NZ Plumber October-November 2017

BOOKINGS OPEN FOR THE 2018 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE! —See p6

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

2017 list MPA Fina

APPRENTICE QUALIFICATIONS The proposed changes explained

WATERMARK

Should it be mandatory in NZ?

LISTEN UP How communication prevents complaints

READY TO RACE Hampton Downs 500 event

TECHNICAL THEME

EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY

WELS label changes, recycling water and more

EDITORIAL

Volume 69, Number 5 MAGAZINE TEAM CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 03 543 2008 beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz DESIGN Sally Travis Design www.sallytravisdesign.co.nz PRINT Service Printers 258 Taranaki Street Wellington 6141 SUBSCRIPTIONS NZ Plumber is published six times a year by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Members receive all six editions.

Non-members can subscribe online at www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number licensing@pgdb.co.nz TO ADVERTISE Contact Catherine Schuster 027 839 8398 cschuster@masterplumbers.org.nz

Entering awards If you haven’t tried it, we recommend it!

THE NZ PLUMBER team recently entered three categories in the 2017 Magazine Media Awards.

We were thrilled when the finalists were announced to find ourselves listed in all three categories. We went along to the very glamorous black-tie awards night in Auckland and had a thoroughly enjoyable time, despite coming home with no prizes (other than Best Dressed Male for Master Plumbers Board Director John DeBernardo!). Of course we would have liked to have won an award, but that’s not the whole point.

The entry process took quite a bit of time and thought, looking back through past issues and trying to sum up why we do what we do (and how we think we do it well). This gave us a rare chance Above: Best Dressed Male and Female at the to reflect on the magazine, rather than just work 2017 Magazine Media Awards... and a familiar on it. It also gave us a chance to consider what face. improvements we could make in the future.

The night itself opens your eyes to what others are doing particularly well and how you might incorporate some of that into your own mix.

My take on it all? Business awards aren’t about ‘skiting’. They’re about taking a long, hard look at the way you do things and being given the opportunity to see how you might change things for the better. That’s not to mention the feel-good factor for the team.

With entries for the 2018 New Zealand Plumbing Awards opening in the near future, we recommend you give it a go!

Beverly Sellers Editor, NZ Plumber, beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz NZ Plumber is the official magazine of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc. Contact details for the MPGD Board, Society staff, branches and associations are available at www.masterplumbers.org.nz ©NZ Plumber 2013. Registered as a Newspaper, GPO, Wellington, ISSN 0111-4379. NZ Plumber is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication, unless initially specified otherwise.

All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’. Views expressed in articles in NZ Plumber magazine are not necessarily those of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc, or of the Editor. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication, the publisher and the Editor take no responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences of reliance on this information. Publication of advertising material implies no endorsement of either a product or service.

OVER TO YOU The best email, letter, tip or photo sent in by readers that we publish on this page wins a $30 prize voucher!

Do you have a picture, story or news to share? Or feedback on any of the articles you’ve read in NZ Plumber? We’d love to hear from you. Email the Ed: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz or give me a call on 03 543 2008.

CORRECTION In the Staying Strong article on p50 of the August/September edition, we referred to Dave Strong as the owner of Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services. Dave is in fact one of three company directors, the others being Kevin Hearn and Darryl Jenkins. We apologise for any confusion this may have caused.

October/November 2017

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Inside this issue

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

WHAT’S ON 6 NZ Plumbing Conference 2018,

TECHNICAL THEME: EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY 23 Pipe insulation

Hampton Downs 500 & GasNZ Industry Forum 2017

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS 10 CEO Greg Wallace on staff retention;

24 Water efficiency labelling

Changes coming this October

Best in Brand; HR service; Masterlink appointment and new members

IN FOCUS 14 Not up to standard?

26 Efficient shower technology

Methven’s Aurajet® technology

Standards NZ funding and enforcement concerns

28 Harvested & recycled water use

Could we be doing more in commercial buildings, asks BRANZ

17 Apprentice qualifications

What’s changing and how will it work?

30 Right as rain

Marley on maximising rainwater from the roof

REAL LIVES 20 Care and attention

Methven’s Craig Alexander is looking after plumbers’ needs

40 Marathon man

The plumber who can’t stop running

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October/November 2017

Efficient distribution of hot and cold water in the home

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 32 Project Grey Base

A new multi-million dollar hospital for Greymouth

NUTS & BOLTS 36 Tech points

Technical news in brief

37 Pipe selection: TPR drains

Is it copper all the way?

INDUSTRY TALK 43 Ready to race

Laser Plumbing & Electrical Hampton Downs 500

44 Tradesman exams going online

Changes coming in 2018 44 Building CodeHub launched

New MBIE online resource 44 Master Electricians CE resigns

Neville Simpson to leave in December 46 Sam’s speak

A coming of age for apprentice Alex 47 Tracking well

Teletrac Navman reaches milestone

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER BOOKINGS OPEN FOR THE 2018 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE! —See p6

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

2017 MPA Finalist

72

APPRENTICE QUALIFICATIONS

17

The proposed changes explained

50

54

14

47 Go the karts

Fun times at Wellington Master Plumbers 49 Water charging views

Results of a Water NZ survey 49 Water operator training

Why Water NZ thinks it should be mandatory

ACROSS THE DITCH 50 Point of sale

Australian plumbing industry calling for point-of-sale legislation

SAFETY FIRST 52 Hazardous substance savvy

Be prepared for regulatory changes from December

SMART BUSINESS 54 Listen up

How good communication reduces customer complaints

56 Price transparency

Don’t forget the price tag!

58 Employing migrants

A new resource from Immigration NZ

WATERMARK

Should it be mandatory in NZ?

LISTEN UP How communication prevents complaints

TECHNICAL THEME

READY TO RACE Hampton Downs 500 event

WELS label changes, recycling water and more

43 Cover photograph: Increasing numbers of women are getting into plumbing apprenticeships.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES 69 Electric avenue

EV vehicles are the way forward, says this plumbing company

NEXT GENERATION

61 Staying fit (financially)

The importance of regularly reviewing your company’s financial fitness

72 Women at work

Women are entering the construction industry in growing numbers

62 Financial forecasting 101

BNZ steps through the basics

76 Youth are the future

Top tips from the 2017 Trainer of the Year

65 Professional indemnity—lessons learned

One plumbing firm owner’s experience 67 Wage deductions

Remember to consult with your employees 67 Business survival guide

A new IR website for business start-ups

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EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY

79 Got an apprentice?

Got a Trade is a reminder of the importance of apprentices, says Skills

AND FINALLY 81 Offcuts

Media snippets of the unusual kind 82 Dodgy Plumbing

DIY disasters and cowboy capers

October/November 2017

5

NEW ZEALAND

PLUMBING CONFERENCE 2018 21-23 MARCH, HAMILTON

CLAUDELANDS EVENTS CENTRE, HAMILTON

2018 NZ Plumbing Conference Date: 21-23 March 2018 Venue: Claudelands, Hamilton ‘Commitment to Excellence’ is the theme of the 2018 NZ Plumbing Conference, powered by Master Plumbers. Gain advice and information to take your business to the next level— and visit the Trade Show for the latest and best in products in the plumbing industry.

With thought-provoking speakers and trade sessions, you’ll be able to up your game with new technical and business knowledge. There’ll also be plenty of opportunities to forge new contacts and discuss issues with like-minded business owners.

Keynote speakers this year include Olympic rower Eric Murray; management and leadership expert Dr Lester Levy; and worldclass adventurer Jamie Fitzgerald.

In a break with tradition, the PGDB & Mico CPD training session

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October/November 2017

will be held on the Wednesday morning, followed by the Master Plumbers AGM in the afternoon.

A four-star conference and exhibition centre, the Claudelands Events Centre is an ideal venue for the 2018 Conference, Trade Show and New Zealand Plumbing Awards, with accommodation options close by at the Novotel, Ibis and Sudima.

Event highlights include the Mico Welcome Night Dinner at the stunning Vilagrad Winery and a magical Marley Fun Night Dinner at the Hobbiton Movie Set. Get ready for a tour of the lush pastures of the Shire before enjoying a feast fit for a Hobbit.

If you’ve never experienced the New Zealand Plumbing Conference before, this is one not to be missed!

Full Registration includes all Conference sessions and evening social events.

For details and to book, go to www.nzplumbingconference.org.nz

EVENTS

Above: The contemporary, spacious Claudelands is the Conference venue.

Right: Adventure awaits if you plan to make a long weekend of it!

Below: Conference accommodation is available at Hamilton's Novotel, Ibis and Sudima.

October/November 2017

7

EVENTS

Laser Plumbing & Electrical Hampton Downs 500

2017 Gas NZ Industry Forum Date: 7-9 November

Date: 28 & 29 October

Venue: Wairakei Resort, Taupo

Venue: Hampton Downs, Te Kauwhata

Cost: Members $615+GST; non-members $735+GST

Cost: Weekend Pass Adult/Youth: $99/$60 (Single Day Passes also available)

Online registration is open for this year’s Gas NZ Industry Forum.

Come along if you want to know where gas fits in a low-carbon future, the generational change looming for gas and LPG, world LPG pricing and trading, the GIC report card for the gas industry, where to next for the LPG industry, and more.

A panel debate is a first for the Forum and is expected to generate lively discussion from respected commentators, including Director of the NZ Centre for Global Studies, Kennedy Graham, Business NZ Manager of Energy, Environment & Infrastructure, John Carnegie, and CE of Gas Industry Company, Steve Bielby.

Networking opportunities at the event include an Ambrose tournament at the Taupo Golf Course, a lake cruise and a visit to the Contact Energy Te Mihi geothermal power station.

Register online at www.regonline.co.nz/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1968021

Last year’s 101 lap race was major hit with competitors and fans alike. This year, Australian GT Management have added 100km to the race length, making it a 500km battle. This has sent teams back to the drawing board to work on a strategy that will see them have to pit three times and manage fuel differently.

Support catergories include the Central Muscle Cars, and there will be a family zone, exhibits, a show ‘n’ shine and hospitality options.

The pits will also be open to the public throughout the event.

For more details and to buy your tickets, go to hamptondowns.com/hd500

If you have an event you would like to promote in a future edition of NZ Plumber, please email the Ed: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz

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MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Keeping hold of staff

In these times of skills shortages, having good staff retention strategies is key.

AS EVERYONE IN our industry knows, we have a major shortage of qualified tradespeople, which is putting a wide range of pressures on the construction sector as a whole.

Large companies, such as Fletchers, are claiming that this skills shortage is one of the reasons for their revenue losses on major projects. The reality is, this was always likely to occur with the lack of investment in the trades at a time of continued growth for the sector.

We strongly believe that any incoming government should incentivise employers with funding to assist with industry training. We also question the need for apprentices to receive cash incentives when the best way to make their apprenticeship more affordable would be to reduce the training fees.

It is a sad indictment on our industry that only 19 percent of plumbing companies currently employ an apprentice. That figure is higher for Master Plumbers’ member businesses, at around 36 percent. However, it still leaves a large percentage of companies riding on the coat tails of people who are willing to commit to apprentice training.

NEW MEMBERS A warm welcome to new Master Plumbers’ member businesses.

• • • • • • • • • •

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Compass Plumbing Ltd, Auckland DJR Plumbing Ltd, Auckland DNS Maintenance Ltd, Auckland East Auckland Plumbing, Auckland Eco Plumber & Gasfitter Ltd, Tauranga MF Plumbing and Gas Solutions, Christchurch Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting Ltd, Auckland Motion Plumbing Ltd, Auckland On Plumbing Ltd, Christchurch Sakata Construction Ltd, Auckland

October/November 2017

With the current skills shortage, it has also become of paramount importance for companies to retain existing staff. We have heard that poaching is becoming more prevalent in the industry, which is an unfortunate side effect of staff shortages.

There are several things businesses can do to support staff retention, such as investing in staff training. Having a good work culture and environment also means staff enjoy being part of the team and working for results.

Something not all companies do well at is holding regular performance reviews.

These also provide an opportunity to talk about career development and potentially to offer incentives for team members who achieve milestones or make good progress in their careers. Some people react positively to increased responsibility and improved staff engagement at all levels will drive retention.

At Master Plumbers, we do not support poaching of staff, but we also believe that the market dictates industry rates—and sometimes it’s inevitable that staff will move on for career development reasons.

Smart businesses are looking at long-term retention strategies, such as minority shareholding models and

Above: Greg Wallace speaking at the Waikato Master Plumbers Awards in September.

project goal incentives. One member spoke to me about his detailed retirement plan, which includes increasing the shareholding of his recently completed apprentice to a 40 percent stake in the business over the next five years—leaving the owner with the majority share well into retirement.

Having a long-term strategy and retirement options are nothing to be afraid of.

Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

Master Plumbers on PGDB advisory group New members for the PGDB’s Stakeholder Liaison Group were approved in August.

CEO Greg Wallace and former National President John Leen are to represent Master Plumbers on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board's Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG).

The other new SLG members comprise:

Want to join?

Mike Gooch, Michael Hartstonge, Richard Kemeny, James Smith, Sam Tyson and Mike Wilson; Wal Gordon and Wayne Morris (PGD Federation); Graham Hardie, Peter Jackson, Martin Sawyers and Colleen Upton (PGDB).

Discover the business benefits of becoming a member of Master Plumbers! Contact Catherine Schuster on 027 839 8398 or email cschuster@masterplumbers.org.nz SPECIAL TWO-YEAR MEMBERSHIP DEAL AVAILABLE!

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Used our HR service?

Best in Brand prize

Another $200 prize voucher is up for grabs!

Members can get HR advice and support at competitive rates.

Pete Johnson of Aitkens Plumbing Services in Timaru wins our latest Best in Brand prize. Nice use of the black version of the logo, Pete.

Your turn…

For your chance to win the next $200 prize voucher, show us how you’re using the branding on your vehicles, signage or work gear. Send your photos to Vanessa Price by 10 November 2017: vprice@masterplumbers.org.nz

Half-yearly meeting

The Master Plumbers half-yearly took place on 12 October.

This year’s meeting was scheduled to take place in Wellington as NZ Plumber went to print. We will bring you a report from the day in the next edition. The half-yearly provides an opportunity for the Society

Board and management team to meet with Regional Association and Branch delegates to discuss progress, plans and initiatives between Annual General Meetings.

Many members are taking advantage of our HR service, with Master Plumbers HR Manager Lisa Duston offering members advice and support (first 30 minutes free).

Here’s what one member business had to say recently: “We wanted to thank you for the amazing support and guidance you gave us when we were going through a recent employee disciplinary process.

Your advice was fantastic and the outcome was one that we were happy with. We also appreciated the templates and assistance you gave in checking letters we had written.”

Contact Lisa on 021 245 1704; lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz

NZ Plumber at the MPA Awards

We were thrilled to be among the finalists at the 2017 Magazine Media Awards.

Hundreds of magazine industry participants attended the glamorous Magazine Media Awards night in September, held at the Motat Aviation Hall in Auckland.

NZ Plumber was a finalist in three Trade & Industry Publication categories: Best Designer, Sally Travis, Best Journalist Matthew Lowe and Best Editor Beverly Sellers. We may not have taken home the top gongs but we were proud to be representing the construction media at the event, which included a wide array of consumer, business and industry publications.

“The overall standard of entries this year was extremely high and this led to some robust debate in deciding the winners of many categories,” said the judges. “It was great to see innovation, flair and an increased quality in the entries.”

Master Plumbers had a surprise win on the night… Board Director John DeBernardo took out Best Dressed Male and (reluctantly) went up on stage to receive his prize!

Above: The black-tie awards night.

October/November 2017

11

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Master Plumbers on the road

Master Plumbers and Masterlink shared a trade stand at the CPD sessions.

The 2017 PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow drew to a close in early September. With most of the sessions including a trade show, Master Plumbers and Masterlink took the opportunity to travel around New Zealand, promoting the benefits of membership and apprentice training.

It was also a great chance for the team to catch up with our members, hosts and Business Partners.

If you didn’t make it along to a CPD session, the online version of the PGDB’s 2017 CPD course (for renewal of your 2018/2019 licence) is now available at www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/cpd

The price has come down!

Debtorinfo has dropped its monthly subscription rate for members.

More users means more savings. As a result, Debtorinfo has reduced the monthly subscription rate to just $20 inc GST for Master Plumbers’ members.

This entitles you to unlimited access to the Debtorinfo website at www.debtorinfo.co.nz Plumbers using Xero can now connect

to Debtorinfo, which means overdue debtors are automatically loaded on the Debtorinfo system, enabling you to decide who gets a written or email reminder and who doesn’t. simPRO users can also now use Debtorinfo to send electronic quotes and estimates to customers, and get electronic acceptance of the quote or

Waikato has a winner

Chris Ryan Plumbing and Drainage has been named 2017 Waikato Master Plumber of the Year.

“I’m a plumber who learned to become a businessman,” said Chris Ryan on accepting the trophy at the 2017 Waikato Master Plumbers Awards Night in September.

Chris also paid tribute to the invaluable contribution of his 15-strong team to the company’s success. When he started out on his own in 1992, his goal was to work three or four days a week and

Above: Chris Ryan (left) and his winning team.

