NZ Plumber February-March 2020

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 0

HOT WORK FIRE HAZARDS How to keep it safe

CLIMATE IMPACTS What actions is our industry taking?

I WISH I’D KNOWN

Advice for apprentices

New campaign launch (page 50)

PGDB/MICO CPD ROAD SHOW 2020

TO REGISTER VISIT: https://ecommerce.skills.org.nz/pgdb2020

WIN, EAT, LEARN, NETWORK • Attend the interactive training session

• Have a catch up with other industry members

• Y our chance to ask the questions you need answering

• We’ll shout you breakfast on morning sessions

• G et the latest product updates at the trade stands • Get access to exclusive trade stand deals

0800 101 999 | www.mico.co.nz

• Have a bite and a drink on us at the Happy Hour • B E IN TO WIN! Trade stand competitions on offer.

Volume 72, Number 1 CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 03 543 2008 bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz DESIGN Sally Travis Design www.sallytravisdesign.co.nz CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT ICG icg.co.nz ADVERTISING Alton Anamani advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz PRINT Blue Star 81 The Esplanade, Petone Wellington 6141 SUBSCRIPTIONS NZ Plumber is published six times a year by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Members and Certifying tradespeople receive all six editions. If you wish to opt out, please email bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz To order an annual subscription, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number here: registration@pgdb.co.nz

Contact details for the Master Plumbers board, staff, branches and associations are available at www.masterplumbers.org.nz ©NZ Plumber 2013. Registered as a Newspaper, GPO, Wellington, ISSN 0111-4379. NZ Plumber is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication, unless initially specified otherwise. All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’. Views expressed in articles in NZ Plumber magazine are not necessarily those of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc, or of the Editor. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication, the publisher and the Editor take no responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences of reliance on this information. Publication of advertising material implies no endorsement of either a product or service.

New decade, new look Enjoy the new format for NZ Plumber!

Apart from a few tweaks here and there, NZ Plumber has remained the same for the past five years. There’s always room in life for improvement and change— as anyone who has ever made a New Year’s resolution will know—and it’s the magazine’s turn in 2020.

The revamped magazine in your hands now is the result of an independent critique service, offered by the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI).

The critique was a very useful exercise in getting an outside perspective on potential enhancements we could make for NZ Plumber.

One point that came across loud and clear was the need to reduce the number of different sections to make the navigation easier for readers. So, from

this edition we’ve cut the sections back and introduced section openers. We’ve also given the whole design a freshen up. Nothing major from a content perspective but we hope it all adds up to an enjoyable read—and we welcome your feedback. Look out for a survey coming your way around mid-year to see how we’re tracking.

In the meantime, best wishes for 2020 and good luck with your own resolutions for change!

Beverly Sellers Editor, NZ Plumber, bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

Over to you Email us your letters and feedback to be in to win our $50 letter prize. bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible paper produced from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources.

Paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

nzplumber

003

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 0

24 MASTER PLUMBERS

47

47

New member benefit

Crombie Lockwood Umbrella Cover

48

Updates New member portal, Best in Brand winner, meet the team

51

09

CLIMATE CHANGE: INDUSTRY CHANGE

WHAT’S UP

09

2020 NZ Plumbing Conference

Making a difference

Plumbing, gas and drainage manufacturers and suppliers tell us what they’re doing in the sustainability space

Discover the speakers, the sessions and the social events

12

Training & events Check out the industry calendar

14

Updates

004

18

An industry news round-up

nzplumber

18

24

The tide is high

Flood risks in NZ and actions being taken

26

Passive design for cohousing project

How passive house principles are being used in a new South Island cohousing development

29

Cutting waste to landfills

What’s being done to reduce construction & demolition waste

Partner profile

Aliaxis Group’s Marley & Dux sign a 5-year Platinum Partnership

52

Meet the Board

This edition, we profile Martin de Gouw and Jon Lewis

54

Member profile How technology has helped iPlumber’s growth

56

Branch profile A new branch for Queenstown & Lakes District

58

Masterlink messageboard

Latest news from the Master Plumbersowned apprentice management company

ON THE TOOLS

31 34

31

Hot work fire hazards

How to keep it safe

Proposed updates for E1, E3 & G13

BUSINESS SMARTS

the what & the why 60 Marketing: impacts of a crisis 62 Human

Marketing basics

The final part of our risk management mini-series

MBIE wants your feedback

36

TECHNICAL THEME : BACKFLOW Installation & repairs

Why all plumbers need to understand the importance of backflow prevention

38

Hazard ratings Selecting the right backflow device

40

3 Waters: pipeline of work

42 44

Results of the government review

Tech Q&A Our regular technical column

Answer to flushable wipes?

45

One woman’s innovative idea

Products What’s new in the marketplace

60

66

Introducing: Wellbeing on Tap

A new programme for the plumbing industry

live by 68 to4 principles

Sam Tyson shares some learning

CAREER STARTERS

74

74

“I’m very future oriented”

Fourth-year apprentice Dave Hodgson discusses his goals

76

78

What I wish I’d known

AND FINALLY...

you at the start line 80 See

Team challenge for Quix Commercial

minutes 82 10with...

83 Offcuts 85 Dodgy plumbing

Some first-hand advice for first-year apprentices

Training updates An update on progress for the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE)

80

Plumber Dan

Odds and ends, plumbing style

Some things never change…

69 Why trademark?

70

72

Andrea Lovell has first-hand experience

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

On the cover

How many hours will the job take?

Why 83% get estimates wrong

Warning or dismissal?

Coming to the correct decision is as important as following proper process

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 0

HOT WORK FIRE HAZARDS How to keep it safe

CLIMATE IMPACTS What actions is our industry taking?

I WISH I’D KNOWN

Advice for apprentices

the retentions 73 Reviewing regime

More work needs to be done to protect subcontractors

New campaign launch (page 50)

On our cover this edition is Courtenay from the awesome team at iPlumber in Hamilton (read their story on page 54).

Director Jamin Saes says he’s proud to be a plumber because plumbers are out there getting things done to improve people’s quality of life.

nzplumber

005

Reports CEO & CHAIR

CEO’S REPORT As we enter the new decade, I hope our members and Business Partners are on course and ready for a successful year in 2020. You will have noticed the new look for NZ Plumber with this edition. All credit to the team who late last year embarked on a full magazine review, using the services of an external expert.

