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Gas Fitting and Installations

How We Help your Business with Gas Fitting & Gas Maintenance

At Essendon Plumbing Services we specialise in commercial Gas fitting and Gas maintenance for businesses in Melbourne. We hold all classes of licences for Type A gas fitting and work in partnership for all Type B Appliance work. This means we are a one stop shop for all gas design, installation, and servicing work.

In this blog we share the differences between gas plumbing licences and why you should only use a Licensed Gas Plumber for your Business.

The Types of Gas Plumbing Licenses

Gas Plumbing licenses in Victoria are recognised in separate classes:

  1. Main Classes
    • Type A Gas fitting
    • Type B Gas fitting
  2. Specialised Classes
    • Gas servicing Type A
    • Gas servicing Type B
  3. Restricted Classes
    • Gas mobile homes
    • Gas disconnect/ reconnect
    • Gas restricted to Type A appliances

Plumbers can be licensed or registered in separate categories of each class.

Identifying a Type A and Type B Gas Appliance

Type A gas appliance examples are:

  • Hot water systems
  • Cookers
  • BBQs
  • Stoves
  • Heating
Commercial Hot Water System
Commercial Hot Water System

Although these appliances can be found in commercial settings, they are generally referred to as domestic appliances. A certification system exists for this type of appliance as set out in AS/NZS 5601 and each appliance will carry an approval badge from the Australian Gas Association.

Type B gas appliance examples are:

  • Calciners
  • Bake ovens
  • Incinerators
  • Dry-out burners
  • Hot-water boilers
  • Process kilns
Smoke from Gas Incinerator
Smoke from Gas Incinerator

They do NOT carry an approval badge. They are any machine that support commercial or industrial operations. This definition is set out in AS/NZS 5601 and refers to a unit where the gas consumption is more than 10 MJ/hour. These appliances need to be sufficient for the requirements on an industrial site.

Why You Should Only Use a Licensed Gas Plumber for Your Business

  • Training and competency

To be a licensed gasfitter, a person must have undertaken the appropriate training to complete gas work safely. This means they have passed exams for competency and being registered with the VBA.

  • Licensed gasfitters must have insurance

Providing a 6-year warranty on the work they perform.

  • Preserve your manufacturer’s warranty conditions

If appliance installation work is carried out by a licensed tradesperson, your manufacturer’s warranty conditions are not breached.

The Importance of Compliance Certificates

After installing a gas appliance, the licensed gasfitter must give you a compliance certificate.

Your copy of the Compliance Certificate protects you if any problems arise later due to faulty installation. If this occurs, the gasfitter will be required to come back and remedy any installation problem free of charge.

You may be offered a ‘cheap’ job excluding the cost of the compliance certificate. This is an offence under the Building Act 1993, denies you a guarantee and prevents the work from being audited for compliance and quality.

Having Compliant Gas Infrastructure is a Legal Obligation

Gas appliances, components and fittings should be a top priority when it comes to the safety of your business, anyone who enters your premises needs to know they can do so without risk to their health and safety, making sure your gas infrastructure is compliant is a legal obligation at your workplace and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Property managers and operational managers need to be sure the commercial plumbing company they engage is a specialist commercial gas plumber.

Essendon Plumbing Services has been providing commercial gas plumbing solutions to the commercial and industrial plumbing sector for more than 33 years.

Check Gas Appliance Maintenance

Gas appliance and gas fitting work can’t always be carried out by the same licensed gas plumber. Gas Plumbing Licenses in Victoria have separate categories, you need to make sure your gas technician is qualified and licensed in the relevant fields to carry out the respective work on your property

Looking for the Right Gas Plumber for a Job?

Essendon Plumbing Services have been trusted by businesses across Melbourne with all their gas fitting requirements for more than 33 years. We deal with all Type A and Type B gas appliances, installations, repairs, and maintenance. We have all the required qualifications, licenses, and insurances so you’re in safe hands.

Call us on 1300 231 976 or book online.

Contact Us Today

Need Help with a Plumbing Issue?

You can book online now or call us for 24/7 emergency service within the hour.

Book Now

Or call 03 9335 4755

Why Connect your BBQ to your Home Gas Supply

Did you even know your BBQ could be connected to Natural Gas (NG), your homes gas supply in Metropolitan Melbourne?

We’ve all been caught out assuming there’s enough left in the gas bottle for one more BBQ. Giving the gas bottle a shake or pouring hot water over it to try and work out how much is left, assuming there’s enough remaining for one more BBQ, only to find out halfway through roasting the pork for Christmas lunch you’ve run out of gas, off you head in your Christmas finest to find a swap and go refill station, returning an hour later to find everyone sitting down to lunch with no pork and definitely no pork crackling.

Don’t put yourself in this situation there is a better way, some LPG gas BBQ’s can be converted to natural gas or if purchasing a new BBQ you can request natural gas from the manufacturer.

Converting to gas needs a licensed gas plumber

The most important thing to remember for you and your family’s safety is whether converting a BBQ from LPG to Natural Gas or Installing new Natural Gas BBQ it can only be carried out by a licensed gas plumber. LPG (bottle gas) operates at a higher pressure than Natural Gas (home gas), Appliance components such as burner jets and regulators are different for each type of gas, so a Licensed gas plumber is required to carry out such work.

