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The Rules for Gas Appliance and Component Certification for Australia GTRC

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Gas Technical Regulators’ Committee

RULES FOR GAS APPLIANCE AND COMPONENT CERTIFICATION FOR AUSTRALIA

THE RULES

Revision Description Date

A Draft Nov 2011

B Draft reviewed by Gas Technical Regulators Jan 2012

C Contact person details changed from Cornelis De Groot to Enzo Alfonsetti

Feb 2012

D 16th February 2012 meeting draft 16Feb2012

E 13th March 2012 meeting draft 13Mar2012

F 13th March 2012 meeting draft update by TT, EA and CW 30Mar2012

G GTRC meeting May 2012 draft 16May2012

H Section 7.11 amended to include a reference to “non compliances to relevant product standards”

28May2012

I References to NZ reviewed by Energy Safety NZ 13Jun2012

The Rules for Gas Appliance and Component Certification for Australia GTRC

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CONTENTS PAGE

1 Introduction - 1 -

2 Definitions - 2 -

3 General Criteria for Certifiable Appliances and Components - 5 -

4 Overview of the Rules - 5 -

5 Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders - 6 -

5.1 Key stakeholders in the operation of The Rules - 6 -

5.2 State/Territory of Australia Technical Regulators - 6 -

5.3 Conformity Assessment Bodies - 6 -

5.4 Test Laboratories - 7 -

5.5 Suppliers - 7 -

5.6 Standards Australia and other recognised standards bodies - 8 -

6 Regulatory Compliance Mark - 9 -

7 Operation - 10 -

7.1 Essential Requirements - 10 -

7.2 Testing by Accredited Laboratories - 10 -

7.3 Certification - 10 -

7.4 Type Examination - 11 -

7.5 Declaration of Conformity to Type (Guarantee of Production Quality) - 12 -

7.6 Testing and Market Surveillance - 12 -

7.7 Duration of a Certificate - 12 -

7.8 Design Documentation - 13 -

7.9 Marking of Product - 13 -

7.10 Information on Certified Appliances/Components on the Website - 13 -

7.11 Suspension and Cancellation of Certificate - 14 -

Contact Person - 15 -

Attachment 1 – - 16 -

Attachment 2 – - 17 -

Appendix A - 18 -

Appendix B - 26 -

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1 INTRODUCTION

The Australian States and Territories administer legislation requiring gas products to be approved before they are offered for sale and use.

Most jurisdictions have procedures available that cover the approval of small numbers of identical or individual appliances. These are either administered by a Technical Regulator or by a person or persons designated by the Technical Regulator.

This document “The Rules” provides a framework or set of minimum requirements for the operation of a certification scheme to certify gas products subjected to this scheme and may be subject to change from time to time.

The Rules provide the following:

(a) independent regulatory oversight of the entire approvals process by Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) members;

(b) clear, generic safety and technical requirements that must be satisfied by an applicant seeking certification of a gas product as set out in AS 3645 “Essential requirements for gas equipment”;

(c) suppliers of a gas product have a responsibility to arrange the type testing of appliances by an Accredited Testing Laboratory to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of AS 3645;

(d) suitably qualified and competent organisations are to be able to offer themselves as an entity to carry out the role and functions of a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) and be accepted as such by any Technical Regulator or person or persons designated by a Technical Regulator for the purpose of certifying products;

(e) suppliers shall submit test reports and appliance samples to a CAB, for certification assessment and ongoing post-certification compliance assessment;

(f) harmonisation of requirements for the participating jurisdictions in terms of the appliance and component approval process;

(g) common and minimum requirements to provide clarity and help ensure that competition is facilitated in the gas appliance and component market; and

(h) improved transparency in the market and ease of access to the public in regard to the approval status of a product to promote safety.

The CAB must ensure that their scheme rules incorporate and are consistent with the relevant requirements of this document.

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2 DEFINITIONS

Approved

The product has been certified by a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) in accordance with The Rules accepted by a Technical Regulator.

AS3645

Australian Standard “Essential requirements for gas equipment” as amended from time to time.

Certificate

A document issued by a CAB to the supplier indicating or confirming that the product is compliant with the applicable nominated standards.

