Hong Kong Regulations

GAS SAFETY (GAS SUPPLY) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 17

General safety requirements for gas pipes

(1) No person shall install a gas pipe unless the pipe is-

   (a)  constructed of sound materials; and

   (b)  in relation to the type, and operating pressure, of the gas to be
        conveyed therein, of such size and strength as to safely convey such
        gas at such pressure.

(2) No person shall install a gas pipe other than-

   (a)  in a sound and workmanlike manner; and

   (b)  so that any joint therein is gas tight.

(3) No person shall install a gas pipe unless-

   (a)  its external surfaces are constructed of material which is inherently
        resistant to corrosion or are protected against corrosion; and

   (b)  where there is a risk of corrosion to its internal surfaces, such
        surfaces are, so far as is reasonably practicable, protected against
        corrosion.

(4) No person shall install a gas main for the conveyance of liquefied
petroleum gas along or across a road.

(5) No person shall install a gas pipe in any location where it may be subject
to-

   (a)  abnormal mechanical loading; or

   (b)  rapid deterioration, unless it is protected from any adverse effects
        of such loading or deterioration.

(6) No person shall install a service pipe-

   (a)  of internal diameter of 50 millimetres or more in any premises;

   (b)  in any premises where the nature of the premises or any activity
        carried on therein is such that there is a special risk of personal
        injury, fire, explosion or other danger arising from the supply of gas
        to such premises; or

   (c)  in any premises where such pipe supplies gas to more than one primary
        meter, unless he also fixes a valve in the pipe in a readily
        accessible position outside of, but as near as practicable to, the
        boundaries of the premises concerned and in such a manner that, so far
        as is reasonably practicable, there is not a risk of wilful or
        accidental misuse of the valve.

(7) No person shall install a gas pipe above the ground unless it is protected
to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that there is not a risk of
accidental damage to the pipe.

(8) No person shall install a gas pipe in a service duct in any premises
unless any other services contained in the duct are compatible with that pipe
in a that safety of the occupants of the premises is not thereby prejudiced.

(9) Subject to subregulation (10), no person shall install a service pipe in a
service duct in any premises unless such duct is ventilated such that any
escape of gas from any part of such pipe enclosed by such duct is able to
disperse in such a manner that safety of the occupants of the premises is not
thereby prejudiced.

(10) No person shall install a service riser in-

   (a)  domestic premises; or

   (b)  non-domestic premises (other than non-domestic premises in which an
        industrial undertaking within the meaning of the Factories and 
        Industrial Undertakings Ordinance ( Cap 59) is being carried out) in
        respect of which the Building Authority, within the meaning of the
        Buildings Ordinance ( Cap 123), has given his approval (including a
        deemed approval) under that Ordinance for the building works thereof
        on or after 1 January 1991, unless-

        (i)    the service riser is installed in a service duct; and

        (ii)   such duct is ventilated such that any escape of gas from any
               part of such riser enclosed by such duct disperses to air
               outside the premises concerned. (Enacted 1990)