GAS INSTALLATION CODE AG 601 -2002
Please note the advisory information from, July 1990, the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria. These regulations apply right round Australia.
Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria
OPEN FLAME BARBECUES AND CHARCOAL GRILLERS INSTALLED IN DOMESTIC
PREMISES
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO OPEN FLAME BARBECUES AND
CHARCOAL GRILLERS INSTALLED IN DOMESTIC PREMISES.
IMPORTANT NOTE
These requirements apply only to domestic premises. They do not
apply to cafes, restaurants, hotels, clubs, boarding or guest houses,
take-away food premises, or any other premises for the sale of food
to which regulations under the Health Act 1958 apply. Such premises
need a mechanical exhaust ventilation system installed to the requirements
of the local council Health Surveyor.
1. Objective
The installation of open flame barbecues and charcoal grillers in
domestic premises is a relatively new concept. Due to their design,
these appliances tend to produce flames when fats from the cooking
process ignite.
The objective of these requirements is to ensure that such appliances
have adequate clearances from combustible surfaces, or where those
clearances cannot be obtained, that adjacent surfaces are adequately
protected.
2. Gas Fitting Regulations
The Gas Fitting Regulations 1979 make no specific provision for
open flame barbecues and charcoal grillers in domestic premises,
these having been written when such appliances were only installed
outdoors or for commercial applications.
Regulations 169 and 170, which refer to commercial kitchen hoods,
are not appropriate in domestic situations. Those requirements of
Regulation 169 which are desirable are not practical in many domestic
premises due to lower ceiling heights and other factors.
3. Installation requirements
Installations of open flame barbecues and charcoal grillers which
conform to the following minimum requirements are acceptable in
domestic premises:
(a) Where an overhead exhaust system is installed, the minimum vertical
distance between the appliance and any grease filter shall be 1200mm.
NOTE:
This requirement does not apply where an exhaust system is an integral
part of the appliance or where the system is designed for low level
(bench top) exhausting.
(b) The minimum vertical distance between the appliance and any
downward facing unprotected combustible surface shall be 1200mm.
This distance may be reduced where the combustible surface is
protected for the full width and depth of the appliance in accordance
with Clause 4. However, in no case shall this distance be less
than 600mm above the appliance.
(c) The lower edge of any fascia panel shall not be less than
600mm above the appliance.
(d) Where made of combustible material, the internal surface of
an exhaust hood and the lower edge of the fascia panel shall be
protected in accordance with Clause 4.
(e) The minimum distance between a vertical combustible surface
and the nearest edge of the appliance cooking area shall be 200mm
unless the surface is protected in accordance with Clause 4 to
a height of 450mm above the appliance. This protection shall extend
for the full width and/or depth of the appliance.
4. Protection of combustible surfaces
Protection of a combustible surface, where required under Clause
3, shall be either:
(a) an approved fire resistant board (6mm minimum thickness) attached
to the combustible surface and covered with corrosion resistant
sheet metal (0.4mm minimum thickness); or
(b) ceramic titles.
|
1:
If these surfaces are combustible. See Clause 3(b) and (d)
2:
Lower edge of any fascia panel shall not be less than 600mm
above the appliance. See Cluase 3(c)
3:
Where this distance is less than 200mm, vertical combustible
surface must be protected. See Clause 3(e)
4:
Appliance cooking area (shaded)
5:
Grease filter (where fitted). See Clause 3(a)
6:
1200mm minimum to grease filter or any unprotected downward
facing combustible material. See Clause 3(a) and (b)
|
|
5. Installation recommendations
Dependent upon what is being cooked, these appliances can produce
grease-laden smoke and fumes, and can spatter fat around the appliance.
To remove these pollutants and assist with cleaning it is recommended
the following be adopted:
(a) An effective exhaust system which vents to outside the building
should be installed. In some cases this is an integral part of the
appliance.
NOTE:
A domestic range hood is unlikely to effectively remove the pollutants
from the area. The exhaust system should be purpose designed for
this application.
(b) Any surface near the appliance likely to become coated in
grease should be of, or covered with, a material impervious to
fat and grease and be readily cleanable.
|
