Gas Information Sheet No.

42

Hazardous Area Classification of Gas

Installations
Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is aware of consultants and electrical inspectors incorrectly
classifying some industrial and commercial gas installations and their gas appliances as
hazardous areas. Such an error may cause unnecessary additional costs and delays and in
some cases, increased gas safety risk.
ESV has issued an open letter to all Australian gas safety technical regulators and some
industry organisations about hazardous area classification of gas installations. This letter
states that industrial and commercial gas installations and appliances operating at no more
than 10 GJ/h or 200 kPa; and complying with AS 5601, AS/NZS 1596 and AS 3814; and not
classified as hazardous areas within consumer premises as per Annex ZA.6.2.2 in AS/NZS
60079.10.1:2009 are non-hazardous. A copy of this letter is attached.
Electrical tradespeople and electrical inspectors have a right, and indeed a responsibility, to
request an assessment from the person or organisation in charge of the installation if they
have any concerns. ESV recommends that such an assessment report is available for your
gas installations and the report has the support of the persons or parties in control of the
installation prior to installation.

Further information
Further information can be obtained by phoning ESV on (03) 9203 9700.

Energy Safe Victoria Level 5 Building 2 PO Box 262 T (03) 9203 9700 Issued: 10/13
ABN 27 462 247 657 4 Riverside Quay Collins St West VIC 8007 F (03) 9686 2197 Supersedes: - / -
Southbank VIC 3006 DX 212569 Melbourne VIC www.esv.vic.gov.au

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Gas Information Sheet No. 42

Energy Safe Victoria Level 5 Building 2 PO Box 262 T (03) 9203 9700 Issued: 10/13
ABN 27 462 247 657 4 Riverside Quay Collins St West VIC 8007 F (03) 9686 2197 Supersedes: - / -
Southbank VIC 3006 DX 212569 Melbourne VIC www.esv.vic.gov.au

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Gas Information Sheet No. 42

Energy Safe Victoria Level 5 Building 2 PO Box 262 T (03) 9203 9700 Issued: 10/13
ABN 27 462 247 657 4 Riverside Quay Collins St West VIC 8007 F (03) 9686 2197 Supersedes: - / -
Southbank VIC 3006 DX 212569 Melbourne VIC www.esv.vic.gov.au

Page | 3
Gas Information Sheet No. 42

Energy Safe Victoria Level 5 Building 2 PO Box 262 T (03) 9203 9700 Issued: 10/13
ABN 27 462 247 657 4 Riverside Quay Collins St West VIC 8007 F (03) 9686 2197 Supersedes: - / -
Southbank VIC 3006 DX 212569 Melbourne VIC www.esv.vic.gov.au

Page | 4