Gas systems in caravans and recreational vehicles

If you are an authorised gas installer working on gas systems installed in new or used caravans and recreational vehicles, you must comply with the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004.

You must hold an appropriate gas work licence or authorisation before you undertake any gas work – including the installation, removal, alteration, repair, servicing, testing or certification of a gas system in a caravan or recreational vehicle (including a boat).

The current safety requirement for gas system installation in a recreational vehicle (caravan, camper trailer or motorhome) is the 2020 edition of AS/NZS5601.2 Gas installations Part 2 LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes (AS/NZS5601.2).

Any gas work carried out must comply with all applicable safety requirements, for example installation of a new gas system or alteration of an existing gas system must comply with the 2020 version of AS/NZS5601.2 Part 2 LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes.

To purchase a copy, visit the Standards Australia website.

Gas safety and compliance guidelines

The Guideline for gas safety and compliance: Caravans, camper trailers and recreational vehicles (PDF, 143KB) provides information for licensed gas installers, manufacturers, vehicle brokers, proprietors of vehicle sales yards, owners and potential owners about the standards and requirements for gas systems installed in caravans and recreational vehicles.

To help you understand the current safety requirements, read the following compliance guides:

Inspection and certification

A unique provision within the Queensland legislation (s113 of the P&G Regulation) requires gas systems in recreational vehicles to be inspected and certified prior to re-sale. Section 113 of the Regulation sets out that gas systems should be assessed against the safety requirement (edition of AS/NZS5601) prescribed at the time of installation or alteration. Read the details of the relevant safety requirement.

Each year this provision generates a large volume of enquiries and complaints from gas work licence holders and the public.

Data obtained by the P&G Inspectorate shows that a high percentage of gas systems on recreational vehicles are found to be non-compliant and may not have been altered since the original installation.

New gas systems in recreational vehicles

During 2021/22, the Inspectorate is undertaking a project focused on gas safety and compliance of gas systems installed in 'new' recreational vehicles manufactured in Queensland. The project aims to encourage better gas safety and compliance within the Queensland recreational vehicle industry.

Gas safety and compliance for recreational vehicles is subject to the provisions of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, including the requirements for:

  • gas devices to be approved
  • gas work to be carried out by licensed persons
  • gas systems to comply with applicable safety requirements (AS/NZS5601.2).

The Recreational Vehicle Gas System (RVGS) project interim report (PDF, 706KB) was published in April 2022 to raise industry awareness and provided an overview of the project's early progress, findings, and recommendations to improve gas safety and compliance whilst conducting the project.

This project aimed to achieve the important RSHQ vision of Zero Serious Harm, and was featured in the recent Industry Leaders' Briefing presentation from Chief Inspector Bill Date. View the video presentation segment.

The RVGS final project report (PDF, 707KB) has now been published following completion of the project, providing findings, recommendations, causes of non-compliance, examples of non-compliance and what’s next information.

PGI is committed to provide continued support for improved compliance in Queensland’s recreational vehicle industry and will pursue, observe and measure compliance improvements following the completion of the RVGS project. In addition, guidance information documents will continue to be added as required.

Additional safety awareness information

Recreational vehicle annexes

The provision or installation of an annex can adversely affect the safety and compliance of the gas system and increase risk to occupants and users:

  1. Where an annex, when erected, encloses a gas appliance (e.g. slide out kitchen) it may restrict the air supply to the space and the gas appliance. Insufficient air supply can lead to incomplete combustion and the production of carbon-monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that is deadly at very low concentrations. Other conditions that can result from inadequate or poor-quality air include increased temperature, excessive condensation, and other toxic conditions within the space.
  2. Where an annex, when erected, encloses the flue terminal of a gas appliance (or appliance fuelled by diesel) combustion products and exhaust fumes will be discharged into the enclosed living space.

Ventilation for enclosed spaces for recreational vehicles when gas devices are installed and used must comply with the safety requirement AS/NZS5601.2 Gas installations Part 2 LP gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes. This information will help authorised installers understand requirements for ventilation and fluing gas appliances installed in recreational vehicles (RVs), including motorhomes, campervans, camper trailers and caravans.

Gas system installers and certifiers must check whether recreational vehicle designs include an annex, where an annex is included the:

  • correct ventilation must be provided
  • and
  • flue terminals from gas devices and diesel heaters must terminate directly to outside and not within an annex.

Where there is no annex, the installer or certifier should make a record on the gas system compliance certificate and provide a warning label adjacent to the entry door stating, 'If fitting an annex, contact a gas fitter to advise on the ventilation required for safe operation of gas appliances.'

Recreational vehicle (RV) owners and users should:

  • check any annex, that encloses a gas appliance, has high and low vents installed in the canvas which are labelled
  • if ventilation is not provided in the annex, contact the RV manufacturer or a licenced gas fitter
  • not use any portable or mobile appliance in poorly ventilated locations.

Note: It is an offence for a person to cause an existing gas system to not comply with a safety requirement.

Also consider...

  • Last reviewed: 19 Jul 2022
  • Last updated: 28 Mar 2023