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Contents
10
12
Features
Regulars
10 Know what’s in the water
18 Snapshot
Information is critical in the fight against COVID-19 and wastewater is one of the key sources used to identify the presence of the virus in our communities
26 Marsh Insurance
Hip pocket relief to 10 apprentice plumbers across the country
16 New plumbing standards The 2021 standards have been released, encompassing the AS/NZS 3500 suite
28 Member news 38 Product news
Subscription changes To change your details or to unsubscribe, call 1800 133 871 or email info@plumber.com.au Print post number: PP100019076
Contacts
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Publisher
See page 22
Advertising
The Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) E australianplumbing@plumber.com.au Marc Wilson T 0419 107 143 E advertising@plumber.com.au
Tom Saxton of Off Grid Plumbing attributes his passion for sustainability to his upbringing on a farm near the base of Mount Kosciuszko in New South Wales. Full story, page 24.
Disclaimer API is published for the plumbing industry and Master Plumbers Members by the Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) ABN: 56 296 473 997. Responsibility for comment in respect of elections in Master Plumbers is taken by Peter Daly of 15/306 Albert Street, Brunswick, VIC, 3056. Advertising: No responsibility is accepted by the publisher for accuracy of information contained in advertisements in API. Publication of any advertisements does not constitute endorsement by the publisher of any product, nor warrant its suitability. Advertisements are published as submitted by advertisers. Copyright: No part of this magazine may be produced without the publisher’s written permission Contributors: The views of external contributors and advertisers are not necessarily the views of Master Plumbers. Master Plumbers supports green printing initiatives. This magazine has been printed on FSC® certified paper using vegetable based inks by Southern Colour under ISO 14001 environmental certification.
6 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
Australian Plumbing Industry magazine 15/306 Albert Street Brunswick VIC 3056 australianplumbingindustry.com.au
12 Push to net zero emissions Embracing green hydrogen will go a long way to meeting our goal of net zero emissions by 2050
21
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Plumbing plays a critical role in prevention and detection of the virus
Welcome
from the President and CEO
As we write this column, COVID lockdowns across the country are still causing uncertainty and challenges for business. Victoria joins New South Wales in
with suspended droplets, in addition
around the world, with more than
an extended lockdown, with ACT,
to larger droplets spread through
a dozen pilot projects in Australia
South Australia and Queensland
sneezing, speaking and the like,
alone. A 2019 study by ACIL Allen
all under restrictions as well.
which fall under gravity more quickly
Consulting estimates that hydrogen
Despite this, building and
to contaminate surfaces. Plumbers
exports alone could contribute
construction across Australia
have been sounding alarms on this
$3.6 billion per annum to the
largely remains open for business.
for some time and understand the
economy and generate up to 10,000
Unfortunately, some sectors are not
significant implications for future
jobs by 2030. This is projected to
able to work or do so under onerous
HVAC design, installation and
grow to $10 billion of exports per
conditions, especially in servicing
maintenance. Provision of potable
annum by 2040, and 16,000 new
non-emergency work in owner-
water and safe disposal of waste
jobs, with most of these jobs in
occupied premises. It is a privileged
remain critical public health
regional areas.
position to be in, not by fortune
measures, not just in relation to
In the Australian domestic market,
but by the hard work done by
COVID, but in allowing our society
there are many opportunities to use
Master Plumbers and other industry
to function and health services to
hydrogen as an alternative to natural
associations coming together to
be delivered during pandemics.
gas with the potential to completely
develop COVIDsafe work practices and enforcing these on work sites.
And as we report in this edition of your magazine, wastewater testing
What has emerged through COVID,
is the ‘canary in the coalmine’ when
built on understanding developed
it comes to early detection of COVID
internationally during the 2002-04
amongst populations. It is proving
SARS outbreaks (COVID-19 is a
to be an extremely valuable tool,
strain of SARS coronaviruses),
allowing authorities to focus testing
is the critical role that plumbing
and tracing on geographic areas
plays in prevention and detection
often before people even know
of the virus. The World Health Organization attributed the SARS outbreak in
they might be infectious. While plumbers may not have
replace natural gas for domestic cooking, heating, and hot water. In the longer term, hydrogen can be used in high temperature manufacturing processes such as in steel, fertilizer, and cement production that currently have high carbon dioxide emissions. Master Plumbers and our key partner PICAC remain at the forefront of helping to shape the Hydrogen industry and ensure all scenarios
the current media profile of
are considered. With emerging
epidemiologists, they certainly
technologies like this, the best
remain in the public eye when it
decisions can only be made when
comes to safeguarding public health.
you have options to choose from!
plumbing system.
Hydrogen update
Scott Dowsett
More recently, the science of
Hydrogen’s use as an energy source
President, Master Plumbers
COVID transmission has pointed
continues to be the subject of many
Peter Daly
more clearly to aerosol distribution
research and development trials
CEO, Master Plumbers
Hong Kong in the early-2000’s to ineffective trap seals in an apartment complex, which allowed the virus to spread through the building’s
www.plumber.com.au | 9
A critical component in the fight against COVID-19 is establishing where transmission of the virus occurs. Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, the public naming of exposure sites by health authorities, and the requirement for people who were at the same sites during the same time to monitor for symptoms or get tested themselves has been an ongoing part of the public health response. Wastewater testing has been another crucial way Governments and health departments can identify where COVID-19 may be present in the community to help to stop the spread. That’s why used water from toilets, sinks, bathrooms and dishwashers is being analysed and tested for fragments of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Fragments of the virus can enter the wastewater system through people who have, or have recently had, COVID-19. People shed the virus through used tissues, off their hands
and skin or in stools, and this shedding can continue for weeks after a person is infectious. “The COVID-19 virus, SARS-Cov-2, can enter wastewater infrastructure through any of those means, however, is likely to enter wastewater principally from faecal and respiratory shedding. Shed virus is then detected by analysing the wastewater using analytical methods that are specific for SARS-CoV-2,” says Dr Nick Crosbie, Recycled Water and IWM Research Manager at Melbourne Water. “Wastewater monitoring is equivalent to obtaining and analysing a large community-based composite sample of faeces, saliva, vomit, sputum, urine, shed skin and other material shed during personal cleansing, washing, bathing, and excreting.” In Victoria, wastewater samples are taken from more than 120 sites including the large Melbourne Eastern and Western wastewater treatment plants, regional wastewater treatment plants and more than 70 locations throughout the metropolitan sewerage system.
Dr Crosbie describes the Department of Health’s surveillance as dynamic, “meaning that it is adjusted to meet changing needs, for example to facilitate surge testing during outbreaks. “Samples are obtained by Australian Laboratory Services by ‘grab sampling’, auto-sampling, and by the deployment of so-called ‘passive samplers’ which accumulate the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the period of their deployment. In total, between a few 100 to more than 1,000 samples are collected and processed in a seven-day period. “The samples are analysed by Australian Laboratory Services, with Monash University undertaking analysis of the passive samplers. Presumptive detections are confirmed by analysis performed at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.” While wastewater testing has been of public prominence during the pandemic, it is regularly undertaken around the world to monitor poliovirus, norovirus and adenovirus. Dr Crosbie has been personally involved in the work for about five years.
Know what’s Information is critical in the fight against COVID-19 and wastewater is one of the key sources used to identify the presence of the virus in our communities.
