Installation requirements of multilayer piping

Purpose

The purpose of this advisory note is to inform licensees and contractors in the gasfitting industry about the updated requirements for using multilayer pipes in gas installations in New South Wales. These updates, in line with AS/NZS5601.1:2022, ensure safety by specifying the need for metallic pipework for at least 1 metre before exiting a wall and maintaining a safe distance from appliances.

Issue

Amendment 2 of AS/NZS5601.1 has been released on 6 September 2024 (AS/NZS5601.1:2022) and becomes the referenced standard from 6 March 2025.

Amendment 2 of AS/NZS5601.1:2022 includes a further change to the installation of proprietary multilayer pipe as listed in Table 4.2. The change relates to new requirements to install metallic pipework for at least 1 metre prior to exiting a wall.

In addition, multilayer pipe must terminate at least 1 metre from an appliance or some greater distance if required to prevent heat damage from the appliance.

All gas installations in NSW must comply with the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2018.
Any installation not conforming to AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 considered non-compliant.

Reference

Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Regulation 2018

AS 5601.1:2022 - Gas installations 

4.2 Materials for consumer piping

In Australia, piping materials and fittings shall be in accordance with the appropriate Standard listed in Table 4.2 and shall be subject to the limitations of Table 4.2.

Table 4.2 - Consumer piping materials 

6.6.1 Restriction on appliance connection

Multilayer piping and plastics-coated semi-rigid stainless-steel piping shall terminate at a distance of at least 1 metre from the nearest part of the appliance or some greater distance if required to prevent heat damage from the appliance. 

Final connections to appliances shall be made using certified manual shut-off valves, copper tube, steel pipe or a certified hose assembly unless, in the case of plastics-coated semi-rigid stainless-steel piping, it forms part of a certified hose assembly or semi-rigid connector. 

Relevant definitions

Consumer piping

A system of pipes, fittings, and equipment that moves gas from a supply point to appliances in a home.

Requirements

When installing a gas installation using a multilayer pipe (AS 4176.8) the Consumer piping prior to exiting a wall shall be metallic for at least 1 lineal metre.  

Examples of this include:

• A 19bp or similar type fitting for provision of an appliance or bayonet connection will require 1 metre of metallic pipe (eg: copper) prior to exiting the wall.
• Multilayer consumer pipework run into a recessed instantaneous hot water heater box is not permitted and is required to be a metallic pipe (eg; copper) for at least 1 metre prior to connecting the appliance. 

Table 4.2 also requires that multilayer pipe must terminate at least 1 metre from the nearest part of an appliance or some greater distance if required to prevent heat damage from the appliance.