NZ Plumber has been recognised with international awards—the latest in 2019—and is a leading construction industry publication, but we constantly look to make improvements that will future-proof its relevance and success in our sector. We are really proud of the new look and hope you like it too.

Plumbers always have a busy start to the year, and the same goes for the Master Plumbers organisation, as we begin our 2020 training timetable delivery, prepare for this year’s conference and throw ourselves once more into advocacy discussions on the government’s review of vocational education. The Ministry of Education has confirmed there will be six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs), with plumbing under Construction & Infrastructure.

We are now engaging with government officials on how this WDC structure will be implemented.

Progess is being made on the review of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act

Progress is also being made on the review of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act. At a meeting with MBIE late last year, we were given a timeline for recommendations on the Act to be made to the Minister. We will continue to meet with representatives from MBIE and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board to ensure that the revised Act is relevant for 2020 and beyond.

Also late last year, I met with Marley and Dux general managers Mike MacDonald and Jeff La Haye to mark a new five-year Master Plumbers Platinum Partnership with these two Aliaxis brands. The partnership signals a long-term commitment to our industry and to the Master Plumbers membership in particular, and we’re very proud of the relationship.

This April will see the 2020 NZ Plumbing Conference in Marlborough. Members always come away with ideas and inspiration for their businesses and we look forward to seeing you there!

Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

CHAIR’S REPORT In just a few weeks’ time, Master Plumbers will be holding its Annual General Meeting during the 2020 NZ Plumbing Conference in Blenheim.

I will be pleased to present delegates with a report on the activities of the Society during 2019—a year that saw membership numbers increase across all categories.

It was again a busy year, with CEO Greg Wallace and his dedicated team working to deliver member support and representation, training, marketing and communications, as well as meeting the needs of our industry supporters through our Business Partner programme.

We are particularly grateful to our Business Partners for their commitment to advertising in NZ Plumber, which consistently adds to the bottom-line income for the Master Plumbers group. Masterlink is another important contributor to the success of Master Plumbers,

006

nzplumber

At the AGM, announcements will be made about the directors elected to the Master Plumbers Board

providing a large portion of income via dividends, which significantly subsidises individual member fees.

At the AGM, announcements will be made about the directors elected to the Master Plumbers board in 2020/21. Their specific roles will be decided at the first board meeting after the conference. I thoroughly enjoyed my third year as Chairman in 2019 and thank my fellow board members for supporting me in the role.

The board has another active year ahead, with foundational actions for the government’s new industry vocational training regime expected by 1 April, and the review of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act also due to be completed during the year.

Craig Foley, Board Chair Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

THERE CAN ONLY

BE ONE $50,000 IN PRIZES TO BE WON!

INCLUDING A TRIP TO TOTO INDONESIA &

$30,000 W O R T H O F TO OLS F R O M T O O LW A R E

Andrew Bright 2019 Young Plumber of the Year winner – Warwick Kirwan Plumbung Ltd

TH E R ISE OF TH E YO U NG P LU M BE R

IT’S FREE TO ENTER! ASK YOUR BRANCH MANAGER OR VISIT WWW.YPC.CO.NZ THA NKS TO O U R SPONS O RS

SUPPORTED BY: Bromic Ltd, Heron Plumbing Ltd, HiFlo Plumbing, Hutt Gas & Plumbing Systems Ltd, Milwaukee, RMC, Toto and Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Ltd

BUY A NEW HITACHI MINI EXCAVATOr THIS SEASON

AND SCORE a

*

hIKOKI POWER TOOL KIT ON US! 2-PIECE KIT

WITH

ZX17U-5 / ZX26U-5

EXCAVATORS PURCHASED

4-PIECE KIT

WITH

ZX33U-5 / ZX38U-5

EXCAVATORS PURCHASED

6-PIECE KIT

WITH

ZX55U-5 / ZX65U-5

EXCAVATORS PURCHASED

Hitachi’s mini excavators have a reputation for being incredibly reliable, stable and light weight construction machines, ideal for tight narrow places, where the big machines can’t go. With user-friendliness at the heart of every Zaxis mini excavator design, smaller models are easily transported by trailer and convenient maintenance features make them quick to clean and inspect. With a comfortable cab and smooth, efficient hydraulics, our mini excavators make a big impression on the job site.

enquire with your local equipment sales representative today

What’s up

COMIC TURN

If you like a laugh, you’ll love the fact that comedian Paul Ego is MC for the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards.

Described as the Master of Improv, Paul Ego is sure to entertain the crowds at the 2020 NZ Plumbing Awards in April. Paul, who is best known as team leader on TV3’s comedy panel show 7DAYS, will MC the award celebrations, sponsored by Plumbing World and taking place on Friday 3 April at the Marlborough Convention Centre as the culmination of the 2020 NZ Plumbing Conference.

Paul is one of New Zealand’s most in-demand live performers (and is also the voice of a large yellow supermarket!).

Turn the page for more about the 2020 NZ Plumbing Conference.

10

2020 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE

12

TRAINING & EVENTS CALENDAR

14

INDUSTRY UPDATES nzplumber

009

What's up 2020 CONFERENCE

NZ Plumbing Conference There are just a couple of weeks to go till the 2020 NZ Plumbing Conference in April— the premier event for the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry.

It’s always worth taking a few days out of your business to gain a massive amount of inspiration and ideas from the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference. Feedback from attendees shows that the knowledge and networking opportunities available are invaluable. “The whole conference from start to finish was absolutely fantastic,” said one respondent after last year’s event. “[We] were blown away with it all,” said another.

Check out the programme and book online at www.plumbingconference.org.nz

What you need to know WHERE: Marlborough Convention Centre, Blenheim WHEN: 1-3 April 2020 COST: $895 ex GST (member price); $995 ex GST (non-member price). Includes all conference sessions, activities and social evening events. You can opt to pay with your Plumbing World MaxPoints or Mico Trade Edge Points ACCOMMODATION: There are plenty of great accommodation options close to the conference venue BOOK: www.plumbingconference.org.nz

010

nzplumber

Conference programme WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 9-12 PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow session 12-1 Lunch for CPD attendees 12-2.30 NEW: Women in Plumbing Programme lunch session with

guest speaker Lisa King, social entrepreneur and founder of Eat

My Lunch.

