Plumbing Connection 1-2015

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12 PLUMBING CONNECTION AUTUMN 2015
INDUSTRY NEWS
WORLD PLUMBING COUNCIL UNVEILS
RESEARCH DATABASE
The World Plumbing Council (WPC) is
proud to announce the availability of
a research database on its website.
The purpose of the WPC Research
Database is designed to provide
users with the opportunity to
investigate what is happening around
the globe regarding research efforts
pertaining to plumbing and water-
related issues.
The concept is to provide a
resource to all interested parties to
help learn about research programs
that have been completed or are in
progress on specific plumbing or
water-related topical areas.
The website is intended to be
utilised by academic researchers,
students, industry, manufacturers,
associations, standards-developing
organisations, governmental entities
or any individual interested in
plumbing or water-related research
programs.
“I’m excited about the availability
of the WPC Research Database,” said
Pete DeMarco, senior vice president
of Advocacy and Research for The
IAPMO Group. DeMarco was one of
several co-chairs from around the
globe who worked to develop the
database for the WPC.
“As water risk challenges become
increasingly apparent globally, the
database can play a role toward
reducing redundancy in research
efforts and creating a platform for
researchers to collaborate and share
ideas and data,” DeMarco said.
Sudhakaran Nair, WPC Chairman,
said, “This is a fantastic initiative
and I commend all involved in its
development. It provides a unique
research portal for individuals,
industry associations and
manufacturers across the world to
access and upload valuable research
information.”
The WPC Research Database may
be found at
research/tiki-index.php
CHANGES TO RECYCLEDWATER
INSPECTIONS
The Victorian Building Authority
has introduced changes to the
recycled water installation regime, in
agreement with the Department of
Health and Human Services, and the
Environmental Protection Authority
(EPA).
From 1 March 2015, the VBA
has been inspecting recycled water
installations at the commissioning
stage (stage three) only. Inspections
have not and will not be required
for stage one (meter assembly) and
stage two (rough-in) from this date.
This change will assist the industry
to transition to a new arrangement
which will be effective from 1 July
2015, when plumbers will no longer
be required to arrange mandatory
inspections with the VBA at any
stage of recycled water installations.
Recycled water installations will
continue to be monitored through
the VBA’s risk-based plumbing audit
program.
Victorian plumbers should
contact the relevant water authority
for details of any inspection
requirements coordinated by the
water authority.
NCC FREE FOR ALL
The 2015 edition of the NCC is
now available online for free in
readiness for when it is adopted
on 1 May 2015. The reform means
building, construction and plumbing
practitioners will no longer have to
pay almost $400 for a copy of the
document.
Building Commissioner Peter Gow
said the decision to eliminate costs
associated with buying the code will
make it more accessible to all who
need to use it, including the building
and plumbing industries, small
businesses and consumers.
“Having the National Construction
Code freely available online is one
of a number of things the Building
Commission is doing to significantly
reduce the burden of building
regulation in this state,” Mr Gow said.
“We are also working towards
adopting the Plumbing Code of
Australia from 1 May 2015, so the
3,341 licensed plumbing contractors
and 3,967 licensed plumbing
tradespersons in WA can also expect
to benefit from being able to access
the code for free and to preview it
before it takes effect.”
The free 2015 NCC includes
Volume One (Building Code of
Australia for Class 2 to Class 9
Buildings); Volume Two (Building
Code of Australia for Class 1 and
Class 10 Buildings); Volume Three
(Plumbing Code of Australia); and
the Guide to Volume One.
People who want to access the
2015 NCC online for free must
register on the Australian Building
Codes Board website at www.
Further information,
including Frequently Asked
Questions, is also available on the
website. NCC 2014 remains in force
until 30 April 2015 and hard copies
will still be available for purchase
through the ABCB online shop until
30 April 2015.