Plumbing Connection 4-2015

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6 PLUMBING CONNECTION SUMMER 2015
LOOKING FOR
ALTERNATIVES
G etting your mind around what
a performance based alternate
solution is and how you go
about implementing one isn’t exactly
an easy task.
We’re not aware of any training
courses available to help you
understand these relatively lengthy
procedures, the approval process for
which naturally varies by State. Add to
that the fact that extra paperwork is
not something most plumbers warmly
embrace.
It really demonstrates how out of
touch those who make the rules are,
with the practicality of the industry at
a street level. No doubt a flourishing
fee-for-service industry will spring
up with people who can do the
compliance work for you.
Of course, most plumbers have a
plumbing licence for life and there’s no
obligation to undertake mandatory re-
training courses that could actually
improve the industry’s understanding
on such matters.
In the case of some alternate
solutions, there is money to be saved,
while proving that system performance
is equal to, or betters the standard
deemed-to-satisfy approach.
Then as we discovered, in a unique
set of circumstances (that highlights
AS 3500 coming up short with
changing technology), that the need
for an alternate solution is required to
protect your business from possible
litigation; all to do with the installation
of stainless steel crimp-type fittings.
Check out both stories we have on
alternate solutions on pages 34 and
38 and try to get your head around
what’s happening; it’s a changing
world out there.
Having just mentioned litigation
leads me to our important cover story.
We were fortunate that highly
respected former contractor Robert
Quick (now a mediator and arbitrator)
shared some valuable thoughts on how
contractors can settle disputes with
builders, other contractors, or building
owners in a sensible way. He also
shares some top tips for how best to
avoid finding yourself in the situation of
requiring alternative dispute resolution
with the key tip being ‘communication’.
Burying your head in the sand and
hoping a dispute will go away is often
tantamount to an ugly life-changing
experience.
It’s far easier to spend an hour or
two going back and fixing a mistake,
than it is to spend weeks to and from
tribunal hearings once the client has
taken the matter to a higher level.
With businesses and families
being ruined by court outcomes over
commercial disputes, do your trade
mates a favour and send them a copy
of this extremely valuable article.
As per usual, we have included an
extensive range of technical stories
that our contributors and staff writers
have worked tirelessly on, which I’m
sure you will learn a thing or two from.
With that being said, the festive
season is upon us and from the entire
team at Connection Magazines ; we’d
like to wish you a safe and pleasant
break over the Christmas holiday
season.
EDITORIAL
Justin Felix
Enjoy the read
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jeff Patchell
GENERAL MANAGER
Jeremy Sweet
EDITOR
Justin Felix
EDITOR – ACROSS THE TRADES
Paul Skelton
STAFF WRITERS
Kate Jordan, Jacob Harris
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Sam Elliott
PRODUCTION
Gail Dwyer, Kylie Mibus
CONTRIBUTORS
Roger Lambie, Libby Beech, Mathew Briggs,
John Fennell, Ron Astall, Jon Palfrey
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Published by:
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ISSN 1839-2237
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