Gas installations: Part 1 - General installations

This standard is applied through legislative requirements in each state and territory for the safety of gas installations and clearances requirements for surrounding materials to a fixed gas appliance.

What does it Include?

AS 5601.1 is broken into 6 sections consisting of: 

• Section 1 states what the standard covers and describes the terms used in this Standard.
• Section 2 contains the performance requirements for the design, installation, and commissioning of gas installations, including those operating at pressures exceeding 200kPa.
• Section 3 the general requirements and safe work practices. 
• Section 4 the materials, fittings and components.
• Section 5 the installation of consumer piping.
• Section 6 the installation of gas appliances.

This standard also contains 7 normative and 11 informative appendices consisting of:

• Appendix A contains a list of normative references in this Standard.
• Appendix B lists the units of measurements used in this Standard, presented as ready reference for conversion between different units of measurement.
• Appendix C sets out the specification for fire resistant material.
• Appendix D contains information regarding purging and related precautions.
• Appendix E specifies procedures for pressure testing a gas installation and associated equipment.
• Appendix F contains information regarding sizing of consumer piping for various materials and conditions.
• Appendix G contains tables to determine the maximum breather vent orifice size for devices not vented to outside atmosphere.
• Appendix H sets out information on flue design and various factors influencing flue design.
• Appendix I contains information on appliances used in outdoor areas.
• Appendix J contains guidance for the location of LP Gas cylinders.
• Appendix K provides guidance for the design and installation of gas system in high-rise buildings.
• Appendix L contains relevant extracts from the National Construction Code (Volume One).
• Appendix M contains a guideline for the installation of consumer billing meters.
• Appendix N contains information on State and Territory-specific requirements set out by the Technical Regulators, in relation to some aspects of this Standard. 
• Appendix O contains a guideline for the commissioning of domestic and small commercial gas appliances in the absence of the manufacturer’s relevant instructions.
• Appendix P sets out the symbols used in gas control system diagrams.
• Appendix Q contains a gas installation checklist.
• Appendix R provides details on how to check for the spillage of combustion products from flued appliances and considers the effect of mechanical extract ventilation on the operation of the appliances.

Is the Standard referenced in NCC or Other legislation?

This Standard is referenced in relevant legislation in each State and Territory in relation to gas installations.

Who is the Standard for?

The primary users of this standard are residential and commercial builders, designers, plumbers, gas installation contractors, related building trade contractors, building certifiers and surveyors, project managers, manufacturers and testing authorities.

Related Australian Standards

• AS 3000 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage Part 1 Water services
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage Part 2 Sanitary plumbing and drainage
• AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing structures and drainage Part 3 Stormwater drainage

Related HIA Information Sheets

• HIA resource on AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage Part 1 Water services
• HIA resource on AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage Part 2 Sanitary plumbing and drainage 
• HIA resource on AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing structures and drainage Part 3 Stormwater drainage 

Getting a copy of the Standard

An electronic copy of this Australian Standard can be purchased through the Digital Australian Standards webpage.

To find out more, contact HIA’s Building Services team.

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