Certificate Holder

Legal entity responsible to ensure compliance of the product to requirements under the scheme.

Certifiable appliance

(a) A gas appliance designed to use gas as a fuel, for which a testing standard or code applicable to Australian conditions is available, as listed in appendix A of AS 3645 and which can be tested to these standards or a combination thereof; or

(b) A gas appliance that meets the requirements of AS 3645 based upon testing to an EN or ISO standard with variations based upon testing to gas appliance standards listed in appendix A of AS 3645 and is generally a series produced domestic or commercial packaged product.

Component

Constituent parts of a gas appliance or gas installation or accessories for a gas appliance.

Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)

A body acceptable to a Technical Regulator that provides assurance of compliance of products with nominated standards or other accepted safety criteria

In this document the term “CAB” means Conformity Assessment Body in accordance with the definition provided in the International Organisation for Standardisation publication ISO/IEC 17065 Conformity Assessment – Requirements for certification bodies certifying products, processes and services.

A CAB shall be a registered entity as defined by ASIC (Australian Security and Investment Commission).

Determination

A means to check whether a product meets the requirements of relevant standards based upon testing, measurements, inspections, design appraisal or auditing.

Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC)

The Gas Technical Regulators Committee is an association of Government Departments

responsible for the safe use of gas. The committee includes representatives from every State

and Territory in Australia and New Zealand.

GTRC Technical Guidance Bulletin

A document issued by the Technical Regulators which provides guidance to the CABs.

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JAS-ANZ

JAS-ANZ is the government-appointed accreditation body for Australia and New Zealand responsible for providing accreditation of conformity assessment bodies (CABs) in the fields of certification and inspection.

LP Gas

As defined in AS 4670 – “Commercial propane and commercial butane for heating purposes”

National database

The national database is an on-line database administered by the GTRC which contains details of all certified gas appliances and components.

Natural Gas

As defined in AS 4564 – “Specification for general purpose natural gas”

Normally Used

Means the appliance has been:

(a) installed, operated and regularly serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions; and

(b) used within the specified gas quality and pressure; and

(c) used in accordance with its intended purpose and in a way that can be reasonably foreseen

Product

A certifiable gas appliance or component

Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)

A permanent identification marking on a product for which a certificate has been issued to the certificate holder by the CAB and which identifies the CAB that has issued the certification, the unique certificate number issued for the product and the scope of certification. There are 2 categories of the RCM;

(a) an Australia/New Zealand mark;

(b) an Australia only mark; and

(c) a New Zealand only mark

Safe

All risks associated with the product when normally used have been identified and either eliminated or reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practical such that the product will not cause death or personal injury to any person or domestic animals or damage to property.

Supplier

The manufacturer in Australia or the importer of appliances in the Australian supply chain that will be held legally responsible for the certified product (i.e. those sellers located in Australia that are the first point of sale).

The supplier shall be a registered legal entity as defined by ASIC (Australian Security and Investment Commission) and must register on the GTRC website for use of the RCM.

Standards and/or Codes

Standards and/or Codes mean the Australian or joint Australian/New Zealand or the overseas standards or codes acceptable to the Technical Regulators for gas product certification purposes.

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Technical Regulator

The Government appointed person, body or authority that has jurisdiction over product safety legislation (or other entity authorized by that person, body or authority).

Technical Specification

A document that contains sufficient and appropriate technical data representative of the certifiable product

Test Laboratory

A laboratory that satisfies all of the following:

1. is appropriately equipped and resourced and has the necessary technical competencies to carry out conformance testing for gas products for the purposes of certification, and;

2. holds current accreditation to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 for the Standards and/or Codes used in certification testing as nominated in the Test Program, and;

3. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation must have been issued by one of the following: a) The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or; b) International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), or; c) An accreditation authority which is a signatory to the "International Laboratory

Accreditation Cooperation" (ILAC) 4. has satisfied the CAB it meets the requirements of (1), (2) & (3) above

Test program

A written document or documents prepared or endorsed by the CAB outlining the type testing and assessments to be carried out on a sample gas product.

The Rules

Provides a set of minimum requirements for the operation of a “type” certification scheme to certify certifiable products in Australia as specified in this document

Type B Appliance

An appliance, with a gas consumption in excess of 10MJ/h for which a certification scheme does not exist.

