Australian Plumbing - December 2011

plumbing AUSTRALIAN

I N D U S T R Y

M A G A Z I N E

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D e c em b er

your y industr e magazin

Summer is here!

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efficient air conditioning Blazing ahead

benefits of bushfire sprinkler systems

2 0 1 1

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welcome f r o m

t h e

E dit o r

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine Plumbing Industry House 525 King Street West Melbourne VIC 3003 T 03 9329 9622 F 03 9329 5060 E info@plumber.com.au www.plumber.com.au The Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine (Industry and Member editions and occasional supplements including the MPMSAA Group Training News, are official journals produced by the Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) ABN: 56 296 473 997 Print Post number: 381712/02399 ISSN: 1325-6289

Master Plumbers ASsociation Locations Head Office 525 King Street West Melbourne VIC 3003 T 03 9329 9622 F 03 9329 5060 Brisbane Group Training 91-93 Commercial Road Teneriffe QLD 4006 T 07 3854 2345 F 07 3854 2346

Welcome to the December issue of Australian Plumbing Industry magazine – our last edition for 2011.

summer brings many wonderful things but also heralds the beginning of the bushfire season

The Australian summer brings with it many wonderful things – sunshine, beaches, barbeques and public holidays.

Summer also heralds the beginning of the bushfire season. In this issue we chat to Master Plumbers Association member Bill Hayes about the benefits bushfire sprinkler systems can hold.

We also talk to the air conditioning experts to find out the most effective and efficient ways to beat the heat this summer.

Although many of us are winding down for the holiday season, workplace safety remains vital. Our safety feature covers a number of important topics including hand safety, working at heights and staying sun smart during the warmer months.

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

The carbon tax legislation has now passed through parliament and will take effect from July 2012.

This new initiative will fuel increased investment in green and sustainable technologies and services. In this issue, Tony Arnel (Victorian Building and Plumbing Commissioner and Chairman of the Green Building Council of Australia) discusses the opportunities that a new green economy will provide.

Also in this edition we begin our Mastering Workplace Relations series.

Master Plumbers Workplace Relations Advisor Sharon Kraemer starts by taking you through the recruitment process.

Wishing all our readers and their families a safe and happy Christmas and New Year – see you in 2012!

Happy reading

Melissa Chrys Editor, Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre 306 Albert Street Brunswick VIC 3065 T 03 9356 8921 F 03 9356 8929

contacts Publisher The Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) Editor Melissa Chrys T 03 9321 0703 E publications@plumber.com.au Advertising Tremain Walles T 03 9321 0780 E tremain.walles@plumber.com.au Suppliers Salt Creative www.saltcreative.com Printgraphics www.printgraphics.com.au Direct Mail Corporation www.directmail.com.au

Ensure the stee l in your quote is BCA co mpliant Check the facts and the risks, not all steel is c reated equal

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AP32723R

In-market technical support and advice

The award-winning Bosch Condensing Range

Bosch is proud to introduce its award-winning Condensing Range – the 6.9-star 26eco+ domestic condensing hot water system and the highest-rated commercial hot water system on the market today, the 6.0-star Bosch Commercial Condensing 32C. The Bosch 32C has been acclaimed this year’s ‘Innovative Green Product of the Year’ by ECOBuy. This follows the award-winning success of the Bosch 26eco+, named GreenPlumbers’ ‘Product of the Year’ in 2009.

Key Features: > High energy-efficiency star ratings – saving you money on gas bills > Smart condensing technology – harnesses energy from exhaust gases > Environmentally-responsible use of energy resources > Available in Natural or LP Gas > Comprehensive warranties for peace-of-mind Bosch is committed to environmentally-sustainable products.

1300 30 70 37 | www.bosch.com.au/hotwater

Mastering Workplace Relations / see page 43

contents

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18 10 40 Cool, calm and collected / page 28 The most efficient ways to beat the heat this summer

Blazing ahead / page 40 The benefits of a bushfire sprinkler system

From dust to gold / page 18 Tony Arnel explores the new opportunities arising from a green economy

ESV update / page 32 Energy Safe Victoria pledges to maintain its carbon monoxide awareness campaign

Mastering workplace relations: recruitment / page 43

Safety first / page p22 Our safety feature covers hand and sun safety and more

Training news / page 34

From the CEO / page 9 Member news / page 10 Industry news / page 12

How procrastination can kill your business / page 27 The danger of putting things off

Premium coverage / page 38 What you should know about your plumber’s liability insurance

Tool talk / page 47 Getting on top of your financial situation Product news / page 49 WPC news / page 53

Disclaimer Statements and information appearing in this publication must not be interpreted as having the endorsement of being the opinion of the publisher, which takes no responsibility for the correctness of the statements made. It is a condition of purchase or acceptance of this publication that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in the publication, or from the use of information contained herein and the publisher makes no warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any of the material contained herein. The publisher shall not be liable for any failure to publish any advertisement where such failure results from circumstances beyond their control. If advertising material is not supplied in accordance with deadlines, the publisher reserves the right to repeat any material previously provided by the advertiser. The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit material. All prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Copyright Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

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welcome f r o m

t h e

c eresident P o

Seasons greetings to all our members As we approach the end of another year, I would like to thank all our members for their continued support. Our great Association continues to grow and increase the services it offers its members This year we continued to lobby state and federal governments on behalf of members on issues that affect our industry including National Licensing, Occupational Health and Safety and training and development.

In June we held the Gold Medal and Training Awards, recognising the top performing apprentices and plumbers who demonstrate excellence in terms of community involvement, achievements and leadership. 2011 was the first year the Rose Curtis Award was awarded to an outstanding female apprentice.

The Gold Medal and Training Awards have been honouring the industry’s high achievers for over a century (this was the 104th year) and demonstrate our strong commitment to knowledge, education and training.

This year the Association celebrated its 120th anniversary; a significant and impressive milestone. To commemorate this occasion, we have published a history of the Association which explores its establishment and development, the challenges we have faced and the improvements we have made to our industry.

It is sure to be of interest to Association members both past and present and will be available later this month.

I am proud that our Association continues to be a leader in what is an exciting and dynamic industry and I look forward to another year as we strive to make a positive impact on the environment and the community.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to wish all our members, associates, affiliates, families and friends a very safe and merry Christmas and New Year.

Stephen Atherton President, Master Plumbers Association

and

c e o

From the CEO As Christmas 2011 rapidly approaches it is timely to reflect on the year's events.

The National Occupational Licensing System occupied a lot of our time and effort. The design and timing of the new system continues to be a matter of concern as the Draft Regulations and Regulatory Impact Statement are delayed and still under development.

In the plumbing industry there are always issues around public health and safety – it is the reason we have a licensed trade. This year was no exception, with the Association developing and offering members training in Carbon Monoxide (CO) detection. The course has proved highly successful with over 300 plumbers attending sessions throughout the year.

Occupational Health and Safety is also an important issue and we continue to provide advice, training and OHS systems for our members. In this issue of Australian Plumbing we report on a number of safety issues including hand and sun safety and lifting heavy plant.

Throughout the year we have kept members up to date with the changes that have taken place across the Plumber and Fire Sprinkler Award, National Employment Standards and the Union Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

In September Earl Setches and I presented a paper to the World Plumbing Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland relating to green skills in the plumbing industry.

This highlighted the training delivered at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre in Brunswick. The follow up questions and discussions highlighted how lucky we are in Australia to have a regulated trade that includes licensing of plumbers. We must all continue to work to preserve that situation.

I hope all our members, readers, families and friends enjoy the upcoming holidays and have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Ken Gardner CEO, Master Plumbers Association

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member

news NEED A PLUMBER?

Search here

New website on the way!

Work is well underway on the overhaul of the Association’s website www.plumber.com.au Our site will be launched in early 2012 and we are working hard to create a new site that will make it easier for members to access our services and important information on workplace relations, safety and training. We are also implementing an improved find a Master Plumber search function to allow consumers to quickly and easily find member businesses.

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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Sep D c te emmbbe err2 20 01 1 1

Complete the Master Plumbers Christmas survey and win!

Win!

Have you completed the 2011 Master Plumbers Christmas survey? Have your say and go into the draw to win one of five $300 prepaid Visa gift cards – just in time for Christmas!

Master Plumbers will use the results of this survey to evaluate current benefits, services and offers and develop new opportunities in the future.

Thank you to our survey sponsors: Estimate One, Aquaknect and Endless Solar.

Contact the Membership Services team membership@plumber.com.au to find out more.

Welcome new staff Tremain Walles, Corporate Sales Executive As part of the publications team, Tremain is the main point of contact for advertising within API magazine. He also works closely with the membership services team to develop and maintain relationships with corporate affiliates and major contractors. Tremain enjoys participating in and watching most sports, travel and cooking.

Get More out of your business

2012 planner

plumbing industry House 525 King street west Melbourne Vic 3003 t 03 9329 9622 F 03 9329 5060 E info@plumber.com.au www.plumber.com.au

beCoMe A MeMber toDAy!

neeD An APPrentiCe? CALL 03 9329 9622

abn 56 296 473 997

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Take the guess work out of digging Locate undergound pipes & cables first

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s s

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Unite for world health!

11 March 2012 Celebrations occurring Friday 9 March 2012 For more details go to www.pic.vic.gov.au

Try Wakaflex on your next job.

It's lighter, safer & easier to use than lead.

Available from your trade supplier For more info email: info@evobuild.com.au or call: 02 9666 1069 www.evobuild.com.au

1300 30 70 37 I www.bosch-climate.com.au

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Experience Our Innovation 190.11_Master Plumbers Wall Plan1 1

in your Business

» Are you testing for gas leaks? » Are you aware of carbon monoxide? » Have you considered appliance servicing training? » Don’t forget – we are all responsible for safety.

Contact ESV’s Gas Technical Information Line 1800 652 563 for further technical information. www.esv.vic.gov.au

Remote

Office

rinnai.com.au

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REACH FOR EXCELLENCE

Use your smart phones to connect your team to the office, even when they are out in the field. With IMS’s web interface, Field Jobs, Compliance Management, Timesheets and Workflow Integration are instantaneous and seamless. IMS eliminates paperwork, improving cash flow and profitability.

Entries open from 3 September to 14 December 2012 The 2013 Plumbing Industry Training Awards recognise plumbing practitioners who have excelled through further training and development.

If you, or someone you know has led the way through the recent completion of post apprenticeship studies, now is the time to nominate. The Awards create an exciting event to celebrate the contribution training can make to Victoria’s plumbing industry.

