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Industry representatives gather at AGA to debate composite pipe issues (3 Feb 2009).
Today, the use of multilayer gas pipe (also known as Polyethylene/aluminium and cross-linked polyethylene/aluminium macro-composite pipe) for domestic gas piping systems is widespread. There is growing interest in this product for a range of reasons, including;
§ Cost Effectiveness: The cost of multilayer gas piping systems is becoming more competitive when compared to conventional piping systems such as copper.
§ Improved market conditions: Use of multilayer gas piping systems is becoming more popular and the market continues to grow. Currently, there are around eight different brands available;
§ Lower labour costs: Many installation contractors prefer multilayer gas pipe because they believe it reduces the installation time and the attendant labour costs associated with installation.
§ Growing Confidence: The confidence of Regulatory Authorities and industry stakeholders continues to grow as the use, popularity and performance of multilayer gas piping systems is proven in markets around the world.
Concerns have been raised by consumer, government and industry representatives about incompatibility between “proprietary” multi-layer piping systems and possible problems associated with extending or repairing an existing system in the event fittings for the “proprietary system” to be repaired or extended had been withdrawn from market. In such a situation, it was acknowledged that if installers were unable to obtain the correct proprietary fitting, incompatible (unsuitable) fittings may be used in an attempt to join one proprietary piping system to another. Such practices could have serious safety implications.
Installation requirements for multilayer gas piping systems are published in Australian Standard AS 5601 – Gas Installations (soon to replaced with AS/NZS 5601) and product requirements are set out in AS 4176 - Polyethylene/aluminium and cross-linked polyethylene/aluminium macro-composite pipe systems for pressure applications. Publication of the new AS/NZS5601 is scheduled late 2009. Further details about Draft AS/NZS 5601 are available from Standards Australia.
Draft AS/NZS 5601 incorporates requirements designed to help mitigate the effect of the concerns raised, including requirements for an installer to provide for future system extension or repair using “conventional” connections at strategic points in the piping system (eg provision of connection points compatible with standard plumbing fittings (i.e. ISO 7.1 – BSPT compliant fittings) at accessible intervals not exceeding 10 metres. The provision of connection points would eliminate the need to replace an entire gas piping-system in a dwelling in the event that fittings for a specific proprietary piping system became unavailable. In such an eventuality, the flow-on costs to consumers needs to be considered. In addition, regulatory authorities raised the issue of training for installers of “proprietary piping-systems”, both in terms of training quality and availability.
To support the gas industry, and help address these issues, AGA offered to host an Industry Forum so that stakeholders, including manufacturers and suppliers of multi-layer piping systems, installation contractors, government regulatory authorities and consumer representatives could work together to find a solution that will deliver the required safety outcome and take into account consumer interests and the cost to industry. The Industry Forum, held on 3 February at AGA’s head-office at Braeside (Vic), was very well supported, with delegates from the following organisations (in alphabetical order) being represented:
AGA, Auspex, Consumers Federation of Australia, Energy Safety WA, Flowpex, Gas Pex, Georg Fischer, Iplex, National Copper, Office of the Technical Regulator SA, Pipex, Rehau, Standards Australia, Valsir Pexal and Valsir SpA Italy.
The Forum helped identify many different views and provided a useful opportunity for stakeholders to consider possible solutions. There were many constructive suggestions made, including the possible development of a “universal adapter” to join different proprietary systems. Industry representatives agreed to investigate this option, noting the suitability of a “universal adapter” would need to be evaluated for each propriety piping-system.
AGA has a strong commitment to the Australian gas industry and was very pleased to host this important “Industry Forum”. From all accounts, delegates found the Forum extremely valuable and appreciated the opportunity to identify suitable solutions through collaborative means.
Whilst AGA is able to assist with certification advice, readers should contact Standards Australia regarding proposed changes to the relevant Australian Standards.
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