Over the last 5 years our highly trained and diligent assessors have inspected over 3,500 forklift trucks at auctions. Of this number, 50% of the LPG fuelled forklifts we have inspected either do not have a compliance plate fitted or have the wrong Australian Standard quoted on the plate.
We regularly field questions from customers seeking clarification on what to do if their gas forklift has AS1425 quoted instead of AS4983. The two standards contain different requirements based on the nature of the machines they are written to cover, therefore an inspector must answer NO to the relevant Plant Assessor risk assessment question if the wrong standard is quoted.
AS1425:2013 – LP Gas fuel systems for vehicle engines
1.1.1 Scope
This Standard specifies requirements for liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas) fuel systems for engines mounted on motor vehicles, either for the propulsion of the vehicles or for driving some auxiliary function, for example a mixer or a pump. It provides requirements for the design and construction of component parts and for their installation in vehicles, and for tests, commissioning and periodic inspection.
This Standard does not apply to LP Gas usage such as the gas supply system for appliances in caravans, mobile homes, forklifts, or sweepers, polishers, tow tractors, elevating work platforms and industrial engines (refer to AS 4983), or for the propulsion of marine craft (refer to AS 4732).
AS4983:2010 – Gas fuel systems for forklifts and industrial engines
1.1.1 Scope
This Standard specifies requirements for liquefied petroleum gas (LP Gas) and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel systems for engines mounted on industrial equipment, either for the propulsion of the equipment or for driving some auxiliary function, e.g. a mixer or a pump. It provides requirements for the design and construction of component parts, and for their installation in equipment, and for tests, commissioning and periodic inspection.
The Standard applies to fixed installations, mobile and portable equipment such as forklifts, floor sweepers, polishers, tow tractors, elevating work platforms and industrial engines.
NOTE: For installations to industrial stationary engines connected to a reticulated fuel supply, reference should be made to AS 3814 or AS/NZS 1596 for storage and handling or AS 5601 for gas installations.
This Standard does not apply to other LP Gas or CNG usage, such as the gas supply system for appliances in caravans, mobile homes or for the propulsion of marine craft or passenger or commercial vehicles.
What does this mean for my gas forklift, I hear you ask?
As mentioned each standard has differing requirements and as such it is our suggestion that you inspect your forklift(s) and make sure that the compliance plate is present and it states the correct standard AS4983. If your forklift is missing the plate or has the wrong standard you should contact your equipment supplier immediately to ensure your forklift meets the appropriate standard.
The compliance plate should contain the following information:
Industrial Equipment Compliance Plate
The installation to which this notice is affixed complies with the requirements of Australian Standard AS4983.
- Fuel type
- Installation date
- State
- Compliance no.
- Installers licence no.
- Workshop (Rep) no.
- Equipment serial no.
We hope this has shed some light on gas forklift standards. As always, we are happy to help Plant Assessor users navigate their way through this and other technical aspects of inspecting their plant and equipment, including gas forklifts. Please contact us should you wish to discuss this further.
See our range of valuable features
