In this issue find out how to identify prohibited TPS cables, we look at a recent infringement notice issued to caravan supplier, a reminder on overhead power lines on private property, and more.

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In this issue
  • How to identify prohibited TPS cable
  • Christchurch caravan supplier issued with infringement notice
  • Recent storms in Auckland serve as a reminder about safety around overhead lines on private property
  • Australian Scheme Rules for Gas Equipment Certification 
  • Application of a Gas Compliance Mark conforming to the Australian Scheme Rules
  • Thank you for taking part in the Gas Appliance Risk Analysis Survey
How to identify prohibited TPS cable

Following the recent prohibition notices regarding TPS building wiring cable use and supply and installation, installed by Lyon Electrical Ltd we’ve been asked:

Is there an easy way for electricians and other professionals to identify the cable?

This cable may have been supplied and installed within installations by Lyon Electrical Ltd since June 2016. The cable is best identified by the marking on the sheath including “EESS-150102-0”. 

Where “EESS” cables are thought to have been used, it is important to check all cable runs because the “EESS” cable was identified to have been used for sections of sub-circuits. This can be checked by inspecting the cable at all fittings. 

All confirmed installations to date have the Red (Active) conductor located at the side of the flat profile layout. 

If Lyon Electrical had been involved in the wiring work and the cable with the red conductor located at the side of the flat cable, the “EESS” cables are very likely to have been installed on the site and therefore a further check on markings of the flat cables should be carried out.  

Where one run of cable and an installation has been positively identified as being the “EESS” cable, it's likely that all runs of cable which have the red conductor located at the side of the flat cable profile will also be “EESS” cable.

Note that the “EESS” cables were also only 1.5, 2.5, 4 and 6 mm2, any cables with the Red (Active) conductor in the centre (the AS/NZS 5000 preference) will not be “EESS” TPS covered by the prohibitions and therefore the marking does not need to be checked.
Christchurch caravan supplier issued with infringement notice
A Christchurch caravan supplier recently received an infringement notice for the sale of non-compliant caravans. We issued the $3,000 infringement fee to the supplier for offering to supply non-compliant second hand caravans imported from the UK. 
 
Despite already offering compliant caravans for sale, the supplier was also offering non-compliant caravans for sale and advising the purchaser that they would need to bring the caravan into compliance. 
 
Under the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010, caravans imported to New Zealand must be compliant before being offered for sale to consumers, ensuring the gas installation complies with the regulations.
 
We consider the supplier’s actions put the safety of consumers at risk.
 
Recent storms in Auckland serve as a reminder about safety around overhead lines on private property
Following the April storms in Auckland, we're reminding people to take safety measures around overhead wires and the supporting poles supplying electricity to their homes within their property (private lines).

We're also reminding people to control any vegetation, including trees, that endangers any overhead line. 

Consumers should note: 
  • Safety must also be exercised where lines supply power to private shared access ways. In these cases, the responsibility may be shared between several consumers.
  • Poles and wires need to be regularly checked by qualified experts on a regular basis to avoid prolonged losses of power if the lines are broken. 
  • Electricity suppliers are not responsible for maintaining or repairing these private lines however the supplier may disconnect the supply where the poles or lines are unsafe.
  • Fallen lines must be treated as being electrically live.
  • Trimming trees close to lines is a job for trained professionals.
Australian Scheme Rules for Gas Equipment Certification

The Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) of Australian state and territory regulators for gas appliance safety recently published Scheme Rules.

These set out the requirements for the operation of a “type” of certification scheme to certify gas equipment in relevant Australian jurisdictions. The Scheme Rules apply to Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) recognised by GTRC in Australia to certify gas equipment to relevant standards. 

The Scheme Rules set out how gas appliances, and gas carrying components and controls, are to be independently certified for compliance with requirements of applicable safety standards before offered for sale, sold or used in Australia. We anticipate that individual Australian jurisdictions will apply the Scheme Rules in order to harmonise requirements across all states and territories. 

The Scheme Rules do not affect the status of those Australian CABs that are explicitly recognised by Schedule 2A of New Zealand’s Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010. 
Application of a Gas Compliance Mark conforming to the Australian Scheme Rules
The new Australian Scheme Rules specify a Gas Compliance Mark (GCM) that has the same general appearance as the gas safety compliance label described in Schedule 6 of the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations. 
 
The Scheme Rules specify additional wording for the GCM that is not required for the New Zealand gas safety compliance label. This additional wording is acceptable for New Zealand, provided that: 
  • the additional wording specifically refers to ‘New Zealand’ or ‘Australia and New Zealand’, i.e. is not ‘Australia only’
  • the GCM is applied in accordance with GSMR r 72(2) and 
  • the appliance has been certified for operation as an Australian natural gas and/or Universal LP Gas appliance and meets the requirements of Schedule 2A. 
The Scheme Rules specifically state that the New Zealand Gas Safety Compliance Label (i.e. without the additional wording of the GCM) is not accepted in Australia. 
Thank you for taking part in the Gas Appliance Risk Analysis Survey

We recently approached you for your input on assessing the risk associated with gas appliances. We value your input and wish to thank you for providing feedback. We also sought input from a range of experts with an interest in gas appliance safety from New Zealand and Australia. 

We received a total of 70 responses from subscribers. This is about a quarter of the total who provided input into the process. Responses also included those from Australia, whose input we welcomed. 

We are currently assessing all the responses and will include this information in the Gas Appliance Risk Assessment Model.