10 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
“Melbourne Water has been involved in providing wastewater samples for the national polio surveillance program since 2014, and we have also provided wastewater samples for Norovirus surveillance, drug surveillance, and for the Global Sewage Surveillance Project initiated in 2016,” he says. Dr Crosbie says the public identification of locations in which viral fragments are identified in wastewater – announced by the Department of Health on a regular basis including the sending of text messages to people in affected postcodes – allows health authorities to target their responses. “Information can be used by health departments to further focus their investigations, and to encourage an increase in local clinical testing rates. In Melbourne’s recent outbreak (May/ June 2021), wastewater surveillance has facilitated the identification of four new cases,” he says. The role the plumbing industry plays in effective wastewater testing is clear.
The provision of safe and effective plumbing and sanitation shows how the plumbing industry contributes to strong public health, says Master Plumbers CEO Peter Daly. “Plumbers play a vital role in developing, maintaining and promoting public health among the community. Plumbers prevent against disease and illness stemming from poor plumbing and sanitation, and against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, some of which can be deadly,” he says. In 2018, Master Plumbers published the report A stronger plumbing industry safeguarding our community: Plumbing industry priorities which highlighted the valuable role plumbers play in public health and safety. This includes the prevention of Legionnaires’ Disease caused by cooling towers and the increasing use of warm water systems in buildings as well as the servicing and maintenance of gas appliances
to eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. “Master Plumbers continues to advocate for strong public health and safety awareness program on the risks posed by asbestos, legionella, lead and carbon monoxide,” says Peter. “Our day to day work in plumbing and sanitation also supports the overall wastewater testing process to play a big role in the COVID-19 response.” Dr Crosbie agrees. “Victoria’s COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program is a huge team effort between people working in the plumbing industry, water industry, and the laboratory and health sectors,” he says. “More generally, the safe operation of our water and wastewater infrastructure ensures that the community do not suffer from significant health effects from water and wastewater-borne diseases.”
Victoria’s COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program is a huge team effort between people working in the plumbing industry, water industry, and the laboratory and health sectors.
in the water
www.plumber.com.au | 11
Join the push to
net zero
emissions
Master Plumbers believes embracing green hydrogen will go a long way to meeting our goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The plumbing and gasfitting industry has an exciting opportunity to lead the charge towards a nation-wide push towards green hydrogen, in line with the commitment several Australian states and territories have made to produce net zero emissions by 2050.
“a zero emissions fuel that exists on Earth in abundance, can easily be extracted using basic chemistry and offers jobs and investment in Australia for decades to come.”
That’s the conclusion of a new discussion paper prepared for Master Plumbers, which outlines the significant opportunities and challenges presented to the industry by the shift towards hydrogen.
Traditionally, hydrogen has been produced by coal and gas. This ‘grey’ hydrogen, as it has become known, emits carbon dioxide. According to the International Energy Agency, around 830 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is pumped into the environment each year due to the production of hydrogen.
Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel describes hydrogen as
As Governments around the world grapple with options to achieve net
12 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
zero emissions and create more sustainable futures for generations to come, ‘green’ hydrogen has the potential to be a key enabler. As the name suggests, green hydrogen is the cleanest type of hydrogen, generated by renewable energy sources without emitting any carbon in the first place. The process of creation involves electrolysis, which extracts hydrogen from water. When the electrolyser (the device which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrical energy) is powered by renewable energy, the whole process is emission free.
As the name suggests, green hydrogen is the cleanest type of hydrogen, generated by renewable energy sources without emitting any carbon in the first place
Gary Bath, Chief Technical Officer with Master Plumbers, says green hydrogen can play a key role moving forward. “The future for the gas industry currently rests with the possibilities surrounding bio-gas and hydrogen. Hydrogen, if produced economically and renewably, could provide a safe and effective gas for the future, either through injecting into existing natural gas infrastructure or as a stand-alone fuel gas,” he says. This will involve a big shift for southern states of Australia, who have traditionally relied on natural gas for heating. “Electrical generation in Australia is moving towards renewable sources, (wind, solar and hydro) at 24% but
Coal (54%) and gas (20%) show that we are still fossil fuel reliant for electrical generation,” Gary says. “State rebate schemes are driving some of this change encouraging consumers to move, from so called “inefficient gas hot water systems and heating appliances” to heat pumps and refrigerated air conditioning units. While the increased efficiency of both types of appliances has improved are we ready for the potential increased load on our electrical grid?” New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia have developed hydrogen strategies, and a National Hydrogen Strategy released by the Federal Government outlines two key phases – the
present day until 2025, which will allow for the piloting, trialing and demonstration projects as well as large-scale market activation from 2025 onwards. As Master Plumbers’ discussion paper outlines, hydrogen could be a long-term alternative to natural gas in the Australian domestic market. Dr Alan Finkel has concluded that hydrogen is no longer just a good idea, but a realistic and sustainable energy solution that can meet both domestic and commercial energy needs, with the potential to lower power production, lower carbon emissions and deliver wider economic benefits. Hydrogen can be safely added to natural gas supplies at 10% by www.plumber.com.au | 13
Questions to consider What do think are some of the key opportunities provided by the push towards green hydrogen for the plumbing and gas fitting industries? Can you identify any risks or concerns associated with this shift? If so, what are they? volume without changes to pipelines, appliances or regulations. Over time, and with modifications to the existing gas networks and appliances, hydrogen has the potential to completely replace natural gas for domestic cooking, heating and hot water. So, what does this mean for the plumbing industry? With about 20,000 licensed gasfitters of 28,000 licensed plumbers in Victoria, there is enormous potential for the plumbing industry to help lead the transition to hydrogen in line with state and territory targets. The skills required for water electrolysis and fuel cells will not be too different from current practices, but it is possible that more gasfitters will be required to undertake a restricted electrical license (REL) training. The discussion paper highlights that the existing skill sets of plumbers and gasfitters ensures they are well equipped to deal with hydrogen. “The plumbing and gasfitting industries can be at the forefront of the push across Australian states and territories towards net zero emissions, of which hydrogen energy sources will play an enormous role,” says Master Plumbers CEO Peter Daly. “We know that moving forward there will be extensive opportunities for gasfitters to play a critical role in 14 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
the installation and maintenance of hydrogen alongside or in place of natural gas and LPG.” A shift to hydrogen may require some infrastructure upgrades. For example, in Victoria, existing infrastructure is expected to accommodate blends of gas with 10% hydrogen but upgrades and retrofitting pipes may be required if we move to high blends or pure hydrogen. This is because, at some temperatures and pressures, high concentrations of hydrogen gas can degrade the quality of metal and older plastic pipes and potentially make them more brittle. Hydrogen is also a much smaller molecule which makes some pipes and connections more prone to leakage. This can be addressed with retrofitting of parts of the existing network and through lining of pipes as we have done in the past in potable water and sewer networks. Peter Daly says that Master Plumbers has been anticipating the current shift towards hydrogen for some time. “That’s why our state-of-the-art PICAC training facilities in Brunswick and Narre Warren are being equipped with world-class hydrogen training equipment, including separate zones where training can structure towards hydrogen gas. In Queensland, a purpose built and world-class Hydrogen Centre of
Do you think the existing skill sets for plumbers and gasfitters are well equipped to support a shift towards green hydrogen? Would you like the opportunity to engage in training and skill development to support you towards the shift to green hydrogen? Why or why not? Email your thoughts to membership@plumber.com.au Excellence is being established to train or retrain practitioners to use blended or pure hydrogen safely. “We believe that if Australia is to truly embrace and take advantage of the possibilities and opportunities provided by hydrogen, more training facilities may be needed in the future. As Peter points out, hydrogen is not risk-free. It has a broader flammability range than natural gas and can react with certain metals which might result in changes to fittings and appliances. “These risks can be controlled and managed, evidencing the critical nature of training to protect and support not only workers but also the general community. Our industry needs to play an important role in helping not only consumers but political leaders to understand these risks and respond to them appropriately.”
