According to SANS 10087-1, all fixed LPG gas installations are legally required to have a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by a registered gas installer.

If you already have a gas line—or are planning a new installation—it's essential to ensure it meets current safety and legal standards.

We've provided this brief guide to help you:

• Assess your current installation, or
• Understand what’s required for a new one
  
  ⚠️ Please note: This is a general guide based on key points from the regulations. It does not cover every detail of SANS 10087-1. For full compliance, a certified inspection is recommended.Need expert advice?
  
  📞 Contact us today to verify whether your installation is safe, legal, and fully compliant. Our qualified team will assist you with inspections, documentation, and certification.
  
  

1. Orange Hose Use

• For indoor use only.
• Must not pass through solid partitions.
• Only for connection to appliances or bullnose fittings.

2. Gas in Cupboards

• Must have permanent ventilation if a gas container is inside.

3. Appliance & Cylinder Placement

• If appliance and container are in the same room and within 3m, the cylinder valve may act as the emergency shut-off.

Indoor Gas Limits

• Houses/cluster housing (≤2 storeys): Max 19kg inside.
• Flats: Max 9kg per unit.
• No fixed gas installation cylinders in a garage.

To ensure safe outdoor gas cylinder placement near buildings, We follow the below:

• Cylinders must be placed at least 1 metre away from any door, window, or airbrick when the opening is at or below the level of the cylinder valve.
• However, if the window is positioned to the side of the cylinder and there is a minimum vertical separation of 300 mm between the top of the cylinder valve and the bottom of the window, the horizontal clearance may be reduced to 500 mm.
• Cylinders must be 2 metres away from any drain, pit, manhole, or forced air inlet (e.g. air conditioning units).
• If a window or opening is directly above the cylinders, a non-combustible roof may be installed over the cylinders, extending far enough so the measured path from valve to window around the roof is at least 1.5 meters.
• If a cage is not used, each cylinder must be secured with a chain or approved restraining device to prevent tipping or tampering.
• Orange gas hose is strictly for indoor use only and may not be used outdoors under any circumstances, as it is not designed to withstand external conditions.

To minimize fire and explosion risks, no sources of ignition or flammable materials may be placed within the designated safety zone around gas cylinders:

• No electrical devices (e.g. switches, lights, distribution boards, air conditioners) within the restricted zone. Distances reduce the higher they are position in accordance with the cylinder valve.
• No storage of combustible materials (e.g. wood, fuel, paper) near the cylinders.
• Maintain a clear zone of at least 3 metres radius around the installation, free from dry vegetation, waste, or flammables.
• No open flames or smoking within the safety area.

This protected area is essential for safe operation and emergency access, as outlined in SANS 10087-1:2024.

A cage is required when:

• Reduce distances when placed under a window.
• Reduce distances when placed under electric fencing.
• The property has public access and is not enclosed or restricted with means of a gate or walls.
• There are more than two cylinders or the total gas capacity exceeds 100 kg.
• The local authority/fire department requires it based on site-specific risk.

A cage may NOT be required when:

• The installation is at a private dwelling (H4 classification) or domestic residence (H3) with exclusive access to a private yard (not communal).
• The installation is fully enclosed by a secure property boundary wall or fence with no public access.

Cage Requirements:

• Minimum 10% open area at the top sides for visibility and bottle valve access.
• 60 cm² ventilation openings per side and per cylinder near the bottom for gas dispersion.
• Must be made of durable, non-combustible material (e.g., expanded metal or perforated sheet).

Cylinders can be recessed into a structure only if the recess complies with ventilation, spacing, and fire safety requirements outlined in SANS 10087.

• The depth does not exceed 650 mm.
• There is a minimum of 400 mm clearance between the highest cylinder point (valve or regulator) and any overhead structure.
• If a door or gate is required for the enclosure, the ventilation requirements shall be met.
• The structure has no angles less than 90° with another wall.

Not Allowed:

• Recessed spaces that are fully enclosed with no or limited airflow. Cage requirements fall into place
• Any structure forming an angle less than 90° with another wall or forming a tight cavity around the cylinders.
• Structures that impede emergency access for cooling during a fire, or visibility of the gas bottle valve.

