Australian Plumbing - September 2012 by Master Plumbers

AUSTRALIAN

plumbing I N D U S T R Y

M A G A Z I N E

S E P T E M B E R

YOUR Y INDUSTR E MAGAZIN

GOLD RUSH

105th gold medal awards WATER HARVESTING

singing in the raingarden WHAT LIES AHEAD

the future of water

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Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine Plumbing Industry House 525 King Street West Melbourne VIC 3003 T 03 9329 9622 F 03 9329 5060 E info@plumber.com.au www.plumber.com.au The Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine (Industry and Member editions and occasional supplements including the MPMSAA Group Training News, are ofﬁcial journals produced by the Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) ABN: 56 296 473 997 Print Post number: 381712/02399 ISSN: 1325-6289

MASTER PLUMBERS ASSOCIATION LOCATIONS Head Ofﬁce 525 King Street West Melbourne VIC 3003 T 03 9329 9622 F 03 9329 5060 Brisbane Group Training 91-93 Commercial Road Teneriffe QLD 4006 T 07 3854 2345 F 07 3854 2346

WHILE THE DROUGHT MAY HAVE BROKEN AUSTRALIA IS STILL THE WORLD’S DRIEST INHABITED CONTINENT

Welcome to the September issue of Australian Plumbing Industry magazine. This issue is dedicated to water. We all know that water is our most precious resource and in this issue we focus on how we can make the most of it. While the drought may have broken across many of the states, it is important not to become complacent; Australia still remains the world’s driest inhabited continent. A number of new water harvesting technologies and initiatives have been introduced that not only allow us to save water, but also help to limit damage to our waterways by collecting stormwater. Our water harvesting feature takes a closer look at raingardens and how they are helping us to look at rainwater harvesting differently; they are a clever solution to increased urbanisation and reduce the risk of stormwater on our creeks, rivers and waterways. Adam Beck from the Green Building Council of Australia discusses how clever water conservation strategies and innovative designs of buildings and communities are helping to secure future water supplies.

Our member proﬁle this month takes a closer look at Scott Dowsett, whose company, Cooke & Dowsett celebrates two decades in the business and has been involved in major projects across Australia, including Victoria’s desalination plant. There’s also a focus on safety in this issue, with a reminder of the dangers of asbestos and don’t forget to turn to page 52 to read about how Master Plumbers member Geoff Moroney helped a family escape a potentially lethal dose of carbon monoxide poisoning from a leaking gas heater. Geoff’s story serves as a timely reminder that carbon monoxide remains a serious threat. Find out more about free training on page 32. We’ve also got all our regular features including information on workplace relations, training news and an update from the World Plumbing Council. Happy reading,

Melissa Chrys Editor Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

COVER IMAGE: MELBOURNE WATER AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre 306 Albert Street Brunswick VIC 3065 T 03 9356 8921 F 03 9356 8929

CONTACTS Publisher The Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) Editor Melissa Chrys T 03 9321 0703 E publications@plumber.com.au Advertising Tremain Walles T 03 9321 0780 E tremain.walles@plumber.com.au Suppliers Salt Creative www.saltcreative.com Printgraphics www.printgraphics.com.au Direct Mail Corporation www.directmail.com.au

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Girls scoop awards / see page 10

contents

26 10 22

From the CEO / page 9 A message from our CEO and the Association’s President Member news / page 10 Coverage from the 105th Gold Medal and Training Awards Industry news / page 17 Celebrating 20 years of ‘can do’ / page 22 Scott & Dowsett celebrate two decades in the business Water harvesting / page 26 The latest developments in rain water harvesting

Industry development / page 32 Cold snap / page 34 The importance of frost protection in solar hot water heaters The future of water / page 36 What lies ahead for our most precious resource? Safety update / page 40 Asbestos remains a clear and present danger

Right as rain / page 48 How clever water conservation strategies are helping to secure future water supplies Master Plumber saves lives / page 52 Master Plumber member Geoff Moroney helps a Rochester family avoid carbon monoxide poisoning Run-off cover / page 54 Could your business be at risk? Product news / page 56

Apprentice update / page 42 Mastering workplace relations: discrimination, harassment and ﬁtness for work / page 44

WPC news / page 62 The latest from the World Plumbing Council

Copper takes the heat off plumbing / page 30

Disclaimer Statements and information appearing in this publication must not be interpreted as having the endorsement of being the opinion of the publisher, which takes no responsibility for the correctness of the statements made. It is a condition of purchase or acceptance of this publication that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in the publication, or from the use of information contained herein and the publisher makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any of the material contained herein. The publisher shall not be liable for any failure to publish any advertisement where such failure results from circumstances beyond their control. If advertising material is not supplied in accordance with deadlines, the publisher reserves the right to repeat any material previously provided by the advertiser. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit material. All prices and speciﬁcations are subject to change without notice. Copyright Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

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TRAINING A TOP PRIORITY The Association held the 105th Gold Medal and Training Awards in June. Once again, I was impressed by the calibre of the award winners and their commitment to ongoing training and education. Find out more about the event on page 10 of this issue. The Master Plumbers Association has a strong belief in the importance of training, education and continuing professional development. With new technologies, methods and ideas constantly arriving on the scene, it is essential that plumbers keep themselves well informed. Your training and education is one of the best investments you can make in business and your staff, and I encourage you to take advantage of the training and professional development available – it will help you stay ahead of the game. Master Plumbers has always offered members and non-members post-trade training across a range of areas and

TOUGH TIMES AHEAD? It is always difﬁcult to predict the future, but the indicators for the construction sector is for reduced activity over the coming months. Even though interest rates have fallen and the overall economy is growing, the building sector is shedding jobs and competition is driving margins down. This impact ﬂows on to plumbers as we have seen from recent examples of building company collapes There is a need for governments to stimulate construction activity by funding community infrastructure projects and by ensuring consistency in the planning system. While employment levels in plumbing are expected to remain steady over 2012/2013 due to the fall in new housing being offset by increases in other areas, they are expected to increase again in 2013/14 and again in 2014/2015.

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recently we have further expanded our offerings to include preappreticeship training and license level training. The license level training now on offer at PICAC is particularly exciting. Taking into account the increasingly busy schedules of today’s plumber, Master Plumbers now offers online training. This enables plumbers from across metropolitan and regional areas to log into a virtual classroom and participate in training from the comfort of their homes! We are also preparing for the first intake for our new Certificate II Plumbing Pre-apprenticeship training. Pre-apprenticeship training, undertaken before an apprenticeship, gives learners with an introduction to the industry and provides a solid grounding for a future career in the industry. You can find out more about both these courses on page 22 of this magazine. 2012 is also the 11th year that Master Plumbers has been offering its Green Plumber training and qualification.

There are now 10 subjects in the suite of Green Plumber courses, including the most recent introduction, Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. In August we celebrated the 500th Victorian apprentice completing Green Plumber training. All Victorian apprentices are able to access Green Plumber training for free as part of the state government funded, Green Skills for Trades program and Master Plumbers has partnered with a number of TAFEs to deliver the training within the training institutes. With so many options available, there’s sure to be something to suit every plumber. Visit www.plumber.com.au to view our training calendar and ﬁnd out more about the training on offer.

This means that the need for skilled people will remain high, and the Master Plumbers Association seeks to continue to lobby governments in relation to training and funding standards. The issue of National Occupational Licensing will also become more prominent in the next few months. The Regulatory Impact Statements have now been released and are available for comment until 5 October. The documents outline three possible options for occupational licensing reform – the status quo, national licensing and automatic mutual recognition. The refrigeration and air-conditioning occupations Consultation RIS also explores an additional option, that of no licensing (except for the Commonwealth Arctick licence).

Master Plumbers will be making a submission on the RIS and will be meeting with members to discuss this and other issues over the coming months. We will be sure to keep members updated on any developments and will seek your support to lobby government. Despite the current indicators, the fundamental drivers underpinning the construction industry in Victoria remain strong and the longer term forecast is sound.

Stephen Atherton President, Master Plumbers Association

Ken Gardner CEO, Master Plumbers Association

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MEMBER

news 105TH GOLD MEDAL AND TRAINING AWARDS

The Master Plumbers Association’s 105th Gold Medal and Training Awards took place on 27 June 2012, in Melbourne.

IT MAKES ME EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE PART OF THE PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES AND IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE THAT IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO ENTER THESE INDUSTRIES BY BEGINNING AN APPRENTICESHIP

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

Twelve awards were handed out to fourteen winners recognising excellence in the plumbing and mechanical services industries as well as awards to encourage indigenous secondary school students to continue with their studies. Ken Gardner, CEO of the Master Plumbers Association, said that he was very proud of the achievements of this year’s winners. “It is great to see such a range of individuals excelling in the plumbing and mechanical services industries. “This year we handed awards to a “T number of mature-aged apprentices nu who have decided to enter the industries, w many after years in other careers, due to m the excellent career prospects available. th “It makes me extremely proud to be part of the plumbing and mechanical pa services industries and it is wonderful se to see that it is never too late to enter these industries by beginning an th apprenticeship,” Ken said. ap Christopher Morrison took out the Frank Maskell Award as well as the top honour, The Andrew Letten Gold Medal Award, which is presented to the plumbing apprentice who has demonstrated a strong commitment to off-the-job studies and has successfully completed the registration exam. Christopher's ultimate goal is to one day own and operate his own plumbing business but in the meantime his goal is to manage a successful team of plumbers and apprentices at his current employer. This is the ﬁrst year to ever see two female award winners, with Heidi Hanlon being the ﬁrst female apprentice to ever win the Albert Smith Award and Eleri Dear winning the Rose Curtis Award recognising female apprentices in what has traditionally

SEPTEMBER 2012

been a male dominated industry. Both women love being a plumber and encourage other women to join the industry. Wade McEwan won the Indigenous Apprentice Award, awarded to the top indigenous apprentice, and he aims to take his skills back to his community in Western Australia to teach others the skills of the plumbing trade. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon. Jeanette Powell, MP, was present at the ceremony to assist in presenting the Indigenous Awards. The Gold Medal and Training Awards, established by the Master Plumber Association and supported by the Wylie y Scholarship p Fund,, have aimed to o encourage and celebrate excellence by students and apprentices since ﬁrst established in 1908.

The Association congratulates all the Award winners and thanks our sponsors for making the event possible. Christopher Morrison The Andrew Letten Gold Medal Award, sponsored by the Plumbing Industry Comission and the Frank Maskel Award, sponsored by Reece Leah-Jane Hewitt and Liam Cunningham The Sir Rohan Delacombe Educational Award, sponsored by Cooke & Dowsett Pty Ltd David Hassell and Jacob Yamin The George Stone Pre-Apprenticeship Award, sponsored by CBUS

David Pearson and Daniel Drew The Alfred Atherton Educational Award, sponsored by Atherton Heidi Hanlon The Albert Smith Award, sponsored by AE Smith Andrew Rawling The Don Pritchard Award, sponsored by Incolink Eleri Dear The Rose Curtis Award, sponsored by Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers

Wade McEwan The Indigenous Apprentice Award, sponsored by PBA Safety – the Peter Pratt Famiy Byron Kenedy The Environment Award, sponsored by City West Water Christopher Gordon HCAA Encouragement Award, sponsored by the Australian Duct Manufacturers Alliance (ADMA) and the Heating and Cooling Association of Australia (HCAA)

Gareth Hughes NA Smith Encouragement Award, sponsored by Energy Safe Victoria

GOLD MEDAL AWARD CHRISTOPHER MORRISON C WINS 2012 ANDREW LETTEN GOLD MEDAL AWARD W

C Christopher Morrison was awarded the Frank Maskell Award (encouraging F post-apprenticeship studies) and also p took home the Andrew Letten Gold to Medal Award. M He completed his studies at Holmesglen H in January this year and works at Cambridge Plumbing in Melbourne. C Chris was thrilled with his win, saying: C ““Winning the Gold Medal Award is a big surprise and a massive honour, b I’m very thankful to my teachers and my employer who have both helped and supported me throughout my apprenticeship.”

Chris’ ultimate goal is to one day own and operate his own plumbing business and says he enjoys the diversity that a career in plumbing offers. “I would like to have the ability to work across all areas of the industry. I enjoy working on large-scale architectural homes because they include a range of plumbing including gas, drainage, complex water designs, sanitary work and rooﬁng.”

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GIRLS SCOOP AWARDS! Female apprentices were in the spotlight at this year’s awards, with Eleri Dear taking out the Rose Curtis Award and Heidi Hanlon taking home the Albert Smith Award – Heidi was also one of the three ﬁnalists for the Andrew Letten Gold Medal Award.

HEIDI HANLON THE ALBERT SMITH AWARD (SPONSORED BY AE SMITH)

The Albert Smith Award is presented to plumbing apprentices who wish to continue specialised postapprenticeship studies in the area of mechanical services. Heidi is a high achieving apprentice, who chose to pursue a career in plumbing after several years as a high school teacher. “I decided an apprenticeship was a great way to learn both on and off the job,” says Heidi. “Passing the Journeyman’s exam ﬁrst time around was a huge achievement.

I had heard many stories of difficulties and disappointments which made me even more determined to succeed.” Heidi aims to complete her advanced subjects to gain licences in relevant fields, and looks forward to completing her apprenticeship and spending time out on site as a fully qualified tradesperson.