Type Testing

The procedure by which a CAB checks and certifies that an appliance/component is fully compliant with the requirements of the relevant standard/s and regulatory requirements and that it is a representative sample of production models.

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3 GENERAL CRITERIA FOR CERTIFIABLE APPLIANCES AND COMPONENTS

Characteristics of products that may be certified under The Rules include:

(a) Mass-produced or serially produced products (that is, not ‘one-off’ or a ‘jobbing’ product); and

(b) Products designed to meet the requirements of AS 3645; and

(c) Products for which there are not designated product specific Australian Standards, but relevant and acceptable standards are available; and

(d) Products made to a set and documented Technical Specification; and

(e) Except as indicated below, products that do not require adjustment during installation or commissioning other than for installation specific adjustments such as fuel gas type, inlet gas pressure, and flueing and ventilation arrangements. If any further adjustments beyond those identified above are required for installation or commissioning, the supplier shall provide the relevant technical support (including information and training) to installers.

(f) Products supported by the relevant agent and are serviceable by like for like part interchange from a comprehensive service manual; and parts that are replaced in routine servicing and maintenance shall be such that they do not require adjustments or alterations.

4 OVERVIEW OF THE RULES

The Rules allocate responsibility and accountability to a set of key stakeholder groups engaged in gas appliance approvals so that the Australian process for certifying products is robust, effective, recognised by other national authorities and internationally respected.

The Australian State and Territory Regulatory Authorities through GTRC members are responsible for developing and maintaining the necessary details of each component of The Rules. GTRC members will assume responsibility for implementing and overseeing the ongoing operation of The Rules, and to ensure its integrity.

The Rules are based on CABs assessing products against the requirements of AS 3645, and any approved standards through detailed product inspection, appraisal of test reports and ensuring ongoing manufacturing compliance via a post certification compliance assessment process.

The CAB may develop a similar scheme or extend their existing scheme to include mass produced appliances that are typically classified as type B appliances such as small generators, gas engines etc. Approval from a Technical Regulator is required before their scheme is accepted (see definition of certifiable gas appliances).

The supplier of a product will be responsible for obtaining the initial product certification from a CAB and attaching the appropriate gas Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). The supplier is responsible for ensuring that the product supplied will be safe when used normally.

A flowchart in Attachment 1 of this document sets out the process of certifying gas appliances under The Rules.

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5 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STAKEHOLDERS

5.1 Key stakeholders in the operation of The Rules

The key stakeholders are:

(a) State/Territory of Australia Technical Regulators;

(b) Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs);

(c) Accredited Testing Laboratories;

(d) Suppliers; and

(e) Standards Australia and other recognised standards bodies.

Each of the above stakeholders has a specific responsibility and role in relation to The Rules and the details of the roles of the stakeholders are set out in the following sections of this document.

5.2 State/Territory of Australia Technical Regulators

The principal role of the Technical Regulators is to ensure that gas is used safely and efficiently in their respective jurisdictions. A key part of this role is to provide The Rules and to approve the CABs under the individual legislative jurisdictions for the purpose of providing certification services in relation to products. The Technical Regulators through GTRC (Gas Technical Regulators Committee) have developed a process and set of criteria for the approval of CABs (see attachment 1 below and the CAB criteria document). This is required to ensure the provision of a consistent and efficient assessment of the CABs and can be applied whether this is the inaugural or an ongoing assessment. The Technical Regulators also need to maintain the integrity of the scheme by educating and by taking any necessary action against those who fail to comply with the requirements of The Rules. The Technical Regulators are also responsible for the review and modification of The Rules as may be required in the future and the provision of GTRC technical guidance bulletins to notify stakeholders of any changes to technical requirements.

5.3 Conformity Assessment Bodies

For the purpose of The Rules, a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) is an organisation that meets the "GTRC Assessment Criteria for the Recognition of CABs for Australia" and has been formally recognised by a Technical Regulator for the purpose of certifying gas products, and is not involved directly or indirectly through the Supplier or any other party or by any other means with the design, production, distribution or sale of the product in such a way that impartiality would be compromised.