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October/November 2017

spend the rest fishing, but things didn’t work out that way…

The crew take pride in being ‘The Good Buggers’ and have built a solid reputation in the Waipa district, carrying out a variety of work including domestic, commercial and light industrial construction projects.

A rebrand is coming up on the horizon but one thing won’t change—fishing will remain a firm part of this company’s culture.

estimate, along with acknowledgement of their Terms of Trade.

Debtorinfo is helping a number of Master Plumbers’ members to use the PPSR electronic register of secured debts.

To find out more, call George Owen on 0800 734 335.

New Masterlink RM

We welcome Tania Forsyth to Masterlink as the new Auckland and Northland Regional Manager.

Tania Forsyth joined Masterlink in midAugust and has already been meeting hosts and training providers, and carrying out an apprentice recruitment drive in Northland.

“The market in Auckland is very buoyant for hosts, so we need to ensure a strong flow of good-quality candidates,” she says.

Having run a wood and gas fire retail, installation and service business for 18 years, and most recently worked as a business development manager at building intelligence company Pacifiecon, Tania comes to Masterlink with a good understanding of tradespeople’s needs.

“I’m really looking forward to building relationships with our current hosts and apprentices,” she says.

Contact Tania on: 027 558 5441 tania.forsyth@masterlink.co.nz

Platinum Partners Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Platinum Partners for their support:

Gold Partners Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Gold Partners for their support:

Silver Partners Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Silver Partners for their support:

October/November 2017

13

IN FOCUS

Not up to standard?

Master Plumbers wants to see urgent changes to the way Standards New Zealand funds and monitors standards, to ensure plumbing product quality doesn’t go down the drain.

MASTER PLUMBERS IS supporting the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation (STCF) in its call for urgent Government action to review current legislation governing quality standards in New Zealand.

Master Plumbers is a member of STCF, which represents most specialist trades throughout New Zealand. STCF President Graham Burke has outlined its concerns in a letter to Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jacqui Dean and Building and Construction Minister Nick Smith.

These include issues around lack of leadership and transparency, weak structures, limited accountability and poor communication with industry.

The STCF is also concerned about inadequate funding to meet the demand of any industry in the construction sector— and fears that the standards process is slanted to reflect the interests of those who can satisfy the funding requirements to meet Standards New Zealand’s costs.

New Zealand is asking good suppliers to meet the standards but doing nothing about the people who are putting consumers at risk 14

October/November 2017

Plumbing sector impact Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace says the plumbing sector is being impacted by all the issues raised by the STCF and lack of policing of existing standards is putting consumers at risk.

“We strongly support joint Australia/NZ Standards as the most cost-effective option,” says Greg. “However, there are serious problems with the way the system is currently being operated in New Zealand.

“The Government says it wants Master Plumbers to be involved in the creation of and review of AS/NZ standards.

However, Standards NZ no longer provides cost recovery for travel. This means that, quite apart from the huge time commitment involved, non-profit organisations like Master Plumbers—and many others across the trade sector—face significant expense to send members to Australia to contribute to standards committees.

“Without that participation, there is a risk that AS/NZ Standards will be created by suppliers, who may be influenced by self-interest.”

Non-participation concerns Underfunding also means New Zealand is not participating at all in the creation and reviews of some joint AS/NZ Standards.

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“Australia has stipulated that New Zealand needs to contribute to the creation of standards if we want to have any influence in the outcome—that’s been the case for the past 18 months and it’s quite a major change,” says Greg.

“Decisions about which reviews New Zealand will participate in is made by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s Building System Performance group (BSP) without any consultation with the relevant industry.

“Radio NZ recently obtained a list of reviews Standards NZ had decided not to participate in. It includes standards around basins, toilet pans and water tanks.

“Australia will now proceed with a review of those standards and New Zealand will not have any say or influence on the revised standards. This will be driven by Australia and it is likely that we will have to accept these as our standards in New Zealand.

“I contacted the BSP group to ask why it was decided not to participate in the creation of these standards, and the answer was funding restrictions.”

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Effective enforcement needed Greg says the lack of policing of standards in New Zealand is also a major cause for concern.

“It’s like setting a speed limit but with no speed cameras or traffic cops. Anyone can import a container load of tapware from China and sell it online—and that is happening.

“In Australia, all plumbing products must have WaterMark certification. It is all inspected to AS/NZ Standards and stamped or certified.

“It’s estimated that 75 to 80 percent of products sold in New Zealand already have that certification, so it would make sense to apply the Australian policy here too.

“New Zealand is asking good suppliers to meet the standards but doing nothing about the people who are putting consumers at risk. That’s risks like potential lead contamination in water, plumbing products that fail earlier than the expected lifespan, or water damage to homes.”

According to Graham Burke, whilst problems with Standards NZ would affect each member organisation in different ways, it impacted most of them.

“Problems have become acute since Standards NZ was incorporated into MBIE last year,” he says.

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Calling for Act review “The industry recognises the importance of strong current standards and the role of Standards NZ in ensuring the integrity of products, infrastructure and services and public confidence in the sector,” says Graham Burke.

“The only solution is an urgent overhaul of current legislation governing standards as its ‘self-funding’ approach is unsustainable.

“We are calling for a review of the Standards and Accreditation Act 2015 to allow government funding to enable Standards NZ to function sustainably in the best interests of New Zealand society.

“Furthermore, any new regime needs to be underpinned by effective enforcement and penalties for those that do not comply.” ■

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IN FOCUS

Apprentice qualifications In this Q&A article, Karl Sutton, Industry Manager at Skills, responds to Master Plumbers’ questions, raised on behalf of industry, about proposed changes to PGD qualifications.

D E I F I T S Y M E

D

THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATES for Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying are changing to ‘New Zealand Certificates’ in January 2018.

Consultation with industry showed strong support for combining plumbing and drainlaying into one apprenticeship programme. From 2018, one of the major changes will be that anyone Above: Karl Sutton. entering any plumbing programme will complete both plumbing and drainlaying and will come out with both qualifications.

One question that immediately arises is around how transitioning from one qualification to the other will work. The answer is simple: anyone working towards qualifications right now will not be required to transition to the new qualifications.

If an apprentice is already training as a plumber, they will complete as a plumber. If they are training as a plumber-gasfitter they will complete as a plumber-gasfitter. And if they are just training as a drainlayer, they will complete as a drainlayer.

Q: What are the benefits of studying plumbing and drainlaying together?

A: Within our industry, there are crossovers between plumbing

and drainlaying. Through consultation with industry and agreement from the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB), every apprentice who enrols into a plumbing programme will qualify in plumbing and drainlaying. Both trades are covered through AS/NZS 3500, and the knowledge and practical transition from plumbing to drainlaying are closely aligned.

Internationally, plumbing and drainlaying are delivered together, so combining the two qualifications will mean New Zealand qualifications will align better with Australia.

This change is also about future-proofing the workforce. If employment circumstances or construction demand changes, individuals will already be equipped with a qualification.

Please note that apprentices who are not supervised by a Certifying Drainlayer and who don’t hold a Trainee Limited Certificate for drainlaying cannot practise within the workplace.

Above: There will be more practical learning during block courses.

They will need to be fully assessed practically off-job. Once qualified, if their work situation changes and they are under the supervision of a Certifying Drainlayer, they may apply automatically for their drainlaying Tradesman licence.

Q: Will an apprentice still be able to study drainlaying on its own?

A: Yes. We still offer a drainlaying programme for anyone who wants to do drainlaying on its own. Likewise, if someone needs to do gasfitting, we will offer gasfitting on its own. > October/November 2017

17

IN FOCUS

the tools, sit another exam, and then obtain their Certifying licence.

Whilst the Level 5 programme has not been finalised, we expect there would be some structured learning, such as night school and/or off-job learning. After learning the theory off-job, learners will be able to apply this to their practical work in the workplace.

There will be regular assessment to confirm their learning.

Q: Why can’t business skills be included in the Level 5 Certifying?

A: The Level 5 Certifying qualification has been developed to

closely align with current PGD Board competencies. When you look at those competencies, they don’t cover business skills.

If someone does want to learn business skills to be a business owner, there are business qualifications available.

Above: It will still be possible to study each trade on its own.

Q: Are there any valid reasons why it takes six years to become a Certifying tradesperson?

A: The qualifications are aligned with industry’s expectations and licensing requirements.

Q: What has been done with feedback from the industry surveys and Get Involved website?

A: More than 1,200 people responded to our industry surveys and provided feedback through Get Involved. This input has been invaluable. We will be putting together a summary on the topics and themes raised through feedback in our industry newsletter after the Get Involved website closes.

Above: Plumbing and drainlaying will be combined into one apprenticeship programme.

Q: How much training and assessment will be delivered on block courses?

A: On average, apprentices are away on block courses for only

seven percent of their work time. We want to make sure we are making the best of that time, so a key change is to include more teaching, learning and practice during the block courses. This will make up about 65 percent of their time while off-job, with the remaining 35 percent around assessment.

There will be some on-job verification. Once verifications are completed, they will be assessed by a Skills-contracted assessor. Depending on the workplace situation, it may mean apprentices will end up doing fewer block courses throughout their apprenticeship.

Q: What is happening with the Certifying qualifications?

A: Currently, there is no formal pathway of learning or teaching to take someone from Tradesman through to Certifying. The Level 5 qualification will create that pathway.

At present, a person obtains their Tradesman licence after completing their Level 4 qualification. They have two years on 18

October/November 2017

Q: Can Skills summarise the proposed qualification changes?

A: There are three significant proposed changes to the Level 4 apprenticeship qualifications:

1.

2.

3.

The inclusion of drainlaying for any new enrolments into plumbing programmes.

The requirement for apprentices to pass the PGDB’s Tradesman exam in order to gain the qualification. Once that is done, the graduate can get their New Zealand Certificate. They can then apply for their Tradesman licence, as long as they meet all the PGDB’s licensing requirements.

Content has been updated to ensure it is current with industry practice. This is primarily around sheet metal and welding. In the past there was a strong component around welding, including arc, tig and mig. Likewise sheet metal looked at making technical products: lobster backs, offset downpipes, segmented bends and so on. This has come out of the programme. Any welding related to plumbing systems, such as brazing, and sheet metal for penetrations through buildings and for roofing, are still in the qualification.

We are also introducing ‘Skills Week’: a new upfront block course for all apprentices. This will focus on safety and include numeracy and literacy testing. It’s a really good way to set new apprentices up for success and make sure they are on the right foot from the get go. ■

2017 CPD ROADSHOW

HITS THE MARK

In response to industry feedback, presentations on innovative new products will be included for the first time next year.

I would like to again acknowledge the generous support of Mico and other supporting sponsors which meant that the sessions were provided at a greatly reduced cost.”

Training sessions were once again packed in 2017.

Following the successful inaugural 2016 CPD Roadshow, Mico stepped up their hosting responsibility in 2017 with pleasing results all round.

This year’s roadshow welcomed nearly 5,000 registered practitioners from the plumbing fraternity, which compared favourably with 2016’s attendance numbers.

43 CPD training sessions were held at 27 different venues across NZ, with the majority including a trade show. This year, attendees had the chance to win a Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab Ute, worth nearly $54,000 or a $2000 travel voucher.

Suppliers also ran show-only competitions and giveaways, which, coupled with the Mico goodie bags, ensured participants did not leave empty-handed.

The Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) Chief Executive Martin Sawyers said: “CPD was once again very successful this year with approximately 75% of the industry attending the training sessions. I personally attended over

half of the sessions and enjoyed the chance to meet and engage directly with the industry.

The trade shows prior to the CPD have developed into a great opportunity for participants to see what products are available as well as mix with colleagues and engage with the Board and suppliers.

The Board has taken note of the feedback we have received from participants and next year we are hoping to again improve on CPD.

Richard Doig, General Manager at Mico, expressed the company’s appreciation at having the opportunity to be part of the CPD again. “It’s a great setting for us to interact with customers and noncustomers to demonstrate Mico’s commitment to the industry. The roadshow gives us a chance to talk about our Service Promise and how we can help make our plumbing customers more successful through our partnership approach for smallto-medium businesses.

We’ve received great feedback from the attendees and the PGDB. I wish to acknowledge our participating suppliers for their efforts in illustrating their products and services via the trade show.

Our team is excited about the new innovation segment and look forward to working with the PGDB in bringing this to the 2018 roadshow.”

Up for grabs this year was a Mitsubishi Triton Double Cab Ute worth nearly $54,000.

0800 101 999 | www.mico.co.nz

REAL LIVES

Care and attention Craig Alexander, Methven’s new National Plumbing Manager, talks to Matthew Lowe about how he’s supporting plumbers around the country.

IN CRAIG ALEXANDER’S first job, he remembers handing out cigarettes to plumbers when selling them products, but in his latest role the main thing he gives out is advice to help them get the job done.

Craig has been appointed in the new role of National Plumbing Manager at Methven, and hopes his nearly 50 years of industry experience will make life easier for tradespeople across the country.

“This new role has been created solely to call on and help our plumbers,” Craig says. “We can assist them when it comes to selecting the right product for any jobs, and we are able to assist them with any particular issues.”

knowledge is a wonderful thing—you can’t beat having knowledge

Above: Craig is keen to use his years of experience to help plumbers 20

October/November 2017

This is especially important for the young plumbers coming through the industry. Craig’s experience, background and product knowledge means they can tap into good advice on product and ask any potential installation questions.

Methven is also sponsoring the Master Plumbers Young Apprentice Programme, which will see Craig travelling around the country, connecting with young plumbers.

Years of experience Next year will mark half a century in the plumbing industry for Craig, who has always been based in Auckland. He says business today is quite different from when he started out fresh from school in 1968 at the Hardware Manufacturing Company (HMC).

“In my early days at HMC, I got issued a carton of cigarettes a week to distribute among clients. It seemed all plumbers used to be smokers then, but in the years I have been on the road I have seen lots of changes,” he says.

Methven is also sponsoring the Master Plumbers Young Apprentice Programme, which will see Craig travelling around the country “I had 22 years there, and spent three-and-a-half years being mentored around the factory doing all the aspects of working in the foundry, the machine shop, dispatch and assembly, before they put me on the road. We were called salesmen back then.

“Eventually I got headhunted to go and work for Englefield.

I had seven years on the road as an architectural rep, and then came in as a customer services/after sales manager for another seven years. Next I joined Methven and, until recently, was a territory manager, calling on our customers, merchants and suppliers.”

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PLUMBING BUSINESS

Help at hand Craig says after just three months in the new job, the reaction among plumbers has been positive. Besides being available to talk about Methven products, he is also on hand to impart advice on Methven’s valve brand NEFA, specifically safety considerations for temperature and pressure reducing valves.

“It’s been thoroughly enjoyable for me because a lot of plumbers are welcoming us with open arms and it gives them a chance to talk about issues and how we produce and manufacture our products.

“We’ve never had anyone calling on or specifically helping plumbers before but they are a huge part of our business,” he says.

“It may just be a 20-second question from the plumber, but if I can give an answer straightaway that is reassuring for them.

I’ll be using all my 49 years of experience to give them the right answer and, in this industry, knowledge is a wonderful thing— you can’t beat having knowledge.

“The main focus is in Auckland for now, but every two to three months I will hit Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington.”

Methven is supporting the nation’s plumbers further with a newly launched app, which has been designed to make plumbers’ lives easier.

“Finding installation instructions, technical drawings or spare parts will be much faster,” Craig says. ■ To contact Craig Alexander, Methven’s National Plumbing Manager, email calexander@methven.net or phone 0800 804 222.

simpro.co.nz/tool-plumbing

EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY Energy- and water-efficient techniques and technologies are kind to the planet—and the consumer’s wallet.

In this section

23 24 26 28 30

Pipe insulation Water efficiency labelling Efficient shower technology Harvested & recycled water use Right as rain

EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY PAGE TAG

Pipe insulation Residential building design needs efficient distribution of hot and cold water to the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms. By Trevor Pringle.

A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT of energy is used in houses to heat water. Designers need to minimise the heat lost from both the heating device and the pipework or, in areas subject to frost, to prevent pipes freezing.

Energy efficiency and hot water piping

The performance requirements in section H1.3.4 of Building Code clause H1 Energy efficiency state: ‘Systems for the heating, storage, or distribution of hot water to sanitary fixtures or sanitary appliances must, having regard to the energy source used– (a) limit the energy lost in the heating process; and (b) be constructed to limit heat losses from storage vessels, and from distribution systems connected to storage vessels.’

H1/AS1 5.0.1 calls up NZS 4305:1996 Energy efficiency – Domestic type hot water systems as a way of meeting the requirements of H1.3.4.

The specifier needs to demonstrate how they propose complying with the H1 requirements.

Acceptable Solutions

Section 7.2.1 of Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 requires that, where freezing is likely, hot and cold water supply systems protection includes: • insulation of piping outside the building thermal envelope • piping buried in the ground shall be insulated or installed at a level where it won’t freeze • insulation of storage water heater vent pipes.

G12/AS2 Solar water heaters requires: • in 5.4.1, that ‘Hot water pipes must be insulated to satisfy the requirements of Building Code clause H1.3.4, except where connected to a heat dissipation device’ • in 5.4.2, ‘Where closed cell elastomeric pipe insulation is used outside the building envelope, it must be painted or have another form of protection to prevent rapid deterioration due to exposure to UV radiation. Pipe insulation must be protected and must have a durability of not less than 5 years.’

