17

For a list of compliant RCDs and RCBOs, visit esv.vic.gov.au/compliant-RCBOs

ESVConnect is our new online place for interacting with industry.

Early next year, ESVConnect will be available for:

» Registering Certificates of ElectricalSafety (COES)

» Registration and renewal of ElectricalContractors (REC)

» Licensing and renewal of ElectricalWorkers (LEW)

You can already use ESVConnect to register Cathodic Protection Systems.

One login 360° view One major change from the current Online Services system is the way to login.

ESVConnect provides individuals with a 360° view of all licences, registrations and certificates from ESV.

‘There is one login to view all your electrical licence and registration details, the full view of certificates of electrical safety you have an association with, as well as relationships to organisations.

The rule is never provide your log in details to anyone else.’ David Bibby, ESVConnect COES Subject Matter Expert

New rolesESVConnect for COES will introduce new roles, so no one will ever needs to share their personal login details (user name and password).

One new feature of the COES process is the ‘Operator’ role.

Employers of electrical workers, and RECs, will be able to nominate an Operator with their own independent log in details. The Operator will be able to prepare a Certificate of Compliance for a Licenced Electrical Worker to certify, and assist in selecting LEIs for the inspection of prescribed electrical installation work.

Password recoveryESVConnect users can create their own passwords. If you forget your username or password, you will be able to auto recover via your registered email account.

ESVConnect readyOver the last few months, we have been asking electrical workers to update their email addresses in Online Services, so that we can let you know when ESVConnect for Licensing, Registration and Certificates of Electrical Safety goes live.

Nice work everyone!We now have email addresses on record for 90% of our licenced workers.

What’s nextThe next step is to test the email addresses we have to verify they are active and connect us with the right people. In December, we will send the first of a series of emails to help you get ready, so please keep an eye out. If you do not receive it in your Inbox or Spam, please log in to Online Services and review your details, or contact us at licensing@energysafe.vic.gov.au or 1800 815 721.

The ESVConnect Project team welcomed Matt Davies in the role of Product Owner earlier this month. Matt replaces Trish Zupan who led the ESVConnect project from the outset (early 2015).

‘Trish made a valuable contribution to ESVConnect, establishing a system that will serve us well for years to come’ Neil Fraser, Deputy Director and ESVConnect Product Manager

30 year anniversary of mandatory RCDs a good reminder to test By Andrew Burgdorf, Compliance Officer, Electrical Installation Safety

It is almost 30 years since RCDs became mandatory in domestic installations.

The 30 year anniversary acts as a good reminder for electricians attending properties to carry out electrical work, to test all existing RCDs and RCBOs to ensure they are operating as they should be.

Clause 8.3.10 of AS/NZS 3000:2018 outlines a number of different testing methods. As an installation ages, the likelihood of an RCD or RCBO becoming faulty increases. A faulty RCD may mean the home and its occupants are not protected.

While attending a property, it is a good opportunity to discuss the importance of ensuring RCDs and RCBOs are regularly tested with homeowners to ensure safety. This is as easy as demonstrating to them how to test the RCD. Electricians can advise residents to test every six months, or even add it to the list of things to do when changing their smoke detector batteries.

ESV recommends that all domestic installations have protection on all final sub-circuits in line with AS/NZS 3000:2018. clause 2.1.2(f) which requires that RCDs and RCBOs be installed as per manufacturer's specifications.

Note: Various installations including, but not limited to patient areas and construction sites, may require additional RCD testing to that of AS/NZS 3000.

18

Electrical news

18

The gloves are on—for electrical licensing assessmentsBy Sue Sizer, Compliance Officer, Electrical Installation Safety

ESV is introducing a new requirement for insulating gloves and fire resistant gloves during electrical licensing assessments.

From 1 January 2019, candidates taking the Safe Working Practice (SWP) assessment and Restricted Licence Class 2 assessment will be required to use gloves during the assessment. This requirement includes low voltage (LV) insulating gloves compliant with AS 2225 and fire resistant outer gloves for mechanical protection. The use of gloves has already been a requirement of the Restricted Licence Class 1 Fault Finding and Switchgear Worker's Licence assessments for some time.

Candidates must supply their own gloves for the assessment.

