The growing popularity of alfresco dining and indoor smoking restrictions has led to a proliferation of outdoor heaters. Portable outdoor heaters have created the need for Councils to strike a balance between the footpath trading needs of restaurants and pedestrian’s needs for safe, unobstructed access through public spaces.
As a result, the City of Yarra in inner Melbourne has recently included specific guidelines for outdoor gas heaters and LPG use as part of their footpath trading policy.
City of Yarra Mayor, Kay Meadows, said that Council supports the strong recommendation in the guidelines that restaurants, cafés and bars establish fixed outdoor heating through a reticulated gas supply. Council’s Local Laws Officers licence footpath trade in a number of busy streets and narrow strips in a number of vibrant shopping precincts.
“Footpath trade is a dynamic environment where customers can contribute to the risk by moving items,” said Mayor Kay Meadows. “Fixed heating helps traders to manage their responsibilities while reducing the risk to pedestrian safety as well as the risks that exist where traders need to use and store LPG cylinders on site.”
The City of Yarra policy recognises the reality that retail premises may continue to use portable outdoor heaters either in the trading activity zone or in private courtyards.
The guidelines produced by the Office of Gas Safety, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and the Country Fire Authority also provide practical information for restaurant owners and staff on how to manage the risk of LPG if a fixed supply of natural or LPG is unavailable. This includes specific information on training staff to correctly set up and position portable heaters in well ventilated outdoor areas as well as check clearances from awnings and flammable material.
The guidelines emphasise the importance of checking connections and hoses for leaks, storing LPG cylinders in secure outdoor areas and ensuring that all gas equipment is serviced at least every two years.
All Victorian Councils and hospitality businesses have been issued with the guidelines. They provide the industry with a safety standard, as well as practical steps for the management of occupational health and safety, public liability and business risks.
Mike Ebdon, Director of the Office of Gas Safety encourages all Councils to include the guidelines in their footpath trading policy.
“We understand that Local Laws Officers cannot be expected to be technical experts in gas safety so the guidelines focus on providing information to those who actually use and manage portable gas outdoor heaters,” he said.
For a copy of the guidelines call the Office of Gas Safety on 1800 123 456 or visit www.ogs.vic.gov.au
