Legal Requirements for Liquefied Petroleum Gas Installations in South Africa

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) installations in South Africa are regulated to ensure safety and compliance. These regulations differ slightly between private dwellings and business premises, with specific SANS and legislation applying to each. Costs, safety distances from electrical installations, and property owner obligations are also critical aspects of compliance. Therefore ensure that you use a registered Gas installer, to ensure you are inline with legal requirements that are imposed upon you.

Important, always use a SAPAC Stakeholder!

Contact SAPAC for assistance to a Trusted SAPAC Stakeholder in your area through the Request Access or Contact SAPAC on the front of our Home Screen or pressing this LINK

Private Dwellings

Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations in homes must meet strict safety standards to protect residents, property and surrounding communities.

Applicable SANS: Important that you note this.

SANS 10087-1: Governs the installation, maintenance, and safe use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, systems in residential settings. It specifies requirements for cylinder placement, ventilation, and leak prevention. And must be adhered to strictly.

Key Requirements:

• • Gas cylinders must be placed on a firm, non-combustible base, at least 1 meter from doors and windows and 2 meters from drains.
  • Maximum gas limits are 19 kg for houses and 9 kg for flats when installed indoors. By a registered Gas installer only.
  • Adequate ventilation is required, especially for indoor setups, to avoid gas accumulation.

Certificate of Conformity (CoC): What you must know.

• • Per the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85 of 1993) and its Pressure Equipment Regulations, a CoC is mandatory for any fixed gas installation. It must be issued by a registered gas installer and renewed every five years or upon property transfer.
    

Legislation for Selling a Home:

• • When selling a property, the seller must provide a valid CoC to the buyer, as required by the Pressure Equipment Regulations, ensuring the installation is safe and compliant. It is therefore essential to keep a record if possible when your installation is inspected. 

Business Premises

Commercial Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations face stricter regulations due to larger gas volumes and higher risks.

Applicable SANS: Important that you note this.

• • SANS 10087-3: Applies to larger Liquefied Petroleum Gas installations in commercial and industrial settings, with detailed safety requirements for storage vessels over 500 liters.
  • SANS 10087-7: Regulates storage and filling premises for refillable Liquefied Petroleum Gas containers up to 9 kg, often applicable to smaller businesses.
    
    

Key Requirements:

• • Regular inspections and maintenance of pressure equipment, including cylinders, are mandatory under the Pressure Equipment Regulations.
  • Safety measures are heightened to account for increased gas quantities and usage.
    
    

Certificate of Conformity (CoC):

• • A CoC, issued by a registered installer, is required. Businesses may need more frequent updates or inspections based on insurance or regulatory demands. It is recommended that these legal inspections is pre-planned before hand. 
    
    

Legislation for Selling a Business:

• • Similar to homes, a valid CoC must be provided to the buyer during a property sale, as mandated by the Pressure Equipment Regulations. If gas installations are redundant (no longer) in use. Let it be removed by a registered gas installer. 

Comparative Prices for Gas Installations and Certificates of Compliance

Costs for LPG installations and CoCs vary across South Africa, depending on location, complexity, and installer rates.

Gas Installation Costs:

• • Private Dwellings: Basic setups (e.g., gas stove or hob) range from R2,000 to R5,000.
  • Business Premises: Larger or more complex systems cost between R10,000 and R50,000 or more.
    
    

Certificate of Conformity (CoC) Costs:

• • Typically ranges from R500 to R1,500, varying by installer and installation size.

These expenses are necessary for legal compliance and safety assurance. It is important to note. That legal installers carry valid registrations including having responsible overheads. These businesses are crucial for legal job creation. Supporting "self named" contractors are not only just dangerous to yourself. But also affects larger society. 

Electrical Safety Distances from Gas Installations 

Safety distances between gas and electrical installations are critical to prevent ignition hazards. You therefore "cannot" argue with a legal gas installer where you want an installation. You need to accept that their legal duties in terms of the OHS Act section 10 is complied with by themselves. There are a reason compliance is required. And if you are unwilling to comply as an owner of a gas installation you need to take stock of these facts. Rather let it be done correctly from the start or do not let the installation be performed at all. 

This is important information that you must take note! If your gas installation is not compliant contact SAPAC for assistance.  

Gas SANS (SANS 10087-1):

• • Electrical installations (e.g., switches, plug points) must be at least 1.5 meters from gas cylinders to reduce the risk of sparks igniting leaks.
    
    

Electrical SANS (SANS 10142-1):

• • The wiring code reinforces safety by specifying measures for electrical systems near gas installations, ensuring no electrical faults trigger gas-related incidents.

These combined standards minimize fire and explosion risks. It is therefore not just essential but crucial to ensure that the trades person or persons you utilise are indeed factually correctly registered. And knows the standards.

