Australian Plumbing - March 2014

plumbing AUSTRALIAN

I N D U S T R Y

M A G A Z I N E

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M ar c h

your industry magazine

The new space race bioenergy: powering the future

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TRADE ACCOUNT

BECAUSE YOU’RE A TRADIE

NOT A BEAN COUNTER Paperwork can be time consuming when running your business. With the Masters Trade Account it’s easy to stay on top of costs for every job.

Access to your account 24/7, you can see all your purchases the way you referenced them in store. For example: by customer or project name or purchase order number.

Customer Service 1300 855 300

American Express Australia GPO Box 3757 Sydney NSW 2001

Statement of Account Prepared for

Page 1 of 4 Membership Number

CF FROST FROST & SON PLUMBING ABN: 48151623421

Date

XXXX-XXXXXX-52005

5,057.00

5,057.00

3 July 2011

1,570.80

1,570.80

1,570.80 Due Date 28 Jul, 2011

.80

Statement includes payments and charges received by 3 July, 2011

Thank you for using our services. Please ensure your payment reaches us by 28 Jul, 2011 or additional charges may apply IMPORTANT GST INFORMATION # Transactions shown with this symbol may indicate a mixed transaction. The GST has been calculated as if the transaction was wholly th taxable at 1/11 of the price. You will need to obtain a tax invoice or adjustment note before claiming an input tax credit in relation to this transaction or adjustment

Statement Period

All you need at a glance

americanexpress.com.au

Trade Charge Card

®

From 1 Jun to 3 Jul, 2011

Details

Amount $

Payments Section July 1 ONLINE PAYMENT RECEIVED – THANK YOU

5,057.00 CR

Total of Payments

5,057.00 CR

CF FROST Total of new transactions

659.84

KC FROST Total of new transactions

910.96

Card Number XXXX-XXXXXX-52005

Card Number XXXX-XXXXXX-51009

®

Statement of Account Prepared for

GST made simple We make tax time easier too. Statements can be easily downloaded and used with Quicken™, MYOB© and Microsoft® Excel – all with GST itemised and displayed separately.

Apply for an account online at masters.com.au/trade or speak with your Masters Trade Specialist on 1300 337 707.

Page 2 of 4 Membership Number

CF FROST FROST & SON PLUMBING ABN: 48151623421 3778-­‐385635-­‐52005

Date

XXXX-XXXXXX-52005

3 July 2011

Payment $659.84 Details Due by 28 Jul, 2011

10 June

CF FROST FROST & SON PLUMBING 12 SHELLEY STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000

377838563552360

Amount $

Masters Home Improvement, Braybrook, VIC

435.73

ABN: 21066891307 Ref: Mr. Peter Smith

TOTAL GST: Item Number Qty Item Desc 900014529 3x FOLDING STEEL ADJUSTABLE SAWHORSE 900023428 150x 300x500x500 BORAL PAVERS 900032157 15x STAIN VARNISH GL CEDAR GL 2LTR 900054634 30x 1.97M X 2.59M RION MAJESTIC EA 900099578 1x 1m Handrail OTHER TENDER

п 0100017838563550000000000000000п 13 June Masters Home Improvement, Braybrook, VIC

GST 27.27 2.50 22.76 4.11 0.00

AMT 300.00 27.50 250.53 45.20 12.50 -200.00

185.00

ABN: 21066891307 Ref: Mrs. Thompson

TOTAL GST:

A Masters Trade Account fully itemises your purchases making job and tax consolidation simple.

56.64

Item Number 900093006 900093191

June 15

Qty Item Desc 3x 320G LIQUID NAILS CARTRIDGE 2x TURBOBEAM WHIRLY BIRD BLUE

16.81 GST 1.36 15.45

AMT 15.00 170.00

Masters Home Improvement, Braybrook, VIC

39.11

ABN: 21066891307 Ref: PO Number 20110524

TOTAL GST: Item Number 900031417 900092515

Qty Item Desc 1x PAINT ADDITIVE 300G PENETROL SPRAYCAN 1x BLADES-SAW DIAMON STANDAR 0127 127 x 22

3.56 GST 1.68 1.88

AMT 18.48 20.63

Total of New Transaction for CF FROST

659.84

Please check all transactions carefully and immediately advise us of any unauthorised use of the Card.

Your Account Payment Options

:

Pay your bill online

Vis it americanexpress.co m.au/payb illonline to s et up Online Bill Pay ment to make immediate or schedule payments from your bank account.

Biller Code: 5082

*

DISCOUNT

At Austr alia Post Offices - y ou c an pay by cas h, cheque or EFTPOS. You mus t present your current Acc ount statement.

C as h payments are limited to AUD6,500 or the outstanding balance as shown on your c urrent Acc ount Statement , whichever is the lesser. You mus t present your Card and c urrent Acc ount Statement when paying your Card Ac count.

The Automatic Payment Plan (Direct Debit)

Simply present your Trade Member Card and Trade Charge Card for 5% off storewide*

Make the cheque pay able to Americ an Expres s. One cheque per Card Acc ount. Place your c heque and the detac hed payment advice in the envelope prov ided.

Paying in person

Contact y our fi nancial ins titution to make the payment from y our account. You will need to enter the biller code and your C ard number.

Please allow 3 day s payment process ing time

TRADE

Cheque Payment

To enrol, visit am ericanexpr ess.com .au/directdebit or call the Cardmember T elephone service Centre .

A $2 processing fee will apply to pay ments made in person.

If yo u do not wish to be contacted fo r p romo tional or m arketing offers, o r wish to chang e the address, name or p hone num be r o n your Acco unt, p lease call the Hom e Im provement T rade Charge C ar d Ser vice XXXXXGG 0 1/1 1

Find out more and shop online at masters.com.au or call 1300 337 707 VIC: Ballarat, Box Hill, Braybrook, Burnside, Carrum Downs, Dandenong, Hawthorn East, Keysborough, Knoxfield, Mornington, Northland, Oakleigh South, Pakenham, Roxburgh Park, South Morang, Williams Landing QLD: Cairns, Mackay, Morayfield, Nerang, North Lakes, Rockhampton, Springfield Central, Tingalpa, Toowoomba, Upper Coomera, Bundamba & Robina (Opening Soon) NSW: Chullora, Gregory Hills, Heatherbrae, Rutherford, Wagga Wagga, West Gosford, St Marys, Bathurst WA: Baldivis, Bibra Lake, Ellenbrook, Forrestdale, Joondalup SA: Mt Gambier ACT: Canberra Airport *5% discount excludes gift cards, trade packs and negotiated discounts.

MT AP03

Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

welcome. f r o m

t h e

E dit o r

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: 100019076 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 SkillsTech Australia 760-776 Kingsford Smith Drive Eagle Farm QLD 4006 T 0424 165 308 F (07) 3854 2346

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre

Welcome to our first issue of 2014!

In this issue we focus on some interesting water, construction and energy projects that have taken place around the country.

Bioenergy has been commonly used across Europe and the United States and is finally becoming a more popular renewable energy choice in Australia.

In this issue we look at bioenergy

In our main feature, we take a closer look at two clever Victorian projects that are using bioenergy to generate alternative and renewable power.

The first is the Beaufort Hospital in regional Victoria, which will now be saving thousands on its heating bill thanks to the recent installation of a biomass boiler. The new boiler will help the hospital save around $60,000 on gas bills and is creating jobs in the local area.

Meanwhile, over at Melbourne’s Western Treatment Plant, a cutting edge project is capturing large amounts of biogas from the sewage treatment process and generating renewable energy.

4 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

In our ‘space race’ feature Vince Aherne from AIRAH speaks to four experts about how they are dealing with spatial issues in the HVAC industry.

306 Albert Street Brunswick VIC 3065 T (03) 9356 8921 F (03) 9356 8929

Contacts Publisher

Our green building feature this month looks at how sustainable water use and management practices are being used in high density living across the country.

The Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA)

And Charlotte Roseby chats with Lewis Chapman, a Master Plumber member who gets to work with some very interesting critters.

Melissa Chrys T (03) 9321 0703 E publications@plumber.com.au

Also in this issue: photos from the 2013 Master Plumbers Christmas celebrations; important information on parental leave; articles on business planning, debt recovery and website marketing; and all our regular industry and product news.

Happy reading!

Editor

Advertising Tremain Walles T (03) 9321 0780 E tremain.walles@plumber.com.au

Suppliers Salt Creative www.saltcreative.com.au Printgraphics www.printgraphics.com.au Direct Mail Corporation www.directmail.com.au

Melissa Chrys Editor Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine

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INSTALL A AUSTRALIA’S NO.1

contents.

13 From the CEO / 9 A message from our CEO and the Association’s President

Member news / 10 Pictures from the 2013 Christmas Cocktail Party

Industry news / 14

24 The new space race / 32 Copper shapes up against germs / 37 Copper is the latest weapon in the germ war and that’s good news for consumers

Debt recovery in the plumbing industry / 38

Bioenergy: powering the future / 24

Water wise or water waste? / 40

A look at two Victorian projects that are using bioenergy to generate renewable power

How sustainable water use and management practices are being utilised in high-density living

Master Plumber: meet Lewis Chapman / 30

First steps to financial management / 44

generating renewable power see page 24

48 Mastering workplace relations: parental leave / 46 Phil Eberhard outlines the key elements of parental leave and your obligations as an employer

A plumber’s guide to Google / 48 The right cover / 50 Having the right insurance is one of the most important aspects of running a small enterprise

Product news / 52 WPC news / 62 The latest from the World Plumbing Council

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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We are embarking on an exciting campaign to promote our members and our brand

Welcome.

from the President and CEO

An exciting year ahead

Metal roofing at risk

It was great to catch up with so many members at the Association’s Christmas Cocktail Party in December. Although the weather was disappointing (I think it must have been coldest summer day ever in Melbourne), it was great that so many of you turned up to celebrate the end of another year.

You can see photos from the event on page 10 of this issue.

On the 8 January 2014, the Victorian Government announced that it was implementing a ‘red tape’ initiative that would allow ‘registered builders’ to construct metal roofs.

The Christmas party was also an opportunity for us to recognise the efforts of Phil Kelly, a long-time member of Master Plumbers who was presented with the Graham White Award in appreciation of his ongoing efforts within the Association and his local community.

Phil has been one of the key organisers of the annual Bendigo golf day and has helped raise many thousands of dollars for Camp Quality through the event.

The golf day is run in October each year and is becoming increasingly popular, so if you’re keen to play this year make sure you get your entry form in early.

Earlier in the year the Association called for nominations for several positions on the National Council, which is a key component of the Association’s governance structure. By having frequent and regular elections, we hope to provide a greater range of members with an opportunity to get involved, contribute and help steer the direction of the Association in the future. If you’d like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or one of my fellow National Councillors, to see how you can help shape our Association.

In 2014 Master Plumbers is embarking on exciting radio and print advertising campaign to promote our members and our brand.

Our ‘Always choose a Master Plumber’ campaign aims to:

There was no consultation with the plumbing industry either directly or through the established government mechanisms such as the Plumbing Advisory Committee prior to the announcement.

The proposal is badly thought out. It does not require the builder to demonstrate any level of competence. It does not expand on what constructing a roof entails: is it more than fixing metal sheeting? Does it include flashings, valleys, etc?

In an attempt to retain the plumber’s warranty insurance on the roof, they have stated that a plumber will be required to sign off on the construction.

Master Plumbers has objected strongly to the proposal but the Government has ignored our objections. We have pointed out that: • Under current legislation it would be illegal for a plumber to sign off on another’s work.

• Insurers will not offer warranty insurance on work that is carried out by untrained workers who have no demonstrated competence.

• Increase awareness of the Master Plumbers and its members

• The number of uninsured, leaking roofs will result in a significant increase in consumer building complaints.

• Educate consumers on the benefits of choosing a Master Plumber (Master Plumbers are registered, licensed, bound by a code of ethics, provide quality workmanship and are insured)

In summary, this is not a red tape issue, it is about the skills required to carry out a fundamental building task and the consumer protection regime that sits behind it.

• Encourage consumers to visit plumber.com.au and use the ‘Find a Plumber’ function to search for a Master Plumber in their area.

We are also making some important changes to our Find a Master Plumber search function to make it quicker and easier for consumers to find and contact you. If you’d like to find out more about our advertising campaign, please contact the marketing team.

I’d like to remind all our members to take advantage of our services and offers this year. If you’re looking for an apprentice, please contact Pancho Grech and find out how hiring a Plumbing Apprenticeships Victoria apprentice can be a cost effective and convenient solution for your business.

If you are keen to expand your skills, head over to the PICAC website (picac.org.au) and check out the hundreds of courses on offer – remember, members can access great discounts on training.

And finally, take advantage of our Member Benefits program – you can save big on vehicles, insurance, holidays and much more. To find out more about your benefits, give our Membership Team a call on 03 9329 9622.

At the Plumbing Advisory Committee meeting on 20 February 2014, it was agreed with the Department of Transport, Planning and Infrastructure (who is responsible for building) that there would be a sub-committee established to consult on the metal roofing proposal.

The Master Plumbers Association, the Plumbing Union and the Victorian Building Authority and Department will be represented on the committee.

However, I still encourage everyone who reads this magazine to ring or write to your local member of Parliament and/or the Minister for Planning to express your concern.

Ken Gardner CEO, Master Plumbers

Scott Dowsett President, Master Plumbers www.plumber.com.au | 9

member news Despite being the coldest summer day on record, there was an excellent turn out for the annual Christmas cocktail party on 3 December.

Around 200 members came to the event held on the rooftop at Rydges on Swanston, but sadly the arctic winds and freezing rain didn’t allow us to enjoy the rooftop views!

