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PLUMBING CONNECTION
SPRING 2015
COLOUR BLINDED
A
standardisation of pipe marking helps prevent
possible confusion, injury, and other hazards. This is
where the Australian Standard
AS1345 Identification
of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts
comes into
play. It pays not to make assumptions when it comes to pipe
colours though; especially where gas is involved.
Most gas pipe manufacturers make their composite pipe
all yellow so it’s easily distinguishable. Using the term ‘most’
is a scary thought in itself because it means that at least
one pipe manufacturer has chosen to do things differently.
Not only does this mean that plumbers can be misled, it also
makes for a dangerous proposition.
Regulations state that composite gas pipe is generally
yellow with black lettering; black pipe with yellow lettering is
also acceptable. The pipe markings must include: AS4176,
maker’s name, gas/pipe size, materials used, date of
manufacture and licence number.
The pipe in focus is actually black with yellow print. This,
according to the Standard is enough to distinguish the pipe
as suitable for gas. The problem with that is the fact that
writing on pipes rubs off quite easily. The other problem
stems from a lack of product awareness or knowledge
that the Standard specifies that yellow writing is all that
is needed to identify the product as a gas pipe. When a
plumber has only ever known gas pipes to be yellow, it
would be fairly easy for them to mistake this product
as one.
You can no doubt picture the following scenario:
a plumber installing an air conditioner enters
a premise and turns the water off at the
mains. He drains the taps and climbs into
the roof to work on the air con. He cuts
the black pipe under the assumption
it’s for water and then lights a quick
cigarette. While some would argue
he shouldn’t be smoking up there
or on the job, it’s a very real
prospect.
It’s a scary thought,
isn’t it?
This isn’t
bureaucracy gone
mad; it actually
hasn’t gone
mad enough.
Cross connection is always a danger and it does happen
more often than installers are prepared to admit! Apart
from the ignition danger, water in gas lines or vice versa is a
very dangerous and expensive outcome.
“The identification of pipework in general, is an interesting
one,” Manager, Type A Gas Appliance Safety Energy Safe
Victoria Enzo Alfonsetti says.
“When you look at the relevant product standard
for composite pipe, it doesn’t really specify a colour
requirement so composite pipe manufacturers can virtually
design their product to whatever colour they want.”
The thing is, there is a requirement in the Gas Installation
Standard (clause 5.1.12 identification of pipework) that
makes things interesting. It states:
except in single
occupancy residential premises (domestic dwellings) above
ground consumer piping shall be identified when one of the
following applies:
∫ The operating pressure of the consumer piping exceeds
7kPa
∫ Where the location of the pipe is such that it is not readily
identifiable as consumer piping
This puts the onus back on the installer to decide whether
or not the pipe is really identifiable as consumer piping or
not.
There are requirements in situations other than
single residential where the pressure is over 7kPa. Most
households won’t have to meet those requirements. It is only
an issue in commercial buildings and the like. If you were
using the black pipe in a commercial environment where the
pressure was greater than 7kPa, it would be an issue.
When it comes to the Product Standard for composite
pipe, there is no specific requirement for colour.
“If you are using black composite pipe, be wary that if you
are using it in a commercial or any installation other than
a single occupancy residential premises, that there are
specific marking requirements where either the pressure
exceeds 7kPa or it’s not readily identifiable,” Enzo says.
When working with pipes, be sure to check and double
check that what you are working with is in fact a gas or
water pipe. They’re not all yellow after all.
IT IS COMMONLY ACCEPTED AMONG PLUMBERS THAT COLOURS MAKE IT EASY TO IDENTIFY VARIOUS PIPES AND
THE MATERIALS THEY ARE SUITABLE TO TRANSFER. IT IS ALSO COMMON FOR PLUMBERS TO ASSUME THAT ALL
GAS PIPES ARE YELLOW... BUT THEY’RE NOT.
PLUMBING CONNECTION
REPORTS.
LEFT:
It’s easy to assume that all gas pipes are yellow;
however, as shown here, black gas pipes exist too.
GAS PIPE IDENTIFICATION