Never attempt a DIY gas BBQ conversion or connection.

Reasons to connect to Natural Gas

  1. Never run out of Gas
    The obvious and main reason for connecting your gas BBQ to the gas line in your home is you will never run out of gas. Avoid the stress, a permanent connection means a reliable gas source and at the flick of the ignition source you’ll always be ready to entertain.
  2. Cheaper than Bottle Gas
    Natural gas is cheaper than bottled gas (LPG) and electricity. You’ll find once your BBQ is fitted to natural gas you’ll use it more than your inside stove and the savings will add up over time. Connecting your BBQ to your home’s gas supply pays off in many ways by eliminating the hassle and stress of refilling gas bottles or driving around looking for swap and go gas bottle exchanges, instead you get to spend more time with family and friends.
  3. Safety
    Removing LPG gas bottles from the home is another reason to connect your BBQ to natural gas. LPG operates at a higher pressure than natural gas and can be dangerous if miss used. By connecting your BBQ to your home gas supply, you can remove all LPG gas bottles from around the house giving your peace of mind.
  4. Create an Entertainment Area
    Once you have a natural gas supply to your BBQ area your outdoor space can become an all-year-round entertainment zone. By adding natural gas patio heaters, the space is now usable in Winter, the addition of a natural gas WOK burner and a Pizza oven means who wouldn’t want to be outside. Remember though when getting a quote to connect home gas to your BBQ to mention any future additional gas appliances you may install so they can be accounted for when sizing your new gas line.

Essendon Plumbing Services is Here to Help

Essendon Plumbing Services are experts in gas plumbing, sizing gas pipes and converting gas BBQ’s and we are licensed Master plumbers. We’ll provide expert advice on converting your existing BBQ to natural gas or connecting a new BBQ to your existing gas supply.

Items that need to be considered when connecting a BBQ to Natural Gas:

  • Will the existing pipe sizing supply be suitable for the new BBQ connection or do the pipes need to be upgraded?
  • Is the existing pipework sound and free from any leaks?
  • Is the existing pipework in good safe condition?

All our work is carried out to the highest of standards with the peace of mind of a lifetime guarantee and certified by a certificate of compliance on completion.

Wherever you are, Essendon Plumbing Services is your expert local plumber and we’re here to support you, 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Need Help with a Plumbing Issue?

You can book online now or call us for 24/7 emergency service within the hour.

Book Now

Or call 03 9335 4755

How do I Know if I Have a Gas Leak?

Natural Gas doesn’t have a smell so it’s a good that Utility providers add Mercaptan to the gas. This chemical, when mixed with natural gas, makes it smell a lot like sulphur (or rotten eggs), making it easier to detect when you have a gas leak in your Melbourne home.

You may sometimes hear a hissing noise, although natural gas pressure in homes across Melbourne is low (between 1.1KPA and 2.75 KPA), so depending on where the gas leak is you may not hear it.

Dead plants in the area of the leak may also be an indicator of a natural gas leak or an unusually high gas bill would be an obvious sign. In any case, you will need to call a licensed gas plumber to help solve the leak.

What Should I Do if I Smell a Gas Leak in Melbourne?

  • First thing to do is turn your gas supply off at the meter. Generally, this is located at the front corner of your home, usually on the blind side of your house.
  • If you don’t know where your gas meter is or how to turn your gas off, call a licensed emergency plumber ASAP. They will be able to talk you through the process over the phone while attending your home within the hour.
  • Open up the area to let air flow, open windows and doors where possible to let the gas escape and stay outside away from the leaking gas pipe.
  • Call a Licensed plumber in gas to carry out leak detection on your home. Not all plumbers are licensed gas plumbers, so make sure your plumber is experienced in gas leak detection.

How do I prevent Gas Leaks from Occurring?

Majority of gas leaks are the result of either poor installation, gas fitting lines installed and not tested, old failed appliances, old corroded gas fitting lines, no regular checking or maintenance & incorrect appliance installations. This is why it is so important to only have your gas fitting work be carried out by a Licensed Gas Plumber. They are the only people who have the training and skills required to safely work on your gas appliances and gas lines, guaranteeing the safety of your household.

When a licensed gas plumber works on gas at your home, whether the job is $80 or $800 dollars, you will receive a Certificate of Compliance. This assures that the work has been carried out to Australian Standards and gives you the peace of mind with a 7-year workmanship guarantee.

What NOT to do If I Think I have a Gas Leak?

You may not be able to smell anything, and Gas leaks don’t always make a hissing sound but if you suspect you have a gas leak DO NOT ignore it! Gas leaks can cause major damage to life and your home if left to leak.

If you think you have a gas leak in your home, DO NOT do the following:

  1. Let It be and hope it goes away
  2. Use any naked flames in the area or any appliances that may cause a spark
  3. Turn lights or appliances on and off
  4. Attempt to locate and repair the leak yourself

Call an Emergency Gas Plumber NOW!

Gas leaks don’t just disappear, you may think the leak has gone because you can’t smell it, but it may just be blowing in a different direction. Don’t risk it, Call a licensed gas plumber at Essendon Plumbing Services NOW!

Call Essendon Plumbing Services on 1300 193 298 or book online for a fast 24/7 response. We have highly experienced licensed Gas Master Plumbers ready to handle your gas leak problems in Melbourne.

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