ELERI DEAR THE ROSE CURTIS AWARD (SPONSORED BY MASTER PLUMBERS INSURANCE BROKERS)

The Rose Curtis Award is presented in recognition of Rose Curtis, a past President of the Ladies Auxilary of the Victorian Master

Plumbers Association. The award recognises female apprentices to encourage the continuation of their plumbing career. Eleri Dear is a third year apprentice who enjoys working outdoors, she is keen to encourage other women to join the industry. “Plumbing is a very male-dominated industry and it can be daunting for women to get involved,” says Eleri. “In the future I would like to build my own all-female plumbing business and help open up the plumbing industry to more women who are keen to give it a go.”

SPOTLIGHT ON INDIGENOUS STUDENTS AND APPRENTICES This year, the Association was pleased to welcome the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon. Jeanette Powell, MP, who attended the ceremony to assist in presenting the Indigenous awards.

WADE McEWAN W THE INDIGENOUS APPRENTICE AWARD T (SPONSORED BY PBA SAFETY (S – PETER PRATT FAMILY)

The Indigenous Apprentice T A Award is offered to the top Indigenous apprentice to In encourage apprenticeship studies in all areas of plumbing. After completing year 12, Wade moved from Port Headland, WA to Melbourne to join the Plumbing Union Indigenous Program. He is now a third year apprentice studying at RMIT Melbourne. Wade goals are to finish his apprenticeship and pass his Journeyman’s test before one day moving back home and sharing his knowledge with his community. “It has been great making it to the third year of my apprenticeship,” says Wade. “It is hard being so far from my family and feeling homesick. However, receiving this award has shown me that people believe in me and has given me the confidence to finish my apprenticeship.”

THE SIR ROHAN DELACOMBE EDUCATIONAL AWARD (SPONSORED BY COOKE & DOWSETT PTY LTD)

This award is presented to two young Indigenous high school students embarking on high education or to provide assistance with their secondary schooling.

LEAH-JANE L H HEWITT

LIAM L C CUNNINGHAM

M MCGUIRE COLLEGE, SHEPPARTON S

H HIGHVIEW COLLEGE, MARYBOROUGH M

Leah-Jane would like L to pursue a career in midwifery, possibly m specialising in neonatal nursing, when she ﬁnishes school. Her goals for the next few years are to complete her year 12 VCE and to be accepted into Nursing and Midwifery. Leah-Jane believes it is very important to get a good education so you can get to the places you want in life.

L Liam’s favourite subjects are mathematics and a P.E. and he plans to P. attend university and pursue a career in Physical Education or Sports Sciences. He believes a good education is essential and offers you more options after ﬁnishing school.

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

AND THE WINNER IS… Congratulations to Michael Harty from Michart Plumbing (a member since 1994) who is the winner of our renew and win competition! Michael renewed his Master Plumbers membership before July 1 2012 and won a LENOX prize pack valued at $2500!

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RONALD JAMES LETTEN AM It is with great sadness that the Association marks the passing of our esteemed member and friend, Ron Letten. Ron, like his father Andy, was one of the stalwarts of the Assocation for many years. He was an enthusiastic and engaged member and worked tirelessly on behalf of the Association and its members. Ron was elected President of the Master Plumbers Association of Victoria in 1970 and in 1984, while holding the ofﬁce of Treasurer, the Association acknowledged the outstanding service given by Ron by awarding him Life Membership. Master Plumbers CEO, Ken Gardner says, “Ron played an important role in the history of the Association and his legacy continues to this day. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the Association and his passion for the industry.” To his wife Sandy and family, we extend our very sincere condolences.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON We’ve had a great turnout and response to the information and networking events we held throughout July and August. Sessions were held in Springvale, Greensborough, Ballarat and Hoppers Crossing – which proved to be the most popular event with a large turnout! These events are open to plumbers and stakeholders across the industry, so stay tuned for details of future events!

RON LETTEN (CENTRE) WITH RAY HERBERT AND GRAHAM WHITE.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

WELCOME Master Plumbers welcomes the following new members and affiliates who have joined the Association since 1 June 2012. Om Enterprise Borivali East Millard Plumbing Mordialloc Stewart Rose Plumbing Parkdale A K Chapple Pty Ltd Oakleigh South Think Smart Plumbing Truganina Ecosmart Plumbing & Drainage Hoppers Crossing JH Plumbing Pty Ltd Cockatoo Pinnacle Plumbing Group Pty Ltd Abbotsford Trotta Plumbing Pty Ltd Essendon North Eastern Plumbing Services Pty Ltd Emerald BT Conroy Pty Ltd Canadian Plumbforce Plumbing & Gas Fitting Pty Ltd Oxley JBM Commercial Bulleen AFM Roofing Pty Ltd Lara DMB Plumbing & Gasfitting Pty Ltd Bairnsdale Upflow Plumbing Services Pty Ltd Narre Warren PJ Studham Plumbing Pty Ltd Langwarrin Holland Lake Pty Ltd Resevoir Professional Premier Plumbing P/L Keilor East MS Plumbing Pty Ltd Ascot Vale Harrison Roofing Pty Ltd Doncaster East Transcend Plumbing & Gasfitting Vermont South AB Air Glen Waverly

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news NATIONAL LICENSING – REGULATION IMPACT STATEMENTS RELEASED In August the COAG National Licensing Taskforce released three further COAG Consultation Regulation Impact Statements (RIS) on options for reforming occupational licensing in the Property, Plumbing and Gasfitting and Refrigeration and Air-conditioning occupations. These RISs complement the COAG Consultation RIS on Electrical occupations released on 15 July 2012. The Consultation RISs examine the impact of replacing the current diverse state and territory licensing of the Property, Plumbing and Gasfitting and Refrigeration and Air-conditioning occupational areas, with the proposed national licensing approach including details of proposed licence catergories, scopes of regulated work and qualifications. It also examines an automatic mutual recognition option. The Consultation RISs seek feedback on the scope and scale of the proposed changes, examples of the impact on licensees and businesses, on the durability of reform, and on the merits of reform under the different models for promoting a seamless national approach to licensing of Property, Plumbing and Gasfitting and Refrigeration and Air-conditioning occupations.

The consultation period on the proposed reform will remain open until 5 October 2012 for all occupations. Minister for Skills, Senator Chris Evans said: “Having one set of national licences for key occupations is a challenging reform but will make it easier for businesses and individuals to operate across state and territory borders and improve business productivity. “National licensing means these workers will only need one licence to work anywhere in Australia – boosting productivity and labour mobility. Master Plumbers supports the principle of National Licensing but is concerned that the preferred option in the RIS will impose a signiﬁcant additional cost on all plumbers every year for no beneﬁt to 97% of Victorian plumbers. The same outcome could be achieved by the automatic mutual recognition option – similar to the drivers licence model. The Consultation Regulation Impact Statements are aimed at seeking views from licence holders, business and other stakeholders around the country. Information sessions on the proposed changes will be held in all capital cities, for details visit www.nola.gov.au

NATIONAL LICENSING MEANS WORKERS WILL ONLY NEED ONE LICENCE TO WORK ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA – BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY AND LABOUR MOBILITY.

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INDUSTRY

news USE OF PLUMBING PRODUCTS WITH THE WATERMARK CERTIFICATION

ATO TARGETS PLUMBERS The Australian Taxation Ofﬁce (ATO) has warned it will be keeping a close eye on the work-related claims of people in certain occupations, including plumbers, defence force personnel and IT managers.

The WaterMark Certiﬁcation process is designed to provide assurance to Australian consumers and plumbers that plumbing products used in plumbing installations are of a high standard and will work effectively under Australian conditions.

The tax ofﬁce also is focused on high-income earners involved in tax avoidance schemes, and unreported cash transactions in the plastering and cafe industries. "By openly setting out our focus areas for the year ahead, we want to encourage people to make the right decisions," tax commissioner Michael D'Ascenzo said in a statement. The ATO is stepping up efforts to ensure people can recognise, reject and report tax avoidance schemes, while also stopping false claims and identity crime. "We check over 600 million transactions a year," the commissioner said. Last year the ATO stopped more that 109,000 income tax returns for potentially incorrect or fraudulent claims, saving the community almost $200 million in revenue. Contractor arrangements, especially in the construction industry, will also be under the microscope this year, along with the self-managed superannuation fund sector and employer obligations for super in high-risk industries. Those industries include cafes and restaurants, real estate agencies, and carpentry businesses in home building and construction.

In accordance with the relevant Australian Standards, materials and products used in plumbing or drainage installations must be marked in accordance with AS 5200.000 Procedures for Certification of Plumbing and Drainage Products. Use of the WaterMark is not limited to goods manufactured in Australia; it may also be used on goods that are manufactured outside Australia. Ensuring that all pipes and fittings used are WaterMark certified will assist in complying with plumbing regulations. To find out more visit www.watermark.standards.org.au

Source: www.theage.com.au 19 July 2012 AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

WORK-RELATED EXPENSES FOR PLUMBER EMPLOYEES Contractors and employees have different tax and super obligations. In the plumbing industry, individual workers are either employees or contractors. The Australian Taxation Ofﬁce (ATO) has developed a guide for plumber employees. The guide helps you work out what work-related expenses you can claim a tax deduction for and the conditions you must meet before you claim your expenses. Plumber employees – claiming work-related expenses focuses on the common claims you can make on your tax return. To obtain a copy of the guide, visit the ATO website at www.ato.gov.au/occupations

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INDUSTRY

news INDUSTRY EVENTS FIRE AUSTRALIA 2012 CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION

2012 AUSTRALASIAN PLUMBING CONFERENCE

Fire Protection Australia (FPA) will hold their annual conference in Melbourne from 14-16 November 2012.

Organisation is well underway for the 2012 Australasian Plumbing Conference to be held from 24 to 26 October in Cairns in far north Queensland.

Organisers are expecting one of the largest exhibitions they have ever seen, with displays from building, equipment and service providers, training services, emergency procedures, insurance providers and many more. FPA is encouraging all affiliated industry personnel to attend the event, including those from the building, plumbing and electrical industries as well as insurance and legal practitioners, architects, surveyors, engineers and regulatory authorities. To find out more visit www.fireaustralia.com.au

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

This industry event will combine a mix of technical, regulatory and business sessions, along with memorable social and networking events. The conference will bring together all sectors of the industry, including hydraulic consultants, plumbing contractors, plumbing inspectors, business managers, teachers and suppliers. To ﬁnd out more visit www.plumbingconference.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2012

INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL BACKFLOW INDUSTRY GROUP The National Backflow Industry Group (NBIG) has been developed to raise awareness of backflow and to represent backflow industry specific stakeholders at Standards and Regulatory level on a national basis. The NBIG will initially be a subcommittee of the Backflow Prevention Association of Queensland (BPAQ) Inc. This will utilise the infrastructure in place whilst the NBIG develops. The Chairman appoints local statebased members to run local events and meetings. The Victorian Branch is already in operation and busy planning events and programmes suitable to Victoria. NBIG aims to bring together backflow interests under one roof. To find out more or to learn about NBIG meetings near you, contact the Chairman, Peter McLennan on petermcl@brencliff.com

WaterMark approval . . . Another Tyco first in flow control

Tyco leads the way in flow control by being the first to receive WaterMark approval for our testable single check and testable single check detector assemblies to complement our existing approved double check and double detector check assemblies for all your fire system installations. This makes them your first choice, especially as standards have now been upgraded, making WaterMark approved assemblies the only ones acceptable.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why Tyco Flow Control assemblies lead the way: • Compact, design saves space, allows vertical or horizontal installation • Inline and onsite serviceable, no special tools required • Designed and manufactured in accordance with requirements of AS2845.1 • Straight-through flow path for maximum flow co-efficient • Stainless steel internals for superior corrosion resistance • FBE coated to AS 4158. • Conforms to the testing requirements of AS/NZS 2845.3.

There's much more to Tyco Flow Control . . For more information visit our website at www.tycoflowcontrol.com/valves

Ph: 1300 790 583

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF

CAN DO Charlotte Roseby talks to Scott Dowsett, Director of Cooke & Dowsett, about his 20 years in the family business.

I’VE JUST ALWAYS BEEN A ‘CAN-DO’ MAN AND THIS IS A ‘CAN-DO’ COMPANY. I’VE NEVER SAID NO TO ANYBODY.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

There was no question what Scott would be when he grew up. Plumbing is in his blood. His father is the original “Dowsett” in plumbing firm Cooke & Dowsett. Of his five uncles, three are plumbers. After working alongside his father on the family farm, Scott left school at 16 to become a plumbing apprentice in his father’s business. Once he finished his apprenticeship – in a typical bit of teenage rebellion – Scott left his dad’s business to do to his own thing and started Scott Dowsett Plumbing. He was kept busy with residential and commercial sewer connections when his home town of Riddells Creek came online. He then began doing larger commercial jobs like sewering Mt Dandenong Tourist Park and a Lilydale school, which led him away from Riddells Creek for months at a time. Scott has now come full circle and, after joining with Chad Cooke (yes, the son of the original Cooke in his dad’s company – they are practically cousins), they now run the second generation of Cooke & Dowsett. “History is certainly repeating itself,” says Scott. Cooke & Dowsett is now larger than anything Scott’s father might have imagined. They are now one of Australia’s leading commercial and industrial plumbing companies, with over 280 fulltime employees and offices in four states. Their past and present job list runs to more than 400 projects. They range from commercial warehouse stores requiring just three plumbers, through to highintensity, fifty-storey residential towers and major industrial projects. Projects in recent years include constructing a complete hydraulics package for the 5-Green-Star Goods Shed in Docklands, and sending plumbers to China to certify and test the plumbing installation on transportable buildings being built for the BHP Billiton’s proposed township in Port Headland. They have worked on hospitals, airports, prisons, performing arts centres and hotels.

