The gas installation standard AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 changed how much space you need between a gas cooktop and the rangehood above it. If you're designing a new kitchen, it affects where your rangehood and overhead cabinets go.
Why this matters to you: if your kitchen designer drew the rangehood at 600 mm above a gas cooktop, it will fail the gasfitter's compliance check, and the rangehood or cabinets will need to move. Check your kitchen drawings before the cabinets are ordered.
New Rules for Gas Installation Clearance
Under AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 Gas installations Part 1: General installations, the minimum distance between a gas cooktop and a rangehood went up from 600 mm to 650 mm.
The new standard took effect on 30 September 2022, and every licensed gasfitter must follow it.
Transition Period
In Queensland, the Petroleum and Gas (Safety) Regulation 2018 allowed a six-month transition. Since 30 March 2023, the 2013 version of the standard can no longer be used.
New Installations
In new builds, rangehoods and exhaust fans must be installed following the instructions from both the cooktop and the rangehood (or exhaust fan) manufacturers.
Where they differ, the bigger clearance applies. The clearance above the cooktop must be at least 650 mm for a rangehood and 750 mm for an exhaust fan.
Kitchen Renovations
For kitchen renovations where new cabinets and a new rangehood go in, the gasfitter must install the cooktop to the new clearances.
Existing Installations
If you're only replacing an existing cooktop like for like, the clearance from the highest part of the highest burner to the rangehood can't be less than 600 mm (750 mm for an exhaust fan), unless the appliance instructions require more.
Quick summary:
• New kitchen or renovation with new cabinets: 650 mm to a rangehood, 750 mm to an exhaust fan.
• Like-for-like cooktop replacement: 600 mm to a rangehood, 750 mm to an exhaust fan.
• If the manufacturer's figure is larger, the manufacturer's figure wins.
| From the highest burner to | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Rangehood | 600 mm |
| Exhaust fan | 750 mm |
| Any other combustible surface (unless protected) | 600 mm |
| Absolute minimum, protected surface | 450 mm |
Summarised from AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 Appendix C. Check the appliance instructions too.
How to Measure Clearance
For new kitchens, clearance is measured from the top of the cooktop trivet (the pot stand). You don't need to allow for removable parts, like a wok ring sitting on the trivet, or small rises in wok burner trivets.
For kitchens built before 30 March 2023, measure from the top of the highest burner or the top of the hob.
The Bottom Line
Since 30 March 2023, any new or altered gas cooktop installation in Queensland must meet AS/NZS 5601.1:2022: at least 650 mm to a rangehood and 750 mm to an exhaust fan, or more if the manufacturer says so. Your gasfitter is responsible for compliance, but it's far cheaper to get it right on the drawings than to move cabinets later.
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