New plumbing standards AS/NZS3500 has some major changes to be aware of Master Plumbers’ technical Advisor, Aaron Bridger, explains. The 2021 standards have been released, encompassing the AS/NZS 3500 suite. Here are the major changes:
The Water Standards AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 Conformance to individual product standards has been removed. All products used in plumbing and drainage systems in Australia need to comply with the PCA and, in New Zealand, the NZBC, see appendix B for further information. Definitions have been relocated to AS/NZS 3500.0. This was done for consistency across the series. A number of the backflow prevention provisions, which were considered matters of public policy, have been elevated to PCA Part B5 Cross Connection Control. To remove duplication between PCA 2019 and AS/NZS 3500.1, the provisions relating to cross-connection hazards and the corresponding hazard rating have been removed. Consequently, Appendix F was deleted, and all remaining backflow provisions have been consolidated in Section 4. Jointing requirements for plastics pipes have been clarified and expanded to allow different methods. (Clause 5.6.9). Changes to the requirements for the marking of pipes in commercial buildings. (Clause5.19). Changes to the requirements for the installation of water services located in metalframed walls to bring the provisions in line with those of the National Association of Steel- framed Housing. (Clause 5.5.2.1 C). Clause 5.4 relating to bushfire zones has been removed in anticipation of requirements relating to bushfire prone areas being elevated to the PCA.
All 100mm branch drains will now be required to be installed at an inclination of not less than 15 degrees.
16 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
Section 12, relating to special connections for specific fixtures, has been removed. With backflow requirements being moved to the PCA; listing these few examples would be inappropriate. The WaterMark specifications for the product would identify what backflow devices were required.
Sanitary Plumbing & Drainage
Stormwater Drainage
Heated Water Services
AS/NZS 3500.2:2021
AS/NZS 3500.3:2021
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021
Conformance to individual product standards has been removed. All products used in plumbing and drainage systems in Australia need to comply with the PCA and, in New Zealand, the NZBC, see Appendix A for further information. Removal of specific product standard conformance requirements avoids inconsistencies and contradictions between this document and the PCA and NZBC.
Definitions have been relocated to AS/NZS 3500.0 for consistency across the series.
Conformance to individual product standards has been removed. All products used in plumbing and drainage systems in Australia need to comply with the PCA and, in New Zealand, the NZBC, see Appendix B for further information. Removal of specific product standard conformance requirements avoids inconsistencies and contradictions between this document and the PCA and NZBC.
Definitions have been relocated to AS/NZS 3S00.0 for consistency across the series. The range of materials that can be used for wet wells has been expanded to encompass prefabricated wells. Changes to the requirements for the marking of pipes in commercial buildings. (Clause 10.10). Changes to the connection requirements for drains at grade. (Clause 4.9.1). These requirements are limited to 100mm branch drains, now required to be inclined at 15 degrees. The requirement for a commercial dishwashing machine drainage just to connect to a disconnector gully with a 10 m discharge pipe has been removed. (Clause 13.25.3). An appendix has been added providing guidance on the requirements of AS 2870 for flexible connections to be installed in plastics pipe drainage systems. It covers flexible connections, lagging and water ingress under the slab to accommodate a range of differential soil movement for Soil Classes M, M-D, Hl, H1-D, HZ, H2-D, E and E-D.
Design rainfall intensities are now expressed in terms of the Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) values to reflect the practice of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). There has been no change in the requirements or the calculations, and the original ARI values are shown for comparison. The 5 min duration rainfall intensities for representative places in Australia given in Table D.1 have been updated to show the latest values from the BOM. The range of materials that can be used for wet wells has been expanded to encompass prefabricated wells. Changes have been made to the requirements for the marking of pipes in commercial buildings. (Clause 1.7).
Until September 2022, Victorian plumbers can choose to use the existing 3500 series or the new Standards
Changes to the number of pressure attenuators required to allow more flexible installation options. (Clause 6.11).
This is a summary of the major amendments to the Standard. Information about more detailed changes will be provided to Master Plumbers members in coming months. Don’t forget – members of Master Plumbers Victoria receive access to the new AS/NZS 3500 suite. For more information, email membership@plumber.com.au or phone 03 9329 9622.
Definitions have been relocated to AS/NZS 3500.0 for consistency across the series. Jointing requirements for plastics pipes have been clarified and expanded to allow different methods. (Clause 4.4.8). Changes to the requirements for the marking of pipes in commercial buildings. (Clause 4.13.2). Changes to the requirements for the installation of water services located in metal-framed walls to bring the provisions in line with those of the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH). (Clause 4.6.11 C). The separation between above-ground heated water services pipe work and electrical services has been reduced to bring it in line with AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3500.1. (Clause 4.3.2.2). To improve the amenity of users and reduce wastage of water and energy, changes have been made to requirements for circulated heated water systems including water meters and entry points for heated water, thermal insulation for non-circulatory heated water piping, and maximum capacities of any dead leg from the branch offtake to its termination. Appendix Q has been added to provide a guide to determining capacity of dead legs and estimating wait times. Heated water temperature control provisions, which are considered matters of public policy, were elevated from AS/NZS 3500.4 to the PCA Part B2 Heated Water Systems. To avoid conflict between the PCA and this document, clauses relating to sanitary fixtures delivery temperature and solutions for control of delivery temperatures have been deleted.
www.plumber.com.au | 17
Snapshot
from around the nation Victorian news Know how to deal with new requirements There are legislative changes and social expectations that plumbers need to be ready for, as Master Plumbers’ Frank Geremia OH&S and Return to Work Manager reports. Environmental risk assessments As part of the Environment Protection Act 2017, plumbing businesses are expected to take reasonably practicable steps to proactively manage their activities to avoid risk of environmental damage or harm to human health. As a result, principal contractors, government departments and local authorities are starting to ask for an Environmental Risk Assessment from their contractors in order to ensure they are fulfilling their obligations. Modern slavery legislation Modern slavery is a problem around the world, even in Australia. A global effort is occurring to eliminate modern slavery in supply chains and Australia enacted the Modern Slavery Act in 2018. This Act places a positive obligation on companies with an annual consolidated revenue of more than $100 million to know their supply chains and report on their progress to eliminate modern slavery. It is coming to plumbers in a couple of ways: 1 If you provide services to hospitals, government projects, local government authorities or large contractors they will be required to report on their activities right through their supply chain. They may therefore ask you for evidence of what you are doing to eliminate risk; and 2 If you turn over more than $100M per annum, you are 18 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
required to report. Note that the states are following suit and NSW already has legislation in place to catch businesses turning over more than $50M. Modern Slavery Statements are something that will be used as part of this compulsory reporting and should not be a ‘tick and flick’ exercise. They are required to be implemented in your business and if reporting, you will need to back up your assertions with evidence. Where does your pipe come from, and how are the workers in that manufacturing company paid? What about your workers, are you sure you are paying at least the minimum wages and conditions? Are you involved in sham contracting? These are the types of questions that you will need answers.
system will ensure safety is integrated into your business. Reconciliation Action Plans Increasingly, contractors working on government projects are being expected to have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and to provide evidence to principal contractors. A RAP is a strategic document that supports an organisation’s business plan. It includes practical actions that will drive an organisation’s contribution to reconciliation both internally and in the communities in which it operates.
WorkSafe blitzes WorkSafe Inspectors are continually visiting domestic and commercial construction sites.