A comment to section 5.4 of G12/AS2 says one way to meet 5.4.1 hot water pipe insulation requirements is complying with NZS 4305:1996.

Thermal insulation needed

NZS 4305:1996 and AS/NZS 3500.4:2003 Plumbing and drainage – Heated water services, section 8, require thermal insulation on:

Above: TPR insulation.

• • •

generally, the first 2m of pipe from the storage vessel temperature and pressure relief valves the vent pipe to open-vented storage systems from the top of the storage water heater to a point 300mm above the maximum standing water in the vent pipe.

Requirements specific to NZS 4305:1996 are thermally insulating: • all water pipes external to the thermal envelope where there is a risk of freezing • all hot water pipes embedded in concrete or buried underground (these pipes are required to be located within a duct) • hot water distribution systems with hot water continuously circulating in a loop • connecting pipes between a wetback and storage vessel • from the water heater to the kitchen sink outlet.

Plan to minimise heat losses

BRANZ believes all hot water pipes inside and outside the thermal envelope should be insulated.

During planning, make distances from the water heater to the outlet(s) as short as possible.

Running insulated hot water pipes within the thermal envelope will further reduce the heat losses from the pipework.

Designers must specify where insulation is to be installed (and the type), otherwise the default provisions of NZS 4305 are likely to be applied. ■ © BRANZ. From Build 125, August/September 2011, www.buildmagazine.nz October/November 2017

23

EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY

Water efficiency labelling With revised water efficiency labelling regulations coming in this October, the spotlight is on products that save water around the home.

Why to recommend water efficient products Pressures on water are likely to increase as our population grows and the effects of climate change become more apparent.

So, when people are considering what fixtures to install—such as taps, toilets and showerheads—you can remind them that those fixtures are likely to be around for years to come, when there could be less water to go around.

Currently, water efficiency is not always top of mind for consumers making purchase decisions, or those advising them.

People can do many things to be more water efficient, but the fixtures they choose in their homes are particularly important— particularly when you consider that over 30 percent of a household’s indoor water use comes from the shower, and over 20 percent from the toilet, according to a BRANZ study.

Being water efficient is good for the consumer as well as the environment, because: • •

• •

Using taps and showerheads with lower flow rates will reduce the consumer’s water heating bill.

If the household has a hot water cylinder, reducing the flow of water will make their hot water go further, which means less fighting over who gets the last of the hot water.

For people on metered water, using efficient products, such as dual flush toilets, means the water bill will be lower too.

Even households that aren’t on metered water are paying for water through their rates. The more pressure we put on our water supply systems, the more money local councils will have to spend maintaining and enhancing their water supply networks. That costs everyone in the long run.

Updated Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme The NZ Water Efficiency Label tells consumers how much water an appliance will use and allows them to compare the water efficiency and running costs of appliances with similar features.

It is used on: • clothes washing machines • dishwashers • lavatories • showers • taps • urinals.

24

October/November 2017

Above, top row: The new WELS efficiency labels. Above: The old labels.

The WELS scheme draws on the Australia/New Zealand standard for rating water efficiency (AS/NZS 6400). The standard sets out the tests that must be performed on products to give them the appropriate star rating and water usage information.

The standard tests performance as well as water usage—ie, products are tested for both water efficiency and functionality.

The standard has recently been updated, and revised NZ regulations came into effect on 1 October 2017.

• • •

Products still need to be tested in line with the standards, and display a label that shows the results The maximum star rating for a showerhead is now 4 stars (previously 3) The label designs have been updated.

What does this mean for you?

The new regulations provide for some lead-in time, so for the next two years, labelling in line with either the 2005 standard or the new 2016 standard will meet the requirements.

From 1 October 2019 all products (including existing stock) covered by the regulations must meet the new standard.

New Zealand importers and manufacturers are responsible for ensuring any products they import or manufacture are tested and meet the labelling requirements. Retailers need to ensure products clearly display a legible and applicable water efficiency label.

If products don’t meet the standards, they can still be sold, but will be given a zero star rating. No products are prohibited under the regulations, and no minimum standards have been set or adopted in NZ—the intention is just to give consumers the ability to choose water-efficient products if they want to. ■

Why water efficiency is important Our lakes and rivers are feeling the pressure of more than 150 years of a growing population, and changes in the way we use water. Demands for fresh water are increasing, and there are shortages in some areas at certain times of the year.

New Zealand receives a plentiful supply of fresh water, but it is not uniform across the country. Rainfall is generally much higher on the western side of both the North and South islands.

Climate change is predicted to affect rainfall patterns, which may increase pressures on freshwater quantity and flows in some areas of the country.

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PAGE TAG TECHNOLOGY EFFICIENT

Efficient shower technology Methven Aurajet® shower technology is designed to combine water efficiency with an excellent showering experience for the consumer.

THIS NOVEMBER, METHVEN will launch the new Rua square showerhead to complement the round Aio within its Aurajet® showering category, suitable for mains pressure installations.

Rua incorporates Aurajet® technology and is the company’s most advanced yet. It has a water-efficient water flow rate of 7.5L/min, and is capable of delivering a wide spray coverage.

Methven research has shown there are two key aspects to spray coverage: the total spray area covered and the distribution of the spray within the total spray area. The more uniform the distribution, the better the coverage, it says.

“Uniform spray distribution also creates a more even feeling of pressure on the skin and better stimulation of nerve endings,” says Methven NZ Marketing Manager Marek Koliandr.

“Aurajet® technology generates up to 25 percent more total spray force and has twice the amount of surface area of water in contact with the skin when compared to a conventional Methven needle spray shower.”

Above: The Rua Rail Shower with Safeflow Shower Mixer.

How the technology works

Thirteen evenly spaced nozzles of silicone rubber each generate a jet of water that travels a short distance before hitting a hydrophobic ‘impinging surface’, causing the jet to spread into a fan-shaped sheet of water. The impinging surfaces are all Above: The new square- set at different angles to create an even spray with no gaps. Though the fans of shaped Rua handset.

Above: Diagram showing Aurajet® spray force performance. * Tested to AS 3662:2013 Performance of showers for bathing Appendix H.

water are wide enough to fill the gaps, they leave a defined spray perimeter, so there is no spray ‘noise’.

Both the Rua showerhead and rail shower are available with a chrome or chrome and white insert. The rail design allows for flexible installation, with brackets able to be adjusted to fit or replace an existing rail. ■

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October/November 2017

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October/November 2017

27

PAGE TAG TECHNOLOGY EFFICIENT

Harvested & recycled water use Could we harvest more rainwater and recycle more greywater in our commercial buildings?

A BRANZ study of eight buildings found water tariffs are the major driver to uptake, and these vary by location.

Future strains on water networks are forecast as the population continues to increase and urbanisation and per capita water use grows. Compounded by climate change, the future stability of the freshwater resource in New Zealand is a growing concern.

Adopting rainwater and greywater technologies could help reduce the burden on our water networks. BRANZ has completed a 3-year study to understand the feasibility of rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling in commercial buildings.

Drivers and barriers to uptake Online surveys of industry representatives showed cost and environmental reasons were the main drivers for installing rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems.

Resilience was a secondary driver.

Cost, education and storage were perceived as the biggest barriers to installing rainwater harvesting systems in New Zealand buildings.

For greywater recycling, the biggest barriers were education and cost.

Water quality, health and waterborne disease were the primary concerns respondents had with rainwater and greywater systems.

For greywater quality, health, general quality, crosscontamination with potable water, cleanliness of the system and society’s perception of dirtiness were recurring concerns.

Eight buildings assessed Eight commercial buildings across New Zealand with an operational rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling

system were investigated. Despite varying building use, size and location, these buildings all used the rainwater and greywater for the flushing of toilets and urinals.

Assessments of these systems involved monitoring water consumption and rainwater and greywater use (Figure 1).

The systems’ operational efficiency was investigated as well as building managers’ and maintenance staff learnings in the design, operation and maintenance of the systems.

23% of water use non-potable Rainwater use in the eight commercial buildings monitored ranged from 45-1,147 kL in summer to 22-1,039 kL in winter.

The annual water use was 309-23,525 kL. The average proportion of total water use that comprised nonpotable, non-contact end uses (toilets and urinals) was 23 percent.

Little or no potential human health risk Since health is a concern, a water quality study was commissioned with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). This found there is likely to be little or no potential human health risk in using rainwater or greywater for toilet and urinal flushing. However, only five buildings formed this part of the study, and the results are not representative.

As well as the drivers and barriers listed, some regulations are considered prohibitive. These can create a barrier to installation and effective utilisation, highlighting the need for education to enable effective water reuse.

No financial drivers outside Auckland The financial feasibility of rainwater and greywater systems is almost entirely dependent on regional volumetric water and wastewater tariffs.

The case study buildings showed that, despite having poor financial payback periods in their own regions, using an Auckland-based tariff structure meant they became financially feasible. This is also demonstrated in the tariff impact of water use and efficiency in previous New Zealand studies.

Currently, outside of Auckland, the charging mechanisms (volumetric wastewater tariffs) do not provide financial drivers for buildings to use less water or become less reliant on the mains-reticulated networks.

Other benefits should be quantified

Above: Figure 1: Proportion of total building water use, by water type.

28

October/November 2017

Non-financial or intangible benefits have not been quantified in this study. Other secondary, indirect or non-financial benefits should be further quantified to present the full value case. These include:

EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY

• • •

individual resilience during post-disaster fault to water network reduction in chemical treatment of waste entering the wastewater network potentially delayed infrastructure requirements by reduction in mains potable water and wastewater quantities.

Impact on water networks varies by region Based on the eight case study buildings, the average nonpotable water demand across four regions—Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and Wellington—was 23 percent of total building water demand.

When analysed by region, not all could supply this ‘optimistic’ (22 percent of demand) scenario. Rainwater and greywater supply ranges from 4 percent in the Bay of Plenty to 38 percent in Canterbury. An ‘optimistic’ and ‘observed’ supply scenario was therefore calculated for all regions.

The potential water network impact of using rainwater and/or greywater technologies was assessed for 2015/16 and projected for 2066 based on three building uptake scenarios and using ‘observed’ and ‘optimistic’ supply scenarios (see Table 1).

demand is supplied by rainwater and greywater sources, the forecast savings across all four regions were: • low uptake – 109,859 kL/year (in Bay of Plenty) to 585,814 kL/year (in Auckland) • medium uptake – 235,462 kL/year (in Bay of Plenty) to 1.5 million kL/year (in Canterbury) • high uptake – 580,782 kL/year (in Bay of Plenty) to 3.6 million kL/year (in Canterbury).

Forecast savings for observed scenario When the buildings were aggregated per region, the volume of non-potable demand that is able to be supplied varies (see Table 1). Accordingly, a second supply scenario was used to project future impacts to the water networks, based on ‘observed’ supply at the regional scale (see Figure 2).

Using an ‘observed’ scenario per region the forecast savings across all four regions were: • low uptake – 199,743 kL/year (in Bay of Plenty) to 925,170 kL/year (in Canterbury) • medium uptake – 428,112 kL/year (in Bay of Plenty) to 2.6 million kL/year (in Canterbury) • high uptake – 1 million kL/year (in Bay of Plenty) to 6.2 million kL/year (in Canterbury).

SCENARIOS BUILDING UPTAKE

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

New build

10%

20%

30%

Retrofit

0%

10%

20%

RAINWATER AND GREYWATER SUPPLY

Optimistic Observed (23% average)

Observed (23% average) (19% average)

Auckland

14%

25%

Above: Figure 2: Projected annual savings to the water networks under an ‘observed’ supply and demand.

Bay of Plenty

28%

4%

Canterbury

42%

38%

Design lessons

Wellington

9%

9%

Above: Table 1: Scenario definition for future impact assessment to the water networks.

Forecast savings for optimistic scenario Assuming, under the ‘optimistic’ scenario, that all non-potable water could be sourced from rainwater, potentially 23 percent of total water from the water network could be saved. This equates to a financial saving for both the building owner and the water service provider.

Rainfall used for non-potable purposes is not required to be treated, saving the cost of treating and transporting potable water that is flushed down the toilet. However, storage must be provided.

Using an ‘optimistic’ scenario where 23 percent of total water

The site investigations, as-built documentation, discussions with building managers and users and analysis of monitored water data resulted in several design lessons. For operational efficiency, the three most significant were: • ease of use for monitoring and switchover of mains to rainwater or greywater use is necessary • storage and distribution could be better designed to reduce additional energy, pumping and pipe costs • education is necessary, particularly for building management and staff, and maintenance requirements. ■ Three study reports on this work are available at www.branz.co.nz/rwhgwr. Alternatively, email water@branz.co.nz for more information.

By Roman Jaques, Lee Bint, Amber Garnett and Alma Siggins. © BRANZ. From Build 161, August/September 2017. www.buildmagazine.nz October/November 2017

29

EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY

Right as rain Rainwater products can answer demand for free, safe drinking water, says Marley.

WITH RISING WATER usage costs, growing pressure on infrastructure and environmental concerns, it is becoming increasingly important for eco-conscious homeowners to use the free rainwater that falls on their roof.

Marley has two new arrivals to its range of rainwater accessories to help answer this demand. Curve™ and Twist® can be installed when fitting new downpipes or added to existing systems. To maximise clean water capture, both can be installed onto the same downpipe.

The Marley Curve leaf diverter uses innovative filtering technology for cleaner water. A unique screen design draws rainwater in, whilst preventing leaf matter and other debris from entering the water tank or stormwater system.

It curbs the amount of solid matter that can flow into the tank. This reduces the subsequent build-up of sediment, which affects the quality of potable water. It can also reduce the strain on in-line water filters and pumps, and therefore the cost of maintaining them.

Marley Twist lets homeowners capture rainwater for use in

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and around the home, such as washing the car or watering the garden. The built-in quick connector allows direct connection to a collection tank by attaching a standard garden hose. It is activated by twisting the on pipe control to the ‘on’ position.

In rural areas, Twist can be used to divert water to drinking troughs for animals close to the house or outbuildings. A built-in, removable leaf filter keeps large debris out of the collection tank.

“Having a debris diverter, such as Curve, is a good idea for homeowners, as it helps keeps tanks clean in addition to other preventative measures,” says Stan Abbott, Group Leader of Massey University’s Roof Water Harvesting Centre. “Amongst other uses, Twist could be particularly useful for small emergency rainwater tanks.” ■

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October/November 2017

Above left: The new Curve™ leaf diverter.

Above right: Twist® has a built-in connector.

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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

A new multi-million dollar hospital for Greymouth has been keeping tradesmen at West Coast plumbing firm Jeff Evans Ltd occupied since the start of the year. By Matthew Lowe.

THE TEAM AT Jeff Evans like to be busy and, as the company helps deliver a new $77.8 million hospital and integrated family health centre, its staff are working harder than ever.

About four staff from the Hokitika-based company have been on the site in Greymouth most days since the start of this year.

While they are relishing the chance to work on one of the largest infrastructure projects for the West Coast, it has meant the firm’s remaining workers are flat tack with day-to-day jobs.

Doing the drainage

Craig Fearn, Operations Manager at Jeff Evans, says the firm has been responsible for installing most of the waste pipes for the 8,500sq m facility.

About 1,000m of under slab pipework was completed in

April—by comparison a standard two-bathroom house would average about 30-40m of similar piping—and the above ground drainage was expected to be finished in early spring.

“It’s a good project and it is a great thing for the community, and there are a lot of local tradespeople working here,” he says.

“We’re doing all the drainage, under slab drainage and above floor drainage for all the patient rooms across three floors and a bit. We have had four of the team quietly ticking along and working efficiently to keep ahead of the builders.

“It has made the rest of our company busy having four staff up here full-time out of our 14 plumbers. We are the biggest plumbing team on the coast and when this project came up we decided we should see if we could have a go at it. It has certainly been worth the challenge.”

Above: An artist’s impression of how the new hospital and integrated family health centre will look.

32

October/November 2017

All photographs courtesy of West Coast DHB.

Project Grey Base

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

it is a great thing for the community The Jeff Evans team are just some of the plumbers working on site after being subcontracted for the project.

Significant project for the Coast

The new facility, adjacent to the current Grey Base Hospital, will include 56 in-patient beds, three operating theatres, and an integrated family health centre to support the delivery of primary healthcare services.

It will also house and support the delivery of other clinical services including a 24/7 emergency department, critical care unit, acute and planned medical and surgical services, maternity services, and outpatient care.

Construction began at the end of May 2016 and the new hospital is expected to open in the first quarter of 2018. Craig says it is unlikely another project of this size will be seen in the area any time soon. > Above: Construction began at the end of May last year.

October/November 2017

33

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

you have to work very systematically

Above: The hospital is one of the largest infrastructure projects to hit the West Coast.

“My background is in commercial work such as motels but this is far more sizeable than anything I have done in the past and you have to work very systematically.”

Coordination and forward planning

The coordination with other trades is a challenge, he says.

“There are about 80 to 90 people working on the site at any one time and that could double in the coming months so health and safety is a big emphasis.

“We’re used to working with three or four builders, but

Above: Officials check progress on the $77.8 million project.

