Do I need a Coc for my gas installation?

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• A CoC is proof that your gas installation is safe and complies with the rules and regulations as laid out in the South African National Standards (SANS) 10087-1 2014 ED 7

• The law requires that you be in possession of Certificate of Conformity for gas installations at all times, as does your insurance company. If your property suffers damage due to a gas fault, your insurance company will expect you to produce a valid certificate. Not being able to produce one may invalidate your claim.

 

When must a CoC be issued?

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A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) must be issued for a PERMANENT installation:

• On completion of a new gas installation;

• After any modification, alteration or maintenance of an existing gas installation;

• On change of ownership of a property housing an existing gas installation. (When you sell your property)

 

What is a permanent gas installation?

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• Legislation deems a permanent gas installation to be a gas installation that is a fixture in a building, immovable and not of a temporary nature. This would include all build in gas equipment – Gas fires, Heaters, Gas Braais, Stoves, Ovens and Hot water systems.

• Movable gas heaters and gas braais on wheels are seen as temporary and do not require a CoC.

 

How long is a CoC valid for?

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• A CoC is valid for five years providing the installation has not been altered in any way.

• Any maintenance or alterations done to your gas installation requires the issuing of a new CoC for the ENTIRE system.

• An installation must be inspected and a CoC issued when a property is sold.

 

How regularly must a LPG installation be serviced?

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• According to legislation, the manifold system (which includes the regulator/s) should be inspected and serviced at intervals not exceeding five years.

 

Am I allowed to have a gas cylinder inside my house?

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• Yes, according to the SA National Standards (SANS);

  • if you live in a flat, you may have a maximum of 9kg gas either stored or permanently installed inside;

  • if you live in either a free standing house, cluster house or in group housing (not exceeding two storeys), you are entitled to a maximum of 19kg. There are, however, strict regulations regarding the positioning of gas cylinders inside a flat or house as well as necessary ventilation.

 

Regulations

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• Gas bottles may not be installed:

  • Less than 1 meter sideways from doors and windows.

  • Less than 2 meter from drains and air vents or any other place where the gas can gather if the bottle leaks.

  • Less than 3 meter below windows unless a non-combustible roof are installed between the gas bottles and the bottom of the window.

  • Less than 1 meter from the property boundary wall unless it is a fire wall, at least 1.8 meter tall and there are no ventilation gaps in the wall (acceptable if up to 48kg X 2 gas are stored)

  • Less than 3 meter from the property boundary wall (if more than 48kg X 2 gas are stored).

  • Less than 5 meter sideways away from a switchable electrical point or plug switch and socket or electrical motor or pool pump etc. (but not a light bulb) and not less than 1.5 meter above the gas bottles.

•  Further Requirements

  • If you have your gas bottle contained within a gas cage then the top of the gas bottle must be 300 mm below the window (a 19Kg bottle is between 800 – 900mm tall).

  • Light bulbs cannot be less than 1.5 metres above a gas bottle.

  • Only class 1 or 2 copper pipes, or other approved gas piping, may be used
    This is not the same copper piping used for plumbing.

  • Copper pipes going through a wall must be sleeved

  • Approved flexible gas hose may not be more than two meters long and may not go through any partition (including wood, dry wall, cupboard wall etc)