A great time was had by all nonetheless.

Members celebrated the end of another year and long-time Master Plumbers member, Phil Kelly, was presented with the inaugural Graham White Award in recognition of his ongoing contribution to the Association and the plumbing industry. Read more about Phil on page 13 of this issue.

The party was a great opportunity for members to network and catch up at the end of another busy year.

We’ve got our fingers crossed for better weather this year!

10 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

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member news Phil Kelly presented with inaugural Graham White Award The Graham White Award is presented to a member who has made an ongoing and valuable contribution to the Association and the community.

The Award is named in honour of Graham White, who joined the Association in 1941 and held many positions within the Association, including Central Zone President, Master Plumbers Victoria President and Treasurer.

Graham was a continuous member of the Victorian Executive up to the point he was made Honorary Secretary when he retired after 50 years in the plumbing industry. He was the first recipient of the Association’s Wylie Scholarship in 1953 and today, he is a Life Member of the Association.

In 2013, the first Graham White award was presented to long-time Master Plumber, Phil Kelly.

Phil joined the Master Plumbers when he started his own business in 1988.

In 1990 he became Chairman of the Bendigo and Northern Zone and he worked tirelessly to ensure members were involved in activities and supporting the local TAFE College.

Phil has met and become firm friends with many people through his involvement in the Association and over the years he has become involved in many events and committees.

An active member of the Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat, Phil has taken part in many fundraising activities and even travelled to the island of KarKar in PNG to help build a hospital.

He was Chairman of the Environment Division, contributed to the development of the Green Plumber program and was involved with the Professional Development Committee.

The Association would like to thank Phil for the valuable contribution he has made to Master Plumbers and the community over the years; his commitment and enthusiasm is valued by members and staff alike.

Phil assisted in organising two Master Plumber’s conferences and is one of the key organisers of the very successful Bendigo Charity Golf Day, which has been running for over 20 years and has raised over $100,000 for charity.

Phil has also been a very committed and dynamic member of his community.

He was on the Board of Central Victorian Group Training for five years and was Chairman of the school board for 10 years whilst his sons were at school. During that time was able to procure funding for a variety of projects that led to the betterment of the school.

Advertising campaign In 2014 Master Plumbers is embarking on exciting radio and print advertising campaign to promote our members and our brand.

Our ‘Always choose a Master Plumber’ campaign aims to: • Increase awareness of the Master Plumbers and its members • Educate consumers on the benefits of choosing a Master Plumber (Master Plumbers are registered, licensed, bound by a code of ethics, provide quality workmanship and are insured) • Encourage consumers to visit plumber.com.au and use the Find a Master Plumber function to search for a Master Plumber in their area.

In order to maximise the success of our campaign, we are making some important improvements to our Find a Master Plumber search function.

These changes will make it quicker and easier for consumers to find and contact you.

Stay tuned for some important info heading your way regarding how you can help make our campaign a success!

To find out more about our advertising plans, contact Melissa Chrys in the Marketing and Communications department 03 9321 0703.

The improved search facility will allow consumers to search for your business via postcode and to refine their search based on the type of plumber they are looking for.

www.plumber.com.au | 13

industry news PICAC news “PICAC has realised the need to expand and the Greater Geelong region has always been seen as an area that would benefit from all we have to offer”, said PICAC Chairman Earl Setches. “When large employers like Shell, Ford and Qantas are pulling out we believe there is a critical need to bring real, quality, career changing training to the region”.

New plumbing training centre of excellence for Geelong The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) has purchased its first satellite campus in Geelong.

Plumbing Trades Employee’s Union (PTEU) and Master Plumbers have purchased a site just under 65000 square meters, at Breakwater, Geelong. The sale was settled on 2 December 2013.

PICAC is a unique industry collaboration with PTEU, Master Plumbers, National Fire Industry Association and Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association.

“Key Industry Stakeholders have worked collaboratively to design and build a world class training centre in Melbourne,” said Ken Gardner, Deputy Chairman, PICAC. “The Centre is built by industry, owned by industry and delivering for industry, the same will be the case in Geelong.”

It is envisaged all courses currently available at PICAC in Brunswick, will also be available in Geelong.

“Easy access to quality needs based training is vital for the industry, and long overdue.”

In addition to servicing the Greater Geelong Region, the centre will also cover the Surfcoast Region, Ballarat, Colac, Warrnambool, Bendigo and Western Victoria. The Western Suburbs of Melbourne will also be catered for with easy access from the Ring Road.

“We have already started modifying some of our training resources to make them mobile, allowing for very flexible delivery in all our facilities,” said Shayne La Combre, Chief Executive Officer, PICAC.

2014 World Plumbing Day at PICAC

Plumbing Careers Expo

World Plumbing Day is held on March 11 every year to celebrate the important role plumbing plays in the health, safety and sustainability of our community.

Students who are considering a future in the plumbing industry will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from Registered Training Organisations, TAFE Institutes, group schemes, employers and others involved in vocational education and training.

PICAC is hosting a day of celebrations in Brunswick and event highlights include:

Designed to stress the importance of water

Plumbing Industry Luncheon

Industry Stakeholders are invited to attended a luncheon with speakers focusing on ‘Emerging health risks effecting the plumbing industry’.

The key note speaker, The Hon. Peter Hall, Minister for Higher Education and Skills will focus on the importance of education, re-skilling and up-skilling for our industry.

14 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Plumbing Apprentice Skills Competition and Sprinkler Fitting Apprentice Skills Competition Leading apprentices from across Victoria will display their skills and knowledge of plumbing, mechanical services and fire protection in a practical demonstration.

Plumbing Trades Expo Sponsors and other organisations will set up displays of industry innovations, cutting edge products and sustainable solutions for guests. The theme of emerging risks will continue in this area.

Art Exhibition A display of a sample of World Plumbing Council ‘Water is Life’ competition entrants, these thought provoking images were designed to stress the importance of water in our world. View photos from last year here.

To find out more about the event visit picac.com.au or to head to worldplumbing.org to see what’s happening around the world.

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industry news Dates for your diary

PICAC news 2019 World Plumbing Conference success for Melbourne The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) has secured the 12th Triennial World Plumbing Conference for Melbourne in 2019.

The winning bid was presented by Shayne La Combre, Chief Executive Officer, PICAC at the World Plumbing Council (WPC) General Meeting held in India earlier this month, before the 10th World Plumbing Conference commenced in New Delhi.

‘Given the important work of plumbers and the contribution plumbing systems make to our community health and amenity, can there be a more important and vital gathering than the World Plumbing Conference’, said Shayne, ‘Melbourne and PICAC will strive to highlight this on a world stage in 2019.’

World plumbing industry coming to Melbourne in 2019

Hosting the Conference will welcome up to 1,000 like-minded plumbing industry delegates to Melbourne to witness the technological advancements continually being made, particularly in the areas of sustainability, HVAC, fire protection and building management systems. Australia’s plumbing industry will greatly benefit from bringing the world’s plumbing industry to Melbourne by sharing in the transfer of information and ideas.

There are challenges ahead for the plumbing industry, which must continue to respond to new public health risks, including those resulting from emerging diseases, new technologies and climate change.

The Conference will be a gathering of global thought leaders, focusing on the key intersection of community health and amenity as well as developments in water and energy efficiency.

This will be the second time Australia has hosted a World Plumbing Conference. The Master Plumber’s and Mechanical Contractors Association of NSW hosted the inaugural Conference in Sydney in 1985.

Some important dates …

International Women’s Day 8 March un.org/en/events/womensday

World Plumbing Day 11 March worldplumbingday.org

Safety in Action Darwin Convention Centre 19-20 March safetyinaction.net.au/Darwin

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence 21 March bullyingnoway.gov.au

The 11th World Plumbing Conference will be held in Cape Town, South Africa from 14 to 16 September 2016 For more information please visit worldplumbing.org

Good Friday 18 April Easter Monday 21 April Anzac Day 25 April Ozwater’14 Brisbane 29 April to 1 May ozwater.org

Heart Week 4-10 May heartfoundation.org.au

World Red Cross Day 8 May redcross.org.au

Mother’s Day 11 May Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea 22 May biggestmorningtea.com.au

ARBS 2014 20-22 May arbs.com.au www.plumber.com.au | 17

industry news Ozwater 2014 Ozwater is Australia’s international water conference and trade exhibition, and is run annually by the Australian Water Association (AWA). This highly regarded event has built a strong reputation for being the ‘must attend’ event on the calendar for water industry professionals and those with a commercial interest in water.

The last event, Ozwater’13, attracted over 3000 participants.

Keep informed You’ll learn from a world-class list of speakers encompassing experiences, challenges and solutions from around the world. Our impressive trade exhibition will also ensure you’re kept up to date with the latest water industry science, technology, products, services, technology and innovation.

Building upon AWA’s mission to be the ‘hub for water professionals’, Ozwater’13 will attract a diverse audience from water professionals, decision and policy makers through to students, scientists and researchers.

It’s also a platform to: Connect With a very interactive program, you’ll get plenty of face-to-face opportunities to create global relationships with a variety of water professionals. Networking is all about cultivating mutually beneficial personal relationships which we believe will help your organisation to stand out and contribute to its success.

With a delegate lounge, the Gentrack Ozwatering Hole and an abundance of social meeting areas and functions, we’ll make sure you’re not low on locations to network away!

Learn interactively A series of hands-on workshops will be held – it’s a great way to debate and discuss current issues, policies and technologies. With workshops on diverse topics from recycled water and public engagement through to urban water research and online water quality monitoring, we’ll ensure you take a wealth of information back to your organisation.

The ttend’ t ‘mus a or event f ha it w those ial c r e m com t in interes e wat r

To find out more visit ozwater.org

ARBS 2014 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 20-22 May 2014.

Seminar registrations are now open on the ARBS 2014 website www.arbs.com.au Pump Industry Association (PIA) President Ron Astall will be one of three panellists discussing developments in pumping systems for the building services sector in a panel discussion at ARBS in May. Fellow panellists will be colleagues and PIA executives Ken Kugler and Keith Sanders.

The three panellists will address different aspects of pump technologies: • Ron Astall will talk about pump efficiency, specific speed and where the best gains can be made in reducing power consumption in pumps and systems • Ken Kugler will discuss the new AS 2941-2013 Fixed fire protection installations – Pumpset systems standard, essential information for those who specify, procure or work with sprinklers and hydrants.

• Keith Sanders will offer insights into pump performance information and testing to AS 2417:2001 Rotodynamic pumps – Hydraulic performance acceptance tests.

Ron Astall, President of the Pump Industry Association

18 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Getting pumped for ARBS 2014

Keith will also share his knowledge of current European trends in efficiency and power consumption, which looks at the Extended Product Approach and is currently subject of a draft Europump guide. “The European Community is generally more advanced than Australia regarding regulation of pumping equipment,” he says, “and their approach may be instructive.”

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industry news What does MySuper mean for employers?

MySuper is a new, simple and cost effective super product that super funds will be offering to employers for use from 1 January 2014.

Alison Lendon, ATO Deputy Commissioner, Superannuation, said, “From 1 January 2014, superannuation guarantee contributions need to be paid to a fund with a MySuper product or an employee chosen fund.”

MySuper changes will deliver benefits to both employers and staff

“As an employer, you should check that the default fund you’re currently using provides a MySuper product, or plans to do so by the new year deadline.

“If your existing default fund does not offer a MySuper product by 1 January 2014, you will need to switch to a fund that does,” Ms Lendon said.

Many superannuation funds have already launched MySuper products, and more will launch products through to the end of the year. Super funds have been contacting employers and advising of the new arrangements.

“We expect that for almost all employers, your existing default fund will offer a MySuper product, so you won’t have to make any changes.

“However, if you haven’t heard from your super fund or want to know more about their MySuper product, contact your fund before the end of the year,” Ms Lendon said.

The MySuper changes will deliver benefits to both employers and their staff.

MySuper products will have a simple set of product features, regardless of who provides them. MySuper products will also ensure members do not pay for any unnecessary features they do not use.

20 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Three MySuper steps for employers Employers can be ready for MySuper by taking the following simple steps:

1 Check Check your existing default fund arrangements. Has your default fund advised you about MySuper changes?

2 Contact If you have not heard from your default super fund, contact them now.

3 Contribute After 1 January 2014 make super guarantee contributions with your MySuper arrangements in place.

To find out more visit ato.gov.au

industry news Australia secures key positions on the World Plumbing Council Executive Board Shayne La Combre, Chief Executive Officer, Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) has been elected Deputy Chair of the World Plumbing Council (WPC) and Ken Gardner, Master Plumbers CEO and Deputy Chair, PICAC has been elected Honorary Secretary/Treasurer of the WPC. The elections of the WPC Executive Board (EB) occurred at the WPC General Meeting in India earlier this month.

‘It is our role to inform the world of the contribution plumbing has made to the health and wellbeing of our society. This contribution cannot be overstated. After all, good plumbing has made more of a contribution to community health than inoculation.’ Said Shayne, following his appointment.

Shayne was also appointed Chair of the WPC Training and Education Committee. ‘ Over 3 million children die unnecessarily every year from water related diseases.

Commitment to education and training worldwide is key to reducing these avoidable deaths.’

Shayne La Combre, Chief Executive Officer, PICAC

The mission of the WPC is to promote the role of plumbing in improving public health and safeguarding the environment by uniting the World Plumbing Industry for the benefit of all.

‘I look forward to working with the EB to further encourage, participate in and facilitate the exchange of information, research and technology applicable to the World Plumbing Industry’ said Ken. ‘The world can learn a lot from the advancements made in Australia and we can learn from our global partners.’

