I got the fridge fixed but he gave me a gas non compliance certificate because there wasn't a 40mm internal hole in the floor behind the fridge as the bottom vent was 25mm above floor level. Something about possible gas leaks could be a problem. He ticked the box saying not a risk and another saying he is not reporting it as it is only a minor problem.
Has anyone heard of this and if so have you got a mentioned hole and how is it done. 40mm is big and pests and vermin could get in, not to mention water when travelling.
2foot6 said
05:01 AM Jul 13, 2013
Hi Doug,perhaps another opinion from a gas type person would be in order,then go to A van and let them fix their non compliant work.cheers Peter.
Duh said
05:17 AM Jul 13, 2013
Newie on me too Doug. Give A'van in Melbourne a ring, ask for Geoff Van Bardwyck Junior, the factory Manager. Or ring your local A'van dealer. Tell them you want a compliance certificate that says otherwise, spelling it out.
There should have been a gas compliance certificate with the van when you bought it ?????
Cruising Cruze said
06:45 AM Jul 13, 2013
maybe another rule in QLD ???
ozjohn said
06:51 AM Jul 13, 2013
Use a 50mm hole saw and then nail, glue or staple a piece of flywire over the hole from the top side. 1 ,2 or even 3 holes is pretty standard on many vans. Ozjohn.
Wombat 280 said
02:21 PM Jul 13, 2013
Gas vents have always been require to be place at the lowest point not necessarily the most convenient The gas been heavier than air will pool in any depression. If a look at the rules for carrying gases in enclosed spaces and not one tradies van would pass the regs. there is supposed to be a gas tight locker to house the bottles vented through an extruded mesh insert in the floor, Maybe Telstra and a few Local councils are the only units that may comply. NSW Wiorkcover are a bit slack in their policing of the regs until they kill someone.
If your looking for an easy fix a clip in eave vermin grate or a couple of the clip in cupboard vent up through the floor Or you can just use a hole saw put in a 50 mmm hole and glue on some metal fly mesh screen Just make sure you seal the cut edges of the floor .
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Saturday 13th of July 2013 03:50:24 PM
goldcoaster said
02:32 PM Jul 13, 2013
This is all I could find in the rule book.Cheers
6.10.2 Vents
A wall vent at floor level shall be provided in the refrigerator compartment, so that any
accumulation of leaked gas can escape to the outside'
6.10.3 Clearances
Refrigerators shall be installed within cabinet work such that the infiltration of combustion
prodicts into the compartment is minimized. Minimum clearances, where specified by the
manufacturer. shall be maintained.
6.10.4 Ventilation
In addition to the requirements listed in Section 7, ventilation at the rear of the unit and to
the exterior of the
-carayan
shall be provided to ensure the proper functioning of the
refrigeration unit. Unless specifically instructed otherwise by the manufacturer of the
refrilerator, the additional ventilation shall comprise openings located at the top and bottom
levels of the enclosed space. Each opening shall be of a free area not less than specified in
Table 6.1. The upp.i ventilation opening shall be located entirely above the
condenser/absorption fins.
Legendts said
07:37 PM Jul 13, 2013
Being LPG,it is heavier than air which would be why the rule is as it is. I find it hard to believe, but not impossible, that the van would be non compliant from the manufacturer. If it is, then there are a lot of not just Avans, but quite likely others too unless it's an oversight.
Not your problem and I for one would be going back to the dealers for clarification and/or rectification. Whilst easy to fix as posted above, it needs to be brought to the manufacturers attention in case it is an oversight. If it is, by doing that you may save someone an injury or worse.
Dougwe said
08:37 AM Jul 14, 2013
Thanks for the feed back so far everyone, as usual you are all great help.
I will be back in my home town and will be near Avan manufacturer mid to late August so will go armed with the paperwork from the fridge man and wait for their more than likely no reaction.
I will start off very nice about the whole thing but could change rapidly.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 14th of July 2013 08:46:24 AM
dorian said
02:33 PM Jul 14, 2013
If the standards bodies genuinely cared about consumer safety, they would provide all the relevant standards documents as free downloads. In reality, all they care about is making a buck.
Dougwe said
03:42 PM Jul 14, 2013
If I end up having to the job myself which is on the cards I was thinking maybe drill the hole then glue and seal some PVC tube about 2" - 3" long in the hole flush with the inside of floor and hang down under, that maybe will stop the water getting in bit then the fly wire idea on to top section and that will solve the insects and vermin bit, maybe.
Wombat 280 said
01:12 AM Jul 15, 2013
dorian wrote:
If the standards bodies genuinely cared about consumer safety, they would provide all the relevant standards documents as free downloads. In reality, all they care about is making a buck.