For all your next machine purchase call William Adams on 9931 9666 or visit williamadams.com.au

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Leading our industry as a member of the master Plumbers association, you can take advantage of a range of training, services and assistance that will benefit your business.

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a master Plumber, contact our membership services team on 1800 133 871.

www.plumber.com.au

To find out more about the categories and how to enter, visit www.pic.vic.gov.au or call 1300 815 127.

To find out more, visit our website at www.i-man.com.au or give us a call us on 1300 794 818 for a free consultation.

14/11/11 4:03:36 PM

t

nal Additio e f th o s copie er are n n la p wall from le availab ations c li b u our p ent tm depar 16

RDO

PUBLIC HOLIDAY

beCoMe A MeMber toDAy!

Please confirm DeTails aT www.plumber.com.au

Association publishes history

2012 wall planner out now!

Earlier in the year Master Plumbers commissioned a local historian to document the history of our Association and to commemorate our 120th anniversary.

The result is, In the pipeline: the story of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia.

The book charts the history of our Association from the establishment and development of the organisation, the challenges we have faced over the years and the contributions we have made to the industry.

The book will be launched at the Association’s annual Christmas cocktail party and all our members will receive a copy in time for Christmas!

Members will have received a copy of the 2012 Master Plumbers wall planner with this issue of API magazine.

It highlights key dates for 2012 including Victorian RDOs and public holidays.

If you require additional copies of the wall planner, please email publications@plumber.com.au.

You can also view RDO and public holiday dates online in the workplace relations area of our website www.plumber.com.au

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11

member

news Golf Day The 2011 annual Bendigo Charity Golf Day was held on Friday 7 October at Neangar Park Golf Club in Bendigo.

Over 100 people attended the event, played golf and enjoyed a bbq.

An auction and raffle were also held with goods and prizes donated by key industry suppliers.

The Golf Day raised $12,000 which was donated to the Camp Quality Cancer Foundation. The annual event has now raised over $130,000 for charity.

A big thank you to all the sponsors of the event.

Over

$130,000 raised for charity

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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Master Plumbers apprentice awarded

Gas training course a success

The Master Plumbers Group Training Scheme was well represented at the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards Night in Brisbane in July.

The event was hosted by Master Plumbers Association of Queensland (MPAQ) and representatives from across the industry came along to recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding apprentices and industry participants.

Fourth year Master Plumbers Group Training Scheme apprentice Nigel Laughlan did very well to make the finals in a very talented field of Queensland plumbing apprentices was runner up for the CSQ Merv Harris Memorial Bursary Award.

Nigel has been with the Group Training Scheme since 2007 and nominated for the award by Steve Coolahan, Area Coordinator of the Master Plumbers Group Training Scheme in Brisbane.

Nigel’s Host, Ray Bigg from Logan Plumbing says that Nigel has been a terrific apprentice with an outstanding attitude and hopes Nigel will stay with his business beyond his apprenticeship.

Nigel is due to complete his apprenticeship in September 2011 and congratulations and thanks go out to him for his outstanding effort at the Awards and throughout his apprenticeship.

Throughout the second half of 2011 the Association has engaged with regulators and the industry to develop and deliver free gas training to plumbers across the industry.

The course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to use CO testing equipment and complete the practical procedure to test gas appliances for CO emissions.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Training for Plumbers has proved extremely popular and has now been delivered to over 300 plumbers across metropolitan and regional Victoria, including Geelong, Ballarat and Shepparton.

Trainer Roger Lambie has enjoyed delivering the course and says, “It’s a very practical and informative course and the response from participants has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Stay tuned for updates in 2012.

December 2011

GROUP TRAINING SCHEME

industry

news National Water Commission appoints new CEO

New chairman for Australian Building Codes Board

Mr James Cameron has been appointed as the new CEO of the NWC. Mr Cameron has been Deputy CEO of the Commission since October 2009.

As CEO, Mr Cameron will report directly to the Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water.

He will have overall responsibility for the strategic direction and operations of the Commission and for administering the Australian Government’s Raining National Water Standards program.

Former Victorian Deputy Premier the Hon John Thwaites has been appointed as the new chair of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) “Mr Thwaites’ work on building sustainability and climate change issues through the Green Building Council, Monash University and Maddocks law firm make him an ideal person to lead the ABCB through the key challenges ahead,” Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said.

“The ABCB will also benefit from Mr Thwaites’ broader experience in relation to planning and local government, particularly with his former portfolio responsibilities of health, planning, and the environment, water and communities.”

The ABCB is responsible for developing a nationally consistent approach to building and plumbing regulations through the National Construction Code (NCC). Mr Thwaites’ five year term began in November 2011.

iSaveH2O app out now Smart Watermark has developed Australia’s first mobile phone rain tank calculator – iSaveH2O. The app is designed to help consumers understand how much water they can save and what size rain tank they require.

It provides key information, including a link to the Bureau of Meteorology’s database of daily rainfall, evaporation and temperature data for the whole of Australia. This means rainwater harvesting calculations are accurate and relevant for each user’s local post code.

The app also features an online catalogue of over 240 water saving products and services certified by Smart Watermark. iSaveH2O can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes store.

Cancer Council releases mesothelioma guide The Cancer Council Victoria has released the first edition of its new booklet, Mesothelioma: A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends.

The publication aims to provide mesothelioma patients and their families a comprehensive guide to the practical, emotional and legal aspects of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

To order a copy of the booklet, visit www.cancervic.org.au/resources

Meso thelio ma

A guid their e for peo p famil ies a le with ca nd fr iends ncer,

Can inform cer ation

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13

industry

news 2012 Plumbing Industry Training Awards Nominations will soon close for the 2012 Plumbing Industry Training Awards, hosted by the Plumbing Industry Commission.

The awards recognise and reward Licensed and Registered Plumbing Practitioners who have contributed to their professional development by participating in industry-related training and development during the past 12 months.

Entries close on 15 December.

For more information visit www.pic.vic.gov.au

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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Ballieu Government launches Places Victoria

AIRAH releases Technical Manual

Planning Minister Matthew Guy has launched Victoria’s new urban renewal authority, Places Victoria.

The new authority is built from the former VicUrban structure and Mr Sam Sangster has been appointed as CEO. Mr Guy said the launch of Places Victoria was the fulfilment of a Ballieu Government commitment to place urban renewal at the forefront of managing Melbourne and Victoria’s future growth.

“Places Victoria will be at the forefront of delivering urban renewal across Victoria… It is essential we strive to improve liveability and continue a focus on building sustainable new communities which is what Places Victoria’s mandate is.

“Places Victoria will also complete the delivery of Docklands, begin planning the new Fisherman’s Bend urban renewal precinct and focus on strategic renewal sites across Victoria such as central Wodonga.”

The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Airconditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has released DA29 Evaporative Air Cooling Systems, a guide to the design, installation, operation and maintenance of evaporative coolers.

DA29 provides essential information for the buyer, designer, installer, owner, operator and maintainer of any evaporative air cooling system.

To order a copy of the manual, visit www.airah.org.au

December 2011

State of the Art Technology >> Commercial Hot Water Solutions Experts in Pre Engineered Hot Water Plant Delivery Rinnai Commerical are experts in design and construction of Hot Water and Heating Plants. Let us help you with your next project.

Our designs include the full spectrum of options including Hot Water, Warm Water, Solar Pre-heat and multi functional BMS Controls. Our systems are built off site to save time and money for both you and your client.

• Minimal plant room variations • Lower construction costs • No need for installation manuals • No time wasted on site explaining how to • Costly labour transferred off site In addition, our Commercial hot water systems are widely used throughout schools and government buildings, apartment towers, office buildings, sporting facilities as well as hotels and commercial kitchens. Don’t leave your project to chance, a Rinnai designed and built system will work.

Built off site >> Save time and money >>

For further information or to arrange on-site assistance, call Rinnai Commercial on 1300 555 545

industry

news Sydney to host new National Occupational Licensing Authority

Living Victoria Water Rebate Program The new Living Victoria Water Rebate Program gives Victorian households and small businesses the chance to save water and money when purchasing eligible water efficient products such as rainwater tanks, dual-flush toilets, washing machines, pool covers, garden products, permanent greywater systems and many more products.

These new home and garden rebates extend the existing water efficient rebates to all Victorian households (including those that are self supplied and not connected to a reticulated water supply). Rebates are available for products purchased and installed between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2013.

Rebates are now also available for small businesses connected to a reticulated water supply that have 20 or less employees to improve the water efficiency of their business.

Small businesses are eligible to receive a one-off rebate of up to $2000 for the purchase and implementation of a range of products including rainwater tanks, dual flush toilets, waterless or low flow urinals, washing machines, dishwashers and many other water efficient products.

Licensed plumbers must install all rainwater tanks, permanent greywater systems, hot water recirculators, dual-flush toilets and cisterns, tank to toilet connections and other products required by regulation. Where required, a PIC certificate of compliance must be supplied.

For further information on the Living Victoria Water Rebate Program, visit www.water.vic.gov.au

Sydney will be home to the new National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA) and a national search is currently underway for a CEO for the new organisation.

Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans, announced that the new Authority will create more than 40 full time jobs.

The Council of Australian Governments in 2009 agreed to develop a national licensing system for specified occupations, to remove licensing inconsistencies across State and Territory borders and allow for a more mobile workforce.

Under the agreement, the national licensing system is underpinned by co-operative national legislation enacted by all jurisdictions.

Existing regulators will continue to be responsible for issuing licences and overseeing compliance by licensees.

The new Authority will develop licensing policy and administer the national system.

Funding for the Authority is provided by all States and Territories, with NSW the largest contributor.

To find out more, visit the NOLA website www.nola.gov.au

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

APPLY FOR A REBATE

New Product Release >> Rinnai MECS Pro The latest innovation from Rinnai… Manifold Electronic Control System (MECS) 10 Years ago Rinnai introduced a world first in electronic control systems for Rinnai Commercial Continuous Flow Water Heaters which enabled up to 5 units to be Manifolded together.

Positive feedback from industry specialists and rapid growth in this area have been the drivers in a further advancement on the Rinnai MECS system. Now, up to 25 individual units can be manifolded together by connecting them in parallel to enable a far greater hot water flow rate than is possible with a single unit.

MECS is a totally integrated system unique to Rinnai that links each INFINITY unit in the system, turning on each unit as demand requires.

