Do You Know these Compulsory Gas Stove Installation Requirements?

When it comes to a functional kitchen upgrade, you can’t go past a new gas stove and cooktop. While it will not add a lot to your kitchen’s aesthetic, an upgraded gas cooker can make a big difference when it comes time to cook with it.

Installing a gas cooker isn’t as simple as just connecting it to the gas line, however. There are various different statutory requirements that must be met for a safe and legal gas cooking appliance installation.

We’ve been in the gas fitting business for over 25 years and know the ins and outs of these regulations. If you’re looking for direct gas appliance installation instructions, you’ve come to the wrong place. However, here are some of the standards a professional plumber/gas fitter from Metropolitan will ensure your new gas appliances meet.

Requirements For New Gas Installation Clearances

Domestic gas cooking appliances use a naked flame to cook as opposed to electric ovens which just have a heated plate. For safety reasons, this means there are several minimum clearances your new gas cooktop installation must meet.

Australian Standard AG/601-AS5601 outlines these overhead clearance requirements, which include:

• 600mm from a combustible surface vertically above
• 200mm clearance horizontally from downward facing combustible surfaces
• You must apply a non-combustible material to a 150mm height if you cannot meet the above two clearances along the whole length of the cooktop
• 600mm distance between cooktop and rangehood
• 750mm distance to the exhaust fan

The manufacturer’s instructions must also be followed along with these required overhead clearances. If you don’t meet minimum clearance requirements or follow the manufacturer’s specifications, you might void any insurance policy or warranty you want to claim on.

What About Gas Ovens?

Unlike cooktops, gas ovens aren’t subject to the same level of general overhead clearances. In order to receive a compliance certificate as required by Australian regulations, you will need a licensed gas fitter to install your gas cooking appliance as per the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Gas Certificate of Compliance

There’s a reason you can’t do any DIY gas work. It’s extremely dangerous if done incorrectly and could result in fire, explosions, or even make your family sick.

Gas work is taken so seriously that you need a certificate of compliance for every gas connection, installation, modification, or replacement. This is a certificate to say the work complies with your state’s gas fitting standards.

Without a certificate, your gas supplier can choose to stop supplying natural gas to your home. Regulations and certificates vary from state to state, so you will need a local, qualified gas fitter to issue the relevant certificate when they come to replace your old gas stove with a new appliance.

Have Your Gas Appliances Installed Safely

When it comes to cooktop and oven installation requirements, the team at Metropolitan Plumbing has the required tools and experience to get it right. Our skilled gas fitters can provide same-day gas installations that always meet Australian standards. Call us now to book one of our gas fittings specialists today.