Gas Regulations in Australia

[stillbuilding]

Originally Posted by savoir

Oddly enough, gas plumbing is not a live issue for registration of a private vessel in NSW or Victoria.

Maybe times have changed but it was 10 years ago when I registered a yacht on Victoria (state registration) - had to have copper piping sheared in plastic etc. Long time ago

[savoir]

All I can say is that LPG on a private vessel is not addressed by Victorian state registration documents.

[BoomBrake]

Originally Posted by savoir

There is no connection at all between Australian registration and gas systems.

Insurance - yes
Charter - yes
Sale of a new locally built boat - yes
Registration - no

Saviour is spot on here, it all depends on for whom you want to comply!

I'm still not entirely clear on which State Registration you're seeking, but I had extensive conversations with NSW Transport (Marine) about Commercial Survey Registration for in shore skippered requirements last year. They certainly require Compliance with Gas Regs there, but specifically said they don't give a hoot for Recreational Vessel Registration.

Of course any gas plumber MUST comply with Gas Regs in performing their work, so they must complete to Regs.

I'd say your biggest and most important is Insurance. If she blows up, it would be great to get a new boat paid for. Right? :-)

[44'cruisingcat]

Yep, a cheaper alternative would be to register in NSW or Vic, or even Tassie if possible. (I know it's OK to register a boat in NSW, even if you're a Qld resident, because my Dinghy has to have NSW rego - no rego is required for it in Qld.)

For Qld registration you need a current (they're only good for 3 months) certificate from a gasfitter. Which means chemlag copper lines.

Wish the states would get together on their rules.

[gypsywaters]

Hi,

I am looking to replace a old bosh lpg hot water heater, my boat is registerd in queensland, any suggestions on the most suitable lpg heater that is compliant with queensland regulations, the old heater had a pilot light on all the time, i would prefer one without a pilot light, there are also some cheap lpg hot water units being advertized $300 odd , yet a bosh is $800 upwards, do these cheap unit comply with the australian codes.

[downunder]

Someone with a Seawind might be able to tell you what brand they use. Worked well on a Seawind charter I did. Give Seawind agents a phone call.

phone 1300 852 620

[markmyers]

Thanks for the extract Insequent.
Interesting, so it doesn't have to be copper but could be "non-metallic" hose....if it had the Aus sticker! Mine wont but is probably exactly the same, oh well, I will have it checked.

Yeah, savoir, it would have been better if I had registered it in Vic!

BoomBrake, I am in Qld and here it is a requirement that a recreational vessel have a current gas certificate to be registered. In my case I had to have a certificate that the gas had been disconnected in order to register it. The boat is now registered and insured...without gas. To re-install the gas again I will need a certificate and my question was about what I really need to do to fulfill the requirements of the current gas standard, ie do I need to remove the piping. Sorry if I was vague.

[markmyers]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Yep, a cheaper alternative would be to register in NSW or Vic, or even Tassie if possible. (I know it's OK to register a boat in NSW, even if you're a Qld resident, because my Dinghy has to have NSW rego - no rego is required for it in Qld.)

For Qld registration you need a current (they're only good for 3 months) certificate from a gasfitter. Which means chemlag copper lines.

Wish the states would get together on their rules.

Yeah I wished they'd be consistent.

Actually I am pretty sure that if you are a Qld resident then you have to register the boat in Qld.

[savoir]

You could register in NSW. They only insist on the boat being there for one day. That is not for gas but for HIN inspection. You have to pay some dude selected from the list of officially certified dudes to look at your HIN and say " Yup that's a HIN alright. That'll be $100. "

[mischief]

I hope someone can help me. I'm about to install a propex forced air propane heater. It does not have any Australia certification. It does have multiple safety shutoffs and redundant shutoff if the flame goes out (2 series sensors that must both sense a flame) it does comply with the UK gas laws.

But without certification in Australia will I be able to obtain a gas certificate for insurance?

I really hope so as I just rebuilt the propex motor and now it works perfectly.

My plans had included getting a Dickenson p9000 propane bulkhead heater but when trying to get a local price I was informed they have not been AGA certified and so cannot be sold locally. Would that mean if I imported one I could not get a gas certification? Or can the gas plumber check to ensure it meets the safety requirements ie properly flued, has safety shutoffs etc?

I hope I'm able to move forward with my plans.......

Any insight is most appreciated.

[haiqu]

Two comments. First, afaik this only applies to plumbed systems. I use a single burner camping cooker that takes a 200gm disposable canister which wouldn't attract this kind of attention. Second, if you want copies of Australian standards without paying for them, use the corresponding NZ standard as they're usually identical. The NZ ones are readily available for free download.

[mischief]

I should have clarified the propex is just like the diesel forced air systems and is plumbed in with ducting etc.

[RaymondR]

I have a friend who had a two year old boat with a WA gas certificate who had to have the gas system for his stove reinstalled when he went to transfer the registration. This was in about 2004. He is in the process of selling the boat and has been informed that he will have to have the gas reinstalled and get a new certificate in order to transfer the registration when he sells the boat.

A lot of this stuff is makework as they perceive boaties as wealthy individuals ripe for exploitation.

[markmyers]

The states have different regulations regarding gas so I think it will depend on which state your boat is registered. All I can suggest is talk to as many licensed marine plumbers that you can - I was told many conflicting things when dealing with a stove on an imported boat. I ended up having to uninstall the stove for the certificate and was also told that all the pipes would need to be replaced - this was not true (QLD).

[mischief]

I guess the question would be then. Those that had to reinstall items because of the gas plumbing, could the appliance be reinstalled and was the appliance (especially those import boats) non AGA certified? Is one able to get a cert for insurance etc with installed non AGA certified items as long as they have the required safety devices?
I already have a gas cert for its current set up but this propex heater does not have AGA certification because it has not been applied for from the manufacturer.

I would be interested to hear if anyone in NSW has a non AGA appliance installed like the propane Dickinson Bulkhead heaters etc and have received a gas certificate.