1-2.30 Technical sessions on plumbing, gasfitting & drainlaying 2.30-3 Afternoon tea 3 Master Plumbers AGM (members only) 5-6.30 Taste of Marlborough Happy Hour & trade stand launch 6.30 Mico Welcome Night dinner at Wither Hills vineyard THURSDAY 2 APRIL 9 Conference opens with keynote Partner

speaker Liam Malone: gold Programme

medallist blade runner, AI specialist The Partner

and motivational speaker Programme runs 10.15-10.45 Morning tea from 10.15am10.45-11.45 Guest speaker 2.30pm on Thursday.

Enjoy a tour of the 11.45-12.30 Industry updates Marlborough region, 12.30-1.30 Lunch including the Vines 1.30-2.30 Health and safety Village, wine tasting 2.30-3.30 10 things you can do to get more and a relaxing

customers today! vineyard lunch.

3.30-4 Afternoon tea 4-5 IT issues—how to avoid risks and maximise the investment 6.30 Marley and Dux Fun Night Dinner at Omaka Aviation

Heritage Centre FRIDAY 3 APRIL 7.30-8.30 Conference breakfast 8.30-9.30 Keynote speaker Rod Oram, economic and political commentator 9.30-11 Dealing with customers—your rights & obligations 11 Morning tea and close 12 Afternoon leisure activity options:: • Queen Charlotte Sound cruise and lunch (full) • Vineyard coach tour, wine tasting and lunch • Vineyard cycle tour, wine tasting and lunch.

6.30 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Dinner, sponsored by

Plumbing World Programme subject to change

What's up CALENDAR

Training & Events Dates to mark on your calendar for the first half of 2020.

10 MAR

PE Electrofusion Technician WELLINGTON

12 MAR

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

18 MAR

ATP Electrical Training WELLINGTON etec.ac.nz/courses/etec-electrical

Health, Safety & Wellbeing— Complying with the Act? AUCKLAND

12 & 18 MAR

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

24 MAR

Health, Safety & Wellbeing— Complying with the Act? WELLINGTON

PE Electrofusion Technician CHRISTCHURCH, AUCKLAND masterplumbers.org.nz/training

24 & 25 MAR

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

Buried HDPE Stormwater Tank & Urban Rainwater Reuse Pump Systems ROTORUA, NAPIER masterplumbers.org.nz/training

25 MAR

Legislation that you are Bound By: An Update CHRISTCHURCH

1-3 APR

Legislation that you are Bound By: An Update HAMILTON masterplumbers.org.nz/training

22 APR

Buried HDPE Stormwater Tank & Urban Rainwater Reuse Pump Systems INVERCARGILL masterplumbers.org.nz/training

012

nzplumber

16 & 21 APR

plumbingconference.org.nz

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

22 APR

2020 New Zealand Plumbing Conference BLENHEIM

How to use your Talent to Build your Best Business WELLINGTON, NAPIER masterplumbers.org.nz/training

29 APR

Dealing with Consumers: Your Rights & Obligations CHRISTCHURCH masterplumbers.org.nz/training

29 APR

How to use your Talent to Build your Best Business DUNEDIN

4-8 MAY

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

12 MAY

How to use your Talent to Build your Best Business HAMILTON

Dealing with Consumers: Your Rights & Obligations ROTORUA

13 MAY

Legislation that you are Bound By: an Update TAURANGA

21 & 27 MAY

PE Electrofusion Technician NAPIER, HAMILTON masterplumbers.org.nz/training

How to use your Talent to Build your Best Business CHRISTCHURCH masterplumbers.org.nz/training

Health, Safety & Wellbeing— Complying with the Act? CHRISTCHURCH, DUNEDIN masterplumbers.org.nz/training

19 MAY

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

Health, Safety & Wellbeing— Complying with the Act? TAURANGA masterplumbers.org.nz/training

28 MAY

How to use your Talent to Build your Best Business AUCKLAND masterplumbers.org.nz/training

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

3 JUNE

5&6 MAY

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

masterplumbers.org.nz/training

19 & 20 MAY

CHCH, DUNEDIN, INVERCARGILL, QTN, GREYMOUTH

4 JUNE

Health, Safety & Wellbeing— Complying with the Act? NAPIER masterplumbers.org.nz/training

For more 2020 course dates and venues, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz/training

nzplumber

013

What's up INDUSTRY UPDATES

UPDATES

BRINGING YOU INDUSTRY NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE US PROUD OF OUR INDUSTRY...

Heading in here Design & Installation of Buried HDPE Tank Systems & Urban Rainwater Reuse Pump Systems This course covers design parameters and installation of buried cylindrical HDPE tank systems for use with detention and retention systems. It comes along with a guide for installing urban pump systems with a mains pressure back up supply.

PE Electrofusion Technician Comprehensive industry PE-Polyethylene training and certification for PE pipe joining by Electrofusion method. Successful candidates will obtain an official certificate as a certified Fusion Technician under Master Plumbers/Connexis/PSE umbrella, and will receive a CFT identification card/numbers and be deemed competent against industry unit standards US 25610 and US 10980.

LPG Solutions This introductory/refresher course provides an overview of LPG installations and sizing with some practical scenarios for discussion. Itcovers design and installation of LPG systems, arranging agreement

TOTAL BLAST

Winners of the latest Rinnai and Franklins promotion enjoyed a full day’s adventure experience in the Auckland sunshine late last year. The nine winners were taken by luxury party bus to their activities, which included clay target shooting, lunch, a beer tour and beer tasting at Hallertau, along with the afternoon on a luxury yacht cruise with their very own DJ and dinner.

What a blast!

WInners aboard the 70ft luxury yacht Haparanda for a tour of Auckland harbour.

014

nzplumber

and supply of gas cylinders and safety requirements in restraining gas cylinders, vaporisation of LPG, location test certificate and LPG operations.

Dealing with Consumers: Your Rights & Obligations Much of your work involves managing relationships with consumers. These are largely regulated by the Consumer Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act and Building Act. This workshop covers the rights you have and the obligations you owe your client as the consumer.

