It is becoming more common for owners to convert to gas stove installations and you need to be aware that the installers themselves must be certified. The installers must further provide a compliance certificate for each installation.
It is important to note that no more than a 9kg bottle of gas may be stored internally and must not be in a confined space. Larger gas bottles (19kg x 2) are usually stored outside (common property) on a flat surface; it should be kept out of direct sunlight and locked with chain/padlocks. These larger gas bottles should be housed in a mesh cage structure with solid roof cover to provide shade. This would also prevent children/people from tampering with the gas bottles. Correct, cautionary signage must be displayed e.g. No smoking / Caution: Gas storage. If possible to store in an enclosed Exclusive Use Area (EUA) yard not accessible by public, it would be easier/less onerous.
The installer of the appliance may not issue the compliance certificate until these precautions are in place.
Further to the above mentioned, in terms of SANS 10087, the following also applies:
- Bottles must not be placed closer than 1 meter to a door.
- Bottles must not be placed closer than 2 meters to an open drain or depression, where the gas can gather if the bottle leaks.
- Bottles must not be placed closer than 5 meters to an electrical switch, motor, generator, pool pump, etc.
- Bottles must not be placed closer than 1 meter to the side of a window unless there is at least 300mm between the bottom of the window and the top of the bottle, and a non-combustible roof has been placed between the window and the bottle.
- Bottles cannot be placed closer than 1 meter to a boundary wall, unless the wall is a double brick ‘firewall’ of 1,8 meters tall; there can be no ventilation gaps in the wall.
- Copper pipe used must be greater than class 1 or 0.7mm wall thickness and any copper pipe passing through, or embedded in a wall, cement or ground, must be protected with a protective sleeve.
- Reinforced “orange” hose piping connecting appliances cannot be longer than 2 meters, the hose cannot have any joins and it cannot pass through any walls or partition.
Bottom line: Insist on the installer’s compliance certificate for the record in each case. Trustees may consider making this a rule. Any works/installations required on common property would require consent from the trustees (prescribed conduct rule 4.1)
Contact Addsure – the leaders in Sectional Title Insurance – to get advice on the most comprehensive insurance cover for your peace of mind. Contact Addsure head office on 021 551-5069.
Written by Brian Addison from Addsure