Master Plumbers has the expertise and tools available to guide you through this journey. We can help you with:
WorkSafe Blitzes occur when a pattern emerges in the data showing serious injuries and or fatalities. Some of the key areas that have made up recent WorkSafe blitzes are:
• Safety Management Systems • SWMS • Training • Consulting/auditing service
• Working at heights, use of scaffolding and use of ladders. • Mobile plant on construction sites • Trenching and shoring As a plumbing business owner, it is up to you to ensure you have the correct safety systems in place and to train your subcontractors, staff and apprentices. A well-implemented
Master Plumbers Victoria will be releasing new services, tools and templates to assist you with requirements under the Modern Slavery Act and Environment Protection Act. For more information, contact Frank Geremia at frank.geremia@plumber.com.au or on 0425 770 013.
Easy Insurance for Hard Working Tradies Competitive premiums No height restrictions Errors and Omissions (Products) cover Meets Victorian Building Authority insurance requirements Get a quote online quickly Get your Certificate of Currency straight after you have successfully arranged insurance
Visit www.marshplumbers.com.au and arrange your Plumbers Public Liability Insurance online. Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303, AFSL 238 369)(Marsh) arrange this insurance and are not an insurer. When arranging Public Liability Insurance, Marsh act under binding authority on behalf of Pacific Underwriting Corporation Pty Ltd (ABN 77 091 225 535, AFSL 237 270), who act as agent of the insurer, Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL 239 687). This brochure contains general information, does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and may not suit your personal circumstances. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers and before making any decision about whether to acquire the product, refer to the specific policy wordings available from Marsh. The Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia receives a financial benefit when an insurance policy is arranged by Marsh LCPA 20/479 S21-1010
Snapshot
from around the nation Queensland news Are you resilient and adaptive? Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) and the Women’s Plumbing Alliance hosted a panel of influential members. They shared their insights into resilience. Here’s a snapshot: Jess Pasfield, part owner and office manager at Pasfield Plumbing who is completing her plumbing apprenticeship and in 2019 won the Plumbing & Gas Industry Awards’ Women in Business Award. What does the industry mean to you? When my husband, Dan, started his apprenticeship, we used to talk/dream about how we could start and run a plumbing company, and how we could make a positive change to our community. Being where we are today, seeing these changes and being a part of MPAQ and their advocating shows just how important our industry is to everyday life.
Resilience: the ability of a business to withstand, adapt, and thrive in the face of shocks that are internal and external, as well as known and unanticipated
What is resilience to you and how do you build it? I believe it’s naturally in our blood: “Aussie battlers” is often the term used to describe our resilience... I find I push through better when I don’t let my list consume me as a whole, focus on one at a time and think of the reward. For me, it is the freedom of family time when this list is complete. When a difficult situation has come up for your business, how have you overcome it? 20 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
Research, professional advice, hard work, and learning to be confident in backing our decisions was essential. Anything you put effort in will grow. The biggest lesson, which I’m just learning now, is to be kind to myself. How do you deal with the potential burn-out of staff or yourself? We care greatly for our team and their mental health, so having regular check-ins with our team is super important to ensure they are handling the work life balance. Sonya Hughes, Hughes Plumbing Contractors, has been in the industry for about 10 years and has been actively working and running the office at Hughes Plumbing Contractors for the past four. She was named one of MPAQ’s 2021 ambassadors. Sonya was also awarded the 2019 Plumbing & Gas Industry Awards’ Women in Business Award. What does being in the plumbing industry mean to you? I feel very fortunate to be a part of the plumbing industry as I get to work with my son and our amazing and very talented team. I also get to experience different aspects of the trade. What is resilience to you, and how do you build it? Resilience to me is going through the ups and downs of the industry, the economy, and other factors. It’s about diversifying your business with multiple revenue streams and to maximise opportunities during the
Sonya Hughes, Jess Pasfield and Tiffany English
good and bad times in business. It’s also having a good team that can adapt to an ever-changing industry and customer base. Was there a difficult time or situation that your business faced? The starting up of the business and the unknown of what to expect, how to grow and how to be successful. How did you overcome it? Hard work, networking, joining MPAQ, and surrounding ourselves with other business people. Always listening and taking opportunities when they present themselves. What was the biggest lesson that you learnt? Always think ahead. Think about growing and diversifying the business. Thinking about the future within the economy and what may impact you. Tiffany English started Modus Operandi three years ago and has not looked back! How are you involved in the plumbing industry? I’ve been in the trades’ industry since I could walk, but I managed to hit
Find your local association
Master Plumbers & Gasfitters Association of Western Australia T (08) 9471 6661
Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia T (03) 9329 9622
Master Plumbers Association ACT Inc T (02) 6112 8630
Master Plumbers Association of Queensland T (07) 3273 0800
Master Plumbers Association of South Australia T (08) 8292 4000
Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania T (03) 6272 2199
Master Plumbers & Mechanical Contractors Association of New South Wales T (02) 8789 7000
Apprentice nominations open the plumbing industry at 19 years old. Within a couple of months, I was running teams of residential, commercial, and civil plumbers from Perth to the Pilbara. Since then, I’ve not been able to leave! I decided three years ago I had to work smarter, so now we help hundreds of plumbers to streamline and transform their businesses. What is resilience to you, and how do you build it? To me, resilience is the ability to bounce back, which explains why one of our core values is adaptability. The world, and particularly the plumbing industry, is constantly changing – the need to recover quickly and act ‘elastic’ is critical to long-term success. What are some of the issues that you have seen the plumbing businesses you work with face? Since I entered the trades world, the adaption of technology has been one of the biggest challenges... COVID-19 has certainly hurried that along. How would you recommend businesses overcome difficult situations? A tip I always remind my team is: will this matter this time next year, or next month, or even tomorrow? If the answer is no, we probably don’t have that big of a problem. What should businesses do to deal with the potential burn-out of staff? I believe the answer is passion. If you can create a team culture that instils this passion, and every single employee is working passionately toward the same goal, magical things happen!
A total of $30,000 will provide some hip pocket relief to 10 apprentice plumbers across the country, with the recent celebration of recipients of the 2021 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants. A total of 187 applications were received this year, with more than half from mature-aged apprentices who have joined the plumbing sector from a variety of previous industries. The 10 recipients, who each receive $2,000 to assist with their TAFE or RTO fees and textbooks, $1,000 to help them build their toolbox as well as a tool tote bag, hail from all corners of the country from Melbourne and Sydney through to East Arnhem in the Northern Territory. Rheem Australia CEO Chris Taylor says “Our independent judging panel was extremely impressed with high calibre and diversity of applications. They show a level of passion and commitment for this industry that gives us confidence in its future.” Master Plumbers’ President Scott Dowsett joined plumber Scott Robinson, Rheem Australia’s Kevin Price and Aimee Stanton, plumber turned DIY and Tiny House creator on the expert judging panel.
