Gas flue terminals in recreational vehicles (RVs)

Proper  ventilation must be considered when fitting an annex to any RV (motorhome,  campervan, camper trailer, or caravan).

Gas  appliance flue terminals must terminate and discharge outdoors. A flue terminal  cannot be terminated indoors (i.e. inside an annexe) — this is to prevent  excessive build-up from the products of combustion, condensation, or other  toxic conditions, such as carbon monoxide (CO) build-up.

Examples of  flued gas appliances:

• refrigerators
• hot  water heaters
• room  heaters.

Flue terminals under a covered area

If the area  is covered, such as that under an awning or within an annex:

• the area must be open on two sides  and the flue terminal located to ensure a free flow of air across it is  achieved
• in the case of a fan assisted flue, the area can be open on one side, if the terminal is within  500mm of the opening and the direction of discharge is towards the open side.

If in doubt,  consult an authorised gasfitter before proceeding.

What should you do?

• Caravan designer/manufacturers should:
• modify caravan design to ensure gas appliance flue  terminals are located to allow for the addition of aftermarket annexes without  compromising existing gas system compliance. The majority of new RVs are  manufactured with all flued gas appliances on the off (or driver) side of the  vehicle which eliminates this issue as annexes are normally located on the  passenger side where the door is located.
• educate caravan purchasers about the flue terminal  requirement and advise on appropriate annex/awning design.
• Annex/awning manufacturers/suppliers should:
• ensure the design and placement of any proposed  enclosed annex does not compromise the compliance of an existing gas system.
• not provide annexes that are known to cause a non-complaint  system
• education caravan users about the requirement.
• Owners of RVs need to:
• be aware of the requirement when purchasing or  using RVs and annexes to ensure safety and compliance of the gas system is not  compromised
• understand that alterations to flue terminals or  their locations cannot be undertaken by unlicensed persons and would require  further approvals
• contact a licensed gas installer or the  Inspectorate if they need any further advice.

Please note: the standard AS/NZS5601.2:2013 specifies the minimum safety  requirements for fluing gas appliances installed within recreational vehicles. It  is an offence for a person to cause an existing gas system to not comply with  the standard.

Find out more

If you have any further questions, contact  the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate or email: gassafe@rshq.qld.gov.au.