General Gas Safety Requirements
Proposal
To define the general safety requirements which underpin the regulations.
57. The very nature of natural gas and LPG means that there are some unique hazards posed to human health and to property as compared with other sources of energy. Gas, being a "flammable substance", has the ability to cause harm to both human health and property in the event of uncontrolled combustion or through the build-up of combustion products such as carbon monoxide (CO). Being "heavier than air", LPG has the potential to accumulate in unventilated spaces and may build to concentrations that become combustible or even explosive. Natural gas is lighter than air and is more likely to disperse into the atmosphere, however, in confined spaces the gas may still accumulate to dangerous levels.
58. As noted, the overarching objective of the proposed gas safety regulations is to provide for the protection of the health and safety of members of the public in connection with the supply and use of gas and the prevention of damage to property in connection with the supply and use of gas.
59. To underpin this objective, it is proposed that the new regulations have a general safety requirement stating along the following lines that all gas fittings are required to be designed, constructed, connected, operated, maintained, installed, supplied, assembled, tested, repaired and used in a manner that is safe.
60. It is proposed to define "safe" for the purposes of this regulation along the lines that it means that persons have to take all practicable steps to ensure there is no significant risk of injury or death to any person or domestic animal, or of significant damage to any property.
61. Establishing the general safety requirements for gas in the regulations is intended to set the underpinnings and focus for the remainder of the regulations i.e. the protection of pubic safety and property.
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