I have been getting more phone calls and enquiries on Barbeques for partially enclosed Alfresco Areas.. I have already tried to answer most of the questions on our website under “Alfresco Areas’ but I think some more clarification may be necessary about ‘FLAME FAILURE’

Let me explain…Flame failure is used on most indoor gas appliances so that if the flame goes out the gas cuts off automatically, a safety device that has been around for a long time…..

Most Barbeques, apart from ones specifically approved for INDOOR USE, do not have FF fitted……But……….some outdoor ones do! This is purely an added safety feature and does NOT mean that they can be used, or are approved for indoor use.

Also range hoods are only required in areas that are considered ‘indoors’ in order to remove grease, fat and smoke from the area, bit like a commercial kitchen. Some ‘outdoor’ areas however do have these fitted to cut down the smoke.

As I said to a Lady this morning, if you do have an outdoor / Alfresco area that is partially or fully enclosed and has bi-fold doors or café blinds, this must be treated exactly the same as your kitchen area, it is no different apart from the fact you can lift the blinds up or open the doors. Indoor BBQ appliances have much better and safer components than ‘outdoor’ BBQ’s so appliances are also generally more expensive.

If a BBQ is approved for indoor use it will say so on the Compliance / Data Plate, if is says ‘outdoor use only’ then that is what it means!

Lastly an outdoor area is only considered ‘outdoors’ if it has a minimum of 55% completely open to the elements*, that is:

*NO CAFE BLINDS, NO BI-FOLD DOORS, NO SHADE BLINDS, NO DOORS, WINDOWS OR GLASS, NO POOL FENCE. ETC.,

COMPLETELY OPEN……….NO OBSTRUCTIONS

This advice is given impartially and only applies to Western Australia, other States may have different rules, regulations & restrictions, for further advice please contact the Government Energy Safety Office in your State. Barbitec excepts no responsibility if the advice given is out of date or incorrect.