Assessment centres will carry a small number of gloves for the rare occasions when a candidate supplies their own gloves which fail testing on the day. The candidate must provide their own gloves in good faith in the first place. Not supplying gloves at all, or bringing gloves that are blatantly incorrect or damaged is not acceptable. Inners are optional, and a matter of personal preference with candidate-supplied gloves.

Both sets of gloves must be checked during the assessment each time the candidate intends to put them on. Checks include a visual check and stretch, checking for deterioration, cracks, cuts or holes. The LV gloves must also be air tested using a roll test or similar.

Gloves are to be used when the risk of accidental contact with live parts is possible, including when live terminals are exposed for testing. Once isolation has been proven and the circuit locked out and tagged out (LOTO), the gloves may be removed. There is no penalty if the candidate chooses to leave their gloves on throughout the assessment.

Use of gloves in the assessments was trialed at Federation University earlier this year. Candidates were given plenty of opportunity to practice working with the gloves beforehand and generally had no issues during their assessment. Additional time has been allocated for the assessment (10 minutes), to allow for testing and putting on the gloves. The trial showed that candidates generally did not require this extra time. This will be monitored once all centres carry out the updated assessment and may be adjusted as necessary in the future.

Wearing gloves isn’t just for the assessmentThe practice of wearing gloves for licensing assessments should not been seen as the only time electricians should be wearing them. ESV strongly recommends that gloves are worn on the job where there is a risk of accidental contact with live parts, such as when testing or fault finding. Apprentices should be encouraged to use their gloves on site, both for safety and to familiarise themselves with their use before their licensing assessments.

ESV emphasises that LV insulating gloves do not negate the need for correct isolation, and all circuits should be disconnected from supply before working on the circuit.

The use of LV insulating gloves is a cultural change for our industry, and one that could save many electrical workers’ lives.

Read more about electrical apprentice safety and appropriate supervision at esv.vic.gov.au/apprenticesafety

esv.vic.gov.au

19

Question Answer Standard/Clause

I have seen that my electrical wholesaler is selling twist on cable connectors.

Can I use this type of connector in a normal electrical installation?

There are no provisions in AS/NZS 3000 that prohibit or limit the use of twist on connectors.

Some considerations are:

» Connections shall be made so that no loosening is likely becauseof vibration, alteration of materials or temperature variations towhich the connections are likely to be subjected in normal service

» Mechanical connection devices that meet the following criteriamay be used for the connection of conductors.

Such devices shall:

a. comply with an appropriate Standard;b. not be dependent upon compression of insulating material

for an effective electrical connection;c. have a short-circuit rating suitable for the application;d. have a long-term current-carrying capacity not less than that

of the conductors they are designed to connect;e. if capable of being re-used, suffer no deterioration in performance

when re-used;f. include manufacturer’s information regarding their correct use

or reuse for users when supplied; andg. be installed using the techniques specified by the manufacturer

for the application.

AS/NZS 3000:2018

3.7.2.3

3.7.2.4

I am wiring a new home and the plan shows the switchboard in an area under the stairway that leads to the second floor.

Is this an acceptable location for the main switchboard?

What needs to be considered is that switchboards need to be readily accessible and installed in suitable, well-ventilated places, arranged to provide sufficient space for the initial installation and later replacement of individual items of the control and protective devices and accessibility for operation, testing, inspection, maintenance and repair.

Consideration should also be given to the future use of that area, in that, is it likely to be converted into a cupboard or storage area i.e. restricted location.

AS/NZS 3000:2018

2.10.2.1

Is the replacement of a single DC isolator on an existing solar system considered prescribed work, and do I need to issue a prescribed COES and have the work inspected?

If the replacement is a single DC Isolator with an equivalent DC Isolator at the same location, it is not prescribed work.

If there is more than one DC Isolator being replaced or other parts of the solar system are being replaced, a prescribed COES will need to be issued. The work will then require an inspection by a licenced electrical inspector (LEI).

You will, however, still need to issue a Non-prescribed COES for the replacement of a single DC isolator.

Electrical Safety (Installations) Regulations

Regulation 238(3)

Do you need to be a licenced electrician to work on high voltage?