Ken Gardner, Master Plumbers CEO and Deputy Chair, PICAC

Shayne was first elected to the WPC Executive Board (EB) in September 2011.

This is Ken’s first term.

Defence plumber keeps the water flowing for Filipino refugees As Australian defence force members return from their humanitarian assistance mission to the cyclone ravaged Philippines, one Holsworthy local will take home some special memories.

Sergeant Josh McLaren is a plumber with 17 Construction Squadron, 6th Engineer Support Regiment (6ESR). They deployed to the Philippine island of Omoc as part of Operation Philippines Assist.

The region was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan last month.

One of the highlights for Sergeant McLaren was working with a group of Filipino soldiers to restore their supply of clean water.

Sergeant McClaren says the clean-up task was as important as it was challenging.

“We have to make do with less than what we’re used to back home,” he said.

“The other ranks are getting water to their houses now which they didn’t get before the typhoon struck.”

Sgt McLaren said he had upgraded what was already there as well as repairing the typhoon-damaged plumbing.

22 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

“It feels great to be able to do something for these guys,” he said.

“They’ve been great to work with and are getting right into it.”

“And it’s awesome being back out working with plumbing tools rather than working in an office.”

Between 28 November and 15 December, Australian Army engineers, with assistance from Navy sailors and in coordination with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff, cleaned-up and repaired 16 schools.

According to local officials, these efforts, allowed about 15,500 students to return to classes, once schools re-opened on 02 December.

Left: Australian Army Sergeant Josh McLaren from Sydney-based 17 Construction Squadron, works on plumbing at the 19th Infantry Commando Battalion Barracks in Kananga, Philippines during Operation PHILIPPINES ASSIST

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Bioenergy powering the future Commonly used across Europe and the United States, bioenergy is becoming an increasingly popular renewable energy choice in Australia.

In this feature we look at two clever Victorian projects that are using bioenergy to generate alternative and renewable power.

Generating power from sewage A cutting-edge construction project is capturing a large amount of biogas from the sewage treatment process and generating renewable energy. Charlotte Roseby reports.

Melbourne’s Western Treatment Plant is a world leader in technical and environmental innovation. It processes around half of Melbourne’s sewage and produces almost 40 billion litres of recycled water a year.

Now, after years of The plant planning, a produces enough $43 million project is renewable energy removing per year to power the ageing 12,500 households cover from for a year the sewage treatment lagoons and replacing them with an innovative design.

The new covers – covering an area the size of four MCGs – will capture a huge amount of biogas used to generate electricity which, in turn, will power the facility. The project will also reduce odour emissions, making the neighbours happy.

Under the covers The old system was in a single piece, two-thirds of the size of the new cover.

The new segmented, compartmentalised design will make it easier to maintain and renew the lagoon covers in smaller segments, minimising exposed areas and extending the life of the covers.

Made from high-density polyethylene – requiring special plastic-welding engineering skills to join the sheets together – the covers float over the top of ponds like a swimming pool liner.

With the added benefit of ballast to create a tight water seal, the gas is drawn off 24 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

from underneath the cover, between the ballast and the plastic, using gas blowers.

The captured gas is pushed across to a power station where the biogas is turned into electricity.

The new covers will create a flow rate of up to 3000 cubic metres per hour of biogas.

Combusting biogas and generating energy The biogas, mostly methane, is cleaned in scrubber towers and fed into engines where the excess methane is burnt off.

The engines drive generators to produce clean, renewable electricity The treatment plant’s power station, operated by AGL, is one of the largest biogas power stations in the southern hemisphere. The plant produces enough renewable energy per year to power 12,500 households for a year.

Sewage is much more than a waste product, says Melbourne Water’s Peter Gall, Manager of the Western Treatment Plant. “This is a low-tech, really efficient process for capturing the biogas, a byproduct of the sewage treatment process, which can actually power the facility.”

“The reality is that over a year we will generate up to 71,500 megawatts of energy from biogas,” says Peter. This will prevent 87,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year from being emitted through the burning of fossil fuels. “It’s very exciting … it gives us the great benefit of being able to generate renewable energy.

We can get closer to full self-sufficiency for our energy requirements.”

A haven for birds … and birdwatchers What many people do not realise is that this biogas-producing treatment plant has benefits way beyond power generation.

The Western Treatment Plant contains vitally important vegetation and habitats for wildlife: decommissioned treatment ponds (now managed as conservation ponds), intertidal mudflats and reefs, remnant grasslands and networks of drains that are important to frogs.

It is a haven for many animals, birds and reptiles.

This is one of Australia’s most important wetlands for waterbirds, and is listed under the international Ramsar Convention.

“We have tens of thousands of birds we support on the site including migratory birds that make the flight all the way from Russia, China and Japan, which arrive at the Western Treatment Plant each year in the summer,” says Peter.

“It’s known as Victoria’s Kakadu …

This is a fantastic side benefit of the treatment plant and its sewage treatment processes.”

Construction on the new covers started in 2010 and will finish this year. The work is being done by the Water Resources Alliance (an alliance of Australian construction firms) for Melbourne Water.

The old cover material and ballast pipes have been recovered and recycled.

What is bioenergy?

Bioenergy refers to any renewable energy created by using materials derived from biological sources, also known as biomass.

Biomass is any organic material that can be used as fuel for bioenergy. It can include by-products from agricultural activities such as wood waste, manure, sugarcane and straw, as well as methane from landfill, parts of sewage effluent and compressed waste from household garbage.

Bioenergy technologies rely on the use of high temperatures to turn solid material into gas (gasification) and heat, which is then used to generate electricity or heating.

There are currently a number of technologies being used and developed including gas collection, gasification, combustion and digestion.

A key benefit to bioenergy is the fact that it is a renewable source of energy.

Project at a glance • Segmented covers, which float over the sewage treatment lagoons, will capture biogas at a rate of up to 3000 cubic metres per hour.

• Biogas is approximately 70 per cent methane • The gas is treated, pressed, compressed and then burnt in nine 100 kilowatt combustion engines • Combusting biogas will generate up to 71,500 megawatts of energy each year.

www.plumber.com.au | 25

Bioenergy powering the future Beaufort boiler: wood fired boiler installation at the Beaufort Hospital in regional Victoria Daryl Scherger, Bioenergy Project Manager for the Pyrenees Shire Council shares his experience of installing a biomass boiler at the Beaufort Hospital.

Like most small hospitals in regional Victoria, the Beaufort Hospital operates on a very tight budget. Adding to constraints is the fact that the town of Beaufort does not have natural gas, so the hospital has to use LPG as its heating fuel.

The present system has twin 150kW condensing boilers supplying heat through the hospital’s hydronic heating system. Heating accounts for around 80 per cent of the hospital’s fuel bill, and at current LPG prices, costs the hospital over $60,000 dollars a year.

For this reason the Regional Bioenergy Project chose the hospital as an ideal demonstration site for bioenergy. An additional advantage of Beaufort is the local sawmill that produces hardwood chips from its milling waste; a perfect fuel source for a biomass boiler.

As Bioenergy Project Manager for the Pyrenees Shire Council, I am passionate about bioenergy for a number of reasons: climate change is real and we need to move to renewable energy sources as soon as possible; bioenergy provides on demand, base load energy (heat and power) and transport fuel (ethanol and biodiesel); it is the only form of energy that can be reduce CO2 levels; and gasification/ pyrolysis of biomass produces a carbon rich char which acts as a soil improver and locks up carbon.

Heating accounts for around 80% of the hospital’s fuel bill and costs the hospital over $60,000 a year

However, the biggest and most important benefit of bioenergy is the fact that it creates a local economy. Unlike other forms of energy (both renewable and non-renewable), bioenergy is labour intensive and it creates jobs!

Fuel for a bioenergy plant must be grown and because it’s bulky it must be grown locally creating income for

26 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

farmers. It must then be harvested, processed and transported to the plant, creating more jobs. Bioenergy plants also need more workers per megawatt than wind or solar, so more jobs are created and the plant produces both power and heat (or cooling if you use adsorption cooling).

The installation at Beaufort has been an interesting journey. When I started on the project 18 months ago there was very little known about bioenergy in Australia and hardly anyone was doing it on the scale required for the Beaufort Hospital project (100kW to 500kW).

Following a tender process, New Zealand company Living Energy were selected for the project. New Zealand is much further advanced than Australia when it comes to bioenergy and benefits from significant government support.

We were able to use the services of several local businesses to complete the project. Invertech, a local heating engineering company undertook a heating study to determine the most appropriate size for a biomass boiler to heat the hospital. (Because biomass boilers operate differently to gas, anyone considering changing to bioenergy should obtain advice from a suitably qualified engineer.)

Local contractor, G & D Airconditioning and Mechanical Services, were interested in learning about bioenergy and even went to NZ to look at some of Living Energy’s installations. And finally, we had a local sawmill, Pyrenees Timber, producing a good quality wood chip suitable for bioenergy and were interested in being involved.

Invertech recommended a 100kw boiler and 3,000 litre buffer tank. Buffer tanks are essential in most bioenergy installations as they flatten out the peaks and troughs on the heating load. Biomass fuelled boilers operate best at a constant level and for an extended time.

Living Energy suggested an Austrian made 110kw Hargassner boiler and 4,000 litre buffer tank housed in a stand-alone boiler house/fuel store.

The boiler house/fuel store is a modified 12 metre shipping container.

The installation commenced in January 2014 with the pouring of the container footings and hard standing area. Power and insulated piping connecting the boiler to the existing heating system was then installed.

The modified shipping container with the boiler already fitted, was transported to the site and lifted into position with a crane. Once in position, the existing piping was connected to the boiler.

The advantage of a containerised system is the lack of disruption to hospital operations during installation.

The connecting pipes are 50mm diameter and 45 metres long with 38mm foam insulation.

The boiler has a lambda combustion control system with automatic feed and de-ash. It is interfaced to the existing heating system through a new building management system.

The lambda system measures residual oxygen in the flue and alters the air intake and fuel flow to ensure maximum combustion efficiency. The new system includes a GSM modem that sends a text message to hospital staff if the boiler breaks down.

The existing gas boilers will be retained as back up and give peak load capacity during very cold weather. They will come on automatically if the wood boiler fails.

The boiler was commissioned in February 2014 and the boiler house is fitted with a view window and monitor with operating information displayed in real time. It is located in Walker Street, Beaufort and is open to the public for viewing. Data gathered on the boiler’s performance is available for viewing at the Beaufort and Skipton Health Service website bashs.org.au

Choosing bioenergy In choosing bioenergy, there are a number of factors to consider.

The first and most important issue you need to address is fuel, as this will determine the type of boiler and fuel handling system required. Almost any organic matter can be fuel for bioenergy, ranging from fine sawdust to large logs.

Ask yourself: what type of fuel is available to me? Look at your own or nearby waste streams. Biomass space heating systems are available that burn clean wood wastes such as used shipping pallets, but wood shavings, saw dust, nut shells, straw and even poultry litter can fuel bioenergy systems.

Once you have identified a readily available fuel source, the next issue to be considered is fuel supply. You need to determine the seasonal availability of your chosen fuel; any handling or storage requirements need to be considered. Log wood may be cheap but must be manually handled to the heating unit. Wood pellets are expensive but are easy to handle and are becoming more available.

The next step is choosing a boiler that will be able to efficiently use that fuel.

Some boilers can use a range of fuel types. So-called multi-fuel boilers can burn grain, sawdust, wood chips, wood briquettes and pellets but pellet boilers will only burn pellets.

The size or heat output of the boiler is an area that has been a major issue overseas and therefore requires careful consideration. It’s recommended you obtain advice from an independent heating engineer with experience in bioenergy when making this decision.

Bioenergy heaters operate differently to conventional fossil fuel heaters so just replacing a gas heater with a biomass fuelled boiler of the same heat output will result in operating problems.

Biomass heaters are designed to operate over long periods at maximum output.

Biomass heaters work on a lower output over a long period with a buffer tank to smooth out heating demands, while boilers operate on a high output for brief but regular period.

As a rule of thumb, a biomass boiler is usually less than half the output of a gas boiler for the same installation. Buffer tanks of at least 20 litres per kilowatt of boiler output should be fitted in most bioenergy heating applications.

At the Beaufort Hospital, a 110 kW biomass heater was installed to replace two 150kW condensing gas boilers. In addition a 4,000 litre buffer tank was also installed to smooth out demand fluctuations. A potable hot water circuit may also be installed at a later date if required.

I believe there are a lot of great opportunities for bioenergy in Australia, but I recommend investing in research to ensure you make the best choices.

Because the technology is relatively new is Australia, the planning and approval process can take time.

Like any new technology, the early adopters will end up reaping the rewards.

To find out more about bioenergy visit: www.bioenergyaustralia.org www.eeca.govt.nz/efficientand-renewable-energy/renewableenergy/bioenergy

www.plumber.com.au | 27

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Master Plumber

Lewis Chapman Very nearly a builder, very happy to be a Master Plumber Master Plumber Lewis Chapman, of Chapman Plumbing, always wanted to be a carpenter or builder like his father.

But his dad had other ideas: “He told me that builders are on the job for the most amount of time, and receive the least return … and I was better off being a plumber.”

Although he discovered that his father’s theory was a little exaggerated, Lewis is very happy his dad talked him out of building and into plumbing.

“Actually, I’m more than happy …

I’m grateful. There are so many opportunities in the plumbing world, so many directions you can take.”

Lewis started out in an apprenticeship with RC Urquhart: a medium-sized plumbing business, which Robert Campbell Urquhart started running out of his home in 1935 and is still flourishing. (The business has been a member of Master Plumbers since 1951.)