The CAB shall evaluate and certify a product for compliance with applicable standards and/or Codes and regulatory requirements and in accordance with The Rules.

A CAB is required to take all reasonable steps to satisfy itself that a test laboratory providing testing or other services used as part of the CAB's certification process satisfies the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. The CAB develops test programs for type testing to satisfy The Rules. Auditing of the testing laboratories for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining accreditation must be via the accreditation body (i.e. NATA or equivalent) and using the services of a technical expert in the field as would be deemed competent by NATA. Alternatively the CAB must ensure that it undertakes its own auditing activities in addition to audits conducted by the accreditation body.

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A CAB shall be responsible for the content and adequacy of the test program used for certification purposes and shall also be responsible for the assessment and interpretation of test results as reported by the test laboratory

A CAB is responsible for the evaluation of products, through the overarching principles set out in AS3645.

When processing a certification of a product, a CAB shall ensure information from GTRC Technical Guidance Bulletins, relevant to a certification project is taken into account.

Prior to a CAB’s certification coming into effect, the CAB shall ensure, by conducting a “Final Inspection” of an off-tool production sample, or equivalent means, to satisfy itself the product being Supplied to the market is identical to the Certified Design.

A CAB shall conduct post-certification product surveillance in accordance with the Testing and Market Surveillance provisions as set out in Section 7.6 of The Rules.

The CAB is authorised by the holder of the intellectual property (Department of Commerce WA) to authorise the use of the RCM on certified appliances and components.

CABs must provide the Technical Regulators with any details pertaining to any certification when requested.

A CAB shall, upon receipt of information that public safety may be at risk, immediately contact its local Technical Regulator.

5.4 Test Laboratories

The role of a testing laboratory is to undertake the specified tests and provide an accredited test report. If there is an association with the CAB or a supplier, they must declare this association to the technical regulators.

5.5 Suppliers

To comply with The Rules the certificate holder must have an authorised representative who is a legal entity within Australia.

It is the responsibility of the supplier to make contact with a CAB and to arrange for testing and certification of a product and to facilitate the ongoing assessment of the appliance by a CAB, in accordance with The Rules. The supplier is required to make arrangements for the type testing and provide the relevant appliances for type testing. Guidance on the scope and range of tests required enabling demonstration of compliance with the relevant standards and essential requirements may be sought from the CAB.

On confirmation that the appliance has passed the testing, the supplier is required to contact the relevant CAB to obtain the GTRC endorsed RCM for attachment to the appliance prior to completion of certification.

Once certification is obtained, the supplier shall be responsible for attaching the RCM to all appliances to be offered for sale in the marketplace. The supplier must ensure that it maintains all records of modifications to an appliance for auditing and continuity of certification. The supplier is responsible to provide appliances and components for periodic assessment testing. The supplier must provide all information in relation to the appliance to a new CAB in seeking a change in CAB for continuity of certification.

A supplier shall declare and is responsible to ensure that the product supplied will be safe when normally used. The declaration shall be made at the time of registering for the RCM.

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A product recall may be necessary should the supplier (certificate holder) become aware of any or all of the following:

(a) The existence of a certified appliance/component not complying with the safety intent of the appropriate standard; or

(b) A certified appliance/component exhibiting critical or major defects; or

(c) A direction issued by an Australian State or Territory and or New Zealand Regulatory Authority.

All costs associated with certification and/or recall shall be met by the supplier.

5.6 Standards Australia and other recognised standards bodies

These bodies develop standards that are relevant to the technical and safety requirements of gas appliance testing and certification processes under The Rules. They have a responsibility to maintain the standards, and to develop new standards as required.

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6 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE MARK

Both New Zealand and Australia recognise the need for a common badge or label that can be recognised by the retailer, consumer and gas fitter. From 1 July 2013 appliances, in both countries, will have a badge attached that is identical in every aspect except for an inscription located below the symbol. Registration of the RCM will be through the GTRC website.

Note: Refer to appendix B for the Gas Safety Certification RCM Styleguide

The RCM shall be permanently affixed to the gas appliance and the outside of the packaging in a manner clearly visible to the appliance installer and shall remain legible and durable when tested to the relevant product standard.

