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PLUMBING CONNECTION
SUMMER 2015
BRINGING BACKFLOWPREVENTION
AWARENESS TO THE FORE
T
he recent National Backflow Prevention conference
held at Seaworld Resort on the Gold Coast saw
delegates from far and wide, both nationally and
internationally, getting together to discuss their local
backflow policies and how they impact on the region in which
they live.
There were many interesting and informative
presentations covering myriad topics from management
of assets with unmanned aircraft (or more commonly but
incorrectly known as drones) to the implementation of
a regional rural town backflow prevention management
program.
A major topic of discussion over the two day conference
centred around the increasing number of incorrect
installations being encountered across all regions which
indicate a lack of training or complacency from the installer.
Incorrect installation can affect the protection level of the
device and this in turn may not protect the drinking water
when a backflow event occurs. This lack of understanding
or dare I say it, incompetence on the behalf of the installer,
fuels the ever increasing call for ongoing backflow refresher
courses to be a mandatory requirement.
The overwhelming response from the post conference
survey was that the more people learn about the subject, the
more they need to know, hence they found the conference to
be a valuable event on their calendars.
The 2016 National Conference will be in Sydney during
the last week of July so keep an eye out for information as it
becomes available.
ONGOING EDUCATION
When you talk to plumbing industry people about backflow
prevention, there are two main opinions regarding the need
for ongoing skills development and training. Some believe
that the apprenticeship with the addition of the backflow
tester certification is enough and that no ongoing education
is needed. Others believe that with ongoing changes to
technology and the regulations and Standards that regular
refresher courses should be compulsory to maintain the
backflow tester endorsement.
The BPAA Inc. agrees with the latter and encourages
all backflow testers to seek out revalidation or refresher
courses so that they stay up-to-date and relevant to the
changes around them. As part of the association’s mission,
a Continuing Professional Development Program has been
implemented specifically for backflow testers in mind. The
aim is to provide the tester with backflow specific content
and training so that they retain a high level of skill and
understanding in backflow prevention.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION IS CERTAINLY BECOMING AN OFTEN SPOKEN ABOUT SUBJECT ACROSS AUSTRALIA; AND
A GOOD THING TOO WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING THE DRINKING WATER.
PETER MCLENNAN
EXPLAINS.
Much interest has been garned by recent backflow
prevention conferences.
BACKFLOW PREVENTION
PETER MCLENNAN