The Cooke & Dowsett headquarters in Keilor Park now include 2000 square metres of factory and 2000 square metres of hardstand. It’s a far cry from the rented office in the small Victorian town of Riddells Creek that Scott shared with his dad. Did Scott always have a dream this big? Not at all, it turns out. “I’ve never had a business plan that described this,” says Scott. “Every year, for 20 years, we have doubled our sales.” It happened that way, laughs Scott, because he can’t say no. Clients keep having good ideas and suggesting interesting and challenging projects. “I’ve just always been a ‘can-do’ man and this is a ‘can-do’ company. I’ve never said no to anybody.” Plumbers in China? No problem. Vanuatu? Sure. Sometimes the project happens because one of his employees just needs it, says Scott. “We once had 30 plumbers working on a project in Lorne on the Great Ocean Road. Our foreman ‘met a lady’ and wanted to stay there. So we needed to find some work for him to keep him busy. We now employ the most plumbers in the Geelong region.” “We were in WA doing a few Bunnings stores. We were going to come back home … but … five years later we have 120 employees over there. We now have 60 plumbers doing fly-in fly-out work in the resource sector.” Favourite projects? It’s hard to pick, says Scott. “Each one of them takes me somewhere.”

Like Vanuatu, it seems. A Cooke & Dowsett team joined a Melbourne builder to plumb a new resort on Irriki Island – a tiny island off the coast of Port Villa in Vanuatu. The project included training and supervising the local labour, and getting plumbing industry certification. The construction of this resort had its challenges, says Scott. “It was remote from the remote! We had to get our materials carried to the island by ferry. But being able to teach the locals was really something.” Back home, one of Scott’s favourites is the Victorian Desalination Plant in Wonthaggi – the largest desalination plant in Australia and one of the largest infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history. The plant will be one of the greenest in the world, using the most energy-efficient method of desalinating water. “The Desal plant is an amazing project. Really, it doesn’t get enough praise. It is an absolute engineering feat,” says Scott. The plant is designed to deliver up to 150 billion litres of fresh drinking water per year. The initial production capacity means the desalination plant will be capable of supplying about one third of Melbourne’s annual water needs. Cooke & Dowsett were commissioned to supply and install a full hydraulics work package, including site establishment, potable water, sewer, storm water, irrigation and fire service systems. The complex scope of works required 46 of their plumbers onsite, as well as project managers, draftspeople, administrators and designers working behind the scenes.

W W W. P LU M B E R . C O M . A U

They’ve just won the last project in the desalination process: loading 55,000 membranes into the cylinders. It’s outside the general scope of plumbing, says Scott, but they’re able to manage it. “Our guys are working so hard. The number of hours is huge. It means staying away from your family, staying away from home, working 12 hours a day 7 days a week, living with your workmates. That has taken its toll. It’s like working in the mines; it’s not for everybody.” What makes everyone happy though, is the enthusiastic feedback Scott has received from the builder, Thiess, for their work on the project. “They recognise our work ethic and our commitment to the cause,” says Scott. “This project is really a shining light for plumbing. It’s great for our industry.” Another shining light for plumbing must be Scott’s involvement in training young Indigenous plumbers. Cooke & Dowsett have now trained 20 Indigenous apprentices in Victoria and one of their apprentices, Jeremiah Green, won the Master Plumbers’ Indigenous Apprentice Award last year. A NyikinaMangala man, Jeremiah now plans to return to his community in the Kimberly and start his own plumbing business and train his own apprentices. Scott is justly proud. “I’m very passionate about this. Seeing a young Indigenous person grow, and then to secure them for permanent work, is incredibly rewarding.” But a chance conversation with a Plumbers Union secretary one afternoon in a Perth airport lounge led to Scott’s most ambitious project yet: to create a not-for-proﬁt plumbing company to beneﬁt Indigenous communities. Cooke & Dowsett joined the Victorian Plumbers Union, the Nirrumuk Aboriginal Corp (an Indigenous employment and training organisation) and the Jarlmadangah Burru Aboriginal Corp (an Indigenous community in the Kimberly) to create NUDJ Plumbing in Broome. NUDJ provides vital plumbing services to remote and non-remote communities in the Broome and wider Kimberley region, improving sanitation and water management. But, it has an even more important aim. By providing plumbing apprenticeships to Indigenous people from rural and remote communities, NUDJ provides vital opportunities.

“We want to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians through training, mentoring and personal development,” says Scott. NUDJ also aims to break down social barriers and heighten cultural awareness in the wider community. It’s been a remarkable success but it hasn’t been without its challenges, says Scott – particularly as they get no funding or support for their mentoring program. “It’s hard to make a business work in a big city like Melbourne, but being remote in Broome makes it extra hard.” Bret Sheehan, Manager of NUDJ in Broome, describes it this way: “A lot of our work is up on the Dampier Peninsular at two Aboriginal communities, Ardyaloon and Djarindjin. The road to these jobs consists of 150 kilometres of made road and, in the middle of all this, is 99 kilometres of unmade dirt road – and I use the term ‘road’ loosely. During the wet season the road can be closed for a week at a time as it turns into a river and makes getting to work impossible.” Despite working in some of Australia’s most remote places, NUDJ has finished a string of successful plumbing projects in town residences, businesses, community housing, remote schools, outstations, TAFEs and airports. “Now when they come out of their training they’ve got something to go on with,” says Scott. “Hopefully, one day we can sail off into the sunset and leave them with a company they can own and operate themselves.” Scott clearly cares about every single person in his very large team. He likes to think of it as a family business, he says, albeit one with 280 members. “My people have been my best investment. Essentially, we’ve built this business for our people – not just for myself.” Scott says his loyalty has been more than returned. “No-one has left our fold. No-one. The very first plumber I put on is still with us. My very first apprentice – I put on 20 years ago – is still with me today. He’s now a senior estimator.” Scott’s dedication to the plumbing industry has recently been rewarded with an appointment as Vice-President of the Master Plumbers Association: “To be honest, I was very proud to be offered the opportunity. I am as keen as the rest of the board members to ensure we lead in good corporate governance for the rest of the members.”

WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS THROUGH TRAINING, MENTORING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

Scott says he has always viewed the Master Plumbers as a very important partner for business because of its industry association and networks. “I strongly believe the Master Plumbers is underrated, and possibly under-used, within the industry. If you utilise all, or even some, of the services offered by the Master Plumbers’, it is a very worthwhile and cost-effective membership – training, industrial relations advice, legal advice, apprentice hire, industry updates and all-out networking with like-minded tradespeople.” Speaking of networking, it’s Scott Dowsett’s 20th year of trading this year and he and business partner Chadd Cooke celebrated in August, inviting all their past clients, builders, associates, and apprentices. “Chadd and I both happen to have two sons each, so you never know what the future may bring,” laughs Scott.

COOKE & DOWSETT: PROJECT SNAPSHOT Over 400 projects in VIC, NSW, SA, WA and QLD, including: > Victorian Desalination Plant, VIC > TAC Geelong, VIC > Albury Tax Ofﬁce, NSW > Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre, NSW > Rothwell Homemaker Centre, QLD > South Australia Police Complex, SA > Hindmarsh Square, SA > Bunnings, WA > Kununurra Airport Development, WA > Irriki Resort, Vanuatu > BHP Billiton, China

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CHANGING THE WAY WE MANAGE STORMWATER SUSTAINABLY

While the drought may have broken across the southern states, this feature proves that water harvesting still plays a vital role in stormwater management, reducing demand on water catchments and creating greener and more sustainable communities. W A T E R

H A R V E S T I N G

F E A T U R E

SINGING IN THE RAINGARDEN Raingardens have been identiﬁed as a way of protecting waterways from pollution and storm damage whilst providing a selfwatering landscape feature. They are systems designed to treat urban runoff whilst making more effective use of rainwater. They are popping up in backyards and public spaces across the state and represent a unique business opportunity for plumbers. In Victoria, Melbourne Water’s 10,000 Raingardens Program has been working with local councils and the community to build raingardens in public spaces such as streets, parks and schools. The program has set a target to see 10,000 raingardens built across Melbourne by 2013.

WHAT IS A RAINGARDEN? A raingarden is a water saving garden that is similar to a regular garden bed, but is designed speciﬁcally to capture stormwater from hard surfaces such as driveways, patios and roofs via downpipes after it rains. A raingarden does not require the installation of a rainwater tank. A simple diversion to a house’s downpipe allows the use of stormwater from the roof wherever it is needed in the garden. This helps replenish the ground water system and reduces the amount of stormwater entering our rivers, creeks and the bay.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

THE STORMWATER ISSUE Each year about 500 billion litres of stormwater is washed off our roofs, driveways and roads when it rains. This stormwater contains many harmful pollutants such as oil, litter, animal droppings, organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus, and it enters our rivers, creeks and bays untreated via stormwater drains. Pollution such as nitrogen can cause excessive growth of algae, which leads to reduced oxygen levels in the water. Algal blooms threaten animals, plants and ﬁsh living in our rivers and creeks. The amount and rate of stormwater entering our rivers and creeks after heavy rainfall can also be a problem, leading to erosion of river beds and banks and unfavourable conditions for many plant and animal species.

HOW DO RAINGARDENS WORK? Beneath the raingarden are layers of sandy soil which help to slow the rate of stormwater entering our rivers and creeks. These layers also assist in the removal of pollutants while the plants help to further ﬁlter out pollution that would otherwise end up in our rivers and creeks. A raingarden’s ability to capture stormwater and self-water makes them easy to maintain and ideal for inner city and urban areas.

TYPES OF RAINGARDENS There are many different types of raingardens that can be used across residential, commercial and public spaces. A certified plumber must be used for stormwater connections and modifications. > Planter box raingarden > Inground raingarden > Infiltration raingarden > Swale (a slight depression in the landscape which can be either grassed or planted with other vegetation) > Green roof > Porous paving > Downpipe diversion (When a roof downpipe diverts roof water through a hose via a d-shape mechanism, allowing water to soak into the garden and surrounding soil) > Rainwater tank diversion (Similar to a downpipe diversion only the d-shape mechanism is fitted to the overflow of the rainwater tank)

VEGGIE RAINGARDENS Melbourne Water is funding a new research project to see if it is possible to grow vegetables in a raingarden. Researchers at the University of Melbourne and Monash University have planted normal vegetable gardens and veggie raingardens. The team is growing tomato, lettuce, cucumber, beetroot, basil and parsley, aiming for a wide variety so they can compare how the different types grow. The research project also aims to ﬁnd out if vegetable raingardens are as effective at treating urban stormwater as conventional raingardens. Fruit and vegetables often need plenty of water and fertiliser to thrive, so up to now they have been considered less suitable for raingardens than native species. Indigenous plants tend to be more drought-tolerant and easier to maintain than introduced species. The research team will be testing the raingardens throughout 2012.

A green roof is a roof system designed to promote various forms of vegetation on the top of buildings. A green roof (sometimes called a living roof) is not just a roof garden, it can also support various forms of renewable energy and water collection technology to assist in supplying power and water to occupants of the building. Green roofs have a number of key benefits, including reducing the urban heat island effect, providing effective stormwater management and creating a habitat for wildlife. In addition, research has found that green roofs have the potential to increase employee happiness and productivity by enhancing their surroundings. There are two main types of green roofs. Intensive green roofs are thicker, heavier and can support a wide variety of plants, while extensive green roofs are covered in a light layer of vegetation, require less maintenance and have the ability to be retrofitted to existing buildings. At Melbourne’s award winning Pixel building, rainwater is collected after it has been used to irrigate the living roof. Rainwater is then stored in tanks before being treated by reverse osmosis to potable water standard. This water is then distributed to all fixtures and fittings within the building. The grey waste water is then filtered and directed to the living edge reed beds on the roof where it is used to irrigate the reeds and plants. This process dramatically reduces the building’s waste flow to sewer. In NSW, the City of Sydney Council this year introduced the City of Sydney Green Roofs and Walls Strategy to promote local use of green roofs and walls. This forms part of the city’s Green Villages strategy that promotes communities working together to create a greener and more sustainable city.

IMAGE SOURCE: MELBOURNE WATER

GREEN ROOFS

WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT RAINWATER HARVESTING IS SOLIDLY PLACED WITHIN THE AUSTRALIAN BUILDING CODE.

BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUSTAINABLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Master Plumbers and Melbourne Water are now offering raingardens training. This exciting new program will provide you with all you need to know to successfully install and construct residential raingardens. To ﬁnd out more, visit www.plumber.com.au W W W. P LU M B E R . C O M . A U

W A T E R

H A R V E S T I N G

F E A T U R E

HARVESTING GOOD DESIGN

A new rainwater harvesting system is making dramatic water savings, as well as saving time and money for plumbers. The innovative design – the result of a collaboration between water tank specialists Tankworks and water products company Davey – was a finalist in the 2012 Australian International Design Awards. Charlotte Roseby reports. It’s a simple innovation, but the Evolution MkII marks a significant shift in design: it integrates a pump, filters and a mains by-pass controller within the rainwater tank, making the rainwater harvesting system more efficient, easier to install and much more compact. The entire assembly is located within the tank, where the mechanism is effectively invisible and the pump noise is contained. A large, built-in primary strainer and secondary micro-filtration package – also within the tank – protects downstream equipment and guarantees water quality. Evolution MkII automatically selects rainwater whenever it's available, switching seamlessly to the mains water supply if the tank is empty or the pump is disabled. It’s an innovation the team at Tankworks spent 18 months refining. To perfect the design, Tankworks – one of the leading manufacturers of water tanks and rainwater harvesting systems in Australia – joined forces with Davey, innovators in pumps and water products. It proved to be an impressive match. Now, the Evolution MkII contains a super-reliable Davey D42A/B submersible pump. When the tank runs out of water, the mains by-pass RainBank controller will open the main line to the internal appliances. AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

“We were trying to take out any of the problem points – the pain points – with rainwater harvesting, says Stuart Heldon, Director of Tankworks. Rainwater harvesting used to be a top-up system, explains Stuart. People used mains water to ﬁll up the remaining space in their tanks. “The problem with that”, he says, “is that you don’t know when you are using rainwater, and when you are using mains. Also, because you are relying on your pump to move all that water, you’re putting mains water in there and repressurising it, using more electricity.”