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October/November 2017

here you can have that number or more on every floor so coordination and communication with everyone on site is a big thing.”

Another challenge of the hospital build has been doing plenty of forward planning.

“Before we were even on site, it was about getting to know the plans and specifications and quantities, and making sure delivery times and lead times for sourcing products would fit in with what we need to do.

“I’m always looking forward to the rest of the project and any possible problems to make sure we do not get left behind and end up stuck with nothing to do. You’ve got to be aware of the trades coming behind you and the other services,” he says.

“You’ve got to think on your feet and be organised and prepared for the next day or next week and looking ahead to maintain the work flow.

“I’ve got to make sure we have got enough material to stay ahead, and that was interesting with some of the road closures over winter with the heavy snow as most of our supplies are sourced from Christchurch.” ■

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Tech points NUTS & BOLTS

HOSES FOR USE AS LPG PIGTAILS

In future, only type F hoses should be used for LPG pigtails, says the LPG Association.

Reports of failed components in continuous flow water heaters led the LPG Association some years ago to investigate what contaminant had caused the failure. All the samples of Above: The type of hose is clearly contaminant were identified marked on the label. as phthalates, which are plasticisers used in rubber components to provide flexibility.

These phthalates are present in rubber LPG pigtails.

This September, the LPG Association released an industry briefing note regarding these hoses (see below). From now on, installers should only use type F hoses—so always check the label. Suppliers and merchants have voluntarily agreed to supply and sell only type F hoses. If installers have stores of any other types, they should no longer be used in installations.

“For quite some time, Master Plumbers has been involved in advocacy work to ensure the prevention of damage to instantaneous water heaters by phthalates, and we welcome the LPG's briefing note,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

“Time will tell if this rectifies the issues.”

LPG Association Industry Briefing Note This note explains the current and hopefully future position regarding types of hoses suitable for use as LPG pigtails.

In the 1996 version of AS/NZS 1869 Hose and hose assemblies for liquefied petroleum gases (LP Gas), natural gas and town gas, the class of hoses were listed as A to E with type C being recognised as suitable for LPG pigtails.

In the 2012 version of AS/NZS 1869 the class of hoses are listed as type A to H, with type F listed as for use as LPG pigtails.

So to comply with AS/NZS 1869 2012 hoses need to be type F for use as LPG pigtails.

The situation was somewhat confused by the words in the 2013 version of AS/NZS 5601.1 clause 4.6 and by reference paragraph J9 and table J4 which stated that pigtails must be in accordance with AS/NZS 1869 class C or D. However the May 2016 amendment to AS/NZS 5601.1 changed the words in table J4 to simply say that hoses need to comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 1869. (No reference is made to the date, but this is understood to indicate the latest/current iteration of the standard applies.)

The class of hose is significant for a number of reasons including the Maximum Allowable Extractables for each type. The extractables are the phthalates used to provide flexibility.

It is the phthalates that have been causing equipment failures in continuous flow water heaters.

Type F hoses are allowed up to a maximum of 900 mg/m of hose length when tested using a specific test method detailed in appendix K of AS/NZS 1869 2012.

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October/November 2017

This edition’s updates of the technical kind.

Type A to D hoses are allowed a maximum of 10% change from initial mass using test method detailed in appendix C of AS/NZS 1869 2012.

For comparison the appendix K test result of 900 mg/m relates to approx 4% in the appendix C test.

So the maximum extractable content of a hose complying with the appendix C test is approximately 2.5 times the maximum allowable under the appendix K test.

The suppliers of LPG pigtails have agreed that they will only supply pigtails which are certified to AS/NZS 1869 2012 type F. Installers of LPG pigtails must ensure that they only fit pigtails which are certified to AS/NZS 1869 2012 type F.

NON-COMPLIANT ELECTRICAL CABLE Energy Safety issued a warning in August about noncompliant and unsafe thermoplastic sheathed (TPS) electrical cable being supplied and sold in NZ. They say the investigation is now primarily focussed on cable imported by one company and used by that company at a number of construction projects.

“We have evidence that there was one shipment imported in July 2016 and the possibility of two later shipments, said Energy Safety in September. “We have no evidence that this cable has been distributed by any other companies in New Zealand.”

The cable under investigation is a range of two- and threecore TPS cable with markings that include ‘CERTIFICATE No. EESS 150102-0’. While not necessarily unsafe at present, the cable has failed its ageing test and may become unsafe over time. It must not be used and if any is found it will need to be removed.

Energy Safety was to look at other cables in the market and audit the documentation of all cable they were aware is present in the market. They ask that installers remain vigilant about the cable they install.

GASFITTING IN MOTORHOMES With the growing trend for baby boomers to take to the road in their retirement, a large number of motorhomes are being imported into New Zealand. The majority of these have gas installations connected to a 9kg LPG cylinder which, under the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010, must only be worked on by an authorised gasfitter—a sensible requirement given that RVs are designed for sleeping in. However, motorhome owners are finding it increasingly difficult to find a gasfitter to do any gas servicing on their motorhomes. If you’re interested in this type of work, please contact the NZ Motor Caravan Association on 09 298 5466; enquiries@nzmca.org.nz

NUTS & BOLTS

SOLID FUEL HEATER SAFETY In its August Guideline, BRANZ reminds building owners planning to install, replace or modify a solid fuel heater that they must obtain a building consent from their building consent authority under section 40 of the Building Act 2004. There are a few exemptions to this, says BRANZ. Schedule 1 of the Building Act permits building work that involves general repair, maintenance and replacement (if comparable materials are used) to be carried out without a building consent. For example, this might include replacing the flue, firebricks, seals or glass. Schedule 1 does not include moving the appliance or modifying the appliance to make it burn hotter or more efficiently.

This includes installing a new part or device or altering the make-up of the appliance. This work will require a building consent.

AMENDMENTS TO AS/NZS 3500 In September, Standards New Zealand advised of the following amendments to plumbing and drainage standards: AS/NZS 3500.1:2015 Amendment 1 Makes changes aligning the requirements with the Plumbing Code of Australia AS/NZS 3500.4:2015 Amendment 1 Includes clarification of the requirements for the installation of solar water heaters, alignment with the requirements of the Plumbing Code of Australia, and changes to the velocity requirements for circulatory heated water systems.

Pipe selection: TPR drains

Master Plumbers gives its view on the use of copper for TPR discharge pipework.

“IT HAS COME to our attention that some Building Consent Authorities are requiring practitioners to use only copper pipework in any plumbing and drainage system serving a temperature/pressure relief (TPR) drain,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

“In our opinion, this is not correct. It is true that a TPR drain (ie, discharge pipe) must be copper, as stipulated in Building Code Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 (paragraph 6.7). However, whilst G12/AS1 gives a maximum length of 12m for a TPR drain, it does not state a minimum length.

“It is our view that the discharge pipe will generally be the height of the HWC—and the demarcation point will be where the TPR discharge pipe ends and the tundish drain begins. In other words, a standard hot water cylinder TPR discharge pipe can discharge into a floor waste gully of different pipe material, such as uPVC, as would appear to be suggested by the tundish connection diagram in G13/AS1 (Figure 4).

Let’s be practical The issue surrounding TPR drains has come about due to a single incident in a residential property that was connected to a solar system. Multiple valving failures caused extremely hot water to discharge to the in-slab PVC floor waste drain, resulting in the failure of the PVC. The local authority was taken to task by the householder and ended up having to pay some compensation.

“For HWC installations that don’t have high temperature solar or wetback heat sources, plumbing compliance requirements need to be practical,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace.

“In a standard HWC installation, there are multiple protections to ensure the HWC doesn’t overheat. I’m sure homeowners and government officials wouldn’t be prepared to accept the higher costs that would come with a blanket requirement for copper-only pipework in all installations.”

Above: Figure 4 from G13/AS1 clearly shows a drain from a hot or cold water relief valve discharging over a tundish.

“The type of installations that would need copper pipe for the entire plumbing and drainage system would be those with high temperature heat sources, such as solar or wetback systems.”

Please note: This article is the opinion of Master Plumbers.

Please ensure you check your local authority's requirements.

Our comments have been reviewed by the Building Systems Performance group at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, who noted the following: • If the TPR valve drain “has the number of changes in direction plus the length of the relief drain, in metres, not exceeding 12m”, then the TPR drain should be in copper and drain to a visible position.

• Consideration should be given to the location of the storage water heater to minimise pipe runs and drain lengths.

• When the TPR valve drain discharges into other pipe materials, they have to comply with AS/NZS3500.2 clause 2.3 (e) that the system must take into account the range of temperatures from the discharge that the sanitary plumbing and drainage system will be exposed to.

October/November 2017

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PAGE TAG

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October/November 2017

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Just the job

Six things to consider when choosing job management software for your plumbing business.

TRADESPEOPLE ALL OVER the world are reaping the benefits of cloud software that handles everything from creating quotes, scheduling jobs, to generating invoices.

But how do you choose the right job management software that suits your plumbing business? Here are six key considerations to think about:

1. What features are important to you?

The features you need will depend on your business and the work you carry out.

A good place to start is to think about at what point you experience problems in different stages of the work you do.

Do you need to be able to quote, schedule, invoice, and have a good overview of where the business is? Do you manage multi-stage projects, variations, retentions, recurring jobs and also need the ability to digitise frequently-used forms, track stock and vehicles?

2. Compare like-for-like Job management software can vary.

Some, like simPRO, can follow the entire process from the lead and quote stage through to invoicing, reporting and even taking payment.

If you’re comparing different packages (and prices), make sure you are comparing like-for-like. It’s also worth considering what plans you have for the future of your business. If you’re looking to grow or even sell the business, it is worth futureproofing and consider software that will work with you and your plans. You may not think you need all the features now, but you may later down the line as your business scales and expands.

3. Does the provider have experience with your type of business?

There are many software solutions out there, so it’s important you find the one that is right for you and your business.

Just because job scheduling is a feature

Above: Managing workflow on the move.

doesn’t necessarily mean it works for your business. Check if there are any case studies from the provider’s existing clients who are in a similar business to your own, or even ask to speak to an existing client.

4. What setup and training is provided?

Find out how setup and training will be delivered: is it online, or on site? Consider you will need to implement a new system as well as run a business—which would be the best method for you?

Training can seem like an unnecessary expense, but getting the system set up and having staff using it correctly right from the start saves a lot of headaches later on.

5. What support is available?

When you first start to use new software, it’s inevitable that you and your teams will have a lot of questions. Often, the licence fee will include support, but be sure to check how much, and what additional training is available.

Is there a dedicated local support team that you can contact on the phone or via online chat to get a prompt response? Do you have access to free learning resources online?

6. How often does the software get updated?

Technology changes quickly. If you’re buying new software today, you want to make sure it is still up to date next week, next month, next year and beyond.

One of the many great benefits of cloud software is that updates can be pushed out to subscribers frequently and easily.

Find out how frequently updates are made to the software you’re considering. Are updates included in the licence fee and is there a roadmap?

So, if you’re ready to use technology to streamline and step up your plumbing business, you now know what to look for when evaluating your options! ■ To find out more about simPRO and its exclusive offers to Master Plumbers members, call 0800 100 854 or visit simprogroup.com/mp-members

Platinum Partner

October/November 2017

39

REAL LIVES

Marathon man Plumber James Crosswell has taken part in the Rotorua Marathon for the past 44 years—and he’s keen to continue.

By Matthew Lowe WHEN JAMES CROSSWELL completed his first Rotorua Marathon in 1973, he never envisaged he would complete the course another 39 times... and still want to come back for more.

The Opotiki plumber finished the race for the 40th time this year and says he plans to keep taking part in the event for many more years to come.

“At the start, when you’re all lining up, people are nervous as hell and some of them asked me, ‘How many have you done?’

They practically fell over when I said this was my 40th,” the 67-year-old says.

“I started running the race in 1973, and I did not think then I would still be doing it more than 40 years on, but it’s a very good marathon.

“It’s a neat achievement to have and I want to keep going as long as I can.

“I had a plumber mate, Colin Smyth, he ran 50 [Rotorua Marathons] in a row. Sadly he died a couple of years ago, but we always said there must be something in the water that gives us our longevity with the running.”

James is a member of the event’s Survivors Club for people who have completed the race 15 times or more. He finished the 42.2km race in May in four hours and 39 minutes and his quickest time of two hours 52 minutes came during the 1980s.

Right: James Crosswell with grandson Harry Fouhy, four, after completing the 2017 event.

Below left: James competing in the Whakatane Harriers Triple Iron Run in 1980.

Below right: Hemi and Sarah Mather, Rebekah Crosswell and James and Maureen Croswell with grandson Eli Mather, celebrate at the 2017 Rotorua Marathon.

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October/November 2017

PAGE TAG

SIZE MATTERS Above: James had his three daughters—(from left), Sarah, Rebekah and Emma—cheering him on at his 37th Rotorua Marathon.

The grandfather of four has completed marathons in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch, and at his peak he raced at a national level representing Waikato.

“I enjoy running, it keeps you fit and can de-stress you. It’s a good time to think when out running,” he says.

“I haven’t done anything major like the New York or London marathon yet—perhaps I’ll do one of those in the future.”

James’ passion for the sport was ignited when legendary running coach Arthur Lydiard, who trained New Zealand Olympic champions such as Peter Snell and Murray Halberg, visited the Opotiki Athletic Club in 1972.

“Arthur Lydiard took us out for a run and told us what to do and said you had to do long, slow distance in training. For someone like him to come down to little Opotiki and talk about running was really special and it certainly helped me.

“I try to run three to four days a week, and each day I vary the distance because otherwise you get bored. If I’m just doing maintenance running and not training for an event, I try to do 30-40km a week, but before the marathon it’s about 80km a week.”

James works by himself and runs Crosswell Plumbing, which was established with his father and brother in 1976.

This year’s Rotorua Marathon became a family event with his wife, three daughters and other relatives out in force to cheer him on.

“When I finished the Rotorua Marathon this year, all the family was there to see me finish—and my eldest grandson, who is four, joined me for the final stretch through the finishing chute,” James says.

“That was absolutely brilliant; it was a great surprise.” ■

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INDUSTRY TALK

Ready to race It’s just a few days away from the Laser Plumbing & Electrical Hampton Downs 500.

Terry Bluck, Director of Laser Electrical Auckland Central, and one of the driving forces behind the naming rights sponsorship deal, is looking forward to what promises to be a spectacular weekend of motorsport on 28 & 29 October.

“The team at Hampton Downs and Laser have been working really hard to make sure it’s an amazing event for everybody,” says Bluck. “Laser got involved off the back of the 2016 event at Hampton Downs. Last year was the first time the Australian GTs came to Hampton Downs, and it was such a great day.

“It was the cars, the venue, the atmosphere… all of that. We set up a marquee and brought a lot of people out to the track and we had a really great party. The racing was spectacular as well!”

The Hampton Downs 500 doubles as the penultimate round of the Australian GT Championship’s endurance series and will feature some of the finest GT production cars in the world, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, BMWs and McLarens. With over $22 million worth of cars on the circuit, it promises to be the motor racing event of the year.

Some great support categories, including the popular Central Muscle Cars, will take to the track between the Australian GT sessions, and the pits will be open to the public throughout the event. At no other motor racing event can you get closer to the action. There will also be a cool family zone with lots of entertainment for the kids, a Show ‘n Shine car exhibition and some great hospitality options.

“It’s an ideal business to business marketing opportunity,” says Bluck. “We’re able to bring our customers and suppliers out to Hampton Downs to meet the team from Laser. It’s nice to have all our sparkies and plumbers come out to the track and enjoy the weekend as well.

“Tony Quinn [the owner of Hampton Downs] has done an awesome job with the place. He spent a truckload of money by the looks of things and everything from the track to the hospitality suites to the food is just top notch. We’ve got to meet so many neat people in the motorsport industry and we’re all looking forward to a great weekend.”

Laser Plumbing & Electrical has been involved in motorsport in Australia since 2011, when they first sponsored Australianbased Kiwi driver Steven Richards.

‘Looking back over the last seven years with Laser, it’s more than a sponsorship deal, it’s a partnership, says Steven Richards.

The name Richards is synonymous with New Zealand motorsport. Steven’s father Jim Richards is a seven-time winner of the Bathurst 1000 and Steven has four wins to his name. He was born in Auckland but moved to Australia when he was three years old.

“Racing in New Zealand and at Hampton Downs is like coming home for me,” says Steven. “I have a New Zealand passport and I get back to New Zealand a couple of times a year.

New Zealand is still very much a part of my DNA.

Above: Hampton Downs’ owner Tony Quinn before the start of last year’s race.

Above: Steve Keil (left) of Laser Group Australia and Steve Richards (right) strike a pose with some of the Laser franchise members.

“Laser started in New Zealand over 20 years ago, so to be able to connect with the New Zealand businesses through an event like the Hampton Downs 500 has a real synergy about it.

After last year’s race at Hampton Downs, Laser saw real value in the event, the venue, the track and the TV coverage. I know everyone at Laser is looking forward to taking it to a whole new level in 2017.”

Tickets to the Laser Plumbing & Electrical Hampton Downs 500 are available from www.ticketmaster.co.nz

October/November 2017

43

INDUSTRY TALK

Tradesman exams going online

Changes are coming in 2018 for the Tradesman registration exams.

