Page 20 - Designing Ways 256

KSA

KSA Update

Kitchen Legalities

hen you are embarking on
a kitchen revamp you want
Wto make sure that what you
are asking the contractor to do is within
the law. We often find kitchen designers
are put under pressure to design a
kitchen in a specific way even though it
contravenes fire safety regulations, gas Picture 1
safety regulations, electrical regulations
or the warranty of a product or material.
It is vital that you, as the client, heed the • A gas hob may not be installed • Ventilation to the area where the
recommendations of the designer-the over a fridge, fridge freezer, freezer, cylinders are stored is key.
industry professional, and if you don’t dishwasher, washing machine or • For storage inside the kitchen,
want to, don’t be surprised if they ask you tumble dryer. regulatory requirements must be
to sign a waiver. • An electric fryer must not be considered:
installed directly next to a gas hob, as 1. Rubber pipe may not pass through
Gas in the Kitchen the gas flames could ignite the fat in any partition so if the pipework
• Gas installations may only be the fryer. It is essential to maintain a is going any distance or traveling
done by registered installers with distance of at least 300 mm between through a partition or wall it must be
a valid license. They will give you a these two appliances. in .” copper.
certificate to certify the installation. • Ensure manufactures minimum 2. Adequate spacing between the gas
Should you not have this ‘COC’, distances from cupboards and bottle and any plug points must be
it could lead to issues with your backwalls are adhered to or the gas observed.
insurance at a later stage. A list of flame could scorch your back or side 3. If storing your gas bottle in a
registered installers can be found at: walls or splashback. cupboard the cupboard must
https://saqccgas.co.za/ • Regularly wash the grease filters in be ventilated and accommodate
• The veneer or laminate coatings of your extractor if you have a gas hob, nothing but the bottle.
worktops (or adjacent kitchen units) to prevent the risk of fire. 4. A service and shut off valve must be
to a gas appliance must be treated • The placement of your gas cylinders installed between the bottle and the
with 100 °C heat-resistant adhesive has certain minimum requirements. appliance.
which will not dissolve or distort Specific requirements are listed in
in order to comply with fire safety SANS 10087-1: 2013 and can be seen • Most gas appliances come with both
regulations. in the image captioned: Picture 1. LPG and Natural gas jets. Natural gas
is only available in certain areas of
South Africa (mainly Johannesburg).
Your gas installer will be able to
check and ensure the correct jets are
installed.
• If installing an extractor above a gas
hob, it must be at least 650mm above
the hob in order to comply with fire
safety regulations.
• The by-laws in various areas differ
on how many bottles of gas and of
which size can be stored in a house
or on a property at any one time.
They also specify how they must be
stored. It is essential you get in touch
with your local fire department and
get clarity on how many bottles you
may have, and how you should store
them, in order to ensure you are not
breaking any fire safety regulations.

20 Issue 256 • dw