IMPROVED INSTALLATION Some plumbers are tempted to shortcut the installation of rainwater harvesting systems by not putting filters in, says Stuart. They’ve come up with a solution: “To best protect the pump and to make it last as long as possible, we’ve built in two strainers. That means the plumber doesn’t have to worry about it, and the pump is protected by warranty because it has the right filtration.” This system dramatically reduces installation time for plumbers. It’s quicker, but also easier: compression fittings built in to the unit allow a simple connection to the copper tails on the wall. Hook up the downpipe and overflow, plug the power lead in, and the ‘Evolution MkII’ unit is completely installed. “The fact that some of the system can be assembled in our factory saves the plumber time, which means saving money. It also means it’s consistent every time and quality controlled,” says Stuart. The large primary filter basket and microfiltration element are easily accessible and maintenance does not require service tools. Swiveling inlet and outlet gate valves are supplied, fitted to every unit, simplifying installation and service.

A BETTER LOOKING SYSTEM The system is specifically designed for home builders to source rainwater for water applications such as toilet and laundry, with automatic mains water back-up. Home-owners or other end-users will appreciate the look of the integrated tank system. No longer will the design of the house be compromised by pipes, leads, filters, controllers and brackets attached to the wall. “We mount the controller so it is hidden and concealed,” says Stuart. Usually, a builder leaves room for a tank but the control box needs another 800 mm, so they run out of room. “This system means two things for the home builder: it gives you more space next to the tank, or you can fit your tank in places it wouldn’t normally go.” Seals and clearances prevent mosquitoes accessing the tank through or around the unit and a built-in cord storage bin allows excess electrical supply cable to be safely stored within the control box, out of the reach of children and pets.

MORE RELIABLE The RainBank electronic mains by-pass controller is very reliable, says Stuart, and the ﬁlter system stops the sediment coming up and clogging the pump or the mains backup system. They were conﬁdent they had good development. Davey had a team dedicated to robust testing, and they had a unit working, switching on and off, for weeks on end, making sure the system did the equivalent of 10 years installed in someone’s house. “We wanted homeowners to have a reliable secondary water source for a long time, designed to withstand constant use.”

IT’S IMPORTANT NOT JUST FOR US AND OUR BUSINESS, BUT THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

Mains Supply

Pump supplies tank water whenever it is availablL

EVOLUTION MK II WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM RECOGNISED FOR GOOD DESIGN

SAVING WATER

Tankworks and Davey were thrilled to discover that their Evolution MkII is a finalist in the 2012 Australian International Design Awards. To reach the finals, a panel of Australian and international design experts assessed each entry against a common a set of criteria: innovation, form, function, quality, safety and sustainability. "To be named a finalist in the Australian International Design Awards is a deserving achievement. Our judges thoroughly tested and assessed all products. They engaged in lively discussion and debate to reach this top class list of products and services," said Mr Brandon Gien, Managing Director of Good Design Australia.

As the world's driest inhabited continent, it is appropriate that Australia is at the forefront in efforts to reduce demand on water catchments. “The rainwater harvesting industry used to be a ‘backyard industry’ … What we’re trying to do here is to make sure that rainwater harvesting is solidly placed within the Australian building code – and something that homeowners can be proud of,” says Stuart. For Stuart, it’s not just about giving people ﬂexibility to water their gardens when water restrictions are in place; it’s about making real water savings. “It has been proven now that harvesting water for the garden, laundry and toilets saves 40% of mains water … People think that a water tank saves a little bit of water but, once they see the savings on their water bill, they notice a real difference. Rainwater harvesting also reduces peak storm water runoff – the prime cause of efﬂuent discharges into waterways.” “It’s important not just for us and our business, but the country as a whole.”

> RainBank controller mounted in the tank, saving space on the wall of the house. > Built in backﬂow protection valve (dual check valve) in compliance with requirements of AS/NZS 3500-1-2003 for added safety and assured protection of mains water supply. > Pump delivers 280kPa nominal pressure and a ﬂow rate of 50Ipm. > No solenoid valves used. Provides seamless mains backup in event of no rainwater or electrical interruptions

PEOPLE THINK THAT A WATER TANK SAVES A LITTLE BIT OF WATER BUT, ONCE THEY SEE THE SAVINGS ON THEIR WATER BILL, THEY NOTICE A REAL DIFFERENCE. RAINWATER HARVESTING ALSO REDUCES PEAK STORM WATER RUNOFF – THE PRIME CAUSE OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGES INTO WATERWAYS.

COPPER TAKES THE HEAT OFF PLUMBING

Fast, no-solder copper plumbing is now in Australia and it's proving a big hit with plumbers says John Fennell.

'Press-Fit' copper jointing systems are cold jointing technology for rapid, reliable water/gas installation-which means no more flames for one thing. Crane were first off the block in 2006 with 'Viega' tools and fittings through their Tradelink stores, while MM Kembla's 'KemPress' tools and fittings are available from Plumbers Supplies Co-Operative, Samios and Plumbtec independent plumbing retailers. Reece is also offering Connex Fittings and Rothenberger Press Tools. Press Fit systems work by forming joints when the hydraulic press tool compresses the fitting, reinforcing it to guarantee the seal is 100 percent ssecure and leak-tight. The fittings are sspecifically designed to be compatible with water or gas, and with clear w llabeling and colour coding-black for water and yellow for gas. w As the systems got started in Europe A tthey've already passed a whole bunch of approvals there and have just kept on o iimproving since. Tools are now llightweight and can press many, many tthousands of joints between scheduled sservices. Another big advantage is the tthree systems here have also passed Australian regulatory requirements like A AS3688 and AS4020, and are WaterMark A ccertified, as well as a 25-year warranty ffor fittings, and 2 to 3 years for the tool, depending on the brand. d

Of course traditional copper jointing methods will retain that segment of the market where the less expensive ﬁttings are preferred and rapid installation is not a key requirement. And they seem to have met a real need. One of the biggest complaints I hear from plumbers is about the different types of systems on the market and the different tools needed to match the system. It's particularly an issue for PEX or PE pipe systems when you're a maintenance plumber-if you don't have the right tool it can be hard to tap into the existing pipes. Not an issue for copper. John Fennell is the head of the International Copper Association. Australia. To ﬁnd out more contact jjfenell@copperalliance.asia

TODAY'S TOOLS ARE LIGHTWEIGHT YET ROBUST ENOUGH FOR CONTINUAL USE

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

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W W W. P LU M B E R . C O M . A U

BECOME YOUR OWN BOSS WHILE LEARNING FROM HOME! Distance learning, correspondence, online training, what do these training options mean to a prospective student? Learning from home means no more travelling to school after a long day at work and allows those in remote locations to access the training they need. Licence level training is now online Master Plumbers has recently commenced online and distance learning for participants in Certiﬁcate IV in Plumbing licence level training. Enrolled learners can choose to attend traditional classroom lessons at PICAC or they can join the classroom action from home using their computer, a webcam and microphone. We can broadcast each lesson in real time to learners who are regionally based or can’t make it to training. Learners can listen to the trainer, ask questions and communicate with other learners as if they were sitting in the classroom – it’s convenient and easy.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

“With a recent shift away from traditional learning methods, online training offers ﬂexibility and convenience, while still allowing for active class participation,” says Master Plumbers trainer Garry Waters. “Our online learning program incorporates the latest software and technology and allows remote visual access to the class and training; so students can see and share the lesson as if they were physically present in the classroom. “The course delivery also incorporates use of the Master Plumbers Online Learning Centre which provides learners with online resource materials. These help learners work through the course theory and complete home study. This reduces the amount of classroom training learners need to do and provides them the ﬂexibility to study when they want, where they want.

“Combining this style of training delivery with access to online resources for self-paced learning provides the opportunity for learners to have the best of both worlds,” says Gary. Registration is now open for 2013 classes in the following subjects: > Carry out work based risk control processes > Estimate and cost work > Small business legal and risk management requirements Stay tuned, in 2013 we will introduce training that supports a registered plumbers' application for a licence in the water, drainage, sanitary, rooﬁng, gas and mechanical services streams. For more information about our online or distance learning options please contact PICAC on 03 9356 8902 or training@plumber.com.au.

TRAINING

news YOUR GATEWAY INTO THE PLUMBING INDUSTRY Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-Apprenticeship) Master Plumbers has partnered with the PTEU and the University of Ballarat to deliver 22138VIC Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-Apprenticeship) at PICAC, the plumbing industry’s world class training facility, in Brunswick. Is plumbing the right career choice for you? A plumbing pre-apprenticeship will introduce you to the plumbing industry and make you more attractive to prospective employers. By completing a pre-apprenticeship you will gain: > Industry knowledge > Workplace exposure > Hands-on experience What is involved? Certificate II in Plumbing Pre-apprenticeship is a 14 week course (full time) including two weeks of work experience. Course work is a combination of practical, hands on work, theory (including maths and reading)and a work experience placement. How do I apply? Contact PICAC on 03 3956 8902 to find out more or register your interest. An application and interview process is involved. Fees: $700 + $ 492 (materials and text book fee). Tools to be purchased by students. Please contact PICAC to find out if you are eligible for government subsidies. For more information about our online or distance learning options please contact PICAC on 03 9356 8902 or training@plumber.com.au.

CARBON MONOXIDE TESTING TRAINING – LAST CHANCE IN 2012! Due to popular demand Master Plumbers has scheduled another eight Carbon monoxide testing courses for Victoria. These will be the ﬁnal courses available for 2012 so book now to avoid disappointment. The courses are free to attend and open to all plumbers. The course dates and locations are: 4 September Horsham 5 September Warrnambool 11 September Traralgon 13 September Croydon 18 September Bendigo 19 September Shepparton 20 September Wodonga 26 September Mildura Visit www.plumber.com.au to download a registration form or contact PICAC on 03 9356 8902 for more details.

IN HOT WATER Chromagen have commenced the delivery of plumber training on their manifold commercial hot water unit at PICAC. Courses are numbers dependant so contact Jack Kaspi 0419 551 575 or jack.kaspi@chromagen.com.au directly if you want to attend.

W W W. P LU M B E R . C O M . A U

COLD SNAP P

Paul Makrievski from the Plumbing Industry Commission discusses the importance of frost protection for solar hot water systems Solar water heaters are becoming increasingly popular around Australia and may be one of two options required in new homes to achieve the 6 Star energy rating, beyond the thermal performance of the building fabric. Solar water heaters are suitable for installation in all climate regions, including those prone to frost. The climatological deﬁnition of frost is the occurrence of an air temperature of less than 2.2°C, and a severe frost occurs when the air temperature decreases below 0°C. Frosts are infrequent in coastal regions but occur regularly in many inland areas during winter, with large parts of Victoria and Melbourne subject to potential frost days where the minimum temperature drops below 2°C.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

THERMAL INSULATION

With a large range of solar collectors available on the market it is important for plumbing practitioners to select the correct collector for installation, particularly in frost-prone areas. Practitioners are reminded to reference the manufacturer’s instructions as to the appropriateness of installation. The system will be marked for suitability in frost prone areas. These directions must be followed. Flat plate panels without frost protection measures are susceptible to damage at temperatures below 4°C, the temperature at which cooled water begins to expand. Evacuated tube systems, can withstand temperatures below 4°C, however some systems may still require a form of frost protection. Common types of frost protection available are: > Frost Protection or Dump Valves – relieve the pressure caused by water expansion, encouraging water circulation that warms up the solar collectors. > Pump circulation protection – an electric pump that ensures continual circulation through the tank and collector preventing freezing. > Heat exchange tanks – used in systems to separate drinking water from the water circulating through the collectors. Such systems contain anti-freeze liquids such as glycol to prevent the water from freezing.

In addition to frost protection, solar hot water pipe-work is to be thermally insulated to achieve a minimum R-value for the climate region in which the solar hot water heater is installed. The climate region boundaries are based on climatic data in accordance with the climate zones in the Building Code of Australia. All exposed hot and cold water piping to and from externally mounted water heaters in frost-prone areas may require additional insulation to prevent freezing. Thermal insulation materials must be ﬁt-for-purpose and be capable of withstanding the high temperatures to which a solar hot water heater can subject its pipes. Where external, they must be appropriately weather resistant and protected from ultra violet degradation. Adhering to requirements for solar water heater installation in frost prone areas will ensure the next system you install survives the cold wintery months. For more information visit www.pic.vic.gov.au

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W W W. P LU M B E R . C O M . A U

The [WATER] way of the future Tom Andronas discovers how the lessons learned during the drought have helped make Victoria a world leader in water conservation.

LESSONS LEARNED

Throughout the ﬁrst decade of the 21st century, Australia experienced a sustained period of drought. During these years, governments, homeowners and the water industry learned a lot of lessons.