From next June, the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB)’s Tradesman registration exams will be offered on a more regular basis. Exams will be offered online and held at specified venues under monitored sitting conditions.

Exams will be held every week in Auckland, Hamilton, Lower Hutt, Motueka and Christchurch. They’ll be held twice a month in Whangarei, North Shore, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Havelock North, Blenheim, Dunedin, Wanaka and Invercargill.

Exams will also be held by arrangement in Rotorua, Greymouth, Oamaru, Timaru and some overseas locations.

The eligibility criteria, pass marks, fees and result appeal process will stay the same, as will the option to be provided extra

time or reading/writing assistance where appropriate.

There will be up to 12 spots at each sitting. Exams will be offered during weekdays instead of weekends, with exams for any of the three trades available at each sitting. Results will be out within 24 hours, unless otherwise specified.

The electronic system allows tradespeople to book a second attempt as soon as the next available sitting, but will enforce a three-month stand down after a second failed attempt.

Aspeq Ltd will manage the new online system and enrolments.

Aspeq will charge an admin fee for transfer or cancellations requests (only available up to five working days prior to the exams).

Building CodeHub launched A new search engine from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is now available online. Called the Building CodeHub, it is designed to make it easier to access all the building compliance resources you need in one place.

Resources include building legislation, the Building Code, CodeMark certificates and MultiProof certificates. MBIE will continue to load more resources, Standards and BRANZ

information. You just search for the content you want by keyword. Use is free, but some copyright resources may require payment or subscription.

You can also request updates informing you when a Standard or regulation changes.

Find the Building CodeHub at codehub.building.govt.nz

Master Electricians CE resigns Neville Simpson to leave Master Electricians.

Neville Simpson will finish as Master Electricians NZ Chief Executive in December after a decade of leading the organisation.

Neville has made a significant contribution to the organisation’s strong position as NZ’s only trade organisation representing electrical contractors, and in overseeing the development of a new strategy, says Board Chair Ross Beal.

“Neville is a passionate and effective leader who’s worked tirelessly on behalf of our members to ensure their voice is heard and needs met and that Master Electricians is the recognised quality brand,” he says.

“At a time when the electrical sector is undergoing rapid technological transformation, Neville has also successfully steered a new strategic direction ensuring we can lead the way, resulting in a significant membership growth.”

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October/November 2017

Neville started as Chief Executive in 2006, before which he was Operations Manager, having joined Master Electricians in 1998. He says he is looking forward to a change where he can focus upon specific issues using his skills and experience gained in the sector over 20 years.

“I am very passionate about the electrical and construction sectors and equally proud to leave Master Electricians at a time when it is exerting influence for its members and the industry.

“Our sector is at the forefront of energy efficient devices, energy production and storage systems, smart homes and buildings, electric cars and numerous other tech advances.”

Recruitment for a new Chief Executive has begun.

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INDUSTRY TALK

Sam’s speak A coming of age…

In June this year, our Masterlink apprentice Alex was lucky enough to secure a place on the 21-day Skills Outward Bound course in the Marlborough Sounds. He had submitted a video of himself to Skills outlining why he should be chosen, which was not an easy thing for him to do, as he is not the sort of person to blow his own trumpet.

It was very exciting for all of us at Climate & Plumbing. We were thrilled and proud he had been chosen, but also curious to see how he would be on his return.

A few days before Alex left for the trip, I had a review meeting with him and his supervisor. We discussed how it was time for him to step up to the mark, that while he was away on this course we wanted him to really think about how he could become more accountable in his role, and where he saw himself at Climate & Plumbing over the next few years.

Off he went fit and ready for three weeks with no contact with the outside world—no cell phones allowed! The day came when he was due back at work, and we eagerly sat in our Monday meeting to hear how it went.

There were early morning rises; running long distances through the bush every day with a plunge in the chilling water of the Sounds immediately following; there was rock climbing while blindfolded, and many more challenging exercises where you needed to rely on yourself and the people in your group to get you through.

Above: Thumbs up from Alex on his Outward Bound course.

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For some, the challenges were too much and they opted out of the course after a few days.

However, Alex, a Taranaki hardcore, excelled in his environment.

We were great listeners—some of us envious, some of us quite relieved it wasn’t us. The most significant experience he had was spending three nights on his own on a little beach, surrounded by native bush that he wasn’t allowed to venture into. He was given three apples, three carrots, a few biscuits and water to survive on. He had a lot of time to think and reflect, and was required to write a letter to his future self, which gets posted to him in a year’s time.

Alex’s group and the Outward Bound leaders picked up on his reluctance to endorse himself, so every time he knocked himself down and said sorry, he was made to do press-ups.

From this course, he says he has learnt to put things more into perspective and not stress about the little things, to think differently about himself and understand what he values in life.

He has made lifelong friends and gained confidence and belief in who he is and what he stands for. This has certainly shown up in his work. He has truly stepped up and is more assertive, which some of our guys have had to get used to. He now goes about work singing away to himself—a sure sign of happiness!

Thanks to Skills for sponsoring the course, and the team at Climate & Plumbing for backing him, Alex is now outward bound.

INDUSTRY TALK

Tracking well

Teletrac Navman has reached a milestone… tracking 100,000 vehicles across Australasia.

Puppies, pizza and pines—these are just a few of the items carried in the 100,000 assets Teletrac Navman has tracked across New Zealand and Australia since its beginnings in Auckland in 1986.

“We work with thousands of companies across Aotearoa, from grassroots family businesses to large multinational operators in transport, construction and professional services, and we are thrilled to reach this milestone,” said Ian Daniel, Vice President and Managing Director Asia Pacific, Teletrac Navman. “We track everything from powerful freight trucks to SPCA Auckland’s rescue vans, and nippy Domino’s Pizza delivery vehicles to tradies’ tool-laden utes. Our heritage is rooted in New Zealand and we proudly partner with our Kiwi customers to leverage technology to increase productivity and profitability of their businesses.”

Teletrac Navman continues to support its customers through industry initiatives and research to advance telematics technology. It recently installed its GPS fleet tracking technology in the Safety MAN Road Safety Truck, a mobile classroom targeting users of the alternative inland route from Christchurch to Picton following the closure of SH1. This much-needed initiative, led by the NZ Trucking Association, was launched in response to the rise of vehicle crashes on this route.

Teletrac Navman also joined forces with Civil Contractors NZ to conduct a survey into the New Zealand construction industry, the results of which highlighted the many constraints and opportunities that the industry is facing (see www.teletracnavman.co.nz/construction-industry-survey).

The company is also a longstanding Platinum Partner of

Top: Teletrac Navman’s products are used in a wide range of vehicles.

Above: The Safety Man Road Safety Truck.

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Teletrac Navman employs about 100 people in New Zealand, including Auckland-based members of its global research and development team. Vehicles in New Zealand and Australia represent around one fifth of the 550,000 vehicles and assets that Teletrac Navman tracks and manages worldwide.

Go the karts

A fun night of racing for the Wellington Master Plumbers.

More than 40 drivers took to the track at the Kaiwharawhara Indoor Speedway on 30 August, with a go kart racing night organised by the Wellington Master Plumbers in association with Rheem, Allproof and Hydroflow. Eight teams fought it out over 200 laps, with driver changes every 10 laps. First place overall

went to the Ministry of Plumbing, with Peter Jackson Plumbing taking second place, including fastest lap, and Glennies Plumbing coming third. “Thanks to Rheem and Hydroflow for putting up some cool prizes, and Kenny from Allproof, who cooked up a storm on the barby!!” says President Mike Gooch.

Above: The 200-lap race.

Above: The Ministry of Plumbing winning team.

October/November 2017

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Water charging views

INDUSTRY TALK

A Water NZ survey shows support for water charging—but also some misunderstanding about what’s being paid for.

Nine out of 10 New Zealanders believe there should be a charge for extracting water from the environment for bottled water and similar industries, according to a recent survey by Water New Zealand.

The New Zealand Water Consumer Survey 2017 received nearly 5,000 respondents and is the first nationwide examination of Kiwi attitudes to a wide range of issues associated with water.

While the survey revealed that 89 percent of New Zealanders want to see a charge for water bottlers, more than three quarters (77 percent) believe there should be a cost when taking water from the environment for agriculture and horticulture.

Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert says the findings make it clear that New Zealanders strongly believe that private businesses that profit from the use of water should pay for it.

The survey also reveals that three in five people (59 percent) believe all users should pay for taking water from the environment.

“What’s interesting is that the results are consistent across urban, regional and rural areas,” says John Pfahlert. “The survey shows that New Zealanders are generally in favour of paying for the water they use although it reveals many are unsure of what they currently pay for.”

Seventy-four percent already believe they pay for the water they use as well as its delivery. “This suggests that there is a lack of understanding around water charging. Under current law, local councils can charge only to cover the costs involved in treating, transferring, maintaining and operating water infrastructure.”

The survey was undertaken in May and June this year on behalf of Water New Zealand members to provide better understanding of community attitudes, priorities and perceptions and to help develop comprehensive and sustainable water policy for New Zealand.

Water operator training

Could mandatory qualifications for water treatment plant operators help prevent another contamination event?

Stage 2 of the Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry, which opened in Hastings in August, will examine systemic issues where there is room for improvement.

Water NZ is recommending to the Inquiry that the Government establishes a mandatory system of qualifications, competency assessment and CPD for operators, supervisors and managers who operate water treatment plants.

“While many councils do ensure their staff are properly trained, the lack of mandatory qualifications means there is a significant temptation to cut back on professional development, particularly when budgets are constrained,” says Water New Zealand CEO John Pfahlert.

“We know that in any sector, training is often the first casualty of tight budgets. Couple this with a lack of understanding about risk, and we have the potential for another contamination event.”

He says Water New Zealand is currently working with the sector to develop an appropriate certification framework that will address this issue.

In its submission to Stage 2 of the Inquiry, Water NZ has also urged that all drinking water supplied by a public authority be treated and that the Drinking Water Standards be reviewed.

World-leading water contamination expert Dr Steve Hrudey was asked by Water NZ to give an analysis of the Havelock North contamination event at its conference in September. In an interview on RNZ’s Nine to Noon, Dr Hrudey said New Zealand was vulnerable to another drinking water crisis because of a lack of chlorination. The biggest common theme across such events is complacency and failing to recognise close calls, he said. Resistance to chlorinate water is not unique to NZ, and in his view it can ironically be traced back to Greenpeace scaremongering in the 1980s, when people were told chlorine was the ‘agent of the devil’. Whilst there was no such thing as zero risk, he continued, some of the best minds in the world had got together to consider the health risk of chlorine in the water and the evidence was “far from compelling”.

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ACROSS THE DITCH

Point of sale

Ongoing health, safety and quality issues around Australia have prompted plumbing industry associations to renew calls for point-of-sale legislation to ensure the WaterMark Certification Scheme can be enforced, says Murray Thomas.

AUSTRALIA’S WATERMARK Certification Scheme has gained international attention. Countries including New Zealand are keen to adopt the same type of scheme to control the integrity and safety of plumbing products.

Administration of the scheme has recently moved from Standards Australia to the Australian Building Codes Board and a number of amendments have come into play to further improve it.

But enforcement is the responsibility of state-based authorities that in many cases do not have the resources to ensure it is adhered to.

Because of that, in Western Australia and many other states, current legislation places the onus entirely on plumbers who connect fittings to water supplies to ensure those products comply. The implications of not doing so range from voiding your insurance to losing your contractor’s licence.

There is nothing, however, to stop consumers purchasing products that are not WaterMark certified, to prevent retailers stocking them or wholesalers and builders from directly importing them.

According to Plumbing Products Industry Group (PPI Group) executive director Stuart Henry, the separation of administration and responsibility is leading to widespread problems that pose significant health risks.

“Developers are buying cheap product by the container load 50

October/November 2017

for installation in their projects without there being any checks or balances in terms of compliance with WaterMark,” he said.

“So our community is exposed—there isn’t a proper regulatory regime in many states to manage this process. The recent lead situation (in WA and NSW) is a very stark example of why it’s critical that such a scheme is managed at point of sale because people are buying cheaper products without knowing of the potential dangers.”

Along with PPI Group, the Master Plumbers & Gasfitters Association of Western Australia, other state-based Master Plumbers associations and Master Plumbers Australia have been actively lobbying federal and state governments for some time to impose point-of-sale legislation.

“Governments have to step up,” said Stuart Henry. “This isn’t about protecting our industry, this is about public health.”

One of the issues with lead is that there is limited public understanding of the dangers it poses. For other dangerous substances, such as asbestos, campaigns have focused on building broad general awareness.

We have long been exposed to images of mesothelioma sufferers, but we haven’t seen images of people suffering brain damage and physical deformities due to lead contamination.

According to Stuart, the risks are known and we should not have to see the results before acting.

“The real issue with lead is that it’s small children who are most at risk,” he said. “That’s absolutely a case where prevention is better than cure.”

In addition to elevating the burden of responsibility to a higher level, imposing point-of-sale legislation would serve to better educate the public of the importance of plumbing products being fit for purpose.

With importers and retailers carrying responsibility, plus newly imposed WaterMark compliance measures that require all products to be fully tested for re-certification every five years, pressure will increase on overseas manufacturers for products to remain compliant over time. And that’s precisely what is needed to ensure ongoing quality and integrity.

Point-of-sale legislation is necessarily something to be implemented and regulated nationally.

The problem is that currently it is not. We have a perfectly good WaterMark Scheme and a Plumbing Code of Australia that together can eliminate health and safety risks related to products and practices.

We must continue to apply the necessary pressure at all levels of government to see nationally consistent, effective enforcement.

The good news is that recent meetings between the MPGA and various WA State Government Departments have been positive.

We can only hope this leads to upward pressure on the Federal Government to ensure an effective solution is put in place. ■ About the author: Murray Thomas is CEO of the MPA Group, comprising the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia, Master Painters and Decorators Australia, and MPA Skills. He represents Western Australia on the board of Master Plumbers Australia, the national industry body. In 2011, Murray became the first plumbing industry representative to be appointed to the Australian Building Codes Board, and continues to represent the industry on the Board today.

This opinion piece first appeared in the Winter 2017 edition of Master Plumber Western Australia magazine

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WaterMark: what’s changed in Australia?

Progressive implementation of Australia’s improved WaterMark Certification Scheme for plumbing and drainage products began on 1 August 2017.

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The key change of benefit to plumbers and others is the improved WaterMark Product Database to provide a simple means of verifying that plumbing and drainage products have WaterMark certification.

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SAFETY FIRST

Hazardous substance savvy Know your risk management obligations under the new Hazardous Substances Regulations, coming in on 1 December.

THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES Regulations require you to: • know the risks associated with hazardous substances in your workplace • take appropriate measures to manage the risks • review these measures regularly.

First you need to know what you’ve got. Create an inventory of the hazardous substances made, used, handled or stored in your workplace.

When you know the substances and likely quantities you will hold: 1. Consider whether you need them—are there any you can eliminate or substitute with a safer product?

2. For the remaining substances, put in place the technical controls from the Regulations.

3. Assess your workplace and identify if any risks remain that you need to manage 4. Use the hierarchy of controls (see below) to determine the most effective control measures to minimise those risks.

5. Monitor the performance of the control measures 6. Maintain and review the control measures.

What is the hierarchy of controls?

This is set out in the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations. Essentially, it means working through the measures below until the risk to workers from hazardous substances can be removed or minimised: • Elimination: Can the hazardous substance be removed from the workplace?

• Minimisation: If it can’t, consider in this order: • Substitution: Can it be replaced by a substance posing less risk?

• Isolation: Isolating the hazard can prevent people coming into contact with it • Engineering control measures: Apply physical control measures to minimise risk (eg, ventilation) • Administrative controls: If engineering controls are not sufficient to remove the risk, you are required to apply processes to make your workplaces safer (eg, job rotation)

safety data sheets are mandatory under the new Hazardous Substance Regulations 52

October/November 2017

•

PPE: If the risk remains after all other measures have been applied you must supply and ensure the use of personal protective equipment (eg, respirators).

Assessing risk When assessing and managing risks, a PCBU should take into account: • The amount of the hazardous substance in the workplace • Any related physico-chemical hazards • Possible reactions with other substances • Ignition sources • Structures, plant or systems of work involved • Risk and degree of exposure to the substance by those carrying out the work involved • Any prescribed exposure standards • The length of time after use that entry is restricted.

Also consider the knowledge and experience of the workers exposed to the hazardous substances.

Which controls to apply Safety data sheets are a key source of information (SDS), and are mandatory under the new Hazardous Substances Regulations.

After preparing your inventory, you can enter the substances into the Hazardous Substances Calculator at www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz/hsno-calculator to find the key controls you must apply across all the hazardous substances in your workplace.

review and revise your risk management requirements at least every five years Risk management review You need to review and revise your risk management requirements at least every five years, or after: • A significant change to a hazardous substance’s SDS, or to the information about it in your inventory • Any notifiable event in the workplace involving a relevant hazardous substance.

You must also provide training and instruction to staff to ensure they can work safely with and around the hazardous substances. ■ Find the HSNO Calculator and a practical 5-step guide to working safely with hazardous substances at www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz WorkSafe is developing a range of guidance around your obligations under the new Hazardous Substances Regulations, which will be available on its website at www.worksafe.govt.nz

Periodic testers Gas cylinders must be regularly inspected and tested to make sure they’re safe for use. Currently this is done by individual periodic testers.