“That was a great apprenticeship,” says Lewis. “I received so much good experience and training in job management, as well as all aspects of plumbing.”

It wasn’t long before Lewis started his own business, Chapman Plumbing.

“I wanted to create my own profile …

My family was very business-oriented and it’s always been around me. It just takes a few leads to give you the confidence that you can take it on.”

“In a new business it’s great to have the extra support and knowledge – and someone to answer questions when you don’t know who to ask, particularly with legal and OHS issues. It’s good to be part of an association that’s looking after the industry.”

The challenges, the investigations, the research Now, Chapman Plumbing specialises in corporate maintenance, light commercial, construction, and domestic development.

It’s the variety Lewis loves – when a whole new area of expertise is there to discover. Corporate maintenance is fascinating in that way, says Lewis.

Like his recent work with Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE (NMIT) in the veterinary science and vet nursing school. Lewis and his team installed laboratory sinks, drainage for cleaning tables and settling tanks.

“It’s really interesting working out what the requirements are,” says Lewis. “What do vets actually need to do their job? What will the fixtures actually be used for? Is it for grooming?

Examinations? Surgery? What are the washdown requirements? What are the legal requirements for drainage?”

“This kind of work requires constant investigation, as opposed to being handed a fixture and installing it.”

What also gave Lewis confidence was following in RC Urquhart’s footsteps and becoming a Master Plumber.

www.plumber.com.au | 29

Plumbing to help save endangered species You’ll also find Lewis Chapman often working as a plumbing contractor at Melbourne Zoo. As well as doing important prevention and maintenance at the zoo, Lewis’ plumbing expertise is often called-upon for one-off projects.

The Baw Baw frog project was very special, says Lewis. These little-known frogs live deep in the mud and vegetation and only occur on a restricted section of the Baw Baw plateau in Victoria.

The Baw Baw Frog, like many amphibians, has suffered massive population declines in the last 20 years and is rapidly headed toward extinction.

Now Melbourne Zoo is attempting to raise, maintain and breed the species – the only institution in the world to do so.

These sensitive frogs need extra-special care and extra-special water treatment.

Lewis and the zoo team established a special water treatment cycle for the already drinkable (potable) water for this little frog. The water is settled in a holding tank then goes through four stages of water treatment: sand filters, canister filters with a pleated cartridge filter, UV treatment and reverse osmosis.

It is then held in a chemical-grade water tank before use in the ponds and breeding areas.

“This is a critically endangered species, which made it a hit-the-ground-running process. They needed everything to be perfect straight away,” says Lewis.

The good news is that the first batch of Baw Baw frog eggs have just hatched, and the tadpoles are growing well.

30 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Someone is watching you …

Daily challenges

Lewis Chapman and his team also recently upgraded the plumbing infrastructure and developed a vacuum system for the hippopotamus pool.

The pool cleaner is similar to regular swimming pool systems, says Lewis, but it has an added straining system to cope with the daily mess. “Luckily, the hippos don’t sleep in the exhibit, so there was room to move for installation,” he says.

Plumbing has taken Lewis to many interesting places and, he says, he’s grateful for the opportunities. What has got him there? His approach is to do the best job – the job that meets and often exceeds the regulations; which is not necessarily the cheapest job, says Lewis.

“I’ve learned a lot about animals, particularly which ones we can and can’t go in the enclosures with,” laughs Lewis.

“Working in the tigers’ back-of-house area was a bit daunting. Where we were working, the tiger’s shadow was cast over us as he strutted back and forth.

You get the definite feeling that someone is watching you.”

His favourite? The orangutans.

“Working in the different primates exhibits is always interesting. We have had to learn about the particular species in the exhibit so that we can allow for the right level of primate vandal-proofing required when installing things like drinkers, taps and piping.”

“I was always an animal person but the zoo has definitely increased not only mine, but my team’s love for animals.”

Staying up-to-date with the latest products and technology is also vital.

“Every day there are updates about new technology: new appliances, new products, advances in materials. As well as having a ‘gut feeling’ about it, you need to read a lot and look into how the fittings are constructed, what kind of engineering is behind it, what kind of warranties… Every day we have decisions to make: will this really improve our work quality?”

“It’s the daily challenges and new innovative technologies keeps this industry fascinating for me.”

To find out more about Chapman Plumbing call 0428 766 050 or email chapmanplumbinginfo@gmail.com

www.plumber.com.au | 31

Every project has a degree of tension between architects and engineers over spaces

the new

space race Since 2010, NCC BCA Section J Deemed-To-Satisfy requirements for limiting the power used by HVAC fan and pump motors has resulted in an increase to system duct and pipe sizes. At the same time, Section J has also increased minimum insulation R values and has moved to a “Material R value” basis for insulation systems, leading to increased thicknesses for traditional materials. Although increasing the energy efficiency of building services systems is an essential action to control building-related energy use, the combined effect of these three changes has led to an increase in the spatial requirements of the services that need to fit into the plant rooms, shafts and ceiling spaces of BCA Deemed-To-Satisfy compliant buildings. In this “view from all sides” article, Vince Aherne, M.AIRAH, speaks to four experts about how the construction industry is dealing with these spatial issues.

32 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

In many contemporary buildings the indoor environmental conditions are provided by building services systems, which all need to be accommodated within the often-hidden building spaces of plant rooms, shafts, false ceilings and raised floor spaces.

Smash the myth: GREEN HVAC is not lean HVAC “There is a myth pervading the industry that being green means being lean, and that energy-efficient HVAC systems are somehow smaller than standard systems,” says Scott Brown, M.AIRAH, sustainability director with Waterman Group.

The truth is that while a green building might reduce dependency on HVAC, all things being equal, Brown says that energy-efficient HVAC systems are more likely to lead to an increase in spatial requirements, not a decrease.

He says bigger ducts with more insulation need bigger shafts and deeper ceiling spaces. More efficient chillers and boilers need bigger heat exchangers, with more plantroom access.

“A greener system configuration with air-to-air energy recovery, for instance, means more ductwork and additional heat exchangers to fit in,” Brown says.

Brown notes that plant rooms with energy-efficient HVAC plant and airto-air heat recovery can be 50 per cent

or even 100 per cent bigger than they would have been had energy efficiency not been a concern.

Mark Lee, Affil. AIRAH, is engineering manager with mechanical contractor James L Williams. He says that generally speaking, building designers allocate the same or smaller spaces for building services as they have in the past, making access tight and providing for future maintainability very difficult.

So the same old battles are being fought by designers.

“It is not the cost of larger ducts or plant that is the issue,” says Lee. “It is the cost of the additional space required that seems to be the limiting factor.”

Space, in other words, is the crunch point.

The race for space Jason Veale, associate director – building engineering with AECOM, agrees.

“Every project has a degree of tension between architects and engineers over spaces,” he says. “Section J is now increasing the need to coordinate and communicate about service space early.”

According to Peter Cass, M.AIRAH, who is associate – services cost management with Rider Levett Bucknall, architects are pivotal to changing space allowances because they own the building spaces.

Jason Veale

Mark Lee

Peter Cass

Scott Brown

Vince Aherne

Ever since humans first started erecting buildings, there has been conflict around providing space for building services.

In days past this might have involved allowing space for tall ceilings to facilitate ventilation and comfort, or inserting large, high windows for adequate day lighting.

But as Cass explains, extra space is not always a straightforward proposition.

“Developers are measuring new projects against the space ratios of the existing buildings that will compete for the same tenants,” Cass says.

Cass says that to some developers, any non-lettable space is viewed as wasted.

Brown, Cass and Lee all agree the reality is that allocating additional space is very expensive. Construction costs will change, which affects the profitability of an entire project.

“There may be occasions when bigger shafts might be accommodated,” says Veale. “But deeper ceiling spaces?

No way.”

So, all agree that there has been no apparent change in spatial allowances for services, and that building floor-to-floor heights have not changed.

“The reality is that, in most cases, larger services are being squeezed into the same or smaller spaces to the point that coordination is almost impossible,” Lee says.

Although new tools such as BIM software and visualisation or clash-detection tools can predict and highlight clashes between services, it is the practicalities around the space needed for installation that is a key pressure point on site.

“The pressures exerted by architects, designers and builders mean that on site, it becomes a race to install your services first so that the other trades have to work around you,” Lee says.

Though 3D building models are useful tools for laying out services, they do not solve all the issues around access for installation.

www.plumber.com.au | 33

Experts agree that new attitudes regarding energy efficiency must be developed by architects, developers, and by the eventual building owners and tenants

Old solutions can no longer be applied Lack of services space has always been a barrier to optimum performance. In the past, when a clash with existing services or immovable structural component was encountered, distribution systems could be made to work, by flattening ductwork or installing aerodynamically restrictive bends.

Some of these transitions are quite extreme, and these types of “solutions” reduce system energy efficiency. In fact, they are exactly the type of thing that the NCC Section J rules are attempting to address.

As Veale says, duct routes are often chosen with little regard to the impact on overall fan energy. Restrictions at the inlet and outlets of fans and airhandling units can significantly degrade the expected system performance. The motor power and energy consumed rises as the resistance along the distribution route goes up. Now these make-it-work options are no longer available due to overall power restrictions, so what is an industry to do?

What are the solutions?

Apart from providing additional space for services accommodation, there are a few alternative options available.

“The market is always keen to respond, and some HVAC solutions have different spatial requirements than others,” Cass says.

Brown notes that chilled beam systems tend to be more space efficient, and can be left exposed if aesthetically desirable.

Cass agrees, and notes that distributed systems – for example, many smaller systems rather that single, large central

34 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

systems – and underfloor air distribution systems, are also becoming popular, for a variety of reasons, including space considerations.

Cass also says chilled and/or heated structures (floors, walls, ceilings) are another option being adopted to keep ahead of the curve for building design.

However, as Brown points out, these solutions themselves tend to have a significant cost premium over the more standard HVAC methods, and this all needs to be added into the mix.

Also, these solutions, if not correctly and appropriately implemented, can lead to issues with indoor air quality, condensation and mould.

All our experts agree that new attitudes regarding energy efficiency must be developed by architects, developers, and by the eventual building owners and tenants.

“Building designers and developers are well aware of the benefits of energyefficient services systems,” Lee says.

“Those benefits generally flow to the occupier, who is often not the building owner, nor the entity paying the construction costs”.

So the same old split-incentive barriers apply.

Asks Cass: “Why should a developer or building owner pay additional construction costs to reduce operating costs for future tenants?”

Green leases go some way to addressing this, as do building rating systems that can be used to market a building for sale or lease.

“Engineers need to push harder and sell the merits of increased services space to designers and builders,” Cass says.

“Green Star and NABERS do a great job of recognising buildings designed with improved energy efficiency,” says Cass, adding that this includes HVAC systems that have larger ducts and pipes.

Eventually end users will drive this agenda when they begin to favour (that is to say, pay more for) energy-efficient building spaces.

In addition, as Lee points out, there are many other benefits of increased or reasonable services space, including less wastage and rework on site due to services clashes, faster installation time, reduced installation costs, and better access for maintenance and inspection for the life of a system. These benefits also need to be recognised.

Alternative solutions; life is a trade-off “It is becoming increasingly common now for designers to use the alternative JV3 modelling approach to reduce insulation requirements for pipes and ducts to avoid increases in ceiling depths,” Veale says.

JV3 modelling allows trade-offs between system components because it is the overall performance of the system that is assessed.

“Over-complying on performance for chillers, pumps, fans and lighting can allow for a relaxation of insulation requirements and still produce an equivalent overall energy result,” Veale says.

A bigger chiller in the plant room might allow a smaller duct on the occupied floors, for instance.

Education and awareness building is the key The myth that green always means lean for HVAC systems needs to be broken

“If spaces are going to be squeezed to the extent that it affects the profitability of the project then JV3 is used to avoid that situation,” Veale says.

“JV3 modelling almost always improves the situation significantly, and the modelling and design work comes at a fraction of the cost of losing a floor off the top of a building.”

How can the awareness of these issues be raised within the industry?

One suggestion from Lee about how awareness can be raised is the introduction into the NCC of minimum aspect ratios for ducts, or a standard calculator, like that used for glazing. This would help consultants and contractors prove to builders that a system will not comply if it is forced into the restrictive spaces they propose.

Says Brown: “Education and awareness building is the key. The myth that green always means lean for HVAC systems needs to be broken.”

A suggestion from Veale is for engineers to document the final insulated dimensions of the ductwork, and not the sheet metal dimensions. Design drawings often show sheet metal sizes for pricing; construction drawings often show sheet metal sizes for fabrication.

Yet these metal sizes are generally not the final spatial size required if the duct is to be externally insulated.

All agree that the design team needs to establish the spatial requirements very early in the process so it can be accommodated, and make sure all stakeholders know why it is occurring.

“A good design team will have a workshop to deal with it,” says Veale.

Communications around spatial requirements need to be ongoing as the project progresses.

Is better integration in the design process the key?

“The balance of benefits and costs does not appear to have been addressed holistically within building regulations,” Brown says. “A lot of attention has been given to the final energy efficiency of HVAC plant, but little given to the additional space, materials and embodied energy required to implement such plant.”

Given the imperative to reduce the energy consumption of buildings, it is surprising that building services – one of the major components of energy usage and cost – are rarely considered in the early stage of a design or as potential driving factors for form and spatial configuration.

It is the building orientation, form and fabric aspects that generally dominate the cooling and heating loads. In order for the form and geometry of buildings to be considered in response to energy efficiency and building services optimisation, multidisciplinary integration is required in the early stages of the design process, when the design proposal is still flexible.

The final answer is somewhere in between, after both engineer and architect have pushed to be as efficient in their spatial requirements as possible.