Yes. You need to be a licensed electrical installation worker (LEIW) to carry out any installation work on wiring and/or fixed electrical equipment that normally operates at low voltage (LV) (above 50V a.c. or 120V ripple free d.c.) or a voltage greater than LV i.e. high voltage (HV).

Electricity Safety Act 1998

Section 38

Electrical Safety (Installations) Regulations

Regulation 238(3)

Your electrical questions answeredBy Simon O'Leary, Compliance Officer, Electrical Installation Safety

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Electrical news

Question Answer Standard/Clause

I'm doing some works for a pool installer and have two questions.

1. The new 2018 Wiring Rules say'within arm’s reach' — is there ameasurement or distance for armsreach?

2. Some of the pools being installedare fiberglass pools. Am I still requiredto earth the concrete edge beam andthe fence and other fittings that arewithin arm’s reach?

Arm’s reach is defined as:

A zone extending from any point on a surface where persons usually stand or move about, to the limits that a person can reach with the hand in any direction without assistance (e.g. tools or ladder).

In relation to a swimming pool this is measured on a horizontal plane 1.25m from the edge of the water.

An equipotential bonding conductor shall be connected between the conductive pool structure and the pool equipotential bonding conductor connection point.

An equipotential bonding conductor shall also be connected to items of electrical equipment and conductive fixtures and fittings.

The equipotential bonding conductor shall be connected to earthing conductors associated with each circuit supplying the pool or spa, or the earthing bar at the switchboard at which the circuits originate.

AS/NZS 3000:2018

1.4.16 Figure 1.1

Figure 5.6

5.6.3 5.6.2.6

I have been asked to install a circuit to an isolator for a split system air conditioner in a domestic home.

Do I need to put this circuit on an RCD?

Yes. In a domestic and residential installation additional protection by RCDs with a maximum rated residual current of 30 mA shall be provided for all final sub-circuits.

AS/NZS 3000:2018

2.6.3.2.2

I am replacing and upgrading a switchboard at a residential home.

1. Do I need to put RCDs on all of the circuits, including the oven and electric hot water service?

2. Is this the same if the switchboard is for a factory or other non-residential installation?

1. Yes. Where the circuit protection on a switchboard in domesticor residential situation is replaced, additional protection by RCDs with a maximum rated residual current of 30 mA shall be provided for all final sub-circuits.

2. In a non-domestic or non-residential setting, where circuit protection on a switchboard is replaced, additional protection by RCDs with a maximum rated residual current of 30 mA shall be provided for final sub-circuits with a rating not exceeding 32 A, supplying:» socket-outlets» lighting» direct connected hand-held electrical equipment e.g. directly

connected tools» direct connected electrical equipment that represents an increased

risk of electrical shock.

AS/NZS 3000:2018

2.6.3.2.5 and 2.6.3.2.2

2.6.3.2.5 and 2.6.3.2.3.3

Do I need a D.C. isolator at the solar panels if the inverter is mounted on the wall that is directly below the solar panels?

Yes. The roof top isolator’s function provides the ability to easily de-energise the cable from the panels to the inverter at the source of supply. The isolator at the inverter is to enable the inverter to be de-energised so it can be worked on safely. If the isolator is a long way from the panels, then you have a section of cable that is not able to be isolated easily.

Clause 4.4.1.5 in AS/NZS 5033 First paragraph states an isolator shall be adjacent to the array (within 3m and visible from each location).

Second paragraph states if the inverter is not in line of sight or more than 3m from the array, then another isolator is required at the inverter.

AS/NZS 5033

4.4.1.5

esv.vic.gov.au

21

Revisions to AS 4575 Gas Appliances—Quality of ServicingBy Enzo Alfonsetti, Manager Type A Gas Appliance & Component Safety and AG006/GTRC chairman

The recent coronial inquest into the death of Sonia Sofianopoulos from carbon monoxide poisoning, which occurred due to a Vulcan Heritage space heater operating in a negative pressure environment, highlighted the importance of testing open-flued space heaters for combustion product spillage.

At the inquest’s conclusion, the Coroner made eight recommendations. One of the recommendations focused on the need to amend Australian Standard AS 4575 Gas Appliances-Quality of Servicing, to incorporate the open-flued appliance combustion products spillage test from AS/NZS 5601.1, Appendix R.

