Glossary of Terms

The following glossary has been developed to assist those unfamiliar with terminology used in the gas industry. It is by no means exhaustive, and will be subject to additions and modification from time to time.

Australasian terminology/abbreviations
Organisation names/abbreviations
Gas Terminology
Appliance Terminology
Measurement

Australasian terminology/abbreviations

• TTMRA – Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement. This is an arrangement between the Australian and New Zealand Governments to facilitate trans-Tasman trade through the removal of regulatory barriers on the movement of goods and services between the two countries.


• GTRC – Gas Technical Regulators Committee. This is a non-statutory committee comprised of regulators from New Zealand and the Australian States, whose role is primarily to facilitate co-operation and consistency between both states and countries.


• Regulators – The regulators are a description of the enforcement agencies that define the rules for, and the enforcement of rules relating to using gas within the specific jurisdictions. The same term is used for Australian states as for New Zealand. Within New Zealand, the agency is the Energy Safety Service or ESS.


• MEPS – Minimum Energy Performance Standards. This measure is currently used on electrical appliances however consideration is being given to its application for gas appliances.

Organisation names/abbreviations

• GASAC – The Gas Appliance Safety Advisory Committee formed by the Ministry of Commerce to consult, advise and action cases of non compliance.


• LPGA Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association – This is the organisation responsible for the LPG industry whether for automotive use or for appliances such as BBQ’s and mobile heaters.


• NZIGE New Zealand Institution of Gas Engineers.


• PDGB This is the abbreviation for the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board which is the body responsible for the administration of all gasfitting. This includes training, qualification and investigation of non compliance.


• ITO – The ITO is an abbreviation for ‘Industry Training Organisation’ and, within the Gas Industry there are several ITO’s. The two key ITO’s are the Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying ITO, and the Extractive Industries ITO (EXITO).


• ES Energy Safety is the principle regulator for the Gas Industry in New Zealand and is responsible for setting the rules and regulations by which the industry must operate. It is also the enforcement agency with the power to investigate problems, faults, and accidents involving Gas and Gas Appliances.


• EECA Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority. This is a government body set up to promote energy efficiency. It is responsible for a range of energy use projects including the Energy Efficiency Star Rating system.


• STANDARDS – Standards New Zealand is the organisation set up to govern the gas industry in New Zealand. It has the responsibility of developing both voluntary and compulsory standards for New Zealand and where appropriate, developing joint standards with Australia. For most areas of gas installation and handling there are standards that are applicable and most are mandatory under the New Zealand Gas Act.

Gas Terminology

• Methane – This is Gas created usually from refuse landfills and reticulated locally or burned in cogeneration power plants.


• Propane – A Gas which is available as a mixed gas with Butane in New Zealand, as part of CNG and reticulated Natural Gas.


• Butane – A gas best known for being contained in cigarette lighters and aerosols. Often this gas is sold in pre-packaged containers as it is used in camping for lighting and cooking.


• LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a by-product of Natural Gas and is frequently used in motor vehicles such as Taxis due to its economy of use.


• CNG – Compressed Natural Gas.


• Natural gas – This is the main reticulated gas in New Zealand sourced from North Island gas fields such as Maui, Kupe and Kapuni.


• Coalgas – Gas produced from Coal. Use of this gas has declined to virtually nil in favour of Natural Gas.

Appliance Terminology

• Flame effect fires – These are gas fired heaters that simulate the visual appearance of a burning log to create a natural ‘open fire’ effect.


• Flued – A gas appliance that has a flue to extract carbon monoxide and pump it outside the building.


• Unflued – A gas appliance that does not have a flue required or fitted e.g. cabinet heaters, cook tops and BBQ’s etc.


• Powerflue – The use of a power assisted fan system to extract burned gases via the flue.


• Regulator (valve) – The device which governs the flow of gas to a gas appliance.


• Continuous flow water heating – A continuous flow water heater heats the water as it is used and thus provides an unlimited supply of hot water. In most instances this provides a cost saving since the only time gas is used is when hot water is required.
  Continuous flow water heaters are normally placed on exterior walls for safety therefore no hot water cupboard is required.


• Storage water heating – This is the term for a conventional style water heater using Gas. Such heaters are subject to Energy Ratings of an equivalent nature to electrical storage water heaters.


• Wobbie Index – The Wobbie Index is a measurement of gases, and in particular, the mixture and burning of those gases. Gas Appliances in New Zealand must burn between 23.0 to 24.5MJ/m3 using the specifications in the NZS5262 Standard on New Zealand test gases The Index is a reference that is internationally accepted.


• CO – This is more commonly known as Carbon Monoxide and is an end product of burned Gas. It is a potentially lethal gas in large quantities. Output of CO from gas appliances is strictly governed with appropriate warnings where potential dangers exist. CO is dangerous in confined and unventilated spaces and there are risks of excess CO leaking from old appliances which have either not been serviced or have been modified in such a way as to not allow the gas to burn completely.


• Over-pressurisation – This condition occurs when gas appliances have excessive pressure delivered from the gas main, and the mains regulator failsafe does not reduce the pressure delivered. It is also a situation in relation to LPG cylinders where the cylinder is overfilled resulting in potentially dangerous excess pressure on both cylinder and valves/regulators. Both situations have mechanisms in place to prevent such occurrences however incidences still can occur so maximum or peak pressure settings are defined for Gas Appliance Regulators


• Test gases – This is a description used in Standards and Regulations to describe a gas mixture that is required to be tested before being deemed legal to sell in New Zealand. New Zealand test gases are different to those in other countries due to the nature of the gas presently delivered by gas retailers. Test Gases are described in Standards documents and can be mimicked by test laboratories within or outside of New Zealand.
  All gas appliances must be capable of burning New Zealand gases so this must be demonstrated. If a gas appliance burns Propane or Butane only, this must be made particularly clear to the buyer.


• Mobile/portable heater – This is a mobile gas fired heater which is designed for mobility and in many cases will be on wheels. These are usually run on LPG but may be run on compressed natural gas from a cylinder inside of the heater. Some heaters may be capable of running from a bayonet style fitting from line gas. There should always be sufficient ventilation when using these heaters. It is recommended that, where possible, windows be kept open.


• Cooker – This is a cooking device which may be installed (see cooktop) but can be a free standing device including pans and woks with a feed from an LPG cylinder. These can be used in camping situations but are often used in kitchens. In such situations, cylinders should not exceed 4.5kg and should not be in a sealed or enclosed environment if installed in a building.


• Cooktop – These usually run from Natural Gas although they can run from LPG cylinders where line gas is not available. Cylinders must not be sealed into an enclosed space (ventilation is required) and cylinder size should not exceed 4.5kg. Cooktops need to be installed, preferably by a Registered Gasfitter (Craftman Gasfitter).


• Patio heater – A gas heater used to heat an outdoor or semi-enclosed area. These are free standing devices and usually have a cutout switch for protection if knocked over.
  Typically these are run on LPG cylinders however they may be run from natural gas if properly fitted by a Craftsman Gasfitter subject to the manufacturers’ instructions.
  These should not be used inside, or in a fully enclosed area without good ventilation.

Measurement

• Megajoules – The primary measurement of energy used in the Gas Appliance Industry.


• KW – Kilowatts are used as energy measurement for heat output in gas appliances such as storage water heaters. Kilowatts are typically used in relation to electricity and have limited use within gas appliances although they are accepted as an additional marking for use on applicable gas appliances.