Key Benefits: • Very high flow rates/volumes made possible by linking individual heaters in parallel • Load shared across linked heaters ensuring even wear rates • Inherant redundancy in the even of a failed heater(s)

Innovative Commercial Solution >> Now links up to 25 Units >>

• Reduced gas consumption resulting in increased economy • Unsurpassed water temperature consistency

For further information call Rinnai Commercial on 1300 555 545

from dust to gold

Entrepreneurs that find innovative ways of reducing or reusing waste will thrive in the new green economy

Tony Arnel, Chairman Green Building Council of Australia and Victoria’s Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner discusses opportunities in the new green economy.

In Charles Dickens’ final novel, Our Mutual Friend, dust is literally transformed into gold by an entrepreneurial dustman who understands the value of waste.

In Victorian London, where the average household burned 11 tonnes of coal a year, coal dust was a precious commodity. On the outskirts of the city, sifters worked in dust up to their waists, separating the fine dust which, mixed with street-sweepings, was sold as fertiliser. The coarser dust, mixed with clay, was sold to make bricks. In the last years of the nineteenth century, approximately ten barges per day, each carrying around 70 tonnes of dust, travelled to brickworks from the dust-yard at the City of London alone.

Nothing was wasted. Bones were sold to the soap boilers and the glue makers, kitchen scraps went to the farmers for manure and animal feed, broken pots and pans to builders for sinking foundations and road making and rags were used in paper production. Even the cobblers added a thin layer of dust between the outer and inner sole of shoes for extra comfort.

Great public building projects were repositories of recycled materials.

The railway bridge that spans the River Tweed in North East England, for instance, owes its existence to stone from nearby Berwick Castle.

The chains which support the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol once did the same job at Hungerford Bridge across the Thames.

These examples serve as a reminder that resource efficiency is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, we are only just recapturing a previous attitude to ‘waste not, want not’ that had been the dominant paradigm for centuries.

The case for moving away from our current consumption-based economy towards a new, green economy has never been stronger. Rapid fluctuations in fossil fuel prices, changing climate and environmental pressures, droughts, markets still constrained by the global financial crisis and increasing demand for scarce resources are forcing us to look closely at the way we do things.

We are moving beyond peak oil and into ‘peak everything’. A group of scientists known as the Global Footprint Network, for instance, have measured how much land and water are currently needed by the global economy. They conclude that we are consuming the earth’s resources at about 150 per cent of the sustainable capacity – so we need 1.5 planets to maintain our current economy.

If our plan to expand our global economy at least threefold by 2050 is realised using current practices, this will require the economy to operate at 300 to 400 per cent of the planet’s capacity. If we pursue this path, we’re heading for a nasty crash.

A green economy is about doing more with less. It’s about finding better ways of meeting our needs. Just as Charles Dickens’ scavengers, mudlarks and dustmen understood that waste brings opportunities, entrepreneurs that find innovative ways of reducing or reusing waste will thrive in the new green economy.

While around 40 per cent of our waste to landfill comes from the construction industry, innovative Green Star projects are often delivering recycling rates of around 80 per cent, and sometimes as high as 98 and 99 per cent, for construction and demolition waste.

At a 6 Star Green Star-rated office in Canberra, Trevor Pearcey House, recycled materials were such a feature of the project that even floor tiles from the old computer room were refashioned into a new wall decoration.

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we are consuming the earth’s resources at about 150 per cent of the sustainable capacity In the new green economy, building products manufacturers will start to embrace ‘cradle-to-cradle’ thinking, where materials circulate in a ‘closed loop’, providing nutrients for nature or resources for industry. Products such as the 111 Navy Chair which recycles 111 plastic coke bottles, and InterfaceFlor’s ReEntry carpet which makes new carpet out of old, are two very good examples of companies making the most of waste.

As the imperative to cut greenhouse emissions increases inexorably, we can expect to see more recycled content incorporated into the manufacturing processes for greenhouse gas intensive materials such as aluminium, concrete and steel.

We are already seeing a shift to retrofitting as building owners recognise that upgrading their aging infrastructure delivers dividends – both environmental and economic. The Australian Financial Review, for instance, recently reported that “the retrofitting of older buildings is no longer an option for owners but a commercial imperative.”

At the same time, the new green economy will mean that our renewable resources are mapped, measured and valued like never before. Solar hot water, photovoltaics, wind turbines and district energy systems will promote more efficient energy access for everyone.

Ultimately, this new green economy will encourage us to look at our built environment with fresh eyes. As we upgrade old buildings or construct new ones, we’ll start with the question: “what can this building do to contribute to a healthy, harmonious environment?”

And in doing so, we’ll uncover previously overlooked opportunities to make gold from dust.

Tony Arnel is the Chairman of the Green Building Council of Australia, as well as being Victoria’s Building and Plumbing Industry Commissioner.

Tony was recently appointed to Sustainable Melbourne Fund’s independent Board of Trustees, which aims to assist businesses to capture the economic benefits of sustainability in the built environment.

We’ve turned something you throw away into something you want and can keep for a long, long time

the 111 Navy Chair which recycles 111 plastic coke bottles

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

From ITT comes Xylem.

Xylem is a world leader in the design, manufacturing and application of highly engineered technologies for the water industry.

We are 12,000 people unified in a common purpose: creating innovative solutions to global water challenges. We know this is only achieved when partnering closely with our customers. We are committed to continuing the product innovation and forward thinking you’ve come to expect from the collection of market-leading brands in the Xylem portfolio. For more information on what this transformative shift can mean to your business, go to xyleminc.com.

xyleminc.com

safeTy FIRST S a f ety

f eature

Helping hands Master Plumbers is campaigning for improved hand safety Hand safety is often overlooked in the plumbing industry. According to recent figures released by WorkSafe, 20 per cent of all injuries to plumbers are related to hands and fingers.

These figures are reflected in Master Plumbers’ own statistics, which reveal that 73 per cent of all injuries to apprentices within our Group Training Scheme are related to hands and fingers and that these injuries represent 48 per cent of all Lost Time Injuries (LTI).

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Making a cultural change in your business is vitally important.

The message needs to come from the top, so wearing your Personal Protective Equipment whenever required will make a powerful point to your staff and they will follow your example.

Excuses, excuses Many of these hand and finger injuries could be easily avoided by simply wearing gloves. However many plumbers are reluctant to wear gloves on the job, and often give excuses like: “I didn’t have time to put my gloves on,” “I won’t get into an accident!” or “I’ve been doing it this way for years and so far, so good!”

If you hear these excuses from your workers, it’s time to let them know these reasons just will not fly.

Every employee has a responsibility for their own safety and to use the safety equipment provided. It’s important that safety equipment is well maintained and worn at all times on the job.

Time for a culture shift The “she’ll be right” culture surrounding certain aspects of job safety – particularly hand safety – is worrying.

The Master Plumbers Association is concerned that apprentices sometimes pick up habits from not-so-safetyconscious employers. By allowing this culture to continue incidents will continue to increase – causing more lost time and injuries.

Making a cultural change in your business is vitally important.

The message needs to come from the top, so wearing your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whenever required will make a powerful point to your staff and they should follow your example.

Ansell releases Plumber and HVAC Gloves Many plumbers complain that gloves inhibit dexterity and make it harder to do their jobs. Ansell has addressed this issue and developed a new range of gloves specifically for tradespeople.

Ansell’s new ActivArmr gloves have been specifically designed for the needs of today’s plumbers and HVAC professionals.

The patented ActivArmr Plumber glove provides the ability to slide materials in your hands while providing an advanced fingertip grip and the combination of protection, comfort and durability.

The glove can be used for a variety of applications including laying, fitting and installing pipe, as well as general plumbing maintenance and repair.

The glove provides barehanded dexterity and three times greater cut protection than standard leather gloves.

The ActivArmr HVAC glove has been designed specifically for those working with jagged edges, sheet metal and hanging and running ductwork.

The ActivArmr HVAC glove provides superior cut protection, enhanced wet/dry grip and advanced dexterity for working with snips, screws and sheet metal.

To find out more about the ActivArmr range, visit www.ansell.com.au

Make a PACT to stay safe Master Plumbers is dedicated to improving and promoting workplace safety. The Plumbers ACTion (PACT) book was developed to help plumbers stay safe and to meet their legal OHS requirements.

The PACT book has a simple format that allows plumbers to carry out a real time safety analysis of the hazards associated with their work.

Before starting a job it is essential to think about the safest way to complete the work. The PACT book makes it easy to: > Identify hazards > Perform a risk assessment > Control the hazards The PACT book was nominated for a 2011 Worksafe Award in the category of Best Solution to a Workplace Health and Safety Issue.

Master Plumber member, Robert Barca from Barca Constructions has been using the PACT book in his business and says: “The PACT book really helps our company because it keeps the workers focussed on safety.

“They keep the book close by at all times – either in the van or in their pocket – and it is fast and easy to fill out. It gives our workers a very quick and simple reminder of the hazards on the job.”

To find out more about the PACT book, or to order your copy, contact the Master Plumbers Membership Services team on 03 9329 9622.

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S a f ety

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Staying Sunsmart this summer WorkSafe has advised that inspectors will be issuing Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) to employers who allow their workers to work in the sun in a singlet or without a shirt this summer.

Without adequate protection, exposure to UV radiation (the sun) can lead to the development of skin cancers.

The risk to plumbers increases the longer they spend working outside.

In fact, a plumber working outdoors is 60 per cent more likely to develop a skin cancer it makes sense than a plumber working indoors. to have an So it makes sense to have an APpropriate appropriate UV radiation policy UV radiation in your business. policy in your

business

Due to the nature of outdoor work, the use of PPE is a high priority. PPE worn by plumbers working outdoors under the sun should include: > Clothing of close-weaved fabric that is comfortable and loose fitting to provide adequate ventilation (sleeves and trouser legs should not be rolled up) > A wide brimmed hat to protect neck and ears. If a hard hat is worn, it should be fitted with a material neck flap > Tinted safety glasses complying with AS1337 – Eye protection for industrial applications > Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 30+ applied to all exposed skin at regular intervals according to label instructions In addition to the wear/use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), before work commences on a site, the plumber in charge should assess the weather conditions and consider the following: > Is there adequate shade available and how often are rest breaks required? > The need to regularly hydrate with fresh drinking water (not carbonated or alcoholic drinks) > The effect of heat on each worker (tolerance to heat varies depending on age, fitness, etc) Following these tips will help you be Sunsmart this summer. For more information on OHS policies for your business, contact Master Plumbers on 03 9329 9622

A mighty great idea This summer, WorkSafe inspectors will be targeting companies who install air conditioners and solar panels on house roofs.