AS 4575 which covers the minimum quality requirements for managing and delivering Type A gas appliance servicing and installation is not currently mandated through legislation and has not been revised or amended since 2005. Standards Australia had recognised the need to review the standard some years before the inquest.

In response, ESV submitted a project proposal for the standard’s revision. The AG012 committee that developed the original standard was no longer constituted, so the project was reallocated to the AG006 committee (also responsible for installation standards AS/NZS 5601.1 and AS/NZS 5601.2), which commenced its review in 2016.

Following significant work, a draft of AS 4575 was published for public comment in October 2018. The draft covers a number of proposed changes and other information, the most important aspects of which include:

» the standard’s scope, which has beenexpanded to cover the minimumrequirements for Type A applianceservicing, repair and conversion fromone gas type to another, related aspectsof gas installations and their associatedquality management systems, sitefamiliarisation and OHS risk assessment,and the competency of personnel

» a comprehensive combustion productsspillage testing procedure and flowchartfor open flued appliances

» guidance on quality managementsystems for organisations that deliverservicing, repair, or conversion ofType A appliances

» details to consider when inspecting anappliance before servicing, the tools andequipment required, and the steps to betaken with dangerous appliances andinstallations

» appliance repair requirements (includingthe repair or replacement of components)

» electrical safety requirements (includingan informative appendix on electricalsafety)

» a sample template for recording detailsfor dangerous gas installation notification.

The title of the standard has also changed to Gas Appliances-Servicing of Type A Appliances.

The closing date for public comment is Wednesday 26 December 2018. To make a submission, visit the Standards Australia website (link below).

The expected date for publishing of the revised AS 4575 is in the first half of 2019, subject to the number of public comments received. ESV will consider mandating the standard through an amendment to the Gas Safety (Gas Installation) Regulations 2018 once this occurs.

Make a submission via Strandards Australia at sapc.standards.org.au/sapc/public/listOpenCommenting Publication.action

22

Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Gas news

Empowering Victorians to manage open flued gas heatersBy Jonathan Granger, Head of Communications and Marketing

As well as changes to the regulatory regime, the Coroner’s recommendations from the inquest into the death of Sonia Sofianopoulos also highlighted the importance of raising public awareness of the safety issues around open flued gas heaters.

Since the death of Chase and Tyler Robinson in 2010, ESV has called on Victorians to have their gas appliances serviced by a qualified gasfitter at least once every two years through the CO is a Silent Killer campaign.

Supported by the boys’ mother and CO awareness campaigner, Vanessa Robinson, the campaign challenged Victorians with its stark image of the ‘cold feet’ of a CO victim.

However, the Coroner has recommended that ESV focus the campaign on open flued heaters and the concept of negative pressure. This has led to the development of a new CO awareness campaign designed to empower people to manage their open flued heater.

Research showed that the Silent Killer campaign was very effective at making people aware of the dangers of CO, but there still remains a proportion of the population who do not get their heater serviced as recommended – once every two years.

To be launched before winter 2019, the new campaign will be designed to empower Victorians to manage their open flued gas heaters. While the call to action will be ‘get your heater serviced’, the campaign will go further, demonstrating how to reduce the risk of CO poisoning.

This includes relatively simple actions such as not running exhaust fans, including the kitchen rangehood or the bathroom fan, at the same time as operating an open flued heater, and ensuring there is adequate ventilation.

The campaign will also help people understand the symptoms of CO poisoning (which can be similar to flu), as well as the rights of renters when it comes to negotiating the frequency of servicing with landlords.

ESV will work with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), the VBA, the Department of Health and Human Services, Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Chase and Tyler Foundation to deliver this campaign. ESV will also work with plumbers, gasfitters and other tradespeople (such as electricians) to ensure people are aware of the importance of servicing.

Other recommendationsThe Coroner’s primary recommendation was that open flued gas heaters were phased out from Victoria, but this is likely to take some time. ESV is working with industry which largely agrees with a phase out but need time to adapt their supply chains to the alternative ‘room-sealed’ options.