From 1 December, organisations involved in inspecting and testing gas cylinders, rather than individual workers, will need to be authorised and will be known as test stations. A test station’s authorisation will cover all the suitably skilled testers working for it.

Certified handlers Under the new Regulations, the system for those who handle hazardous substances will be stronger: • There will be a greater emphasis on training, supervision and instruction for workers handling hazardous substances.

So, while not all substances will require a certified handler as they may have done under HSNO, the expectation is that a person handling those substances will, as a minimum, have the same level of knowledge and competence.

• Workers will have greater access to information about the substances they work with, including through mandatory inventories and safety data sheets.

• For substances that do require a certified handler, the competency requirements to be a certified handler are more robust.

• There will be higher expectations on the compliance certifiers that issue certificates to certified handlers.

All workers must have the appropriate and relevant information, training, instruction and supervision to carry out their work safely.

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SMART BUSINESS: CONSUMER LAW

Listen up

Clear communication from the outset goes a long way towards preventing customer complaints, says Dr Gigi Fenster.

NO ONE LIKES getting into a diagreement with a customer.

Disagreements are unpleasant for all parties and they are also time consuming, bad for one’s reputation, and potentially bad for business.

Early, effective communication

A really unhappy customer may complain to the regulatory board, demanding that disciplinary action be taken. In many cases, though, disagreements and disciplinary action could have been avoided through good communication.

Example: The plumber quotes on a job, and the client agrees to the plumber's price. But later, when presented with the invoice, the client finds that they are being charged more than the quoted price. When the client queries this, they are told that the original quotation did not include travel costs, or did not include GST, or assumed that the job would be less complex than it turned out to be.

The client is left disgruntled and angry and the plumber defensive and angry. Not only does the plumber now face a battle with a client, and a complaint to the regulatory board, but they are also potentially breaching the Fair Trading Act. The Fair Trading Act aims to create a fair trading environment by ensuring that consumers have accurate information about the products they receive. It requires businesses to ensure that information given to customers is accurate and in no way misleading. Some specific prohibitions in the Act are: •

54

A prohibition against false or misleading representations about the price of goods or services. If a plumber quotes a price that does not include transport or GST, even though they intend claiming it, this is a misrepresentation regarding the price to be charged.

October/November 2017

•

•

It is important to ensure that the price to be charged is clearly stated, and includes all components. If transport costs, or GST, or anything else is not included in the quote, this must be stated clearly, upfront. It is not good enough to hide it in the small print. If you are unable to fix a solid price before starting work, your quote must clearly state that the price is an estimate that might change.

A prohibition against false or misleading representations about the goods or services you are providing. If a plumber says they are going to use a particular product, or to do the work in a particular way, this must be adhered to.

A prohibition against false or misleading representations about the need for particular goods or services. If a plumber tells a client they need a new shower unit when in fact the old one could have been replaced or repaired, this prohibition has been breached. Once again, early discussions with the client will overcome this.

Delivering what you promise

The Fair Trading Act requires us to be careful what we promise clients. If we promise to provide work or goods at a certain price, at a certain time, or under certain conditions, we need to fulfil these promises.

Example: A plumber is putting together a quotation for a job.

He assumes that he will be able to use a certain type of piping, and builds this into his price. The client accepts the price. But when the plumber contacts his supplier, he finds there is a current shortage of the piping in New Zealand, and the only piping available is considerably more expensive. He believes there is no alternative but to use the more expensive option.

He goes ahead and orders it, later charging the client the increased cost.

SMART BUSINESS: CONSUMER LAW

And, perhaps most important: respond! If a client leaves messages on your phone, call them back promptly (even if the conversation might be difficult). If a client has queries, address them. Don’t leave your clients hanging, waiting for contact from you. If they can’t contact you, they might choose to take their complaint further.

Example: A plumber tells a client he will be at the client’s house some time on Monday. The client agrees to leave a key at her neighbour so the plumber can access the premises. At 7am on Monday, the client opens her curtains and sees the plumber coming up her drive. The client is furious. She feels she should have been advised about this early start. The plumber is defensive. He feels he is fulfilling his promise of being there on Monday, and the customer should be pleased he’s making an early start.

Consequences of breaching the Fair Trading Act

The Fair Trading Act is enforced by the Commerce Commission.

If you breach the Act, your client could complain to the Commission. The Commission will investigate the matter, and may decide to take action against you, which could include: • Issuing you with a compliance letter. This letter informs of your duties to make sure you don’t breach again.

• Issuing a warning letter. This letter warns you to stop the behaviour.

• Enter into settlement negotiations, which could result in your having to pay compensation.

• Bringing a criminal prosecution in court.

Example: A plumber agrees to do a small job of work. He arrives at the client’s house with two apprentices. One of the apprentices stays in the van listening to the radio, while the other works with the plumber. The client is furious.

He believes he should have been told of these extra people coming. The plumber is defensive. He can’t see what the client is making a fuss about.

These examples could all have been avoided through simple, prompt, effective communication.

What the plumber should do in situations like these: •

•

• • •

Talk to the client: In all the examples given here, dispute could have been avoided through a simple phone call— advising the client of the product shortages, of the time you will be coming, or that you will be accompanied by apprentices.

Offer options: Give the client choices. Explain how the different choices will affect cost, the quality of the work etc.

If you can give the client a choice of times, or options for how you do the work, do so.

Listen to the client’s concerns: Try to see it from their point of view. Try to empathise with their feelings.

Don’t be defensive: Even if you feel that the complaint is unwarranted, try not to get self protective and defensive.

Focus on the facts: Don’t get caught up in personal attacks.

If the Commission does choose to use one of these tools, it may publish information about the investigation. Your name, the name of your firm, and information about the breach might all be made public.

NOTE: The Commerce Commission is not the only body that could get involved here. A complaint could also be made to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.

The consequences of a breach are potentially severe. It is usually easy, by taking a few simple steps and ensuring clear communication, to avoid conflict and steer clear of these consequences. ■

About the author: Dr Gigi Fenster studied law in South Africa, where she was a founder member of the Construction Industry Development Board. She has taught law for more than 20 years and has written training courses, manuals and seminar notes for the construction industry, among others.

Gigi has lived and worked in NZ for the past 10 years and provides ongoing consulting services.

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October/November 2017

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SMART BUSINESS: CONSUMER LAW

Price transparency Duncan Cotterill has advice for when you’re communicating with customers— don’t forget about the price tag!

“WHEN CAN YOU do the work, and how much will it cost me?” Conversations with customers about these matters can sometimes be challenging.

Customer complaints and disputes about prices charged and the time it can take to have work completed make up a large proportion of the issues raised by customers about tradespeople.

These issues can take significant time and effort to resolve.

So it is important to be clear, accurate and honest in how you approach this with your customers—from the start.

There are a number of reasons why things can go wrong with customer relationships. These include unrealistic expectations of the customer, over-demand for services and materials leading to shortages and delays, and a lack of communication and misunderstandings.

Therefore, it is important not to avoid discussions, or to hide material aspects of your terms from customers in the small print. For example, there is nothing more likely to give rise to a complaint than when a bill comes in for a significantly different sum than what was expected, maybe because of extra time taken or due to costs the customer was unaware of.

Generally speaking, it is up to each business to determine the prices and the terms upon which the business offers its services and products to consumers. The key here is to ensure accurate and timely communication of terms with your customers.

All costs you wish to charge for should be clearly provided for in your quote and your terms of trade. For example, if your price is based on an hourly labour rate and the cost of materials, you may wish to add the following in your quote and terms of trade: • • •

•

•

Call out fees (which may be subject to a minimum charge) Vehicle charges That time may include off-site work such as planning, coordinating, delivering or providing goods and services to the customer on site That some larger jobs or jobs at a height may require the assistance of another employee for safety purposes or specialised equipment—in which case you should specify that an additional labour charge for the second employee and/or an equipment hire charge will apply Charges for providing gas certificates if these are extra to labour charges (customers may not be aware that these are required by law for the majority of gas work).

Consumer law protection Despite the above, consumers purchasing services—including plumbing work—are protected by a suite of consumer laws. The principal rights are provided by the Fair Trading Act 1986 (FTA) and the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA).

The CGA creates minimum standards of quality for all 56

October/November 2017

goods and services that are usually acquired for personal or domestic use by consumers, whereas the aim of the FTA is to promote ‘fair’ competition for the benefit of both consumers and businesses.

To achieve this purpose, the FTA prohibits businesses engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct or making false, misleading or unsubstantiated representations, among other things. There is a limited ability to contract out of these obligations and only in the context of services provided business to business and where to do so is considered to be fair and reasonable in all the circumstances.

Below are some basic principles that you should bear in mind when setting and communicating pricing and timeframes in relation to services you are providing to your customers: • If you have agreed a fixed price and/or timeframe with the customer and the work is not completed either in the agreed time or at the agreed price, then this may be a breach of contract with the customer and they will have rights to seek remedy for this.

• Even if you haven’t agreed a price or a completion date as part of your contract with the customer, the CGA provides guarantees (among others) to the customer that the services must be completed within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price. What is reasonable depends on the nature of the service supplied and the circumstances involved.

The test will be based on what a reasonable plumber would charge for the services provided. Where the price guarantee

SMART BUSINESS: CONSUMER LAW

is breached, the consumer can refuse to pay, or refuse to pay more than what is a reasonable price for the job.

• Misleading your customers, providing false information or making unsubstantiated claims in relation to your pricing and other terms upon which you are trading is illegal under the FTA. • In general terms, customers must be able to rely on your quotes and estimates, if provided. You should make any quotes or estimates honestly and base them on reasonable grounds. All limits, exclusions and conditions must be clearly spelt out and, if there is to be a significant variation from the originally estimated terms, then you need to make this very clear to the customer. It is also worth noting that no distinction is made between oral and written quotes in this context.

The consequences of a breach of the CGA and FTA can potentially be serious, including significant fines imposed by the Commerce Commission. Consumers also have rights of redress.

If there are minor issues with the services provided, the customer can ask you to fix that for free. In relation to problems that cannot be fixed or that are serious, they may be able to cancel the contract for the service and refuse to pay for the work done.

Plumbing work can involve complex tasks. Many of your customers will likely be extremely unfamiliar with the technical requirements and dimensions of your work. They may ask you many questions during the time you work for them and the way

you respond to these inquiries, and any concerns they may have, is crucial. Open and honest communication with your customer is one of the keys to business success.

Regardless of how competent you are it is inevitable you will encounter complaints, and the way you handle these can make or break your business.

Make an effort to keep one step ahead of potential issues by: • openly and honestly discussing costs, pricing and timeframes at the start of the job • making sure that all of the costs you wish to charge for are included in the quote and your terms of trade and any tags are highlighted • being approachable and ready to discuss problems • keeping your customers informed of progress and delays • keeping your customers informed if the costs are increasing for the work and why. ■ Disclaimer: the content of this article is general in nature and not intended as a substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.

About the author: Nina Sidhu is a Senior Solicitor at Duncan Cotterill in Christchurch. You can contact Nina on 03 372 6413; email nina.sidhu@duncancotterill.com

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October/November 2017

57

SMART BUSINESS

Employing migrants Immigration New Zealand has a new tool to help employers when employing migrants.

WITH THE CONSTRUCTION industry growing at such a fast rate, employers may want to employ more migrants to meet the demand for skilled plumbers, drainlayers and gasfitters.

What is important to know when you’re going through the hiring process is whether the potential employee can legally work here.

To make it simple to verify if a non-New Zealand citizen can work for you, Immigration New Zealand has an online tool available called VisaView. VisaView allows registered employers to check if a prospective—or current— employee holds a valid work visa, the conditions of the visa and the expiry date. You can also confirm the person’s passport information through this system.

Any New Zealand employer can register to use VisaView. It’s a free service and once you’ve registered, you’ll have a record of any enquiries you’ve made. This is useful as an employer for compliance matters, such as the employer’s obligations under the Immigration Act to check that an employee can work here. ■ Find out more at www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/our-onlinesystems/visaview For further information about employing migrant workers, please see the employer section on the Immigration New Zealand website at www.immigration.govt.nz/employ-migrants or call the contact centre on 0508 967 569.

allows registered employers to check if a prospective employee holds a valid work visa

‘Overseas qualified’ assessments NZQA has changed the way it assesses qualifications of overseas trained tradespeople.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) will no longer carry out the assessment to the equivalent of the Level 4 NZ Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying. Overseasqualified applicants now need to go through The Skills Organisation’s ‘Skills Recognition’ programme to have their qualifications assessed to progress to pre-registration.

Find out more in the Introduction Guide for Overseas-Qualified People, available at www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/working-overseas or give Skills a call on 0508 754 557.

Filling the gap Plumbers, drainlayers and gasfitters are on Immigration New Zealand’s list of Skilled Occupations, which lists the occupations where an employer can get approval to employ migrants to do the job if no New Zealander is available. As at August, plumbers and drainlayers were also on its Canterbury Skill Shortage List, which is reviewed three times a year to stay abreast of changing skill needs in the region.

With plumbers in many parts of NZ in desperate need of more staff, some are looking overseas for skilled migrants. These migrants have various visa options available to them, such as a short-term Essential Skills Work Visa or a Skilled Migrant Category visa if they are looking at living here permanently.

May Ann Lato, Job Placement Officer at New Zealand company Immigration Placement Services Ltd (IPS), says they have a wide variety of skilled migrant workers on their books, including

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October/November 2017

plumbers, pipe fitters, drainlayers and pump maintenance specialists. The company sends out applicant CVs to interested businesses, sets up interviews and arranges work visas, travel arrangements and immigration requirements.

Most of their plumbing and drainlaying applicants come from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India and Africa, she says—with some candidates also from European countries. “They all have overseas experience but need to apply for registration with the PGDB once they get here in order to be eligible to work as an authorised tradesperson in New Zealand.

“To come to this country, they require a full-time job offer. Once their work visa is approved by Immigration New Zealand, it is guaranteed for three years. The employer is able to renew this visa while the worker is still in New Zealand.”

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Staying fit (financially) FUNNY, ISN’T IT, that when we talk about financial fitness, many bosses start to glaze over. And yet the monetary side of things is the main reason businesses start up in the first place.

Entrepreneurs see an opportunity to earn an income—often from something they love. They gauge demand, weigh up costs and then invest time, money and themselves.

After that they start to get busy. And this is when working in the business, rather than on it becomes priority—for everyone involved. Typically, once the busy times start, a company will reactively pluck a financial software system off the internet and set about capturing invoicing, expenses, PAYE, GST and tax information.

The really savvy ones will have chosen a financial administration package beforehand. However, chances are that it hasn’t been reviewed since they set it up. And, I can bet you that whoever is operating that software hasn’t been sent on any training courses lately.

System updates and training

Yet the world of accounting technology, just like plumbing innovation, is moving at tremendous speed. Nowadays, replacing your antiquated Excel files with realtime, cloud-based systems like Xero and MYOB is not enough. These systems are always changing and, to make the most of the business insights they yield, business owners need to run regular updates—and train staff accordingly.

Business bosses also need to start recognising that their bookkeeper or financial administrator should be as highly trained in their field as a Master Plumber is in theirs.

If the tools of the trade—in this case your accounting packages—are out of date and your bookkeeper has not upskilled in all the time they have been with you, then you are putting your business at risk.

A bookkeeper with basic skills may keep the books looking tidy but, unlike a trained bookkeeper, they will not be equipped to

interpret the data for you. Furthermore, they won’t know if the accounts they are using have been set up correctly, or whether errors in the system are giving false readings.

You might think the business is extremely healthy; that the profits are rolling in and you have the capital to expand. The reality could be the reverse. An accounting error made early on could be providing inaccurate information and in actual fact the company could be running at a loss.

Investing in the accounts team

This all sounds very dramatic, but, believe me, it does happen—simply because businesses are not investing in their accounts departments.

Also, it seems to be written into our DNA that we Kiwis must ‘do it ourselves’ or on the cheap. And this includes farming out the accounts to whoever can do it—rather than hiring someone qualified for the job.

Fortunately, the perception of bookkeepers is changing. What was once regarded as a job that almost anyone could do is now viewed as a highly skilled profession.

SMART BUSINESS

Regularly reviewing your company’s financial fitness will keep the business watertight, says Lisa Martin of GoFi8ure.

As a result, business owners are beginning to understand the value of employing a trained bookkeeper. In addition, bookkeepers themselves are taking it upon themselves to increase their knowledge and seek industry accreditation.

Hopefully, in the future, the bar will have been raised high enough for all bookkeepers to be qualified.

Furthermore, just as we nontradespeople will ring for a plumber when there’s a leak, so business owners who don’t yet have qualified in-house staff are now starting to ring for a bookkeeper when they run into a financial problem.

And as you know, bringing in a professional means that not only will the underlying problem be fixed, but the fix-up will be done properly and to a high standard. ■

About the author: Lisa Martin is the founder and Executive Director of bookkeeping, accounting and business advisory firm, GoFi8ure. She is also the Vice-President of the New Zealand Bookkeepers Association Inc (NZBAI).