Legal Obligations for Property and Business Owners

Property owners bear significant responsibilities to ensure LPG installations remain safe and compliant. Let us see why:

General Obligations:

• • Compliance with relevant SANS (e.g., SANS 10087-1 for homes, SANS 10087-3 for businesses) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 is mandatory.
  • A valid CoC from a registered installer must be maintained, critical for your insurance and legal purposes. The installation must preferably be performed with the issuer of the CoC present.
    
    

When Selling a Property:

• • The Pressure Equipment Regulations require a valid CoC to be provided to the buyer during the sale of a home or business with gas installations.
  • Failure to comply can lead to legal penalties, rejected insurance claims, and safety risks.
    
    

Additional Legislation:

• • The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) Act, 2008 enforces compliance with all national standards.
  • The Petroleum Products Act, 1977 regulates Liquefied Petroleum Gas storage and its distribution.

Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to meet these obligations both by property and business owners. 

Interval Inspections for Gas Installations

Interval inspections are regular, scheduled checks on LPG gas installations to ensure they remain safe, functional, and compliant with legal standards. These inspections are critical for preventing gas leaks, equipment malfunctions, and potential accidents, such as fires or explosions. Both private dwellings and business premises are required to undergo these inspections, though the frequency and scope may differ based on the type and scale of the installation. It is therefore important to ensure that this is performed. This is called planned preventive maintenance, and it is essential to safe guard not just users of gas appliances, but also the surrounding communities. 

Importance of Interval Inspections

Gas installations, whether in homes or businesses, are subject to wear and tear over time. Components such as hoses, regulators, and valves can degrade, leading to potential safety hazards. Interval inspections help identify and address these issues before they escalate. They also ensure that the installation continues to meet the safety standards outlined in the relevant SANS and legislation, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.

Recommended Frequency of Inspections

The frequency of interval inspections depends on the type of property and the scale of the gas installation:

Private Dwellings:

• • For homes with standard gas appliances (e.g., stoves, installed gas heaters), an annual inspection is generally recommended.
  • This ensures that smaller, less complex systems remain safe for residential use.
    

Business Premises:

• • Businesses, especially those with larger or more complex gas systems (e.g., restaurants, industrial facilities), may require more frequent inspections.
  • Depending on the size and usage, inspections could be needed quarterly or even monthly to account for higher gas consumption and greater wear on equipment. It is important to note not to default on these inspections and to ensure that it is not just planned in advance but is also recorded with findings and rectification if and when needed. 

These recommendations align with the Pressure Equipment Regulations, which emphasize regular maintenance and inspections for all pressure equipment, including gas cylinders and systems.

Who Should Perform the Inspections

Interval inspections must be carried out by a qualified professional, such as a licensed Liquefied Petroleum Gas installer or a Liquefied Petroleum Gas certified inspector. These individuals are trained to identify potential hazards, ensure compliance with safety standards, and perform any necessary repairs or adjustments. Using an unqualified person for inspections can lead to overlooked issues, compromising safety and legal compliance. You may utilise SAPAC to assist you with finding a qualified person or if you are unsure to perform a check if required. 

Documentation and Record-Keeping

After each interval inspection, the inspector should provide a detailed report that includes:

• What was inspected (e.g., cylinders, hoses, regulators).
• Any issues or defects found.
• Actions taken to resolve identified problems.
• Confirmation that the installation complies with relevant SANS and safety regulations.

This documentation is essential for legal compliance, insurance purposes, and maintaining a record of the installation’s safety over time. Property owners should keep these records accessible, as they may be required during property sales, insurance claims, or regulatory audits. It is therefore important to ensure that when such inspection is performed immediate proactive steps is taken immediately to ensure you comply. 

Legal Requirement for Interval Inspections

Interval inspections are not just a best practice—they are in actual fact a legal obligation under South African law. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, and the Pressure Equipment Regulations mandate regular inspections and maintenance of gas installations to ensure ongoing safety. Failure to conduct these inspections can result in legal penalties, invalidated insurance policies, and increased liability in the event of an accident. 

Additional Safety Measures is important.

While interval inspections are crucial, they are only one part of maintaining a safe gas installation. Property owners should also:

• Ensure proper usage of gas appliances.
• Report any signs of malfunction (e.g., unusual smells, hissing sounds) immediately.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines for the care and operation of all gas equipment.

By combining regular inspections with vigilant day-to-day practices, property owners can significantly reduce the risks associated with LPG gas installations.

---

Important, always use a SAPAC Stakeholder!

Contact SAPAC for assistance to a Trusted SAPAC Stakeholder in your area through the Request Access or Contact SAPAC on the front of our Home Screen or pressing this LINK