How to Use your Talent to Build your Best Business Unlock your business building potential and discover the proven keys to building a profitable and sustainable business. Find out how to generate greater growth, overcome challenges and give yourself the best opportunity to thrive as a business owner. Before the workshop, participants complete a 30-minute online assessment to identify and discover their unique combination of the 10 proven business-building talents.

Legislation that you are Bound—by An Update As a plumber, gasfitter and drainlayer, there is a lot of legislation you are bound by and so need to understand. This practical, hands-on course will bring you up to date with the relevant legislation and how it applies to your business. You will gain an understanding of the Construction Contracts Act, Consumers Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act and Employment Relations Act and there will also be discussion on quotes and contracts.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing—Are you Complying with the Act? Get the health, safety and wellbeing balance right in your workplace. Cut through all the hype—and learn how to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act. This includes managing risks to the mental wellbeing and health of employees. Lots of businesses are NOT complying with requirements of the Act and putting themselves at risk.

See dates and venues on previous page. For full details and to book, visit masterplumbers.org.nz/training

BRANZ INVESTIGATES NEW WATER HEATING TECHNOLOGIES BRANZ has just started a two-year project looking at innovative ways to heat water.

Some new technologies promise to greatly reduce the energy, carbon and financial costs of heating water for domestic use, it says.

Given that water heating contributes to approximately 30% of a typical household’s operational costs, the potential benefits are considerable—for the consumer, lines companies and the environment.

The project will compare the new technologies with ones currently used, such as heat pumps and the more traditional electric storage cylinder. It will cover retrofit/replacement practicalities and performance issues and provide robust, helpful advice to the plumbing industry as well as consumers.

An advisory group, including government and energy experts and a Master Plumbers technical specialist, will help ensure the project meet the needs of the industry.

Like to be kept up to date on the project?

Email roman.jaques@branz.co.nz

Relicensing made easier The Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board (PGDB) has launched a new streamlined digital solution to accommodate growth and increase the efficiency of 2020 relicensing.

“One of our primary goals over the past four years has been to make it simpler and easier for practitioners to communicate and interact in the regulatory space,” says PGDB Chief Executive Martin Sawyers.

“Continuing to increase that efficiency is essential to accommodate the growth of the industry and the speed at which technology is evolving.”

Further upgrades of the PGDB’s technology has seen the roll-out of a new platform early in 2020 which incorporates: • a trade engagement portal • a relicensing app • an improved public register.

This all-in-one connection portal incorporates an intuitive, friendly interface that will support the current and future needs of the licensing system and make it simpler and easier to meet compliance requirements.

The PGDB’s new relicensing app.

The new platform provides • A system for supervision that is managed in real-time and without Board staff intervention.

• Practitioners can now manage their own compliance and career goals.

• The new system is designed to assist with progression through the registration ladder.

• It is a more flexible approach to relicensing, where companies or practitioners can pay fees and nominate supervision for others.

• The platform expands onlinebased services around licensing, registration and exams. It also reduces the need for paper-based applications and record keeping.

The introduction of the new trade engagement portal began during the first week of February.

Download the new app at www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/licensing/

$12 BILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure sector training organisation Connexis has welcomed the government’s promised $12 billion investment in infrastructure—a sector that currently employs close to 60,000 people nationwide. “While the investment is crucial to improving the quality of New Zealand’s infrastructure for future needs, it also comes at a time when the infrastructure sector is facing a large skills gap in the workforce,” said Connexis chief executive Toby Beaglehole in December in response to the government’s announcement.

“With 44,000 workers needed over the next five years, the industry investment by government provides future work certainty and allows companies to continue to invest in their workforce.”

Specific projects announced in January include a mix of road and rail packages for Auckland, Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury and Queenstown. A new funding and finance tool is being developed to help high-growth councils get going on postponed projects.

Legislation to enable this tool is expected to be passed by mid-2020.

nzplumber

015

What's up INDUSTRY UPDATES

We

Australian tradies set up a Facebook group in January called Tradies for Fire Affected Communities and it has attracted more than 12,000 members, with tradies all around the country offering to donate their time and skills to help people affected by the devasting bushfires. “Help comes in many forms, and our members have already made such a difference,” says the page.

“From tool drops, to hay runs, to safe spaces for incredibly traumatised children.

Our group is made up of a beautiful bunch of legends.”

Some things just make you proud to be part of the plumbing industry...

DMI Plumbing have provided a financial scholarship each year to recognise a Pukekohe High School student with potential, who is looking to take on a trade. Pictured here are DMI Plumbing’s who is Dean and Suzanne Ihaia with Jaymie, the latest scholarship recipient. “Jaymie contacted me in January excited as he has a trial with a local plumbing company,” says Suzanne.

Plumber Robert Yeomans featured in community newspaper The Mercury Bay Informer in January for being one of Whitianga’s “genuine good guys, a man eager to help others, never seeking the limelight and always wanting and helping others to succeed”. Robbie has spent 50 years on the tools and son Anthony is now a partner in the Master Plumbers’ member business, which these days goes by the name of Mercury Bay Plumbing & Drainlaying.

Englefield (think yellow duck logo) has announced an awareness and support campaign for NZ’s endangered Blue Duck or Whio.

Initiatives will include a donations page on the Englefield website to encourage much-needed funds for the protection of this native bird. Estimated numbers of individuals are just 2,500-3,000, due mainly to loss of habitat and predators. All funds donated through Englefield’s website will go directly to the Central North Island Blue Duck Conservation Charitable Trust.

Keep an eye on www.englefield.co.nz for ongoing initiatives.

Andy Thomson of Thomson Plumbing and Gasfitting in Kapiti recently did a plumbing job for free and at short notice to support the HUHA (Helping you Help Animals) shelter. “You are most welcome,” said Andy on the HUHANZ Facebook page. “Your work is so important, and it upsets me that some treat their animals in such a way. Keep up the good work.” Hear, hear, Andy.

016

nzplumber

Apprentice Jason Beijerling has been picked for Wintec’s 2020 Top Student Award in the Level 3 NZ Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying. Jason will be presented with his award at the Wintec Centre for Trades & Engineering on 18 March at their 2020 Special Awards ceremony—an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the top performing students. Jason is now doing his Level 4 Masterlink apprenticeship in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying at CF Reece in Hamilton. Well done Jason. You’ll go far!