MICHAEL SMIT FROM SAVEWATER! (LEFT) WITH LANDSCAPE DESIGNER PHILIP JOHNSON. (IMAGE SOURCE: SAVEWATER!)

For the ﬁrst time in living memory the residents of major cities, including Melbourne, were forced to live with water restrictions up to Level 4a. Sports p grounds dried up, pools couldn’t cou be topped up, and gradually gra public attitudes started sta to change. n a micro level, Victorians On we from using more than went 30 litres of water per person, 300 pe day, to less than 150 litres per p person, which had an pe per e enormous impact on mains w water usage and dam levels. On a macro level, lev as a result of the lessons learned, Victoria now leads the world in water conservation strategy and planning, and the industry stands to become big business for a long time to come.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

The key lesson learned, according to Michael Smit, National Program Manager at the Savewater! Alliance, is that it’s necessary to decentralise the state’s water management, in order to obtain maximum beneﬁt, for minimum cost. That means re-thinking the way our cities are supplied with water. “If you look at Melbourne and the way it’s been historically structured, we’ve got a series of very large dams a long way away, from which we pull our water. We treat that and pump it quite long distances so it can be used,” Smit says. Similarly, we take sewage from houses and pump it to one of two treatment plants. We also collect storm water from enormous areas, run it down pipes and pump it over long distances into our rivers and the bay. “A decentralised approach is saying, rather than using these large central treatment and storage systems, we create much smaller systems at a neighbourhood or district level, whereby we catch the water locally, we treat it locally, and therefore we…have a lot more options for using water where it’s produced or where it falls, rather than bringing it in from a distance,” he says. Water management can be localised to differing degrees, according to Tony Kelly, Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water. At a community level, the most effective way to achieve this is through integrating recycled water into the community’s everyday water consumption. “Throughout the drought we learned a great deal of lessons about the value of water. The community was calling for greater use of recycled water,” Kelly says.

As a result, Yarra Valley Water has commenced a series of recycled water projects across the Melbourne Metropolitan area, that now service hundreds of thousands of homes. Over the next 20 years more than 100,000 homes across the northern suburbs will be serviced by a sewage recycling plant. Yarra Valley Water is also currently developing storm water recycling projects at Kalkallo and Coburg, which will supply new residential developments there. The utility is also in the process of developing a sewage recycling plant to supply around four thousand apartments in the Doncaster Hill development area, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. “We believe that over the long term the broader community will beneﬁt from more recycling and more integrated water management,” Tony Kelly says. “By that we mean integrating sewage with drinking water, with rain water and with ground water, and integrating those four areas to get better outcomes for the community, to sustain the sort of lifestyle that everybody in Melbourne enjoys.” “We all love our gardens, we love our sport and we want to sustain our playing ﬁelds thought the summer months. The recycling projects that we’re embracing are part of that future,” he says. All of these systems will produce water to a Class-A standard, which is not considered clean enough for human consumption. The systems run on what’s known as a “purple pipe system”, which demarcates recycled water from potable water. Government regulators see it as necessary to keep recycled water separate from potable water due to concerns about the reliability of the treatment process. However the plan, according to Tony Kelly, is that over time government regulations will change, and recycled water will be added to the city’s drinking supply.

RECYCLED WATER WILL PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN THE FUTURE OF URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT

Michael Smit says recycled water will play a huge role in the future of urban water management. “A person actually needs five to ten litres per day to live on, for drinking and washing. The rest of the water that we use doesn’t need to be that quality of water, so there’s a very strong argument for having water from a range of sources, for a range of uses, and using water that’s fit for purpose. I think that will be an important part of going forward,” he says Since the drought broke there has been a growing interest in integrated water cycle management, taking into consideration not only dam water, but all of the water falling onto and flowing off the landscape, including grey water from the roof and storm water off hard surfaces. On a domestic scale, the best way to capture and harness this water is though the effective installation and use of rainwater tanks. Enter Colin Nash, Chairman of the Rainwater Harvesting Association of Australia. “At the height of the drought we were estimating that rain water capture, pumping, tanks and plumbing was a market of around $500 million a year at the wholesale level, so it got to be significant business,” Nash says. There are two basic ways that rain water captured in tanks can be used. The first is for outdoor use – watering the garden, cleaning windows, washing cars, topping up the pool – but according to Colin Nash, that’s the least efficient option. “A better way is to connect the tank into the home to feed washing machines and toilets. They run all year round, particularly during winter time when we have more rain and you’re not watering the garden, so you get much higher utilization of the rainwater,” he says.

“There have been quite few studies done around Australia over the last couple of years just showing that a well designed rainwater tank supplementing the house can save 30-40% of mains water, from quite a small tank.” He gives the example that a household can install a 2000-litre water tank to supply its toilets and washing machine for $2000-$3000. Depending on the cost of water in that area, the installation outlay should only take eight to ten years to recoup, a relatively short time considering the life span of a building. More importantly however, reducing the load on the mains water supply by 30-40% per household has a positive impact on the community, by reducing the overall cost of supplying mains water. “A key point we make is that water that comes down a pipe to your house from a municipal supplier has quite a high embedded energy,” Colin Nash says. “It’s been pumped and ﬁltered, so the average water being supplied to homes across capital cities in Australia comes in at probably around one kilowatt-hour per kilolitre,” he says. The embedded cost of processing and pumping water from a desalination plant is signiﬁcantly higher, costing up to four kilowatt-hours per kilolitre. In contrast, rainwater can be supplied to a home for absolutely no cost, after the initial outlay of installing a rainwater tank. Where a pump is used to distribute water from a tank throughout a house, the average cost is around 0.8 kilowatthours per kilolitre, though Nash says some companies are working on developing inverter technologies to drop that energy requirement even lower. He says there shouldn’t be a new house in Australia that is built without a rainwater tank connected to a sizeable part of the roof and connected to its toilets and washing machines.

“There are at least 100,000 new homes built in Australia each year, and we believe they should all have a rain water tank.” More importantly, he says, there are four million existing homes in Australia that should also have rainwater tanks installed. The Victorian Government offers homeowners and small businesses a range of rebates for the installation of water-saving products, including water tanks and toilets. For more information, visit www.water.vic.gov.au

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM The construction of a multi-billion dollar desalination plant at Wonthaggi on Victoria’s Bass Coast has been the subject of much community conjecture and political debate. Interestingly, both Tony Kelly and Colin Nash consider desalination a key element of a suite of water production tools that will provide water to our cities into the future. “We can’t rely on dams longer-term. We’ve all seen our dams be severely depleted in the drought…and while the desal plant is an expensive option, it does provide our only source of supply that’s not dependent on rainfall, so in the future the desal plant will be an essential tool in our tool kit. When the next drought comes it’ll be our saviour,” Kelly says. Colin Nash agrees, saying the Victorian government made the right call. “There’s no doubt they had to step in and do some desalination to protect our water resources for our cities. It’s feasible that Melbourne could have run out of water, so they had to act,” says Nash.

W W W. P LU M B E R . C O M . A U

THE DESAL PLANT WILL BE AN ESSENTIAL TOOL IN OUR TOOL KIT. WHEN THE NEXT DROUGHT COMES IT’LL BE OUR SAVIOR

PLUMBERS, GET TRAINED

CASE STUDY:

Ultimately however, the successful implementation of this raft of water conservation tools relies on plumbers having the knowledge to advise the general public about their options, and the technical skill to implement the technologies. “The plumbing industry has been fantastic. Through the drought they were a major partner in spreading the word around water conservation, and plumbers have been fantastic in helping householders understand the different options, installing rain water tanks [and] grey water recycling systems,” Tony Kelly says. “I think what’s going to happen is that the technologies are going to become more complex.” “There’s going to be more technology come onto the market, there’s going to be more demand from households to use that technology and I think it’s important that the plumbing industry keep abreast of those technologies,” Kelly says. Master Plumbers’ Green Plumber training offers a range of water saving training programs including Water Conservation, Urban Alternative Water, Energy Efﬁcient Plumbing and many more. To ﬁnd out more visit www.plumber.com.au

The conventional garden vs the water managed landscape

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

Designed to inspire Victorians to think about a collective approach to outdoor water management in their communities, Equilibrium m was created by the Victorian water bodies, Savewater! and Phillip Johnson Landscapes, and was displayed at the 2012 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. It contrasted two gardens of equal size. The ﬁrst, a conventional Australian backyard, covered in concrete, using exotic plants, and with water sources leading to storm-water drains. The second, a sustainable landscape that proved no suburban garden needed to be reliant on drinking water.

IMAGE SOURCE: SAVEWATER!

The conventional garden

The water managed landscape

Featured many of the outdated, conventional ideas that had been in use in garden design for the past 50 years.

Demonstrated the concept of integrated water cycle management through a landscape.

Worked under the principle that all the water that fell on the garden needed to be removed from the area as quickly as possible. Included little or no consideration of local water that was available on site.

Worked under the principle that all the water a garden needed, could be captured and used on-site.

Demonstrated that most of the water that fell on that space was taken away quite quickly, despite the area containing a high number of water-hungry elements.

Water that fell on the roof was collected into a water tank and stored. That tank was connected internally to the washing machine, toilet and the garden taps, reducing the household’s mains water consumption by around 30%.

Consisted of multiple concrete surfaces, including the driveway, patio and garden path, all of which generated runoff that ended up in storm-water.

Consisted of minimal concrete surfaces, allowing water to ﬂow into groundwater rather than storm-water, thereby reducing the high pollutant load being pumped into Victorian rivers and dams.

Lots of water-hungry areas, including the lawn and an abundance of exotic plants created an environment largely reliant on mains water, which had to be pumped long distances.

Overﬂow from the water tank ran down a channel to an artiﬁcial billabong, creating a year-round water source for the garden, all of which had been collected collec lected on-site.

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SAFETY UPDATE S A F E T Y

F E A T U R E

A MIGHTY GREAT IDEA Using ladders, ropes and manpower to manoeuvre heavy equipment onto single or double story roofs can be cumbersome and dangerous. The Mighty Lift has been speciﬁcally designed for plumbers, electrical contractors and other tradespeople who install equipment on roofs or in roof spaces. The Mighty Lift is lightweight, versatile, strong and safe and will allow you to complete lifting jobs quickly and easily. The Mighty Lift has been endorsed by Master Plumbers, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA Vic) and WorkSafe. With a reach of just over six metres, the Mighty lift can conquer most installation jobs quickly and easily. The equipment can be carried on most roof racks and can be installed by one person in just minutes. The longest piece of the unit is only 3.6 metres and weighs just 95kgs when fully assembled. No power on your job site? No worries! A major advantage of the Mighty Lift is that it can be powered by a standard cordless drill dr or rattle gun, or manually manua via its own hand winch. winc

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

What plumbers are saying about the Mighty Lift… “The Mighty Lift is a valuable asset in our OHS armoury. We use our unit mainly for solar installs and not only does it give us a much safe workplace, it is an invaluable tool the guys love to use because it has made their jobs easier and safer.” Phill Kelly, Kelly Plumbing To see the mighty lift in action visit www.mightylift.com.au au

MIGHTY LIFT REBATE OFFER

$1000 rebate

Master Plumbers has partnered with WorkSafe to offer eligible businesses a rebate of $1000 (including GST) on the purchase of a Mighty Lift unit. Master Plumbers members can also take advantage of a special price on the basic Mighty Lift unit – meaning extra savings! To ﬁnd out more contact Master Plumbers on 03 9329 9622 or visit www.plumber.com.au

ASBESTOS: STILL A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER Over the recent months, Master Plumbers has run a series of asbestos awareness session with the assistance of WorkSafe Victoria. It was a W ttimely reminder that asbestos rremains a clear and present danger. d I is commonplace for plumbers to It encounter asbestos in the course of e their work, and unfortunately just one brief encounter can be enough for them to develop asbestosis, with a 90 per cent chance of developing full-blown mesothelioma over time. Not everyone exposed to asbestos fibres will contract an asbestos-related disease and in fact, chances are low with a single exposure. However, risk increases with the number of exposures and with higher concentrations of fibres. Asbestos can cause health problems when fibres become airborne and are inhaled. Once inside the lungs, most asbestos fibres are removed by the body’s natural defences, however some fibres can become trapped in the lungs. In some individuals this can result in serious lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma, which may develop many years later (typically a 10 to 40 year latency period). Many routine repairs, renovation and maintenance activities – such as installing a new heating system – can disrupt asbestos, releasing millions of fibres into a home, school or office. A major cause of concern within the building industry is the low awareness of the dangers of asbestos removal.

NOT E EVERYONE VERYONE EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS FI FIBRES IBRES WILL CONTRACT AN ASBESTOS-RELATED ASBE ESTOS-RELATED DISEASE, HOWEVER, RISK INCREASES WITH TH T THE HE NUMBER OF EXPOSURES AND WITH HIGHE HIGHER R CONCENTRATIONS S OF F FIBRES. IB BRE R S.

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

WORKING WITH ASBESTOS

TRAINING

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in the surface of the earth. It contains strong fibres that have excellent durability, fire resistance and insulating properties. Asbestos fibres are 50 to 200 times thinner than a human hair, can float in the air for a long time, can be invisible to the naked eye and can be breathed into the lungs. In the past, asbestos was mined from the ground and manufactured into many different materials. Materials containing asbestos were very common in the Australian residential building industry between the 1940s and late 1980s before their production stopped. The use of all forms of asbestos has been banned nationally since 31 December 2003. The ban does not apply to asbestos installed prior to this date (eg. asbestos materials in houses).

Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) in good condition, sealed or enclosed in a position where it is not disturbed or easily damaged is not a health risk. However, it has the potential to become a health risk if it is disturbed or damaged. There are clear safety requirements for people who are employed to handle or remove asbestos and these include training, planning and using safe removal methods, as well as protective clothing and equipment and cleaning and disposing of equipment and waste correctly. A non-licenced person is permitted under Regulations to carry out asbestos removal work provided the task: > does not involved more than 10m2 of ACM; and > is not going to take longer than one hour in the next seven days. If completed correctly, building repairs, maintenance and asbestos removal should not create a signiﬁcant risk to people carrying out the work or to others in the vicinity. Employers must ensure training records for each person engaged in the asbestos removal work are retained while that work is being performed. These records need to be available at the removal site.

The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) provides a three day Asbestos Removal training program designed to provide licence training in the safe removal of both asbestos and asbestos containing materials. It covers OHS asbestos regulations for supervisors and safe practices for working on roofs. This program does not result in a licence to remove asbestos or ACM unless the licence holder works for a WorkSafe licenced asbestos removalists.

TYPES OF ASBESTOS Friable asbestos materials are the ones that are most dangerous. Friable asbestos materials can be crumbled or pulverised by hand, they release asbestos fibres into the air and pose a significant health risk to anyone nearby. Friable asbestos is a dangerous material and cannot be removed or worked on unless a Class A licensed removalist is used. Examples include: acoustical plaster, insulation, paper products, pip coverings and more. Non-friable asbestos is less likely to release fibres and cannot be crumbled or pulverized by hand. It poses a relatively low inhalation risk but can be made friable if it is damaged, sanded, cut or drilled into. Examples include asphalt/cement roofing, base flashing, vinyl asbestos floor tile and more.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS If the premises you are working on was built before 1990, you should check the National Asbestos Register to determine whether you will be working on or near ACM. If a premises is not listed on the Asbestos Register and you are working in an area that you suspect may contain ACM, you should conﬁrm whether asbestos is present before you commence work. This means having a sample analysed by an accredited professional.

NATIONAL ASBESTOS REGISTER The National Asbestos register (NAR) was created to ensure that information relating to buildings that have completed an Asbestos Audit and recorded the presence of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) is made available to relevant Government Departments, Emergency Services departments and private contractors. The purpose of the NAR is to provide a simplified database, accessible by the general public, which identifies buildings that have had an Asbestos Audit/Register and an Asbestsos Management Plan implemented. To find out more visit www.nar.asn.au For more on asbestos, visit the WorkSafe website or head to www.asbestos.plumbing.com.au

APPRENTICE

update I spoke to second year apprentice Nick Davies about his experience.

A PLUMB JOB Alice Williams talks to an apprentice about his experience in the industry and the importance of safety and ongoing training and education. Growing up in the 1980s, the term 'apprentice' seemed to come with a distinct degree of honour and measure of pride. It was an acknowledged rite of passage, no easy thing to endure but worth it for the earned knowledge and practical skill taught by a master tradesman. The implication being that if you managed to make it through your apprenticeship you joined the ranks of the hard working, the respectful and respected. With the advance of technology and rapidly increasing attention toward environmental sustainability, apprentice plumbers are being educated as experts in water: conservation specialists with the expertise to ﬁnd solutions to our water harvesting, recycling and saving issues. Plumbers are now sought out for advice about complex water preservation techniques – as well as installations. This shifts the focus to formailsed training more than ever, leading some to worry about the loss of technical knowledge and experience that can only be learned onsite, from more experienced plumbers. However the key elements of hard work – learning by doing and earning a wage – remain the cornerstone of good apprenticeships.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

Are plumbing apprenticeships hard to come by? How did you get into yours? They are and they aren’t. I read that less and less people are going for plumbing apprenticeships because the technical side is harder now, but I don’t know if that’s true. I went through a group training scheme and am doing a four-year course; once a month for the first three years I go to TAFE for prac and theory. I know some guys who did it the old school way of just trawling through the Yellow Pages for work experience. What’s it like being an apprentice in 2012? I think it’s different than how it was 10 or 20 years ago, definitely. Imagine being a plumber before mobile phones? Safety seems to be a major issue now; which I guess is good. I fell off a ladder doing a re-roof a few weeks ago and was telling my uncle who is a roof tiler and he just laughed at me because of all the forms and stuff I had to fill out about it. It also seems more varied now. Because of my course I’m always working at different places on different types of jobs. Though at the moment I’m pretty much still just doing fetching and digging! Maybe the pay is better? It’s still pretty rough for an apprentice but there seems to be more support from the government with placements and income in order to encourage you to finish your apprenticeship. What made you choose plumbing? I always knew I wanted to learn a trade. I like being outside and feeling like I’m doing something all the time – I hate sitting around. I’m also interested in Green Plumbing and sustainability. I think plumbing is getting a bit of a shake up with all the new technology; even guys that have been doing it for years are doing courses and learning new things. It’s a good mix of innovation and old-fashioned skills.

SEPTEMBER 2012

What are the people you’re learning from like? Just like with anything there are good guys and…not such good guys. You expect a bit of ribbing, left handed wrenches and all that, but you learn the most from the guy who is patient and decent and gives you a shot at actually doing the work. How do you think the plumbing industry will evolve in the next ten years? Obviously climate change is going to be the big issue. Big changes in products like hot water units, water tanks and water recycling units. New regulations, more paper work, that kind of stuff. I think it will continue to become a more specialised industry. By the time I finish and am able to start my own business sustainability will probably be an even bigger issue. To the casual observer, becoming a plumber’s apprentice would appear an exhausting, notoriously poorly paid and ultimately thankless job. However, the secure nature of the work and promise of flush earnings eventually (sorry, I couldn’t make it through the entire article without one plumbing pun) will always draw new recruits. While the business and industry will continue to evolve, water will always flow downhill, and the apprentice always digs the trench. Find out more about apprenticeships, contact Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria on 03 9329 9622 or visit www.plumber.com.au

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30 YEARS 1982 ~ 2012

MASTERING WORKPLACE RELATIONS

discrimination,

The Australian Workplace Relations environment presents a unique set of challenges for employers. In this series, Sharon Kraemer (Master Plumbers Workplace Relations Adviser) explores various elements of Australian workplace law and how to effectively manage risk in your business. Protection from unlawful discrimination, bullying and workplace harassment is provided by a multitude of Commonwealth and state-based civil and criminal laws including the Fair Work Act 2009, Occupational health and safety and discrimination laws. Employers and employees have a duty of care to all persons who enter the workplace or have contact with during the course of ordinary business. This includes the requirement to take reasonable and practical steps to eliminate discrimination and harassment and, to ensure health and safety in the workplace.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

performance management harassment and fitness for work

UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION Unlawful discrimination is unfair or unfavourable treatment or, has the result of disadvantaging the person whose characteristics are protected by relevant legislation. It is unlawful to treat a person unfavourably due the following characteristics: > Age > Gender > Race (including religion) > National extraction or social origin > Marital status > Political opinion > Temporary absence due to illness or injury > Family or carer's responsibilities > Pregnancy > Breastfeeding

Sexual preference Physical or intellectual impairment Religion Union membership or nonmembership or activity (freedom of association) > Criminal history (where not relevant to employee’s duties) It is also unlawful to treat a person unfavourably as a result of a person’s workplace right or the person’s choice to exercise a workplace right. However, it is not unlawful to discriminate against a person due to the characteristic where the person would be unable to perform the inherent requirements of the position safely and effectively due to the protected characteristic(s). Each circumstances

should be evaluated separately and employers should remember that they may be required to demonstrate the reasonableness of their decision.

Examples of harassment may include: > abusive, insulting or offensive language > unreasonable workload or an unfair allocation of unpleasant work > setting unreasonable/ variable performance targets > gossiping, spreading misinformation or rumours > threatening behaviour (also regarded as workplace violence) > inappropriate jokes, remarks or teasing > offensive materials in the workplace e.g. posters, screen savers or telephone ring tones > limiting access to promotion, training and workplace entitlements > sabotage of work, work area or work tools (including practical jokes) > exclusion or isolation from work or work-related social activities

Harassment in the workplace can result in: > High levels of absenteeism > High staff turnover > Poor productivity and reduced work performance > Legal claims or prosecution against the employer and/or the alleged offender (individual)

> > > >

Example An individual who suffers from a physical impairment has applied for a position as a Plumber (applicant). The position requires that the applicant will be required to work at elevated heights (accessible by ladder) and conﬁned spaces. The nature of the applicant’s physical impairment is such that the employee would be unable to fulﬁl the requirements of the position and/or, the prospective employer would be unable to ensure a reasonable duty of care in the work environment.

HARASSMENT Harassment is where: > a person is subjected to repeated unfair, unfavourable or unreasonable treatment; and > the person is offended, intimidated or humiliated; and > a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated this possibility. Harassment includes bullying and may (or may not) be related to unlawful discrimination. Harassment does not include lawful and reasonable directions given by the employer to an employee including, but not limited to, performance management, the allocation of work duties relating to business requirements and standards for behaviour and conduct in the workplace. NB: It is important to recognise that the emphasis on whether harassment has occurred, is based on the perception of the individual who has raised a grievance and not the intention of the alleged harasser. This raises signiﬁcant challenges with respect to individual values, workplace culture, tolerance and behavioural standards.

Employers should: > ensure that workplace practices do not (or are unlikely to) disadvantage a person on unlawful grounds > ensure that employees are aware of their obligations regarding acceptable behaviour and the procedure for reporting grievances; and > take active steps to investigate and address complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment.

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MASTERING WORKPLACE RELATIONS CONTINUED

FITNESS FOR WORK Unlawful discrimination must be carefully considered in situations where an employee is unable to perform the full duties (“inherent requirements”) of their ordinary position (“substantive position”) due to injury/illness (“incapacity”). Evidence that an employee may be unfit for substantive duties may include: > Frequent or extended absences from work due to illness or injury (including unexplained or unsubstantiated absences) > Comments/ requests made by the employee to vary ordinary duties > Changes in the employee’s workplace behaviour > Comments or concerns raised by other employees > Concerns about the employee’s performance Employer Responsibilities In accordance with legislation, the employer has a to ensure the health and safety of employees in the work environment. This includes the requirement to take all reasonable and practicable steps to prevent the occurrence of work-related injury or illness. In the circumstance that an employee appears unfit, the Company must take reasonable steps to ensure that the employee does not expose themselves or others to risk. This could include, a decision by the employer to direct an employee to take personal leave until the employer has sufficient evidence of the employee’s capacity to perform normal (or suitable) duties without risk.

Employee Responsibilities Under the terms of the employment contract, employees have an obligation to be “ready, willing and able” to undertake duties. Inability to fulﬁl the inherent requirements of the position could result in a frustration of the employment contract and may be grounds for the termination of employment. Employees must also comply with OHS requirements by ensuring that they do not expose themselves or others to risk through any act or omission. Work Related Illness or Injury Work related injuries and illness must be managed in accordance with relevant OHS and workers compensation legislation. Employees are required to notify the employer of any incident, accident, injury or illness immediately. In most cases, the employee and employer will engage in a Return to Work or rehabilitation plan intended to return the injured employee to pre-injury duties. This will be undertaken in consultation with medical practitioners, health and insurance providers. Laws relating to workplace injury/illness stipulate that an employee may not lawfully be terminated within a particular time frame (varies between states). This does not automatically mean than an employee may be terminated after this period. Employers should always seek specialist workplace relations advice before taking any action to terminate employment.

Master Plumbers’ members can access information, advice and resources relating to workplace relations. Our dedicated Workplace Relations Adviser can help you clarify your obligations in relation to terms and conditions of employment, wages, entitlements and other matters. Contact Sharon Kraemer on 03 9329 9622 or 1800 133 871.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

Non-Work Related Illness or Injury In circumstances where an employee is unable to fulfill the inherent requirements of their position due to a non-work related injury/illness, the employer must consider reasonable arrangements to accommodate their incapacity. Reasonable accommodation arrangements are intended to facilitate a safe, durable and progressive return to full duties and should be offered on a temporary basis only. Such arrangements may include varied hours of work, alternative duties or physical limitations/restrictions. Any decision to offer suitable duties will be also subject to the operational impact on the employer. A non-work related illness/injury that is exacerbated in the workplace could be treated as work-related for purposes of workers compensation. Managing Fitness for Work Pro-active and direct involvement in the management of workers compensation claims, rehabilitation and non-work related fitness are essential for both the employee and the employer. During the fitness for work management process, injured/ill employees retain the same obligations regarding their employment including the requirement to comply with lawful and reasonable direction e.g. relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures relating to employment. It is strongly recommended that employers seek advice and assistance at the early stages of any fitness for work management process.

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RIGHT

AS RAIN

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

BECK ADAM

Adam Beck, Executive Director Market Development and Sustainable Communities at the Green Building Council of Australia discusses how clever water conservation strategies are helping to secure our future supplies

For most of us, water simply ﬂows from a tap. Rarely do we consider where the water comes from or where it goes after it disappears down the sink. As a result, we’ve lost respect for the raging river, for the wild wetland, and for the delicate web of life that water supports. Australia is the world’s driest inhabited continent, and yet paradoxically has the highest per capita consumption rate, surpassing North America. In most cities, demand for water far outstrips supply. At the same time, water prices are on the rise. The Australian Bureau of Statistics tells us that they are up 18 per cent in the last year alone. Behavioural change programs are certainly having some impact on our water consumption. Brisbane laid claim to the title of 'most water-wise city on the planet in the wake of the drought, after reducing water consumption by around 60 per cent.