Using ladders, ropes and manpower to manoeuvre heavy equipment onto single or double story roofs can be cumbersome and dangerous.

Introducing the Mighty Lift, a product designed specifically for plumbers, electrical contractors and other tradespeople who install equipment on roofs or in roof spaces.

Investing in a lifting aid like the Mighty Lift will allow you to complete lifting jobs quickly, easily and safely.

With a reach of just over six metres, the Mighty lift can conquer most installation jobs quickly and easily. The equipment can be carried on most roof racks and can be installed by one person in just minutes. The longest piece of the unit is only 3.6 metres and weighs just 95kgs when fully assembled.

No power on your job site? No worries!

A major advantage of the Mighty Lift is that it can be powered by a standard cordless drill or rattle gun, or manually via its own hand winch.

Investing in a lifting aid like the Mighty Lift will allow you to complete lifting jobs quickly, easily and safely.

Mighty Lift rebate offer Inventor Bill Grant says he got the idea for the Mighty Lift from a discussion he had with one of his son’s employers.

“The guy ran an air conditioning company and a couple of his workers had been injured installing equipment.

He asked me if I could design something that would pick up the gear and carry it to the roof and protect his staff.

“From there, the initial design has progressed to a lighter version that still meets Australian Standards, is easier to assemble and pack, has a further reach and has a trolley that can be altered to suit the product it is carrying,” says Bill.

Bill says that the unit can be modified to carry almost anything. One company asked him to design a trolley that would carry a special type of hot water tank and solar panel.

“In the past it had taken four guys to lift and manoeuvre the unit into place.

It was dangerous, laborious work.

Now, two guys can do it easily, so the company’s productivity and profitability has been greatly increased.”

To see the Mighty Lift in action, visit www.mightylift.com.au

Master Plumbers has partnered with WorkSafe to offer eligible businesses a rebate of $550 (including GST) on the purchase of a Mighty Lift unit.

The Mighty Lifter rebate program is available to licensed businesses that: • Install plant on roofs (e.g. Solar Panels or Air conditioning systems); • Hold a current WorkSafe Policy; • Have a payroll less than $1 million Master Plumbers members can also take advantage of a special price on the basic Mighty Lift unit – meaning extra savings!

For details on special pricing and the rebate program, contact Master Plumbers on 03 9329 9622.

$550 rebate

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Jason Boyle, NSW

How procrastination

can kill

your business Miles Primrose, founder of Business Sight, talks about the dangers of putting things off

One of the two biggest complaints that many people have is that they don’t have enough time. The other complaint is that they don’t have enough money.

These two things usually go hand in hand. In most occasions I have found that when people procrastinate in one area of their lives they will also do it in other areas. Whether you are looking at buying a new car, doing a course to improve your business or deciding to get fit and healthy, it always seems to take a long time for anything to actually happen.

People tend to put effort into making decisions in spurts. When deciding whether they should buy the car, take the course or join the gym, people will find out all the information and evaluate all the pros and cons. But they have spent so much time gathering information, that in their mind, the decision becomes bigger and more important than the end result. This is when they begin to find all the reasons either not to do something or to put it off for now (or forever). They convince themselves that “I can’t afford it right now”, “I’m not ready for it” or “I’m not fit enough to join the gym”.

People who do this need to remove themselves from the situation, look at it objectively and ask: “what is the benefit if I don’t go ahead with this now?”

They will always find that there is no benefit to putting these things off.

There are a lot of people who are great masters of procrastination or who have what I like to call ‘a degree in excuse-ology’. These people often become frustrated by what they see as ‘successful’ people.

So what is the difference between a procrastinator and a successful person?

When making decisions, successful people don’t look at the cost, but they look at what they are going to get out of the ‘investment’ they are making.

Again, this could be the car, course or investment in their health.

Successful people realise that success can often be as a result of working through uncomfortable situations.

Unsuccessful people are generally those who are happy remaining in a safe and comfortable environment.

I have met many people who are willing to spend thousands of dollars a year on a holiday that is well-deserved and well earned. But these people are hesitant when it comes to investing money into bettering themselves and their business.

What they don’t understand is that if they do this correctly, they would have the ability to go on better holidays, more often.

As we are fast approaching the end of another year, ask yourself: > Has 2011 been a year you’d wish to forget? > Have you honestly held yourself accountable for the last 12 months? > Have you, in the last 12 months, begun working less hours and spending more time with your family? > Have you increased your sales and profits by at least 12%?

If you haven’t achieved these basic targets, find a mentor or somebody that you can trust to help challenge you in your life now. What are you going to do and commit to now, that will make a difference for you and your business, and your whole life for 2012?

About Business Sight A business mentoring service like Business Sight provides a holistic approach that will not only help you achieve the financial side of things, but also help you discover who you are, identify core values and understand what makes you tick.

Reward yourself and your business and take some real action today.

For more information email info@businesssight.com or call 1300 187 233

Cool, calm & collected

By Sarah Robertson

As summer descends on Australia, air conditioning experts have some good advice on the most efficient ways to beat the heat.

Summer is just around the corner, and while everyone wants to keep cool, customers are increasingly requesting systems that don’t just drive down the temperature, but the cost as well.

“These days customers tell us that they want efficiency; they don’t want high running costs,” says Dean Burley, Chairman of the Heating and Cooling Alliance of Australia (HCAA). “That’s a big turnaround from ten years ago, when everyone just wanted value for money or the cheapest product that would do the job.”

Selecting an efficient air conditioning unit is vital but to get the most efficient system, customers and plumbers need to think about more than just the unit and its energy star rating. As important are system size, and using and installing quality flexible duct properly to maximise cooling potential.

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Selecting the right system Sustainability Victoria advises consumers looking to purchase air conditioning units to choose a unit with at least a 4.5 star energy rating, an inverter and an easily adjustable thermostat.

Vic Murray, Building Consultant Specialising in Air Conditioning and Mechanical Services, says there is no one system that’s better than another and that personal choice and budget govern system selection.

For plumbers, Burley adds that while they may be loyal to certain brands, it’s in their best interest to specify the best quality products because inquiries are not only based on the reputation of the plumber but also on the reputation of the brand.

This is particularly the case for HCAA members who are all specialist contractors that carefully choose the brands they sell, he says. “They’re not going to put their reputation on the line by having an inferior or a lesser product that’s going to keep failing and give their business a bad name.”

He adds that the internet presence and marketing opportunities that come with HCAA membership are an invaluable benefit for members.

“There are thousands of inquiries to our website each month that get spread through our 55 members. And once they’re there and they’re calling you, they want that specialist help for a reason.”

heating and cooling represents

40–60% of the average Australian consumer’s power bill

Plumbers have a legal obligation to install the correct size appliance to meet the customer’s requirements

Sizing systems to balance heat load

Maximising efficiency behind the scenes

The most important element to achieve energy efficient air conditioning, however, is professional advice to ensure the system is adequately sized to meet the cooling needs of the home.

“The most important consideration when specifying an air conditioning system is that it’s suitable for the job that it’s intended to do,” says Burley.

“Plumbers have a legal obligation of the plumber to install the correct size appliance to meet the customer’s requirements.

So it’s very important that the appliance is adequately sized.”

He adds that anyone working in the field should have ample training to correctly size and give the best advice to the customer, but that in reality this is not always the case.

All air conditioning systems in Victoria must be installed in accordance with the joint Australian Standards & PIC handbook HB 276 – 2004 A guide to good practice for Energy Efficient Installation of Heating, Cooling & Air Conditioning Plant & Equipment.

This handbook sets out the minimum requirements, which PIC auditors can measure against, as well as proper heat load calculations and guidelines for contractors on equipment selection and duct sizing.

“This is good for the industry,” says Murray, “as too many contractors use rough rule of thumb calculations which lead to faulty jobs and unhappy consumers. The sooner the industry lifts its standards and level of professionalism the better.”

Fundamental to achieving a highly efficient ducted air conditioning system is the quality and proper installation of flexible duct.

Australian and American studies have shown that inefficiencies in ducted systems of 20 to 40 per cent are standard. As Australian Duct Manufacturers Alliance (ADMA) Chairman Paul Sterling stated in his 2010 Chairman’s address, with heating and cooling representing 40 – 60 per cent of the average Australian consumer’s power bill, such inefficiencies are significant and represent an unnecessary burden on the country’s natural resources and increased greenhouse gas emissions paid for by the consumer.

A key factor hindering the efficiency of flexible duct has been the inadequacy of the relative Australian Standards being properly regulated. The situation is likely to improve soon, however, as a new draft standard, AS 4254.1:2010 Flexible duct – Ductwork for air-handling systems in buildings, – which is currently being revised by Standards Australia – is likely to help to significantly improve ducted air conditioning system performance.

Sterling explains that in AS 4254 2002, the current 94-page standard, the requirements for flexible duct are lost within the document. But he says that in the yet to be approved 2010 edition of the standard, the key revisions are mandatory labelling, test data being publically available and a user-friendly format with five additional pages of diagrams.

Labelling in AS 4254 2002 was normative only. The new standard makes labelling the manufacturer’s name and the thermal value of the insulation blanket, mandatory.

“By not having [flexible duct] labelled it’s playing into the hands of manufacturers producing non-compliant duct as it has no name on it or no way of tracking it,” says Sterling.

“By having to print the manufacturers name on it and what Australian Standards it complies to, it will go a long way, ADMA believes , to ensuring that the product that is installed is in fact what it’s supposed to be.”

He adds that the revised standard (in its current form) will enable regulators to backtrack and take action against an installer that has installed the wrong thermally rated product, or a duct manufacturer that has misrepresented its thermal rating.

On this point, Murray says that the Building Code of Australia’s requirements for R value insulation on ductwork in new homes has been increased in recent years. He says contractors should make themselves aware of these requirements as they vary from climate zone to climate zone, on the type of system being installed, and where it is installed.

Sterling adds that mixed messages from industry makes the issue of comparing the benefits of one flexible duct over another too complex for users to make an informed decision and usually leads to the user basing their purchasing decision on price alone.

Cool, calm & collected

However, he explains that the revised version of AS 4254 clearly defines and refines the testing and reporting requirements for flexible duct leaving little open to interpretation or opinion of duct manufacturers / suppliers.