VANTAGE The new Vantage range from Greens is suitable for all pressures and features the patented FloBOOST® and RainBoost® shower technologies to ensure a shower as perfect as a good nights sleep down to 10kPa. NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction NZ) Wellington Chapter put the spotlight on a career in plumbing and gasfitting at their first meeting for 2020. Over 60 women in construction attended the Lower Hutt event to hear from a panel of women plumbers and gasfitters about what it’s like working in the industry. The evening was opened by Colleen Upton, GM of Master Plumbers member business Hutt Gas & Plumbing and winner of the supreme Helen Tippett award at the 2019 NAWIC Excellence Awards. Colleen is pictured here with the panel members Nikita, Olivia and Amber, also from Hutt Gas & Plumbing.

A donation from every sale of Greens Vantage products goes towards plumbing apprenticeship scholarships .

Greens Tapware - designed and engineered in NZ since 1935 – fostering the plumbing industry today for a bright future tomorrow.

www.greenstapware.com

nzplumber

017

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Over the next few pages, we ask industry leaders what they are doing to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and look at some projects designed with future proofing in mind.

Feature CLIMATE CHANGE

Feature CLIMATE CHANGE

NZ Plumber asked leading New Zealand plumbing and gas industry manufacturers and suppliers what initiatives they have in play with regards to sustainability. Here’s what they told us.

QUICK FACT: Sourcing locally manufactured products dramatically improves the carbon footprint of any construction project.

KOHLER/ENGLEFIELD

Kohler NZ is committed to becoming Net Carbon Zero by 2035 (see wastelab. kohler.com). The recently launched new Englefield shower wall packaging is more environmentally sustainable: 1. Cartons are smaller, easy to fold and can fit in a kerbside recycling bin.

2. The new packaging diverts around 30m3 of polystyrene away from landfills each year.

3. Two-sided walls will now have eight on a pallet instead of six, saving merchant space and proportionally reducing C-emissions per wall during transport.

4. Improvement across four key sustainability measures by over 50%: (CO2), water use, solid waste and toxicity.

This is the first of several environmental sustainability measures planned by Englefield.

GWA GROUP

GWA Group brands include Methven, Caroma, Dorf and CLARK. GWA produced its first stand-alone Sustainability Report in 2019. The report states that sustainability is at the core of GWA’s business, and is based around two central objectives of operating in a sustainable, socially responsible way and providing superior, water-saving product solutions.

Read the report at www.gwagroup.com.au/sustainability GWA produced the world’s first dual flush toilet in 1980 and has gone on to create water-saving innovations including: Caroma Smartflush® technology, reducing water consumption to 4.5L (full) and 3L (half) per flush WELS 6 Star rated Caroma Cub 0.8L Smartflush® urinal Caroma Smart Command® Eco System of intelligent products to enable building managers to monitor and control water use.

020

nzplumber

ALLPROOF INDUSTRIES

Allproof domestic channel and pits are moulded in NZ using 100% recycled polypropylene (PP) plastic, which is locally sourced wherever possible.

This plastic is ideal for this product range and used in various other products in the Allproof catalogue because of its responsible sourcing and physical characteristics.

Allproof are undertaking various other initiatives to reduce the impact of product manufacturing on NZ’s environment. These include removing heavy metals from waste water through an approved filtration system, and internal recycling of products that don’t pass a rigorous quality assurance process (regrinding of plastic injection moulded products).

Allproof are also BEP (Best Environmental Practice) certified for PVC manufacturing as per AS/NZS 1260:2017.

CENTRAL HEATING NEW ZEALAND

While there is no doubt we need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, they are still an important part of the energy requirements in New Zealand. Light oil (diesel and kerosene) are fundamental to our transport network as well as for heating residentially and commercially. The availability, ease of transport and storage, especially in the rural sector are major factors in its viability.

Superior comfort from underfloor and radiator warm water central heating systems is growing in demand, and in areas where there is no reticulated gas, or access for large electricity supply is difficult, diesel boilers are a great heat source option.

Modern diesel central heating boilers, such as the Firebird, are nearly three times more efficient than the best diesel engine car. This is in terms of getting the most from a litre of fuel and in combustion gas emission. Blue flame burner technology, combined with low flow temperature condensing heat exchangers, enables efficiencies of up to 98 percent. With no odour or smoke and virtually silent operation, they make a great choice for warm water central heating.

RHEEM

IPLEX

Recycling 25 tonnes of plastic drainage pipe waste earned the building products division of Iplex Pipelines NZ a commendation and runner-up placing in the Efficiency Champion category at the 2019 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards. Their efforts mean PE plastic waste is recycled for household bottles instead of bottles being made of virgin plastic.

Rheem NZ is committed to environmental improvement and preventing pollution—and develop hot water solutions that reduce waste and minimise environmental impact. Read more at rheem.com/about/sustainability In terms of products: All polyurethane thermal foam used to insulate Rheem water heaters has ultra-low Global Warming Potential and zero Ozone Depleting properties.

65% of products have little or no packaging. The remainder use recyclable packaging.

Domestic products meet the New Zealand Minimum Energy Performance Standards (NZMEPS).

Rheem gas water heaters are designed and manufactured to exacting safety, efficiency and performance standards Rheem storage water heaters (mains and low pressure) all have recyclable steel jackets.

Mains pressure cylinders have steel tanks and low pressure cylinders have copper tanks, both of which are recyclable.

In 2019, Rheem announced its specific global targets for 2025 of: Launching a line of heating, cooling and water heating products with a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas footprint Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and achieving zero waste to landfill in its global manufacturing operations Training 250,000 plumbers and contractors on sustainable products or sustainable installation and recycling best practices.

BUTELINE

Buteline aim to recycle, regrind and reuse in manufacturing their NZ-made products. All waste is recycled where possible, including cardboard, polymer regrind, brass and aluminium. Some raw materials can be recycled due to their chemical structure, allowing cycles of heating, forming and repeated reheating and reforming.

Their in-house ‘closed loop’ recycling of materials includes the waste from their moulding processes (such as sprues), and production waste from machinery startups and shutdowns.

Buteline raw material, polymer fittings and pipes are also relatively light. For a given weight, more can be freighted in a single load compared to heavier systems, reducing fuel use, carbon emissions and pollution.