Fire Safety Considerations:

• If the recess is within or against a building, the surrounding walls must have a minimum fire resistance rating of 30 minutes.
• If the wall does not meet the fire resistance requirement, a fire-rated barrier or double brick wall must be installed.

• Where a gas container needs to be placed inside a cupboard, the cupboard shall have permanent
  ventilation available, for example airbricks, lattice door(s), or ventilation slots.
• No electrical connections or plug points shall be allowed in the same section as the gas container.
• Only one container with a maximum capacity of 9 kg may be installed per cupboard, and no other items shall be
  stored in the section of the cupboard containing the gas container.
• If a cylinder is placed below or beside a built-in braai, a fire-rated firewall, steel shield, or concrete lintel must be installed to protect the cylinder from radiant heat and flame exposure.

Not Allowed:

• Placing cylinders directly under or behind an open flame or grill without appropriate shielding.
• Orange hose is not allowed to cross any partitions. Copper or Pex pipe is to be used.
  
  
  
  

When placing LPG cylinders near property boundaries, certain minimum clearances must be maintained to ensure safety and legal compliance.

• The minimum required distance from a boundary wall other than a firewall is 1m. Over 100kg's will be 3m.
• This may be reduced or placed directly against the boundary if a firewall that meets requirements has been used.
• A firewall can also serve as a gas diversion barrier to redirect potential leaks away from doors, drains, or ignition sources.

If the total gas installation exceeds 100 kg, you are legally required to obtain fire department approval, including:

• A site layout plan showing proposed cylinder placement.
• Compliance with all SANS 10087-1:2024 safety distances or any added requirements from the fire department.
• Submission of a rational design, depending on the location and local bylaws.

We offer a comprehensive Fire Department Approval service for both residential and commercial properties where gas installations exceed 100 kg or where multiple fixed gas systems are connected on the same ERF or stand number. Our service includes:

• Initial site inspection.
• Professionally prepared gas layout drawings.
• Expert handling of the submission process to ensure compliance and a smooth approval experience.

Whether you’re installing a new system or updating an existing one, we streamline the process to help you meet regulatory and safety standards with confidence.

Special precautions must be taken when installing LPG cylinders near thatched roofs due to the high fire risk. Cylinders shall not be installed directly under the eaves of thatched roof.

Required Clearance:

• Cylinders must be at least 5 meters from the eaves of a thatched roof.

This distance may be reduced to 3 meters only if:

• A fire-rated wall is installed between the cylinders and the thatch eaves.

When installing LPG cylinders near electric fences, additional precautions are required to prevent ignition hazards from electrical arcing or fault conditions.

Protection Measures:

• If gas cylinders are installed beneath or adjacent to an electric fence, a non-combustible roof or barrier must be installed between the cylinders and the fence.
• The roof must extend far enough so that the measured path from the cylinder valve around the barrier to the nearest point of the electric fence is at least 1.5 meters.
• The backing wall if a boundary wall will still need to be a firewall.

Barrier Requirements:

• Must be constructed of non-combustible material, such as metal sheeting. Using wood, plastic, or other combustible materials as shielding is not allowed.

When windows or other building openings are located directly above LPG cylinders, strict safety measures must be in place.

• A non-combustible roof may be installed above the cylinders.
• Extend far enough so that the measured path from the cylinder valve, around the roof, to the window is at least 1.5 meters.

Alternative Compliance Option:

• A non-opening wired glass that
  has a steel frames with each pane not exceeding 450 mm × 450 mm, and the total glass area does not exceed 1 m².
• A non combustible roof is not required with the alternative.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

All LPG installations must undergo a mandatory inspection every 5 years to remain compliant with SANS 10087-1:2024.

This includes checking and, if necessary, replacing critical components such as:

• Pigtails (the flexible hoses connecting cylinders to regulators). If they show any signs of cracking, They will need to be replaced.
• Orange rubber hoses, which degrade over time and must be replaced as per manufacturer and regulatory guidelines

Failure to complete this inspection may result in your gas compliance certificate becoming invalid, potentially affecting insurance cover and safety.

We offer full inspection, testing, and replacement services to keep your installation compliant and safe.