THE SYSTEM REDUCES POTABLE WATER CONSUMPTION BY 80 PER CENT – THE EQUIVALENT OF MORE THAN 10,000 LITRES A DAY

But shorter showers aren’t the only solution. Smart technology and innovative designs of buildings and communities can significantly reduce water consumption and better manage our precious water resources. Take Lot 12 TradeCoast Central, an industrial facility on the former Brisbane Airport site. The building achieved Australia’s first 4 Star Green Star – Industrial PILOT rating for a range of clever water conservation initiatives. For example, Lot 12 TradeCoast Central achieved a Green Star Innovation point (Inn-3) for its Sewer Discharge Management system which grinds the effluent to reduce the volume output to sewer. The timing of the discharge is controlled and monitored to ensure that all releases to the municipal sewer occur during off-peak periods. This effectively reduces the risk of wastewater overflows from the municipal system into the environment. The project has also invested in a shared, precinct non-potable water storage and distribution system, which realised another Green Star Innovation point for environmental design initiatives. The system reduces potable water consumption by 80 per cent – the equivalent of more than 10,000 litres a day - and the only potable water used within the precinct is for kitchens, showers and hand basins. Non-potable water is sourced from local council water treatment plants, which guarantee a weekly supply of 2,800 kilolitres per week.

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As Lot 12 is part of an industrial precinct which emphasises sustainability, the building is connected to a number of precinct-wide services adhering to strict environmental standards. Services include a precinct supply of non-potable water, recycled irrigation water and ﬁre system water. The precinct operates a central building management system which monitors the energy and water consumption of all buildings within the precinct through a network of smart energy and water meters. Lot 12’s commitment to water-saving systems at the precinct level is certainly leading edge. While Green Star has encouraged higher levels of water efﬁciency for nine years – until now this has been at the individual building level. Now, with the release of the Green Star – Communities sustainability rating tool in June 2012, we can broaden our focus. Green Star – Communities will support the planning, design and delivery of communities, neighbourhoods and precincts that prioritise environmental sustainability – such as minimising energy and water consumption, and reducing dependence on motor vehicles – alongside broader issues such as

economic prosperity, liveability and community health and wellbeing. The rating tool includes two credits which reward projects that implement water saving strategies. The ‘Potable Water Consumption’ credit (Env-7) awards points to projects that integrate alternative water sources into the community’s design, such as water recycling plants and rainwater systems. It also rewards the provision of real-time, site-wide leak detection and monitoring systems for all potable water sources. The ‘Stormwater’ credit (Env-8) encourages and recognises projects that minimise the adverse stormwater impacts of urban development on receiving water bodies. The approach of current stormwater policy often ignores the frequent ﬂow events which research suggests have an adverse affect on aquatic ecosystems. Managing the volume, frequency and rate of ﬂows being discharged from a site can lessen the impact on the environment. Up to three Green Star points are awarded for stormwater harvesting, evaporation or retention within the community, in addition to effective treatment of water.

The first project to register for a Green Star – Communities PILOT rating was the ‘loop’ precinct – a 40,000 square metre development at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets in Canberra. Rock Development Group’s plan for the precinct includes Green Star-rated buildings, electric vehicle recharge points, a residential car-pooling scheme, precinct-wide energy generation, waste management, and a focus on healthy, active living. Water recycling and harvesting measures will be integrated throughout the precinct. All roof areas will collect rainwater which will be filtered into a tank stored below the central car park, potentially holding a maximum volume of 1,000 megalitres. The harvested rainwater will be used throughout the precinct to maintain landscaped areas and provide water for showering throughout the residential buildings. In addition, Rock Development Group aims for all the residences to recycle blackwater that will be reused throughout the precinct for wash down and toilet flushing. With smart, sustainable planning and design, we can ensure our future water resources are as ‘right as rain’.

GREEN STAR – COMMUNITIES WILL SUPPORT THE PLANNING, DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF COMMUNITIES, NEIGHBOURHOODS AND PRECINCTS THAT PRIORITISE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

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MASTER PLUMBER

SAVES

LIVES

A RECENT INCIDENT IN VICTORIA SERVES AS A TIMELY REMINDER THAT CARBON MONOXIDE IS STILL A SILENT KILLER. In July, a Rochester family of six escaped a potentially lethal dose of carbon monoxide poisoning thanks to Master Plumbers member, Geoff Moroney. The cause of the incident is under investigation by ESV together with the manufacturer and once established, Master Plumbers will report on the ﬁndings. Story reprinted from Campaspe Valley News 17 July 2012

FAMILY ESCAPES GAS POISONING: LEAKING HEATER TO BLAME 17 Jul 2012 Campaspe Valley News By Elaine Cooney Ken and Jo Ellis, their two children and two grandchildren were suffering from the early symptoms of poisoning when they called plumber and gas fitter Geoff Moroney to check the appliance. When he arrived he found carbon monoxide levels were 10 times the acceptable level. ‘‘We were really happy we found it, but it put a really bad taste in our mouths when we realised it could have ended in a real tragedy,’’ Mr Moroney said. ‘‘We were just really thankful to discover it.’’ Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when gas appliances and the toxic gas is inhaled. Mr and Mrs Ellis were suffering from headaches, fatigue and flu-like symptoms before they discovered the leak. ‘‘Well you just think you’ve got the wog,’’ Mr Ellis said. Mrs Ellis started showing signs of heart palpations and grew concerned. This year the family put in new windows and cladding to make the home more energy efficient and believe that was when their symptoms became more severe. ‘‘We reckon it had to be last year it started but the house wasn’t really sealed up properly (then),’’ he said. Mr Ellis had experienced symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning during the course of his working life so thought he should get the serviced.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

‘‘I had a bit of a gut feeling to get it serviced,’’ he said. When it was tested and switched off Mr and Mrs Ellis said they slept well, did not feel lethargic and realised they were not suffering from the ﬂu. ‘‘If we hadn’t discovered it (the leak), it could have done us one night watching telly,’’ Mr Ellis said. ‘‘If we left it on all night it probably would have killed us,’’ Mrs Ellis said. She said she felt sick when she realised the toxic gas could have killed her family. Following the discovery of the the family bought a carbon monoxide alarm for $50. Mr Moroney sold the gas heater to the family two years ago and it was tested for then. When the heater was dismantled by Prigg’s Plumbing and Gas Fitting, which carries out warranty work for the manufacturer, manager Mick Wilson put the down to a manufacturing defect or faulty material. Mr Wilson said it could occur with older appliances due to expansion and contraction but it was ‘‘most unusual to see in a new heater’’. He said it was not uncommon to see such high carbon monoxide readings and he had seen more than a dozen heaters show high readings. Mr Moroney said he saw a higher reading than the Ellis family’s last year and was concerned people were neglecting to service their . ‘‘Basically how much does a life cost?’’ Mr Moroney said. ‘‘It’s so simple to get someone to test your and ensure you are going to be here to enjoy the heat.’’ He said two warning signs a gas appliance was leaking (besides carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms) was if the appliance was not burning properly or if the ﬂame was yellow instead of blue.

Mr Moroney advised district residents to only hire licensed plumbers and gas ﬁtters to check their appliances. First, inspectors should be asked to present their Plumbing Industry Commission licence and the back of the card should be checked to make sure the gas ﬁtting box was ticked. ‘‘If they don’t have a card, don’t employ them,’’ he said. Rochester’s Ray White real estate group is also becoming vigilant about making sure landlords have gas appliances checked every 18 months to two years. Property manager Christine Vance said she became determined properties she managed would be safe from carbon monoxide when she took over the property management of a Mooroopna home following the deaths of two young boys from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2010. ‘‘I vowed that I would not have something like that on my head,’’ she said. Mrs Vance said by March this year most of the in her rental properties were checked. ‘‘With all rentals it (the servicing) is paid for by the landlord as part of the maintenance of the property and it is tax deductable,’’ she said.

MASTER PLUMBERS OFFERS FREE CARBON MONOXIDE TRAINING Master Plumbers, in conjunction with the PIC, PICAC and Energy Safe Victoria, are offering a Carbon Monoxide Testing training course. The course will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to use carbon monoxide (CO) testing equipment and complete the practical procedure to test gas appliances for CO emissions. This course is FREE for plumbers and there are training sessions available across metropolitan and regional Victoria. For course dates and details, see page 32 or contact PICAC on 03 9356 8902

AN AUSTRALIAN TRADITION JUST GOT RE-INVENTED.

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RUN-OFF COVER:

COULD YOUR BUSINESS BE AT RISK? Within any industry, covering yourself against public liability claims can be a vital part of running a successful business. This cover can be important not only whilst operating but also after your business has ceased trading.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BUSINESSES

PLUMBERS LIABILITY RUN-OFF COVER

Due to the demanding nature of the plumbing industry and the high volume of work that is often carried out, it is no wonder that from time to time things can go wrong when completing work for customers. It is therefore important that plumbers hold appropriate insurance to cover their businesses in the event that a situation does arise.

While you may have shut up shop, moved onto another trade or retired, you could still be at risk of claims. After ceasing trading plumbers should ensure insurance cover for certain claims is maintained by continuing to hold an active public liability policy. This is otherwise known as ‘Run-off cover’. If you are about to cease trading, Marsh may be able to organise ‘run-off cover’ from your existing policy. ‘Run-off’ cover will often provide insurance for the same risk exposures as a standard liability policy.

CASE STUDY Jeremy, a plumber who retired from work in 2008 and closed down his business had ensured he was covered by insurance from day one. However after he was no longer trading he decided to cancel his public liability policy.

FIND OUT MORE It is recommended that all plumbers nationally understand the important role public liability and ‘Run-off’ cover can play. For more information regarding Public Liability or Run-Off Cover, please contact a representative at Marsh, trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust).

Four years after Jeremy closed his business, a claim was made by one of his previous clients. This client suffered a large amount of water damage to their premises as a result of defective work done on some pipe ﬁttings in the bathroom.

However, because Jeremy did not hold an active public liability policy at the time the claim was lodged against him, he was unable to claim for the resultant damage, which in this instance was water damage to the property. He was then found personally liable and as a result, had to bear the cost of all rectiﬁcation works himself.

Other insurance products available la lab a le able ab le to plumbers include: Tools of Trade Business Insurance Machinery Workers Compensation* Phone: 1300 300 511 Email: MPIB.Australia@Marsh.com

IN N THE NEXT ISSUE Did you know that plumbers using subcontractors may be held liable for personal injury and property damage claims arising from their works? Find out about the risks regarding subcontractors and some steps to seek to protect yourself and your business.

DISCLAIMER *Marsh does not arrange insurance in those States where there is a government scheme and provides only consultancy services in those States. The hypothetical case studies contained herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as governing any specific facts or circumstances. All policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions are subject to individual underwriting review and are subject to change. Marsh cannot provide any assurance that insurance ban be obtained for any particular client or for any particular risk. Marsh Pty Ltd (ABN 86 004 651 512 AFSL 238983) trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust) (“MPIB”) arrange the insurance and is not the insurer. The insurance solutions referred to in this article are underwritten by various insurers. When arranging insurance for you Marsh Pty Ltd will disclose to you the insurer and the basis upon which it acts. The MPIB name is owned by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) and used under licence by Marsh. MPMSAA receives a financial benefit when a policy is arranged by MPIB, enabling it to continue to provide further services to the plumbing industry. This article contains general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For full details of the terms, conditions exclusions and limitations of insurance cover and before decided whether a policy suits your needs please refer to the specific policy document or Product Disclosure Statement which is available from Marsh Pty Ltd. Copyright Marsh Pty Ltd, 2012

marsh.com.au

UNDERSTANDING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF PLUMBERS IS OUR BUSINESS. Marsh Pty Ltd, trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust), has been operating in the plumbing industry for over 10 years. We have been working closely with Master Plumbers to provide insurance solutions tailored to the plumbing industry. For your insurance needs, contact Marsh, the preferred insurance broker to Master Plumbers & Mechanical Services Association of Australia. For obligation-free quote, call 1300 300 511 or email mpib.australia@marsh.com Marsh Pty Ltd (ABN 86 004 651512 AFSL 238983) trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust) (“MPIB”) arranges this insurance and is not the insurer. The MPIB name is owned by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) and used under licence by Marsh. MPMSAA receives a financial benefit when a policy is arranged by MPIB, enabling it to continue to provide further services to the plumbing industry. This ad contains general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For further information about Marsh, visit www.marsh.com.au. 11/0204

Partnering for impactSM Marsh is one of the Marsh & McLennan Companies, together with Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman.