The Coroner has also asked ESV to publish technical advice on CO spillage testing for gasfitters and plumbers, as well as review how we communicate changes to legislation and regulations.

The Conorer’s report is available to at esv.vic.gov.au/co-coroners-findings

esv.vic.gov.au

23

Rating Cause Clause description

1 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 6.10.2.3

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC GAS APPLIANCES – Commercial catering equipment -Clearances around commercial catering equipment

25 Non-compliances

Breaches The clearance to combustible surfaces from commercial catering equipment does not comply with the gas appliance manufacturer’s instructions and is less than the clearances shown in AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2] Table 6.10.

2 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 5.3.8

LOCATION OF CONSUMER PIPING – Piping in a concealed location other than underground or embedded in concrete

24 Non-compliances

Breaches Consumer piping in a concealed location has not been installed in accordance with the requirements detailed in AS/NZS 5601.1 Table 5.2

3 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 5.9.5

USE OF HOSE ASSEMBLIES – Hose assembly – Operating conditions

17 Non-compliances

Breaches Hose assemblies have been installed where they are exposed to a temperature exceeding the maximum temperature specified in the hose manufacturer’s instructions, subject to strain, abrasion, kinking or permanent deformation, or subject to damage by vermin.

4 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 6.10.2.2

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC GAS APPLIANCES – Commercial catering equipment -Clearances to a grease filter

17 Non-compliances

Breaches The clearance between any part of a grease filter above the catering equipment and the nearest part of the cooking surface or trivet has not been installed to the correct clearance distance as specified in AS/NZS 5601.1 Table 6.9.

5 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 6.2.2

GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS – Manufacturer’s installation instructions

16 Non-compliances

Breaches Appliances not installed in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 5601.1 and the manufacturer’s instructions.

6 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 5.2.9

DESIGN OF CONSUMER PIPING – Occupancy isolation

14 Non-compliances

Breaches A quarter turn manual shut-off valve has not been installed in the consumer piping to each occupancy.

The manual shut-off valve is not accessible and, where practicable, external to the occupancy.

A durable, permanent sign has not been located in a prominent position adjacent to the valve.

Listed below are the most frequently identified non-compliance items as a result of recent Energy Safe Victoria inspections on gas installations (July to Sep 2018).

When inspecting, ESV assesses the installation for compliance against the prescribed Australian Standards. It is imperative that gasfitting professionals have the right tools for their job.

This includes access to the relevant Australian Standards.

Reading and understanding the relevant standards, as well as following the manufacturer’s installation instructions, is important to ensure a compliant gas installation.

Identifiednon-compliance breachesBy Paul Harris, Head of Gas Operations

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Breaches, prosecutions and infringements

Rating Cause Clause description

7 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 6.6.3

GAS APPLIANCE CONNECTION – Means of isolation

10 Non-compliances

Breaches A means of isolation has not been provided on the inlet connection of an appliance, in accordance with Table 6.4.

8 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 6.10.1.1

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION OF SPECIFIC GAS APPLIANCES – Domestic gas cooking appliances – Clearance around a gas cooking appliance

10 Non-compliances

Breaches The required clearance between a gas cooking appliance, other than those covered under Clause 6.10.1.7, and a combustible surface is not in accordance with the cooking appliance manufacturer’s specification. In the event that clearances are not specified, clearances shall be as in Figure 6.3.

9 AS/NZS 5601.1 2013 [A2]

Clause 4.2

MATERIALS FOR CONSUMER PIPING

8 Non-compliances

Breaches Piping materials and fittings shall meet an appropriate Standard listed in Table 4.1 and shall be subject to the limitations in that Table.

For clarification on a specific clause within an Australian Standard, contact the ESV Gas Safety Technical Information Line on 1800 652 563.

RTO: 0416 CRICOS Provider: 00012G B2261018 Employment 192x140mm

What you can expect:

Generous leave

provisions

Onsite parking and close to

public transport

A leading educational

Institute

Teaching at Holmesglen comes with a range of perks, health and wellbeing initiatives, and a change of pace from the worksite hustle.

A day in the life of a teacher will see you prepare, conduct and result industry standard training and assessment in our Plumbing and Mechanical Services Department. Experience in teaching Design and Size Consumer Gas Piping Systems and Servicing Type A Gas Appliances courses would be an advantage.