Where possible Buteline are reducing the use of plastic bags and looking into biodegradable materials. Cartons are mostly made of recycled cardboard, and cartons and cardboard/ packaging, such as polystyrene and other box ‘fillers’, are reused as much as possible (or used for despatch of goods). Any boxes/ cartons no longer fit for purpose are sent to cardboard recyclers.

One-off wooden crates used for transporting some items are chipped into materials that can be repurposed (eg, playground bark). Metal frames from the transport of goods received are sent to metal recyclers.

TELETRAC NAVMAN

The Teletrac Navman software dashboard can help businesses run a more sustainable fleet. A range of driver behaviours impact fuel usage: harsh acceleration and braking, speeding and excessive idling all lead to extra carbon output. Data collected by Teletrac Navman’s GPS-based fleet tracking system can be used to measure, reduce and offset a fleet’s carbon emissions. Businesses can measure actions by vehicle or by driver and set goals to reduce poor on-road behaviours. The Teletrac Navman Telematics Benchmark Report 2019 found that operators reported on average a 12.7% reduction in fuel usage after installing a GPS-based fleet tracking system.

With the data produced by a fleet tracking system, you can measure the total kms travelled to calculate total emissions’ output from the fleet, and even moderate idle times to reduce fuel use.

nzplumber

021

Feature CLIMATE CHANGE

MARLEY

The uPVC used to make Marley pipes, spouting and fittings is an environmentally smart choice. It takes a small amount of energy to make, is long-lasting and can be 100% recycled.

Manufacturing offcuts are reprocessed to a raw material for recycling and re-use. Now only 1% of Marley’s production waste goes to landfill. They also avoid using

environmentally damaging raw materials and have targets to reduce energy consumption.

Marley products are designed with water conservation and reuse in mind. The Marley Curve® leaf diverter and Marley Twist® compact rainwater diverter allow homeowners to access clean and free rainwater—good for the environment and the pocket. They also

run a recycling scheme for industry partners and homeowners to return used PVC (pictured).

Marley are proud to be the first plastic manufacturer in NZ to achieve Environmental Management Registration and also to achieve Best Environmental Practice certification for their products and systems.

RINNAI

Rinnai NZ have been actively developing a sustainable business for a number of years. They have an independently certified Environmental Management System (EMS) in place and staff are actively encouraged to identify any opportunities for improvement.

Initiatives in place to minimise the impact of waste generated by their activities include: Separating recyclable waste materials throughout the business and ensuring that all practical recycling opportunities are identified.

Providing waste packaging to the local community to construct garden beds for growing vegetables Becoming a recycling hub for all batteries used in the business and by staff at home.

Minimising energy and water use in the Rinnai building is another focus. Water recycling initiatives have also been implemented to capture cooling water used in one of their manufacturing processes, and its reuse has led to a dramatic reduction in water use in the business.

Energy efficiency is key to the design process of Rinnai NZ products. The company has eliminated polystyrene from the packaging of several products and aims to eliminate all nonrecyclable materials from its packaging.

022

nzplumber

FELTON

Felton are phasing out plastic from their freight materials and product packaging, starting with removing the plastic blister pack for one of their top, iconic products—the Feltonmix Wallset—and replacing it with a recycled paper fibre mould that is similar to egg cartons. This is likely to roll out from June onwards when the plastic blister runs out.

For packaging boxes and labels, Felton will be working in stages to change over to FSC (Forestry Steward Council) certified paper. The FSC certification will be printed onto the packaging.

LOOK OUT FOR THE TICK OF APPROVAL

We put each and every Master Plumbers Recommends plumbing product to the test, assessing all aspects, such as ensuring replacement parts are readily accessible, they’re easy to install and they look great. Of course it goes without saying that they also come with a solid manufacturer’s guarantee. Once it ticks all those boxes, it gets our tick of approval.

To find out more call 0800 502 102 or visit tickofapproval.co.nz

The tide is high Late last year, a group of female apprentices and tradies teamed up to build New Zealand’s first-ever ‘climate safe’ house.

NZ Plumber looks at the project and what makes this property different.

B

lueskin Bay, 25km north of Dunedin, is a scenic estuary dotted with settlements, the largest of which is Waitati. During the Otago flooding of 2006, which saw 14cm of rain falling over the space of two days, Waitati was particularly hard hit, built as it is on an alluvial flood plain. Many homes were water damaged, including a 1914 villa belonging to local woman Cushla McCarthy.

024

nzplumber

When the area flooded again in 2017, Cushla was left with a home that was both uninhabitable and by now uninsurable. With a mortgage still to pay, she was forced to live in a bus and her garage with no hot water or heating—until the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust came to her rescue with its Climate Safe House (CSH) project.

The Trust was set up in response to the floods to create local climate solutions. Trust manager Scott Willis says the CSH project arose from an unwillingness to simply look away from the impacts climate change is having on New Zealand houses. “There’s this real need for picking up people falling through the cracks,” he says. “We have to prepare and adapt.”

New Zealand’s first ‘climate safe’ house is lowered onto its site at Waitati, north of Dunedin. It sits 1.1m above ground level.

Feature CLIMATE CHANGE

Women tradies build the prototype

It sits 3.6m above the mean high tide—surpassing the 2.5m requirement for all new housing in this designated flood hazard zone

The aim of the CSH project was to develop New Zealand’s first-ever transportable ‘climate safe’ eco home, with flooring, walls and ceiling built from modular structural insulated panels (SIPs) that can be raised on piles and relocated.

The 58sq m prototype was built with the help of over 40 sponsors, providing service and product donations in excess of $200,000.

“In mid-2019, we made an agreement with Otago Polytechnic to build the house during the two-day Dunedin Home and Living Show, which was held at the Forysth Bar Stadium last November,” says Scott.

Megan Gibbons, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Sustainability at Otago Polytechnic, says they decided to use a team of women tradies and apprentices for the project as a good way of

FLOOD RISKS IN NZ As the residents of Gore and its surrounds will know only too well, floodwater causes devastating damage to homes and local infrastructure that can take months to rectify—not to mention its effects on drinking water safety.

Below are some facts and figures on nationwide flood risks and some actions that are being urgently called for.

