AS 2746-2008 PDF

Full title and description

AS 2746-2008 — Working areas for gas-fuelled vehicles. This Australian Standard sets out requirements for premises, equipment, procedures and personnel for safe working on vehicles that use gaseous fuels (LPG, CNG and LNG), including specialist workshop arrangements, fuel unloading, purging, storage, decommissioning and emergency response measures.

Abstract

AS 2746-2008 provides guidance and mandatory requirements (where expressed as such) to reduce hazards associated with maintenance, conversion and servicing of gas-fuelled vehicles. It covers general service working areas and specialist gas working areas, gas-leakage procedures, ventilation, fire safety, fuel unloading and storage, decommissioning, emergency scenarios and training for personnel working with LPG, CNG and LNG vehicle systems.

General information

• Status: Superseded / withdrawn from active status (replaced by AS 2746:2025).
• Publication date: 21 October 2008.
• Publisher: Standards Australia.
• ICS / categories: Workshop safety; Vehicle servicing and maintenance; Gas-fuel systems; Public safety and emergency response.
• Edition / version: 3rd edition (AS 2746-2008).
• Number of pages: 36.

Scope

This standard applies to premises and activities where vehicles that use gaseous fuels (liquefied petroleum gas — LPG, compressed natural gas — CNG, and liquefied natural gas — LNG) are converted, equipped, serviced or repaired. It addresses: (a) specialist gas working areas for conversion and gas-system work; (b) routine motor-vehicle maintenance in general service workshops; (c) safe procedures for fuel unloading, purging and storage of containers; and (d) requirements for ventilation, fire safety, emergency response and personnel training. Pressure vessels and cylinders used only for cargo (not as vehicle propulsion fuel containers) are excluded.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification and separation of general service versus specialist gas working areas.
• Personnel qualifications, training and supervision for gas-system work.
• Premises design, layout and ventilation requirements to prevent gas accumulation and ignition.
• Procedures for gas-leak detection, known or suspected escapes and damaged vehicles.
• Requirements for fuel unloading, decanting, venting, flaring and purging (including safe equipment and procedures).
• Storage rules for unpurged containers and decommissioning/scrapping of vehicles and containers.
• Fire safety integration: extinguisher types and placement, hose reels, signage and firefighting considerations for gas-fuel incidents.
• Emergency scenarios and response guidance (first aid, cryogenic burns, small fires, major fire/explosion hazards).
• Inspection, maintenance and equipment requirements specific to LPG, CNG and LNG operations.

Typical use and users

Used by workshop owners and managers, vehicle conversion and service technicians, fleet operators, safety officers, facility designers, regulators and emergency services. The standard is applied when establishing or auditing workshop layout, ventilation and emergency procedures where gas-fuelled vehicles are handled, and when developing training and operational procedures for safe servicing and decommissioning.

Related standards

Commonly referenced or complementary documents include standards covering LPG/CNG storage and handling, gas fuel system design, hazardous-area classification and electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres, and fire protection maintenance. Examples typically referenced alongside AS 2746 include AS/NZS 1596 (storage and handling of LP Gas), standards for CNG/LNG vehicle fuel systems, the relevant electrical/explosion-atmosphere standards and applicable fire-safety standards. Users should consult the normative references listed in the standard for the definitive related documents.

Keywords

gas-fuelled vehicles, LPG, CNG, LNG, workshop safety, specialist gas working area, fuel unloading, purging, ventilation, fire safety, emergency procedures, vehicle decommissioning, training

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AS 2746-2008 is an Australian Standard titled "Working areas for gas-fuelled vehicles" that specifies safety requirements for premises, equipment and procedures used when converting, servicing or maintaining vehicles powered by gaseous fuels (LPG, CNG, LNG).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers requirements for general and specialist gas working areas, gas-leakage procedures, ventilation, fuel unloading/decanting/purging, storage of unpurged containers, decommissioning, fire safety, emergency response scenarios and training of personnel involved with gas-fuelled vehicle work.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Workshop owners and managers, vehicle conversion and service technicians, fleet operators, safety officers, facility designers, regulators and emergency responders use the standard to design safe working areas and establish safe procedures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: AS 2746-2008 has been superseded and withdrawn from active status. It is replaced by AS 2746:2025 (the updated edition published in 2025). For current requirements, users should refer to AS 2746:2025.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: AS 2746 is a standalone standard with earlier and later editions (originating in 1985, with subsequent editions). It is commonly used together with other standards addressing gas storage/handling, vehicle gas-fuel system design and electrical/explosion-atmosphere requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include gas-fuelled vehicles, LPG, CNG, LNG, workshop, ventilation, fuel unloading, purge, decommissioning, hazardous area, fire safety, emergency procedures, training.