The Gas Works News Blog

Due to rising electricity costs, many South African homeowners are choosing gas appliances for their homes as a means to minimise their monthly running costs, but few are aware of the importance of gas certification.

Gas Installations

It’s safe to say that using gas to cook and heat your home is easily one of the safest, most cost-effective forms of energy.

However, due to the fire and explosion risk that comes with gas installations, it’s crucial to obtain a gas clearance certificate.

The Importance of Gas Certification

Obtaining gas certification ensures that your gas appliances have been installed according to the strict, safety guidelines as stipulated in the South African National Standards (SANS).

Without gas certification, insurance companies are less likely to cover any damages related to incorrect installations or faulty appliances.

The following are basic guidelines stipulated in the SANS, which ensure that your gas appliances are compliant with the South African Bureau of Standards:

• Gas bottles must be installed more than one metre sideways from doors and windows
• All gas installations require a valid certificate of compliance
• Copper pipes going through a wall must be sleeved
• Gas equipment must be installed according to SABS guidelines
• Gas bottles installed indoors must weigh less than 19kg
• Sufficient ventilation is required when gas stoves are in use

Cupboard Installations for Kitchen Appliances

Indoor Gas Installations

When using a gas oven or hob, it’s common for gas cylinders to be installed inside a kitchen cupboard.

This makes it easier to access the cylinder when it comes time to refilling it. However, when installing gas cylinders inside a kitchen cupboard, there are very specific requirements that should be met.

• The cupboard door has to be vented at the bottom and bottom to allow for free ventilations around the gas cylinder
• The cupboard may not be directly under your hob
• No electrical connections, switches or plugs may exist inside the cupboard
• The cupboard must be sealed off from all the cupboards around it
• The room which the cupboard may not contain electrical distribution boards

Outdoor Gas Installations

When installing gas cylinders outdoors, there are strict guidelines related to the distance your gas cylinder may be from electrical points, doors and windows.

Gas cylinders must be stored at minimum distances of:

• 2 meters away from air conditioner inlets
• 2 meters away from drains or manholes
• 3 meters away from boundary walls that are not firewalls
• 1 meter away from doors or windows that extend below the height of the gas cylinder valve
• 5 meters away from all electrical sources

When to Obtain Gas Certification

Gas compliance certificates must be issued for all permanent gas installations:

• After all new gas installations
• After any upgrade, maintenance or alteration of existing installations
• One change of ownership of a property that has existing gas installations

What is a Permanent Gas Installation?

• Any gas installation that is a fixture in a building which is immovable (built in gas equipment):
  • Gas braais
  • Stoves
  • Gas geysers
  • Fireplaces
  • Heaters
• Gas braais or heaters that are on wheels are considered temporary appliances which do not require a certificate of compliance

The Gas Works – Gas Certificate of Compliance Cape Town

South African law states that only qualified and registered gas installers are permitted to install and service gas appliances.

All our technicians are qualified and registered with the South African Qualification & Certification Committee (SAQCC) and are fully equipped to issue certificates of compliance after installing, repairing or altering your gas installations.

For all your gas certification requirements, please feel free to contact us.