Almost 700,000 people and 411,516 buildings worth $135 billion are currently exposed to river flooding in the event of extreme weather events, according to a new flood exposure report released by NIWA and the Deep South National Science Challenge in 2019. Also exposed are 19,098km of roads, 1574km of railways and 20 airports. With climate change, more extreme rainfall events are also expected to occur.

There is an urgent need for national flood risk maps, according to NIWA researcher Ryan Paulik. “[We] need accurate and comprehensive information about the impact and costs of flooding today and under different climate change scenarios so everyone can plan and adapt.”

72,000 people are currently exposed to presentday extreme coastal flooding, along with about 50,000 buildings worth $12.5 billion, according to a second 2019 joint report on coastal flooding exposure under future sea level rise. The risk exposure increases markedly with sea-level rise, particularly during the first metre of rise There is near certainty the sea will rise 20-30cm by 2040, according to the report. By the end of the century, the sea could rise by between 0.5 to 1.1 m, depending on whether global greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, which could add an additional 116,000 New Zealanders exposed to extreme coastal storm flooding.

Councils need to address coastal adaptation to prioritise areas most at risk, says the report’s Dr Rob Bell. “We need to put the brakes on development in coastal areas even if areas may not be impacted for a few decades—given sea level will continue rising,” he said.

bringing notice to women in trade. “We went through our construction trades graduates and students and also looked for female apprentices, seeing if their businesses would lease them for the two-day timeframe,” she says.

About 14 women in all were involved in the construction of the house, including plumbers, builders, electricians, roofers, carpenters and window installers.

Transporting the house to site

After the home show, the one-bedroom house was transported by sponsor Fulton Hogan to Waitati, where the aim was to have sign off by the end of January.

Sustainable elements of the house include a Biolytix wastewater treatment system that mimics nature by using worms instead of an electric pump for aeration. Electricity for the house comes from a Solax solar power system with seven solar panels on the roof.

The Trust is leasing Cushla McCarthy’s property, and subletting the new house to her at a peppercorn rental. It sits 3.6m above the mean hide tide—surpassing the 2.5m requirement for all new housing in this designated flood hazard zone. Scott anticipates that, because of the changing climate, it won’t be on its current site for longer than 20 years before it has to be moved.

He says he hopes this ‘flaxroots’ community project will become a blueprint for many more affordable, transportable, modular ecohomes throughout New Zealand to help the growing number of Kiwis vulnerable to flooding and sea-level rise.

nzplumber

025

Feature CLIMATE CHANGE

PASSIVE DESIGN FOR COHOUSING PROJECT NZ Plumber talked to Jon Iliffe of New Zealand company eHaus about how they are partnering with a Dunedin cohousing group to deliver a Certified Passive House development.

W

ith the passing of the ZeroCarbon Amendment Act in early November last year, New Zealand implemented the first major step towards a future focused on mitigating climate change.

New builds that use less energy, have higher thermal efficiency and are built with sustainable materials can play a significant role in mitigating and adapting to climate change by reducing carbon emissions without compromising health and comfort levels.

What might keep an Aucklander warm in winter might not provide a Dunedin homeowner with adequate protection.

This is the idea behind passive housing, a construction concept that originated in Germany in the 1990s. Having lived in Europe and worked for a German company for several years, Jon Iliffe of New Zealand company eHaus saw the potential for adopting passive house projects in this country, which currently has just 24 fully certified passive houses nationwide.

According to Statistics New Zealand, one in five New Zealand homes are damp some or all of the time. “What might keep an Aucklander

026

nzplumber

warm and dry in winter might not provide a Dunedin homeowner with adequate protection against the Antarctic winter winds, which led me to question why they are often built to the same standard,” says Jon. eHaus designs and builds thermally efficient homes, modelled to suit New Zealand’s 18 climatic zones, and using 75-90% less heating energy.

Cohousing Dunedin development In 2018, eHaus began work on a cohousing development in Dunedin, on the 5,000 sq m site of a former primary school. Urban Cohousing Otepoti, established five years earlier, had purchased the site with the goal of creating an economically viable, energy-efficient cohousing development. Comprising 22 units on two sides of the site, the project is set to be the second largest of its kind in New Zealand. All homes have already been sold before the project’s due completion date of November 2020.

Cohousing (or coho as it’s becoming known) moves away from the traditional Kiwi idea of home ownership, where each house stands in isolation from others. The Dunedin development has a central, shared green space along with common facilities, such as offices, meeting rooms, guest rooms, three apartments and a large communal dining area.

Along with the 22 residential High Street and Alva Street units, a part of the former school building is being modified to create a Common House, which will include a shared dining room, lounge, kitchen and workshop, with three adjoining apartments.

nzplumber

027

Hot water for the units is delivered to a ring main distribution system from two hot water heat pumps, which run at 220% efficiency.

Working closely with local architect Tim Ross, eHaus brought their PassivHaus knowledge to the project to specify energy-efficient technologies for the buildings, with units ranging in size from one- to five-bedrooms. All will be passive house ‘Classic’ certified, with triple glazing, thicker wall construction and insulation, and designed to meet the passive house air-tightness standard.

A mechanical heat recovery ventilation system in each home will keep fresh air circulating and maintain a year-round temperature of 20-22°C. True to coho ideals, Jon has worked in collaboration with all parties from the start.

Foleys in Dunedin are carrying out the plumbing and drainage work for the project and director Chris Sutherland says it is encouraging to note that traditional plumbing can be easily integrated into the passive model. Hot water for the units is delivered to a ring main distribution system from two hot water heat pumps, which run at 220% efficiency, according to Chris.

Although the initial installation cost of the ring main system was expensive, it will in time garner economic returns.

Key project players Client: Urban Cohousing Otepoti Ltd Architect: Tim Ross of Architype Passive House design: eHaus licensed builders Builders: Stevenson & Williams Plumbers: Foleys, Dunedin

With the pre-slab plumbing and drainage work complete, and the thick polystyrene floor insulation laid, the concrete was ready to be poured on the first Alva Street units last July.

The hot water main is pictured here.