Bradley Searle, NT East Arnhem Plumbing Services Isaac Annous, NSW All Purpose Plumbing Jacobie Welsh, VIC O’Brien Plumbing Bendigo Jai Seers, VIC (pictured) Shinners Plumbing Pty Ltd Matthew Allen, QLD Ruben Taylor Plumbing and Gas Riley Cameron, QLD Perren & Penny Plumbing Tayla Billing, SA Keeltay Pty Ltd Taylor Metcalf, VIC (pictured below right) ACP Plumbing Solutions Teisha Sethi-Swindail, NSW Jeff Maguire Plumbing Christian Kirkendall, NSW Water Waste & Gas Plumbing Rheem also granted one apprentice plumber with a special $500 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Recognition Award. The recipient is: Adam Annous, NSW All Purpose Plumbing
Rheem is proud to announce this year’s Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grant recipients:
Apprenticeships by numbers 264,425
10.1%
The number of apprentices and trainees in training, as of September 2020
The percentage of employed workers within the trade occupations who are an apprentice or trainee www.plumber.com.au | 21
How do I build a It might seem daunting, but be clear about your objectives, plan well and get your website project built stat says Daniel Carroll, Master Plumbers Communication and Media Manager. So, you need a website but don’t know where to start? You might have many questions like: Q What do I need to have on my site? Q How long will it take to make? Q And most importantly… How much will it cost? Like many things in life, the answer to all of the questions above is ‘… it depends’. It depends on who you are, who you are talking to and what you want to achieve by building a website. But I will tell you this…it is possible to establish yourself online without breaking the bank. So, without further ado, let’s build your showroom! Believe it or not, the process is very similar to if you were to build a bricks and mortar showroom in the real world. But before you go building anything you’re going to need a few things. 22 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
Hosting Let’s start with your land, where are you going to build? Luckily, in the digital world you don’t have to worry so much about location. You just need a small patch of internet space (or space on a hard drive somewhere) to host your website files and publish it to the world wide web for all to see. Hosting is relatively cheap nowadays and available from a heap of different places, so shop around and see which provider best suits your needs. To host a standard website, you’re probably looking at anywhere between $5 and $25 per month depending on the bells and whistles you choose to include in your plan.
Domain name So, you’ve got your little plot of internet land floating off in space, next you have to give it an address so that people are able to find it – that’s where a domain name comes
… the process is very similar to if you were to build a bricks and mortar showroom in the real world.
into play, your www.whatever.com. You can purchase these from the same place as your hosting and they’ll set you back about $30 every two years. Don’t get all cute with your website name. It needs to be short and memorable for those who want to find you and your business. So, now you’ve got your empty block connected to www.domainname.com.au. Let’s get building! STOP! Again, just like your bricks and mortar, you can’t just jump in and start slapping bricks together. You need to plan out what you’re going to build. So, grab some paper and a pencil and get sketching!
website? What do I need to have on my site? Start with your foyer or ‘home page’ the first thing people will see when they enter your showroom. How will you greet them? What do you want to them to see first? Your best bet? Tell them what you do and why they should choose you to do it. Convince your guest of this and you can lead them throughout your showroom for the guided tour. From the foyer you’re going to have a bunch of different rooms attached that generally have different purposes. The most common to consider will be: About us – a room (or page) that will talk about you, your company and your story, provide information about the experience of your team and what makes you so great. Services – again a room (page) that will display the type of work and services that you perform in an easy-to-follow format, remembering that sometimes your guest may not be an expert in what you do – that’s why they’re in your showroom – so think about how you’re going to talk to them here.
Your work – Now that they know who you are and what you do, they’ll most likely want to see some evidence of your handywork – a nice bright room with photos, video and descriptions of some of the projects you’ve worked on that you’re most proud of and show off your abilities. Testimonials – next people will want some social proof. A key point in the decision-making process of many people these days is to ask others for their experiences with a particular company or service provider – this is why reviews are so important. Take this opportunity to lead your guest into a room full of people prepared to say great things about you, what you have done for them and how you have solved their problem. Contact page – Lastly, you’ll want a room where your guest can go to speak with you. This is typically your contact details, a map of where to find you and an email form to ask any further questions or even request a quote for their job. So, at a minimum, we’re looking at a website with six rooms: your home
page (foyer); about us, services; your work; testimonials; and contact pages. Now that you’ve got your floorplan down, you can get started on your build. Depending on your confidence with computers, you can have a go at building the website yourself using something like WordPress, Wix or Squarespace, or get a professional in to build it for you.
There are plenty of great web designers out there but remember to always have a look at work they’ve done and talk to people who have used them before so you know what to expect. Depending on the amount of work required to complete your site, you’re looking at between $200 and $3000 to get a basic website up and running. So, find out what fits in your budget and start nurturing and converting those social-media leads with your very own online showroom. www.plumber.com.au | 23
Love the tools and the world
Kathryn Kernohan speaks with Tom Saxton of Off Grid Plumbing who attributes his passion for sustainability to his upbringing on a farm near the base of Mount Kosciuszko in New South Wales. “I had always grown up with a connection to and appreciation of country,” he says. “Water was not plentiful on the farm and I used to do some irrigation and water system work with my dad. When I came into town, I would see people using hoses to wash their driveways. It made me think that they didn’t know or appreciate where water comes from, beyond turning on the tap or the shower.” Tom jokes that later, as an apprentice plumber, he would “get into trouble with host employers for talking about sustainability too much.
24 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
“I would tell customers that, for example, there are other options than electric hot water systems. Just like we don’t ride a horse and cart into town anymore, technology has changed and there are now solutions that are more energy and cost efficient.” About five years ago, Tom established his business Off Grid Plumbing, based in inner-city Melbourne. Off Grid Plumbing’s website describes the business as ‘not just your standard plumbing service’ – and that’s the way Tom likes it.
“We do everything from your day-to-day jobs fixing grandma’s tap washers, working on new builds and we also have a large array of body corporate work. What we do is try to put as much of a sustainability twist on our work as we can. “When I was younger I didn’t necessarily have the foresight to move into the sustainability field, it is just a bit of knowledge I’ve picked up along the way and definitely a passion of mine.” The business specialises in installing and replacing hot water systems, water-saving solutions such as rainwater tanks, gas servicing and renewal and roof installations to ensure they are as sustainable as possible. “Around nine out of every 10 customers who contact us do so
Around nine out of every 10 customers who contact us do so because they specifically want to explore their sustainability options
because they specifically want to explore their sustainability options. What we are big on is ensuring that something sustainable is able to pay for itself over time. If you spent $20k on making your home more sustainable, you need to be able to see savings along the way. “Sustainability options need to be making a difference too. I’ve heard of some 6-star energy rated properties with rainwater tanks where the tanks aren’t even connected, so they’re not doing anything. Sustainability is not just about ticking a box, it’s about minimising your environmental impact and maximising your quality of life.” Part of Off Grid Plumbing’s work involves partnering with builders
and other plumbers on new builds and renovations, including some multi-million-dollar properties across Melbourne.
to keep the house comfortable all year around.” Educating the broader sector and practitioners is something close to Tom’s heart.
“When we do a new build there will be builders and plumbers assigned, and they essentially leave the green side of things to me. It’s great to work alongside plumbers to educate them about sustainability.”
“I don’t think there’s enough information about sustainability for the plumbing industry. Part of what I do is work with councils including Darebin and Moreland in Melbourne to educate not only plumbers but customers too.
Tom recalls a story about a homeowner who purchased a double-fronted bungalow, and obtained a building permit to increase the thickness of ceilings and floors throughout the house.
Off Grid Plumbing’s small team comprises three plumbers including Tom, and a recently appointed personal assistant. The business will soon look to add a third- or fourth-year apprentice to the team.
