Following recent legislation changes by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), Gold Coast pipe repair manufacturer Nuflow Technologies is urging Queenslanders to be aware of the mandatory certifications when installing plumbing and drainage products.

Since November, new laws have been implemented to prevent the manufacturing, distribution and use of non-conforming building products (NCBP) on all Queensland building sites in a move to improve safety.

According to the QBCC, a product is deemed a NCBP when it is either unsafe, does not comply with regulatory requirements or the performance does not meet the standard.

For the plumbing industry, the new legislation means the only accredited products fit for use are those obtaining the prized WaterMark certification which is granted by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).

Being the first pipe relining company in Australia to achieve the WaterMark accreditation for its non-invasive pipe repair technology, Nuflow now wants Queenslanders to be aware of all plumbing and drainage products and systems being installed in their homes.

Nuflow Technologies director and founder Ed Ahern says the new laws now make it everyone’s responsibility within the supply chain to ensure the correct, accredited products were being used, as acknowledged under the National Construction Code and Plumbing Code of Australia.

“Being a QBCC licensee, we know the importance of using certified plumbing and drainage products on our work sites,” Ed says.

“Non-conforming building products are compromising on quality and can cause safety issues – for example, non-certified material in plumbing systems can not only become a health hazard if they fail, but in extreme cases, can lead to contamination of water supplies.

“That is why we spent five strenuous years achieving WaterMark accreditation for our innovative Blueline product.

“It is mandatory for all plumbers and relining companies to sell, supply or install products with this accreditation, and as part of the new laws there is now a chain of responsibility starting from the manufacturer all the way down to the installer to ensure all products meet regulatory standards.”

Ed says the change to the legislation was great news for consumers, who are now guaranteed quality services and products.

“This move is extremely beneficial to Queenslanders, who are now guaranteed products that have received the tick of approval by the Australian Building Codes Board,” says Ed.

“Consumers should ask their plumbers to provide details on the products they are installing – it’s simple, no Watermark means it is a non-conforming product and therefore illegal to use.

“This new move is about ensuring safety within the home or commercial developments, and not putting lives at risk by using non-conforming products in plumbing and drainage systems.”

Ed also says Nuflow offer a 50-year guarantee for its Blueline and Redline technology.

“On top of the WaterMark accreditation, we can provide our customers with a manufacturer’s warranty of 50 years for our innovative Blueline cure in place technology,” Ed says.

“Our products are Australian made and certified, and our technology also meets AS/NZ 4020 standard – ensuring it is safe for use on potable pipes.”

Nuflow provides clients with real-time CCTV footage of all work carried out over the duration of each project which allows clients to visually see the issue upon inspection, clearing of the pipe from the inside-out using special drain cleaning equipment and final vision of the restored pipe post-relining using specialised epoxy.

Recently, Australian commercial building company Hansen Yuncken recently appointed Nuflow to fix several council identified defects at the Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium.

Hansen Yuncken services manager Troy Pastoors says the defected pipes ran under roads and car parks, and had to be fixed ahead of the stadium’s use for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Rather than digging up the cark parks and roads, we needed a non-destructive method of pipe rectification,” Troy says.

“We received approval from the Council to utilise Nuflow’s Blueline technology and within three days the job was complete.

“Nuflow were really professional and autonomous, and were able to remedy the problem while keeping the facility running.”