17 March 2023
The minimum clearance requirements between a gas cooktop and a range hood have increased from 600 mm to 650 mm in accordance with the new edition of AS/NZS 5601.1: 2022 Gas installations Part 1: General installations that was published 30 September 2022.
A transition period was provided under the Queensland Petroleum and Gas legislation for a period of 6 months and the 2013 edition of the standard cannot be used after 30 March 2023.
All gas work licence holders have an obligation when they issue a 'Gas System Compliance Certificate' to ensure any gas system they install or alter after 30 March 2023 complies with the new 2022 edition of the standard.
New Installations
From 30 March 2023 for new building work the rangehoods and exhaust fans shall be installed in accordance with the rangehood, exhaust fan and appliance manufacturers instructions.
Where a difference occurs, the greater clearance shall apply.
In any event, or where no dimension is specified in the appliance manufacturers instructions, the overhead clearance between the supporting surface of the trivet for the cooking vessels of the gas cooking appliance and a rangehood or exhaust fan shall not be less than 650 mm for a rangehood, and not less than 750 mm for an exhaust fan.
Kitchen Renovations
From 30 March 2023, kitchen renovations in an existing property where new cupboards and rangehoods have been installed, gasfitters will be expected to install the gas cooking appliance in accordance with the new gas installation clearances, 650 mm minimum or the clearance prescribed in the gas appliance installation instructions or rangehood installation instructions whichever is greater.
Existing Installations
From 30 March 2023, where the appliance is being replaced, the overhead clearance from the highest part of the highest burner of the appliance to the range hood shall not be less than 600 mm unless the appliance manufacturers instructions specify a greater clearance.
Where no dimension is specified in the manufacturer’s instructions, the overhead clearance from the highest part of the highest burner of the appliance to the rangehood shall be not less than 600 mm, and not less than 750 mm for an exhaust fan.
Trivet Measurements
For a new kitchen, from 30 March 2023, the measurements are to be taken from the top of the trivet of a gas cooking appliance. Removable accessories such as a wok trivet that sits upon a hob trivet or minor elevations in trivets for wok burners are not considered when measuring from the gas cooking appliance.
Please note this is a change from previous editions of the standard which was measured from the top of the highest burner.
When you replace a gas cooking appliance in an existing kitchen built before 30 March 2023, the measurement is to be taken from the highest part of the highest burner of the gas cooking appliance or the highest part of the hob in accordance with the old editions of the gas standard.
Any questions?
Any questions please contact our Building Services and Licencing teams.
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