JV3 energy modelling offers an alternative compliance path for those buildings and systems that encounter significant problems with NCC-driven Deemed-To-Satisfy pipe and duct sizes.

AIRAH would like to thank the following individuals for sharing their views in this article with Vince Aherne, M.AIRAH: Scott Brown M.AIRAH sustainability director Waterman Group Peter Cass M.AIRAH associate, services cost management Rider Levett Bucknall Mark Lee Affil.AIRAH, engineering manager James L Williams Jason Veale associate director building engineering – AECOM

So, to sum up, energy-efficient HVAC tends to be bigger than standard HVAC. Energy-efficient and green buildings tend to provide the same or less space for services than standard buildings.

Something has got to give. Engineers push for more space, and architects and developers push back or resist.

www.plumber.com.au | 35

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36 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Copper shapes up against germs Copper is the latest weapon in the germ war and that’s good news for consumers, says John Fennell, CEO of the International Copper Association Australia.

The US Environmental Protection Agency recently concluded that copper surfaces fight the airborne fungi that build up in heating, ventilation & air-conditioning systems-or HVAC for short-that can cause health problems.

They made the decision after seeing new research showing that HVAC equipment like heat exchangers and drip pans made of copper had much lower concentrations of airborne fungi than those made from aluminum.

There was also no evidence of “biofilm” on any of the copper surfaces, a problem that affects domestic or commercial plumbing and can be a major cause of bacterial or viral infections in water.

Healthy copper The “healthy copper” message is big news these days now that science has proved copper surfaces kill pretty much all germs within one hour of contact, including the so-called “superbugs”.

Antimicrobial Copper is now a global brand that also known by the Cu+ logo.

Lots of companies are now producing either the raw Antimicrobial Copperand copper alloys like brass or bronzematerial or manufacturing Cu+ branded products like bench tops, toilets, drains, keyboards and even smartphone covers-and that list keeps getting bigger by the day.

Here in Australia, Crane Copper Tube and MM Kembla-both leading brands well known to plumbers-have joined eleven other leading Australian & New Zealand companies to help push the use of Antimicrobial Copper in commercial and domestic construction.

The range of Cu+ approved surfaces and products being developed around the world is also becoming a lot more sophisticated, generally blending an easy to clean stainless steel “look and feel”, while keeping copper’s capacity to kill deadly bugs better than any other surface intact.

Built-in barrier Copper has long been used in homes and commercial buildings as a safe, reliable plumbing system because it’s a hard working, long lasting product that’s easy to work with-especially as the new non solder “press fit” systems have come on the market.

But it’s also impermeable and biostatic so contaminants can’t penetrate it.

Combined with its new bug fighting reputation it means copper pipes not only guarantee to deliver germ free water with very little maintenance, but also the air we breathe inside buildings.

And that’s not a bad message to tell your customers.

For more information see copper.com.au

copper surfaces kill pretty much all germs within one hour of contact

Trials of copper products like sinks, taps or light switches also show that when they’re made from 60 per cent copper or higher they’re just a whole lot better at stopping germs than plastic or stainless steel. In fact they can stop the chances of catching an infection in places like hospitals by over half.

Most infections are spread from touch surfaces and in Australia around 9,000 people die each year from an infection they picked up in hospital while getting treated for something else.

www.plumber.com.au | 37

Debt recovery in the plumbing industry Bad debt can affect your ability to meet financial commitments so for many small business, cash flow is key. Katherine Hawes from New Age Legal Solutions discusses taking action on your debt recover.

With only 20 per cent of court orders resulting in full payment, it is always wise to act quickly before the impact on your cash flow becomes too much for your business to take and you end up unable to fulfill your financial commitments.

Taking too long to collect outstanding debt also lowers the likelihood of a successful debt collection result.

As a business owner, it is always wise to encourage prompt payments. Some of the most common processes for this include: 1 Offering discounts: Even a discount of as little as 2 per cent can encourage people to pay on time.

2 Reminder letters: These should contain a short message to gently remind the customer that payment is past due.

3 Payment interest: This should be calculated from the day after payment was due until the day payment is made 4 Credit checks: These can be costly so only use these when you are entering into a long term relationship or one with the impact to really affect your bottom line.

If all else fails, the next stage is to actively pursue the debt through the courts. There are two main stages to this process:

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Stage 1

Obtain a judgment order This is simply a court order that directs a person to pay a debt. It does not guarantee payment of the debt to the creditor and it is simply recognition of the debit.

Stage 2

Enforcing judgment There are various means that the creditor can rely on to recover his/her money.

If it is a liquidated sum (a specific sum of money) the first step is to send a letter of demand. You can find a sample at newagelegalsolutions.com.au website).

In my experience, this is sometimes all that it takes to get the creditor to pay up!

However, if the money remains unpaid, the next step is to issue and serve a ‘Statement of Liquidated Claim’ Following this, If the defendant admits liability and offers to pay the outstanding debit, there will still be an agreement to pay either the whole amount of the debt or a lesser sum negotiated.

However, If the defendant fails to defend a liquidated claim, the creditor can now sign judgment (legal recognition of the debt), after 28 days from the date of service of Statement of Liquidated Claim.

If the defendant defends the liquidated claim within 28 days (from the date of service of the Statement of Liquidated Claim) the matter will be heard by the appropriate court and on the balance of probabilities judgment will be granted to the plaintiff or the matter will be dismissed Even though at this point you may have a court order, the next step is actually receiving your money!

If the debtor refuses to pay the creditor has several options: • Examination summons • Writ of execution against goods or land • Instalment orders -Debtors agree or are ordered to make regular payments according to capacity to pay. Interest charged on outstanding sum. This is the preferred option to recover a debt because the debtor has agreed.

• Bankruptcy and liquidation • Liquidation (only if a company) (more in the next article about winding up a company or if a company is are served with a letter of demand) With over 20 years’ legal and business experience, Katherine Hawes is the founder and principle solicitor of New Age Legal Solutions which offers fixed prices legal solutions for businesses. To find out more visit newagelegalsolutions.com.au

Water wise or water waste?

Romilly Madew, Chief Executive, Green Building Council of Australia, discusses how sustainable water use and management practices are being utilised in high-density living.

As Australia’s population grows, and as our major cities swell with people wanting to live close to work and leisure activities, governments and urban planners are looking at apartment living as one of the solutions to more sustainable cities.

But are apartments more sustainable?

Certainly, some evidence suggests that the amount of energy required to power tall buildings, and the energy embodied in their materials, may offset ‘green’ aspects such as proximity to public transport and more efficient use of space.

Research does suggest that the additional centralised plant and equipment required in high-rise buildings – particularly to operate swimming pools, spas, saunas, cooling towers, pumps and lifts – can significantly increase energy and water usage.

The City of Melbourne estimates that apartment living contributes to 22 per cent of the city’s water usage. Sydney Water has estimated that multi-unit dwellings account for 14.3 per cent of the metropolis’ water consumption.

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However, a growing number of green apartments are showcasing world-class, water-wise design – and they aren’t all the high-end, boutique developments you may expect.

At Monash University’s Briggs Hall and Jackomos Hall, student residences that achieved the first 5 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential As Built v1 rating in the country, solar pre-heat systems installed on the roofs cut energy consumption, while 5 Star WELS-rated taps and 3 Star WELS-rated showers reduce potable water consumption.

Furthermore, 100 per cent of the two apartment buildings’ non-potable water demand, including laundries, toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, is met through a combination of rainwater harvesting, fire test water reuse and greywater recycling.

Three 50,000 litre water tanks collect rainwater for gardens and toilet flushing, while greywater is collected and treated to ‘Class A’ quality through a treatment plant that removes contaminants using a sophisticated multi-stage filtration

process and ‘bioreactor’. The greywater is aerated and pH-adjusted, disinfected and monitored to ensure it is safe and suitable for reuse. It is then available for washing machines and toilet flushing.

Jason Whitaker, Monash Residential Services’ Associate Deputy Director of Operations, has observed that an education campaign – including posters placed around the building as daily reminders – has helped the building to live up to its green design potential. “The students are proud to live in apartments where water conservation is an integral part of the buildings’ operation. The students help the system to remain operational by taking care of what goes down the shower and sink drains.”

Monash University was also awarded a Green Star ‘Innovation’ point for exceeding Emi-5 ‘Watercourse Pollution’ credit benchmarks. Prior to the residences’ construction, external stormwater from surrounding areas received little treatment before being discharged to the small lake located at the rear of the development. An holistic approach to water management has facilitated a significant reduction to peak stormwater flows and improvements to the quality of water discharged to the waterways surrounding the site.

Another low-cost project that has achieved big bang for its buck is the

Apartment living contributes to 22 per cent of Melbourne city’s water usage

Helping people to understand the impact of their behavior can leave a lasting impression

Redfern Housing Development project in Sydney. Housing NSW was only the second public housing development in Australia to achieve a Green Star rating, and was awarded a 5 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential PILOT rating, representing ‘Australian Excellence’.

Rainwater collection and greywater treatment and solar hot water systems have delivered cost savings for both Housing NSW and the low-income tenants who live in the development.

The reuse of rainwater and treated greywater means that around 45 per cent of all water demand on the site is met by non-potable water. This estimated saving of 4,700 cubic metres of water a year is equivalent to around 4.7 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 33,571 bathtubs – the cost saving has been around $7,500 a year across the entire tenancy.

On the bleeding edge However, as most apartments are not separately metered, individual water use is difficult to monitor, lowering the incentive to install water-efficient appliances or make sustainable choices.

Lend Lease has met this challenge in its new apartment buildings by introducing smart meters linked to in-home displays.

These enable residents to view their real time and historic energy and water data. The Fujitsu Switch Automation system, designed especially for Lend

Lease and first implemented at the Convesso 8 Waterside Place in Melbourne (and subsequently in other Lend Lease developments), is the first cloudbased energy monitoring and home automation solution in the market. The system continuously monitors energy and hot and cold water usage and was designed to comply with the Green Star energy monitoring requirements.

Ben Coughlan, Lend Lease’s Victorian State Manager, Apartments, has said that feedback has been very positive. “Both the in-home display systems and the TV at the lobby entry have been positively received and numerous residents have attended information sessions on the sustainability and technology within the building.”

In Sydney, the $2 billion mixed-use Central Park development is on track to deliver one of Australia’s most environmentally sustainable urban precincts and some of the most impressive water-saving technologies in the country. Central Park, being developed by Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia, is expected to house the largest ‘membrane bioreactor’ (MBR) recycled water facility in the world built in the basement of a residential building, known as Central Park Water. MBR processes can treat effluent to such a high quality that it can be reclaimed for urban irrigation.

Central Park Water’s combined water treatment processes will halve potable water consumption.

Central Park’s Park Lane development – two residential buildings that achieved 5 Star Green Star certification in 2013 – is an exemplar in water-wise apartment design. For example, the project achieved two points under the Wat-8 ‘Swimming Pool/Spa Water Efficiency’. The two communal spas feature retractable thermal blankets to prevent water loss from evaporation. Also, 100 per cent of the spas’ backwash water is collected and treated for reuse on site. The result is an 82 per cent reduction in potable water consumption from the spas.

Points were awarded to Park Lane under the Wat-5 ‘Fire System Water’ credit for measures which reduce potable water consumption through the operation of fire protection and essential water storage systems. At Park Lane, recovered fire test water is fed into the recycled water treatment plant for treatment to Class A requirements before being redistributed for non-potable water uses such as toilet flushing, irrigation, clothes washing and wash-down uses throughout the building.

www.plumber.com.au | 41

Hitting the sweet spot Of course, we can design a world-leading sustainable building and fill it with clever cutting-edge technology, but if the building’s occupants don’t care about that dripping tap or if they choose to indulge in 20-minute showers, it won’t be a sustainable building. True sustainability can only be found at the nexus of good design, good construction, good technology and good behaviour – and good behaviour can sometimes be the most elusive or the hardest to maintain.

While apartment users often assume that communal spas, pools and gardens are the water guzzlers, studies using sub-metering show this is rarely the case. In fact, 90 per cent of water use in apartment buildings is generally consumed inside the apartments – in showers, toilets, taps, leaks, washing machines and dishwashers.

Helping people to understand the impact of their behavior can leave a lasting impression. People are often shocked to learn that an average bath uses 58 litres of water, while a shower – even one with a standard showerhead – uses 18 litres of water a minute. Installing a 3-star WELS showerhead can reduce this to 9 litres per minute. Helping them to understand that using the half-flush on a 3-star WELS rated dual flush toilet can drop average water consumption

42 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

from 54 to 18 litres per person per day.

Few people will choose to waste water when they understand the rationale for the alternative. It’s no surprise, then, that education campaigns – from posters in student digs to smart meters in glittering residential towers – can help residents to maximise the potential of the water-wise initiatives in their buildings.

Of course, there’s no incentive like a financial one. Non-profit group Green Strata has found that residents of multiunit residential dwellings can cut water bills by 20 per cent simply through a combination of water-saving strategies (such as fixing leaks), low-cost retrofits and behavioral change. As water costs continuing to rise, expect the demand for water-wise solutions to become ‘business as usual’.

Helping people to understand the impact of their behavior can leave a lasting impression

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First steps to

financial management Roland Hanekroot explains how clever financial planning can help you avoid being a statistic

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, an average of 44 small businesses are closing their doors each day.

In my experience, there are three principles you need to understand in order to effectively manage the finances of a business effectively. These are: 1 Why do we need to make profit?

2 An understanding that profit and cash are not the same thing at all and they don’t even have a direct relationship between each other.

3 Cash is what you must worry about all the time… not profit

Why profit?