The RCM may be in the form of a plate, a label or screen printed version on the appliance directly and be an adjunct to a rating plate or label. The inscription will be as follows.

Condition Inscription Comment

Australia and New Zealand

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

GAS SAFETY CERTIFICATION SCHEME

Applies to all Australian certified natural gas appliances and Australian certified Universal LPG appliances

Australia ONLY

AUSTRALIA ONLY


Applies to all Australian certified LPG, as appliances that are not universal and operate on propane only

New Zealand ONLY

NEW ZEALAND ONLY


Applies to product certified under an Australian certification scheme that is destined only for the New Zealand market

Note: The CAB at its discretion may require that the appliance carry their proprietary label. In such cases the CAB’s label must be placed adjacent to the RCM.

The supplier will also be responsible for attaching a unique appliance certification number on the RCM as called up by each jurisdiction through legislation to the product, and for providing specified details of the product to the CAB for recording and publishing on the gas appliance certification website, for industry information purposes.

Whilst the intellectual property for the RCM effectively resides with the GTRC, the CABs are at liberty to charge the supplier for the right to apply their proprietary label, identifying that they are the relevant certifying body.

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7 OPERATION

7.1 Essential Requirements

All products must be designed and constructed to conform to the Australian Standard, AS 3645.

Methods of satisfying the requirements of AS 3645

Suppliers are required to meet standards that exist for the types of appliances they produce as listed in AS 3645. When Australian Standards are not available relevant international standards may be used as approved by a Technical Regulator.

Products for which a standard does not exist

Where a recognised standard does not exist, products must be designed, constructed and assessed by using a combination of standards or parts of standards that will satisfy the requirements of AS 3645.

The hierarchy in the application of standards to be complied with under The Rules in case of a conflict or a lack of relevant standards will be as follows:

(a) AS 3645 and all relevant standards that are referenced in it;

(b) Combination of requirements from existing Australian Standards referenced in AS 3645;

(c) Relevant International standards as approved by a Technical Regulator;

(d) Combination of Australian and overseas standards;

(e) Where there is no published standard, a proprietary standard should comply with Section 2 of AS 3645

Notes:

1. Under The Rules CABs must be accredited by JAS-ANZ for any standard for which it intends to offer certification services.

2. Regulatory authorities operating in each jurisdiction are able and may see fit to impose other requirements.

7.2 Testing by Accredited Laboratories

Test laboratories assess products based upon test programs provided by the CAB or the supplier. The results of the assessment are documented by the test laboratory in test reports which include test results, a review of markings and instructions and a review of technical specifications.

When the testing laboratory has an association with the CAB then the person who carries out the testing must not be involved in any part of the certification of the product. The person undertaking the determination function cannot be involved in the certification decision.

Testing may be performed by laboratories associated with the supplier which may not have full accreditation, but have been authorised by the CAB.

Note: This includes certain specific tests that are impractical to be performed in a testing laboratory (e.g. endurance testing of some appliance components). The CAB must maintain records of test equipment used including calibration records.

7.3 Certification

In order to demonstrate that the relevant standards and or the Essential Safety Requirements are being satisfied, the process requires the involvement of an independent third-party CAB in

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both type examination of new appliances or components and subsequently in post-certification compliance assessment.

Flowcharts in Attachment 1 and 2 set out the process of certifying series produced products under the scheme.

7.4 Type Examination

Applications for type examination of a product must be made by the manufacturer or an authorised representative to a single CAB.

The application must include the following information:

(a) The name and address of the manufacturer or, if the application is lodged by the authorised representative, his or her name and address;

(b) Where an application for certification covering the same product is lodged with another Australian CAB, the conditions of that application need to be disclosed to the subsequent CAB, along with relevant conditions and any other correspondence relating to the certification of the appliance;

(c) The technical specification; and

(d) The test report, in accordance with the relevant standards, carried out by a NATA accredited laboratory or an accepted equivalent.

(e) Previous incumbents such as refusals or granting of certifications by any other Australian CAB.

The supplier must place at the disposal of the CAB an appliance/component, representative of the production envisaged (“the type”), and any further samples that may be reasonably required by the CAB. The type may additionally cover variants at the discretion of the CAB.

