Gas installation safety: new version of standard NF P45-500

Pursuant to the Order of August 24, 2010, amending the Order of April 6, 2007, defining the model and method for assessing the condition of indoor gas installations, the new version of the standard published in January 2013 specifies the roles of the various parties involved (diagnostic operator, gas distributor, principal, condominium manager, social landlord, installation customer) as well as the information to be included in the inspection report.
The purpose of the diagnosis is to establish the condition of the indoor gas installation in order to assess the risks that could compromise the safety of persons, to activate a clause exempting the warranty against hidden defects, pursuant to Article 17 of Law No. 2003-08 of January 3, 2003, amended by Order No. 2005-655 of June 8, 2005.

Under no circumstances is this an inspection to ensure that the installation complies with current regulations.

Following the criteria of the standard allows you to:

• ensure the work of Diagnostic Operators by simplifying and clarifying the diagnostic process whenever possible;
• improve the clarity and comprehensibility of control points in order to minimize their interpretation;
• maintain a high level of safety for users of indoor gas installations;
• update regulatory references and standardized definitions;

What are the new features compared to the standard published in April 2009?

The 2013 version of standard NF P45-500 defines anomaly 32c (gas CMV) and its specific management procedure developed in consultation with gas distributors. It establishes and clarifies the respective responsibilities of diagnostic operators, gas distributors, building managers, social landlords, and customers of the installation.
This anomaly was addressed by adding a new Article 7.4, revising Article C.27 (Control Sheet No. 32 bis – Gas CMV) and incorporating specific provisions into Annexes F and G.
The other main changes relate to:

lowering the carbon monoxide threshold values for connected appliances;
the treatment of reported IGIs for installations supplied by gas cylinder(s);
the addition of a reference to the provisions of the Order of April 25, 2012, amending the Order of August 2, 1977, as amended, in anticipation, the purpose of which is to eventually ban taps fitted with non-removable rubber end caps and flexible rubber-based tubes on installations supplied by networks;
updating the template for the gas installation inspection report (Appendix E).
Its implementation, scheduled for June 1, 2013, will require the publication of its ministerial recognition decree and the amendment of the decree of August 24, 2010, which contains the model visit report in its appendix.