Importantly, Sterling says AS 4254.1 2010 requires duct manufacturers / suppliers to provide transparency and accountability for their products, as has been the case for just about every other commonly used building product for years.

“Most consumers assume that if you buy a six star unit you are going to get a six star system with six star duct in it even though the duct isn’t star rated. But that is far from the case in the majority of the cases,” explains Sterling.

While changes to the revised standard may occur before its official release, he says that in its current format AS 4254.1 will help provide a much better product for the Australian market.

Keeping cool Customers will no doubt want to stay cool this summer. But they are also demanding the most energy efficient products and systems. For ADMA and HCAA members, professionalism, professional advice and quality products and service are the essential ingredients for the most efficient cooling systems.

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The HCAA and ADMA – air conditioning specialists HCAA members are specialist Master Plumber members who have agreed to work to industry standards and abide by a code of ethics. Through member meetings, guest speakers and training sessions, HCAA members discuss the latest technology and regulation. They have input into what goes on in the industry through the Master Plumbers Association and back to the PIC and through to government. While business promotion is restricted to members, training is open to all Master Plumber members as well as plumbers who aren’t part of the organisation. Find out more at www.heating.com.au ADMA is an alliance of duct experts who are committed to improving standards within the industry. ADMA was formed through the MPMSAA in 2006 to better regulate and ensure the best possible thermal performance of flexible duct in Australia.

ADMA represents duct manufacturers and distributors nation-wide. Visit www.adma.net.au for more information.

MEPS and Energy Star In recent years national energy efficiency regulations introduced mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) compliance. These regulations control what equipment can be imported, manufactured and sold in Australia.

Single phase air conditioners and three phase air conditioners up to 65 kW cooling capacity must meet the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) as specified in the relevant Australian Standards.

Energy Rating Labels, or star ratings, measure the energy efficiency of a range of appliances. They are mandatory for all single phase non-ducted vapour compression air conditioners intended for household or similar use, close control air conditioners, and Water and Air Cooled Packaged Water Chillers of 350 kW in capacity and above.

For an overview of MEPS and Energy Rating Labels visit www.energyrating.gov.au

A big difference This air-conditioner is unique. It has no outdoor unit.

The Italians have done it again. The Olimpia Splendid from Unico represents the latest in air-conditioning technology. Instead of a big outer box, it’s got two small holes. The air-conditioner is installed from the inside, quickly and without any complex masonry. This means fast and low cost installation. Four models with Inverter technology to choose from. Four models with On/Off technology. With or without heat pump technology.

Unico. It means “the only one”, in Italian. You’ll agree. It’s unique.

www.olimpiasplendid.it

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ESV update ne w s

f r o m

energy

sa f e

v i c t o ria

Energy Safe Victoria pledges to maintain its carbon monoxide awareness campaign Although summer and warmer weather is approaching, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) will not be relaxing its campaign to alert the community to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and remind plumbers and gasfitters of the need for the right qualifications, knowledge and equipment to correctly test for the presence of the insidious gas and properly maintain appliances.

Find out about Master Plumbers Carbon Monoxide Training see page 12

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

ESV’s campaign was launched in April by the Minister for Energy, Michael O’Brien, and involved television, cinema, radio and newspaper advertising. It has been the organisation’s largest public awareness campaign to date and has proved an outstanding success.

The campaign was spearheaded by parents Vanessa and Scott Robinson, who lost their two young sons, Tyler and Chase, to CO poisoning in a rented property at Mooroopna, near Shepparton, in May 2010. They appeared in the campaign’s commercial.

There have been nine deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in Victoria over the first 11 years of this century, but the number of reported “near misses” and “lucky escapes” over the years has been much higher. Many instances also go unreported.

A particular catchcry of the awareness campaign is that carbon monoxide can be produced by faulty, unserviced gas heaters and is known as a “silent killer” as one cannot see or smell it.

Apart from saving lives, a number of plumbers/gasfitters reported significant increases in business. Some of them detected dangerous appliances – particularly wall furnaces – when called out to check them as a result of the campaign. In some cases the situation was so bad that appliances were disconnected before the effects of the poisonous gas could do much harm.

Tradespeople were also concerned at property owners baulking at the cost of essential checks and regular servicing, and not proceeding with the tests.

Apart from targeting the community and trade, ESV has also focussed on getting its message a across to other professions.

ESV placed an advertisement about the dangers of CO in the Australian Medical Association’s VicDoc magazine and issued an information sheet alerting medical practitioners, paramedics, firemen and hospital doctors and nursing staff of the need to be thorough and observant when examining patients and look for symptoms of CO poisoning.

In addition ESV urged real-estate agents across Victoria to work with landlords to ensure safety checks were carried out at rented premises at agreed interval (at least every two years).

Agents were also warned that gas appliances can only be repaired, serviced or installed by tradespeople authorised by the Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) as not all plumbers are authorised to do gas installation or servicing work.

Plumbers/gasfitters are reminded that they can seek further information on all CO issues and other gas safety matters by contacting ESV’s Technical Information Line on 1800 652 563.

Help for the trade As part of its effort to assist the plumbing industry, ESV produced two new Gas Information Sheets and a gas safety DVD for plumbers/gasfitters.

The DVD reminds plumbers/gasfitters of the steps that should be taken when conducting safety inspections on gas heaters, particularly open-flued indoor gas appliances, central heating units and room-sealed space heaters.

It also shows the correct way to use carbon monoxide measuring equipment and the importance of testing for negative pressure drawback.

The DVD can be viewed on the ESV website, by visiting www.esv.vic.gov.au.

It is also available for free and can be ordered via email on info@esv.vic.gov.au or by calling 03 9203 9700.

Two new Gas Information Sheets, numbers 37 & 38 are also available on the ESV website.

Gas Information Sheet No. 37 provides information about CO measuring equipment used for measuring CO spillage from domestic gas appliances.

Carbon monoxide can be measured using a gas analyser or a CO detector.

CO alarms which also detect CO gas are not discussed as they are not suited to testing due to their low sensitivity and slow response times and remain unapproved for Australian conditions.

Gas Information Sheet No. 38 provides guidelines for using CO detecting equipment and provides testing methods to check for CO spillage from an open-flue gas heaters, decorative effect gas log fires and room-sealed space heaters.

This information sheet also highlights the necessity of having sufficient ventilation through the home so that when operating exhaust fans, negative pressure is not generated and combustion products are not drawn back into the home.

EnErgy SafE Victoria wiShES to alErt mEdical profESSionalS to thE dangErS of carbon monoxidE poiSoning

do you know how to diagnose this silent killer?

Nine Victorians have died and dozens more have been treated for CO poisoning in the past decade.

Medical practitioners need to be thorough and observant when examining patients, not only asking about their condition but also their surroundings so vital information is not overlooked.

If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, consider asking the following: »» Do you feel ill in your home?

»» Are you operating a gas appliance or heater at the time you feel ill? »» Do you feel better if you go outside into fresh air?

Patients should be checked for motor and balance disturbances and cognitive difficulties. These checks may indicate carbon monoxide poisoning.

For more information on ESV’s carbon monoxide community education campaign (see ad below) go to www.esv.vic.gov.au

Beware carBon monoxide – it’s a silent killer Is your family at risk?

You can’t see it and you can’t smell it, but if you have a gas heater then your family could be at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s caused by faulty, unserviced gas heaters but it’s easy to protect your loved ones.

Get your gas heater serviced every two years “ carbon monoxide is a silent killer. it killed our boys.

So get your gas heater serviced so this won’t happen to you.”

A message from Vanessa and Scott Robinson, parents of Chase and Tyler Robinson who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in May 2010.

Book a service today with your local plumber/gasfitter For more information visit www.esv.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 800 158 The advertisement placed in the Australian Medical Association’s VicDoc magazine by ESV www . p l u m b e r . c om . a u

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Training

news Free green training for apprentices

Frngefe or all

traini entices appr

The Green Skills for Trades project has been running successfully for six months and will continue to offer free training to apprentices until December 2012. Over 300 apprentices have completed one or more green plumber training programs since April 2011. This includes a group of Master Plumbers Group Training Scheme apprentices who finished the full Course in Green Plumbers Environmental Solutions in October.

Apprentices may enrol in single day courses, evening courses or the fast track ‘block’ program which enables them to complete seven skill areas in five days. Many apprentices are choosing to undertake the training in their own time – at night, on their RDOs or by taking annual leave – and some are travelling regularly from regional areas to participate, including Warrnambool and Wodonga.

It is clear that the next generation of plumbers is taking environmental sustainability in their trade seriously and want to develop their understanding of emerging technologies. We have also been working with TAFE providers to offer the green plumbing training to apprentices on campus as a value-add to their apprenticeship qualification.

The feedback from apprentices who have completed training has been overwhelmingly positive, with many encouraging their mates to attend training. However we know we have many more apprentices to train and we are aiming to significantly increase our enrolment numbers in 2012.

Employers who release their apprentices to attend three or more Green Skills for Trades training courses will go in the monthly draw for an iPad2. And apprentices who bring their boss to training will get an iTunes voucher valued at $20 (the employer trains for free too).

For more information on the Green Skills for Trades project contact Alexandra Mannell on 9356 0710 or email training@plumber.com.au

New Green Plumber course – geothermal technology The latest addition to our Green Plumber courses will be ready for delivery in 2012. The new course, ‘Provide advice on geothermal heat pump systems’, focuses on geothermal technology from a plumbing perspective.

The program will provide participants with a general overview of geothermal technology (specifically ground source heat pumps) and content will address the application and use of ground source heat pumps in heating and cooling residential and small commercial buildings. It will also address the characteristics and components of these systems and basic design and installation requirements.

As always in our Green Plumber courses, the focus is on providing information to plumbers so that they develop their own understanding of sustainable technologies and can provide accurate advice to their clients. This course will not provide plumbers with the accreditation required to install ground source heat pump systems as this is manufacturer and system specific.

The new course will be an elective unit in the Course in Green Plumber Environmental Solutions and will be available as a day and evening course.

License level training courses in 2012 Registered plumbers who wish to obtain their license in a class of plumbing in Victoria are entitled to attempt the Plumbing Industry Commission’s license theory assessment at any time for that class.

However it is highly recommended that plumbers attend license level training programs at a Registered Training Organisation (which may be a TAFE or other provider) to assist them develop the skills and knowledge they require to successfully undertake the exam.

In addition to technical plumbing knowledge, the PIC requires plumbers to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in three common areas. These relate to workplace risk control, estimating and costing plumbing work and understanding the legal and risk implications of a small business.

