GUIDELINES FOR PERMANENTLY
CONNECTED LPG CYLINDERS
INTRODUCTION
Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is a heavier than air flammable gas that is a Class
2.1.1A hazardous substance under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms
Act 1996 (HSNO).
This guideline is in response to numerous enquiries about the safe handling and
storage of LPG in compliance with the appropriate legislation and approved
standards and the Tauranga City Plan and Western Bay of Plenty District Plan:
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Hazardous Substances (Classes 1-5 Controls) Regulations
Hazardous Substances Transfer Notice 2004
NZS 5261:2003 Gas Installation
Code Of Practice for LPG Cylinder Storage Compliance (HSNOCOP50)
AS/NZS 1596:2002
Tauranga City Plan
Western Bay of Plenty District Plan
REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
These can be split arbitrarily into the following storage quantities; for consideration
under the different regulatory requirements:
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Under 15kg
Between 15kg – 100kg
Between 100kg – 300kg
Over 300kg.
Under 15kg in a Residential Property
This may include, for example, 9kg sized cylinders used on gas hobs or B.B.Q’s.
By right you can have 2 x 10kg cylinder inside a building, as per the Hazardous
Substances and New Organisms Act HRC09001. But it is recommended wherever
possible cylinders are stored outside. In the event of a gas leak at the cylinder this
means the gas is more easily dispersed.
The installation of 9kg cylinders for supply of hobs shall be in accordance with NZS
5261:2003. Where possible the LPG cylinder should be stored outside and piped in
to the appliance. Where it is impracticable then the following requirements shall be
followed:
(a) The cylinder connection system shall be suitable for indoor use, ie any regulator
should be suitable for indoor use.
(b) Cylinders shall not be more than 10kg.
(c) The cylinder shall not be in the same compartment as a power point or electrical
appliance, for example waste disposal or dishwasher.
(d) The compartment, in which the cylinder is located, shall be ventilated to the
outside.
It is recommended that a qualified gasfitter carries out the installation of all cylinders
for installations inside a building.
2.
Updated 1/03/2001
TCC Ref: 2203628
15 – 100kg
Cylinders in excess of 9kg cannot be stored inside or under a building.
These installations normally consist of 2 x 45kg cylinders (“2 pack”). They shall be
located on the outside of the building and separate from the building openings as
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1:
Isolation distances around (LPG Class 2.1.1A) exchange cylinder (up to 100kg)
They must be installed in accordance with NZS 5261:2003 by a qualified gasfitter.
The full system installation must be certified by a craftsman gasfitter prior to
commissioning.
Cylinder stores less than 100kg do not require HSNO Location test certification
however they still have to comply with the relevant HSNO legislation and NZS
5261:2003.
Between 100kg – 300kg
Where gas usage requires on site storage greater than 100kg the installation
requires:
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Certification from a craftsman gasfitter
Location Test Certification from an Environmental Risk Management Authority
(ERMA) approved HSNO Test Certifier
Approved Handler
Secured storage.
Updated 1/03/2001
TCC Ref: 2203628
The gas providers are normally the Approved Handlers for the store and will require
confirmation that the installation has been issued with a Location Test Certificate and
a Gasfitters Certificate before they can leave cylinders on the premises. If the
hazardous substance (LPG) is not considered secure or storage is non-complying
under HSNO they should not leave cylinders until the non-compliance has been
rectified.
The cylinder store can be against a building as long as the building is constructed
from fire resisting materials behind and 2 metres either side of the cylinders. (Sheet
iron is acceptable as providing adequate “fire resistance” in this situation.) Refer to
Figure 2 for siting.
Figure 2:
Isolation distances around LPG (Class 2.1.1A) exchange cylinder
(greater than 100kg)
Greater Than 300kg Up to 1000kg
In addition to the requirements for greater than 100kg as shown above, the area of
2m must now have a fire rating of 1 hour (60 minutes).
Security
Where LPG installations are equal to or over 100kg and a Location Test Certificate is
required, they must be secure to prevent a person from access to the gas, e.g. if
handwheels are used on the pigtails, a security cage will be required.
Support
Cylinders should not be supported by other cylinders.
Cylinders should be installed on supporting bases that are firm, level, of non
combustible material, and with a finished surface that is drained and at least 50mm
above the surrounding surface. Soil is not considered an acceptable supporting
base
All cylinders larger than 12KG capacity should be securely held in place by brackets
fastened to a wall or similar robust anchorage.
4.
Updated 1/03/2001
TCC Ref: 2203628
SEPARATION FROM IGNITION SOURCES
Cylinders should be installed with clearances given below from sources of ignition,
eg electrical equipment, and at least 1 metre from readily ignitable material.
EXCHANGE CYLINDER
IN-SITU FILL CYLINDER
*This dimension is measured from the top of any cylinder valve.
Figure 3: Hazardous atmosphere zone around LPG (Class 2.1.1A) cylinders
TEST CERTIFICATION
ERMA provides a list of approved Test Certifiers who can advise on compliance and
issue Hazardous Substances Location Test Certification (www.ermanz.govt.nz).
FURTHER ADVICE
Please contact the Tauranga City Council Team Leader: HSNO/Historic Land Use
for further advice:
Jack Travis
5.
Ph: 07 577-7000 Mobile: 021 277-7317
Email: jack.travis@tauranga.govt.nz
Updated 1/03/2001
TCC Ref: 2203628
Planning Requirements, within Residential Zones
Both the Tauranga City Council and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council have
specific rules relating to the storage and use of Hazardous Substances within their
boundaries, LPG is defined in both of the Plans as a Hazardous Substance
Tauranga City Council Plan states:
Hazardous substance facility means activities involving hazardous substances,
including vehicles for their transport, and sites at which these substances are stored,
used, handled and disposed of.
Hazardous substance facility does not include the incidental use and storage of
hazardous substances in minimal quantities for domestic use or retail sale.
Western Bay of Plenty Plan states:
The following hazardous substances and facilities are not subject to the provisions of
this section.
The storage and use of hazardous consumer products in domestic quantities,
including flammable gases.
The storage of hazardous consumer products for sale in retail outlets, e.g.
supermarkets, hardware shops and pharmacies.
For the purpose of administering both district plans where the use is for domestic
use i.e. a residential dwelling, then a Resource Consent is required for storage over
300kg. There are different quantities permitted for different Town Planning zones
and your local Council Office will have further information.
6.
Updated 1/03/2001
TCC Ref: 2203628
OTHER RELATED CONTACTS
Liquid Petroleum Gas Association (LPGA)
www.lpga.co.nz
email: info@lpga.co.nz
Telephone: (04) 473 9519
ERMA New Zealand
PO Box 131
Wellington
www.ermanz.govt.nz
Telephone: (04) 916 2426
Energy Safety Services
PO Box 1473
Wellington
www.ess.govt.nz
Telephone: 0800 104 477
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Some material contained in this pamphlet has been sourced from NZS 5261:2003 –
Gas Installation with permission of Standards New Zealand
Prepared by
City Developments
Hazardous Substances Officer
Jack Travis
Team Leader: HSNO/Historic Land Use
Tauranga City Council
Telephone 07 577-7000
Mobile 021 277-7317
Email: jack.travis@tauranga.govt.nz
7.
Updated 1/03/2001
TCC Ref: 2203628