There was a bug related to current pipeworks that is now fixed. The chests will no longer crash the server when a pipeworks item tries to take or place something. Thanks to VanessaE for telling me!
The github user CloudyProton also did a few nice pull requests: Sound and light propagation for the blocks, adjusting the furnace formspec to the current one in default, and checks for placement in protected areas.
Another pull request, this time from the Github user adrido, does create much nicer looking and easier to use formspecs.
The configuration menu for the owner:
In order to gain access when not beeing the chest owner, click on the "Authorize" button and enter the password: