OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF
O CTO B E R / N OV E M B E R 2 02 0
Technologies, compliance & training opportunities
WHERE THE BUCK STOPS
Answering installer liability questions
EMERGENCY SHOWERS
What you need to know
CONSTRUCTION CoVE ANNOUNCED
Shaping the future for apprentice training
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A few words EDITOR
Volume 72, Number 5 MAGAZINE TEAM CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 03 543 2008 bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz PRINT Blue Star 81 The Esplanade, Petone Wellington 6141 DESIGN ICG Designer – Julian Pettitt ICG Senior Account Director – LauraGrace McFarland www.icg.co.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS NZ Plumber is published six times a year by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Members and Certifying tradespeople receive all six editions. If you wish to opt out, please email bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz To order an annual subscription, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number here: registration@pgdb.co.nz TO ADVERTISE Contact Alton Anamani advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz
NZ Plumber is the official magazine of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc. Contact details for the Master Plumbers board, 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letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’.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.
Staying the course ALTHOUGH 2020 HAS BROUGHT SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY AND DISRUPTION, THE PLUMBING INDUSTRY IS NOTHING IF NOT RESILIENT—WEATHERING MANY A CRISIS OVER THE YEARS. This was brought home to me in talking with Brian Foley for an article in this edition about his recent Master Plumbers National Life Membership award (see p50). Brian’s father started the Foley’s business in Dunedin in 1934 and it’s still going strong today, with Brian’s son Craig and grandson Nathan carrying on the family tradition in a company that now has 10 branches and employs more than 220 staff. In those 80 or so years, New Zealand has seen wartime, a polio epidemic and the global financial crisis—and this company has come through it all unscathed. Jack Rogers at Rogers and Rogers in Kaitaia is another great example, having notched up more than 50 years in the industry (see article on p72). Based at opposite ends of New Zealand, these two men share one key thing in common: a firm belief in the importance of training apprentices for the future, whatever it may bring.
Crises, when they come along, quickly turn plain sailing into choppy waters. Having a crisis management plan and using whatever business and mental health support is available can make all the difference to how your business charts the course. (See p43 for a reminder of the crisis support available to Master Plumbers members.) And, as the recent gasfitter charges for the Christchurch gas explosion demonstrate, having the right insurances in place is also an essential part of being prepared. Turn to p14 for our feature article on issues highlighted by this incident.
Beverly Sellers Editor, NZ Plumber, bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz
Over to you Email us your letters and feedback to be in to win our $50 letter prize. Send your letters to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz
This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible paper produced from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources.
Paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.
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O CTO B E R / N OV E M B E R 2 02 0
14
TECHNICAL THEME: HOT WATER
28
In the mix Mixing valves on larger plumbing systems
30
Hot water heat pumps
Why HPWHs are a sustainable option
32
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14
WHAT’S UP
FEATURES
ON THE TOOLS
23
Commercial gas water heating
New short courses from Rinnai & Unitec
35
Positioning of seismic restraints
9
Auckland base for ConCoVE
Launch event for Construction & Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence
10
Updates
14
Where the buck stops
Answering questions around gasfitter liability
18
Exempt from consent
What’s been added to the list of work not requiring a building consent
Constructionrelated news from around NZ
20
Leaky building saga drips on
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Why high-profile weathertightness cases are back in the news
23
Sewage solution
Taking a look at the $27 million wastewater project for Kerikeri
Rheem has HWC advice
36
Power to the plumber
Associated Tradesperson training: why & where
37 38
Technical Q&A
Safe tray question answered
Products Latest products & services on the market
MASTER PLUMBERS
43 44
43
Member benefit Help in a crisis
49
Bulletin What’s been happening at Master Plumbers
Association profile
New President for Nelson Master Plumbers
50
Life Member profile
Why National Life Member Brian Foley loves helping others
BUSINESS SMARTS
60
60
5G mobile technology
62
How it’s set to revolutionise the plumbing industry
7 types of profit leaks…
And how to avoid them
64
Preparing for the unexpected
65
Why it pays to be prepared with insurance
Online marketing options
CAREER STARTERS
72
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Top-quality training
Profiling a winning trainer and apprentice at one Northland firm
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AND FINALLY...
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10 minutes with
Plumber and volunteer firefighter Darron Steer
Healing journey
76
You’re not alone: real-life story of dealing with depression
I could be…
Contracts Manager Jacob Smith on what the job entails
81
Dodgy Plumbing
How it’s not done…
5 ways to stay ahead of the competition
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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF
Let’s keep it professional
67
Be Kind extends to our dealings on site, says Sam Tyson O CTO B E R / N OV E M B E R 2 02 0
When customers don’t pay
First-hand advice from Andrea Lovell
68 69
Asset purchasing Why now is a good time to buy
54
Checking in with your team
Masterlink messageboard
Meet new Masterlink GM Steve Strawbridge
59
Partner profile: Caroma & Methven
New products from these GWA Group brands
WHERE THE BUCK STOPS
Technologies, compliance & training opportunities
Answering installer liability questions
EMERGENCY SHOWERS
A less formal alternative to performance reviews
What you need to know
CONSTRUCTION CoVE ANNOUNCED
70
Shaping the future for apprentice training
Emergency showers
Compliance requirements for emergency showers
Cover story Turn to page 28 to start reading this edition’s hot water technical theme.
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Report CEO
CEO’S REPORT
It was very unfortunate to have the news in August that Auckland had to return to Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand to Alert Level 2—and I felt particularly for our Auckland members at this time. The Alert Levels have changed again since, and the reality is that New Zealand is highly likely to move up and down these ratings for the foreseeable future or until a vaccine becomes available, as we try to combat this awful virus. Normal business is currently anything but, with the requirements for PPE gear, contact tracing and social distancing in place to ensure New Zealanders are kept safe. In conjunction with CHASNZ and other industry leaders, Master Plumbers has been working extremely hard with government officials to make sure the construction industry COVID-19 protocols balance health and safety with practicality, so the industry is able to continue operating as much as possible. We continue to make progress in our involvement with the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE). There is now an interim establishment board for the Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Council (WDC) and there is a great deal of discussion on how the official board will operate and what their realms of responsibility will encompass. Whilst I’m sure members want quick and speedy transformation for apprentice training delivery, I believe it will take some time to move from the current ITO model to the new WDCs and national institute. In the meantime, it is good to see growth in apprentice numbers on
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the back of the Apprenticeship Boost government funding scheme. The most pleasing aspect is that 80 New Zealand businesses have taken on apprentices for the very first time, making an important step in developing our industry’s future tradespeople.
“Master Plumbers has been working extremely hard with government officials to make sure the construction industry COVID-19 protocols balance health and safety with practicality.”
Although member businesses remain cautious as we approach the end of 2020, the results of our recent annual member survey show that overall confidence remains optimistic. I am grateful to all members who participated in the survey, as it gives us a great understanding of industry needs and what Master Plumbers should be identifying as critical issues. It was extremely encouraging to receive such positive feedback on our COVID-19 response and ongoing advocacy work on behalf of the membership. Members who participated in the survey have received a detailed analysis and we will present an overview in the next edition of the magazine. At the September Master Plumbers Board meeting, we revealed our
updated strategic plan. With all that has happened this year, it is very important that our strategy is flexible, enabling us to be nimble in reacting to member needs in the current environment. We also have some significant ongoing advocacy issues in play, which include ensuring strong compliance for products in the plumbing industry. This and other Bills were on hold until the results of the election were known. In the meantime, we have continued to work with MBIE, the Construction Industry Council and others to make sure the proposed changes are relevant, workable and an improvement on the current situation. In other news, we hope you have seen our new member video, developed with the kind support of Jason and Kirstie Brown of Jason Brown Plumbing. We have received tremendous feedback from other industry associations on how well the video has captured the benefits of membership and we are looking to expand our marketing to consumers in the coming months. Finally, it’s really heartening to see members using the Master Plumbers Wellbeing on Tap programme and others, such as Mates in Construction and R U OK? Whichever you choose, please do ensure you have something in place as a resource for you and your staff. Just as we all implement health and safety systems, it’s essential that we address mental health and wellbeing in our industry to ensure we look after our people. Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ
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What’s up
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Building & Construction Minister Jenny Salesa at the launch of the Construction CoVE in September.
CONSTRUCTION CoVE TO BE BASED IN MANUKAU The new Construction and Infrastructure Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCoVE) launched in early September and will be based at the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT). This marks another step in the government’s vocational training reforms, which has seen all existing polytechnics become subsidiary companies of a single Hamilton-based national institute with the working title of the NZ Institute of Skills & Technology. Driving projects for ConCoVE will be a consortium of 42 current members, including the Construction Industry Accord, Construction Industry Council, MIT, Unitec, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Skills, BCITO, and Connexis.
“We are very excited to be representing the Accord in the consortium chosen to lead the Construction CoVE,” says Graham Burke of the Construction Industry Accord, who is also President of the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation. “The ConCOVE is taking on some of the big issues the sector has faced for a long time. How to increase the number of people in training and the quality of training; how to broaden the diversity of people working in the industry and improve outcomes for Māori, women and other priority groups. “ConCoVE is also looking to the future and how we can adapt to disruptive technologies and use training in the fight to reduce carbon and waste in construction.”
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AUCKLAND BASE FOR ConCoVE
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What's up INDUSTRY NEWS
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NEWS AND ACTIVITIES FROM AROUND NZ
The PGDB has a new Chair, Nick Fleckney (seated centre) and Deputy Chair, Diana KutzCovich (seated right).
New faces on Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board Nick Fleckney is the new Chair of the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB). Nick, who is Senior Hydraulic Design Engineer for Beca, was previously Deputy Chair, a role now held by new Board member Diana Kutz-Covich, a Certifying Plumber and Gasfitter and Managing Director of Unique Gas. PGDB Chief Executive Martin Sawyers says: “Nick, as a member of a large and experienced building team, alongside experienced business owner Diana, bring a strong representation of the industry’s interests as registered tradespeople themselves.” The PGDB consists of 10 ministerially-appointed members, representing both the trade and public.
AUCKLAND RAMPS UP LEAK DETECTION PROGRAMME
Watercare chief executive Raveen Jaduram resigned in August amidst criticism of his high salary and the company’s response to the Auckland region’s severe water shortages in record drought conditions. Water-saving measures to date have
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Broadly speaking, the powers and functions of the PGDB can be categorised into registration, licensing, competence, discipline and prosecution. Three other appointments fill two existing vacancies and replace Board member Colleen Upton, whose tenure ended in August. They are: Ming-chun Wu: Chartered Director and public sector consultant Beth Healy: Registered Plumber and General Manager at Pipewise Plumbing and Gasfitting Tofa Suafole Gush: Director of Pacific Peoples’ Health for the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs and Interim Director for Capital & Coast DHB.
included the temporary removal of resource consent fees for residential rainwater tank applications from July 2020 and a leak detection programme using acoustic leak detection. By July, around 500km of pipes had been covered and leaks fixed with an estimated total volume of over 2 million litres a day. There’s still a long way to go, with more than 6,000km due to be covered by July 2021—representing around two thirds of Auckland’s 9,000km plus of water pipes. With over 440,000 connections to the Watercare network, Aucklanders are also being urged to check their own private plumbing systems for leaks.
TRADE APPRENTICES NUMBERS ON THE RISE
Enrolments in provider-based trades training have increased in recent times, with Skills reporting 2,910 plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices in the system as at end of July—801 more than at the same time last year. Education Minister Chris Hipkins, who was at the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) for the launch of the Construction Centre of Vocational Excellence (ConCoVE) in September, said the number of primary sector and construction apprentices had more than doubled. “Record numbers of people are taking up free courses and strong signs are emerging of firms making use of government support for apprentices,” he said. Enrolments in these courses were up 59% at MIT, 37% at UCOL in Palmerston North, 22% at the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) in Napier, and more than 20% at Weltec in Wellington, according to the Ministry. Under the Government’s Apprenticeship Boost scheme, which kicked off in August 2020 and runs for 20 months, employers can receive up to $16,000 per first and second apprentice. Targeted trades training and apprenticeships are also currently free for all learners. Find out more about the Apprenticeship Boost scheme at workandincome. govt.nz/employers/subsidies-training-and-other-help/apprenticeshipboost.html
NEED MORE HANDS? Your business could receive up to $16,000 for each new apprentice
COVID-19: NEW CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES
Government Apprenticeship Boost support available now
Weekly COVID-19 Protocols Checklists have been developed by CHASNZ to make it easier for residential construction and trades businesses to do the right thing on site or at a workplace. “You can use these check sheets when explaining how you are controlling COVID-19 to clients, visitors, building inspectors or even WorkSafe,” says CHASNZ. “They do not replace the protocols but help make it easier to check you are doing it right every day.”
Masterlink can help you grow your own plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers
Information for clients CHASNZ has also come up with a one-pager that you can give to clients, letting them know what to expect from their tradesperson at Levels 2 & 3.
Call us today 0800 502 102 The Master Plumbers-owned Masterlink group apprentice training company passes on the available Apprenticeship Boost employer funding direct to host companies that take on plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprentices under this Government scheme.
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Find these new resources at www.chasnz.org/covid-19-resources
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What's up INDUSTRY NEWS
WATER NZ REMINDING OF SEPTIC TANK SPILLAGE RISKS
Understanding and taking care of your On-site Wastewater Management System (OWMS) for Domestic Wastewaters
With raw sewage from septic tanks spilling into parks and a local school following Northland’s winter floods, Water New Zealand has been promoting its user guide to homeowners with septic tanks and on-site wastewater management systems. The organisation’s Chief Executive Gillian Blythe says this major community health risk shows the need for better septic tank monitoring and risk assessment. “There are around 270,000 private onsite wastewater management systems and septic tanks throughout the country servicing about 20 percent of the population. In many cases there is no ongoing monitoring, so it is left to owners to ensure their units are well maintained and functioning properly. The risks increase dramatically when there is flooding, as water can flow into the tank and spill raw sewage into the environment. After a flood there is a need to not only clean up the immediate spillage but also ensure that any damage to the surrounding soak area has been repaired.” She says councils need to identify septic tanks, especially those prone to flood risk, and work with owners to raise their awareness of the potential risk for contamination of local waterways and private drinking water wells. Find the homeowner guide at waternz.org.nz/OWMScompleteguide
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Homeowners are responsible for the safe management of the wastewater discharging from their dwellings, and Water New Zealand is reminding them of the need for regular OWMS servicing.
BUILDING CODE TO BE UPDATED ANNUALLY
From 2021, the Building Code will be updated annually, rather than twice a year as previously. Key annual dates are: Consultation opens on the first Monday in April Changes are published on the first Thursday in November Changes come into effect the following November, allowing for a minimum transition of 12 months. NB: In line with the November 2019 Building Code update, the B1/AS1 requirements for building on liquefaction-prone soil will come into force on 28 November 2021.
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Changes to Acceptable Solution B1/AS1 for building on liquefaction-prone soil will come into effect on 28 November 2021, as already planned.
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A gasfitter pleaded guilty in September to two charges filed by WorkSafe following a gas explosion at a Christchurch home a year earlier. This raises questions for other gasfitters about liability issues. In this real-life case study, Nick Crang and Elliot Foxall of Duncan Cotterill provide answers to one business’s burning questions.
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n July 2019, a Christchurch property was reduced to matchsticks by a huge gas explosion that also damaged neighbouring homes and injured six people, including the five people in the house at the time, who were fortunate to survive. A year later, following an investigation by WorkSafe-Energy Safety, gasfitter Greg Smith and his Gas Unlimited firm pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching the Gas Act, and will be sentenced in December. It is understood he worked on a gas appliance at the house the day before the explosion. The outcome of the Christchurch incident got one gasfitting business questioning their own liability status for work done— particularly when correcting a faulty installation by another gasfitter. We take up their story here.
Feature GAS SAFETY
What’s my liability? Gasfitting business case study Background “One of our registered plumber/drainlayers, who is also a gasfitting apprentice, was at the gym and noticed a multilayer PEX gas pipe was not crimped. He made the owner aware and advised the staff to get the pipe fixed as soon as possible. “The next day he went back and nothing had been done so he discussed it with the staff and owner again. He said he would return and crimp the pipe himself, but in hindsight had concerns around his own and his company’s responsibility if he did so. “He and our director of gasfitting under supervision returned to the gym to follow up with the owner, who told them just to get on and crimp it. We convinced the owner it wasn’t a simple crimp—the system also needed to be tested. On doing so, they found the gas join was leaking. The repair was made, the pipework retested and a gasfitting certificate supplied for the repair. “According to the gym owner, the original work had been done about three years earlier. Our business was unable to find a certificate for the work, as it wasn’t logged with Energy Safety. “We are of the opinion that, if this pipe leak had worsened, which eventually it would have, and was not noticed by gym staff, an ignition source could have resulted in an explosion.”
WorkSafe response NZ Plumber approached WorkSafe about this situation and received the following response from a WorkSafe spokesperson: “There are legal duties on gasfitters when they are at work (through the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Gas (Safety & Measurement) Regulations 2010. “This situation, as we understand it, involved a gasfitter identifying an issue while not at work. In our view, he took the sensible action to advise the business of the problem. However, we are not able to comment on issues of liability and suggest the requestor seeks legal advice. “Installation owners have legal duties as well, and if the situation had not been resolved by the business and remained unsafe, then any person can notify WorkSafe of their concerns.”
PREPARING FOR THE UNEXPECTED: INSURANCE OPTIONS Crombie Lockwood explains the three key types of insurance policies that can help you be prepared for when things go wrong. When an accident happens it’s always a shock and that’s why it pays to be prepared. For plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, there are three key types of insurance policies that can all provide assistance when things go wrong. They are: 1. Public Liability: provides cover for the cost of the damage to a third party’s property 2. Statutory Liability: assists with legal defence costs in relation to a WorkSafe investigation 3. Professional Indemnity: provides cover for costs and expenses incurred as a result of a complaint lodged with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB).
Legal advice The following commentary is intended to be general in nature and not intended to substitute for specific professional advice on any matter and should not be relied upon for that purpose.
Q: What liability does a gasfitting business take on when they see a faulty installation and don’t react immediately by shutting off the gas? A:Your gasfitter was at the gym in his own personal capacity when he saw the uncrimped pipe; he was not carrying out gasfitting. He was therefore unlikely to be under the obligation to report the danger contained in r10 of the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 (Regulations). This regulation provides that any person carrying out gasfitting (including a person acting under an exemption) who has reasonable grounds to believe that any gas installation or gas appliance presents immediate danger to life or property must, as soon as practicable, advise both of the following of the danger: (a) the owner or occupier of the property where the danger exists; and (b) WorkSafe. A person giving that advice must also advise the owner or occupier to inform the gas retailer or gas wholesaler of the danger. Similarly, no member of your team would become liable if, while not working or
With each of these, you’ll want make sure you have the adequate amount of cover for your business so that, should you need to call on the cover, you’re not left out of pocket because the insurance limit wasn’t enough. It can be tricky to know how much you should have and to balance that with an affordable premium cost, which is why it’s worth talking to an insurance expert for advice. Master Plumbers insurance partners Crombie Lockwood can help, and are able to do a comprehensive risk review and insurance comparison, free of charge, for all Master Plumbers members. Minimise your risk and be sure you and your business are protected.
attending a site for work purposes, they saw something like this but failed to take action. In the same vein, if the gym owner had not agreed to your gasfitter and supervision director carrying out the repair work, then they wouldn’t have had any liability either. Having said that, we would encourage all gasfitters to take action when they see a dangerous situation, regardless of the legal position. Your gasfitter likely did what any reasonable person in his position would do and notified the owner of the issue and potential danger the uncrimped pipe might present. A further step may have been to also notify WorkSafe of the potential danger, despite there being no legal obligation on him to do so. Certainly, notifying the owner and/or WorkSafe would not breach any law. It should also be noted that the Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Code of Conduct includes that its members shall always act in accordance with good industry practices, and in a manner that reflects well on the society, its members, and the industry. Notifying the appropriate people (or organisations) of a potentially dangerous gasfitting, despite there being no express obligation to do so in the particular circumstances, likely fits well with this requirement if your business is a member.
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GAS ACCIDENTS 2019 REPORT RELEASED
NOTIFIABLE LPG ACCIDENTS BY EQUIPMENT 2%
5%
5%
8%
Energy Safety’s latest annual report of electrical and gas accidents shows that 12 notifiable and 21 non-notifiable accidents were reported to WorkSafe’s Energy Safety team in 2019. They comprised:
6%
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LPG
Electricity
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9
3
Non-notifiable
13
8
0
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3% 1% 2%
Six of the 9 notifiable LPG accidents injured 12 people in total. This includes the 6 people injured in the Christchurch gas explosion. Over the past 27 years, the main causes of notifiable LPG accidents have been: Incorrect assembly, connection, installation or alteration (35%) Incorrect operation (15%) Lack of maintenance (15%) Operating close to flammable materials (8%). In the same timeframe, the major contributors to notifiable LPG accidents in equipment terms have been cabinet heaters (32%), and cookers and ovens (29%).
29%
7%
Barbecue 20 5% Cabinet heater 143 32% Container 31 7% Cooker, oven 128 29% Installation, hose, pipework 9 2% Laundry dryer 5 1% Light, torch 11 3% Refrigerator 26 6% Space heater 36 8%
Read the full report at https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/ energy-safety/electrical-and-gas-accidents/electrical-and-gasaccidents-2019-annual-report/
Water heater, boiler 24 5% Undetermined/other 9 2%
NOTIFIABLE LPG ACCIDENTS 30
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Feature GAS SAFETY
Failing to do so may result in a fine on conviction (r9(6) of the Regulations). Another example is r45 of the Regulations, which provides that a person who fails to test gasfitting work as required by that regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine. The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board may bring disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the Act against any gasfitter who, for example, carries out or causes to be carried out gasfitting in a negligent or incompetent manner. The business will also have liabilities under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, which provides rights of redress for customers should the supply of gasfitting services not meet the required standard.
Q: What liability does a gasfitting business take on if staff don’t take immediate action but try to get the original gasfitter who did the work involved to help out the owner? A: This is largely answered in question 1. A person who is not carrying out gasfitting does not have any specific reporting requirements. There is no specific obligation to track down the gasfitter who did the previous work. A prudent way to deal with any potential danger would be to notify the owner of the property and advise WorkSafe. As above, the situation is different where a person is carrying on gasfitting (for example, installing a fitting), and has reasonable grounds to believe any gas installation or appliance presents immediate danger to life of property. In those circumstances, the person must report in accordance with r10 of the Regulations. Q: After making the repairs, what liability does the gasfitter and the business owner have? A: There are many requirements in the Regulations and elsewhere (including the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 (the Act)) that impose obligations on people when they are undertaking gasfitting work. For example, a person who installs or maintains a gas installation or fitting must do so in a way that ensures that the resulting installation or fitting is safe when used for its intended purpose and in a lawful manner (r9 of the Regulations).
Q: What liability does the owner of the building (or the business in the building) have? A: The Regulations provide that a person who owns, supplies, sells, hires, or operates a distribution system, a gas installation, fitting, or a gas appliance must not use, and must not allow any other person to use, the part of the distribution system, gas installation, fitting, or gas appliance if the part of the distribution system, gas installation, fitting, or gas appliance is unsafe (r9(5) of the Regulations). A person who fails to comply with this regulation knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, the distribution system, gas installation, fitting, or gas appliance is unsafe commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 (for an individual) or $50,000 (for any other person, including a company). Upon your gasfitter notifying the gym owner, arguably the gym owner becomes aware that the pipe is unsafe (if he or she wasn’t already), and so must not use, or allow any other person to use, the system. In addition, the gym is likely a PCBU under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the owner may also be a PCBU. This means that the gym, and maybe the owner, has various safety obligations for the people working at and attending the gym. Q: Our business can’t find who did the original work, as the gasfitter at the time may have classed it as low risk and not logged it with Energy Safety. How should I deal with this, as I believe it may present liability and risk for me, my business and my team? A: Our advice would be to report this issue to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board.
REPORTING A GAS ACCIDENT OR IMMEDIATE RISK IMMEDIATE DANGER
You must notify WorkSafe-Energy Safety about an installation that presents an immediate danger to life or property. You must also notify the owner or occupier where the danger exists and seek permission to make the scene safe. Use the Installation Fault Notice Form at portal.worksafe.govt.nz/ report-unsafe-installation/ Energy Safety investigates and records gas-related accidents that involve fire, explosion or gas ‘poisoning’ (other than deliberate inhalation of LPG).
NON-WORKPLACE ACCIDENT
You must report to WorkSafe-Energy Safety a non-workplace gas accident that results in serious injury or death and/or significant property damage. Use the online ‘Notification of a non-workplace event’ form at worksafe.govt.nz/notifications/ electrical-and-gas/ to make an initial notification to Energy Safety. If no internet access is available, call 0800 104 477.
WORKPLACE ACCIDENT
You must report to WorkSafe-Energy Safety a workplace gas accident that results in serious harm to someone (including a member of the public). Use the relevant injury, illness or incident online form at worksafe. govt.nz/notify-worksafe/ If there has been a death, call WorkSafe immediately on 0800 030 040.
About the author: This commentary was provided by Nick Crang, Partner, and Elliot Foxall, Senior Solicitor, at Duncan Cotterill in Wellington. Contact Nick on 04 471 9402 and Elliot on 04 471 9440; duncancotterill.com
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Feature BUILDING CONSENT EXEMPTIONS
Building work that does not require a building consent Exemptions Guidance for Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 Fifth edition - August 2020 First published - March 2014
New building consent exemptions mean some projects no longer need council sign off. Here’s what’s changed.
T
he list of building work that does not require a building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 has been extended. New building consent exemptions, which came into play from 31 August 2020, are aimed at reducing the volume of consents councils have to deal with— and in turn reducing delays.
The Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), estimates councils will have 9,000 fewer consents to sign off each year, equating to annual savings of around $18 million for home and building owners. See the box below for the list of common projects in urban and rural settings that no longer require a building consent.
NO BUILDING CONSENT NEEDED These types of projects no longer need a building consent: Single-storey detached buildings, such as sleepouts, sheds and greenhouses (up to 30sq m) Carports (up to 40sq m) Ground floor awnings, verandahs and porches (up to 30sq m) Ground-mounted solar panel arrays Small pipe supporting structures (if they only carry water and are on private land) Permanent outdoor fireplaces or ovens Flexible water storage bladders for irrigation and firefighting purposes Short-span small bridges Hay barns and single-storey pole sheds in rural zones
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Make sure you are now using the updated building consent exemption guidance, available on MBIE’s Building Performance website.
Exempt building work guidance The exempt building work guidance on MBIE’s Building Performance website has been updated to reflect the new building consent exemptions. The guidance focuses on the full list of exemptions in Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 and is aimed at trade and building sector professionals. Download the guidance at www.building. govt.nz/assets/Uploads/projects-andconsents/building-work-consent-notrequired-guidance.pdf
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From 31 August 2020, some building projects no longer need a building consent. Sleepouts, sheds and greenhouses
Carports
Solar panel arrays
Permanent outdoor fireplaces and ovens
KIWI THROUGH AND THROUGH.
Ground-floor awnings, verandas and porches
...
and more
For safe and sound buildings, all work must meet the building code and some work requires a professional. Find out more at building.govt.nz/buildit
MBIE is promoting the new exemptions to consumers through its Build It campaign.
MBIE is running a Build It campaign to promote the new exemptions, and is reminding homeowners that all projects must still adhere to the Building Code and other relevant laws. It is also advising them that they must hire a professional to get certain work done, such as plumbing, gas and drainage.
Single-storey detached building exemption Although single-storey detached buildings up to 30sq m no longer need a building consent, kitchen and bathroom facilities are not included in the exemption. If the property owner intends to have plumbing fixtures installed within the building, then a building consent for the whole building is required (which includes the structure and plumbing/drainage work). It’s important to note that the installation of additional sanitary fixtures in any building triggers the requirement for a building consent. Options for single-storey detached buildings (all with a maximum floor area of 30sq m) include: Kitset or prefab buildings where a manufacturer or supplier has had the design carried out or reviewed by a Chartered Professional Engineer Buildings where a Licensed Building Practitioner is to carry out or supervise design and construction Buildings built by a non-professional where only lightweight materials with structural components built in according to Building Code compliance document B1/AS1 are used.
Find more information at building.govt.nz/buildit
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Feature WEATHERTIGHTNESS
Weathertightness issues and leaky homes are back in the national news, with high-profile cases making the headlines. NZ Plumber takes a closer look at some recent settlements and progress for building law reform proposals.
LEAKY BUILDING SAGA
DRIPS ON AUTHOR: SARAH JOHNSON
Houses don’t just leak from the outside. Substandard plumbing products, particularly those hidden behind the wall, can cause significant water damage to property interiors.
I
n Tauranga, the city council has spent over $20 million settling with luxury apartment owners in the Cayman Apartments case, after investigations revealed a wide range of alleged structural and cladding defects. In Napier, the council has also just settled for an undisclosed sum in the ‘rusty’ West Quay apartment case. While in Auckland, owners of the Mountain View apartments have secured funding to pursue their case against building consultants Maynard Marks, for what has been dubbed New Zealand’s ‘most expensive leaky building’.
Weathertightness plumbing industry impacts Weathertightness is a very real issue for plumbers and gasfitters. Not only does the work, by necessity, involve penetrations in claddings, but tradespeople are vulnerable as installers of products
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that may subsequently fail to live up to manufacturers’ specifications or durability requirements. In addition, legal concepts of joint and several liability, can leave plumbing companies out of pocket for building work they were not directly responsible for. Ian McDermond of McDermond PNG Solutions Ltd in Auckland, has first-hand experience of the toll weathertightness issues and claims can have. Along with numerous other Auckland-based plumbing firms, his company was swept into the initial rounds of weathertightness claims that emerged in the early 2000s. Merely being involved on a build that subsequently turned out to be ‘leaky’ was sufficient to make you a party to any litigation, no matter how minor your role. “The claims operate on the principle of ‘last man standing’,” says Ian. “If you show up, you’ll be pursued for a share of
the settlement. Often, the builder will have folded, leaving the subcontractors to carry the can.” Ian remains thankful he had professional indemnity insurance, and advises all companies to get it, if possible. He still regularly encounters leaky buildings in his work, and his advice for others in this situation is to take a step back and be very careful. “There’s no harm in assessing what needs to be done, but the minute you suspect there may be deeper weathertightness issues at play, then you should be advising the homeowner to get expert advice before you proceed.”
Addressing construction product risk The government’s current building law reform programme contains proposals that, if implemented, will go some way to
addressing some of the issues associated with weathertightness risk. The Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill was introduced on 8 May 2020, and has begun the select committee process—with a report back to Parliament due in November. Key reforms include: introducing minimum information requirements for building products to support better and more efficient decision-making, especially at the consenting stage introducing a specialist framework for modern methods of construction, such as offsite manufacturing and prefabrication, and speeding up the consenting process strengthening the product certification framework to improve trust and confidence in the scheme, and give practitioners more information about new products entering the market. However, Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace doesn’t think the bill goes far enough. “The bill only requires a declaration from the supplier, and there’s no provision for thirdparty verification of a product’s performance,” he says. “We know from experience that some suppliers will say whatever it takes to get their products into the market.” Greg also thinks the bill fails to take into account that only around 35 per cent of plumbing work is consented. For the balance, there is no process for ensuring the products used are up to standard, or for enforcement. In addition, certification tends to attach to individual products, not the overall system. High-pressure, high-temperature systems are now common, and even certified products may fail when used within them, costing $100 millions to repair. To address this, Greg would like to see the equivalent of the Australian WaterMark system introduced here for plumbing and drainage products, where all systems installed have to be certified. At present, the bill makes no provision for this.
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Future steps for building law reform The bill represents the first stage in the government’s reform programme. The next phase will focus on occupational regulation, looking at ways to ensure tradespeople have the right skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours to do quality building work, and increase accountability when they do not meet the standards expected of them. Another proposal to introduce a compulsory guarantee and insurance scheme has now been shelved, after the building insurance sector indicated it could not meet demand. The government is now looking at other options to address issues with risk, insurance and liability in the building system, and is expected to report on these later this year.
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
SEWAGE SOLUTION A $27 million wastewater project for Kerikeri aims to minimise the risk of contamination from septic tanks and deliver plenty of extra future capacity. AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE
T
he new wastewater treatment plant for Kerikeri is close to kicking into action and will cap years of work to put more homes on reticulated systems and cater for urban growth.
Sewage network expansion The Far North District Council gave the scheme the go ahead in March 2014 and Broadspectrum New Zealand started construction of the plant in May 2018. Meanwhile, United Civil Construction has laid more than 26km of pipes to allow
an extra 350 households and businesses to connect to a sewage network that previously catered for about 1,100 properties. Ultimately, a further 2,000 properties will be able to connect. Andy Finch, Infrastructure and Asset Management General Manager at the council, says the project was needed to replace an existing treatment plant on Shepherd Road that is more than 30 years old. The new plant will be able to treat 1,000 cubic metres of sewage a day, more than three times the volume of the
23 28 United Civil Construction used small diggers to minimise disruption as it dug trenches for pipes along council roads.
SEWAGE SOLUTION TECHNICAL THEME: HOT WATER
37 TECHNICAL Q&A 38 PRODUCTS nzplumber
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On the tools PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
current facility, and this can be expanded to up to 2,000 cubic metres. “The old plant is approaching hydraulic and biological capacity and struggles to achieve required effluent standards,” he explains. “Due to urban growth, housing is now closer to the plant and there are more frequent odour complaints from residents.
Septic tank challenges “Kerikeri is the Far North’s fastest-growing town, but many properties still rely on on-site wastewater disposal systems (OSD), such as septic tanks and associated soakage fields to dispose of sewerage and wastewater. “Septic tanks also limit the town’s housing density, as well as development options for property owners. Without a reticulated town wastewater system, Kerikeri property owners cannot subdivide their land, making denser housing more difficult to achieve and increasing pressure on Kerikeri to spread out across irreplaceable horticultural land.” An inspection of mechanical and electrical components of the plant is underway and due for completion in late November. Homes and businesses will then be connected to the plant, a process due to be finished by April 2021. Finch says the project, which the Ministry of Health supported with a $7.3 million subsidy, will be better for the environment and people’s health. “As Kerikeri grows, the danger that poorly maintained OSDs will contaminate land, waterways and Kerikeri Inlet increases,” he adds. “Untreated wastewater contains bacteria such as E. coli and campylobacter; viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A; and protozoa such as cryptosporidium and giardia. “According to a 2008 Ministry for the Environment report more than half of the septic tanks surveyed in New Zealand were ‘known or highly likely to be at risk of failure’.” Finch says the choice of changing from OSD to reticulation was entirely up to property owners. “However, changing to reticulation has some added benefits for property owners, like the ability to subdivide properties, and no more five-yearly inspections and cleaning of the septic tanks. “Disruption was kept to a minimum through effective communication with property owners by both the contractor and council. Wherever possible, contractors
More than 70 concrete panels will make up the wastewater plant.
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United Civil Construction staff install private pumping stations.
avoided the need to remove features, such as trees, shrubs, footpaths and clotheslines, and have left properties in the condition they found them in.” United Civil was contracted in March 2017 to complete works on the sewage reticulation upgrade and expand the existing wastewater reticulation area.
Installing the pressure sewer pump network Among the challenges faced by the company, which has branches in Whangarei and Auckland, were the varied geo-technical conditions, which ranged from soft topsoil areas to solid rock and large boulders. Most of the pipe network was directionally drilled rather than open trenched, to limit disruption and impact on property owners and public road users. United Civil constructed a gravity sewer pipework in the public highway, together
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“This plant is designed to meet increasing demand for the next 50 years and has expansion options beyond that point. We’re dedicated to supporting the people of Kerikeri as the town grows and prospers.” ANDY FINCH Infrastructure and Asset Management General Manager, Far North District Council
with gravity connections from private property to the main sewer. It put in pressure sewer pump units and connected pipes on private land; decommissioned, cleaned and demolished hundreds of OSDs; built new sewage pumping stations and rising mains; and performed upgrades to existing pumping stations. The company also installed more than 26km of pressure sewer pipe, ranging in size from 40mm to 250mm diameter, and connected hundreds of properties with private pumping stations to replace septic tank systems. The pump stations, which are two metres deep and one metre wide, grind waste into a liquid and pump it to the public sewer in the street. They will remain under council ownership and, once connected to a property’s electricity supply, the stations are estimated by officials to add about $5 a month to the average power bill.
On the tools PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Broadspectrum staff work on an access road at the site of Kerikeri’s new wastewater treatment plant.
Treatment plant construction
WET WIPE EDUCATION EFFORTS One threat to wastewater networks is people flushing wet wipes down the toilet, which has reportedly become an increasing problem nationwide since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finch says such wipes cause significant problems for pressure sewer pumps, reticulation, and the larger network pump stations. “They do not breakdown like toilet paper and combine with fats and oils to create what are commonly called ‘fatbergs’,” he says. “They block sewage pump stations and pipelines and reduce the capacity of the network, which can lead to sewer overflows. “The council has limited options available to safeguard the system from wet wipes and similar products apart from proper management and maintenance. However, it is stepping up efforts to educate the public about the problems caused by these products in an effort to reduce the problem at its source.”
Broadspectrum has been responsible for building the treatment plant on councilowned land on the outskirts of Kerikeri. Concrete wall panels for the decant tank—the first part of the new treatment plant to be constructed—were precast by IES Construction in Kerikeri and trucked to the site in May 2019. Larger concrete panels were necessary for the sequencing batch reactor, which breaks down organic matter before it is transferred to the decant tank. About 70 large, pre-cast concrete panels, each weighing 11 tonnes, have gone into the project and took up to three months to install by crane. Smaller panels were cast and installed as required.
“This plant is designed to meet increasing demand for the next 50 years and has expansion options beyond that point,” Finch says. “We’re dedicated to supporting the people of Kerikeri as the town grows and prospers.” As work on the new Kerikeri plant draws to an end, the council is scrutinising the district’s 15 other wastewater schemes that serve 11,307 properties. “The council is considering options where these are not fully meeting resource consent conditions or are nearing capacity,” he explains. “We are currently consulting with communities where these issues exist to explore solutions that are affordable, and environmentally and culturally appropriate.”
The sequencing batch reactor at the plant is made of pre-cast concrete panels that had to be craned in.
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IN THE MIX
Plumbers will be familiar with tempering valves on hot water cylinders, but what about mixing valves on larger systems? Darren Yearsley of Waterware outlines the options.
W
ater management systems require three key components: the source to produce hot water, mixing valves for water distribution, and fixtures for delivery of the water to the point of use.
Thermostatic mixing valves Producing hot water for delivery to sanitary fixtures presents two primary dangers that are mitigated with thermostatic mixing valves (TMV): Keeping the hot water system safe from bacterial infection Eliminating the scalding risk of hot water delivery. The Building Code requires that the hot water storage system is kept at above 60°C, but does not deliver water any hotter than 55°C to sanitary outlets for normal clients, or 45°C for high-risk clients. Some form of thermostatic mixing system is necessary to fulfil these two requirements. As plumbing systems become larger and more complicated, a dizzying array of TMVs has been developed to meet the more specific needs created by specialised systems.
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Common household systems The most common household system is a single hot water cylinder with a mixing valve that tempers the water as it leaves the storage cylinder. Technically, there is no difference between a tempering valve and TMV, but when used in this application they are generally referred to as a tempering valve. The key metric for this valve is a high flow rate with low flow loss. Because the valve is not close to the outlet but feeds many outlets, the accuracy of the valve is less important than the flow. As systems expand into large residential and commercial settings, delivering the water to the outlet in a timely manner becomes more challenging, and a number of strategies have been developed to meet these challenges.
Distributed production systems The system most similar to the familiar standard household system is a distributed production system. This system relies on multiple sites of hot water production, which are placed close to the outlets they
Installation of three Caleffi Legiomix tempering valves at the Tropicana retirement village in Auckland. The retirement village’s main hot water plantroom integrates BMS control of the potable hot water delivery system utilising the Legiomix valves and allows for remote control of the outgoing flow temperature, as well as hourly data logging of the outgoing flow and return temperature for the previous month.
On the tools HOT WATER
serve. The benefit of this style of system is that it is well understood, is simple to install, and provides redundancy within the system with multiple points of failure without bringing the entire system down. The mixing valves in these systems are normally the traditional tempering valve type, which prioritises flow rate over accuracy.
Centralised production systems (ringmains) The other solution for large systems is a centralised production system, or ringmain system. Ringmains have larger storage capacity combined with greater power for faster recovery. This consolidation of production can result in a reduction in capital as well as running and servicing costs. However, it does create the challenge of delivering the water to remote locations without unacceptable delays. This issue is resolved by recirculating the hot water within the mains, so it is always available in the pipe for quick delivery to the outlet. There are two main types of ‘ringmain’ system: 1. High temperature ringmain A high temperature ringmain keeps the
The Legiomix tempering valve is supplied with Caleffi direct mount mono-block combo sets for Waterware’s Protank hot water cylinder installations.
production and distribution system above 60°C—thus satisfying the requirement for elimination of bacterial infection. To prevent scalding, a TMV must be fitted at the point of use. These valves can feed a single outlet or, if the right valve is used, multiple outlets. The performance of these valves is specified in the British TMV2 and TMV3 standards, which state that they must be quick acting and accurate to allow mounting close to the outlets.
TECHNICAL THEME
High temperature ringmains are mostly used in healthcare applications or in smaller systems where only a few mixing valves are required. 2. Low temperature ringmain A low temperature ringmain alternative is allowed for under 6.14.4 of Building Code clause G12 Water supplies. In this configuration, the storage is kept above 60°C but the loop is tempered in the plant room down to 55°C or 45°C. Before being returned to storage, the loop is made safe using a UV steriliser. In the past, these tempering valves had four ports. However, newer ringmain tempering valves have three ports, and now thermostatically balance the loop automatically. For medium duty systems without monitoring, traditional TMV are used. For high flow rate systems with monitoring, a range of electronic mixing valves are available.
About the author: Darren Yearsley is the Technical Director at Waterware. A full range of valves for all applications is available from the Waterware website: waterware.co.nz/ store/system-valves/tempering-control/
On the tools HOT WATER
TECHNICAL THEME
Hot water heat pumps are an option to consider in new builds or for homeowners wanting a sustainable, cost-efficient water heating system.
H
ot water and home heating needs account for 67 percent* of overall household energy bills. Hot water heat pump technology provides a costefficient, sustainable option for property owners. Air-to-water hot water heat pumps essentially work like a refrigerator, but reversed. They use an outdoor compressor unit to extract energy from the air to heat water inside the indoor insulated hot water tank. Ground or water heat sources, such as rivers or lakes, are an alternative to air, although these are best suited for multiresidential developments due to the higher installation costs. There are a variety of advantages in using a hot water heat pump—chief among these being efficiency. They can be up to 400% more efficient than typical hot water cylinders, as electricity is used only to move heat, not create it. The result is running costs of $150 to $650 a year, depending on the electricity rate and the average outdoor temperature (night-rate electricity supplies drive costs down further).
Diagram showing how an air-towater hot water heat pump works.
The energy efficiency of air-to-water heat pumps is comparable to solar water heating, so they are particularly suitable in areas with poor solar gain (just about anywhere in New Zealand during winter!). Stiebel Eltron, one of New Zealand’s leading hot water heat pump specialists, provides 220 and 300 litre tanks that cover just about any residential household. The 220 litre tank is best suited for smaller dwellings or apartments, whilst the 300 litre tank can provide efficient hot water heating for households of five or more. Installation is reasonably simple, but it is important to note that a building consent is required. The only exception to this is when an existing internal/external water storage heater is replaced with an external heat pump water storage heater. If retrofitting an indoor hot water cylinder to an existing hot water cylinder, it is best suited to placement in a garage or laundry. An important design decision is whether the heat pump uses either an integrated or split system. The integrated system combines the heat exchanger and
Hot water heat pump specialists Stiebel Eltron manufacture 220L and 300L tanks to suit most household sizes.
storage cylinder in one unit, whilst the split system positions the heat exchanger separately to the storage cylinder, which may be placed with the outdoor unit. Importantly, a clearance of 400mm on either side of the grills of the outdoor component of the heat pump must be maintained to allow unimpeded air flow through the system, and two straps should be applied (no more than 100mm from the top and bottom ends) to all tanks to restrain them. The installation process is shared between a plumber, who installs the heat pump water storage heater, and an electrician who completes the hard wiring. The plumber can do the wiring themselves if they hold an Associated Tradesperson licence (see page 36). Although hot water heat pumps are best suited to warmer climates, new technologies allow some to continue to operate efficiently down to -5°C. Stiebel Eltron NZ Managing Director Jason Kerr estimates that demand has more than doubled over the past 12 months. “As New Zealand moves into a more sustainable, energy efficient future, hot water heat pumps should be considered as a desirable, efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to more traditional forms of water heating,” he says.
Source: US Department of Energy.
* Source: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
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About the author: For over 90 years Stiebel Eltron has been at the forefront in the field of home comfort solutions worldwide and now has representation in Europe, America, Asia and, since 1996, New Zealand. For general, sales or technical enquiries, call 09 486 2221 or visit stiebel-eltron.co.nz
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TECHNICAL THEME
Commercial
GAS WATER HEATING
Unitec and Rinnai are partnering to champion training in commercial hot water systems. Here, they outline what this new joint initiative means for plumbers and gasfitters.
U
nitec Institute of Technology, working in partnership with water heating and climate solutions manufacturer Rinnai, has become the first tertiary institution in New Zealand to install the latest Rinnai commercial water heating systems for student training. Unitec, one of the country’s leading tertiary providers of plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting training programmes, will offer training on newly-installed, state-ofthe-art gas water heaters as part of a new short course for gasfitters, due to launch later this year. The equipment will also be used to support Unitec’s ongoing delivery of the Commercial and Industrial Gas Appliances
and Equipment training course delivered to gasfitting apprentices. The Unitec and Rinnai initiative will make Unitec the only institution to offer training on the latest Demand Direct and Demand Duo commercial gas hot water systems utilising Rinnai’s new N Series INFINITY, which are commonly installed in large commercial buildings, such as hotels and sports complexes. There is now an increased demand for apprenticeship programmes through the launch of the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund. “Anyone in the industry appreciates the efficiencies that these state-of-the-art commercial hot water heaters provide,”
says Unitec’s School of Trades & Services programme manager, Jake Curran. “The operational knowledge and practical ability that our courses provide will present increased opportunities for those gasfitters to progress into specialised work. “We’re delighted to be leading the way in gasfitting training in New Zealand and to continue to set another standard with the introduction of this new short course,” he adds. “We value our long-standing relationship with Unitec,” says Rinnai Training Manager Mark Dobson. “We’ve been a key industry partner for the past six years, assisting Unitec with equipment and parts, along with upskilling courses.” The full-day course for gasfitters will cover operational theory, component identification, appliance and flueing installation, condensate removal, commissioning, gas flue analysis, gas type conversion, control setting and associated sequential synchronised staging. The course will be held at Unitec’s Mataaho trades training facility at its Mt Albert campus.
For further information on the new commercial gasfitting short course, go to unitec.ac.nz/ commercialwaterheaters
Rinnai’s Graduate Engineer Eric Picardo (centre) with Unitec senior lecturers Simon Goodlud (left) and Dave Ryan (right) during training on the systems.
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60 years EEM N H
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Contact us today to speak with our New Zealand based support team
0800 657 336 | rheem@rheem.co.nz | www.rheem.co.nz
On the tools HOT WATER
TECHNICAL THEME
Positioning of seismic restraints In New Zealand, hot water cylinders need to be restrained to prevent movement during an earthquake. Rheem provides advice on the positioning of seismic restraint strapping.
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n acceptable solution for seismic restraint strapping in Building Code Clause G12 would be to use two 25 x 1mm (width x thickness) galvanised steel straps when fixed in place. For water heaters exceeding 200L, an extra strap needs to be added. The NZ Building Code stipulates certain strap positions. However, due to the location of the Element & Thermostat (E&T) Cover and water inlet connection(s), alternative measures may be required. The purpose of this article is to recommend alternative solutions for the positioning of seismic restraints and does not cover all aspects of water heater installation as stated in the Building Code. On the right are diagrams of the original strap placements (as stipulated by the Building Code), as well as the alternative measures, for 90-180L and 250-400L water heaters. Both the standard and alternative placements are sufficient to keep the cylinder in place as per the requirements of the Building Code and can be used during installation.
About the author: Article written by Rheem Technical Support and R&D teams. Rheem can assist with any of your product related queries, including sizing, placement and fault diagnosis. Contact them from 8am to 5pm Mon to Fri on 0800 657 336 or 09 829 0200. Rheem after-hours helpline 0800 657 335 or go to rheem.co.nz/myrheempro
Points to note It’s worth noting that these placements are based around the common strap on the market, which is made from a medium carbon steel. It’s also worth mentioning that these strapping arrangements do not take into consideration water heater
90-180L WATER HEATERS*
Strapping arrangement as specified in the Building Code. The lower strap is positioned close to the base of the water heater.
Alternative strapping arrangement. The lower strap is raised 100mm above the Element & Thermostat (E&T) Cover.
250-400L WATER HEATERS*
Strapping arrangement as specified in the Building Code.
Alternative strapping arrangement. The lower strap is raised 100mm above the E&T Cover.
*Diagrams are not to scale and are for illustrative purposes only.
installations in an attic or other unusual locations (eg, not located adjacent to a wall). Neither do they address other plumbing code requirements (such as safe trays, vertical blocking, venting, and clearances from combustible materials and combustion air). Clearances of water heaters from adjacent walls must meet the minimum requirements specified by the
manufacturer and the Building Code. If the water heater has an insulation blanket around the outside of the tank, it should be removed and reinstalled after the bracing system is completed. The point of anchoring a water heater is to prevent the fire or water damage that can result from the unit getting thrown about or tipped over, so please take all of the above into careful consideration before installing a water heater.
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On the tools HOT WATER
TECHNICAL THEME
Why should plumbers get their Associated Tradesperson Licence? E-tec has some good reasons.
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e’ve all been there. You’re installing a hot water cylinder or boiling water unit for a client and it needs to be wired up to mains electricity before you can complete the job. It might seem quicker, easier and more cost efficient for you to do the wiring yourself instead of bringing in a sparkie, but if you don’t have the right licence you could find yourself in some serious hot water (no pun intended).
Why do you need the licence? A plumber or gasfitter who does onpremises wiring, without the correct licence is breaking the law, risking public safety and could be in for some hefty fines if caught. The simple act of connecting or disconnecting fittings to, or from a power supply could be making you a criminal— something many people don’t even realise! The Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) regulates all electrical Plumbers with an Associated Tradesperson licence can carry out hot water cylinder wiring without needing to involve a sparkie. E-tec is among the providers to offer the necessary training.
work carried out by tradespeople. This means you will need to hold an Associated Tradesperson Licence to complete this type of work legally and safely. The Associated Tradesperson Licence allows a plumber or gasfitter to connect or disconnect fittings to, or from, a power supply when working under 250 volts and 16 amperes. This work can only be done in relation to their trade. The licence also allows the tradesperson to test their own electrical work and certify and supervise particular electrical work (excluding any work done in mining operations). There are serious repercussions for any unlicensed work—for good reason. Those performing unlicensed work could end up with fines as high as $50,000 for individuals, $250,000 for companies, and/or time in court.
So, what can you do? The good news is that it’s simple to get licensed. You just need to: be a registered plumber or gasfitter with the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) pass an EWRB-approved Associated Tradesperson theory exam pass an EWRB-approved Associated Tradesperson practical assessment complete approved safety training within the prescribed timeframe.
For full information on what work the Associated Tradesperson License permits you to carry out, visit ewrb.govt.nz/working-safely-and-incompliance/limits-of-work/
ATP training through E-tec E-tec is a specialist training provider for electrical work and providers for EWRB-approved Associate Tradesperson courses and practical assessments. E-tec’s Associated Tradesperson course allows plumbers and gasfitters nationwide to get qualified to carry out authorised electrical work. The course is made up of distance learning before a three-day practical course, followed by an external exam. The course runs regularly in Auckland but can be run ‘on request’ in other centres if there are enough enrolments. Contact E-tec to find out more today on 09 573 1964 or email admin@shift.org.nz
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Technical Q&A Photograph supplied by Unitray: www.unitray.co.nz
Master Plumbers technical specialist Rod Miller is on hand to answer member queries.
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Is a safe tray required for a like-for-like HWC replacement?
Where an existing storage water heater without a safe tray is replaced as an alteration to an existing building, a safe tray is not required. This is because the building is only required to comply to at least the same extent as before the alteration. A safe tray is required if you are installing a storage water heater where there wasn’t one previously. This applies to all household units and buildings with an adjacent household unit. If a safe tray is difficult to install, in either a new or replacement situation, you can discuss other options with the building designer and building owner. These can include: Locating the storage water heater outside Using an instantaneous water heater.
Safe trays are not required for non-storage water heaters, such as instantaneous water heaters and under-bench boilers/chillers. Safe tray requirements are given in paragraph 5.2.3 of G12/AS1. View this Building Code Acceptable Solution at www.building. govt.nz/building-code-compliance/g-services-and-facilities/g12water-supplies/acceptable-solutions-and-verification-methods/
About the author: Rod Miller is a member of the national Master Plumbers Board and runs Plumbing Hydraulics & Drainage Consulting Ltd. Members of Master Plumbers can contact Rod on the Master Plumbers Technical Helpline. Contact details are available in the member log-in at masterplumbers.org.nz
VANTAGE The new Vantage range from Greens is suitable for all pressures and features the patented FloBOOST® and RainBoost® shower technologies to ensure a shower as perfect as a good nights sleep down to 10kPa. A donation from every sale of Greens Vantage products goes towards plumbing apprenticeship scholarships . Greens Tapware - designed and engineered in NZ since 1935 – fostering the plumbing industry today for a bright future tomorrow.
www.greenstapware.com
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THIS EDITION’S ROUND-UP OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ON THE MARKET.
Caroma Luna Collection: Colour Extensions The Caroma Luna Collection offers reliable and durable products that are well-designed to suit any lifestyle. The extensive product range of toilet suites, tapware, showers, basins and accessories suit almost any bathroom and kitchen. The Luna Collection now features a range of colour finishes in brushed brass, brushed nickel, black and chrome, and a new 20-year warranty. For more information visit your local plumbing merchant or caroma.co.nz
Englefield Studio Thermostatic Mixer This Studio shower/bath mixer features technology that maintains a constant showering or bath filling temperature, even with fluctuations in the water supply. It is easy to install and has a thermostatic cartridge with precise temperature control. This reduces the risk of scalding or uncomfortable temperature fluctuations. There is also a thermostatic shutdown safety feature, should sudden failure of the cold or hot water supply occur, and it is suitable for both equal mains and equal low pressure. In polished chrome finish. Provides safety with superb performance for the perfect showering experience. 038
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New from Buteline Announcing two new products from Buteline:
Product code: MFE2 Product description: Brass 3/4”BSP Male x 3/4”BSP Female Swivel Elbow Tight radius 20mm M & F swivel elbow Useful for connecting hot water cylinders in confined spaces, connecting to gas units and water meters Small versatile fitting
Product code: MFE1C Product description: Brass 1/2”BSP Male x 1/2”BSP Female Swivel Elbow (Chromed) Aesthetically designed for any fit-off where you can see the connection between a fitting and the flexi hose (eg, under a vanity). Compact design (saves altering back walls of drawers to accommodate protruding fittings). buteline.com/nz
On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Order online with Hirepool Time is money, so the last thing you want to be doing is waiting around to collect your gear. When you pre-order online with Hirepool’s new online booking service, it will be ready and waiting for pick up when you drive in, ensuring a simple, seamless and speedy hire experience. With this new facility, you now have the ability to receive quotes or prebook gear 24/7 and have it charged to your Hirepool Trade account. If you’re not a Hirepool Trade account customer, no worries; you can still use the online ordering service. You will just need a credit/ debit card to make a booking—and make sure to mention to our staff when you collect your gear if you are a Master Plumbers member, so they can apply your 20% discount. Set up your online account now at cart.hirepool.co.nz/registertrade. Once you’ve signed up, it’s simple: just pre-order, drive-in, load up and get on with the job.
NEW: Matte black for Dux FlexiTrap™ To meet the growing trend towards black accessories and fittings, Dux have introduced a NEW FlexiTrap™ pop-up trap, featuring an integrated pop-up waste with flat style plug in a matte black finish. The tough, durable dual electroplated finish features an additional clear coat protective layer, making it an ideal solution for bathroom installations. It includes all the features of FlexiTrap™ you know and love, such as a combination P & S outlet with unique flexible joint for connection to misaligned waste pipes up to 5° and telescopic inlet for quick and easy height adjustment. For more information go to dux.co.nz/FlexiTrap or contact your Dux Territory Manager.
Teletrac Navman’s new fleet management platform Introducing TN360—Teletrac Navman’s New Fleet Management Platform. Powered by artificial intelligence, TN360 delivers a whole new level of insights and analytics, by providing businesses with simplified, smart, predictive and actionable information. The future of New Zealand’s fleet tracking industry will include AI, as this technology can: provide instant visual insights based on vehicle and driver data assist with managing vehicle performance and maintenance help fleets proactively avoid issues before they occur. Plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers that adopt the TN360 platform and its innovative technology can increase productivity, reduce downtime and slash administrative costs, all while identifying opportunities for improvement—helping you stay ahead of the competition. The goal at Teletrac Navman is—and always has been—to simplify mobile asset and fleet management for customers. The next generation TN360 platform marks the next phase of digital transformation in the mobile asset and fleet management market—and will make an immediate impact on safety, compliance, and efficiency. teletracnavman.co.nz nzplumber
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On the tools PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Jaz it up with Felton Felton Industries is proudly 100% Kiwi owned and operated, and has been manufacturing shower mixers from its Auckland factory for more than 50 years. Most Kiwi plumbers will be familiar with the company’s iconic shower mixer, the Feltonmix®, which has been 100% made in New Zealand since 1968. What sets Felton apart is its focus on designing and making products that will perform best under New Zealand water pressures and conditions. Over the years, Felton has expanded on its offerings to include tapware, water saving technology, and more recently, digital mixers. Now introducing Felton’s latest product offering: the Jaz range. Proudly designed here in Aotearoa, its soft silhouette embodies an effortlessly contemporary look, perfect for any kitchen and bathroom setting. Suitable for all pressures, the range features a variety of tapware and shower mixers including the Fusion Plus® shower mixer in 150mm or 195mm diameter faceplates. Learn more at felton.co.nz
MASTER PLUMBERS RECOMMENDS
A number of Dux product ranges have recently joined the Master Plumbers Recommends programme, including their widely used SecuraGold™ hot and cold piping system.
Dux has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing in the New Zealand plumbing and drainage industry for over 80 years. With their focus on innovation and collaboration to provide plumbers and drainlayers with solutions that improve efficiency, Dux has joined the Master Plumbers Recommends list with their SecuraGold™, FlexiTrap™, AdjustaPit®, Dux Grease Converters and EnduraXL Grease Trap ranges. The SecuraGold™ hot and cold piping system is used widely in residential, light commercial and industrial applications. The simple design and proven use of high-performance materials delivers long term results that can be relied on. Combined with fast installation and simple crimp application, SecuraGold™ results in lower installation costs, making it the choice among plumbing professionals and specifiers. You can rely on Dux because they offer quality manufacture, years of reliable performance and value for money. To view Dux’s full product range visit www.dux.co.nz/products
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About Master Plumbers Recommends Master Plumbers Recommends shows consumers the products they can trust: for performance, quality and a manufacturer’s guarantee. View all recommended products at www.tickofapproval.co.nz
BATHROOM • HEATING & COOLING • PLUMBING • COMMERCIAL
THERMAL & ACOUSTIC PIPE LAGGING A comprehensive range catering for the unique environments of NZ.
INNOVATION THAT DELIVERS INSTALLATION EFFICIENCY IS ONE WAY TO DESCRIBE EUROTIS Pliable corrugated austentic stainless steel AISI 316 tubes (known as CSST) is at the heart of their solutions. The structure of the tubes make them resistant to pressure, deformation, and their formable nature allows bends of up to 180° without the support of bending tools. Connections are achieved through a combination of flat faced flanges and brass fittings. Waterware favours Eurotis for its quick and flexible connection from the plumbing system to the boiler, heatpump, and hot water cylinder. Eurotis offers fully customizable lengths and shapes and its ability to also quickly disconnect is a lifesaver. To find our more click here or feel free to contact one of our Technical Specialists on (09) 273-9191 or email RADIATOR SOLUTIONS technicalteam@waterware.co.nz about your next project.
ACCESS THE WATERWARE KNOWLEDGE BASE TODAY > > > > >
ISO PIPE 4-ZERO E-FLEX SOLAR PIPE SLEEVE NUWRAP 5 allproof.com
The Knowledge base is a place to go to see all of the tips and tricks accumulated over the last 30 years of experience selling Caleffi valves. Model selection, sizing and troubleshooting advice specific to the Caleffi family to quickly and efficiently bring you up to speed with the extensive range. All you need to do is to set up a trade login with Waterware and you will gain full access to our online Knowledge Base.
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Our Partners
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Partners for their support: PLATINUM PARTNERS
GOLD PARTNERS
SILVER PARTNERS
A Group SFA Company
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Master Plumbers
MEMBER BENEFIT
HELP IN A CRISIS
With 2020 proving to be such a challenging year, it’s good to know Master Plumbers has plenty of resources to help member businesses when you need help most. Whether it’s a serious incident or accident in the workplace, an employment issue or a customer dispute, Master Plumbers can provide members with advice and support. Here are some areas where we can help: Legal assistance: Get initial advice and facilitation of expert legal assistance if needed Human resources: Call our HR helpline on 021 245 1704—first 30 minutes free Employee assistance programme: Access discounted, confidential expert counselling services to assist with stress and pressure, depression and anxiety
Public relations: Talk to our experienced communications team, who can assist with media enquiries and arrange external assistance if needed IT: Ask to be put in touch with IT experts, who can assist if your business experiences a cyber threat. To access these services, call the team on 0800 502 102 during office hours. If the matter is urgent, individual contacts are available in the website member log-in: masterplumbers.org.nz/dashboard/ business-resources/crisis-management/
43 MEMBER BENEFIT 44 BULLETIN 49 ASSOCIATION PROFILE
50 LIFE MEMBER PROFILE
54 MASTERLINK
MESSAGEBOARD
59 PARTNER PROFILE: CAROMA & METHVEN
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DESPITE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, PLENTY HAS BEEN GOING ON AT MASTER PLUMBERS TO DELIVER VALUE TO MEMBER BUSINESSES.
CODE OF CONDUCT UPDATED The Master Plumbers Code of Conduct and Code of Practice has been updated to bring it up to date and to make it more reader-friendly. The document outlines the standards to be observed by members at all times, and abiding by this document is a fundamental condition of membership. Find the updated Code of Conduct & Code of Practice in the website member log-in at masterplumbers.org.nz (Under Rules & Strategy).
Surveying our members This year’s Master Plumbers member survey was a little bit different. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruption on a global scale, we wanted to gauge confidence levels and challenges for member businesses throughout NZ, in order to provide the best possible support in the months to come. The survey ran for 10 days until 8 September and we sincerely thank all members who took part. Look out for an overview of the results in the next edition of NZ Plumber.
BEST IN BRAND Got some smart Master Plumbers branding on your vehicles or at your workplace? Send us a snap for your chance to win a $200 Prezzy Card prize in our Best in Brand competition! Email your photos to Cat Marshall by 13 November: cmarshall@masterplumbers.org.nz
PROUD TO BE A PLUMBER – ANOTHER WINNER! Congratulations to Dale Riches of Riches Plumbing in Christchurch— the latest winner of our Proud to be a Plumber mini fridge prize! The Riches family have been taking care of Canterbury families’ plumbing needs for just over 100 years—that’s four generations— so it’s safe to say plumbing runs through their veins. “We take pride in knowing we are not only Christchurch’s oldest plumbing family but New Zealand’s oldest plumbing family,” said Dale in his #proudtobeaplumber entry.
How to enter For your chance to win a Master Plumbers-branded mini fridge prize, post a photo or video on your public social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Linkedin). Caption why you are proud to be in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry, and use the hashtag #proudtobeaplumber Winners are drawn at random from all qualifying entries. For full T&C, visit masterplumbers.org.nz/membership/proud
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Dale Riches of Riches Brothers Plumbing with his prize mini-fridge.
Master Plumbers
UPDATES
OBITUARY
Members and potential members can get a really good idea of the membership benefits on offer with our brand-new video, available to view on the Master Plumbers You Tube channel. Huge thanks to Jason and Kirstie Brown from Jason Brown Plumbing and Gas for letting us follow them round town to create the video. Filmed and edited in Lower Hutt using production company One Day Video, it also features cameos from Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace and technical helpline specialist Rod Miller. Thanks, too, to our Business Partners Plumbing World and Hirepool for letting us film on site at their Lower Hutt branches and for being so accommodating. We hope you enjoy! Watch the video at https://bit.ly/beamasterplumber
Graeme Mander
A still from the new member video, available to view on the Master Plumbers You Tube channel.
The video was filmed and edited in Lower Hutt over one day and stars member business Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas!
It is with much sadness that we report the passing of Graeme Mander in September, after a short illness. A National Life Member of Master Plumbers, Graeme was a passionate supporter of the Society. He served on the National Council of the Society for over 25 years, between 1976 and 2004, and was National President from 1985-86. In 1999, he was elected again to the National Board, serving for a further five years. He was also director of the NZ Plumbers’ Journal for 30 years and always took a keen interest in the publication. Among his many other roles in the industry, Graeme was the Master Plumbers representative on the Industry Training Council from 1993 to 2000. He also served as New Zealand representative on the World Plumbing Council for nine years from 1996. Graeme ran Wellington-based Mander Plumbing for over 50 years. He served his apprenticeship under his father and took over the business in 1965, working there until his retirement in 2019, when he handed the reins to long-term business partner Gavin Chambers. Graeme will be greatly missed by members, colleagues and friends in the industry and we send our sincere condolences to his wife Christina and their extended family, and the Mander Plumbing team.
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Meet the team... Get to know the Master Plumbers team with our quick Q&As each edition.
1. What does your day-to-day role entail? My role is extremely varied. I help members and customers to resolve complaints, and work on different issues affecting our members. I also assist with in-house legal issues, work on various projects and look after the conference. No two days are ever the same, which I really enjoy. 2. What’s your work background? My background is in law, which I practised for many years in private practice, government and as in-house legal counsel. I then did further study and spent the last few years in event and administration type roles. My current role combines lots of these different aspects, so I’m very lucky. 3. Can you tell us a little bit about you? I grew up in Gisborne and studied in Auckland. After living overseas, my husband and I moved to Wellington over 20 years ago. We have two daughters, one in Year 12 and one at university. 4. What’s your favourite music? While I love Billy Joel, Crowded House and Cold Chisel, for dancing round the kitchen, I can’t go past Def Leppard and Earth, Wind & Fire. 5. What’s your favourite book right now? So far this year it’s Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo. 6. Where’s your favourite holiday spot? A warm, sunny beach. 7. What’s your favourite food? I love Japanese and Vietnamese food. 8. Is there someone who particularly inspires you? Jacinda Ardern.
NAME: Fleur Nicholas ROLE: Project Coordinator
ATP TRAINING WITH ETCO: DISCOUNTS FOR MASTER PLUMBERS The Electrical Training Company (Etco) provides Associated Tradesperson courses for registered plumbers and gasfitters to gain EWRB registration. Members of Master Plumbers enjoy a 20% discount on the training, which is held at Etco training centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin (plus an online component). Contact Etco to find out more on 0800 275 3826. www.etco.co.nz
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9. Can you tell us what you enjoy doing in your spare time? Spending time with family and friends, swimming, golfing, walking, cooking and reading. I also really enjoy doing tapestry, as I find it very therapeutic after a busy day.
ADVOCACY WORK: BUILDING AMENDMENT BILL In August, Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace appeared before the select committee to present the Master Plumbers oral submission on the Building (Building Products and Methods, Modular Components, and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. As things stand, the amended Bill continues to make product certification voluntary, doesn’t require third party verification of products and lacks actionable enforcement measures. Greg argued that the amendments to the Bill do not go far enough to protect the health and safety of New Zealanders—particularly from the
harmful effects of metal leaching from unregulated plumbing products. Master Plumbers will continue to advocate for greater regulation of plumbing products available in the NZ market. The select committee is due to report back to Parliament at the end of November.
Master Plumbers
UPDATES
Peter Jackson Plumbing on the Kapiti Coast use Web Genius for their web presence. “Web Genius has made sure that our Google online rankings are high and that way it draws a lot of traffic to our website and obviously customers,” says Sonya Jackson.
NEW Discount Partner: Web Genius Have you ever wondered why some plumbers have a website that seems to dominate Google, while others are nowhere to be seen? New Master Plumbers Discount Partner Web Genius have an exclusive offer for members to ensure your web presence is modern and mobile-friendly, generates consistent business and is found in Google. With a low-cost monthly investment, Web Genius are able to provide you the very best website and marketing solution, designed
for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers of any business size.
What’s the offer? The offering includes, but is not limited to: A powerful lead generating website (with $0 setup fees) Google rankings on the 1st page (to generate consistent business) Google marketing with Ads (for your marketing).
Starting at just $499/month for the first 12 months and $149/month thereafter, this offering is a very powerful marketing solution. To top things off, Web Genius are offering you a free website upgrade and design every 36 months, which means you will never have to invest in a new website as long as you are with them. Learn more and access the offer at masterplumbers.webgenius.co.nz/
NEW MEMBERS A warm welcome to our newest Master Plumbers member businesses: Aqua Plumber Auckland – Auckland BOI Plumbing and Gas – Auckland Coast to Coast Gas & Plumbing – Auckland O’Neil Plumbing – Auckland SW Plumbing – Auckland Valley Plumbing & Drainage – Auckland Evergreen Plumbing Group – Taranaki Savvy Gas – Taranaki South Coast Plumbing – Otago
WANT TO JOIN? Master Plumbers is here to support all businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. Members are Quality Assured and backed by the Master Plumbers Guarantee. We offer a wide range of business resources, HR & technical support, plus training and member discounts—and we advocate for our members as a collective industry voice. Get in touch to discuss our two-year membership deal!
Steve Rushworth North Island 027 839 8398 srushworth@masterplumbers.org.nz
Sam Timlin South Island 021 433 615 stimlin@masterplumbers.org.nz Or contact 0800 502 102 membership@masterplumbers.org.nz
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LOOK OUT FOR THE TICK OF APPROVAL
We put each and every Master Plumbers Recommends plumbing product to the test, assessing all aspects, such as ensuring replacement parts are readily accessible, they’re easy to install and they look great. Of course it goes without saying that they also come with a solid manufacturer’s guarantee. Once it ticks all those boxes, it gets our tick of approval.
To find out more call 0800 502 102 or visit tickofapproval.co.nz
Master Plumbers
ASSOCIATION PROFILE
Some new faces on the Nelson Master Plumbers executive committee include President Ben Allen. NZ Plumber talked to Ben about the Nelson job market and what the Association is planning in the months to come.
T
he phone is still running hot with work for Ben Allen at Fusion Plumbing & Solar. Ben, who took over the reins from Andy Bennett in June as President of the Nelson Master Plumbers Association, says there’s plenty of positive activity in the region, despite COVID-19 disruptions. “Most plumbing businesses here are flat out and understaffed, though there’s uncertainty at the back of our minds about what will happen over the next 12 months,” he says. “I think the key is to diversify and not put all your eggs in one basket. At Fusion, we do a mix of domestic and commercial new build, renovation and maintenance work in plumbing, gas, solar and heating.” The region’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers have been particularly swamped with renovation work since the March lockdown, when homeowners had a chance to take stock of their properties and draw up to-do lists. “A lot of people have decided to spend money set aside for holidays, now postponed, on things like bathroom renovations or putting solar on the roof,” says Ben. New builds are also underway as delayed titles come through, and he says the current 5% deposit on a brand-new home, compared with 10% on an older property, is a real drawcard for first-time buyers. Ben is excited about his new role as President and says there are a lot of new plumbing business start-ups in the region that could really benefit from membership. “I’ve been a Master Plumber since starting Fusion Plumbing six years ago and I’ve always seen it as a good thing to be part of. “If you’re fresh to the game, it’s a good way of catching up with other plumbers to get their take on the industry. You never stop learning new business ideas.”
He is thankful to have his wife Tamara running the HR side of the business and now also helping out with organising activities on the Nelson Association calendar. A quiz night at the Speight’s Ale House just before lockdown proved to be a sell-out success and will be followed by a ten-pin bowling night while in Alert Level 1. Ben wants to see more of these social events in future, along with more guest speakers at general meetings. “We had a representative from the Tasman District Council in August talking about new laws around water tanks, which got some good discussion, and we’d like to see more members turning up to these.” Meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month—usually at the Eddyline brewery in Richmond, and sometimes further afield at the Moutere Inn to ensure all members can come. An overnighter to Takaka is also being
Ben and Tamara Allen run Fusion Plumbing and Solar in Nelson.
considered to keep members in the loop over the hill in Golden Bay. Ben, who’s 44, says it’s great to have fellow members of a similar age on the executive committee, with Kerry Hay of Hays Plumbing in Motueka as Vice President and Merv Ward of Tim Miller Plumbing as Junior Vice. The combination of managing a heavy workload and organising Association activities will be a challenge, he admits— but one he’s looking forward to in a region he loves. As Ben says, “Nelson is a good place to be.”
New Nelson Master Plumbers President Ben Allen (centre) with, from left, Merv Ward (Junior Vice), Kerry Hay (Vice President) and Roger Taylor (Secretary).
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Always doing his bit to encourage young people into the industry and willing to share his knowledge with other plumbers, Brian Foley is a deserving recipient of Master Plumbers Life Membership.
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rian Foley has been in the plumbing industry for over 50 years and says he hasn’t seen it this busy. COVID-19 might have put the brakes on many activities in 2020, but not so for renovation work. “We had a record 157 jobs in four days here at our Dunedin branch in August,” he says. Brian is, of course, referring to Foleys, the biggest plumbing firm in Dunedin, with 10 branches around the South Island and in Palmerston North employing more than 220 staff.
Happy to help At 80, he still works in the business, going in each morning to do pricing work on the home dialysis systems the company installs for Dunedin Hospital—around two a month by Brian’s reckoning. The systems are a life saver for many people in the region, as they can use them overnight, enabling them to carry on with their working lives during the day. Helping others is something Brian loves to do, whether it be carrying out jobs for health and disability support service Enable New Zealand, sharing his knowledge and advice with other plumbers, encouraging apprentices in their new careers, or even rescuing stranded motorists with his 4-wheel drive on snowy days in Dunedin.
Commitment to Master Plumbers He has also been heavily involved with Master Plumbers for many years, serving on the national executive for 20 years, with a term touring around New Zealand as national President in 1996. Brian joined Master Plumbers in 1962, not long out of his apprenticeship at his father Albert’s company. “My dad purchased the business in 1934, having got together the money to buy it from doing
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Brian Foley as national Master Plumbers President in 1996.
Master Plumbers
LIFE MEMBER PROFILE
Brian receiving his Master Plumbers Life Membership award from son Craig, who is the current Chair of the national organisation.
a lot of reconditioning work on gas mains after the Napier earthquake,” he recalls. “I took over running the business at 22 when my father had a heart attack and had to step back. I told him I was flat out building a house and had just got engaged to be married, but he said, ‘You’ll manage’.” And manage he did—building the business from two to 70 by the time he retired from full-time work. He says a turning point in the company’s growth came when he hired a lady to do the wages in the evenings and answer the phones by day. He told her to bring her knitting as she might not be very busy. When she retired, she told Brian she never did manage to get any knitting done. A great deal changed in the industry during those years, he says. “When I started, we were threading pipes and wiping lead joints. Copper for wastes and water came along soon after but we still had to plaster drains with joints before rubber rings came into use. Then plastic pipes arrived and gee that was good.”
“I took over running the business at 22 when my father had a heart attack and had to step back. I told him I was flat out building a house and had just got engaged to be married, but he said, ‘You’ll manage’.” Receiving the award Brian is married to Cathy, an occupational therapist. He has three children, with son Craig becoming a director of Foleys along with Chris Sutherland in the late 1980s, and Sarah Alcock in 2005. Craig’s son Nathan has also just qualified as a plumber, working for Foleys in Dunedin. Equally passionate about Master Plumbers, Craig is the current national Chair and was delighted to present his father with national Life Membership at an
Otago branch meeting in July. Brian says he was honoured to receive this rare award, which came as a complete and “very, very nice” surprise. One of only a handful of living members to hold Life Membership, he was nominated by members of the Otago Master Plumbers for his long-term support of Master Plumbers, for his willingness to share his knowledge and for being held in such high regard by other members around New Zealand. When he’s not working, Brian is quite likely to be found tinkering on his vintage Ford Model As, taking part in car rallies, or singing bass in the Royal Dunedin Male Choir. He is also active in the Dunedin South Rotary Club. Brian has a wide network of friends, made through his many years of attending the Master Plumbers conference. Very often, those friendships have benefited others, assisting skilled people into jobs and encouraging new blood into the industry. As Brian puts it himself: “Helping people feels so good.”
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LIFE MEMBER PROFILE
ALL IDEAS WELCOME
Foleys Christchurch plumber Mike Hudson working on a bathroom renovation for @MoochStyle.
We’re hiring! Is it time for a change? Foleys are currently looking for qualified Plumbers and/or Gasfitters across many of our 11 locations. 3rd & 4th year plumbing apprentices looking for work due to Covid restructuring are also welcome to apply. Full-time/Part-time/Casual / Seasonal roles available. Details are available on Trade Me Jobs, search Foleys, or by calling Lisa on 03 478 8009.
Foleys are a company that embrace ideas. “We don’t just say we welcome ideas, we have great processes to ensure that all ideas are reviewed, responded to, documented and— where applicable—actioned,” says Marketing Manager Tracy Pleasants. When you have 11 branches across New Zealand, there is immense possibility to generate ideas. “In our Dunedin, Christchurch and Central Otago branches we have Ideas Clouds,” explains Tracy. “They are stuck on the wall of the smoko areas and we post questions and our teams can write responses, anonymous or otherwise! Every quarter in our company newsletter, we ask for more ideas and every six months we publish all the ideas alongside a status of where they are at.” All ideas are reviewed and, where applicable, investigated further. Some are quick wins, some more in-depth. “We always ensure the idea originator
gets feedback and if their idea is a winning one, they receive a token of appreciation.” During the recent lockdown, Foleys proactively asked staff for ideas for things they could do post-lockdown. “We figured while some of our teams were not able to work under Level 4 restrictions, maybe their ‘ideas brains’ were in overdrive and we could use this to our benefit,” says Tracy. “We were extremely humbled by the number, breadth and ingenuity displayed in our staff’s responses. “As a management team, we don’t have all the answers, all the time. Lockdown proved to us we have a fantastic team who can provide amazing ideas, because they are on the ground and constantly seeing ways to improve or do things differently, or finding opportunities for us. We remain extremely grateful for embedding this culture into our company.”
Millars Plumbing & Drainlaying Otautau Ltd Are looking for a Gasfitter and or Plumber with a current Practicing Licence. The successful applicant will have to have good communication skills and excellent knowledge of products and plumbing practices. Be able to work unsupervised, have the ability to problem solve, be honest & trustworthy. We service a large country area, involved in maintenance and new work, servicing commercial and domestic clients. We are a family plumbing business operating in Southland for over 32 years. We are located at the bottom of the South Island and are two hours’ drive from Queenstown—the adventure capital of NZ—an hour and a half from beautiful Fiordland and Te Anau, and twenty minutes from the beach at Riverton. If this sounds like you, check our business out on Facebook and apply today in writing with attached CV to millars.plumbing@xtra.co.nz Graeme 0274340705
The cost to place a classified advertisement is $60+GST for Master Plumbers members; $100+GST for non-members. Email advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz 052
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Be the best you can be - for your customers, your staff and your business. Branding – logo and vehicle decals Fuel discounts with Mobilcard Business Partner deals exclusive to members Master Plumbers health & safety app Health & Safety resources and support Technical support from PGD experts Job leads from our Find a Plumber search tool 12 month consumer guarantee HR resources, guidelines and support Advocating for member and industry interests Networking opportunities Professional development training Latest industry news
Find out more at masterplumbers.org.nz or call 0800 502 102
A ROUND-UP OF NEWS FROM THE MASTER PLUMBERS-OWNED MASTERLINK GROUP APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEME.
Meet new GM Steve Strawbridge Steve Strawbridge was appointed to the new role of Masterlink General Manager in late August. A builder by trade, Steve ran his own landscaping business for seven years before joining Masterlink and prior to that was a Regional Sales Manager at Mico. With plumbing, gas and drainage businesses facing economic uncertainty for the next 18 months to two years due to COVID-19, he says Masterlink will continue to work closely with hosts and apprentices to achieve positive outcomes for all— and he has been encouraged to see a number of hosts around the country looking to take advantage of the current employer funding to train. The Auckland market has been particularly hard hit by pandemic impacts and the Masterlink team are working hard to support hosts and apprentices, including moving apprentices between businesses as workloads require. “In times like these, everyone 054
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has to be open minded and pragmatic about how to achieve the best result,” says Steve. “We are also putting a focus on the mental health and wellbeing of our apprentices in the region.” He notes that Masterlink has a talented pool of work-ready candidates, boosted by recent promotion of trades careers and redundancies in other sectors. “For some, this has been a time to reassess and switch careers, which is to the benefit of our industry.” Outside of work, Steve is kept busy with sports and activities, with two teenagers and a six-yearold in the family—and has held various roles in the Paraparaumu Junior Rugby Club committee for the past 10 years, including being Chair this season. You can contact Steve on: 04 801 2018 steve.strawbridge@masterlink.co.nz
Master Plumbers
Get to know our Regional Managers
GET IN TOUCH
Need an apprentice in your business? Masterlink Regional Managers are here to help.
Over the next few editions, we profile the Masterlink Regional Managers to find out what makes them tick. Our six RMs play a big part in Masterlink’s mentored apprenticeships programme, supporting apprentices and their host companies as our apprentices work towards getting qualified.
TANIA FORSYTH NORTHLAND AND AUCKLAND REGIONAL MANAGER Based in Auckland, Tania Forsyth travels to the Far North at least every quarter to visit hosts and apprentices in the region. She says she loves the variety of the job, which can include anything from HR and recruitment to apprentice mentoring, educational management and building industry relationships. Tania has been involved in building and construction-related roles for most of her life. This has included running her own heating industry
retail and trade services business for over 19 years. Originally from Wellington, she spent seven years in Whangaparaoa before moving to Auckland around five years ago after another stint in the Capital. Outside of work, Tania enjoys catching up with friends and family, including her two adult children, watching live sport, attending Les Mills gym classes and going to various events around Auckland. COVID-19 permitting, Bali is a favourite holiday spot.
MASTERLINK
Tania Forsyth Auckland & Northland 027 558 5441
Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929
Sam Timlin Upper South Island 021 433 615
Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296
Bob McCoy Lower North Island 027 479 0075
Brendan Parker Lower South Island 021 644 560
Tania is often on the road, visiting hosts and apprentices. She’s pictured here with Masterlink apprentice Wade Williams and host Chris Wilson.
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MASTERLINK
Masterlink milestones WELCOME!
Each edition, we welcome our newest Masterlink apprentices—and thank all the host companies who commit to providing their on-job training.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS!
Huge congratulations to our most recent National Certificate recipients. Plumbing & Gasfitting Ben Stanley Regan Harper
Plumbing Jacob Piket Drainlaying Rueben Allen-Bennett
Gasfitting Brooke Schmalkuchen Kyle Nicholas-Booth Sean Stevenson
Northland Isaiah Harding, Rogers & Rogers Auckland James Martin-Chan, Venture Commercial Plumbing Keenan Parker, Apex Earthmoving Izach Flynn, Flynn Plumbing & Gasfitting Dylan Bryant, Campbell Plumbing & Gasfitting Travis Heesch, Titirangi Plumbing & Drainlaying Shane Hazelden, K-10 Finley Dixon, Design Plumbing Waikato Gerard Wech, Plumbing & Gas Works Sam Marneth-Rust, Farrell Plumbing
RM Bob McCoy (left) went along to East Coast Plumbing and Gas in Hastings to present Ben Stanley with his National Certificates in Plumbing and Gasfitting and his Masterlink Certificate of Completion. Ben is shown here with his boss, Sean Patrick.
Masterlink RM Sam Timlin presenting Jacob Piket (left) with his Plumbing National Certificate. Jake was hosted by Dann Brothers Plumbing in Christchurch, his father Jack’s business.
Bay of Plenty/Coromandel Mitchell Irwin, The General Plumbing Company Hawkes Bay Patrick Muldowney, Cracker’s Plumbing & Drainage Corey Anderson, East Coast Plumbing and Gas
Busin looki appr
Taranaki Jacob Hooker, Climate & Plumbing Hutt Valley/Wairarapa Manase Taulanga, Imax Plumbing & Gas Wellington Hadleigh Turnbull, Latitude Plumbing & Heating Brynn Gallagher, First Class Plumbing Jakob Young, Coyne Drainage Contractors
Pieter Russon (centre) with his National Certificates in Plumbing and Gasfitting. Pieter completed his apprenticeship at Henbridge Plumbing & Gas, run by his parents Henny and Bridget Russon, also pictured here.
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Canterbury Finesi Lagokamu, Taylor & Son’s Drainage Richard Russell, Michael Henry Plumbing Queenstown Lakes District Rosa Thompson, Ignite Plumbing & Gas Wills Griffiths, Currie Plumbers
St ea St
Maste
Rueben Allen-Bennett of Foleys in Palmerston North being presented with his Drainlaying National Certificate by host Vince Basile (left) and his Masterlink RM Bob McCoy.
“Masterlink “Masterlink has gonereally really has gone well for us” well for us” Start tart earning! arning! Start living! tart living! “Masterlink ensures “I like the fact that “Masterlink ensures “I like the factisthat a good match for my there someone a good match for my there is someone business. I look for else supporting the business. I look for thein the apprentices with a good else supporting apprentice apprentices with a good apprentice in thesomeone attitude. As long as background, attitude. As long as to learn, I background, someone they’re willing you can fall back on if they’re can willing tothem learn,the I skills.” you canthere fall back on if teach are any issues.” – Bruce Trenwith Richard Graves can teach them the skills.” there are –any issues.” Businesses in Oamaru are BT Plumbing, Inside Systems, – Bruce Trenwith – Richard Graves Auckland Invercargill Plumbing, Inside Systems, looking for BT plumbing and gasfitting Auckland Invercargill
nesses in Oamaru are ing for plumbing gasfitting apprentices rightand now. rentices right now.
As a Masterlink apprentice, we pay you while Masterlink we you while you train apprentice, for a great Get qualified and Morecareer. of thepay support you need and less risk: rain great career. Get qualified and getfor seta up for life! More of the support you need and less risk: • Recruitment & Testing • Mentoring and appraisals et Ifupyou forhave life!•good Recruitment & Testing hands-on, practical skills • Apprentice PAYE and HR
• Mentoring and appraisals and enjoy job •variety, send your CV and have good real hands-on, practical skills Block Course arrangements • Apprentice PAYE and HR cover to roger.herd@masterlink.co.nz njoy realletter job •variety, send and • Health &your safetyCV management Block Course arrangements toolkit and PPE letter to roger.herd@masterlink.co.nz MasterLink.co.nz • Health•&Starter safety management
erLink.co.nz•
Starter toolkit and PPE
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“Using Masterlink has “Using Masterlink hasThey gone well for us. goneoffer well good for us. They support and offercommunication. good support and It takes communication. takes the stress offItyou because the stress theyoff doyou the because vetting and theypre-employment do the vetting and testing.” – Aaron Jamieson pre-employment testing.” BOPJamieson Plumbing & Gas, – Aaron Rotorua BOP Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua
Too easy! Too easy! Contact our team today 0800 502 102today Contact our team admin@masterlink.co.nz 0800 502 102 www.masterlink.co.nz admin@masterlink.co.nz
www.masterlink.co.nz
13/06/19 12:46 PM
NZ
YOUR HOME CENTRAL HEATING & DOMESTIC HOT WATER PROVIDER
Master Plumbers
PLATINUM PARTNER PROFILE
P L AT I N U M P A R T N E R S H I P
New from Caroma & Methven GWA Group brands Caroma and Methven share their latest product news with NZ Plumber readers.
METHVEN’S WATER SAVING SHOWERHEADS WITHOUT COMPROMISING QUALITY OR SHOWER EXPERIENCE
INTRODUCING THE URBANE II COLOUR COLLECTION BY CAROMA This extensive bathroom collection, featuring a range of toilets, basins, tapware, accessories and showers, sets a new benchmark in technical and contemporary design. As with the current Caroma Urbane Collection, Urbane II offers a range of Cleanflush toilet suites, with added features, such as: GermGard®—a unique antimicrobial formula integrated into the seat and pan to help kill harmful bacteria An adjustable flush pipe that allows the outlet centre to be adjusted to the correct flush pipe height, without the need to remove tiles, saving on significant rectification costs and on-site time A uni-orbital connector, which can extend set-out by 50mm, in any position Coloured seat hinges and flush buttons. Aligned with Caroma’s quest for superior
water solutions, all Urbane II mixers are WELS 6 star rated (4.5L/min) and come with common in-wall bodies allowing for ease of installation, and the ability to refresh the design later without changing the plumbing. Urbane II showers offer V-Jet technology—a luxury shower experience, where the user can seamlessly transition from an invigorating shower spray through to a gentle mist, and everything in between. Urbane II tapware, accessories and showers come in a range of PVD colours— gunmetal, brushed brass, brushed nickel and electroplated black—enabling components to match across the entire bathroom. Caroma’s Urbane II Collection will be available from November 2020. Visit caroma.co.nz for more details. All Caroma now comes with a 20-year warranty.
Methven has revealed its most efficient shower utilising Satinjet® technology to deliver a 5L per minute flow rate & 4 star WELS rating for a superior shower experience while saving water. New Zealanders are increasingly wanting more sustainable products and with the Methven Kiri MK2 Low Flow showering options, they not only save you water they can reward you with a lower water bill. This product is proudly designed here in New Zealand using Methven’s leading Satinjet® technology using quality materials. Unlike conventional showers, the award winning Satinjet’s colliding twin jets produce over 300,000 droplets of water per second for an immersive, full-body shower experience. This technology offers even distribution of water across the body meaning great coverage, and the spray is softer and fuller, so it will feel nicer on the skin. As well as the superior technology, all showering products are backed with the Methven industry leading warranty. Methven are proud to stand by their products and offer a lifetime warranty for all residential installations, and 15 years in a commercial environment. Suitable for mains pressure systems, the Kiri MK2 Low Flow comes in 3 configurations: wall shower, shower rose and handset. Methven Kiri Low Flow products can be purchased from most plumbing merchants. Visit methven.co.nz for more details.
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Business smarts
5G FUTURES Conspiracy theories aside, 5G is an inevitability—and looks set to revolutionise the way we work. NZ Plumber looks at how plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers can use this new mobile technology to their advantage. AUTHOR: ROSS MILLER
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f you spend as much time on site as you do behind a desk, 5G basically means you can have the entire office in the trench beside you. We all thought 4G was pretty good, but 5G is supposed to be 100 times better. Speed, diversity and space are the hallmarks. In December 2019, Vodafone New Zealand launched the first 5G commercial mobile network for Aotearoa, ‘switching on’ 5G across an initial 100 sites in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. The company is continuing to roll out this service across the country, aiming to
upgrade the vast majority of its 1,600 cell sites over the next three to five years. Along with 5G will come another wave of innovation for the country, according to Vodafone’s Matt Hitti. “With speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G and next-to-no lag time, uploading and downloading files or videos can happen in seconds, and streaming is seamless.”
Increased IoT device connectivity 5G is also paving the way for more Internet of Things (IoT) devices that will
PROFIT LEAKS…
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65 ONLINE MARKETING OPTIONS
66 LET’S KEEP IT
PROFESSIONAL
67 WHEN CUSTOMERS DON’T PAY
68 ASSET PURCHASING 69 CHECKING IN WITH YOUR TEAM
70 EMERGENCY SHOWERS
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A trainee mechanic works on an engine while referring to a tutorial through augmented reality.
Business smarts MOBILE TECHNOLOGY
A construction foreman can zoom up the plans for his immediate on-thejob environment on his personal device.
create greater efficiency and sustainability across our homes, our workplaces and our communities, he says. “Connected IoT devices are already playing a huge part in the community: monitoring waterways for pollution, checking soil nutrients amongst crops, maximising water irrigation systems and monitoring energy usage. “How 5G plays a part is that it allows so many more of these important devices to be connected. The high-density bandwidth means millions more devices can all be transmitting data without overloading the network.”
Augmented and virtual reality The level at which you can run your company, train your staff, and access knowledge while on-the-job are all aspects of 5G that will impress even the most savvy youngsters in your company. “Augmented reality and virtual reality will become technology not only used in gaming, but in business also,” says Matt Hitti. “Imagine a builder using the likes of Microsoft Hololens on 5G mobile technology to overlay the wiring schematics within a wall before cutting into it; or a plumber able to access the schematics of the myriad systems that make up a major high-rise building site; or an apprentice mechanic able to refer to an online manual and demo all while working on a car engine. These
types of applications will become standard for training, simulations and instant factchecking across all kinds of trades. “When 4G was first launched, no one realised the potential it held—but now we will never order food or transport, or consume content the same again. Now, at the beginning of 5G, businesses have a real opportunity to innovate and develop the next big thing. In Vodafone we are privileged to be working with a number of our business customers to develop 5G solutions for real business pain points. Whether it is a 5G drone to assess crash sites, a smart recycling system, or technology to connect rescue helicopter paramedics with hospitals, the possibilities with 5G are endless,” he says.
More than just an upgrade 5G is a major step forward, not just an upgrade. The national rollout of the next generation of mobile technology is predicted to add between $5.7 billion and $8.9 billion per year to the New Zealand economy over the next 10 years. Spark is also rolling out the technology, with Palmerston North’s city centre the first location in New Zealand to have access to Spark 5G on both mobile and wireless broadband, and an additional four locations to follow before the end of year. Spark says the key is not to look at technology as the next cool thing to play
with—but to understand the problem in your business and then find the best technology that can solve that problem. As an industry, plumbers can take advantage of opportunities to gain efficiencies, reduce costs, be more innovative and ensure compliance with regulations. This technology will mean less time on the road from site to site, and more time at one site controlling your entire operation. In effect, 5G is your own personal Big Brother—able to observe, check and forewarn on systems you have installed. The ability to monitor the infrastructure you install or repair provides an opportunity for new business models. There are other angles, too, around preventive or condition-monitoring maintenance: notice an issue with an operation and fix it in advance of failure, for example; or get an indication that something is wrong when it doesn’t operate between certain set parameters (speed, vibration, heat).
Fast wireless data speed As well as acting as a catalyst for innovation with emerging technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality and IoT, 5G will bring enhanced mobile broadband that will support wireless data speeds 10100 times faster than today’s mobile and wireless broadband services.
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7 TYPES OF PROFIT LEAKS and how to avoid them There’s never been a more important time to make sure you’re not losing money on jobs. Business coach Daniel Fitzpatrick explains. AUTHOR: DANIEL FITZPATRICK, NEXT LEVEL TRADIE
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onestly? 2020 has not been plain sailing, and we don’t yet know how the rest of the year will unfold. Being extra busy can make you distracted, and that puts you at risk. How can you be 100% sure you’re making good money on all the jobs you are taking on? Making more profit in your tradie business is about so much more than working harder and doing more jobs. One simple and highly effective way to make your bank account happier is to
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control your jobs to ensure you are not losing out through leaks. By making sure there are minimal leaks, you can become significantly more profitable. Or at least ensure you’re making money on the jobs you are doing. Because there’s no point being busy if there’s no money in the jobs! But as anyone who’s ever run their own business can tell you, this stuff can get messy. Sometimes you need some clarity to help you on your way. So first we’re going to get clear on how
Business smarts BUSINESS COACH
leaks happen. Then I’m going to show you what to focus on to make sure they don’t.
Let’s get started: When you first go out on your own, you’re on site almost all the time. You control the whole job from start to finish. But as you begin taking on bigger jobs or multiple jobs at one time, the rules change. Your team doesn’t know all the aspects of the job, how long it should take, what’s next. So they muddle through, waiting for guidance or, worse, they stop for extended smoko and wait for your next instruction. All the details are in your head. So you try to make sure everything is done right by controlling everything yourself. This doesn’t work so well. Too many moving parts. Can’t be everywhere at once. So hours start blowing out on jobs, your team starts making too many mistakes, not everything gets billed out, and you end up arguing about variations with clients. These are symptoms you’ve lost control. Affecting both your stress levels and your profit in a big way. Thing is, you can’t be running a whole business all by yourself. It’s not smart. Or possible. Even when you have a small team, if you are attempting to wear too many hats, profitability is going to suffer. It’s dangerous to allow your business to rely too heavily on you. As the saying goes, small leaks sink ships. As in, the cold hard cash you worked so hard for is slipping through your fingers, unseen. Which can certainly lead to going broke. As we have seen with many bigger players. And being that the captain goes down with the ship... well... I don’t want that to happen to you.
How to stop the leaks: First thing is, as the captain, you should spend most of your time at the helm directing the ship, not down in the engine room. Running a tight ship is the only way to control the job and stop profit leaks. You do this by putting solid systems in place. And training your crew to work the system. Every time. Whether you’re there or not.
Key things to watch: Leaks due to hours blowing out on jobs Make sure your team knows (before they start) how many hours you have allowed for the job. Give them this as a target so they’re not just plodding along. And track how they’re going, so they know if they’re winning. Leaks due to variations Make sure you get agreement with the client (in writing) on all variations—and record accurately, so there are no arguments over the bill. Leaks due to billing (not billing out all the hours, materials etc on jobs) Make sure everything is billed promptly and correctly. Like clockwork. So that nothing is forgotten (as it can be if you wait too long after the job). Even better if this process is delegated and happens automatically. Leaks due to callbacks Minimise mistakes. Make sure you have checklists and procedures so the job is done right. Implement
standards so everyone is accountable and knows what’s expected. Leaks due to your staff taking too long on breaks Make sure everyone knows what the rules are—and make sure they always know what’s next! Leaks due to delays Make sure (no matter how small the job is) that there is a Project Manager in charge of planning, who ensures the team goes into the job fully loaded, materials are on site, checks job site is ready for you etc. Plus have a Plan B or other work lined up in case of unexpected delays. Leaks due to supplies and materials Make sure everything is recorded. Do regular stocktakes of vans and workshop. Check invoices to make sure everything is invoiced to you from your supplier at the correct rates and discounts. Then check against your quote to make sure everything is invoiced on to the client. That’s it. You’re all set. Assuming you’re pricing your jobs correctly in the first place, this is a highly effective way to make a lot more profit, without doing any more jobs. A lot less stressful, too.
About the author: Found this helpful? Grab Daniel’s free guide ‘5 things you must do now to protect your business and stay ahead’ here: nextleveltradie.co.nz/stayahead
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Business smarts INSURANCE
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that the unexpected happens and it pays to be prepared—which is where Crombie Lockwood can help. Knowing how to prepare yourself for any number of disasters is tough. For more than 40 years, Crombie Lockwood has been helping Kiwis to do just that, with their team of insurance and risk specialists helping thousands of New Zealanders to weather many an unplanned storm. Crombie Lockwood Group Broking Manager Vaughan Bridges, who manages the Master Plumbers Insurance programme, has helped his fair share of clients through tough times and says the biggest pitfall is not properly understanding what you should be covered for. “Insurance is complicated. The ins and outs can be a minefield, and understandably the majority of people don’t fully understand what the terms and conditions of their policy mean,” says Vaughan. “It’s also easy to set and forget and not update your insurance as circumstances change. It’s only when something happens that you realise the implications.” To avoid finding yourself in that situation, Vaughan says there are a number of things you should consider to help prepare for the unexpected.
Insurance isn’t one size fits all Everyone’s needs are different and so their insurance should be too. Most people don’t realise how much flexibility there can be and, while Crombie Lockwood offers a group package to Master Plumbers’ members, each cover is individually tailored to make sure you’re only getting and paying for what you really need. Balancing costs and cover There’s a perception, similar to the one-size-fits-all thinking, that insurance costs what is costs. When times get tougher, it can be tempting to cut back on insurance, but it’s advisable to talk to a broker about the implications, to weigh up the risk and reward. You never know what solution can be found to balance affordability with adequate cover that won’t leave you unduly exposed. Paying lump sum vs instalments Commonly, during challenging times, clients want to free up cashflow and may look at cutting cover without realising they could arrange for premiums to be paid in instalments rather than one lump sum.
Trust your broker to translate insurance to plain English Your broker knows insurance inside out, just like Master Plumbers know their trade. Their job is to break down complicated jargon and make it as simple as possible for the client. “As insurance brokers, we work for you and our goal is make sure you are positioned to survive any insurable event. Whilst we can’t stop whatever happens from happening, we can make the experience a bit better by giving you confidence that you’ll get through it OK,” says Vaughan.
To find out what Crombie Lockwood can do for you, contact Crombie Lockwood: masterplumbers@crombielockwood. co.nz or visit crombielockwood.co.nz/ masterplumbers
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Business smarts MARKETING
MEMBER BENEFITS
Online marketing options 5 ways to stay ahead of the competition with online marketing. AUTHOR: RACHEL MCRAE During the COVID-19 lockdown, plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers were only able to perform essential jobs, and now find themselves catching up on non-essential work that was put on hold. Although you may be busy now, this wave of work will pass and you need to ensure a full pipeline of work for the future. Online marketing dramatically outperforms conventional ads (newspaper, TV, radio, etc). Controlling how, when, and to whom your online marketing is delivered, means you can reduce waste and maximise your return on investment. Here are our top five recommendations on where to focus your marketing efforts in a changing economic environment:
1 Run Google Search Ads
Are you showing up when customers search for a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer in your area? Google Search Ad campaigns promote your website to people who are likely to buy from you, at the moment when they are searching for your service. Often referred to as ‘Pay per Click’ advertising, Google Ads are extremely effective for getting in front of customers and producing immediate results. You only pay for the clicks you get, and the results are highly measurable.
and optimise your 2 Create Google My Business listing
Google My Business listings are a great tool to promote your business in relevant searches. These display prominently in Google search results, which means that your business can have a presence on the first page of Google, independent of your website ranking.
Listings include key business information, such as your business name, contact details, services offered, a map of your location and customer reviews. Best of all, setting up a listing is easy and free!
3 Make the most of Facebook
A professional Facebook presence means you can meet and engage with customers where they are spending their time. Regular, helpful posts and positive customer reviews can improve brand awareness and grow trust among potential customers. You can also run paid advertising on Facebook, keeping your business top of mind when potential customers need your services.
4 Use your database
It costs 5 times more to get a new customer than to sell to an existing one. Quarterly e-newsletters are a great way to keep in touch with your existing customers, improve brand loyalty, and drive repeat sales. They are also an efficient way to deliver crucial business information, such as changes to your operating hours or services available.
5 Improve your website
Your website is your 24/7 shop window. A well-crafted website greets your customers and provides them with the
information they need. Ensuring that you have a website that has a security certificate (SSL), is mobile friendly, looks professional and is easy for customers to use, is a key part of successful online marketing. Looking to the future, businesses that invest and adapt to the changing environment are most likely to thrive. A key part of protecting yourself against economic uncertainty will be making the most of smart online marketing to ensure future work continues to flow.
CONTENT IDEAS
Some content ideas for your social media and e-newsletters: Services you offer Team member profiles Customer reviews Job/project showcases Before and after photos Promotions or special offers Tips on home plumbing maintenance and servicing New products on the market Team activities Recent training completed
About the author: Rachel McRae is the founder and director of Dubzz Digital Marketing, an online marketing company that assists businesses around NZ with digital marketing. In 2015, Rachel was recognised as the Emerging Young Leader of the Year at the Westpac Business Excellence Awards: 07 346 2760; info@dubzz.co.nz; dubzz.co.nz
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Business smarts EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES
Improper conduct charge
LET’S KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL Be Kind is a message we’re hearing a lot right now— and it extends to our dealings on site, says Sam Tyson. I am part of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) Stakeholder Liaison Group. The group was formed to provide regular opportunity for the PGDB to receive feedback on proposed and implemented initiatives, issues/areas of concern to the PGDB and the Stakeholder Liaison Group, and any other issues facing the industry or of relevance to the industry. The group is made up of various people associated with the industry and we meet four times a year.
Common complaints to the PGDB At our latest meeting, we were updated on some recent disciplinary cases. The PGDB get around 900 enquiries/complaints a year. The three most common reasons complainants contact them are:
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Poor workmanship Lack of authorisation Billing and contractual issues. Each complainant gets asked for a lot of information about their complaint by PGDB staff at the initial contact. The PGDB then decides which complaints can be dismissed, which can be dealt with by way of a warning and which need to be investigated. In many cases, the tradesperson will receive a friendly reminder letter from the PGDB, reminding them of their responsibilities and best practice. Most tradespeople accept it with good grace and endeavour to change their ways. If they don’t agree with what is said, they are able to provide their explanation to the PGDB, who will place it on the file.
Only about 10 percent—or 100 complaints per year—are investigated. These can result in the tradesperson facing disciplinary action in front of the PGDB. One disciplinary case that we were updated on, and that I was surprised about, was a practitioner who was charged with “improper conduct while performing drainlaying work, rendering them unfit to be registered or licensed”. The practitioner had assaulted a council inspector. A police assault charge had been laid and the drainlayer received diversion (a scheme that allows offenders to be dealt with outside the court system, while still taking responsibility for their offending). The Council also laid a complaint to the PGDB—and rightly so. The practitioner had physically pushed the inspector against a fence and, according to the inspector, had slapped him on the face. I am sure there are a bunch of you reading this thinking, yip; who have been ready to roll up your sleeves for a fight with an inspector out of frustration at their not passing your work for whatever reason. Fortunately, though, the vast majority of us know the importance of being professional at all times. Talking to a council inspector in the Stakeholder Liaison Group, he said one of his inspectors recently had a shovel thrown at him, and another got chased back to his vehicle and slammed against the vehicle door. It’s just not on—it’s definitely improper conduct, and the PGDB is actively encouraging councils to report these types of incidents. The drainlayer involved in the case had all his licenses suspended for three months and has been ordered by the district court to pay costs of around $7,000. I guess my message is this: at a time when we are all being asked to be kind to each other as we manoeuvre our way through COVID-19, let’s behave ourselves, conduct ourselves in a proper and professional way, and be kind to council inspectors.
About the author: Sam Tyson has been Managing Director of Climate & Plumbing since 2010. She is an active member in the industry and, with a background in strategic business development, shares the knowledge and experience gained from her award-winning business to help others obtain better results in their businesses. Sam was selected for the 2019 NZ Plumbing Merchants Future Governance Programme.
WHEN CUSTOMERS DON’T PAY
If you end up with a debtor in the small claims court, having good systems in place can make all the difference to the outcome, says Andrea Lovell. Debtors can be a problem for companies of every size. There are some customers who request your services with no intention of ever paying their bill. It’s almost as if they think they are entitled to your services free of charge, or at a rate they can decide on. Chasing debtors is more important than ever in these unprecedented times. My office manager had been dealing with a customer for several months, trying with no luck to get her to pay her bill for just under $1,300. I stepped in and still no luck, so decided the best option was the small claims court. I attended with this customer, who thought she could choose what she wanted to pay, and with her handyman partner, who thought he knew more than our plumber did. My customer got to say her part as to why she thought she shouldn’t have to pay her bill. Then she brought her partner in
as a witness so he could add his two cents’ worth. I always find it’s best to let people have their say before commenting and to note anything down if you disagree or want further information. After they had finished, it was my turn. It was not my first rodeo. I have had to take other customers to small claims— some who turn up and some who don’t. On the occasions when the customer hasn’t turned up, I have had the opportunity to talk to the court-appointed referee about things that could help us in the future (not that we have ever lost a case). It is helpful information, ensuring that we have procedures in place for when we do need to do go to court. I handed our customer and the courts additional proof of work, GPS to prove locations and times, digital purchase orders showing orders we had done at suppliers, work notes, photos, and copies of notes
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from our system with all correspondence we had from the customer, along with phone conversations noted on our system with dates and times. The courts said it was a very open and shut case and were happy to make a ruling in favour of our company. At this point, our customer started saying she had no money. We have always been happy to do payment plans for customers, as long as they can agree on a weekly amount that suits both parties. It just frustrates me when some think they can get away without paying at all.
About the author: Andrea Lovell is Office Manager at Heron Plumbing in Auckland. She is Co-Director of the company with her husband Dale Lovell.
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ALLAN MEARNS ring or text 021 422 82 allan.mearns@sprattfinancial.co.nz
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Business smarts TAX
ASSET PURCHASING
Tax specialist Brett Crombie explains why now is a good time to buy new assets. Knowing about the temporary Threshold Value change could reduce your tax bill. In late March, as COVID-19 first swept through New Zealand, the government responded by passing several pieces of legislation aimed at keeping the economy afloat. Tucked in amongst the higher profile responses, such as the wage subsidy and mortgage deferral schemes, was another law called the COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Social Assistance Urgent Measures) Act 2020. This Act contained a change to what is known as the Threshold Value.
What has changed? In general accounting terms, when an asset is purchased, it is recorded at its cost price and depreciated over its useful life, usually several years. This depreciation is indeed a tax deduction, but the deduction is spread out across the life of the asset. For many years there has been a notable exception to this rule, involving the Threshold Value. Assets valued at or below the Threshold Value can be fully depreciated in the year they were purchased. This is an advantage for a business because higher tax deductions result in a lower year-end tax bill. For the past 15 years, this Threshold Value has been $500. The COVID-19 Response Act has made changes to this Threshold Value. For items purchased between 17 March 2020 and 16 March 2021, the Threshold Value has
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increased to $5,000. From 17 March 2021 the Threshold Value drops to $1,000.
What to do now? To maximise the tax advantage, consider making asset purchases in the $1,000 to $5,000 range between now and 16 March 2021. For example, buy a new toolkit for $5,000 by 16 March 2021 and you will get the 100% tax deduction against your 2021 Income Tax. Buy it on or after 17 March 2021 and the full deduction will not be allowed.
About the author: Brett Crombie is a Chartered Accountant, qualified lawyer and former Inland Revenue tax investigator. He is the owner of Straightedge Accounting, which provides tax, accounting and business advisory services. Contact Brett on 021 301 022 or email brett.crombie@straightedge.nz
Business smarts HR ADVICE
Checking in with your team You might want to consider replacing annual staff performance reviews with a less formal approach, says HR specialist Lisa Duston. With the stress on all of us this year due to COVID-19, looking after our mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever. Making the time for a regular check-in with your team is a great way to find out how they are coping in and outside of work. At the Master Plumbers and Masterlink national office, we have decided to move away from the formal annual performance review process, where employees and managers meet to rate the employee’s performance in various areas of their job. Our focus is now on a less formal 6-monthly check-in to ensure we have a good understanding of our people and any challenges they are facing in their roles or in their personal life. We also want to ensure they are happy doing what they are
doing and to see if there is anything the business can do to support them. Scheduling a regular time for employees and managers to discuss challenges and achievements over the past six months helps gauge your team’s engagement levels and how things are going for them in general. You might also find there are other areas of the business they would like to get some professional development in. This is a time to give your employees positive feedback on what they are doing well. If performance issues need to be raised, this should be done separately. A regular check-in is also a great chance to share some of the things going on in the business as a whole. Perhaps you have secured a major new client or are looking
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at smarter business systems. You’ll be surprised about how much you both get out of these conversations—and your employees will appreciate being involved and having their ideas acknowledged.
About the author: Lisa Duston is HR Manager at Master Plumbers. Lisa offers HR advice to Master Plumbers’ members at competitive rates. Contact Lisa on 021 245 1704 or email lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz
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Is your emergency shower offering COLD comfort? Dalton International explains the importance of meeting relevant Standards that stipulate tepid water delivery.
mergency showers and eyewashes offer critical first response for any business that stores or uses hazardous substances. In the event of a chemical emergency where corrosive or toxic substances splash onto someone’s face or body, the person needs to be able to reach an emergency shower or eyewash within 10 seconds and flush the affected area for at least 15 minutes. A rapid response to chemical splashes to the face and body with a deluge of water from an emergency shower and eyewash that meets the appropriate performance standards can be the difference between a close escape or permanent damage and disability. But what happens if the water coming out of your emergency shower and eyewash is so cold you can’t stay under it?
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To receive our Guardian catalogue and price list for plumbers text “safety” to 021 589 070. For more information contact: Dalton International on 0800 323 223 or visit us online at www.daltoninternational.co.nz
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Business smarts HEALTH & SAFETY
In many cases, a thermostatic mixing valve will be needed to ensure the required tepid water delivery.
You may not store hazardous substances on this kind of scale, but if you do store or use them in your business, emergency showers and eyewashes can be the difference between a close escape and permanent damage or disability should someone get splashed by chemicals.
Why tepid water is a must Both AS4775 (the Australian Standard) and ANSI Z 358.1 (the American Standard) stipulate that all emergency showers and eyewashes must deliver ‘tepid’ water. Tepid is defined as being between 16°C to 38°C and is important because water that is too cold could lead to the patient stopping treatment early, whilst water that is too hot could speed up chemical reactions with the skin before the chemicals can be properly flushed away. In New Zealand, most emergency showers and eyewashes are connected to the mains cold water supply. Cold water temperatures vary across the country, with winter temperatures likely to be significantly lower than 16°C, especially the further south you head. To make matters worse, if chemicals are stored outside, then it’s likely the emergency shower and eyewash will be installed close to where the potential danger lies. This could compound the problem of cold-water usage, as the patient may also be exposed to elements, including wind chill. In order to meet the requirement of tepid water delivery set out in the standards, it will be necessary in many instances to install a thermostatic mixing valve with the emergency shower and eyewash. The mixing
valve must do more than just allow you to set the outlet temperature. It must also have enough capacity to deliver the required flow rates as set out in the standards, which are a minimum 75.7 litres per minute for emergency showers and 11.4 litres per minute for emergency face/eyewashes.
Ensuring a cold-water bypass In addition, it’s important that any loss in cold or hot water supply is treated differently. A loss of hot water should result
in a ‘cold-water bypass’, so the emergency shower and eyewash will still operate. However, in the event of a loss of cold water, the mixing valve should shut off to avoid scalding the patient. When it comes to installing emergency showers and eyewashes, it’s important that the plumber understands the requirements of the two Standards (AS4775 and/or ANSI Z 358.1). As well as installation in the correct location, understanding the required flow rates and water temperature is also critical.
About the author: Dalton International is the New Zealand agent for Guardian Safety Showers and Eyewashes which includes a range of thermostatic mixing valves. If you’d like any advice on what the Standards require and how you can meet them, talk to the team at Dalton International on 0800 323 223 or visit daltoninternational.co.nz
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Career starters 72 TOP-QUALITY TRAINING
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Training up apprentices to become high-calibre tradespeople brings Jack Rogers huge enjoyment and pride—and he says he was over the moon to have been awarded for his efforts. AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE
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ack Rogers has notched up more than 50 years in the industry. The Managing Director of Rogers and Rogers in Kaitaia, he still remains active in the business at 70 and says one of his proudest achievements is helping train nearly 20 apprentices over the years. “I enjoy bringing young people through and putting them into a trade,” he says. “It comes from me having gratitude for someone doing that for me.” Another reason for his focus on training staff is the challenge of trying to recruit plumbers to this Northland town. “It’s hard to get a plumber to move here and, if you do, you have to kind of retrain them because plumbing in the Far North is different to city plumbing,” he explains. “They’re not used to septic tanks and water pumps—it’s a whole new ballgame for them, and so in many ways it’s better to train your own staff up and get them thinking how you want them to. I have trained many a plumber and roofer, and my first apprentice, who started when he was 16, is still with me… and he’s now 56.”
It had to be a trade Jack served his own apprenticeship with Whitefield, Kimber and Wilson in Kaitaia. He had been unsure of what career to pursue but says his father wouldn’t let him leave school until he had a job—and it had to be a trade. “My dad was a builder and one day he said, ‘I think I’ve found a job for you; how would you like to be a plumber?’ I said, ‘That sounds like me,’ and then added, ‘What does a plumber do?’ That was in 1966. I started my apprenticeship in August that year and I have been plumbing ever since.” Jack remained with Whitefield, Kimber and Wilson until teaming up with his father, Mick, to form Rogers and Rogers in 1975. Mick and his colleagues would build houses, with Jack completing the plumbing, roofs and drainlaying. Jack’s youngest brother Victor was also part of the building team but died of an aneurism at an early age. In the early 1980s, the building work started to dwindle and Jack put more
Career starters TRAINER & APPRENTICE PROFILE
focus into the plumbing side of the business, which today employs 18 people, including plumbers, roofers, drainlayers and gasfitters. The company remains a family affair with his wife, Heather, responsible for much of the invoicing, and their children, Jen and Craig, both qualified plumbers. Besides his work with apprentices, Jack is also involved in the Plumbing World Young Plumbers Club, and the Young Plumber of the Year Competition in the Far North. He uses the services of Masterlink for his apprentices because he says they successfully mentor and manage the apprentice. “They see them through their course, manage their accommodation away, and monitor their progress, which means we can focus on the tools.” The training for plumbers today is considerably different from what Jack experienced learning the trade, he says. “The concept of apprenticeships is the same but, because of new technologies and learning by computer, you can progress a lot quicker. You can also now do a whole house in waste pipes in two hours. The piping is plastic, and they are all push
fittings, whereas back in the day it was copper pipe and brazing. It was a very labour-intensive era compared to today.”
Stepping back… but not too much Jack is now contemplating spending less time in the business and devoting more time to fishing and the many trees he has planted at his two-acre lifestyle property. “Throughout COVID-19, because I’m over 70, I was confined to barracks. I thoroughly enjoyed every day of it! I’m trying to step back from the business, but not too much. I still enjoy coming to work, I enjoy the trade, the social activity and being with the staff, meeting people, solving problems.” Jack’s efforts over the years led to him landing the Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to Industry Award at the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards. “I’m totally rapt and over the moon about the award because I have always prided myself on training people up to become tradespeople of a high standard,” says Jack. “The essential thing is that they provide quality workmanship, do a job once and do it right and ensure customer satisfaction.”
“I enjoy finding problems and fixing them” Much like his boss Jack Rogers, apprentice George Steed was uncertain what career he would choose when he finished school. Now the 20 year old is relishing the daily challenges work as a plumber brings. George signed up as a Masterlink apprentice with Rogers and Rogers in December 2017 after completing a Gateway Programme through Kaitaia College, which saw him spend one day a week with the plumbing company for about two years. “We had a careers person at college who you could talk to about what you’re interested in,” explains George. “They organised the Gateway Programme for me and that’s how I got into plumbing. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I left school but I was doing lots of farm work with my dad and fixing water leaks on the farm. I enjoy finding problems and fixing them. I also like the variety of work you get to do as a plumber. It’s not repetitive and every job has its own challenges.” George is also gaining recognition for his efforts and scooped one of the three Plumbing World Scholarships at the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards, which he says has given him a good boost. “I feel pretty honoured to have won the award and it gives me more confidence in myself,” he says. “It’s good to get that money [$1,000 scholarship], get more tools and be able to do more jobs.” A keen rugby player and fisherman, he hopes to stick with Rogers and Rogers once he finishes his apprenticeship in 2023. “Hopefully one day I will have my own business.”
Jack Rogers, left, and his latest apprentice George Steed both emerged winners at the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards.
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Career starters HEALTH & WELLBEING
Healing journey Confronting depression and suicidal thinking on a group hike through Men’s Medicine proved a life changer for Alton Anamani. He shares his story with NZ Plumber. It took 31-year-old Alton Anamani many years to realise he was suffering from depression. Alton, who is Professional Development Advisor at Master Plumbers in Wellington, comes from a large extended family, with a Samoan father and a Kiwi mother. “My parents separated when I was 13. I chose to live with my Dad but on occasions would stay at my mums or my cousins (or they at mine) because my Dad worked night shift.” As with so many families, despite being close and loving, a ‘You’ll be all right’ approach was taken to any mention of feeling down. “Sometimes I didn’t want to be here, and I didn’t know why,” he says. At his lowest point, he came close to ending it all and was saved by answering the phone to his auntie, who was desperately calling and texting him to find out where he was.
Numbing the pain “Looking back, I know now that the way I coped as an adult was with alcohol and women. They were my temporary ‘fix’ that gave me the comfort I needed. I didn’t care about the consequences or anyone else’s feelings.” Every week was spent looking forward to drinking with friends at the weekend, thinking it was cool being able to handle the heavy binges. “I wasn’t an alcoholic; just stuck in an environment where, when we had issues, instead of sitting down talking to each other, our first thought was, ‘Sweet, let’s go get a box’,” he recalls. “That never solved anything—when the hangover was gone, the problems were still there.”
The turning point Having a son two years ago finally woke Alton up to the fact that he was unhappy and ashamed of his past actions. He knew he needed help but wasn’t sure where to turn. Then, in September last year, he learned about Men’s Medicine through some friends who had participated in the 20km return hike, and by seeing a video of the experience on his Facebook feed.
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Alton with his son, who recently turned two. Discovering he was going to be a dad was a huge turning point in his life.
“The video was shared by a childhood friend I hadn’t spoken to in years and showed them walking to this amazing waterfall,” says Alton. “His testimony made me tear up, because he was always so staunch. We all thought we knew each other, but we didn’t.” With the next Men’s Medicine walk coming up that October, Alton faced his fears and signed up. “I didn’t want to cry in front of others but knew that if I didn’t book my spot, I never would—it turned out to be the best decision of my life.”
Permission to be vulnerable Men’s Medicine was brought to New Zealand from Australia by Hawke’s Bay man John Robin. By getting men out on a group hike, with exercises and activities along the way, it lets them open up to each other in confidence about their issues with depression and
suicidal thinking. “I was part of a group of 70 men of all ages,” says Alton. “I love nature, so could relate to this approach.” After the walk, he shared his story with friends and family and was blown away by the support he received. “The more we talk about our struggles, the more it normalises them,” he says. “Taking part in the hike gave me permission to be vulnerable and made me realise I’m not alone. Through Men’s Medicine I’m now happily involved with Amend and if my story can help even one other person, that’s enough.”
Find out more about Men’s Medicine at facebook.com/wearemensmedicine and watch a hike video at www.facebook.com/ watch/?v=1354391241389470. Walks and workshops for both men and women are also available through related organisation Amend: amendmovement.com
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Jacob Smith is the Contracts Manager at Plumbing and Gas Works in Hamilton. We sat down with him to find out what his role involves. AUTHOR: KERRIE MORGAN
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aving been successful at school, Jacob had no desire to go to university. Instead, he wanted a job outside that involved using his hands, so when the opportunity to start a drainlaying apprenticeship came up—he took it. “I knew that having a trade behind me would help me, whether I carried on with that trade or not,” explains Jacob, who also completed a plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship. His journey from drainlayer to contracts manager was an organic one, thanks to the skills he presented whilst running his own jobs—and the demand from customers wanting him to work on their projects. “I couldn’t do every job for every customer,” says Jacob. “But now I can manage their jobs for them to ensure they receive the same standard I provided when I was on the tools.”
Ensuring high standards These days, it’s up to Jacob to ensure all contracts are completed safely, on time, on budget and to a high standard with regard to customer satisfaction. Although Jacob’s role as Contracts Manager sees him spending less time on the tools, he makes site visits almost every day to check for any issues that might arise and to ensure everyone on the job is being productive, so it is completed to a high level. From time to time he gets back on the tools to work alongside staff in a mentoring role, to provide training or just to help meet timelines. Often there are as many as 15 to 20 contracts on the go in one week. However, currently, Jacob and his team are focussed on two large projects. One is a 46,000m² glass factory in Cambridge, complete with
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Contracts Manager Jacob Smith ensures all contracts at Plumbing and Gas Works are completed safely, on time, on budget and to a high standard.
Career starters JOB OPTIONS
process water, drainage and gas, as well as a massive underground ducting networking and eight different office blocks, each with its own ablutions. The factory is being designed as it is being built, meaning there are constant changes for Jacob to oversee. The second job is a hospital care building in a retirement village, with over 200 rooms on five levels across six different wings. The fact that some of the retirement village has elderly residents living in it—along with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions—makes this an incredibly unique job!
Putting processes in place Having spent the Level 4 lockdown working through new health and safety procedures to mitigate risk around COVID-19, Jacob has set in place all-new processes and systems on the job site. Barriers have been installed, so staff on the ground can only enter and exit in certain areas, and the entire site follows a one-way foot traffic system. These processes were initiated in Level 3, but Jacob says they will be kept in place in case the country moves up through the levels again.
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“Striving to achieve in the trade—and achieving at a high level—means there will be opportunities available to you from around the industry.” Finding solutions to problems With so many different facets to the role, work can be demanding of Jacob’s time and patience, but he thrives off the pressure and challenge of finding solutions to any problems that might arise. “Sometimes it feels like you’re just moving from one problem to the next, which can be draining if you don’t have processes in place,” explains Jacob. “Managing a team of 22 means there are times when you feel a bit like a parent or school teacher, dealing with all the different personalities involved! But finding solutions for problems can be very rewarding—and the different personalities are ultimately what makes us a great team.” Watching apprentices move through their careers and achieve their potential is also something Jacob finds rewarding. He recommends anyone wanting to do the same should learn the ins and outs of the
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Moving on up Upskilling and undertaking ongoing training is also important for anyone wanting to move through the trade. Since starting his role as Contracts Manager, Jacob has completed management training at Wintec: something he recommends to anyone looking to take the next step, even if it’s just to help with the management of their own jobs to start with. Jacob already has his next move in his sights and is on his way to becoming a director of the company. This role will give him a seat at the table when deciding the strategic pathway of the business.
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trade, and try to master every aspect of the job as they progress. “Striving to achieve in the trade—and achieving at a high level—means there will be opportunities available to you from around the industry,” he advises.
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And finally...
10 MINUTES WITH... Darron Steer
As chief firefighter of the Pauanui Volunteer Fire Brigade, putting out fires, attending car crashes and saving lives are all part of Darron Steer’s life away from work. AUTHOR: MATTHEW LOWE
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ell us a bit about your company? Plumbgas is a small firm in Pauanui on the eastern seaboard of the Coromandel. There’s just four of us: myself, a tradesman, a Masterlink apprentice and my wife Claire, who does all the bookwork and keeps the business running. We started the business nearly 23 years ago and we do a bit of everything—plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying. Our work is about 90% domestic but we do also look after the local commercial properties, such as restaurants and hotels. Why did you volunteer to be a firefighter? I volunteered when we moved to Pauanui in 1997. It was mainly to meet people and get involved in the community and it has snowballed from there. What does the role of chief firefighter involve? We have weekly trainings plus there are meetings I attend in Thames or online on behalf of the brigade. It’s also about taking responsibility for the guys in the brigade and making sure they’re safe and looking after themselves. If something goes wrong, I’m the one who sorts it out. How often do you get called out? We attend two or three incidents a week on average but it comes in fits and starts. There’s 850 people in Pauanui during the off-season and in the peak season we can have up to 20,000 people.
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What are some typical callouts? Our typical callouts are for motor vehicle accidents and rubbish fires. With medical calls, which account for about a quarter of
all callouts, it’s a range from cardiac issues through to any accident you can think of. How do you make the role work with your other daily commitments? You just sort of do. It can be a challenge at times, especially when you’re still busy with work and the siren goes off in the middle of the day. I’m lucky in the regard that I’m self-employed, and we have a number of self-employed members in the brigade who can drop things and respond to calls. We have some understanding employers of brigade members as well. There have also been plenty of meals that have been left cold on the counter when the siren goes off. As a family, our two children, Wynn, 16, and Donelle, 18, have grown up not knowing any different and my daughter has just joined the brigade herself this year. What do you enjoy about being a firefighter? I enjoy the challenges and camaraderie and I enjoy it being totally different from home and work life. I also enjoy helping people. Would you recommend being a firefighter to others? I would recommend it because the best thing is you get to help your community and you get a vast amount of satisfaction out of it. What has been your most memorable moment as a firefighter? I’ve been involved in a couple of incidents where the patient has suffered a heart attack and we’ve kept them alive and seen them able to function normally in the community again. Things like that are some of the most memorable parts of this role.
And finally... ON THE SIDE
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Sent in a photo and haven’t seen it yet? Please bear with us as we work our way through all the entries!
This edition’s round-up of dodgy photos are up on the roof, down the drain and round the bend… Quite a collection Jeff Owen of New Vision Enterprises sent in this batch of photos of just some of the things they come across. Enjoy.
“We were called to a new roof install for roof leaks and this is a small part of what we found,” says Jeff.
Yes, well, what can you say…
“Very slow sink.”
“Only leaks when we use it.” nzplumber
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And finally... DODGY PLUMBING
Poor connection Thanks to Craig Tremeer for this pan connection photo. “Wall hung pan never worked that well,” he says ;)
Classic! This photo was emailed to Shaun Cunningham at Allgo Plumbing when he requested photos of a problem someone was having with a cylinder leak. The bottle and tube lash-up was to get the water to run into the toilet until the leak was fixed, as towels were no longer enough. “I advised we would only go to site to replace the cylinder and valves to bring them up to Code, which as you can see would cost a fortune lol.”
Too close for comfort Daniel Archer sent in this photo of a busy roof space with a non-compliant termination of a gas flue terminal, among other issues.
Now, that’s smart
Where needs must
“Sewer reduction technique used by rocket scientists,” says Stephen Green, who sent in this photo.
“I came across this gem on a rural property, a long way from the nearest merchant,” says Martin Reid.
Send your dodgy photos to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz. The bigger the file, the larger we can show it on the page. 082
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