The training units that underpin these skills are drawn from CPC40911 Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services and include: > BSBSMB401A Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business > CPCPCM4001A Carry out work based risk control processes > CPCPCM4002A Estimate and cost work

From February 2012 the Master Plumbers Association will deliver license level training courses in these three common areas at PICAC. Participants who successfully complete these units will be issued with a Statement of Attainment. The PIC will accept this Statement as evidence of competency and will not require the plumber to sit the theory examination in these areas.

The training courses will be suitable for a variety of participants, from newly registered plumbers to existing practitioners who want to brush up on their knowledge or develop their understanding of their business.

To offer greater flexibility for working plumbers, the courses will be delivered on Tuesday evenings at PICAC from 6-9pm.

For a calendar of programs for January to March 2012, including Green Skills for Trades, licensing courses and our new geothermal subject, visit www.plumber.com.au and download the PICAC training calendar.

Above: the 6 Star Green House at PICAC is an integral part of Green Skills for Trades training.

Left: Master Plumbers apprentices with trainer Garry Waters

www . p l u m b e r . c om . a u

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Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

master plumbers membership

Get More out of your business As a member of the Master Plumbers Association, you can take advantage of a range of training, services and assistance that will benefit your business.

Employment and Industrial Relations

Business tools and services

As an employer you have legal responsibilities to your workers and contractors. Members can access employment and workplace relations advice from our dedicated IR advisory team who can provide you with information on everything from conditions of employment and wage rates, to assistance with awards, collective agreements and disputes.

Running your own business can be challenging and Master Plumbers is here to help with a range of services, including access to advice and assistance on OHS, business issues, insurance and much more. We also have a full range of business tools and resources including contract books, labour rate calculators, stationery and more.

Training and Education

Commercial benefits

Training is an investment in the future of your business, adding value, expanding your skill base and introducing you to new products and technologies. As a Master Plumber member you have access to a wide range of industry, technical, business, environmental and OHS training courses. All courses are delivered at the state-of-the-art PICAC training centre in Brunswick, Melbourne.

We work hard to source the best value for our members who can take advantage of great savings and exclusive offers with a variety of suppliers. Get more out of your business with exclusive savings on vehicle and fuel purchases, banking products and services, insurance, business coaching, workwear and safety products and much more.

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a Master Plumber, contact our Membership Services team on 1800 133 871.

www . p l u m b e r . c om . a u

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Premium coverage

By all accounts 2011 has been an eventful year and for many, one they would prefer to forget.

2011 started off dramatically with major flooding across Australia, cyclones hitting Queensland, a damaging earthquake in New Zealand, and an unbelievable tsunami in Japan. It will take some time to recover from these devastating natural disasters and their impact will be felt for a while yet.

Many industries have been affected by these catastrophes, from farming to travel, mining to real estate, and export to, of course, insurance. These natural disasters have had a devastating effect on the local and global insurance markets, with many insurance companies suffering enormous losses. These losses may subsequently affect the premiums you pay.

To put the magnitude of these losses into perspective, the following table captures some of the largest losses sustained during the past year.

The losses that 2011 has seen to date total more than any other year in the past decade. Due to the nature of the insurance industry, these losses have a flow-on effect on all of us. As insurers aim to recapitalise and recover from the losses sustained, it’s expected that rates will continue to rise across all industries in the coming years.

In this difficult market Marsh (trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers), will continue to work to provide the plumbing industry with the most efficient service whilst also arranging insurance with extensive coverage, at competitive prices.

We understand that when you are operating a small business, even minimal increases can have a significant impact on your cash flow. According to credit bureau Dun & Bradstreet’s Trade Payment Analysis report for the 2011 June quarter, businesses are now taking almost one month longer than average to pay their bills.

At Marsh, to date, we have been fortunate enough to secure Public Liability rates with minimal increases in order to remain competitive when measured against other providers, and keep your cash flow at a manageable rate.

However, if you find you are going to extraordinary lengths to pay your premiums, speak to your Marsh insurance broker, as Premium Funding may be available, enabling monthly instalments (conditions apply).

Date (2011) Event Location Insured Losses

(USD$ Billions) January Flood Australia $2.55 February Cyclone Australia $1.00 February Earthquake New Zealand Exceeding $10.00 March Earthquake/Tsunami Japan Up to $30.00 April + May Tornadoes United States $9.95 June Earthquake New Zealand $3.00 to $5.00 August Riots United Kingdom $.325 August – September Hurricane Irene United States $3.00 to $7.00 April – September Texas Wildfires United States $.500 September Typhoon Roke Japan $.300 to $.600 Minimum Total $60.6 Billion Source: © 2011 Eqecat; Geo Risks Research, NatCatSERVICE; Business Insurance; the National Climatic Data Center (NOAA); MunichRe; and the Insurance Council of Texas.

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

Marsh can arrange a suite of insurance products to suit the needs of your business. Speak to a consultant for more information on the following products: > Plumbers Liability > Workers Compensation > Tools > Business Insurance > Motor Vehicle > Personal Accident & Illness > Employment Practices Liability If you have any queries in relation to the information contained in this article or would like a quotation please contact a representative at Marsh, trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust).

Phone: 1300 300 511 Email: MPIB.Australia@Marsh.com Disclaimer Statements concerning legal matters should be understood to be general observations based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and should not be relied upon as legal advice, which we are not authorized to provide.

All such matters should be reviewed with your own qualified legal advisors.

Marsh Pty Ltd (ABN 86 004 651 512 AFSL 238983) trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust) (“MPIB”) arrange the insurance and is not the insurer.

The insurance solutions referred to in this article are underwritten by various insurers. When arranging insurance for you Marsh Pty Ltd will disclose to you the insurer and the basis upon which it acts. The MPIB name is owned by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) and used under licence by Marsh.

MPMSAA receives a financial benefit when a policy is arranged by MPIB, enabling it to continue to provide further services to the plumbing industry. This article contains general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For full details of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of insurance cover and before deciding whether a policy suits your needs please refer to the specific policy document or Product Disclosure Statement which is available from Marsh Pty Ltd. 11/0194 Copyright Marsh Pty Ltd, 2011

What you should know about your plumber’s liability insurance Policy renewal process Our clients should expect to receive "their renewal six weeks prior to expiry of their existing policy. Around the same time plumbers in Victoria will receive a reminder from the Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) stating that their licence is soon due for renewal. Once premium has been paid we issue the Certificate of Insurance direct to the PIC and send a copy to the client in the mail.

Please be aware that Certificates of Insurance will not be issued until payment is received.

Importance of timely payments Please be aware that it can take up to 72 hours for us to process payment and issue a Certificate to the PIC. Once received by the PIC it can take up to 72 hours for them to process receipt of the Certificates, therefore please be sure to pay your premium as early as possible to avoid delays in issuing the renewal of your Plumbers Licence.

Late payment can also result in

cancellation of your policy, requiring placement of a new policy, which will result in a gap in cover, meaning that any work completed during that period will not be insured and will void any compliance certificates issued.

Non-disclosure If you fail to comply with your Duty of Disclosure (refer to your policy wording), the Insurer may be entitled to reduce their liability in respect of a claim, or may cancel the contract altogether.

It is most important that you review your insurance documents, ensuring that all details are correct and accurately reflect the nature of your business and/ or the items being insured.

Plumbers Liability policies are based on a number of factors, it is imperative that these details are correct and accurately reflect your business. The primary information to check on your policy is: Turnover – The money paid or payable to the Insured for goods sold and for services rendered in course of the Business over a 12 month period

Number of Licensed Plumbers – The number of Licensed Plumbers working in the business who issue Compliance Certificates Sub-Contractors/Labour Hire – Annual payments exceeding $20,000 need to be noted on your policy Business Activities – Anything outside normal plumbing activities needs to be noted on the policy (for example roofing, electrical work, building, insulation installation etc). Also if work is conducted on any ‘high risk’ sites it needs to be noted on your policy (eg. oil, gas, chemical, mining, airports, ports or power generation plants).

marsh.com.au

UNDERSTANDING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF PLUMBERS IS OUR BUSINESS. Marsh Pty Ltd, trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust), has been operating in the plumbing industry for over 10 years. We have been working closely with Master Plumbers to provide insurance solutions tailored to the plumbing industry.

For your insurance needs, contact Marsh, the preferred insurance broker to Master Plumbers & Mechanical Services Association of Australia.

For obligation-free quote, call 1300 300 511 or email mpib.australia@marsh.com

Marsh Pty Ltd (ABN 86 004 651512 AFSL 238983) trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust) (“MPIB”) arranges this insurance and is not the insurer. The MPIB name is owned by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) and used under licence by Marsh. MPMSAA receives a financial benefit when a policy is arranged by MPIB, enabling it to continue to provide further services to the plumbing industry. This ad contains general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. For further information about Marsh, visit www.marsh.com.au. 11/0204

Partnering for impactSM Marsh is one of the Marsh & McLennan Companies, together with Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman. www . p l u m b e r . c om . a u

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Blazing ahead As summer approaches, Sarah Robertson talks to Master Plumbers Association member Bill Hayes of Blaze Control about the benefits of a bushfire sprinkler system.

Bill Hayes of Blaze Control knows plumbing and he knows about bushfires. He has been a plumber and a CFA volunteer fire fighter for over 50 years. Since the early 1990s Bill been installing bushfire sprinkler systems in Victoria and other parts of Australia, with over 500 systems installed around the country.

Bushfire sprinkler systems are one bushfire protection measure in a raft of measures to protect buildings against bushfires. Drenching the outside of the house in water, bushfire sprinkler systems can help fight ember attack – a common cause of homes catching alight during bushfires.

In its FireReady Kit, the CFA says that to operate effectively, a sprinkler system needs to have an appropriate and adequate water supply, an activation mechanism, and a delivery system including pipes and heads that will discharge water at appropriate densities.

Hayes has over 15 years experience researching and installing bushfire sprinkler systems and explains that the systems are far more complicated than they appear.

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

“It looks simple. On the surface it looks like there is nothing to it, you just whack a few pumps and sprays on and some water around it,” he says, “but in reality it’s vastly different to that.”

“Every time I do a quote I run up against a different problem,” he adds.

To begin with, he explains that the risks of fire attack on houses is unique to each building and dependant on a number of factors including the building’s location, its size, the available water supply, and the materials used in construction.