The CAB will examine the technical specification and verify that the appliance has been manufactured in conformity with it and perform, or have performed, the appropriate examinations and/or tests to check conformity with the relevant standards as described above. If the manufacturer has chosen not to apply specified standards, the CAB will check that the solutions adopted by the manufacturer meet the requirements of AS 3645 and that the reasons for not applying the specified standards have improved and not reduced safety.

Where the CAB is satisfied that it will issue a certificate to the applicant, the certificate must include information necessary for the identification of the product. The CAB shall provide this information to the GTRC for entry on the national database for certified products of all certificates issued and their status. They may choose to operate their own operational database as well.

The supplier must keep the CAB that is in the process of issuing or has issued a certificate for the product, informed of all modifications that may affect the compliance with the terms of the certification of the product. If required, additional approval from the CAB must be obtained, in the form of an addition to the original certificate where such modifications to an appliance affect conformity with the relevant standards or the prescribed conditions for use of the appliance.

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7.5 Declaration of Conformity to Type (Guarantee of Production Quality)

This is the procedure whereby a supplier declares to the CAB:

(a) That a suitable quality management system is in place;

(b) That the product concerned is in conformity with the certificate; and

(c) That the product meets the requirements of AS 3645.

7.6 Testing and Market Surveillance

Post-certification assessment includes surveillance to provide assurance that the product continues to meet the requirements of the certification.

This includes testing and surveillance of a representative sample which will be taken from a production batch that represents the current products.

Surveillance includes but is not limited to the following:

(a) Testing on safety critical functions (refer to Appendix A) at least every 2.5 years;

(b) Determination of characteristics by testing and assessment the frequency of which is left to the discretion of CABs.

(c) Evaluation of testing and assessment reports, should any modifications be made to the product;

(d) Decision on the status of the certification; and

(e) Testing and inspection of a sample from the marketplace during the life of the certificate.

In the event that safety issues or concerns identified in respect to an appliance arise, a Technical Regulator may require additional tests and or inspections to be arranged by the supplier or CAB, at the expense of the supplier.

7.7 Duration of a Certificate

Certificates are valid for 5 years.

If the relevant standard/(s) has not changed then the certificate may be extended for a subsequent 5 year period provided the testing and surveillance as specified in 7.6 above is maintained. The certificate will be issued with a new issue date and a new expiry date at the end of the next 5 year period.

This can be repeated one more time before a retest of the appliance is required (i.e. a total 15 year life for a certificate).

If a standard is revised or amended within the 5 year period then the product is re-assessed at the end of the 5 year period to conform to the current standard at that time. If the product is modified within the 5 year period then it is re-assessed immediately and a new certificate with the original expiry date is issued.

If a Technical Regulator identifies a safety critical issue within the 5 year period that is not directly addressed within a standard and that requires immediate attention then the issue shall be referred to the CABs. The CABs shall then notify the suppliers who will then arrange for testing to be conducted as soon as possible.

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7.8 Design Documentation

The documentation required by a CAB should include the following information, in so far as it is required by the CAB for assessment of the product:

(a) a general description of the appliance;

(b) descriptions and explanations necessary for the understanding of the above including the operation of the appliances;

(c) a list of the specified standards, applied in full or in part, and descriptions of the solutions adopted to meet AS3645 where the specified standards have not been applied;

(d) test reports; and

(e) manuals for installation and use

Where appropriate, the design documentation must contain the following elements:

(a) attestation relating to the equipment incorporated in the appliance;

(b) attestation and certificates relating to the methods of manufacture and/or inspection and/or monitoring of the appliance; and

(c) any other document making it possible for the CAB to improve its capacity to undertake the assessment

Note: The above may change on publication of AS5263.0

7.9 Marking of Product

Following relevant examinations and tests and given satisfactory quality assurance requirements the CAB should be satisfied and it will issue a certificate of conformity which must be retained by the supplier (certificate holder). The manufacturer on behalf of the supplier must affix to the certified appliance the certification number provided by the CAB and the GTRC endorsed RCM.

For products where it may be impractical to apply the RCM due to physical restraints, the supplier may apply to the CAB for a variation to the marking requirements.