“Now, he doesn’t need air conditioning in summer and he just has a small decorative fireplace for winter, but it’s more than enough
“Like most plumbers, I don’t want to spend my time in the office and I still absolutely love being out there on the tools every day.”
www.plumber.com.au | 25
Marsh Advantage Insurance Promotion
Understand the threat of cyber attacks Plumbing businesses rely on technology. It brings great efficiencies and opportunities, unfortunately, it also brings new risks. Cyber risks happen when people harness the way you use technology. Critical business assets such as emails and bank accounts are potential exposure points for malicious parties to exploit. It is commonly thought that only large organisations are vulnerable to cyber risk. However, with 97% of Australian businesses having less than 20 staff 1, small and medium businesses (SMBs) are a significant pool of potential victims for criminals to target. SMBs are often perceived as ‘low-hanging fruit’ and often do not have the time, funds or expertise dedicated to protecting their networks and digital assets. A recent small business survey conducted by the Australian Cyber Security Centre 2 found that:
Social Engineering Fraud refers to techniques used by fraudsters to manipulate victims into surrendering funds or confidential information. These techniques have become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. For example, cyber-criminals can intercept communication lines, such as email, awaiting the opportunity to issue a fraudulent payment request. Ransomware is malicious software that disables access to a computer system unless a ransom is paid. It typically infiltrates systems through malicious attachments or links in phishing emails, and can include data exfiltration (where sensitive data is taken and the threat to expose it is made). Marsh data shows that the downtime from ransomware events averages 16 days, with the average extortion demand over USD170,000. According to a leading cyber insurer, SMBs often feel they must pay the ransoms, as the alternative is a potentially long period of crippling business downtime 3. For plumbers, ransomware can have devastating consequences. Future booked work, confidential customer data, and more could be impacted, leading to significant financial, reputational and regulatory implications.
• 62% of respondents had been victims of a cyber attack
How can I protect my business?
• The estimated total annual losses from cybercrime are $300 million
Cyber hygiene
• A cybercrime is reported every 10 minutes So what are the common methods used by threat actors to target SMBs?
• Implement multi-factor authentication. This provides an extra layer of security to verify the person’s identity trying to access an account.
• Whenever a change of supplier bank detail request is received, verify this request with a phone call or face-to-face meeting. • Frequently train employees on the importance of cyber security, and outline common threats to be aware of. • Regularly upgrade and patch applications to mitigate against known software vulnerabilities. Risk transfer via insurance The complexity of remediating IT systems and normal business operations following a cyber-breach is becoming increasingly damaging and expensive. Cyber insurance policies often provide cost-effective protection and a range of resources and services to help you respond and recover losses from cyber events. Marsh works with leading cyber insurers to create competitive insurance products. Often these go beyond just the insurance protection itself but also include risk management services to assist SMBs in creating a holistic cyber risk management solution. For more information, contact your dedicated team at trades@marshadvantage.com or call 1300 300 511.
1 Australian Small Business Statistical Report www. asbfeo.gov.au/sites/default/files/Small_Business_ Statistical_Report-Final.pdf 2 www.cyber.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-07/ ACSC%20Small%20Business%20Survey%20 Report.pdf 3 www.cfcunderwriting.com/resources/ articles/2020/08/5-reasons-hackers-target-smes
Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303, AFSL 238 369) (Marsh) arrange this insurance and are not an insurer. This advertisement contains general information, does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and may not suit your personal circumstances. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers and before making any decision about whether to acquire the product, refer to the specific policy wordings available from Marsh. The Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia receives a financial benefit when an insurance policy is arranged by Marsh for one of its members. LCPA No. 21/215 26 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
ENGAGE AND LEARN ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S GAS INDUSTRY 21 OCTOBER 2021
IAPMO NARRE WARREN, MELBOURNE AND VIA VIRTUAL WEBINAR
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE GAS INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA? WHERE IS IT HEADING?
SPEAKERS
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THE INDUSTRY IS FACING? Dave Viola, CEO, The IAPMO Group Grant Stewart International Director of IWSH Foundation Hon. Ms Lily D’Ambrosio Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment & Climate Change Ben Wilson CEO, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group Murray Lyster CEO, Australian Hydrogen Council
Steve Cronin General Manager Gas and Pipeline Safety and Technical Regulation Representing the Gas Technical Regulators Committee Shayne La Combre CEO, PICAC (The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre) and Secretary/Treasurer of the World Plumbing Council Marnie Williams Chair, Energy Safe Victoria Dr. Fiona Simon Chair, Australian Hydrogen Council
BOOK VIA EVENTBRITE.COM.AU If your ability to attend the event in person is impacted by government restrictions, your ticket will be updated to a virtual webinar ticket and the cost difference refunded.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ENQUIRIES P: 03 8684 9580 | E: ADMINS@IAPMO.ORG
www.plumber.com.au | 27
Member news
Advocacy at the heart The plumbing community has a vital role in advocating to governments and promoting to the broader community the link between good quality plumbing, health, environmental sustainability and, increasingly, economic prosperity. And today, with COVID-19 impacting our world, we are again reminded of just how important this community is. As Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia celebrates 130 years, the CEO Peter Daly looks back at the historical significance of plumbing and the member association. Q What are some of the most historically significant roles the plumbing industry has played in the world? A One of the greatest advancements
in public health remains the understanding that many diseases result from pathogens contaminating water; the water we then use for drinking, cooking and washing. Separating potable and wastewater remains one of plumbing’s greatest contributions to safeguarding health. 28 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
Unfortunately, this journey is not over. In remote communities in Australia and in developing countries, some people still don’t have this basic need met. Plumbing and economic prosperity go hand in hand. Plumbing contributes to meeting basic human needs and improving life expectancy. Building essential infrastructure and enabling society to progress and develop remains at the top of the list in terms of development.
Q When did Victoria start to come into its own in joining this international community? A Between 1883 and 1888 Victoria
was undergoing enormous transformation, with a soaring population and housing construction. But Melbourne was still reliant on cess pits, pails and open channels draining into rivers and bays. A typhoid outbreak in 1887 saw the launch of a huge public campaign, which led to a
“ Master Plumbers has played a significant role in reforming and consolidating industry technical standard practices”
this work, but prior to Australian Standards and Watermark scheme, could maintain the standards for installation and products that could be used. Q Advocacy is never far from the plumber’s heart. It is a profession bound by a responsibility to the community it serves. What is one of the first advocacy moments for Master Plumbers? A As early as 1894, Master Plumbers
Royal Commission being set up to investigate the sanitary conditions. This eventually led to the formation of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) in 1891. Q How significant was this
positioning in setting up Master Plumbers? A Master Plumbers was a key driver
and advocate in the development of the MMBW and Melbourne’s new sewer system. Master Plumbers provided instruction and examination on ‘sanitary matters’ to support the work of members who were undertaking much of the construction. By 1910, the number of new connections reached 106,000 and the 13-year period from 1897 saw the death rate from typhoid fall by 72%, from diphtheria by 66% and from tuberculosis by 33%; an estimated 28,000 lives saved due in part to the new sanitary system. Master Plumbers also maintained a ‘register’ of appropriately qualified people who could not only carry out
was engaged in robust discussions with the MMBW on plumbing rules and regulations. The association strongly advocated that only an appropriately qualified and experienced person receive a license from the Board to carry out sanitary plumbing and in 1896 made such representations to the Chairman of MMBW and the Premier. As some current members might observe, this focus still remains an active advocacy position of Master Plumbers with regular attempts from governments to dilute our worldclass licensing scheme and deregulate our industry. Q What are the most significant
milestones in advocacy Master Plumbers has driven? A Establishing and defending a
regulatory framework to ensure that public health risks are appropriately recognised and managed, together with ensuring plumbers are appropriately trained and qualified. Similarly, Master Plumbers has played a significant role in reforming and consolidating industry technical standard practices. In past decades, the plumbing industry has unassumingly been at the forefront of environmental
sustainability policy and practice, which is no surprise given the plumbing profession’s close interaction with the planet’s water cycle. Q Most recently, with COVID, the plumber’s role has again come to the fore. How historically important do you see Master Plumbers in this time today? A Master Plumbers has always
existed to be there for members at their times of need. In the past 130 years we have seen world wars, devastating bushfires and health pandemics and our members have been on the figurative and literal ‘front lines’ in response and recovery efforts. Master Plumbers has helped to support, coordinate, inform, train and advocate on behalf of members throughout our proud history and those efforts continue today. www.plumber.com.au | 29
Member news 130 years and how things change This year your member association celebrates 130 years. To mark this milestone, Peter Jensen will take us on a journey via the humble Cottage Pan and the old Hoffman Brickworks site in Brunswick, Victoria. wooden block shaped to the base was used between the pan and the floor.
