Gas Cylinders Building Codes & Rules

- Gas Cylinders Tools™ simplifies the National Construction Code (NCC) with interactive graphics, including deemed to comply & best practices.

≥ 50

To Other Building

To Property Line

Installation & Storage

Avoid indoor storage, even for Cylinders not in use
Protect from physical impact

Cylinder Storage RULES

NCC 2022 V1

Avoid indoor storage, even for Cylinders not in use
Protect from physical impact

NCC 2022 HP, 9.2.9 (4)

≥ 450^{NCC 2022 HP, 9.2.9 (4)}

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5 (c)

r ≥ 1.0m^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5 (c)}

Exchange

Slats / Batten

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J5

r ≥ 500^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J5}

In Situ

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5

≥ 500^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5}

Regulator

Vent

Air

Vent

of Valve

In Situ

Opening

Clearance

Exchange

Exchange/In Situ

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J5

r ≥ 1.5m^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J5}

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J5

500^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J5}

Pier

In Situ

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5

r ≥ 1.5m^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5}

Weephole

Drain

Concrete Slab

Earth Level

Impermeable Wall

Open Subfloor

Building Wall Perimeter

- copy

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5

r ≥ 3.5m^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5}

Top of Valve

Exchange

Property Line or Other Building

NCC 2022 HP, 9.2.9 (4)

≥ 900^{NCC 2022 HP, 9.2.9 (4)}

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (b)

≤ 800^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (b)}

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5 (c)

≥ 1.0m^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5 (c)}

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5

≥ 150^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.5}

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (a)

≥ 800^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (a)}

Cylinder in Enclosure or Recess

≥ 0.2m² ventilation area per cylinder^[1][2]
Away from heat source

Cylinders in Enclosure or Recess RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

State Legislation (various States & Territories)

May 2023

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.4

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.9

LP Gas Cylinder installation to AS/NZS 1596^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.4}
Gasfitting work must comply with AS/NZS 5601.1^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.9}
To shelter Cylinders & related equipment only
Placed on an elevated non-combustible Base
Prevent accumulation of water
Not placed directly on soil
Impervious & Non Combustible Enclosures
Unobstructed ventilation area at the top and bottom of Enclosure
≥ 0.2m² for each opening, per cylinder

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.9

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.4

≥ 0.2m² ventilation area per cylinder^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.9AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.4}
Away from heat source

LP Gas Cylinder

Raised non-combustible solid base^[1]
Does not accumulate water

In Situ Cylinder RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

State Legislation (various States & Territories)

May 2023

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.2.3

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J1

LP Gas Cylinder installation to AS/NZS 1596^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.2.3}
Gasfitting work must comply with AS/NZS 5601.1^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.2.3}
> 100L capacity^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J1}

Exchange-fill Cylinder RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

State Legislation (various States & Territories)

May 2023

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J1

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.2.2

LP Gas Cylinder installation to AS/NZS 1596^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J1}
Gasfitting work must comply with AS/NZS 5601.1^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.2.2}
> 25L capacity^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.2.2}

Cylinder Regulator RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

State Legislation (various States & Territories)

May 2023

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (b) (ii)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (ii)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (iii)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (i)

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3

LP Gas Cylinder installation to AS/NZS 1596^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (b) (ii)}
Gasfitting work must comply with AS/NZS 5601.1^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1}
Observe varying legislations within states & territories
Located to allow gas to return into the cylinder
Positioning^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1}
If cylinder is independent of support
Fix regulator to sturdy support
Diaphragm positioned vertically
Vent pointing downwards, or
If connected directly to valve outlet
Attach as close as practicable
For ≥ 400L cylinders^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (ii)} with lockable domes
Discharge
Arranged to reduce vapour accumulation in Drains, Gutters, and Downpipes^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (iii)}
≥ 0.5m from any building opening^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.1 (i)}
Vent terminal to prohibit entry of rain and insects
Away from fixed ignition^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3}
0.5m above
1m laterally

Cylinder Piping RULES

NCC 2022 V2

All Building Classes

State Legislation (various States & Territories)

May 2023

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J4

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (i) (B)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (i) (C)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (ii) (B)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (ii) (C)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (ii) (D)

LP Gas Cylinder installation to AS/NZS 1596^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3}
Gasfitting work must comply with AS/NZS 5601.1^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J4}
≤ 1m length, as short as practicable
Installed where liquid formed can freely return to the cylinder but not flow back to the regulator
Material
Annealed copper tube
Copper Alloy 122 as per standard^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (i) (B)}
≥ 1.22mm thk Wall^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (i) (C)}
Ø 6 or 9mm for industrial or commercial use^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (i) (C)}, or
Flexible pigtail
≤ 600mm length^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (ii) (B)}
Ø 6 or 9mm for industrial or commercial use^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (ii) (C)}, or
≤ 6 years of usage from manufacturing date if non-metallic lined^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.3.3 (a) (ii) (D)}

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.11 (a)

Raised non-combustible solid base^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.11 (a)}
Does not accumulate water

Cylinder on Verandah

≤ 90kg LP gas cylinder^[1]
Open on 3 sides^[2]
Nominally at ground level^[3]

Verandah Location RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

State Legislation (various States & Territories)

May 2023

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.3

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (g)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (d)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (f)

LP Gas Cylinder installation to AS/NZS 1596^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7}
Gasfitting work must comply with AS/NZS 5601.1^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.3}
≤ 90kg Cylinder^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (g)}
No drains on Verandah floor^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (d)}
No exposure to heat or vibration^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (f)}
Avoid risk to physical damage^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (f)}

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (g)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (b)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (a)

≤ 90kg LP gas cylinder^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (g)}
Open on 3 sides^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (b)}
Nominally at ground level^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.7 (a)}

Cylinder Under a Building

Where building is supported by piers^[1]
Open on at least 3 sides
On a solid base such as Concrete or Pavers

Cylinders Under a Building RULES

NCC 2022 V1

All Building Classes

State Legislation (various States & Territories)

May 2023

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (c) (i)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (c) (ii)

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (c) (iii)

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5 (c) (i)

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5 (c) (ii)

AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5 (c) (iii)

LP Gas Cylinder installation to AS/NZS 1596^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5}
Gasfitting work must comply with AS/NZS 5601.1^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8}
Building supported by Piers
Between Piers
At least 3 sides open, or^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (c) (i)AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (c) (ii)}
Enclosure that allows cross-ventilation^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8 (c) (iii)AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5 (c) (i)}, or
A combination of both^{AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5 (c) (ii)AS/NZS 5601.1:2013, J3.5 (c) (iii)}
Guide discharge of Safety Relief Device away from the building

AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8

Where building is supported by piers^{AS/NZS 1596:2014, 4.4.8}
Open on at least 3 sides
On a solid base such as Concrete or Pavers