Let’s address the principle about profit first. The first thing to understand about profit is that it is not the purpose of business. Profit is a vital component of business, but it isn’t the reason the business exists.

The functions of profit Profit has three key functions: 1 To pay investors and stakeholders in a business a return on their investment.

2 To provide the business with funds to invest in itself to grow or develop the business.

3 As the thing by which we measure how well we are doing in running the business.

The first function is straight forward, if someone invests $100 or an hour’s work into a venture, that person wants to see a return for that investment. That return can only be paid out of the profits of the business.

The second function is also straight forward, in that if you want to buy a new machine or tool or vehicle for your business, you need to have the money to pay for that. Profit is what provides that money. (You can borrow for that purchase of course, but then the purchase is effectively made out of future profits)

Profit is a vital component of business, but it isn’t the reason the business exists

The third function is about this: How do we know if our business is going well or not so well? The only clear method to answer that question is to keep track of the financial numbers and profit is the most important of those.

First steps If you are not already doing so, start by paying yourself a regular “wage”. A weekly or monthly amount you can live on as a minimum, and record this wage in your books as an expense to the business.

You may decide to invest this money back into the business if you don’t need it to live on, but by paying yourself such a wage you will gain a more accurate insight into the profitability of the business and you will start to see how much money you are actually investing into the business and therefore should get a “return” on in the future.

Start a proper bookkeeping program (Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks, Saasu, Freshbooks) and ensure it gets kept up to date at least monthly.

Profit and cash The second principle about profit and cash is what brings a lot of small businesses unstuck. A large proportion of the businesses that make up the horrendous statistics on failures in small business do so because of a lack of understanding of this principle.

Profit is a simple sum (on paper) of sales minus costs. So if you sell stuff in a week for a $100 and it costs you $50 in raw materials that week and $25 in office costs, it means that you have made $25 profit that week.

Cash (your bank balance) bears little relation to those numbers in most cases.

The $100 of stuff you have sold might not be paid for that week or even that month.

You also might have had to pay for the raw materials some time previously and your office costs (staff and rent etc) may have to be paid every Friday. So that at the end of the week your bank account will actually be significantly in the red even though you’ve made a profit.

Cash flow Cash needs to be calculated in a different and slightly more complicated manner than the simple profit and loss equation.

When thinking about cash it is useful to think in terms of flow: money flowing in and out of your account. If more money flows into your bank account in a given period than flows out in that period, your bank account swells and vice versa.

Cash is the main thing And that brings us to the third principle that you need to understand about financial management of the business.

I said that the thing to worry about in your business is cash and not profit, and for many people this is a counterintuitive statement.

The truth of this principle is actually much more straight-forward than you might think, because only cash can be used to pay for stuff Theoretically, your business may never make a profit and yet survive, as long as you continue to have enough cash to pay the bills, your staff, your raw materials, the rent etc.

Obviously without making a profit, the business will ultimately run out of cash, but that can take years in some circumstances. So as a business owner who is committed to put his business on a solid financial footing, Cash-flow must always be your first concern.

First steps Ask your accountant or bookkeeper for a simple cash flow spread sheet and either start to use it yourself monthly or ask your bookkeeper to do so for you, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to start to get a handle on the cash flowing in and out of your bank account.

Educate yourself on financial management. Read articles, visit websites, ask fellow business owners for their opinions and advice.

Roland Hanekroot is a business coach and the founder of New Perspectives Business Coaching. He is also the author of the acclaimed “The Ten Truths for Business Owners” series of books. Roland runs a webinar called “The Small Business Masterminds” every month. To find out more visit smallbusinessmasterminds.com.au

cbus When it comes to super, you can rely on

Tony Randall, Cbus Member, VIC

At Cbus, we make meeting your super obligations easy:

We have a range of online contribution payment options, including the Cbus Clearing House which will allow you to pay your employees’ super into multiple funds using the one system.

Access to financial advice for Cbus members.

Regular communication with members and employers.

At Cbus we invest back into the building and construction industry as part of our investment strategy, thereby creating jobs.

Read the relevant Cbus Product Disclosure Statement to decide whether Cbus is right for you. For a copy: call Cbus on 1300 361 784 or visit www.cbussuper.com.au Cbus’ Trustee: United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 Cbus ABN 75 493 363 262.

www.plumber.com.au | 45

mastering workplace relations

Parental leave

Phil Eberhard, Master Plumbers Senior Workplace Relations Advisor, outlines the key elements of parental leave and explains your obligations as an employer.

Parental leave

Who is eligible?

Parental leave is one of the minimum standards that form part of the National Employment Standards (NES).

Under the NES an employee (which may include a casual) is entitled to take parental leave if they have completed at least twelve (12) months service with you.

The casual must have been employed on a regular and systematic basis over a period of at least twelve (12) months who (but for the expected birth or adoption) has a reasonable expectation of continuing employment with you.

The NES, in combination with the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2010 or an agreement approved by Fair Work Australia/Commission constitutes the legal minimum terms and conditions of employment for an employee. Neither an award, nor an agreement, can displace the NES. An award or an agreement may provide more beneficial, or supplementary, terms and conditions of employment to those provided in the NES. The parental leave provisions of the NES provide for unpaid leave. The parental leave provisions extend to same sex relationships. In addition to the unpaid parental leave, the NES also provide the following related entitlements: • unpaid special maternity leave; • a right to transfer to a safe job in appropriate cases, or to take ‘no safe job leave’; • consultation requirements; • a return to work guarantee; and • unpaid adoption leave.

A summary of some of the parental leave entitlements and the Commonwealth Government’s paid parental leave scheme follows.

46 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

The service eligibility only occurs for the first period of parental leave. There is no obligation to have an additional period of twelve (12) months leave after the first period of parental leave.

Parental leave is only available to an employee/s who has responsibility for the care of a child. The leave must be associated with the birth of a child to the employee, or to the employee’s spouse/ de fact partner; or the placement of a child with the employee for adoption.

Amount of parental leave The primary care giver may take a period of up to twelve (12) months parental leave. The employee may seek to extend this period by an additional twelve (12) months. This period of time could be shared by the parents.

You may oppose the employee application to extend their period of parental leave. However, you can only do so where there are ‘reasonable business grounds’ for such refusal.

The spouse or de facto partner of the primary care giver may take concurrent parental leave for a minimum period of two (2) weeks and a maximum period of eight (8) weeks. This period may be taken in separate periods of no less than two (2) weeks.

Generally, a pregnant employee will commence parental leave six (6) weeks before the expected birth of the child.

However, that period may be extended provided that the employee provides a medical certificate that states that the employee is ‘fit for work’.

Safe job or no safe job leave Where it has been assessed that the pregnant employee is fit for work, but it is inadvisable for the employee to continue in their current job, because of potential risks or hazards, the employer needs to be transferred to a ‘safe’ job. However, if no ‘safe’ job can be found then the employee would be entitled to take ‘no safe job leave’. This is paid leave and lasts until the employee commences their unpaid parental leave.

Return to work The NES provides an employee with a guarantee of a return to work following their unpaid parental leave. The employee is entitled to return to their pre parental leave position or an available position for which they are qualified and suited, which is nearest in status and pay to their pre parental leave position.

Annual leave/ long service leave Paid leave, such as annual leave or long service may be taken at the same time as unpaid parental leave.

Paid parental leave

Eligibility of employees

Your obligations

From 1 January 2011, there has been a paid parental leave scheme in place for eligible employees. The payments provided are based on the National Minimum Wage, which from 1 July 2013, was $622.10 per week. There are two (2) different schemes available;-

For dad and partner pay, an employee must be on unpaid leave and not working to access the payments.

You are not required to provide dad and partner pay, as the Commonwealth Department of Human Services (Department) will pay the employee directly.

• the first provides for payment (to the primary care giver) for a period of up to eighteen (18) weeks; and • the second provides for payment (to the dad or partner) for a period of two (2) weeks.

The payment is subject to the applicable tax.

Parental leave is only available to an employee/s who has responsibility for the care of a child

For parental leave pay, an employee must: • be the primary care giver of a newborn child or recently adopted child; • meet Australian residence requirements; • have received an income of $150,000 or less in the financial year before the date of birth or adoption, or date of claim (whichever is earlier); • are on leave or not working from the time they become the primary care giver; and • have met the work test (which requires the employee to have worked at least ten (10) of the thirteen (13) months before the birth or adoption of their child, and worked for at least 330 hours in that ten (10) month period (just over one day a week), with no more than an eight (8) week gap between any two (2) consecutive working days.

However, you are obliged to pay any employee who is the primary care giver, as the Department will pay the necessary monies into your bank account. You are not obliged to pay the primary care giver until you have received the funds from the Department. The payments need to be made according to the employee’s normal pay cycle.

You will be required to register your business with the Department. You can do this at any time, even though you may not have an expectation of an employee taking unpaid parental leave.

You are required to include any payments made in the total amount of the employee’s annual or part – year payment summary. You will also be required to deduct any authorised deductions.

You are not required to make superannuation guarantee charge contributions (you may do so voluntarily).

Those who have an agreement should check their agreement to determine their superannuation obligation/s, if any.

Master Plumbers’ members have access to information, advice and resources relating to parental leave and paid parental leave.

Our dedicated Workplace Relations Advisor can help clarify your responsibilities, explain your obligations and provide assistance and advice. Please contact Phil Eberhard on 03 9329 9622 or 1800133 871 or refer to plumber.com.au for more details. www.plumber.com.au | 47

A plumber’s guide to

Google

How well is your website performing on Google?

Here’s a quick guide on getting the most out the search engine.

Pay Per Click (PPC)

Organic Search Results

Authorship

This is an advertising service run by Google Adwords, where Google pushes your page to the top of the search list and charges the amount that you bid per click through to your website.

Organic search results are listings on search engine results pages that appear because of their relevance to the search words and terms used. As discussed previously, pay per click is a non-organic search results.

The next generation of Google searches allows you to include a photo, along with your title and description. This increases click through rates, meaning more visitors to your site and more leads for your business.

Hot Tip If you have someone managing your Adwords or PPC Campaign, make sure you know how much they are taking as their fee and how much they are spending on the actual ads.

Google Local Google Local, previously known as Google Places, gives businesses the opportunity to register as a business, which includes their physical location.

Enabling more of your customers and potential customers to find you easily.

Hot Tip This is the closest thing to a free lunch you’ll ever get. Take half an hour out of your day and get yourself signed up, just type into Google ‘Google Local’ and follow the instructions and you’ll be live in no time.

48 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Hot Tip

Hot Tip

The number of searches for ‘Plumbers’ on Google in Australia is enormous, so explore using Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) techniques to boost your rankings for Google searches.

Connect Your Google+ profile to your website to have your image appear.

Meta Title & Description These can be adjusted – to include keywords and best sell your services in a couple of short sentences.

Hot Tip Make sure you include the keywords you are targeting (ie ‘Plumbers Melbourne’) in both the title and description, and sell your services in two lines!

These tips came to you from Michael Bird, Director of Social Garden, a digital marketing agency specialising in Search Engine Optimisation, Managed Social Media and website development.

Find out more at socialgarden.com.au

FEB 2014 - MAY 2014

E T E L P M O C L A E D E G PACK A

Anything else is a compromise!

? k e e w r e p 7 1 1 can you afford $ Are you looking for a water jetting system for 50-100mm pipes?

VIPER PRO1H

HUGE

+ ACCESSORIES PACK

24Lpm @ 4300psi

YEAR

3

PUMP AND MOTOR WARRANTY

For 50 - 225mm pipes

ROOTAX ™ Nozzle Box

• Honda 23hp v-twin engine.

• Electric Start.

• Bertolini - Italian Triplex pump.

• Compact hot dipped galvanised frame.

• 60m 1/4” Armorflex jetting hose.

• 32L stainless steel break tank.

• 23L stainless steel fuel tank.

• Low water and low oil shutdown protection.

• 4x14” pneumatic wheels.

• Dimensions: 800mm(L) x 500mm(W) x 1260mm(H) • Weighs only 118kg

15m Whip Hose

Remote Mini Reel

WARNING AUSTRALIA WIDE SERVICE & WARRANTY BACKUP

HIGH PRESSURE WATER JETTING IN PROGRESS

Made in Australia

SR60 2DL

Hand Lance Jetting Safety Sign

JET TER & ACCESSO R + CAMERA IES, SYSTEM FOR ONLY

For 40-100mm Pipes

• Large 8.4” high definition TFT LCD screen will give you the clearest picture possible • Long flexible progressive spring makes negotiating bends easy • SEWERCAM™ 29ST 29mm full colour camera head with sapphire scratch free lens and chip LED lighting.

• 60m of amazing “easy-push” push cable effortlessly pushes through multiple Made in bends and pipe up Germany to 225mmØ.

Fitted with 60m 1/4” Armorflex Hose

Self Leveling Camera Head

$117.00 + G ST

PER WK T A

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* interstate delivery can be arranged.

1800 816 830 www.sewerquip.com.au View the range at

Master-Plumbers-FullPage-Feb-2014.indd 1

www.plumber.com.au | 49 7/02/14 9:03 AM

The

right cover

Arranging insurance for your business can often be considered a chore, a task that you put aside for another day. However, what many don’t realise is that having the right insurance is one of the most important things in running a small enterprise.

Public Liability overview You’ve worked hard to build up a customer base and establish yourself as a respectable plumber. Should someone make a claim against you that sees you pay out five, or six figure sums, could your business sustain such a loss without adequate insurance? An annual, or monthly premium payment can not only cover you for financial loss, but it also takes away that worry of being uninsured.