7.10 Information on Certified Appliances/Components on the Website

CABs will be responsible for supplying certification details for the national database for certified products to the GTRC.

These details are required for effective enforcement by the Technical Regulators, as well as industry organisations that wish to verify the compliance of appliances/components on the market or already installed. Data must be provided for the web based centralised database to the GTRC on a minimum monthly basis in the form prescribed by the GTRC.

The following information on each certified appliance and component is to be provided:

(a) Details on the appliance/component certified (make, model);

(b) Name of supplier;

(c) Date of certification; suspension or cancellation;

(d) Certification number;

(e) Details of any limitations/conditions;

(f) Certification status; i.e. certified, suspended, cancelled or expired; and

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7.11 Suspension and Cancellation of Certificate

CABs shall have the authority to suspend or cancel a certification, or a number of certifications held by the certificate holder.

All GTRC members shall be advised in writing of any suspension and/or cancellation resulting from safety related issues or non compliances with relevant product standards. The GTRC members shall be provided with an explanation for the action taken.

The status of any expired certificates must be displayed on the national database.

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CONTACT PERSON

The contact person for further information about this document is:

Enzo Alfonsetti

Manager, Type A Gas Appliance Safety

Energy Safe Victoria

PO BOX 262, Collins St West, Vic 8007

Phone: +61 3 9271 5408

Email: [email protected]

Further information on how to make contact with a jurisdictional Technical Regulator is available on the GTRC website.

Gas Technical Regulators’ Committee – Australia & New Zealand

www.gtrc.gov.au

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ATTACHMENT 1 –

Figure 1: Flow chart for certifying products under The Rules

Develops and maintains AS3645

Develops rules for appliance certification scheme

Assesses organisations wanting to become a CAB

Audits CAB as required by GTRC

Develops and owns RCM design

Publishes AS3645 as Australian standard

Develops test procedures for type approval to satisfy AS3645

Contacts CAB arrange Type approval

Arrange for testing in accordance with CAB plan

Manufacturer commences production

Subject to satisfactory production verification badges appliance

Information on appliance provided to CAB for entry into its database

Assesses test results, inspects a production sample and certifies appliances and components

Develops and implements ongoing verification process for appliance production

Develops database for appliance and components details and manages database

Allows appliances to be sold and installed in each jurisdiction

State and Territory and New Zealand regulators have enabling legislation.

GTRC Members

CAB

Standards Australia

Supplier

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ATTACHMENT 2 –

Figure 2: Flowchart of rules for series produced gas appliances or components

Series produced appliances or components

Type examination of testing carried out by laboratory in accordance with AS3645 and standards by CAB

Supplier declares to the CAB that a suitable quality management system exists

CAB surveillance by testing and inspection of samples from the open market

Product certified

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APPENDIX A

Safety Critical Testing (SCT) for Certified Gas Appliances and components

Background

It is a requirement of the The Rules that a certified sample product should undergo regular assessment to ensure current production being supplied continues to match the tested and certified design. These regular assessments are a critical part of the certification process and provide assurance that the appliance remains compliant with the certified design. It is also acknowledged that, due to the design, construction or functionality of many products, there are aspects of the products performance that cannot be feasibly checked in a typical assessment. This can affect the safety and compliance of the product if changed or altered. Therefore, The Rules have introduced a limited mandatory product testing regime (SCT) to occur at regular intervals not exceeding 2.5 years. Satisfactory completion of this testing will be a condition for ongoing certification of the product. The intention of the SCT is to confirm ongoing compliance and to detect any safety critical changes in a product design and is supplementary to the existing “regular” assessment process. This is more than what a physical assessment of a sample against a technical specification is likely to identify. It is not intended that this testing duplicate an entire, initial certification or a full laboratory assessment of the product. The regular assessment of the products remains an essential part of the assurance process and will continue to establish the following:

1. Dimensions and relationships of safety critical parts match the certified design 2. Gas and safety critical components match the specifications 3. Markings and instructions comply with the appropriate standard.

The SCT is based on the following objectives:

Must relate to safety critical functions of the product Testing requirements should be limited.