Your right, the manufacturers should be aware of the electrical and gas plumbing Australian Standards that cover Vans / MH and Boats and Transportable Homes . The problem with Australian Standards they are only guide lines unless called up at law. While we get that warm fuzzy feeling thinking that there are organization such as ASA out there protecting us from ourselves it's not entirely true. The Committees that sit on Standards are with vested interest as they are created from the industry not any independent body . Next time you look at a ASA Publication read the Forward and the list of contributors Where you Universities mentioned their contribution is normally a proof read or Chair of meeting unless it effects their industry .
Since 1988 NSW WorkCover has called up a lot of standards as a means of cutting the delays in bringing down legislation and they are automatically reviewed every 5 years even if only to re endorse what exists . Legislative change can take 5 years to get to a first reading and 10 years to be gazetted if it's straight forward ,which it never is
Bummer.
I got the fridge fixed but he gave me a gas non compliance certificate because there wasn't a 40mm internal hole in the floor behind the fridge as the bottom vent was 25mm above floor level. Something about possible gas leaks could be a problem. He ticked the box saying not a risk and another saying he is not reporting it as it is only a minor problem.
Has anyone heard of this and if so have you got a mentioned hole and how is it done. 40mm is big and pests and vermin could get in, not to mention water when travelling.
Hi Doug,perhaps another opinion from a gas type person would be in order,then go to A van and let them fix their non compliant work.cheers Peter.
Newie on me too Doug. Give A'van in Melbourne a ring, ask for Geoff Van Bardwyck Junior, the factory Manager. Or ring your local A'van dealer. Tell them you want a compliance certificate that says otherwise, spelling it out.
There should have been a gas compliance certificate with the van when you bought it ?????
Use a 50mm hole saw and then nail, glue or staple a piece of flywire over the hole from the top side.
1 ,2 or even 3 holes is pretty standard on many vans.
Ozjohn.
Gas vents have always been require to be place at the lowest point not necessarily the most convenient The gas been heavier than air will pool in any depression. If a look at the rules for carrying gases in enclosed spaces and not one tradies van would pass the regs. there is supposed to be a gas tight locker to house the bottles vented through an extruded mesh insert in the floor, Maybe Telstra and a few Local councils are the only units that may comply. NSW Wiorkcover are a bit slack in their policing of the regs until they kill someone.
If your looking for an easy fix a clip in eave vermin grate or a couple of the clip in cupboard vent up through the floor Or you can just use a hole saw put in a 50 mmm hole and glue on some metal fly mesh screen Just make sure you seal the cut edges of the floor .
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Saturday 13th of July 2013 03:50:24 PM
6.10.2 Vents
A wall vent at floor level shall be provided in the refrigerator compartment, so that any
accumulation of leaked gas can escape to the outside'
6.10.3 Clearances
Refrigerators shall be installed within cabinet work such that the infiltration of combustion
prodicts into the compartment is minimized. Minimum clearances, where specified by the
manufacturer. shall be maintained.
6.10.4 Ventilation
In addition to the requirements listed in Section 7, ventilation at the rear of the unit and to
the exterior of the
-carayan
shall be provided to ensure the proper functioning of the
refrigeration unit. Unless specifically instructed otherwise by the manufacturer of the
refrilerator, the additional ventilation shall comprise openings located at the top and bottom
levels of the enclosed space. Each opening shall be of a free area not less than specified in
Table 6.1. The upp.i ventilation opening shall be located entirely above the
condenser/absorption fins.
Not your problem and I for one would be going back to the dealers for clarification and/or rectification. Whilst easy to fix as posted above, it needs to be brought to the manufacturers attention in case it is an oversight. If it is, by doing that you may save someone an injury or worse.
Thanks for the feed back so far everyone, as usual you are all great help.
I will be back in my home town and will be near Avan manufacturer mid to late August so will go armed with the paperwork from the fridge man and wait for their more than likely no reaction.
I will start off very nice about the whole thing but could change rapidly.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 14th of July 2013 08:46:24 AM
Your right, the manufacturers should be aware of the electrical and gas plumbing Australian Standards that cover Vans / MH and Boats and Transportable Homes . The problem with Australian Standards they are only guide lines unless called up at law. While we get that warm fuzzy feeling thinking that there are organization such as ASA out there protecting us from ourselves it's not entirely true. The Committees that sit on Standards are with vested interest as they are created from the industry not any independent body . Next time you look at a ASA Publication read the Forward and the list of contributors Where you Universities mentioned their contribution is normally a proof read or Chair of meeting unless it effects their industry .
Since 1988 NSW WorkCover has called up a lot of standards as a means of cutting the delays in bringing down legislation and they are automatically reviewed every 5 years even if only to re endorse what exists . Legislative change can take 5 years to get to a first reading and 10 years to be gazetted if it's straight forward ,which it never is