Public liability insurance is designed to cover personal injury or property damage caused by an occurrence in connection with your business, including the cost of any damages awarded and costs to defend the claim.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are complexities in who and what your public liability insurance might extend to. Depending on the structure of your business, and the type of work you engage in, there are add-ons that you should consider that might best suit your individual requirements. For more details about this cover, it’s always best to consult with your broker first and read the insurance policy wording.

Sub-contractors It is common for many plumbing contractors to engage the services of sub-contractors when the work is shortterm and expert trade’s skills are needed for a certain period, or when additional workers are required to complete a particular job.

As sub-contractors are not employees of your business, should they cause personal injury or property damage through their negligence resulting in a third party making a public liability claim, your business may be legally liable to pay such claims as the sub-contractor was completing work on your behalf.

50 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

It is extremely important that you ensure that: • All sub-contractors have a current public liability policy, and they provide you with a copy of their policy in the format of a Certificate of Currency

Run-off If you have chosen 2014 as the year to retire from plumbing, change business name or model, or move onto another trade, you could still be at risk of claims being made against you. Claims can often be lodged many years after the job has been done, so while you may have ceased trading as a plumber, it is advisable that you continue to hold an active public liability policy. This is otherwise known as ‘Run-off’ cover.

Noticing recent increases in sub-contractor claims, it’s important that you notify your broker if you hire sub-contractors so they can advise of a suitable insurance solution for your needs.

If you are about to cease trading, Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers may be able to organise ‘run-off cover’ from your existing policy. ‘Run-off’ cover will often provide insurance for the same risk exposures as a standard liability policy and offer insurance beyond defect cover, plus it gives you the peace of mind that you are insured should any claims arise.

Remember to contact your broker if you require this cover, as they will be able to advise on insurance most suitable for your individual circumstance.

Victorian plumbers

Professional Indemnity (PI)

March proves to be a busy time for plumbers based and/or operating in Victoria as you prepare to get your paperwork in order to renew your license. Make sure your insurance is current with public liability and defect warranty to meet licensing requirements, and submitted with your renewal.

A professional indemnity (PI) policy should not be confused with public liability, as the two offer different types of cover for you and your business.

Typically, PI policies are in place to insure you for the advice you may provide to a third party, and any resultant damage that may arise from that person taking on that advice. So, if this is part of your line of work, please contact Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers and we can assist you further.

• Your current public liability policy includes appropriate provision for vicarious liability and/or sub-contractors

When renewing with Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers, we take the liberty of submitting your insurance documentation to Victorian Building Authority on your behalf.

To avoid any delays in receiving your plumbing license renewal, it’s important to organise your insurance paperwork as early as possible. That means: • reviewing your documents so you understand what you are covered for • contacting your broker if there have been any changes to your working circumstances so new details can be updated and accurately reflected on your insurance documents • importantly, paying your insurance renewal on time to avoid any delays in receiving your proof of insurance, or Certificate of Currency

To find out more about obtaining business insurance, call Marsh today: Marsh Pty Ltd trading as Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust) can arrange insurance for all of the aforementioned risks, and a number of other products designed to cover you and your business, including:

• • • • • •

Income Protection Insurance Motor Vehicle Insurance Business Insurance Machinery Insurance Household Insurance Tools Insurance

Please contact a Marsh representative to discuss your individual needs: Call 1300 300 511 Email mpib.australia@marsh.com Visit www.marsh.com.au

About Marsh Advantage Insurance: Marsh Advantage Insurance is a leading provider of insurance broking services for businesses across Australia. Our company is built on a culture dedicated to understanding the risk and insurance needs of local and national businesses that operate in our cities, regions and communities. We are driven by a commitment to deliver industry leading service and value for our clients. Marsh Advantage Insurance sits alongside Marsh as part of Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global team of professional services firms offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital.

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 decided whether a policy suits your needs please refer to the specific Product Disclosure Statement which is available from Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd. Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303 AFSL 238369) arrange the insurance and is not the insurer. The Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia receives a financial benefit when a policy is arranged by Marsh Advantage Insurance, enabling it to continue to provide further services to the plumbing industry.

marshadvantage.com.au/plumbers

NEED PLUMBERS LIABILITY INSURANCE? TALK TO US

At Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust), we are all about fast, easy, and competitive insurance, specialising in arranging cover for small and medium sized businesses around Australia. With a team of brokers dedicated to servicing the needs of plumbers.

Contact us, the appointed insurance broker to the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, for an obligationfree quote.

Call: 1300 300 511 or Email: mpib.australia@marshadvantage.com

For the full terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the insurance product, refer to the Policy Wording, which is available from Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd. *Master Plumbers Insurance Brokers (Aust) (MPIB) is a trading name of Marsh Advantage Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 31 081 358 303 AFSL 238 369). MPIB arranges the insurance and is not the insurer. The MPIB logo and MPIB brand name are owned by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) and used under licence by Marsh Advantage Insurance. MPMSAA receives a financial benefit when a policy is arranged by MPIB, enabling it to continue to provide further services to the plumbing industry. 14/0006

www.plumber.com.au | 51

product news MightyLift: combining innovation, health and safety The MightyLift is a powerful lightweight lifting device that is designed to be versatile, portable, strong and most of all safe. The beauty of the MightyLift is that it is designed to lift plant and equipment in a safe and responsible manner. The MightyLift is an approved health and safety product which won 1st prize in the 2008 work safe awards.

The MightyLift is simple to erect, non-motorised and suitable for single or double story work. It can also lift up to 120kgs; considering it weighs only 95kgs this makes it perfect for Hvac and Solar applications. New health and safety regulations make it mandatory that you provide a safe working environment for yourself and your employees. The MightyLift ensures both your employees are safe from harm and you are compliant. MightyLift will help keep you and your staff safe. To find out more visit www.mightylift.com.au

A jetter for all plumbers Australian Pump, pioneers of the high pressure drain cleaning industry in Australia, has launched the new 4,000 psi jetter. The new machine represents a major price breakthrough for plumbers wanting to enter this lucrative facet of the industry.

Australian Pump’s 4,000 and 5,000 psi jetters revolutionised drain cleaning in Australia with their Cobra series of high pressure drain cleaning machines.

The original Cobra developed in the late 90’s was a breakthrough for world drain cleaning with early sales going straight to the US market! The new machine, designed as a high performance point of entry unit, has busted price barriers, allowing plumbers to get into the drain cleaning business for under $6,000.

The Aussie Mini Cobra is a compact, mobile machine that delivers a whopping 4,000 psi pressure from its “Big Berty” Bertolini triplex pump. The machine is powered by a Honda GX390 13 hp petrol engine covered by Honda’s 3 year warranty and supported by Honda engine service stations around Australia.

Designed for clearing drains up to 150mm in diameter, the machine comes with a range of reverse jet cleaning nozzles. They are configured to clear drains fast irrespective of the type of “choke”. For example the Aussie Turbo Mulcher vibrating reverse jet turbo can chop tree roots out of serious blockages in a matter of minutes.

Other jets, designed for a wide range of blockages, are also available as part of the Aussie Pumps’ ‘Nozzle Box’ kit.

Further information on the Aussie jetter range can be found in the Aussie High Pressure catalogue, available to download from the Aussie Pumps website, www.aussiepumps.com.au

New Rheem Stellar® Stainless Steel Available in gas and electric – for superior hot water The new Rheem Stellar Stainless Steel water heaters have been designed with performance, high energy efficiency, features and aesthetics in mind.

Plus they’re backed by a 10-year cylinder warranty1.

Available in gas and electric models, Rheem Stellar Stainless Steel models provide benefits to both trade and home owners.

Rheem’s stainless steel water heaters are lighter compared to vitreous enamel (the electric models up to 40% lighter than comparable Rheemglas® electric water heater models), making them easier to handle, transport and install. They are also sleek, modern and durable. Compared to vitreous enamel, stainless steel cylinders can resist corrosion for longer. Note: stainless steel will last longer in good water quality areas.

Rheem Stellar Electric® Stainless Steel models perform 12-24% better than Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)2 and are available in a range of sizes – 80L, 125L, 160L, 250L and 315L. The Rheem Stellar® Gas 330 stainless steel model is 5 Star energy efficient, for reduced energy costs, and offers up to 390L first-hour hot water capacity.

For further information on whether these products are suitable in your area refer to www.rheem.com.au/stellar 1 Conditions apply, see the Rheem warranty set out in the product Owner’s Guide or view it at www.rheem.com.au/warranty.

2 Performance varies by model. Refer to the Specification table in the Rheem Stellar Stainless Steel brochure for individual model performance, which can be viewed at www.rheem.com.au/Stellar. ® Registered Trademark of Rheem Australia Pty Ltd

52 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

www.plumber.com.au | 53

product news Unico air conditioner Finally, an air-conditioner that comes with no outdoor unit. With the Olimpia Splendid Unico the outdoor compressor is completely eliminated, yes that’s right the all new Italian designed and manufactured Unico is the first fixed air-conditioner without the outdoor unit.

Climate control now comes without external pipework or condensors and makes installation a breeze. The Unico comes with both inverter and fixed speed technology enabling it to deliver great performance. With the capability of delivering cool clean air in summer and warm fresh air in winter the Unico is perfect for any aspect of climate control.

One of Unico’s other great benefits is it’s extremely silent making it ideal for bedrooms in fact you could call it perfectly noiseless.

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

Viega launches new Sanpress Inox system in Australia

simPRO Connect offers a seamless connection with the back office

Smart Connect Feature enhances safety for drinking water installations

A software app allowing staff on the road to be within easy reach of their employees is becoming a must-have for businesses around Australia.

Renowned international manufacturer Viega has launched a new range of stainless steel press connections designed to provide the highest degree of safety in drinking water installations.

And its versatility means the system can be used for residential, industrial and gas installations. The high-grade stainless steel Viega Sanpress Inox system encompasses a comprehensive range of press connectors, pipe and system fittings for plumbing and building services. The focus is on safety, hygiene, ease of use, precision and durability.

Smart Connect Feature A key component of Viega’s Sanpress Inox system is the innovative Smart Connect Feature, a small channel on the bead of the press connector which enables testing for un-pressed fittings of a complete installation, centrally and conveniently using a manometer.

Enhanced safety Every Sanpress Inox connector is equipped with a high quality sealing element. In addition, a cylindrical pipe guide stops the jamming and wedging of the pipes in the connector and effectively prevents damage to the seal. As a result, secure sealing of the fitting is guaranteed and the work is made much easier.

Viega press technology At the heart of the Sanpress Inox system is the Viega press technology. The connectors are pressed with Viega’s light and practical press tools in a matter of seconds and are permanently secure without the danger of fire and timeconsuming fire prevention measures.

Since the pipes are cold-pressed, there is no risk of fire as is the case with welding or soldering. As a result, Sanpress is suitable for refurbishments and extensions.

For more information about Sanpress Inox visit viega.com.au

54 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

simPRO has created the Connect App which allows field staff to update times, materials and job details in real time.

The simPRO Connect app is an out of office extension of simPRO Enterprise and runs on tablet sized devices and smart phones. simPRO Chief Executive Officer Brad Couper said there were an increasing number of businesses with mobile staff that required ‘paperless’ offices.

“Connect saves businesses time and money – field technicians no longer need to drive to and from the office to collect and deliver paperwork,” he said.

“It provides field staff with a real time connection between the field, enabling them to generate invoices, receipts, quotes or new jobs on the spot.

“Connect is fast, efficient and easy to use and is changing the way businesses operate.”

Mr Couper said the Connect App also improved the accuracy of data because staff no longer had to interpret each other’s handwriting.

Established in 2002, simPRO Software is a Brisbane based self-funded software company. simPRO Software is the global leader in job management software for the services and contracting sector to improve productivity and profitability in the businesses.

To find out more visit simpro.co or call 1300 139 467.

www.plumber.com.au | 55

product news Orbital® Connector Providing Greater Installation Flexibility Ideal when renovating or retrofitting an existing bathroom, the Caroma Orbital Connector overcomes a common issue with set out compatibility which can sometimes limit the range of options available when selecting a replacement toilet suite.

The unique adjustable Orbital Connector is able to extend a toilet set-out to any position within a 50mm radius, allowing for greater installation flexibility by rotating the upper and lower bodies, so it will suit most set outs. The Orbital connector with its fully adjustable design, means the installing plumber will not need to have various straight and offset connectors in the van. The Orbital connector also has a quick fit connection directly into the drainline which eliminates the need to purchase and install a separate pan collar.

Throughway restriction can be created if the pan outlet spigot is not matched to offset connectors properly. By design, the throughway in the Orbital connector is maximised throughout its adjustment range, for the avoidance of blockages and siphonage which can occur with other types of connectors.

The Orbital Connector is another solution developed by Caroma to make the plumbers’ job easier.

To find out more, please visit www.caroma.com.au or call 13 14 16.

New from Zetco: Solar Ball Valve

DAB Defender – Are you prepared this summer?

Solar heated hot water systems are becoming more and more popular resulting in Zetco developing a specific ball valve better suited to longevity of these systems.

Ensure you are prepared for the risk of bushfire this summer with the DAB Defender firefighting pump.

Standard Watermarked ball valves simply do not have the temperature range required over time for such installations.

Fitted with special PTFE seats, the valves are rated up to temperatures of 200°C. The valves are fully WaterMarked to AS 5830.1 and are available in sizes 15mm and 20mm.

• Manufactured in Italy • Full bore • WaterMarked to AS 5830.1 licence WMKA22345 • Suitable for use in solar applications • High temperature PTFE seals • Stainless steel 304 lever handle & nut • Blow-out proof stem • Must be operated in fully open or closed position • All valves pressure tested during production • Size range: 15mm to 20mm • Temperature range: -20°C to 200°C • Maximum operating pressure at nominal temperatures: 2500 kPa To find out more visit zetco.com.au

Home Owners living in high risk bushfire areas need to ensure they are prepared to protect their property, land and livestock at all times. The robust and reliable DAB Defender firefighting pump delivers high flow rates for extra strong water pressure when it’s needed the most.