“Having a system is vastly different to a plumber coming along and deciding to run a pipeline along and stick a few sprays up on the roof,” he says. “You need to think about how fire actually affects the building. It’s been proven that in Australia about 94 per cent of all houses are hit by bushfires through ember attack. These are the embers that have been blown ahead of the fire and they set fire to buildings by getting in under the floor, or through the walls, in the ceiling, and on the decks, and they actually create fire before the actual bushfire comes through.”

This is where bushfire sprinkler systems can be useful as a protection measure, says Hayes. He adds that a full deluge sprinkler system can also help protect against radiant heat. He explains that this is where a sprinkler spray pattern that also releases a fine mist around the building is important because it helps reduce heat, one element – along with fuel and oxygen – necessary for a fire to burn.

Hayes says Blaze Control tested over 1500 sprinklers to choose the most appropriate spray pattern for the company’s system. But he adds that there is no standard sprinkler that is proven to work most effectively.

More generally, there is no Australian Standard for bushfire sprinkler systems, but Hayes says: “We’ve done as much as we possibly can to comply with a non-existent standard.”

The Blaze Control system is covered by a Plumbing Industry Commission Certificate of Compliance.

“It’s plumbing,” says Hayes as he explains the importance of using copper pipe and brass fittings on the roof. “The system affects the appearance of the building and in some cases it affects the performance of the building.”

Working with his former partner, Rod Hamilton, to develop the system, Hayes used CSIRO fire research and sought advice from former CSIRO fire researcher Dr Caird Ramsey to develop a system with the most appropriate technology to withstand the conditions of a bushfire but also to ensure the system blends in with the house.

On the subject of standards, Hayes says it is important to have a standard for these systems and he would like to be consulted should a standard be developed. However he cautions that while scientific calculations about heat load and water requirements are important, so too are practical considerations.

“In the bush the one thing that you need is also the scarcest – water.

It is all very well to say you need x litres per square metre but if you calculate that out you need Port Phillip Bay at your back door to make it work. And that’s not on. So what we’re trying to do is make the best possible use of limited resources,” he says.

It is clear that Hayes takes his work and the risk of bushfires seriously.

He says that ultimately there are too many variables in bushfire situations to say comprehensively that a sprinkler system will save every house.

“You cannot at all say that we are going to prevent every single fire. It’s just an impossibility because there are so many variables,” he says. “But we can certainly say that enormous numbers can be saved.”

For further information on bushfire sprinkler systems visit www.blazecontrol.com.au and view the CFA’s FireReady Kit at www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Different types of Blaze Control bushfire sprinkler systems > Basic system with a copper pipeline around roof with sprinklers and a pump, and a tank as required. > Basic system with an electric start pump. > Basic system with a control box fitted – includes options for a panic button installed inside the home, area sensors / heat detectors to automatically start the system, SMS monitoring and remote system start.

www . p l u m b e r . c om . a u

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mastering workplace relations

>

recruitment

The Australian Workplace Relations environment presents a unique set of challenges for employers. In this series, Sharon Kraemer (Master Plumbers Workplace Relations Advisor) explores how implementing simple and practical employment practices can be the key to improving employee performance and effectively manage risk.

Recruiting

Reference Checking

A well planned and managed recruitment process can be a great opportunity for your business. Before you begin the recruitment process take the time to research and consider: > What kind of duties the person will perform > How work can be organised or restructured for the best results (e.g. part time, flexible hours, promotion from within/backfill) > Which terms and conditions will apply to employment > Current industry activity and patterns > Which is the best advertising forum for the role? (e.g. local papers, Seek, schools) > The experience, skills, qualifications, licences and personal qualities required > Which selection process will you use? (e.g. interview, testing)

It is strongly recommended that you complete reference checks for all persons you plan to employ.

A reference check allows you to confirm information on the candidate’s application and to gain an understanding of past behaviour and performance.

A standard reference check should include: > verification of qualifications, licences, registration > prior employment history (confirm period of employment, duties performed, reason for leaving, re-employment).

Terms and conditions of employment As an employer you are required to satisfy specific terms and conditions of employment that arise under employment legislation and relevant industrial instruments such as Modern Awards or Enterprise Agreements.

Before you begin recruiting you should always check your obligations in relation to hours of work, overtime, leave entitlements, superannuation, wages and allowances and portable long service leave funds (e.g. Co Invest).

The advertisement should clearly identify: > the job role > a summary of duties > job location (base) > the basis of employment (e.g. casual, weekly, daily, part-time) > a summary of terms and conditions (e.g. in accordance with award/ agreement) > how to apply for the position > accurate contact details

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43

mastering workplace relations continued

>

recruitment

Pre-employment

Record keeping

A written contract of employment is recommended in all circumstances.

The contract should clearly set out the key conditions of employment, including the requirement to comply with any relevant legislation, policies, procedures and rules of the employer that may apply during the course of employment duties.

Modern awards and many enterprise agreements also require that the employee must be advised (in writing) of the type of employment (e.g. weekly hire, daily hire, apprentice, casual, part-time) and the classification under the award/agreement.

If you are engaging an apprentice or trainee it is essential that the you and the employee complete a training agreement/contract. This process must be completed through an approved Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

The National Employment Standard requires that all new employees must be issued with a Fairwork Information Statement upon commencement.

When a new employee commences work at your business, you should obtain the following important information: > Tax File Number Declaration Form > Superannuation > Portable Long Service Leave Fund (where relevant) > Personal and emergency contact information and banking details > Copies of all relevant qualifications and licences

Maintaining accurate employee records is essential. As an employer you have specific requirements to provide appropriate wages and salary information including: > compliant payslips (which include a breakdown of all payments) > timesheets (signed by the employee) > leave records > superannuation payments and portable long service leave contributions > information relating to workers compensation claims It is also recommended that you retain copies of all employment documents including: job advertisement; job description; resume; reference checks; contract of employment (signed); Tax File Number; superannuation; portable long service leave; qualifications; training agreement; leave records; records verifying training attendance/ completion; performance or disciplinary records; and any other documents relating to the employment history.

Master Plumbers members can access information, advice and resources relating to workplace relations matters. Our dedicated Workplace Relations Advisor can help you clarify your obligations in relations to terms and conditions of employment, wages, entitlements and other matters.

Contact Sharon Kraemer on 03 9329 9622 or 1800 133 871.

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

Ma ac inta i em cura ning t p rec lo e es ord yee se s i nti s al.

in the next issue

managing employee Performance

   

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        

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             

  

 

  

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Master Plumbers half page CWE.pdf 1 26/10/2011 10:22:15 AM

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Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

F: 03 5626 1418

Tool Talk is our new regular tool column featuring advice, problem solving solutions and new tools that can improve your working life.

Tool TALK Making light of the dark. Our tool expert Phil discusses how inspection cameras are fast becoming an essential part of the modern plumber’s toolkit.

the screen on the unit pictured is 88mm and fitted with anti-glare technology

Our plumber forebears were so often in the dark when it came to deciding what was around the next bend or behind a wall. Not only brick, but also plasterboard, albeit a thin barrier, still prevented viewing what was hidden.

“If only I had a camera with a long lens on a flexible shaft,” a plumber was heard to say. He was not alone and soon inventors were madly drawing up all sorts of devices that could do the job.

Bulky units were presented, but their size made them unfit for plumbers to use in confined spaces.

The invention of lithium ion batteries and micro-chip technology changed all of that. For the first time small single-handed units that performed with absolute clarity hit the market and now inspection cameras with leads up to 914mm are commonly found on most worksites.

These cameras not only allow plumbers to see what is hidden, but with the latest technology it is possible to take still photos as well as videos so that the images can referred back to at a later time.

There are also units that allow you to add a voice recording to the image being captured.

Plumbers involved in renovations are constantly amazed at the shoddy workmanship they encounter when all is hidden from view. It has been said that renovators (particularly amateurs totally unfamiliar with building regulations) will put blockages in areas that should be left clear and leave clear areas where they should have put blockages or barriers.

It is in these conditions that inspection cameras shine, for they become the eyes in the dark for plumbers. Often it is just a case of drilling a 17mm hole, poking the lens lead through and the LED light illuminates the area allowing a clear picture on the screen.

The screen on the unit pictured is 88mm in size and is fitted with anti-glare technology. Some units can even be fitted with extension leads. It is no wonder that inspection cameras are now becoming an important tool in the modern plumber’s kit.

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Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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December 2011

product

news

Go from unproductive to unplugged The new Speed Slot® Bi-metal Hole Saw from LENOX® has been designed to offer builders and tradesman superior performance in metal cutting, wood cutting and plug removal.

LENOX has engineered an enhanced tooth form featuring revolutionary T2™ technology, an advanced nonbinding coating and a thin kerf design to create a hole saw that cuts through wood twice as fast and lasts twice as long when cutting through metal.

The new model also includes an innovative Speed Slot to make plug removal easy and LENOX has also introduced a range of Snap-Back™ quick change arbors, making it faster and easier to engage and disengage a hole saw.

The new range of LENOX Speed Slot hole saws is available in a variety of sizes, with prices starting from $19.95.

They are also available in multi-piece sets, including general purpose, electrician and plumbing varieties from under $200.00.

The Snap-Back quick change arbor is designed to fit all LENOX Speed Slot hole saws, as well as all competitor hole saw sizes, with prices starting from $29.95.

The full range is available now from hardware and tool specialist stores nationally. To find out more, visit www.lenoxtools.com.au

Unico Air Conditioner Finally, an air conditioner that comes with no outdoor unit.

With the Olimpia Splendid Unico, the outdoor compressor is completely eliminated.

The Italian designed and manufactured Unico is the first fixed air conditioner without the outdoor unit.

Climate control now comes without the external pipework or condensers and makes installation a breeze.

The Unico comes with both inverter and fixed speed technology, enabling it to deliver great performance. With the capability to deliver cool clean air in the summer and warm fresh air in the winter, the Unico is perfect for any aspect of climate control.

Another great benefit of the Unico is its very quiet operation (in fact you could call it noiseless) making it perfect for bedrooms.

For more detailed information on the unique Unico, contact Noirot Australia on 03 9563 2778.

The complete lead-free roof flashing range Despite its obvious dangers to health and the environment, lead is still used widely in Australia as the most common means of roof flashing. Now there is a better alternative available that is safer, lighter and easier to use.

Wakaflex Lead-Free Flashing easily forms to the contours of any roof profile and works on almost any roof surface.

It can be installed up to 50 per cent faster than lead, is available in a variety of sizes and colours and comes with a ten year warranty.