October/November 2017

61

SMART BUSINESS

Financial forecasting 101 BNZ has tips on how to look to the future for business growth.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE’S NO crystal ball when it comes to running a business. With so many risks and variables in the commercial world, the future path is never firmly set in stone.

Nonetheless, looking to the future is essential for business growth, which is where financial forecasting comes in.

What is financial forecasting?

As the words suggest, financial forecasting is a process that helps you create a picture of the financial path your business will follow in the months and years ahead. But, unlike crystal ball gazing, these future forecasts are based on your business’s actual past results, as well as your future plans for the company and any insights you may have into market trends or changes.

Why is financial forecasting important?

Getting tied up in the operational side of the business is a perpetual problem for small business owners. But without taking time to raise your head above the day-to-day and creating a vision for the future path of a business, it’s easy to end up with a business that doesn’t go anywhere. Worse still, you can find your business actually goes backwards when negative trends fail to be identified and addressed.

Financial forecasting helps provide a roadmap to realise your vision for your business’s growth. It also helps a business owner keep on track through any seasonal variances or lumpy sales cycles. And financial forecasting can help identify what additional assets, capabilities or finance you may need as your business grows, as well as help identify small problems before they become big.

How are financial forecasts created?

Like any type of forecasting, there’s a mix of art and science involved in financial 62

October/November 2017

forecasting. However the more hard data that goes into the mix, the more accurate a forecast is likely to be. Many accounting or business software packages include forecasting tools, and some business owners work with accountants or other advisors to help them build their forecasts. There is also lots of guidance (and templates) available online.

An important factor to remember is financial forecasting doesn’t need to take too much time—but to be truly effective it must be ongoing. Constantly checking your forecasts against actual results and updating them accordingly is key to creating an increasingly accurate picture of your business’s future performance.

How do I get started?

Financial forecasts can take the form of simple spreadsheets, and be created based on basic business information you’ll already have—your past profit and loss, cashflow and balance sheet statements, for example. One approach is to start with your profit and loss: into a new spreadsheet, copy data from the past two to three years of your P&L, as well as any months from the current year that have already elapsed. Now create fields in your

spreadsheet for the remaining months of the year, and then perhaps quarterly for a year or two after that.

Now you’ll want to fill those fields with your forecasted information. But you shouldn’t rely on simply transposing the same monthly or quarterly figures from previous statements. To fill future fields in your forecasts you’ll want to look at any trends that your past figures show (with an understanding of why those might have occurred), and take these into account alongside your growth goals for the business and any other market insights you have.

Finally, and most importantly, this is not solely a paper exercise. Crucial to making your forecasted figures a reality is ensuring you have the necessary capital, capabilities and connections in place in your business to support those goals. ■

Useful resources • BNZ Small business toolkit: www.bnz.co.nz/business-banking/ support/small-business-toolkit • BNZ Be good with money: www.begoodwithmoney.co.nz

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTS Your rights and obligations

12

60

45

Inside this issue

RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTS Your rights and obligations

62

30

DODGY PRODUCT

HOW ORGANISED ARE YOU? Work smart tips

15

NEW!

Better policing needed

TECHNICAL THEME

TOMORROW’S GASFITTERS Learning support

20

HOT WATER

Water chemistry, home heating and more

70 Cover photograph: A new consumer campaign from MBIE.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

WHAT’S ON 7

Check out our industry calendar

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS 8

CEO Greg Wallace on apprentice training; new Comms & Marketing Advisor; product advocacy and Best in Brand prize

50 Staying strong Outstanding Services to Industry Award winner Dave Strong

TECHNICAL THEME: HOT WATER TECHNOLOGY 21

IN FOCUS 12

15

Policing products Why better controls are needed around imported product

24 Warm water—warm home Combining household hot water with the central heating system

Customer contracts A new campaign reminds contractors of their obligations

26 Legionella control Legionella in potable water systems

REAL LIVES 18

Driven to succeed Plumber Jacob Smith sets himself a high bar

42 Walking into retirement Why this 76-year-old ex-tutor is tramping the length of New Zealand

4

Water pH impact Why water pH matters when choosing hot water products

August/September 2017

29 HPWH technology How they work plus installation tips

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 30 Preservation plumbing Heritage house plumbing work

NUTS & BOLTS 35

Taken in isolation Benefits of isolation valves

36 Backflow basics What plumbers need to know about backflow prevention 39 Device types Unsure which type of backflow device to use?

40 Tech points Technical updates in brief

INDUSTRY TALK 44 Asbestos removal training Training requirements for an asbestos removal licence 45 Heating up Emirates Team New Zealand Rinnai’s hot water solution for the Bermuda crew 45 Watercare changes in Auckland Changes to compliance statements and connections 46 Sam’s speak What’s the answer to the plumber shortage?

48 Steel mesh charges Charges filed against three producers 48 Cylinder restraint study Could be time for a new approach 49 Homestar rating tool updated Homestar v4 makes the assessment process easier

HEALTH MATTERS 52

P aware The risks of working in meth houses

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

58 KiwiSaver—10 years on It’s a no-brainer for young working people to join, says the IR 59 Contract Works cover When your subcontract agreement includes Contract Works excess 60 How organised are you?

Top tips to working smarter—plus two case studies

NEXT GENERATION 70 Tomorrow’s gasfitters How Rinnai is supporting gasfitting apprentices 73

Taking on the world Young Kiwi plumber prepares for Worldskills Internationals

77

Apprenticeship designed by you A new website from Skills to have your say

62 Quote, unquote How binding is a quote?

54 Water recharge Two new managed aquifer recharge projects

64 Pricing & payments Tips on optimising efficiency and profitability

SMART BUSINESS

INNOVATION

56 We’re watching you Legal boundaries of electronic staff surveillance

66 Drain brain Odour eating floor waste product

57

67 Urgency needed on skill shortages BNZ on why business and government need to work together

Process for change What to know when altering an employee’s agreement

WORLD VIEW 69 Hospital on hold Lead contamination in water at new Perth Children’s Hospital

SUPPLY LINES

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 79 What’s new in the marketplace

AND FINALLY 81

Offcuts Bits and pieces of the unusual kind

82 Dodgy plumbing The best of the worst August/September 2017

5

SMART BUSINESS TIPS FROM THE 2017 MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR—See p50

DODGY PRODUCT Better policing needed

HOW ORGANISED ARE YOU? Work smart tips

TOMORROW’S GASFITTERS Learning support

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SMART BUSINESS

Business protection Plumbing firm owner Mark Whitehead discovered the hard way the value of having professional indemnity insurance.

IN 2016, A client of Whitehead Plumbing & Gas in Christchurch called the company to say his father was having drainage problems at his Cashmere Hills property.

Owner Mark Whitehead sent a licensed plumber to the house to take a look, and the tradesman ended up putting a camera down both the sewer and stormwater drains. When he discovered a blockage in the PVC stormwater drain where it crossed the neighbouring property below, he asked and received permission from the owner to go onto the property.

There he discovered that someone had unwittingly driven a timber stake through the stormwater drain, causing a leak.

“My plumber then took it upon himself to return and fix the problem,” says Mark.

“The owner wasn’t home but, believing he still had permission, he entered the

property to repair the pipe by cutting out and replacing a 600mm section.”

The plumber left, thinking all was well but, soon after, the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB) contacted Mark to say they were investigating a complaint from the property owner about a tradesperson entering his property without permission.

“It escalated from there, resulting in my business being prosecuted under the Act for permitting a person without drainlaying authorisation to repair the stormwater pipe,” recalls Mark.

On receiving a district court summons from the PGDB, Mark notified his firm’s insurers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, who arranged the appointment of a solicitor to help in his defence. “Our insurers covered all the costs involved in the court action, bar the $500 excess, including the lawyer’s costs and the eventual $913 fine.”

Mark says it was a stressful, timeconsuming ordeal, but he took some valuable lessons from the experience.

“My advice to other employers is to check you have the right insurance cover—and make sure your guys have

the correct authorisation for any work they do. If your plumbers have cause to do the occasional small drainage repair, ensure they have an Exemption Under Supervision to carry out the work.”

“Professional indemnity insurance is designed to protect your business and your reputation following an allegation of negligence relating to business service or advice,” says Vaughan Bridges of Mike Henry Insurance Brokers.

“Costs and expenses are provided in addition to the Limit of Indemnity, which is the maximum amount the insurer will pay for compensation and claimant’s costs and expenses arising from any one claim and all claims in the aggregate made by the insured under a policy during the policy period. The cover also provides valuable extensions, such as defamation, loss of documents and Fair Trading Act breaches, which are included automatically.” ■ Mike Henry Insurance Brokers is a founding member of Master Plumbers Insurance. Contact the team to discuss your insurance needs on 0800 866 766; masterplumbers@mhib.co.nz

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SMART BUSINESS

Wage deductions As an employer, you must consult with your employees about wage deduction decisions—and it’s in your best interests to do so, says Lisa Duston.

EMPLOYERS CAN GET caught out when an employee leaves the business with amounts owing to staff accounts.

Legal changes introduced in 2016 to the way deductions are made from wages mean it’s no longer a matter of relying purely on the employment agreement for guidance.

It’s important to remember that employers must consult with employees on each specific wage deduction (not including legal deductions like KiwiSaver or student loan repayments)—even where the employee has already given general consent in their employment agreement. It’s also worth noting that any wage deduction must be reasonable, whether consented to or not.

Often, plumbing businesses like to offer employees the option to purchase tools for personal and work use, with the cost going onto a business tool account.

If the business allows an employee to use a business tool account, and the employee has the opportunity to pay for the tools through a set amount from their wages each week, a payroll deduction form must be completed each time they purchase items.

The employee needs to give consent to have such deductions made from their wages, so it’s in the employer’s best interests to have the employee sign this

form whenever a new purchase is made, to ensure the debit is recovered.

Employees have been known to leave their employer and refuse to cover any outstanding amount owing to their tool/staff accounts. If there has been no prior agreement to do so, and if you don’t have their consent, then you won’t be able to make this deduction from their final pay.

So, it’s well worth getting deduction forms signed for everything that’s ticked up onto staff accounts! ■ About the author: Lisa Duston is HR Manager at Master Plumbers. Lisa offers HR advice to Master Plumbers’ members at competitive rates (first 30 minutes free).

Contact Lisa on 021 245 1704 or email lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz

Business survival guide A new website from Inland Revenue is designed to ease tax stress for new businesses.

TAX OBLIGATIONS CAN be a frustrating hurdle for new businesses. The Inland Revenue Business Survival Guide is an online tool that aims to support anyone thinking about starting or running a new business, offering easy to understand information.

The website was built and tested with small to medium-sized business customers in mind, following discussions with more than 50 business owners nationwide.

It offers a ‘guided tour’ of their likely interactions with the tax system that is tailored to their particular business circumstances, so customers can better prepare for managing their business.

The user’s experience starts with a series of questions about their business, such as the type of business structure, provisional tax paying method, whether they’re registered for GST and if they have employees.

The answers then inform the sort of information that the

customer is presented with next, producing targeted and tailored content.

“This is only the beginning and we will continue to test different versions of the business survival guide with our customers,” says Inland Revenue’s Customer Strategy Manager Chris Cullinan. “There are opportunities to expand our content to a far wider selection of customers.”

The website isn’t intended to replace professional advisers such as accountants or tax agents, who provide assistance with complex situations.

While it is primarily aimed at people establishing a new business, there is a wealth of information for people already in business who don’t have a clear understanding of their tax obligations.

It also offers guidance for anyone who may have got into difficulty meeting their obligations. ■

October/November 2017

67

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36

Electric avenue

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

This Auckland plumbing company has added two EVs to its fleet—and says it’s embracing the technology.

MYTHS ABOUND WHEN it comes to electric vehicles, says Dave Henderson of Quix Commercial. When we caught up with Dave, he had recently added a fully electric vehicle to the company’s fleet for Plumbing Foreman Wyatt Raw’s use—and since then he has bought a second EV. Dave believes more tradespeople should come on board with the technology. “A lot of people have misconceptions that EVs are expensive to buy, won’t go as well as petrol vans, are slow, and will run out of charge quickly,” he says. “It’s about changing the mindset.”

Quix Commercial’s first EV purchase was a second-hand Nissan ENV200 import that had done just 1,500km and Dave says it runs just as well as a petrol vehicle—so much so that Wyatt and his wife like using the van out of work hours, as it’s so quiet and comfortable.

It comes with all the mod cons, says Dave: heated seats and steering wheel, sat nav, Bluetooth, reversing camera and airbags.

It’s also economical, with running costs at around 2c per km, and there is virtually zero maintenance or servicing costs.

“The engine is used to re-energise the batteries when braking,

so brake replacement is also minimised,” he says. “Standard replacement of tyres, wiper blades and the air-conditioning filter are about the only costs.”

Co-manager Maurice Tusa says that the company is looking to buy still more EVs, as he is confident the quality will keep getting better. “We’re a forward-thinking company. This is the future. It’s important to be clean and green, to cut our carbon emissions, and we’re absolutely embracing this technology.”

The ENV200 is slightly shorter than the rest of the company’s fleet but surprisingly roomy, says Dave. It comes as a two-, fiveor seven-seater and they chose the five-seater, as the back seat folds up hard against the front seats, making good use of the available space. >

the vehicle can be charged anywhere using a standard three-pin plug

Above: Plumbing Foreman Wyatt Raw (right) and Roofing Foreman Jeff Cunningham with the fleet’s two EVs. October/November 2017

69

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

The vehicle can be charged anywhere using a standard 10amp three-pin plug. “At a recent job, Wyatt asked the homeowner if he could plug in the van while he was working, and deduct the cost from their bill. The van’s meter showed it had taken 2kW of power to charge—just 40c.”

A 15amp caravan-type plug is installed at Quix Commercial’s workshop, so they can fully charge the van overnight.

Depending on how it is driven, the Nissan ENV200 has a range of approximately 130km, so won’t suit everyone admits Dave. “We’re based in Auckland, and with all the traffic queues, it takes about three weeks to do that many km round town,” he says with a laugh.

However, the latest Nissan Leaf has a range of over 220km, and EV technology is progressing fast.

Auckland is already well set up for free charging, and fast

charge is becoming increasingly available in other areas around New Zealand. The PlugShare mobile app is a good way of finding the nearest charging station, as the company has discovered.

“Wyatt was driving to a job in Whangaparaoa when he realised he was running low on charge. He used the app to find the closest station and had a coffee while he waited. If you compare that to the time and cost involved whenever field staff stop and fill up at the petrol station, a 20-minute coffee break isn’t much to subsidise.”

Quix Commercial bought their first ENV200 for $25,000 including GST, and it’ proved to be the fastest in the fleet.

They aren’t yet available to purchase NZ new but, according to Dave and Maurice, there are some very good low km imports available. ■ You can find out more about EV vehicles at www.evtalk.co.nz

Battery breakthrough News of a step change in EV technology is emerging from Toyota.

TOYOTA ENGINEERS ARE reportedly near a major breakthrough in a new type of solid-state battery.

The batteries use solid electrolytes rather than liquid ones, generating potentially no heat—making them safer than lithiumion batteries currently on the market, say Toyota.

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Battery-powered vehicles currently take 20 to 30 minutes to recharge using lithium-ion batteries, even with fast chargers.

New solid-state batteries will reduce times down to just a few minutes.

Solid-state batteries could also double the maximum range for electric vehicles—which is typically around 300-400km— making EVs a serious proposition for more general use.

Toyota is still not specifying a timeline for the new tech but a spokeswoman, Kayo Doi, is reported as saying that the company is looking to have solid-state battery-powered cars in the market as early as 2020.

The company is working on multiple fronts with electric and alternative fuels. Late last year it announced a 15 percent improvement in lithium-ion batteries, while it also continues to roll out hydrogen based cars and infrastructure, based around the Toyota Mirai.

Last year the company set up a special division, headed by Toyota President Akio Toyoda, to develop and market EVs, showing its commitment to push ahead in this fast-changing category. ■

The stylish Galiano Pull-Down Sink Mixer is now available in Matt Black and Brushed Nickel.

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From plumbers to builders and mechanical engineers, women are entering the construction industry in growing numbers.

EMILY SUTTON GOT a taste for driving diggers during a preapprenticeship round-robin tour that City Care ran for young recruits in Christchurch. “I watched the guys carefully—how they handled the machines—then I finally got a chance to use one… and I’m still here,” she says.

Christchurch tradesmen will have seen Emily all over the city operating her 14-tonne CASE excavator. She has got used to double takes from blokes when they realise there’s a ‘girl’ driving a piece of machinery. She says she also cops a lot of comment from her male workmates, but they get it back double.

Emily likes the sense of danger that goes with the job and the skills required to circumvent it. “There are so many different conditions—different ground types, working in confined spaces, having to be very precise on occasion, working around standing infrastructure… and then making it all pretty afterwards.”

Emily is studying for a Certificate in Civil Infrastructure Trades, the equivalent of a building apprenticeship. At present she is working with the drainage team, and that means responding to the frequent flooding Christchurch has experienced and helping out with the pumps. She hopes to be moving into the civil construction unit soon, which will mean bigger machinery.

