

6
PLUMBING CONNECTION Summer 2017
www.plumbingconnection.com.auDisclaimer: The opinions expressed in this magazine
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Although all materials are checked for accuracy, no
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due to the use of material in this magazine. Copyright
2017 by Connection Magazines. All rights reserved.
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Connection Magazines Pty Ltd
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AUSTRALIA
ISSN 1034-3075
Jeff Patchell
Enjoy the read
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jeff Patchell
jeffpatchell@build.com.auGENERAL MANAGER
Jeremy Sweet
jeremysweet@build.com.auEDITOR - PLUMBING CONNECTION
Deborah Andrich
03 9542 9023
deborahandrich@build.com.auEDITOR – ACROSS THE TRADES
Paul Skelton
paulskelton@build.com.auSTAFF WRITERS
Adelle King, Simeon Barut
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Sam Elliott, Kat Jefferys
ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER
Tracey Glanville
SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER
Brigitta Novosell
1800 623 214
CONTRIBUTORS
John Fennell, Dr Terry Lucke, Peter McLennan,
Jon Palfrey, Enzo Alfonsetti, Paul Cott
ADVERTISING
Ralph Harpur
0417 449 699
ralphharpur@build.com.auTO SUBSCRIBE
1800 623 214
Australia
03 9542 9000
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03 9542 9090
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EDITORIAL
RAISING THE PROFILE
OF BEING A PLUMBER
I
n our Summer 2016 edition we
opened the discussion of how
the plumbing industry promoted
itself as a profession of choice.
A quick survey of secondary school
kids clearly pointed out they knew
little about the sector and it was low
on their career preferences. Scoping
out just what this broad-based sector
represents and the exciting flow-on
job roles it offers, has been a well kept
secret!
Everybody talks about a lack of
skills but it appears there is little
done to lift the overall competency
of the industry or to change public
perception.
While few will admit it, I’ll say it: the
industry comes up short on attracting
new talent. The industry has always
been strong in utilising the family and
friends network, but with changing
skill requirements it is important
to look at the potential of school
leavers and perhaps even mature-age
student looking for a career-change.
One of the positive feedbacks from
that article came from
Plumbing
Connection
reader and contractor,
George Dumitrescu of Perth who has
made a terrific suggestion on how to
raise awareness of the possibilities
as a career plumber through a readily
accessible infographic.
Our story on page 46 will tell you
more about how this Plumbing
Industry Infographic came about and
I encourage you to get your hands
on a copy. They are available now for
purchase at our Trade Store on page
113.
The other bright note is a plumber
profile that does see the industry as
a positive one – you can read Nick’s
story on page 42.
ONLY IN PLUMBING CONNECTION
As usual, there are some great
technical stories in this issue from
our contributors and writers. While
the Flexible Connector piece is
long, you really need to understand
the situation – hopefully we’ll save
someone’s home from a legal case!
And good old ingenuity by way of
clever design appears to have solved
that problem of roof overflow – see
page 52 for the story on the Dam
Buster.
Underground Sewer&Wastewater Lines
Suspended Sewer Lines
Gravity, Vacuum& PumpedWastewater Lines
Underground Sewer Lines
Manholes, Access Chambers, ETC.
Bio Systems
Septic Tanks& LeachDrains
Macerators
Pump Pits
MetalRoof Cladding
Gutters&Down Pipes
Syphonic Systems
Flashings, Sumps&Rainheads
Stormwater Lines
SoakWells
Pits, Sumps, Channels
Dome Systems
Rainwater Storage Systems
Potablewater
Sanitation
Gas reticulation
Heat Exchangers
SpaceHeating
FloorHeating
Boilers
HEATING
Copper, brass& steel
Polymer&Multi-layer
PolymerWelding
Brazing, Soldering
LeadDressing
PIPE FITTING
Air ConditionersWastes
CommercialGasHeaters
MedicalGases
Chiller andHot Lines
Cooling Towers
Installations
Refrigerant Lines
MECHANICAL SERVICES
Schools
Hospitals
Medical Centers
Aged Care
Retail Stores
Industrial Property
Hotels
Apartments
Farms
Correctional Facilities
COMMERCIAL
PLUMBING
Gas Fitting
GasMeters
Regulators
Appliances
GAS SERVICES
Holding tanks& pumps
Hydrants& hose reels
Sprinklers& drenches
FIRE SUPPRESSION
DISASTERRECOVERY
Gravity
Vacuum
Pressure
SEWER SYSTEMS
ROOF PLUMBING
STORMWATER
INSTALLATIONS
SANITARY PLUMBING&DRAINAGE
DEEP SEWER INSTALLATION
ON SITE SYSTEMS
EFFLUENT SYSTEMS
AEROBIC SEWAGE SYSTEMS
ANAEROBIC SEWAGE SYSTEMS
SEWAGE TREATMENT
Petrol& oil traps
Grease traps
Chemical dilution traps
Plaster traps
INDUSTRIALDISCHARGE
COLDWATER
HEATEDWATER
SYSTEMS
HOTWATER
Water Lines
Pumps& Tanks
HotWater Lines
HotWaterUnits
Circulating System
Gas
Electric
Solar Systems
Heat Pump
Storage
Instantaneous
Continuous Flow
WATER SERVICE
Single Storey
Multi Storey
UnitsDevelopment
RESIDENTIAL
PLUMBING
Pre-Apprentice
Apprentice
Journeyman Plumber
Licensed Plumber
Plumbing Foreman
Plumbing Contractor
Plumbing Inspector
Plumbing Trainer
Plumbing/Hydraulic Consultant
CAREER PATHS IN PLUMBING
Water Treatment
Chemical
Fire Suppression
Petrol& Oil
Water/Air - Cooling/Heating
Swimming PoolWater Filtration
Dairy/Food
INDUSTRIAL INSTALLATIONS
State& Territory Legislation
National Construction Code – Vol 3 (Plumbing Code of Australia)
Performance Solutions
AS/NZS PLumbing&Drainage Standards 3500 (Parts 0-5)
Product Standards
REGULATORY CONTROLS
Authored by George Dumitrescu © June 2017
www.ekgplumbingopinions.com.auPlumbing is health and sanitation
Plumbing is protecting the environment
Plumbing is innovative and evolving
Plumbing is a life long career
Created by ConnectionMagazines ©
www.plumbingconnection.com.auTHE AUSTRALIAN PLUMBING INDUSTRY
*Image subject to change