Hi guys a newbie here.

I have just had my pre start with Plunkett/Domain in Perth and was told that builders are not allowed to install gas bayonets. They can do the cooking and HWS points but not the bayonets for heaters. Has anyone else come across this? It seems strange, they advised me to get it done after handover.

P.

we got told the opposite. We are getting a gas bayonet fitting in the alfresco area and it wasn't a problem.

That is strange!

When I signed up in November/December last year, my builder did tell me that a gas bayonet would no longer be a standard inclusion in their builds, once the 6 star energy ratings come in. They didn't say they couldn't do it at all!

I would think that they would just need to do something to make the house comply with the new energy requirements, charge you for the bayonets and due to alterations for energy, might charge more for that too. Maybe they just felt it made no economic sense, so it's easier just to do it yourself after handover. That way, it doesn't have to get through council for the building approval to go ahead.

This was a rather long response for something that was meant to be a suggestion.

surely its easier to get it done at the start - in my place, running gas around the place doesn't seem easy.

I may have got it not quite right.

My much better half says it was due to ventilation requirements, but how much ventilation is required?
I want to locate the point in an 8 X 6 room between 2 awning windows and about 4 mtr from a sliding door. I might press the builder to see how we could get it done in the build. I don't want to spend all my leftover (Hah) money on things that should be in the actual build.

P.

Hi Pakman,
I built with Plunkett Homes last year and we have two gas bayonet's in our home. One is in the large family/dining area and came in the house design and the 2nd one we paid extra for and have it in our lounge (the Grand Room of the Caulfield). The latter one is placed between two windows and we had no problems with the builder getting it done, so I don't under stand why you should not be able to. They have put ventilation areas in the roof and walls in both rooms.
Regards,
Supergran

Hey Supergran

here is a reply from the builder




I guess we will get it installed after handover. (have just bought a new unflued gas heater for $1000 anyway)

P.

The bayonet fittings for an unflued heater became illegal for plumbers to install due to the deaths of 2 children in Mooroopna in Victoria. They effectively died through carbon monoxide poisoning. There also have been apparently quite a number of "near misses". As said it is due to a lack of ventilation in the room to rid the gases from the heater. It effectively lessens the amount of oxygen in the room and replaces with the burnt gases. As a result it is now illegal to fit them and any plumber that now does risks losing his gasfitters licence if caught. You can guess the most likely way they would get caught = read above!

While convenient in that they can be shifted around, the room size is important as they can deplete a room of oxygen very quickly.

IMO I would return the unflued heater and replace with a flued version.

delatite13 thanks for the input,

it doesn't appear to be illegal in WA. a quick look online at gas plumbers shows most of them advertising to install negus points.

I will certainly ensure that ventilation points are in place if I go ahead with it.

Just out of curiosity, can you still buy unflued gas heaters in Victoria (if that is where you are)? If it is illegal to install the outlets then it should be illegal to buy the heaters.

P.