Flashtite Lead-Free Penetration Flashing is a unique pre-fabricated roof penetration flashing manufactured with a Wakaflex base. It features an integral adhesive system, is lightweight, non-toxic and non-corrosive and is installed quickly and easily.

Smartform is a multifunctional and highly flexible lead-free flashing and repair tape that can be used internally or externally to create a watertight and airtight seal in difficult to seal penetrations.

Fastfix is a tough and durable butyl backed flashing and repair tape.

Suitable for a variety of situations including flashing, waterproofing, gutters, roofing and much more.

Butyl Adhesive Strip can be used as a general waterproofing adhesive that is perfect for general flashing maintenance and to ensure a quality and long lasting seal.

For more information visit www.evobuild.com.au

www . p l u m b e r . c om . a u

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product

news Zetco meter ball valves Zetco has recently added right angle meter ball valves to its extensive range of WaterMarked ball valves.

With flared inlet, female outlet and locable anti-vandal handle, the valves are available in 20mm in either portable water model (1234 series) or a recycled water model (1249 series).

Both valves are approved and WaterMarked to AS4795 and are available from selected plumbing merchants.

For more information, visit www.zetco.com or call 1300 659 639 for your nearest distributor.

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

Xlem launches as new global, pure-play water technology company Xylem Inc. completed its spinoff from ITT Corporation on October 31, 2011 and began operations as a $3.2 billion standalone global water technology company.

Xylem’s market-leading product brands, applications expertise and technological strength enable the transport, treatment, testing and efficient use of water in public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural settings. The company serves customers in more than 150 countries to address critical water issues such as growing water scarcity, aging infrastructure and more stringent environmental regulations.

The company’s products and services address the full cycle of water and are key in the collection, distribution and use of water. Well-known and respected product brands such as Lowara, Goulds Water Technology, Bell and Gossett, Flygt, Godwin, WTW and YSI, among others, will continue their place in the water industry as a part of the Xylem portfolio.

For more information on how Xylem’s applications and solutions help customers around the world solve significant water challenges, please visit www.xyleminc.com

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December 2011

Dux Sunpro The new Dux Sunpro® MP20 Gas Solar Water Heater brings a number of benefits to gasassisted solar water heating for homeowners, including outstanding energy efficiency, low running costs, reduced carbon emissions, a Complete Panel Management system, minimal water wastage and mains pressure hot water supply.

Traditional gas boosted solar systems use continuous flow post-boosting, which wastes water in the start-up cycle.

The new Sunpro® MP20 has a unique pre-boost feature, which heats the water in the top of the tank before it is needed, and eradicates this water wastage.

The system can also provide a constant supply of hot water at mains pressure due to the unique pre-boost feature.

Unlike other models the MP20 comes in one piece, making it an easy install.

The smaller footprint and lower megajoule rating of the MP20 means it is well suited to installations where there is limited space.

An intelligent Complete Panel Management system is incorporated into the new Sunpro® MP20. This system provides complete frost protection in winter and runs an overheating protection cycle when summer temperatures get too high, providing great protection all year round.

The Dux Sunpro MP20 is due for release in early 2012.

For further information on Dux Hot Water please visit www.dux.com.au

plumbing apprentices for hire The Master Plumbers Group Training Scheme specialises in employing and training apprentices in one trade – plumbing We take care of the paper work, clothing, wages and employment entitlements – managing and monitoring all aspects of your apprenticeship training.

You are only charged for the time your apprentice is working on the job.

Our apprentices carry out plumbing activities in: • building construction • sanitary water and drainage • heating and cooling • gas installation and servicing • maintenance

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NEW SPEED SLOT ® Bi-metal Hole Saws for WOOD and METAL cutting

CUTTING THE HOLE IS PRODUCTIVE. STRUGGLING TO REMOVE THE PLUG ISN’T. Introducing the new LENOX SPEED SLOT hole saw — it cuts wood 2X faster and lasts 2X longer when cutting through metal.* The job goes even faster with our revolutionary SPEED SLOT, which makes plug removal easy.

To claim your free SPEED SLOT hole saw simply log on to www.lenoxtools.com.au/free and be more productive.

Limited to one 51mm (2”) sample per person and per email address. Offer strictly limited to 1,000 samples. *vs prior model

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wpc news f r o m

t h e

w o r l d

WPC taps Chaney as new Chairman GP Russ Chaney, CEO of The IAPMO Group, was elected Chairman of the World Plumbing Council during the September conference.

Chaney has served two terms on the WPC Executive Board and was Deputy Chairman from 2008-2011.

He began his career in plumbing as an apprentice in 1974, obtaining his Master Plumber license in the state of New Jersey in 1982 and his New Jersey Plumbing Inspector license in 1987.

He ran his own plumbing business until he laid down the tools in 1990 and joined the National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors (PHCC) as director of Technical Services in 1992.

Joining Chaney on the WPC Executive Board are: Deputy Chairman Sudhakaran Nair (India) Honorary Secretary/Treasurer Hans Tiedemann (Canada) Directors Hua Mingjiu (China) Richard J. Prospal (United States) Elmar Esser (Germany) Shayne La Combre (Australia)

p l um b ing

“Being elected by my peers to this position, essentially the pinnacle of my career in plumbing, is the highest, most humbling honour I’ve received in my professional career,” Chaney said.

“With the support of my colleagues on the Executive Board and WPC membership I hope to put the WPC on a strong footing so that those who follow have the ability to make significant strides on behalf of the international plumbing community.”

“It is my goal to continue working to advance the image of plumbers, strengthening the public view that plumbers are professional, highly trained individuals who protect health and safety on a daily basis, to maintain our strong relationship with the World Health Organization, our support of the World Skills Competition and to nurture our budding relationship with the World Green Building Council.”

Robert Burgon bids farewell to WPC After nearly a decade with the WPC, former President Robert Burgon has bid farewell to the council. He wishes his successor (Russ Chaney) every success for the future and says: “After nine years on the Board of the WPC, I can honestly say that I have seen a significant improvement in the global respect which is accorded to our industry. In particular, the World Plumbing Day initiative has helped to raise awareness of the health and environmental roles of the industry.

However there is no room for complacency, millions of people still do not have access to even basic plumbing facilities including clean water and effective sanitation and people die each day as a result. This remains a major challenge and it will be important that the WPC continues to stress the role our industry plays.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Board and the opportunities to visit so many countries (including two visits to Australia). Wherever I have gone, I have met people who are passionate about plumbing and I am positive that this passion will help ensure the WPC’s mission and goals are achieved.”

c o un c i l WPC Distinguished Service Award Andy Watts, MBE, of the United Kingdom received the WPC’s highest honour – the Distinguished Service Award – at September’s World Plumbing Conference.

The Distinguished Service Award was established to recognise the efforts of an individual or organization that has contributed to the mission of the World Plumbing Council. Watts, who held the office of WPC secretary from 1996-2008, is only the third individual to be honoured with the award since the WPC was founded in 1990.

Watts was the driving force behind the WPC forging a close working relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) and subsequent release (in 2006) of Health Aspects of Plumbing, a critically important document that illustrates the important work done by the plumbing industry to ensure public health and safety.

A major contributor to the plumbing industry for more than four decades, Watts worked at the Registered Plumbers Association (RPA) before being appointed executive director of the Institute of Plumbing in 1971.

In 1994, Watts was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his years of service and dedication to England’s plumbing industry. “His long standing commitment to his organization remains as a model for those of us who serve as chief executives of plumbing industry organizations,” said Russ Chaney, “His contributions in the United Kingdom, as well as abroad, will serve to motivate others in our industry to achieve their very best.”

WPC awards educational scholarship Chintan Daiya, a plumbing education partner with D’Plumbing Consultants of Mumbai, India, has been awarded the WPC’s prestigious Education and Training Scholarship for 2011. Daiya is the eighth individual to receive the scholarship and the announcement was made during the World Plumbing Conference in Edinburgh in September. www . p l u m b e r . c om . a u

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The 9th World Plumbing conference was held in Edinburgh, Scotland during September.

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Daiya will receive up to US$10,000 to conduct a study tour of plumbing teaching techniques, new innovations and training systems within a country outside of his native India. Daiya has chosen to study Singapore.

A member of India’s plumbing industry since 1995, Daiya has been involved in training since 2005, most recently as part of IAPMO India and the Indian Plumbing Association’s Plumbing Education and Employment Program (PEEP) and the Green Plumbers India initiative.

“I am very grateful to the members of the WPC Executive Board for putting their faith in me and finding me capable for this scholarship,” Daiya said.

WPC Chairman GP Russ Chaney said, “I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting Chintan Daiya at numerous IPA conferences and he has always struck me as very talented young man. The WPC looks forward to learning what he discovers on his study tour of India.”

Robert Burgon, who chaired the WPC Scholarship Panel since its inception, also welcomed the award and praised the quality of Daiya’s application, saying: “This award is one of the industry’s most significant scholarships and has been used to undertake some useful research in a number of different countries.”

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Photos: 1 Past Chairman, Robert Burgon, is thanked by Russ Chaney.

2 Former WPC Secretary, Andy Watts, MBE (right) receives the Distinguished Service Award from Russ Chaney.

3 Keynote speaker, Bruce Gordon of the World Health Organisation.

4 Fergus Ewing, Scottish Government Minister for Energy (left) is thanked for opening the Conference by Robert Burgon, WPC Chairman 2008-2011 5 The WPC Executive Board 2011-2013 from left: Hua Mingjiu (China), Richard Prospal (USA), Shayne La Combre (Australia), Russ Chaney, Chairman (USA), Hans Tiedemann, Hon. Secretary/Treasurer (Canada), Elmar Esser (Germany), Sudhakaran Nair, Deputy Chairman (India).

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“Backs up its on-road prowess with almost formidable ability off it.”

“You can sum it up in one sentence: Nothing stopped the Amarok.” Glenn Torrens – 4X4 Australia, July 2011. “ The Amarok beats them all, hands down. I don’t care which one you name, Hilux, Navara, Colorado, D-Max, Triton – the Amarok is better. It rides better, sounds better, looks better and is built better. The Volkswagen Amarok may have been ‘tested by dakar’ but right here it’s been tested by Australia.” Karl Peskett – Car Advice, July 2011.

That’s why the Amarok is Delivery Magazine’s 2011 ‘Ute of the Year’ and it’s the first in its class to be awarded a 5 star ANCAP safety rating. Now it’s your turn to test the new Volkswagen Amarok.