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Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)

Guidance Notes

Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2009

Regulation 17 - Gas Reticulation Equipment and Systems

 

(1) No person shall—
(a) handle, store or distribute any gas in any manner, which includes the filling of a container, other than in accordance with the relevant health and safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act;
(b) install or remove an appliance, pressure equipment or system for gas in any manner other than in accordance with the relevant safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act;
(c) install or remove a gas appliance, or a gas system or a gas reticulation system, unless such person is an authorised person; or
(d) use pressure equipment or systems for gas in any manner other than in accordance with the relevant safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act.

 

(2) After installation or re-installation, and before commissioning a gas system, the user shall ensure that an external inspection and a leak test are performed by an authorised person or an approved inspection authority as applicable in terms of sub regulations (1)(c).

 

(3) An authorised person or an approved inspection authority shall issue a certificate of conformity after completion of a gas installation, modification, alteration or change of user or ownership in the form of Annexure 1.

 

 

Notes:

(a) The intent of PER 17 is to ensure safety in the domestic, commercial and industrial gas market applications where the competence is needed for correct material and component selection, installation and commissioning as currently fulfilled by the SAQCC-Gas Practitioners Registration Scheme. This scheme assures quality and safety of installations. For process plants, pipeline systems and gas storage facilities installation, compliance is verified by Approved Inspection Authorities to typical process piping Health and Safety standards.
(b) The definition of the gas system in the PER also treats Utility air as a non-dangerous gas installation and needs to be categorised in accordance to SANS 347 and need not to be inspected or certified by an Authorised Person for gas reticulation systems as defined in the PER. Air and Nitrogen used for process equipment and/or blanketing purposes do not have to be inspected and certified by an Authorised Person for gas reticulation systems as defined in the PER but shall comply to the requirements of SANS 347.
(c) Refrigeration systems of Category II and higher shall comply with the requirements of SANS 347. For Category I and below, certification to SANS 10147 is also required. Sound engineering practice (SEP) applies to equipment that is not subjected to conformity assessment but that shall be designed and manufactured and installed in accordance with sound engineering practice (best practice)to ensure safe operation and use. Such equipment shall be designed, manufactured and installed to take into account all the relevant factors that influence safety during its intended lifetime. The equipment shall have operating instructions for the safe use of the installation and shall bear the identification of the manufacturer. SEP equipment is not required to meet any other of the essential statutory requirements listed in the relevant national legislation (See SANS 347).
(d) As from October 2009, all new industrial thermal processing combustion and fuel-handling system installations require a COC to the requirements of SANS 329 as per Annexure 1 of the PER.
(e) When maintenance, modification or repair work is performed on gas systems it is acceptable for the gas practitioner to issue a certificate of conformity that is specific to the scope of work performed.
(f) Gas reticulation systems require a COC from a gas practitioner. When the pipe diameter of the reticulation system causes it to be in category II or higher, as defined by SANS 347, an AIA involvement is required as per SANS 347 and to countersign the Certificate of Manufacture issued by the manufacturer or gas practitioner, as applicable.
(g) A COC shall be issued by the SAQCC Gas registered gas practitioner for the installation, repair or modification and/or maintenance of a refrigeration system in terms of the PER, SANS 347 and SANS 10147. When the refrigeration system size causes it to be in category II or higher, as defined by SANS 347, an AIA involvement is required as per SANS 347 and to countersign the certificate of manufacture issued by the manufacturer or gas practitioner, as applicable.
(h) The intent of PER 17 (3) is that only the gas practitioner and not an AIA issues a COC for activities as listed.
(i) On change of ownership of a gas system the certificate of conformity shall be transferred to the new owner except for domestic or commercial entities servicing the public where a certificate of conformity, as provided by the SAQCC Gas, shall be issued on the change of user or ownership. The seller is responsible for obtaining a Certificate of Conformity where relevant.
(j) If an existing installation commissioned before July 2009, is not designed and constructed to the requirements of SANS 329 as published at that time, the user shall determine that the equipment is designed, maintained, inspected, tested, and operating in a safe manner. Safe operation and maintenance shall be ensured by procedures, documented and enforced, to address all deviations to the requirements of SANS 329.
(k) Any modifications done on such a system as above in note (j) shall comply with the requirements of SANS 329 as published at the time of the modifications and where equipment is replaced on a system constructed before July 2009, such equipment shall be issued with a permit by an organisation approved by the chief inspector as referenced in Regulation 5.(3) and a COC issued within the scope of work performed.
(l) All pressure equipment imported or locally manufactured for natural gas or LPG installations must be verified and accepted in accordance with Safe Gas Equipment Scheme and Safe Appliance Scheme as mandated by the DoL.