Non-Certification of New and Second-hand Gas Appliances

The MPAQ Technical Team have had quite a few calls from members regarding the installation of non-compliant gas appliances.

The appliances range from domestic appliances including cook tops and outdoor heaters, through to commercial catering equipment. Both brand new and second-hand appliances have been presented with compliance issues.

It is the gasfitter’s responsibility to ensure the installation complies with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 5601 and the appliance is Australian Gas Association (AGA) approved. It is illegal for a gasfitter to connect an appliance without current AGA approval. If there is no compliance plate or AGA approval sticker on the appliance, you can check the approval of an appliance on the Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) website – www.gtrc.gov.au. It is very similar to checking for watermark approval of fittings and fixtures for plumbing.

To do this, go to the GTRC website, click on National Database of Certified Gas Appliances and Components (it won’t look like a button but the text is clickable!), type in the make and model number of the appliance, and the site will tell you if the appliance is approved or not. However, if there is no compliance plate on the appliance, it will need certification through a competent person who is authorised to do so for the appliance to become compliant.

Second-hand gas appliances must have been previously certified and be in a proper of state repair, before they can be re-sold in Queensland. Be aware that the acceptance of a second-hand gas appliance may have been changed by alteration to, or by relocation of the appliance. If certification has been changed, re-certification must be obtained before the appliance is installed.

GTRC notes that in Australia, it is an offence to supply or sell an appliance that is not certified, including a second-hand appliance. In some jurisdictions, the offer to supply or sell an appliance that is not certified, including second-hand appliances, is also an offence.

Sample of Gas Compliance Plates:

It’s very important that if you find yourself in any of these situations that you tell the client you cannot legally install a non-compliant appliance. Please ensure you check the appliance for a compliance plate and approval number before installing.

If you are confronted with any of these scenarios, please contact the MPAQ Technical Team on 07 3273 000 to discuss.

Written by Julian Hanrahan, MPAQ Technical Officer. Photos by Matthew Simpson, MPAQ Technical Officer.