For more information relating to this opportunity, and to view the position description, please visit holmesglen.edu.au/careers T: 03 9564 1697 Phillip Skinner, or E: recruit@holmesglen.edu.au

Are you a qualified plumber with a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

Holmesglen is a recognised leader in the provision of vocational and higher education in Victoria, delivering nationally and internationally.

We are looking for experienced and enthusiastic plumbing teachers to pass on their skills and knowledge to our apprentices, based at our Chadstone campus.

Get off the tools into a new career

esv.vic.gov.au

25

ESV has recently taken legal proceedings against the following individuals and companies

» Andrew Jaber of Berwick, LEIW –unlicensed at the date of the offences, appeared at Morwell Magistrates’ Court changed with carrying out electrical installation work when not licensed, failing to take precautions to prevent electric shock and giving misleading information to ESV on two occasions. Jaber was convicted and fined $1500, and ordered to pay $1800 in costs.

» Dovid Berkovits of East St Kilda, REC, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with two counts of breech of an undertaking with payment ordered, and failure to make any of the payments ordered. Berkovits breeches were proven and was ordered to pay $1861.64 in costs.

» William Kiu of Doncaster, REC, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with failure to give a COES to person requesting work, failure to give a COES copy to ESV and carrying out plumbing work when not licensed by the VBAas a plumber. Kiu was convicted, fined$2000 and ordered to pay an additional$4561.09 in costs.

» Russell Eyles of Strathfieldsaye, REC, appeared at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court charged with four counts of failing to give a COES to personal requesting work and four counts of failing to give a COES copy to ESV. Eyles was charged without conviction and fined $783. Eyles was also ordered to pay a further $1750 in costs.

ESV Prosecutions and infringementsAs at November 1 2018

Infringement notice summary

Jun 18

Jul 18

Aug 18

Sep 18

Oct 18

Nov 18

Dec 18

Jan 19

Feb 18

Mar 18

Apr 19

May 19

Total

Total 8 3 13 5 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36

Infringement notices 2018/2019Types of infringement notices issued

MonthREC/LEW/Other

Offence Code Offence Penalty

Aug 18 LEW 6219 Non-complying installation work $777

LEW 6298 Fails to give electronic notice $317

REC 6233 Fail to have connect work inspected

$603

REC 6214 Fails to complete certificate $512

REC 6233 Fail to have connect work inspected

$634

Other 3588 Gas fitting work failed to comply $634

Other 3593 Unauthorised expose of gas pipeline

$1586

Other 3588 Gas fitting work failed to comply $645

REC 6228 Fail to complete certificate within time

$159 $3171

Other 6381 Supply non-compliant equipment

$3171

Other 6348 Supply equipment not approved $3171

Other 6348 Supply equipment not approved $3171

Other 6381 Supply non-compliant equipment

$3171

Sep 18 REC 6377 Non-complying installation work $3792

Other 3588 Gas fitting work did not comply $645

Other 3588 Gas fitting work did not comply $645

Other 3588 Gas fitting work did not comply $645

Other 3588 Gas fitting work did not comply $634

Oct 18 REC 6377 Non-complying installation work $3964

Other 3588 Gas fitting work did not comply $645

Other 3588 Gas fitting work did not comply $645

LEI 6240 Fails to complete certificate $793

REC 6219 Non-complying installation work $793

REC 6242 Fails to give certificate within time

$159

REC 6299 Fails to give electronic notice in time

$317

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Summer 2018/19energysafe issue 52

Breaches, prosecutions and infringements

KNOW THE DRILLBEFORE YOU GRILL

MAKE SURE YOU BBQ SAFELY

THIS SUMMER.

esv.vic.gov.au/knowthedrill

CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS WITH SOAPY WATER1

IF YOU SEE BUBBLES, TURN THE GAS OFF2

Life’s fragile. Don’t blow it. Never work live.Even when you’re under pressure, there’s no excuse to cut corners.

Nothing is too urgent or important. Always isolate and test before you touch.

Don’t risk electrocution or serious injury — you may not get a second chance.

Creating a safer state with electricity and gas

For more visit www.esv.vic.gov.au