An integral part of her City Care career is belonging to the council’s own fire brigade. It is a 50-strong ‘rural’ fire force, based right in the heart of the city, but has its own parks and reserves to look after, quite apart from joining in on bigger jobs.

“During the Port Hills fire, we were everywhere,” she says.

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Above: Plumbing apprentice Nikita Ward was photographed for a recent exhibition by NAWIC to celebrate women in construction.

NEXT GENERATION

At the recent National Association of Women in Construction Awards, Emily won the Apprentice and Student Award in the trades category. Twenty-two-year-old plumbing and gasfitting apprentice Nikita Ward was highly commended in the same category.

Having initially planned to work with young children, Nikita decided to switch to plumbing… and she reckons if you can change a dirty nappy, you can fix a toilet. “Plumbing is not all about clearing drains and unblocking toilets, though—there is plenty of clean work as well,” she says. “I enjoy my job because it’s very hands on and you have to think about how the end product is going to work—how it will get from A to B. Also you’re not always in the same place doing the same thing; you are indoors and outdoors, and meeting different people from different cultures.” >

plumbing is not all about clearing drains and unblocking toilets Above: Emily Sutton at work in her 14-tonne excavator.

“Everyone should do it!”

Esmey Parata is nearly five months into her four-year apprenticeship through Masterlink at Dunedin firm Gas & Water Ltd, and she can’t speak more highly of her experience.

Plumbing was not included in careers advice at the girls’ high school she attended. Instead, she was strongly encouraged to go to university—but Esmey knew she didn’t want a desk job and liked working with her hands.

“Plumbing’s an underrated trade. I heard about it from my brother and dad and, now I’m doing it, I’ve fallen in love with it,” she says.

“It is hard work but fun—everyone should do it! It’s really cool trying different things. There’s never a dull moment, I’m constantly learning… and I have an income.”

Esmey is receiving on-job training in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying.

So far her work has involved gas installations, bathroom renovations

and big outdoor jobs tearing up roads. A highlight has been using a digger to rip up a school field to create trenches.

She’s not fussed when people say plumbing’s not a female job. “I know I’m just as capable as the guys. We’re like a family at Gas & Water and all get along really well. The team has been incredibly welcoming and I never feel out of place.

There’s banter, but it’s all good-natured.

I’ve grown up with boys, so it doesn’t bother me.”

Esmey is very grateful to Masterlink Regional Manager Roger Herd for interviewing her and helping her get into the trade. “Roger helped me with job experience and found me a place with a host company. He’s so supportive and I’m really thankful to him—and to my boss Sean Reynolds for giving me this opportunity.”

Esmey’s proud that one of her friends is now considering a career in plumbing.

“She was jealous of all the fun I’m having!”

Above: Plumbing apprentice Esmey Parata working under a house.

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NEXT GENERATION

Having come top of class in her plumbing pre-trade at Weltec, Nikita was determined to get a job at the end of it. “If people say ‘No’ or don’t even reply when you decide to start looking for an employer, you need to keep trying,” she says. “I know it can be quite hard hearing ‘No’, as I went through it myself, but I didn’t let that get the better of me. I kept emailing and calling, and eventually came across Hutt Gas and Plumbing who were willing to give me a shot.”

Hutt Gas and Plumbing General Manager Colleen Upton had previously hired a female apprentice with extremely positive results, so she was more than happy to do the same again. She is a passionate believer in the benefits of female apprentices, saying they show particular strengths in self-regulation and consistency.

Nikita believes there are many opportunities available to those following a trades career. “You can become a gas service person and go round cleaning and fixing gas appliances. You can also employ people and sign work off yourself once you are a certifier in whichever side of the trade you prefer—or in all of them.”

She’s planning on getting qualified in all three plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying trades. At the moment she is studying Above: Nikita (centre) with fellow female plumbing contestants Jade plumbing and gasfitting. Once she has those, she plans to get her Winter (left) and Phoebe Coers at the WorldSkills NZ Nationals in 2016. drainlaying ticket.

According to the Ministry for Women, the number of women working in construction across the country has almost doubled in the past decade, climbing from 16,000 in 2003 to 30,000 in 2016. “The national average of women in construction is 13 percent, and in Canterbury [was] up to 16 percent in 2016,” says the Ministry’s Policy Director Margaret Retter.

there are still people out there who don’t think women can be plumbers “I’m loving it” Having played softball provincially for Southland, and as a member of the New Zealand International Softball Academy under-19s team, Lauren Philips knows her way around a softball bat. Now, as an apprentice plumber/gasfitter, the 19 yearold is learning to master the tools of her new-found trade.

Lauren is doing her four-year apprenticeship through Masterlink at Fairbairn Plumbing in Invercargill. Working on brand new homes, renovations on old homes, and everything in between, Lauren says every day on the job is different and she learns something new each time. “I get the opportunity to get out and about and meet new people, while experiencing new things,” she says.

Lauren’s parents encouraged her to get qualified in a trade. After noticing an advert in the paper for a plumbing apprenticeship

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Above: Lauren Philips.

through Masterlink, she applied and got the job. “I’m loving it,” she says.

She admits the first year was challenging, but her advice to others is: “Stick with it and push as hard as you can. It will be

worth it in the end once you’re qualified.”

She says she’d encourage other females to get into a plumbing career. “I don’t see why not—there’s no difference if it’s a girl or a boy on the job.”

Earlier this year, Lauren was the only female to compete in her area’s Plumbing World Young Plumbers Competition Regionals, held in Winton. She went up against six males, taking on a number of physical tasks and theory work.

Masterlink South Island Manager Roger Herd, who is mentoring Lauren through her apprenticeship, says she is one of three females among a total of 42 apprentices currently on his books.

This information is taken with kind permission from articles in Advocate South and Leaving School Magazine, published by Oliver Lee Publications Ltd.

NEXT GENERATION

the number of women working in construction has almost doubled in the last decade However, there’s still a long way to go. At Ara (the former Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology), for example, there are currently 147 women studying trades, many of them on scholarships, which represents just 8.5 percent of trades students at the polytechnic.

Ministry for Women staff have been working with employers and training organisations to recruit more women. The bigger the number of women entering the industry, the more supervisory and executive positions will eventually open up.

Nikita says there are still people out there who don’t think women can be plumbers. “The way to deal with them is ignore them, put your head down and prove them wrong.”

Her other advice to fellow females in the plumbing trade?

“Get to know your team mates. They will help dispel the myth that women can’t be tradespeople. Get involved in the social club or any teams going—it will enrich the experience.” ■

Above: Emily Sutton works for City Care in Christchurch.

HIRE AN APPRENTICE www.skills.org.nz/goodhands

NEXT GENERATION

“Youth are the future”

We asked Dale Lovell, the 2017 Trainer of the Year, about his approach to training apprentices. Here are his 10 tips to success.

Q1: How many apprentices do you have at any one time?

A: We have 11 tradesmen, one contract manager and one

estimator to 13 apprentices. The tradesmen are in various stages of Certifying, Tradesman and Journeyman. We have two 1st year apprentices, three 2nd year, three 3rd year, three 4th year and two out of their time, though they haven’t completed their registration exams.

Q2: How do you structure their on-job learning?

A: Between us, the contract manager and I look at what skills the apprentices are capable of and what skills they require. Generally, after six months we have a change of apprentices to tradesmen, so they can get a full understanding of all aspects of plumbing and get to learn different ways of achieving the same result.

they can get a full understanding of all aspects of plumbing

Above: Dale Lovell (left) and Thomas Curran look at venting on AS/NZS 3500 waste systems.

Q3: How do you make the most of 1st year apprentices when they don’t have many skills?

A: We start them off with digging trenches, prefabbing in the

workshop, or drilling holes and installing fixings on site—work that a tradesman would do at a much higher rate. It makes sense for an apprentice to do this, as it lets the tradesman get on with the thinking side of the job, and ordering the required gear.

After about two months, we let them start installing the pipework, and after about six months we let them start working out how to run the pipework and mark out the job under supervision. Then we get them to start organising and ordering the materials, and writing up the timesheets on an iPad. By about the 2nd year, they could in theory be sent to a job and actually work out what needs to be done, organise the materials and complete—all under supervision.

Q4: How do you help them fit in and create loyalty?

A: We involve everyone in monthly toolbox meetings and

Above: Ben Ryan (left) doing his correspondence studies with the help of Project Manager Simon Barry.

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we listen to any ideas, good or bad. We also have informal conversations over a BBQ or beer and actually get to know the staff member—learning about their life outside work: family, friends, kids, hobbies etc. We have the occasional fun outing, too, like go karting or paintball.

S1 A / 2 ts G1 n e s dm y n a e r t am e f le a b s a for applic now Q5: How do you help them with their studies?

A: As we have so many apprentices, we have set up a computer and a boardroom table in the office, where they can come and study. Several of our tradesmen are studying for their exams, so they can all ask questions together. If they have some really difficult ones, they will come and ask me.

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Q6: How do you find good apprentice candidates?

A: Through word of mouth, Gateway, clients’ kids, staff contacts and referrals from Master Plumbers and Masterlink.

Q7: What do you look for in an apprentice?

A: I have three criteria when interviewing: Why do you want to

be a plumber? Do you have a weekend or after-school job? What do you do for recreation? Generally, those who play team sports are able to work in a team and show team commitment.

Q8: Are all your apprentices in the Masterlink programme?

A: All except one, who came to us from another company with

just nine months to go in his apprenticeship. We find that the mentoring and support from Masterlink is second to none. They look after any problems, mentor, organise the apprentice’s tools and block courses. When you look at the big picture, it’s cheaper to take on a managed apprentice than hire direct by the time you add in four weeks’ holiday, 10 days stat, 10 days sick, course fees, mentoring and ACC costs—let alone staff administration looking after their timesheets and wages. It isn’t in the 4th year, due to increased wages, but by then you can charge them out at a higher rate.

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Q9: How do you retain apprentices once qualified?

A: We start looking at the pay rate before they finish and we also explain that there are substantial rewards in getting qualified.

During harder times, those with more skills and qualifications will be better suited for employment. Also, if they can learn and adapt to different aspects of plumbing, their job will be more varied and enjoyable. We ask them what their future goals are to see where they want to be in five or 10 years’ time, and we put a plan in place to achieve this.

Q10: Lastly, why do you train apprentices?

A: As I grew up, I had it instilled in me that youth and training

are the future of the world. It’s also good to see people grow and become tradesmen, and eventually run their own business. One of those apprentices who you have trained may one day want to own your business, which is a good way of succession planning. ■

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NEXT GENERATION

Got an apprentice?

Got a Trade is a reminder about the importance of apprentices, says The Skills Organisation.

THE END OF August saw the Got a Trade campaign return for another successful year. Thousands of youths across the country had the opportunity to learn all about a career in the trades and where it can take them.

Got a Trade is a nationwide, youth-targeted campaign that raises awareness of careers in New Zealand’s trades. It aims to grow pathways from school into the workforce, helping young people to start successful trades careers, and tackling key skills shortages.

From an employer’s point of view, it was a good opportunity to be reminded about how important apprenticeships are to the industry. The Got a Trade campaign proved there are plenty of eager young Kiwis out there keen to make a living in the trades. It’s our collective duty to nurture them into productive professionals who will take the industry forwards into the future.

If you aren’t familiar with apprentices, there are plenty of good reasons to get one on board, such as: •

•

•

Growing your business, your way. Hire new staff, train them up your way from scratch, and ensure your business is in safe hands. And with more hands on deck, you’ll have more time to work on your business, not in it.

Adding some fresh perspective. Feel like business has been a bit stale lately? Technology moves fast in this industry. Adding some apprentices to your team can help introduce new ideas and innovation.

Helping your country. Doing your bit to train up tomorrow’s workforce is a good way to contribute to our economy’s growth.

Above: Plumbcraft Managing Director Sean Stephens has been taking on apprentices for nearly 30 years.

“I’ve been really impressed by many of my apprentices over the years. Recently, one of our boys went three and a half years before he had a sick day,” Sean says. “The same guy has always shown commitment to his trade. We’re rewarding him by training him for a bigger role at Plumbcraft in the future.”

Sean adds that seeing the apprentices grow as people and come out the other end qualified is one of the most rewarding things about taking them on.

As a final tip to get the most out of apprentices, he recommends having a structured review system in place. “We have quarterly performance reviews and set goals we want our apprentices to achieve by the next review,” he explains.

“And to help them keep the drive they start with, we talk with them about what the future can hold at Plumbcraft when they get to the 3rd and 4th year.”

Ready to take on an apprentice?

Taking on an apprentice can give your business that extra edge. If you’d like to have a chat about how to get started, give Skills a call on 0508 SKILLS (0508 754 557). ■

Just ask Sean Stephens, managing director at Plumbcraft.

Sean’s been taking on apprentices for nearly 30 years, so he knows all about what a great addition to the business they can be.

October/November 2017

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AND FINALLY

Offcuts

Fatbergs, messy vans and the fitness of plumbers…

Monster fatberg discovery

Snakes alive!

A congealed mass of fat, wet wipes and nappies discovered recently in a London sewer has had to be broken up with shovels and high-powered jets to prevent raw sewage flooding the streets, reported the UK’s Guardian in September. According to the newspaper, the fatberg stretches the length of two football pitches and weighs an estimated 130 tonnes—the equivalent of 11 double-decker buses, and 10 times larger than the one discovered in another London sewer in 2013. The Guardian reports that the fatberg was set like concrete, and it was expected to take workmen three weeks to clear, going at the job seven days a week. The message to consumers was to dispose of fat and wipes in the bin, not down the sink or toilet.

A five-year-old British boy had the shock of his young life when he went to use the toilet at his home and found a three-foot python lurking under the toilet lid, according to The Daily Telegraph. Apparently, the specialist who rescued the snake surmised it was a pet that had made its way through connecting sewers from another local family’s home. The newspaper reports that the boy’s mother had previously noticed the toilet seemed blocked and wasn't draining properly. When her son came to her, frantic and shaking, she lifted the toilet lid with a broom handle, at which point the baby royal python popped out its head.

The specialist said the snake was harmless and was in quite good health, though it would need time to recover from scale rot due to bleach in the system.

Is plumbing the UK’s healthiest profession?

Total eclipse affects PV plants

British HVP magazine reveals that tradespeople, such as plumbers and electricians, are the healthiest workers in the UK. This, according to a 2017 survey by IronmongeryDirect of just over 2,000 UK adults. Due to the nature of the job, a tradesperson is active for up to seven hours a day, burning up to 2,500 calories—more than any other type of worker, it says. “When it comes to getting physical, trade workers are even healthier than health and fitness professionals, such as personal trainers, who are physically mobile for just five hours a day,” says the magazine. It goes on to note that sedentary office workers, such as communications workers, fail to be active for even an hour a day, burning less than 300 calories through workrelated activity. Pity the poor NZ Plumber Ed!

In early August, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on the effects of the solar eclipse that would occur later that month. The solar eclipse would obscure the sunlight needed to generate electricity at approximately 1,900 utility-scale solar PV power plants in the US, said the EIA. However, it added that relatively little solar PV capacity lay in the path of totality, where the sun would be completely obscured by the moon, so the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) did not anticipate the eclipse would create reliability issues for the bulk power system.

The cost of a messy van

According to new research by storage provider Filplastic, the majority of tradespeople waste more than 30 minutes every day looking for tools in their van, the UK’s HVP magazine reported in August. It goes on to calculate roughly how much extra money a tradesperson could make with a tidy van. Individuals employed as a skilled tradesperson earn on average £498 per week, the magazine reports, quoting the UK’s Office for National Statistics. With the average working week being 38 hours, that means they could earn an additional £32 to £65 per week if they had a tidy van and saved between 30 minutes to an hour every day. This equates to an extra £1,572 to £3,145 per year, according to the magazine.

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AND FINALLY

DODGY Plumbing Keep them coming! Send your Dodgy Plumbing examples to the Ed: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz

This edition’s collection of DIY disasters and cowboy capers.

Sprung a leak Piggyback

“Was looking at the NZ Plumber mag and was reminded of this photo I took,” says Mark Jesperson.

Hole lot of style

“Saw this the other day… good chuckle,” says Matthew McCrory of McCrory Plumbing Kaikoura. “Plastic bucket lid used to cover an obviously large hole in a shower lining.”

“We were called to investigate a leaking hot water cylinder that had been changed from a low to a mains pressure approx 2 years ago,” says Dale Lovell of Heron Plumbing in Auckland. “When my plumber looked at it, he found that the cold water valve was leaking from the handle. This was caused by the fact that the cold water expansion valve drain was blocked off.

“Upon further investigation, he found that the TPR was also leaking due to an elbow being installed on the outlet, and the drain being run vertical for 3m and taken through the roof. Apparently there was nowhere to run the drain. We have given them a quote to install an external HWC.”

Follow the drawing

“Found this in Timaru,” says Chris Smith of CS Plumbing. “Cylinder had a wetback installed.

There was a vent, but it wasn’t anywhere near where it should have been. The original plumber had even drawn a diagram of how it was plumbed on the wall beside it!”

Please send the biggest size photos you have.

The bigger the file, the bigger we can show it on the page!

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October/November 2017

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Simon Thomsen, who works for Tech Mechanical Services in Hawkes Bay, found this gem at a childcare centre when going to unblock a sink.

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