The Cottage Pan (as I know it) was donated a couple of weeks ago by Phil, a retired plumber. He bought it and some wooden pan seats some 30 years ago from a well-known Carlton plumbing company CG Michie & Sons. About the Cottage Pan: • The Pan is in a glazed terracotta finish – a cheaper version to the vitreous China finish. • The bottom half, the “S” Trap, was screwed to the floor. Sometimes a Pan Manufacturer – Hoffmans Brickworks. Date stamp – 15/2/1956 on the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works sticker No 4659. That is 65 years ago, when this association was just half its current age. We have certainly come a long way!
Fast Facts
• The top half connects into the spigot of the trap and is sealed with a bituminous joint. Blocks of bitumen the size of a brick had to be melted down into a ladle using a blowlamp, then poured into the joint and finished off with a hot trowel and candle wax. I remember in the early 70’s working in Melbourne CBD doing these joints – finding a spot in Hoffman Potteries site was built before 1886 (just five years before your association rose from the passion and determination of plumbers just like you) and by 1902 was the largest pottery manufacturer in Victoria. Output included drainage pipes, urinals, pans, pedestal basins, grease traps and range of terracotta roofing products.
a back lane or external stairs because of the naked flame and bitumen smells. • The wooden seat with the hinged backplate sat on a frame above the pan. Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, PICAC and other tenants, including the Albert Street Café, now occupy part of this site.
For more information or to donate interesting items to the collection, please contact email jensenpeterk@gmail.com
130 years of Master Plumbers 1891
30 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
The Associated Master Plumbers of Victoria, now known as the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, started
57
The number of plumbing contractors who got together to form the association
£5
Entrance fee
£1
Subscription fee to create the new entity
www.plumber.com.au | 31
Member news
Seeking your views The cost, adequacy and availability of insurance in the plumbing industry have been highlighted as three major issues that require addressing – and Master Plumbers is seeking the views of its members to help it advocate for change. A new discussion paper explores issues and opportunities facing plumbing industry insurance, concluding that the insurance mix must be industry-relevant and fit for purpose particularly given the key role the plumbing industry will play over the next decade in the shift towards clean energy. “We know the critical role that insurance plays in our industry – it allows us to work safely, effectively and in a viable way. Insurance 32 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
provides protection and assurance for our practitioners, customers and third parties alike,” says Daniel Smolenaars, Chair of the Master Plumbers National Council Insurance Committee. “By nature, plumbing work has inherent risks and hazards, which mean insurance is necessary and important for times when failures or accidents occur. Master Plumbers is committed to advocate on behalf of our members, and the wider sector,
The cheapest insurance policies available to Victorian practitioners costs around $1,600 a year, which is about twice the cost of the cheapest available cover in other states
to ensure that insurance is readily accessible, cost effective and provides the cover our practitioners need, when they need it.” The discussion paper focuses on Victoria, which is the only Australian state or territory operating under a self-certification regime where practitioners must hold mandatory continued on page 34
Cbus Promotion
Cbus Super
delivers strong financial year return Cbus has announced a 19.34%* return for its Growth (Cbus MySuper) option, the largest ever annual return in the fund’s 37-year history. The fund is proud to report this outstanding year of returns for members and employers, despite a year of uncertainty, volatility and lockdowns. However, it’s important to remember that superannuation is about investing for the long term and this is also reflected in Cbus’ long-term returns. Return
Growth (Cbus MySuper)*
5 years % p.a.
9.81%
10 years % p.a.
9.55%
37 years since inception % p.a.
9.25%
Visit cbussuper.com.au/2021-returns to read the full investment update. *The Growth (Cbus MySuper) investment option return is based on the crediting rate, which is the return minus investment fees, taxes, and until 31 January 2020, the percentage-based administration fee. Excludes fees and costs that are deducted directly from members’ accounts. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This information is about Cbus. It doesn’t take into account your specific needs, so you should look at your own business needs, objectives and requirements before making any financial decisions. Read the relevant Cbus Product Disclosure Statement and related documents to decide whether Cbus is right for you. Call 1300 361 784 or visit www.cbussuper.com.au for a copy. Cbus’ Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262
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www.plumber.com.au | 33
insurance with comprehensive cover for themselves and clients as a condition of their license. Under what is known as the “Ministerial Order”, this insurance must provide cover for public liability, defective plumbing work, trades practices liability, non-completion of works and completed works. The VBA requires evidence that a practitioner is covered for at least $5m public liability insurance and $50,000 consumer protection insurance before the license can be issued. As the discussion paper highlights, the cheapest insurance policies available to Victorian practitioners costs around $1,600 a year, which is about twice the cost of the cheapest available cover in other states. “Our members anecdotally tell us that the cost of their insurance premiums continues to increase, on average around five to 10 per cent a year,” says Daniel Smolenaars. “There are external factors to explain this in part, such as extreme weather events and increasing global costs around third-party liability. However, there is also a perception that the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) will sometimes provide a practitioner’s insurance details to a customer which opens the door for the consumer to lodge a claim with the insurer instead of seeking to resolve the issue directly with the practitioner in the first instance. “The Victorian regulatory approach stipulates that the practitioner should have the first opportunity to rectify any defects that may arise during a job. If these practices are occurring, Master Plumbers and the broader industry would push for 34 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
Anecdotal evidence gathered for this discussion paper suggests that some practitioners in Victoria have ceased their work in the plumbing industry because of an inability to gain insurance
policy or procedural change.” Another key issue identified in the discussion paper is that cheaper insurance, which comes with exclusions, provides significantly less protection for practitioners and consumers and would invalidate a license renewal if it doesn’t meet the requisites of the Ministerial Order. One example of this is policies that exclude coverage of any work undertaken above the second level of a building. This can clearly lead to scenarios where practitioners take a gamble on a cheaper insurance policy, hoping there will not be a claim relating to excluded work, which can have serious ramifications for them and their customers. “Another concern is that insurance may not be accessible or understandable for practitioners. This lack of literacy around insurance, not to mention the
administrative burden it can provide, can present serious barriers to practitioners who need to devote the bulk of their time to their day to day work and business operations,” says Daniel. “Anecdotal evidence gathered for this discussion paper suggests that some practitioners in Victoria have ceased their work in the plumbing industry because of an inability to gain insurance, because they found the costs prohibitive or because of the associated administrative costs. “We do not want any more scenarios where skilled and qualified practitioners feel forced out of the industry because of challenges and barriers posed by insurance. Ultimately this is a poor reflection on the efficiency of the regulatory framework around insurance. “At the end of the day though the most significant risks posed to all parties – including practitioners, consumers, third parties and the broader environment – occur due to under insurance or, in other jurisdictions, practitioners being uninsured. Master Plumbers is undertaking a comprehensive survey of members and licensed plumbers in Victoria to better understand and quantify these critical issues. The discussion paper and industry survey further inform the strategies and direction we advocate on behalf of our members for necessary reform. If you would like to provide any further feedback to Master Plumbers on this issue, please email info@plumber.com.au.
