The availability of pipeline gas is a significant stimulus to the economy of a country on local, regional, national and international level, reports the South African Pipeline Gas Association (Sapga).

The establishment of a gas pipeline and related equipment infrastructure requires substantial fixed capital investment. The resultant benefits include employment creation, poverty relief, facilitation of black economic empowerment, the opportunity for gas users to implement internationally proven heating technology, and the development of export markets for industries that use gas as a competitive energy source.

Sapga reports that Sasol Gas recognises the need to support an association that focuses on the safe and efficient use of pipeline gas and related equipment and is thus the main sponsor of Sapga�s development. The association encourages all in the gas industry to promote a climate conducive to safety, and free of all incidents.

Sapga has mechanisms in place to ensure that equipment used by the industry is registered on behalf of the Department of Labour with Sapga, and complies with the necessary safety standards; hence, the realisation of the Safe Gas Equip- ment Scheme with which all importers, distributors, installers and manufacturers of equipment need to comply.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the industry in South Africa is ensuring the safe handling of gas. The manner in which gas is handled, stored, and distributed must be controlled, states the association.

Further control is needed to ensure that equipment used for installations is of an approved quality to prevent substandard equipment being used. Sapga is taking a step in the right direction to ensure that those in the industry promote and maintain a climate conducive to safety, and free of all incidents.

The Occupational Safety and Hazards Act - No 85 of 1993 - Sections 43 and 44, Regulation R1591 of October 1996, and Vessels Under Pressure Regulations 1996 Section 12 stipulate that no person shall handle, store, or distribute a gas fuel in any manner, including the filling of a container, other than in accordance with a health and safety standard incorporated into these regulations under section 44 of the Act.

The Act also states that no person shall install a fixed appliance, equipment or system for gas fuel in any manner other than in accordance with a safety standard incorporated into these regulations under section 44 of the Act.

Most importantly, another aspect of the Act says that no person shall install a fixed appliance, equipment or system for gas fuel as contemplated in the subregulation, unless such person is a holder of a certificate of registration issued by an organisation approved by the chief inspector.

Since registration is a governmental require- ment, Sapga assists all gas installers with registration through the South African Qualifica-tions Certification Committee (SAQCC (Gas)). All installers require a minimum of three years� experience and relevant academic qualifications within the natural gas industry. A National Qualifications Framework level 2 and 3 for gas installers is currently under- going public comment for approval, and registration as a unit standard through the South African Qualifications Authority. Envisaged registration should be done during October. This will necessitate the further development of learnership material through the Chemical Industires Education and Training Authority.

Installer applications are assessed by the Sapga committee and approval can be granted to an applicant as an industrial, commercial or domestic installer. The association maintains an installer database with updated information on each registered installer's development and training.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa recognises Sapga as an association that promotes the safe and efficient use of pipeline gas. The association carries the recognition of both the Ministries of Labour, and Minerals and Energy, which sanction the mission and intention of the association. The main activity of Sapga is apparent from its slogan, 'We Value Your Safety'.

Sapga, through the SAQCC (Gas) has a dispensation from the Department of Labour to become involved in the development of standards setting and the assessment and recommendation of qualified and credible practitioners in the pipeline gas industry. Sapga will promote training modules to assist the industry, through education, to become more safety compliant.

The industry looks forward to the release of SANS329. This standard relates to thermo procession equipment and it is a prerequisite for all gas practitioners/installers to undergo SANS329 training before recommendations can be made to the SAQCC (Gas). Sapga is fully prepared to initiate training on SANS 329 once the standard is released. A new standard, SANS 347, Pressure Equipment Regulation (PER), is currently under revision to replace the current Vessel Under Pressure Regulation.

Pipeline gas is a popular alternative energy source worldwide, in countries such as the US, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.