Backflow know-how

Backflow practitioner Gayelene Woodcock is keen for plumbers to gain extra knowledge about backflow prevention.

AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE PHOTOGRAPHS: GAYELENE WOODCOCK

Gayelene Woodcock, who runs Total Backflow Services in Hamilton, wants to see more plumbers keep up to date with the latest requirements and installation procedures for backflow devices.

She notes that apprentices nearing completion of their training receive an introduction to backflow prevention standards, but unless they go on to do an independently qualified persons (IQP) course on the topic, no further learning in this area may occur during their career.

“I think there needs to be a focus on increasing the plumber’s knowledge on the correct device to be installed and the correct method for installation,” she says. “If plumbers focused on these it would be a good for the industry.

“Unless plumbers have recently completed a backflow course, they probably haven’t had access to the information of backflow requirements for some time.

“There’s an appetite for upskilling, but it’s finding a balance between the cost of the course, time to do it, time away from business and the ongoing cost of annual certification and testing of equipment, increased public liability and industry insurances.”

Testable, serviceable, accessible

Gayelene says one key issue plumbers need to bear in mind when installing backflow prevention devices is making sure they meet the recommendation that such equipment should be ‘testable, serviceable and accessible’.

Gayelene Woodcock performs backflow testing and monitoring around Hamilton.

Correct installation in a toby box with isolation valves either side of device, filter to protect device, and swivel connections to allow easy removal if required. Correctly installed device at the entrance to a commercial site.

“Unfortunately, often the location of the device means it’s not easily serviceable and testable,” she says. “Some of these devices are put up in ceiling spaces but you need to physically see them and need to be able to work on that device.

“Sometimes it gets installed up too high, or too deep in the ground, which is why I think plumbers should have a focus on learning the correct installations.”

Gayelene notes backflow requirements have been in existence for years but there is a lack of consistency in ensuring rules are being met. For example, existing buildings only come under the backflow provisions once a new building consent comes into force and, as a result, many of them never come up for review.

“Within Hamilton City, where I operate, there’s still a large number of nonresidential properties that don’t have any backflow devices on them,” she says.

Testers and surveyors

For people wanting to become a qualified backflow tester, Gayelene says an IQP backflow course lasts three days. Practical assessments are then required to become verified with councils and each council requires a separate registration, which means “your qualification doesn’t automatically qualify you to work throughout New Zealand”.

Annual costs post-qualification for backflow experts include registration, certification of equipment and insurances.

Anyone wanting to become a backflow surveyor needs to complete a fulltime oneweek course—although Gayelene notes there has not been any such course run in New Zealand for some years now.

“A surveyor needs a much higher level of experience to be able to identify everything that may be connected to the potable water supply. They also have to understand water hydraulics and have the ability to make recommendations about the particular device, the location and the reasoning behind it to prevent potential crosscontamination connections,” she explains.

“Meanwhile, testers are responsible for testing the device to ensure it’s functioning as part of the manufacturer’s requirements and the backflow requirements.

“Essentially, one does all the recommendations for what’s appropriate protection for the site, and one does the work on the testing of the valves.”

Becoming an IQP

Before she became a specialist in backflow prevention, Gayelene and her husband Chris had run Waikato Plumbing Services for nearly 30 years after setting it up in 1987.

Chris expanded their range of work when he started doing backflow surveying in 2009 but five years later, he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer and the couple closed their plumbing business in 2016.

After Chris passed away in 2018, Gayelene decided to sit the IQP backflow course in 2019 and now does backflow testing and monitoring. She is also a tutor at Wintec in Hamilton, where she spends up to 20 days a year working with plumbing apprentices.

“Every apprentice in their final year is required to do their backflow unit,” explains Gayelene. “My husband was very passionate about plumbers being obliged to train apprentices and thought it was their responsibility to improve the trade and make sure apprentices coming through were of a high standard.”

Women can do it too!

Gayelene is a particular champion of women in the industry and adds Waikato Plumbing Services was one of the first New Zealand companies in the 1990s to train a female plumbing apprentice.

Two more of the many examples of backflow prevention devices Gayelene Woodcock encounters that are not easily serviceable. Backflow prevention devices should be ‘testable, serviceable, and accessible’. This one was a fail!

She says challenges to getting more women into trade roles have included females not putting themselves forward for such opportunities, and whether employers are prepared to take them on.

It has taken a long time to see the number of women in the industry start to rise but, based on the numbers coming through Wintec, it’s finally looking promising, according to Gayelene.

“A concern when I started at Wintec was the lack of female apprentices coming through but this year that’s been noticeably different. It’s still only a small percentage but we’re now seeing female apprentices coming through on a regular basis.

“I think there are a number of programmes and promotions going on to encourage women into training and I think if that continues, we will see the numbers continue to rise. Finally, the scale is tipping and there’s no reason why women can’t do plumbing as well.”