Gas Cooker Installation
The requirements for installing a gas cooking appliance are found in the following clauses of AS/NZS 5601.2:2020
- Section 2: Essential safety and performance-based design requirements
Clause 2.9 Installing gas appliances - Section 6: Means of conformance — Gas appliances
Appliance Installation Instructions
Gas cooking appliances must always be installed in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions.
- Ensure you have a copy of the installation instructions
- Remember that installation requirements may be different for a different appliance, model and/or manufacturer. Ensure you are familiar with the installation requirements for the particular appliance being installed.
Clearance to adjacent surfaces
Gas appliances must be installed so that any adjacent surfaces made of combustible materials are protected from the effects of heat emitted from the appliance.
Cooking appliances are a particular concern due to the inherent function of the appliance in emitting heat from open gas burners for cooking purposes. Consideration must be given to surrounding surfaces such as benchtops, walls and cabinets near the cooker.
There is a general requirement that the temperature of any surrounding combustible materials must not increase more than 65OC above the ambient temperature (AS/NZS 5601.2:2020 clause 6.6).
This requirement is achieved by ensuring the following:
- Clearances around the cooking appliance must be in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions. Manufacturer instructions should provide specifications for any minimum clearances to surrounding surfaces.
- In the event that clearances are not provided in the installation instructions, there must be at least 200mm clearance from the edge of any burner to any vertical surface that is a combustible material.
- If a clearance of 200mm cannot be achieved, the vertical surface must be protected from heat effects to a height of at least 150mm above the nearest burner and along the full width and depth of the cooker.
Protection may be achieved using materials such as ceramic tiles, toughened safety glass or sheet metal, in line with the material and design specifications provided in AS/NZS 5601.2:2020 Appendix B. Other materials may also be considered subject to meeting the requirements of Appendix B.
For full details, refer to AS/NZS 5601.2:2020 clause 6.11.1.
Clearance to range hoods
In a similar fashion, the clearance between a cooking surface and range hood must ensure that there are no negative effects from heat exposure.
The requirements are as follows:
- Clearances around the cooking appliance must be in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions.
The clearance requirement for both the cooker and the range hood should be considered. If there is a discrepancy, the larger clearance must be used as the specification. - In the event that clearances are not provided in the installation instructions, there must be at least 650mm clearance between the cooking surface and the range hood.
- If a clearance of 650mm cannot be achieved, any downward facing combustible surface above the cooking surface must be protected across the full width and depth of the cooker. This protection is to be in line with the material and design specifications provided in AS/NZS 5601.2:2020 Appendix B.
- If a clearance of 650mm cannot be achieved, a range hood constructed of non-combustible materials may be installed with a smaller clearance, provided that the following conditions are met:
- The installation is in line with the range hood manufacturer’s installation instructions.
- The gas cooker manufacturer’s installation instructions allow for the installation of a range hood at a height less than 650mm
- Regardless of the above, the installed clearance must be no less than 450mm.
For full details, refer to AS/NZS 5601.2:2020 clause 6.11.1
Clearance to electrical components
The electrical installation standard AS/NZS 3001.2:2022 includes a prohibited area around a cooktop that must not contain switches, socket outlets and other electrical equipment. Information on these clearance requirements is outlined in the RV Electrical Ready website, here: