Technical Q&A

Master Plumbers technical specialist Rod Miller is on hand to answer member queries.

www.unitray.co.nz Photograph supplied by Unitray:

QIs a safe tray required for a like-for-like HWC replacement?

AWhere 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

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