My barbecue says “Outdoor Use Only”. Is it safe to use in my alfresco area?
- Luke Holyoak
- Apr 3, 2017
- 2 min read
As cooking outdoors becomes more and more popular, an increasing number of West Australians are enclosing their patios and creating purpose-built outdoor kitchens. Unfortunately, your “Outdoor Use Only” barbecue may not be legal (or safe) to use if you have installed it in an “enclosed” alfresco area.
Firstly, let us explain why using a barbecue in an enclosed space can be very dangerous.
Reason 1: The barbecue burners literally burn up oxygen to create the flame. If a barbecue is placed in an enclosed area, the oxygen can become so depleted that humans can become unconscious and die.
Reason 2: If the gas burner on the barbecue is turned on, but the flame blows out, the gas will accumulate. In an unventilated room this can cause asphyxiation, or alternatively, an explosion.
So, you can see how important it is to have ventilation in your alfresco area.
Energy Safety WA regulate the laws surrounding gas barbecue installation in WA. They have published a booklet which includes a very specific definition of “outdoors” and “enclosed”. We will explain below, but if you would like to read the Energy Safety WA booklet, please go to:
In a nutshell, your alfresco area is classed as “outdoors” if it has no more than 2 walls. The 2 examples below are both “outdoors” as they have 2 walls only
Your alfresco area is still classed as “outdoors” if there is at least 1 open side AND there is at least 30% of the remaining walls that are open and unobstructed. So in this example below, the 3 walls all have large openings (with no windows). In reality, this example below is rare.
Your alfresco is also classed as “outdoors” if it has 4 walls but NO roof:
Windows and sliding doors are generally classed as a wall. Canvas or plastic awnings are a grey area, but are generally classed as a wall.
*Images sourced from: Commerce.wa.gov.au
So, if your alfresco area is classed as “enclosed” what can you do? You will need to purchase a barbecue that is approved for use in enclosed areas.
Barbecues that are approved for indoor use must have the following features:
Flame failure devices fitted to all burners (so if the flame blows out the gas will switch off in seconds)
The barbecue must be installed beneath an approved exhaust hood that removes at least 2000 cubic meters of air per hour (there are also rules about the distance between the BBQ and exhaust hood- usually a minimum of 1200 mm so that the exhaust hood does not catch fire)
The barbecue must be approved for “commercial” use and approved for use in enclosed areas. This is generally done by an Energy Safety inspector before the barbecue can be installed by a gas fitter.
At 5 Star Plumbing & Gas we keep up-to-date with Energy Safety WA regulations concerning barbecue installations in alfresco areas. Our goal is to provide you with expert, professional service and advice.
We service all of the Perth metro area, and we specialist in the suburbs of Karrinyup, North Beach, Osborne Park, Carine, Churchlands, Doubleview, Gwelup, Innaloo, and Scarborough.
For all your barbecue installation requirements, call us now: 0422 674 705 or Email.
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