By Leanne Jooste, B Law Inc. Attorneys
WHAT IS A GAS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE AND WHEN IS IT REQUIRED?
According to the Pressure Equipment Regulations promulgated under the Occupation Health and Safety Act (No 85 of 1993), all gas installations must have a Certificate of Conformity (or Gas Certificate).
Any home or business that has liquid gas installations installed must have a Gas Certificate of Conformity issued by an authorized person who is registered with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Southern Africa (LPGAS). Regulation 17(3) of the Pressure Equipment Regulations promulgated in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 which became effective on October 1 2009 and makes it compulsory for a Gas Compliance Certificate to be obtained in the event that a property is sold.
A Gas Compliance Certificate is required for any gas installation that includes gas fires or braais, gas stoves and ovens, as well as hot water systems. It is vital to carry out regular gas inspections to ensure that insurance policies remain valid as well as to ensure that the gas installations are safe.
A certificate is not required for portable or temporary gas appliances, such as patio heaters, internal heaters, and portable braais, specifically as these items are normally not included in the sale of the property.
HOW LONG IS THE CERTIFICATE VALID FOR?
The regulations do not stipulate the validity period of the Gas Compliance Certificate. A certificate is required on the sale of the property regardless of how old the existing one may be.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT GAS COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE:
- No gas bottles are permitted in a garage.
- A gas bottle next to a braai or fireplace is allowed (if installed correctly).
- A gas bottle must be more than 1m sideways from doors and windows. It may not be less than 3m below windows (unless a non-combustible roof is installed).
- Gas bottles must be more than 2m from drains and air vents.
- Light bulbs must be more than 1.5m above the gas bottle.
- Gas bottles must be more than 1m from the property boundary wall (unless it is a fire wall).
- A gas bottle must be at least 2m from any gully. If a tap does not have a gully under it, the gas bottle can be right next to the tap.
- Gas bottle must be at least 5m from any power point. No switch socket outlets allowed under or directly above a gas hob or in the same compartment.
- The size of gas bottles outside – 2x 19kg max (from November 1 ’14 2x 48kg will be allowed). The size of gas bottle inside – 9 kg max, and if in a cupboard, it must have proper ventilation.