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PRODUCT

news ZETCO EUROSTOP WATERMARKED SPRING CHECK VALVES The ZETCO WaterMarked Spring check valves are bigger and better than ever. The Eurostop range is the only spring check valve manufactured to AS 1628 in the full range of sizes from 15mm to 100mm. Sizes 65, 80 & 100mm have recently been added in addition to the gaskets now being manufactured in Viton® and the springs have been upgraded to stainless steel 316. The completion of this range is a major development for the plumbing industry in that plumbers can now safely install a spring check valve and be in compliance with AS 3500. Contact ZETCO on 1300 659 639 or visit www.zetco.com.au

UNICO AIR CONDITIONER Finally, an air-conditioner that comes with no outdoor unit. With the Olimpia Splendid Unico the outdoor compressor is completely eliminated, yes thats right the all new Italian designed and manufactured Unico is the first fixed air-conditioner without the outdoor unit. Climate control now comes without external pipework or condensors and makes installation a breeze. The Unico comes with both inverter and fixed speed technology enabling it to deliver great perfermance. With the capability of delivering cool clean air in summer and warm fresh air in winter the Unico is perfect for any aspect of climate control. One of the Unico’s other is great benefits is it’s extremely silent making it ideal for bedrooms infact you could call it perfectly noiseless. For more detailed information on the unique Unico contact Noirot Australia on 03 9563 2778

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

DUX HOT WATER

RIDGID 600 SERIES

Dux Hot Water has released its new Prodigy® 5 star gas storage water heater range, which boasts an outstanding 5 star energy efficiency rating, coupled with a unique design and convenient footprint size. The new Prodigy 5 allows a simple replacement of older, less efficient systems and has the same footprint (422w x 502d) as existing rectangular 3 star external gas units for a simple install. Utilising an Australian first patented design, the new Dux Prodigy 5 has been specifically created with high efficiency in mind, making it the ideal hot water heater to replace existing tanks that guzzle gas and result in high energy bills. Designed and manufactured in Australia, the Prodigy 5 dramatically reduces heat loss after the heating cycle, to maximise energy efficiency and offers outstanding performance by delivering well over 2,000 litres of hot water in a 24 hour period (at a 45°C temperature rise). The Prodigy 5 comes in two sizes – 135 or 170 litres – and is produced in natural gas or LPG options. Commenting on the new Prodigy 5, Mark Lydiard, National Sales Manager at Dux Hot Water, said, “The new Prodigy 5 from Dux is a patented innovation, designed and manufactured right here in Australia and produced with the plumber in mind. The Prodigy 5 also has an adjustable thermostat for safety, efficiency and control over operating costs and performance, and is backed d by a ten year tank warranty for additional itional peace of mind.” he added. For more information about the new Dux Prodigy 5 range, please visit www.5stargas.com.au

Stainless Steel Instrument Tubing Bender The RIDGID 600 Series Benders are specially designed for bending stainless steel, steel titanium and other hard types of tubing. A simple two-stage handle design easily switches to bend up to 180º, keeping bends in-plane and accurate. Unique features and beneﬁts include: > In-plane: two-stage design allows bends from 90º to 180º without ever crossing handles and lock/unlock with a half turn rotation of the bending handle > Accurate: roll dies in bending carriage reduce tube ﬂattening (ovality) and gain marks on form ensure properly aligned bending angles > Reduced force: extra long handles for increased leverage and vice clamp block for extra stability > Ergonomic: cushioned handle grips for improved bending ease. For more information visit www.ridgid.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2012

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The dream kitchen has all the bells and whistles.

Today’s minimal, efﬁcient, modern kitchen boasts every imaginable convenience, and foremost among them are InSinkErators® world leading waste disposal unit and safety- locking steaming hot water tap. The untidiness of food scraps (and the smells that go with them) plus the clutter of power leads and a slow to boil kettle are things of the past. Make sure you add InSinkErators® ideas to your next customer’s list of must haves.

insinkerator.com.au

PRODUCT

news

GO PREMIUM, GO ELITE, GO BOSCH

HUNT HEATING EXPANDS INTELLIGENT BOILER RANGE

Bosch has recently launched the Elite Series of closed-loop solar hot water systems onto the Australian market. The Bosch Elite Series is available in two types of systems; a split solar system and a rooftop solar system. The Split Solar System has the storage cylinder located on the ground and the solar collectors roof-mounted. The Rooftop Solar System has both the storage cylinder and the solar collectors mounted on the roof. When the collectors are filled with a glycol solution, these solar systems are frost resistant down to -14ºC. The Elite Series is a premium product designed for all types of the typical Australian climates, not only in frost prone areas. Available with a gas (Split system only) or electric boosted tank, one will enjoy hot water, smaller energy bills as well as significantly help reduce CO² emissions. In contrast, the Bosch Elite Series Rooftop Solar System utilizes the thermosiphon principle where water naturally moves upwards when heated, forcing colder water into the bottom of the collectors to be heated. In addition a 3kw electric boost element heats the water ensuring hot water even during colder months. Both systems in the Bosch Elite Series can also be installed on flat roofs or with cycloneresistant mounting kits. For more information visit www.bosch-climate.com.au or call 1300 30 70 37

Melbourne based Hydronic Heating specialist Hunt Heating has launched a new range of high-efficiency gas boilers containing a revolutionary electronic management system designed to suit both single and dual systems. The new additions to the Murelle MGP HE range are the most versatile and intelligent collection of boilers ever produced by Italian manufacturer Sime SpA. and the new AGA approved 50 &110Kw enables variants of power, ranging from 30Kw-1200Kw, internal and external cascade module kits inclusive. Completely compatible with renewable technologies and optional weather compensation controls, Murelle MGP HE is also Sime’s most environmentallyfriendly range yet, achieving over 96% efficiency. The range’s green credentials are made possible via an advanced combustion system that extracts the most heat possible from burnt gas, resulting in the highest levels of efficiency, as well as dramatically reducing CO2 emissions. The boilers also contain a sophisticated pre-mix system which, together with constant temperature monitoring to ensure the boiler output is always perfectly matched to demand, also helps to significantly bolster efficiency levels. Hunt Heating new range has also been designed for ease of use and all boilers in the collection contain a dual interface digital control panel, with separate areas for both the end user and installer that are controlled via an integrated keyboard. Speaking about the new range Hunt Heating General manager, Paul Linley said: “The launch of the additional Murelle MGP HE range represents the single biggest launch of new products we have ever undertaken and I’m delighted to introduce to the collection to the Australian market.”

“We invested heavily in new product development to create a range that delivers outstanding levels of versatility and energy efficiency and I have every confidence that it will prove highly popular with both installers and consumers alike.” To find out more visit huntheat.com.au or call 1300 00 1800

A JETTER FOR ALL SEASONS Aussie Pumps put the first 4,000 psi machine on the market back in 2002 after a process of years of product research and development; they called it the Aussie Cobra! Jetters are now used by plumbers, councils, mining companies and general industry to clear blocked drains fast and efficiently. Aussie Cobra’s are working all over the world including in Africa, Europe, Asia and even New York City! Australian pump has now introduced a new series of Cobra Jetters that offer more power, faster cleaning times and more safety features with improved efficiencies. “The changes reflect what we’ve learnt in a gradual process of evolution of this great piece of kit over the years” said Aussie Pumps Chief Engineer, John Hales. “Working closely with plumbers means that we’ve kept our eyes on the important issues and didn’t load the product up with fancy extras that don’t make any difference to the performance” he said. “The engineers aren’t being allowed to hijack this great piece of Aussie innovation,” Hales said. For further information contact Australian Pump Industries on 02 8865 3500.

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PRODUCT

news

PLUMBING INDUSTRY TRAINING AWARDS OPEN FOR 2013 – ‘EARLY BIRDS’ CAN WIN AN IPAD “The PITAs are a tangible way for us to promote the industry and to encourage practitioners to enhance their skills and knowledge through training and professional development, which can be anything from formal learning to reading industry information and attending seminars and courses,” he said. He urged Licensed and Registered Plumbing Practitioners who have engaged in trade-related training and development over the past 12 months to enter the 2013 PITAs. “The $1,000 plus trophy are great prizes, but undoubtedly the real reward is the beneﬁts for practitioners in knowledge and skills gained through ongoing training,” Mr Kefford said. For further information on the PITAs, visit the Plumbing Industry Commission website www.pic.vic.gov.au

Win!

$1,000 & an iPad

Victoria’s Registered and Licensed Plumbing Practitioners can win $1,000 cash and a trophy for their participation in trade-related training in the 2013 Plumbing Industry Training Awards (PITAs), which opened for nominations on 1 September 2012. The PITAs, conducted annually by the Plumbing Industry Commission, recognise and celebrate plumbers who have taken part in post apprenticeship training and development. Nominations for the 2013 awards are open for three months, with the close-off date 30 November 2012. As an added incentive to enter, three Apple iPads are on offer as “Early Bird” prizes. All nominations received by 30 September 2012 will go into a draw, with three lucky practitioners each winning an iPad. Practitioners can nominate themselves or a fellow practitioner in one of the individual categories as well as nominate a training provider who has gone beyond the norm to encourage or inspire practitioners to undertake training. There is also an award for the employer who has shown the greatest commitment to training and development over the past 12 months. The Plumbing Industry Commissioner, Michael Kefford, said the Commission was pleased to conduct the awards, which in 2013 are in their fourth year.

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SANIFLO INTRODUCES SANIACCESS 3 Installing an extra toilet or bathroom in sheds, man caves, attics or just in an area far away from the sewer line has always been easy, thanks to Saniflo Macerator pumps. Now service will also be easier and faster with the New Saniaccess 3. The SANIACCESS 3, with his four inlets, will allow anyone to install a complete bathroom anywhere they want. It has two removable panels on top that will make it the easiest and fastest product to service on the market: The Saniaccess 3 will macerate and pump out the waste of a complete bathroom up to 5 meters high or up to 50 meters away from the sewer line. All the waste will run through a 20mm pipe to reach the nearest sewer line, which avoids any major work. Saniaccess 3 can handle the wastewater from a toilet, sink, bathtub and shower. To find out more visit saniflo.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2012

RELN STRETCH DRAIN RELN Stretch Drain™ is a new and innovative flexible and expandable 100mm drainage pipe system that is super easy to handle and install, saving precious time and effort. Stretch Drain is ideal for use in applications where collection, dispersion and control of sub-surface groundwater are required. The expandable nature of Stretch Drain is one of the most unique features. For example, 2M of Stretch Drain becomes 8M at full extension. The benefits for both the end user and retailer are clear. The super compact design makes it easy for users to transport, store and install. More flexible than the rest, Stretch Drain lays flat in the trench and bends around any curve or corner. It can expand and contract to the perfect length, no cutting or measuring required. For those who have struggled with unwinding and laying traditional agi-pipe flat, this is a huge bonus. The flexible and expandable nature of Stretch Drain makes it easier to install and reduces the install time compared to regular drain pipe. Stretch Drain is available in 8M and 16M pipe lengths with choice of solid, slotted and slotted with sock. Stretch Drain connects to roof gutter downpipes, surfacewater drainage systems, plus existing PVC and agi-pipe systems and is the complete drainage solution, with a full line of snap on fittings and pipe to solve almost any drainage need. Available from all good plumbing stores. For more information www.stretchdrain.com.au

CALLING ALL PLUMBERS TO ENTER! Entries are open from 1 September to 30 November 2012, to Licensed or Registered plumbers with post trade training.

Goods Shed North 733 Bourke Street Docklands 3008 Telephone 1300 815 127 www.pic.vic.gov.au

W W W. P LU M B E R . C O M . A U

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10TH WORLD PLUMBING CONFERENCE 2013 3

SAVE THE ! DATE

Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) is all set to play the role of a perfect host to 10th World Plumbing Conference, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 14 and 15 November 2013.

India offers a fascinating and diverse range of cultural experiences. Anywhere Travel can assist with early bird reservations and tour/cruise options. To ﬁnd out more contact Anywhere Travel on 02 9663 0411

WATER EFFICIENCY AND ITS IMPACT ON ENERGY USE

2012 WPC EDUCATION AND TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP

In Washington DC USA on the 25th July 2012 World Plumbing Council Chairman and IAPMO Group CEO Mr GP Russ Chaney was called to provide testimony before a hearing of the Senate Committee on Water and Power, a sub-committee of the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, convened to examine the role of water use efficiency and its impact on energy use. Mr Chaney appeared along with other witnesses including Mary Ann Dickinson President/CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency who has spoken at conferences and to industry groups in Australia on water efficiency issues, and more recently at the International Emerging Technology Symposium co-convened by the WPC and IAPMO. The outcomes from this hearing and the testimony provided have the potential to impact on important and growing areas of plumbing work with respect to water reuse, greywater recycling and storm water harvesting. For more information visit www.worldplumbing.org

Applications closed for the WPC Scholarship in July with applications being received from all points of the globe including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Ghana, India, Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States. WPC Education and Training Standing Committee Chairman Mr Rich Prospal said that he was delighted with the response and the quality of applications for the WPC’s 2012 Education and Training Scholarship. He said that the selection panels task of choosing the recipient for this years scholarship would be particularly challenging and expected that the announcement of who the successful applicant was would be made in late September. Stay tuned for the winner!

AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2012

C O U N C I L

TAJIKISTAN REVISITED In 2010 World Plumbing Council Director Rich Prospal was asked to prepare a ‘water safety plan’ following a visit to a hospital near the city of Dushanbe in Tajikistan. Mr Prospal visited Tajikistan as the result of a request from the World Health Organization (WHO), seeking the advice of a plumbing expert on a number of issues regarding water distribution, quality of supply and the sanitary system at the district hospital. A report was published following this visit, which described the conditions and included numerous recommendations for corrective projects The recommendations provided by Rich Prospal “have been followed up and rehabilitation work of the water and sanitation system of the hospital is now under way.” In addition a further second mission to Tajikistan was made to review the work done in the hospital and to develop and deliver a training program for plumbers and hospital staff. To read the full story, visit www.worldplumbing.org

RAYMOR REFLECTS WELL ON YOU At Raymor, we are in the business of making plumbers look good and Australian homes even better. The easy installation of our products coupled with awardwinning design, means choosing Raymor will reďŹ&#x201A;ect well on you every time.

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