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Testing of Safety Critical Functions for Gas Appliances

Note: No durability testing is necessary for appliances

Generic Testing For All Gas Appliances

Test method Testing Notes

Gas Leakage

Gas Consumption

Overload Combustion

Appliance Specific

Domestic Gas Cooking Appliances


Total Gas Consumption

Underload Combustion

Temperature Hazards

Intended to be handled and accidently touched surfaces only

Gas fired water heaters for hot water supply and/or central heating


Refer to generic testing for all gas appliances above

Gas space heating appliances

Method of test Testing Notes


Sooting – Luminous effect appliances

Limited to one hour test only, Baccarach reading at the end of 1 hour to not exceed #2

Temperature Hazards Primary guard temperatures, accidently touched and surfaces intended to be handled

Vitiation and Emissions For flueless heaters

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Gas laundry dryers



Domestic gas refrigerators



Indirect gas‐fired ducted air heaters



Domestic gas barbecues



Temperature Hazards

Accidently touched and intended to be handled

Decorative gas log and other fuel effect appliances



Sooting – Luminous effect appliances

Limited to one hour test only, Baccarach reading at the end of 1 hour to not exceed #2

Temperature Hazards

Accidently touched and intended to be handled surfaces, includes primary guard temperatures

Vitiation and Emission Tests For flueless heaters

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Commercial catering gas equipment


Temperature Hazards

Accidently touched and intended to be handled surfaces


Over temperature cut‐out Fryers only

LP Gas – Portable and mobile appliances (Note: Over rules generic)


Gas Leakage Excluding durability testing

Nominal Gas Consumption

Temperature Hazards 8

Accidently touched and intended to be handled surfaces, including primary guard

Combustion Tests Including equivalent parts in relevant sections

Overpressure protection

Vitiation

Gas pool heaters



Radiant gas heaters for outdoor and non‐residential indoor use



Temperature Hazards

Intended to be handles and accidently touched surfaces only

Vitiation Testing

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Testing of Safety Critical Functions for Gas Components

Notes:

1. Gas components that are to be marketed as stand‐alone items (e.g. not as part of a gas appliance), require certification

2. No durability testing is necessary for components

Manual shut off gas valves


Leakage

Operating Effort

Mechanical Strength

Gas appliance regulators


Leakage

Operating Characteristics

Mechanical Strength

Gas appliance thermostats


Gas Leakage

Mechanical Strength


Thermoelectric flame safeguards


Timings

Gas Leakage

Operating effort

Mechanical Strength

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Regulators for use with liquefied petroleum – Vapour phase


Leakage

Pressure Relief Valves


Mechanical Strength

Electrical and electronic ignition devices for gas appliances


Voltage Variation

Flame failure response of re‐igniters

Jointing compounds and materials for use in gas pipe joints


Resistance to leakage

Combination controls


Gas Leakage

Testing multi‐functionality As required

Electronic flame safeguards and flame detectors


Electrical

Flame Failure Response

Safe Start Check

Continual Self Check

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Quick connect devices for gas


Leakage

Pressure loss

Mechanical strength

Pressure and temperature limit devices for use with gas burners


Leakage

Operating effort

Mechanical strength

Repeatability (20 cycles) No durability testing

Automatic shut off valves and vent valves


Opening and Closing Times

Gas Leakage

Mechanical Strength

Leakage detection systems


Gas Leakage

Voltage Variation

Limited flexibility connectors for gas


Burst Pressure

Proof Pressure

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Over‐pressure and under‐pressure cut off devices


Leakage

Resetting

Repeatability (50 cycles) No durability testing

Closing time

Hose and Hose assemblies for LP Gas, natural gas and town gas


Resistance to gas Hose lining only

Hydrostatic Pressure

Permeability

Hose and coupling compatibility

Flue cowls ‐ Gas appliance


No Testing Inspection only

Twin wall metal flues ‐ Gas appliance


No Testing Inspection only

Notes:

1. Testing to other standards is by negotiation with the CAB or by approval of a Technical Regulator.

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APPENDIX B

Gas Safety Certification RCM Style Guide

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RULES FOR GAS APPLIANCE AND COMPONENT …€¦ · The Rules for Gas Appliance and Component...

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Transcript of RULES FOR GAS APPLIANCE AND COMPONENT …€¦ · The Rules for Gas Appliance and Component...