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23LPM / 5000PSI Includes: Jetting reel w/ 60m ¼” jetting hose Reel w/ 25m x ¾” water feed hose Lifting lugs E-stop 7 piece Rootax nozzle box
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FASTER INSTALLS with our Tank & Built-In Pump Packages - 2020Ltr Achieve a 6 star energy rating with our tank & pump combination on new home builds Easy to install in 10 minutes
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www.plumber.com.au | 35
Member news Master Plumbers’ Apprentice Awards and Graduation For 130 years the Master Plumbers has promoted and rewarded education and training through the Gold Medal and Training Awards. At the Master Plumbers Apprentice Awards, we celebrate our highest achieving Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria (PAV) and Master Plumbers Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Apprentices.
Cara Cutri
Congratulations to all students who were nominated, won awards or graduated. The future of plumbing is indeed in safe hands.
Hexiang Gao
Ben Ambrosi Mitch
ell Bu
36 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
tt
MASTER PLUMBERS RTO AWARDS
Nominees: Justin Jongsma, Cara Cutri, Jasmine Garner, Hexiang Gao, Josh Baker, James Mort, Reid Wakeham, Bradley Rob, Ashley Hobbs, Kade Perry, Mitchell Butt, Ben Ambrosi, Josh Traine WINNERS
Most Outstanding 1st Year Apprentice Award: Cara Cutri Sponsored by Milwaukee
PLUMBING APPRENTICESHIPS VICTORIA AWARDS
Nominees: Johnathon Dai, Sera Cifuente, Flynn Read, Ari Messiakaris, Shi Tong, Austin King, Charlie Zhu, Michael Langdon, Weiya Zhai, Shashi Deka, Will McEvoy, Shaun Scott, Michaela Healey, Harley Volgysei, Matthew Perriman, Nathan Brien, Jessah Iliopoulos, Ben Ambrosi, Marco D’Aversa WINNERS
Most Outstanding 2nd Year Apprentice Award: Hexiang Gao Sponsored by Plumbing Apprentices Victoria Most Outstanding 3rd Year Apprentice Award General Plumbing: Mitchell Butt Sponsored by Reece
Sir Rohan Delacombe 1st Year Apprentice Award: Sera Cifuentes Sponsored by CBUS Peter Pratt 2nd Year Apprentice Award: Jessah Iliopoulos Sponsored by PBA Safety Don Pritchard 3rd Year Apprentice Award: Marco D’Aversa Sponsored by Incolink
Most Outstanding 3rd Year Apprentice Award Mechanical Services: Ben Ambrosi Sponsored by Rheem
Alfred Atherton 4th Year Apprentice Award: Matthew Perriman Sponsored by Insinkerator Alfred Atherton 4th Year Apprentice Award: Shashi Deka Sponsored by Insinkerator
2019-2021 PLUMBING APPRENTICES VICTORIA GRADUATING APPRENTICES
Ermiyas Alebel, Arif Ali, Alexander Birch, Jarryd Trent Blakeman, Joshua Brunt, Gregory Cornelius Alexander Dick, Duy Do, Timothy Flook, Rodman Fulton, Christopher Harrington, Hamish Heather, Harrison Heaven, Tahley Houghton, William Kavanagh, Max King, Jacob McNeil Maloney, Errol McConnell, Mohamed Mohamed, Troy Powell, James Power, Haider Rahimi, Jesse Russell, Joel Russell, John Sharp, Manav Singh, Sukhpreet Singh, Frank Kenneth Smith, Liam Watts, Jeremy Wilcox, Daryl Williamson, Bryson Bonnet, Jesse Boyd, Luke Rajkovic, Hayden Dickson, Kliment Dimitrieski, Lachlan Simpson, Senja Hadzic, Herbet Hahn, Mark Ramsay, Andrew Hillier, Kelsey Houghton, Arminder Singh, Damian Koliba, Mitchell Lever, Thomas Tucker, Michael Nguyen, Lucas Pantoulis, Mohammad Hashim Totakhil, Tadan Vitacca, Norman Yazbek, Salem Zoghaib, Paul Zugaro
tes
Sera Cifuen
Matthew Perriman Jessah
Iliopou
los
Marco
Shashi Deka
a
D’Avers
www.plumber.com.au | 37
Product news Meeting high demand of touchless hygiene MEFE is a Brisbane-based company that provides high-quality range of Sensor Taps, Mixers and Auto Valves to the plumbing Industry. Our Sensor Taps are WaterMarked and have a Wels rating of 4.6. With the Sensor Taps, they are a complete system for new installations, and easily match your decor. MEFE supports your industry and is working toward obtaining WaterMarked Certification on the Auto Sensor Urinal and Sensor Toilet flush valves, eliminating the need of a cistern. For more information visit www.autospout.com.au or www.mefe.com.au/sensor-taps or call 1800 669 006.
38 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | Spring 2021
The Teva collection Featuring strong bold edging, the square-shaped design of the Teva collection caters for a perfectly modern and contemporary aesthetic that will complement a bathroom featuring straighter lines. Showers are also available in the Teva collection, allowing you to create a complete look. Teva is available in three finishes – Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Matte Black. For more information, visit www.phoenixtapware.com.au or call (03) 9780 4200.
Know the future of the gas industry Where is the gas industry in Australia headed? What are the challenges the industry faces? The IAPMO Gas Industry Forum on October 21, held live in Melbourne and via virtual webinar, will answer these questions. Bringing together key influencers from government, regulators, and industry to discuss the future of the gas industry, the forum will provide a better understanding of where to best invest and how to train and educate your staff to ensure they are prepared for these exciting new opportunities. Book via Eventbrite.com.au For more information, contact admins@iapmo.org or phone (03) 8684 9580.
Plumbing Plus lands rights to exclusive Kohler range
Rainwater tanks that save you time and money?
One of Australia’s largest plumbing businesses, Plumbing Plus, has won the rights to distribute a bespoke and exclusive range of Kohler products through its extensive 320-store network. Plumbing Plus CEO Tony Hurd said: “The exclusive deal allows our customers access to the best range of products, at a market competitive price, with genuine service to support their needs.” Kohler Australia/New Zealand CEO Geoff Cope said: “This is a mutually beneficial partnership. Kohler is able to increase its footprint across Australia with a reputable and market leading bathroom company.”
2020 litre tank and built-in pump packages (BSLT2020) are the ideal solution for plumbers looking to reduce installation and connection time. It’s also an easy way to achieve a 6-Star Energy Rating for new build developments. 25mm outlets and 90mm overflows are fitted at both ends and come standard providing flexibility for installation. Single and double story pump options available in 22 Colourbond colours. Tight on space? these tanks fit through tight doorways or placed against a wall. With easy grip handles built in to make manoeuvring on site simple and not back breaking. Certified to AS/NZS 4766 for rainwater tank. Made from BPA free food-grade polyethylene and certified to AS/NZS4020.
For further information visit plumbingplus.com.au or call (03) 9600 1899.
For more information visit www.polymaster.com.au or call 1800 062 064.
Aussie’s Jetter revolution Australian Pump Industries has asked plumbers for feedback on its jetters to stay at the cutting edge of engineering and technology specifically for plumbers’ needs. Here is a taste of the feedback: “Effective, efficient and reliable. A bonus being Australian made”, says Samuel Gibson of the Plumbing Professor from Ferntree Gully. “Aussie jetters are the kings of cleaning drains!” From Dan Coffey of DLC Plumbing in Keilor Park. Aussie Pumps offers a modular, compact, powerful machine designed specifically for plumbers. “It’s plumbers who told us what they wanted, their constructive criticism and their ability to articulate what they need has helped us enormously”, said Chief Engineer, John Hales. There are competitors to Aussie who have followed on after these trailblazing machines, however, Aussie still leads the market with by far the best design, the lowest prices and the most compact and weight efficient machine on the market. For more information on Aussie Pumps visit aussiepumps.com.au or call (02) 8865 3500.
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