The objective of this Standard is to provide for the protection of the general public, operating personnel and the environment, and to ensure safe and reliable operation of gas distribution networks that reticulate gas to consumers.

This Standard covers plastics pipe systems within gas distribution networks in accordance with AS/NZS 4645.1 for operating pressures up to 1050 kPa.

AS/NZS 4645.1 provides a means by which such systems can be planned, designed, constructed and maintained.

The AS/NZS 4645 series of Standards includes the following parts:

AS/NZS
4645 Gas distribution networks
4645.1 Part 1: Network management
4645.2 Part 2: Steel pipe systems
4645.3 Part 3: Plastics pipe systems (this Standard)

This Standard is not a design handbook, nor a manual on distribution practices. It does not remove the need for qualified and experienced engineering design, installation and operation or for competent engineering judgement, and does require interpretation and implementation by competent engineers.

The Australian and New Zealand Technical Regulators have advised that this Standard will only apply to the life cycle of new gas distribution networks and modifications or augmentations to existing assets within gas distribution networks. However, the Sections on operations, maintenance, repair, decommissioning, gas quality and risk assessment may be suitable for application to existing assets in existing networks.

Statements expressed in mandatory terms in notes to tables are deemed to be requirements of this Standard. Alternative means of conformance may be acceptable provided the required safety outcomes can be demonstrated with AS/NZS 4645.1.

The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.