Built for the harsh Australian climate, the efficient DAB Defender is Ideal for transferring water from a dam or an above or below ground tank. The intuitive pump will even recognise when a water source has been depleted and stop running, preventing engine damage.

Powered by your choice of a high quality Honda petrol engine or Lister diesel engine, you can be sure it will battle through even the most extreme conditions.

Transporting the DAB Defender around your property is simple. Each pump is housed in a roll cage that allows for easy and safe lifting and transport without causing damage to the pump or engine.

Don’t take any chances this summer, Prepare. Protect. Prevail with the DAB Defender. To get your DAB Defender pump or for more information, contact a Grundfos Pumps Sales Office to find your nearest DAB Dealer.

About DAB Founded in Italy in 1975, DAB pumps have provided reliable and affordable pumping solutions to customers around Australia for over 25 years. From domestic applications to light industrial use, DAB products offer solutions that consistently perform under tough conditions.

Owned by the world largest pump manufacturer, Grundfos Pumps, DAB strive to be recognised as a leader in the design, manufacture and sale of easy-to-use, sustainable and affordable pumping systems.

To find out more visit au.grundfos.com

56 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Bosch gives you flexibility for your commercial hot water project.

Bosch provides flexibility and reliability when there is demand for large volumes of hot water. Because no two commercial projects are the same.

Bosch commercial hot water products are well-known for their quality, flexibility, and reliability when there is demand for large volumes of hot water. The Bosch Commercial Manifold Pack is no different, providing versatile installation options, high first hour delivery capacities, and comprehensive commercial warranties to suit your unique specification.

To find out more please contact Bosch on 1300 653 158 or visit www.bosch-climate.com.au for more information.

For solar and efficient water heating products...

We’ve got you covered

Solar Water Heaters | Solar Pre-Heat | Heat Pump Water Heaters | Gas Water Heaters RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL

Visit us online or call now to discover why going direct to Chromagen is the better supply alternative.

Chromagen Pty Ltd | chromagen.com.au/trade | info@chromagen.com.au | 1300 367 565 VICTORIA | NEW SOUTH WALES | QUEENSLAND | NORTHERN TERRITORY | WESTERN AUSTRALIA | SOUTH AUSTRALIA

AD0090 FINAL2 MasterPlumbers 2013 Half Page Advert 08-13.indd 1

www.plumber.com.au | 57 26/08/2013 1:14:52 PM

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THE PLUMBING MARKETING SERVICE THAT GETS CLIENTS TO CALL YOU DIRECTLY NO BIDDING FOR JOBS RECEIVE 5 QUALIFIED NEW CLIENT CALLS ABSOLUTELY FREE WHEN YOU START A TRIAL. • • •

QUALIFIED NEW CLIENT CALLS CALLS ONLY GO TO ONE PLUMBER OBLIGATION-FREE

CALL 1300 312 033

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Installation flexibility...

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NOW AVAILABLE WITH CAMEO AND CARAVELLE EASY HEIGHT S-TRAP TOILET SUITES • Utilises existing plumbing footprint and waste outlet • Extending to any position in a 50mm radius • Maximised throughway ensuring the avoidance of blockages & siphonage

For more information call 13 14 16 or visit caroma.com.au

58 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

CAROMA’S PATENTED ORBITAL® CONNECTOR

product news New from RIGID Building upon a proud heritage of delivering the most innovative tools to the market, Ridge Tool announces the SeeSnake CS6 digital recording monitor as part of RIDGID’s commitment to continual development of technological precision products.

The CS6 monitor captures still images and video clips directly to a USB thumb drive and automatically generates high quality multi-media reports.

NEW Advanced Lithium 18V 4.0Ah Battery • Thinner/more compact design • Increased power density • Short circuit protection • Over current protection • Over discharge protection (eliminates trickle effect) • Cell balancing • Thermal protection (shuts battery down at extreme temperature) • Charge time reduced significantly compared to old batteries This battery is compatible with RIDGID cameras & recording devices that use an optional battery supply and the RIDGID press tools RP210-B & RP340-B.

4Ah Battery Specifications Capacity:

4.0 Ah

Size:

134 x 140 x 102mm

Weight: 0.9kg Charge time:

62 mins (Advance lithium charger)

Life of battery: 500-600 chargers Temperature range:

-20 to 70°C

To find out more visit rigid.com.au or call 1800 743 443

Apex Valves announces Hydroflow Distributors (Aust) as Australian Plumbing Valve Distributor Partner Apex Valves is a privately owned New Zealand company specialising in the design and manufacture of control valves for low and high pressure hot water and filtration systems, has appointed Hydroflow Distributors (Aust) Pty Ltd as its Plumbing Valve Distributor.

“We look forward to our new partnership with Hydroflow Australia,” said Mark Gracie, International Business Development Manager at Apex Valves Limited. “Hydroflow and its team have an exceptional reputation in the plumbing industry and we’ll no doubt benefit from their unequalled customer support and industry knowledge.”

This distribution agreement represents a major commitment to the Australian market and our dedication to providing quality products and service. As an international industry leader with more than 30 years of proven performance, we’re extremely excited to help the Australian market benefit from our innovation, reliability and service.”

Kerrick Kerrick Industrial Equipment have released a range of portable jetters aimed at the Australian plumbing industry.

There are four standard models – HH3030, HH3635, HH4021 and HH5020.

Some standard features include: • Stainless steel water tank • Hawk pump • Honda 20/24 HP petrol engine • Galvanised roll-over frame • Reduction gear box between pump and engine 300mm pneumatic tyres • 60 metre ¼” sewer hose/reel • 1 reverse turbo nozzle • 1 sewer flush nozzle • 1 penetrating nozzle Kerrick will custom build jetters to the customer’s requirements. Units can be skid, trailer ute or truck mounted with volumes of up to 200 litres per minute.

For more details ring Kerrick on 1300 KERRICK or 1300 537 742 or visit our website www.kerrick.com.au

The addition of Australia represents a significant expansion of the Apex distribution network, which includes New Zealand, USA, South Africa, South America, Malaysia, Ireland and the United Kingdom. In addition to its Plumbing Valve product line, Apex produces an extensive range of Float and Reservoir Valves for the agricultural industry. Apex Valves is accredited with internationally recognized ISO 9001 Quality Certification.

For more information, contact Hydroflow Distributors (Aust) Pty Ltd www.hydroflowaus.com.au, (03) 9676 8900 and visit www.apexvalves.co.nz.

www.plumber.com.au | 59

product news The best just got better 6 Star continuous flow update Not all water heaters are created equal, and at Rinnai we are committed to ongoing hot water innovation – enabling us to bring you our latest Infinity gas continuous flow hot water systems.

Our latest Infinity products offer the same great reliability and performance you have come to expect, now with extra efficiency and a status operation monitor showing the temperature the water heater is set to. In the unlikely event of a problem an error code displays – helping the service technician quickly identify the issue.

Features • Quality Japanese design and manufacturing in Rinnai’s own high tech facility • High quality componentry engineered to last • Superior 6+ star efficiency across the range of 16 – 26 litre units • Puretemp™ temperature stability technology • Water heater status operation monitor • 12 Year heat exchanger warranty • True 50°C at the tap on specific models • Low flow shower head compatible For more information visit www.rinnai.com.au

TATA Xenon Introducing the all new TATA Xenon.

Ferntree Gully Auto Sales have partnered with Masters Plumbers to give members an exclusive discount on the all new TATA Xenon.

The TATA Xenon is tough, even in the harshest Aussie conditions, with its responsive handling, 2500kg towing capacity, up to 1080 kg payload and on the fly 4WD (standard on all 4x4 variants) the Xenon can handle any situation.

Whilst it’s dual front SRS airbags and ABS across the range help to keep you safe. Peace of mind driving is assured with a 3 year/100,000KM warranty coupled with 24/7 premium roadside assist for three years.

The 2.2 litre DICOR turbo diesel common rail direct injection euro5 emission compliant engine offers 110 kW of power and 320nm’s of torque provides great fuel economy without compromising on power or efficiency. With a range of standard comfort features including air conditioning, electric windows, Bluetooth and USB connectivity with complimentary Sat Nav and reverse camera on all 2013 plate vehicles you can relax while your Xenon is working hard.

The perfect plumbers ute, call Mike Franco at Ferntree Gully Auto Sales on 1300 569 636 today and take advantage of the Master Plumber member discount. Finance packages are available to approved purchasers.

Elgas provides LPG energy solutions for jobs big and small With renewed consumer focus on clean, efficient, and affordable energy for the coming cold season, Elgas LPG is the simple, clear choice.

When it comes to creating a warm and cosy environment for your clients this cold season, a gas log fire or gas heater is the ultimate lifestyle choice. The warmth produced by gas heating is fast and efficient, providing the most comfortable environment for your customers.

Elgas can provide LPG energy solutions for jobs big and small, taking care of all your customers’ LPG energy needs and helping your business grow. LPG is a clean, efficient and affordable form of energy and Elgas LPG is fast becoming the fuel of choice.

If your customers are thinking of replacing an appliance, or improving their home by purchasing a gas appliance, Elgas will help you to secure the job.

With the backing of Elgas Buying Group your business can get access to a wide range of leading brand gas appliances at competitive trade prices. Elgas staff can draw on years of collective experience and expert advice from both seasoned tradesmen and manufacturers, giving you the edge in quoting jobs. Elgas will even help you close the sale by providing you with specially designed trade support material and offers for your customers.

For trade updates and all your LPG appliances at competitive trade prices Phone: 1300 362 389 Email: trade@elgas.com.au Visit: trade.elgas.com.au

60 | Australian Plumbing Industry Magazine | March 2014

Advice to Plumbers AQUAMAX G200 Series Water Heaters Manufactured between 1992 and 2001 This notice relates to AQUAMAX G200 Series gas storage water heaters that were manufactured between April 1992 and April 2001.

In some instances these heaters have been known to develop a water leak from the gas control valve allowing water to collect in the burner. This may in turn prevent the normal flow of gas to the burner ports, with the consequence that the product will fail to ignite.

For many years Aquamax has provided a field fix for this issue consisting of an “aeration shroud” to protect the burner from the leaking water. The purpose of this notice is to remind plumbers as to the availability of this kit.

Plumbers encountering any affected Aquamax G200 water heaters are advised that it is necessary to fit the shroud to ensure correct operation in every case.

The aeration shroud and fitting instructions can be obtained (free of charge) from: AQUAMAX SERVICE ph: 1800 676 000

Our cisterns are now simpler to install.

All you need is a phone. █ █

Onsite phone support Free training*

At Geberit, we’re committed to making sure the trade is well trained and confident when installing the world’s leading range of concealed cisterns.

Contact 1800 432 3748 for more information. * Onsite training is restricted to the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane and is subject to availability.

www.plumber.com.au | 61

wpc news 10th World Plumbing Conference 14-15 November 2013, New Delhi India

A global gathering in India India boasts of rich culture and traditions, but there are certain core issues like health and sanitation that have remained a concern for the country. Keeping this stark reality in mind, the central theme of the 10th World Plumbing Conference was “Environment, Health and Hygiene.”

Plumbing systems have a direct relevance on the health and hygiene of any nation and therefore, imposes a huge responsibility on the plumbing professionals to implement efficient plumbing practices. This global event, held in India for the first time, saw more than 600 delegates from different parts of the world – including England, Scotland, Poland, Australia, China, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UAE, US, Singapore and South Africa, besides different parts of India.

The inaugural ceremony saw a packed auditorium and special guest, Mr. T.K.A. Nair, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India said, “There should be a consultative process to evolve mechanisms, which are missing today. It is hard for such initiatives to come from the Government and therefore, the industry should make systematic efforts to ensure implementation of Codes and Standards.”

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Guest of honour, Mili Majumdar, Director, Sustainable Habitat Division, TERI, pointed out that India was already water-stressed and needed to introduce regulatory codes to preserve water resources. “Water audits should be made mandatory for the construction industry.

There should be effective ways for rain-water harvesting,” she said.

This two-day conference had three technical sessions and speakers from several parts of the world gave their perceptions on diverse topics related to the plumbing profession.

Karan Grover, eminent architect and noted conservationist, stressed on the need for sustainability along with luxury in design, while Henry Hung, former Deputy Chairman of WPC, made a presentation on the health aspects of plumbing, and prevention of disease transmission through plumbing systems.

There were many other speakers including: • Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar, ViceChancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, who spoke about efficient plumbing systems and stressed the need for education and training for better sanitation.

• Steve Brown, a plumbing professional from South Africa, discussed the similar challenges faced by developing countries and measures to overcome them.

• Ron George, a plumbing consultant from USA, discussed the ways to prevent the spread of deadly pathogens like Legionella and Naegleria Fowleri in building water systems.

The conference also included several enjoyable evening functions. The delegates experienced the distinct Indian flavour in the form of vibrant rhythms of Indian classical music, a ballet of seven of India’s major classical dances, rustic folk dances, a heart-stopping martial arts dance from Manipur and a splendid performance by an array of maestros on a variety of percussive instruments.

Everyone present was enthralled by the cultural diversity of India, and it was truly, business combined with pleasure!

The conference ended on a high note with Mr. Sudhakaran Nair, President, Indian Plumbing Association, being elected as the Chairman of the World Plumbing Council.

To find out more about the event and see more photos visit worldplumbing.org

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