Cohousing is…

• A community of individual homes with some shared facilities and resources • Designed, planned and managed by the residents • Intended to create safe and social, multi-generational communities • Sustainably-focused in design and through the use of shared resources • Pedestrian-friendly, with car parking often at the edges of the site • Well-established in Europe and the US • Growing in popularity in NZ, with examples underway or completed in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin, Nelson, Wairarapa, New Plymouth, Cambridge, Queenstown, Whanganui and Hawke’s Bay. Find out more cohousing.org.nz passivehouse.nz

ehaus.co.nz

How passive house technology is being used to keep the cohousing units warm, dry and comfortable—and energy bills to a minimum.

028

nzplumber

Feature CLIMATE CHANGE

DI

W?

OU KNO DY

• By weight, the construction and demolition industry is one of the biggest waste producers in NZ, with around half of all waste going to landfill • Globally, manufacturers produce 348 million tons of plastic each year, compared to 1.5 million tons in 1950 • In Europe, which produces 60 million tons of plastic each year, only 30% of plastic waste gets recycled. Single-use plastics and packaging are the biggest plastic waste culprits.

Cutting waste to landfills Building waste is a major issue in NZ and it’s good to see a new ecolabel specification launched last October to help reduce the amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste going to landfills. It recognises top environmental performers among C&D service providers, according to the New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust behind the new scheme.

“The specification will recognise C&D waste service providers who reliably demonstrate great practices around waste minimisation, from waste reduction through recovery, reuse and recycling,” says Trust general manager Francesca Lipscombe (above left). It applies to both domestic and commercial C&D waste.

Read more about the EC-59 C&D Waste Services ecolabel specification at https://bit.ly/2nWik2T.

Due to manufacturing and supply changes, the Stylus Dorado and Alto Toilet Suites are being made obsolete, and are available only while stocks last.

We would like to offer you a substitute product…

Introducing the CLARK Round ALTO II BTW Toilet Suite Enhanced features include: • • • • • •

Uni Orbital Connector Improved operating componentry Choice of seat thickness Choice of flush button colours Ten year warranty And all for a lower price!

clarkworld.co.nz

nzplumber

029

FROM THE #1 TOILET REPAIR BRAND WORLDWIDE TM

SIDE/BACK ENTRY INLET VALVE Available shank sizes: 747UK- 1/2” PLASTIC THREAD 747UKL - 1/2” BRASS THREAD 747EL - 3/8” BRASS THREAD

BOTTOM ENTRY INLET VALVE Available shank sizes: 400UK - 1/2” PLASTIC THREAD 400UKL - 1/2” BRASS THREAD 400EL - 3/8” BRASS THREAD 400EP - 3/8” PLASTIC THREAD

DUAL FLUSH VALVE

DUAL FLUSH CABLE VALVE

560AU02

580AU02

FOR CLOSED COUPLED CISTERNS

CAN BE FITTED TO TOP, FRONT & SIDE FLISH BUTTON PLACEMENT

DUAL FLUSH VALVE COMPATIBLE BUTTON OPTIONS

560AU48

48mm round

WWW.HYDROFLOW.CO.NZ

560AU38

38mm round

560AU72 72 x 38mm

560AU100 100 x 30mm

560AU124 124 x 30mm

On the tools

HOT WORK FIRE SAFETY

There are a number of risk factors associated with hot work, including a risk of fire.

Turn the page for safety advice guidelines.

32

HOT WORK FIRE SAFETY

34

BUILDING CODE AND STANDARDS COMPLIANCE NEWS

36

TECHNICAL THEME: BACKFLOW PREVENTION

40 WATER

MANAGEMENT nzplumber

031

On the tools HOT WORK

What constitutes hot work?

Hot work includes, but is not limited to: • Welding • Flame cutting • Disc cutting • Grinding • Brazing • Burning off • Soldering • Bitumen boilers • Blow lamps • Hot air guns

Identifying hot work hazards Here are a few key steps you can take to ensure you manage hot work fire safety effectively on your premises.

If the hot work object cannot be moved, relocate all movable fire hazards to a safe place

s p e c ifi c

s

atio n s

032

in

itu

H o t w or k

Where possible, move the hot work object to a designated safe location, such as a welding bay

nzplumber

Establish a ‘Fire Watch Duty’ and assign people key responsibilities for overseeing the hot work— where possible a fire hose should be available to use, if required

Conduct a final check for hot spots 30 minutes after hot work is completed, to eliminate the risk of fire

For more detailed fire safety guidelines refer to NZS 4781:1973.

Hot work permit Before carrying out any hot work on site, a Hot Work Permit should be issued. The issuer or authority should inspect the work area prior to releasing the permit and they must confirm all precautions have been taken in accordance with NZS 4781:1973 Code of Practice for Safety in Welding and Cutting Standard.

If the hot work object cannot be moved and if all fire hazards cannot be relocated, provide guards to confine the heat sparks and slag and protect the immovable fire hazards

Hot work precautions The following factors must also be addressed in hot work environments before a hot work permit can be issued:

Sprinkler system, if installed, is operational

Automatic fire alarm system, if installed, is operational

Manual fire alarm system, if installed, is operational

Maintain all equipment so it’s in good working order

Restrain compressed gas cylinders

Identify, isolate, remove, protect or disconnect all hazards, as appropriate

Train hot work operators to perform the work safely

Ensure hand-operated fire extinguishers are readily available.

Within 10 metres of hot work These factors should also be considered to ensure the area within 10 metres of any hot work is managed appropriately:

Sweep floors so they’re clean and free from combustibles

Wet down combustible floors and cover with damp sand, metal or other shields

Remove any combustible material or liquids

Protect immovable combustibles with covers, guards or metal shields

Cover all wall and floor openings.

Hot work fire watch Be aware of the post-hot work fire risks and apply these fire watch safety measures:

Check for hot spots during and 30 minutes after any hot work is completed

Supply appropriate fire extinguisher(s) in the hot work area and, if possible, a fire hose should also be available

Train personnel carrying out the hot work and those responsible for the fire watch, so they know how to use fire-fighting equipment and what to do in raising the alarm

Provide a mobile phone or other suitable means for personnel to raise the alarm.

These guidelines are reproduced from NZI Risk Solutions’ Hot work fire safety fact sheet, available at www.nzi.co.nz. These guidelines are of a general nature only and not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the steps you should consider taking to reduce the risk of damage and financial loss resulting from hot work fires, nor is it intended to be legal advice.

Be aware of the post-hot work fire risks and apply fire watch safety measures.

Hot work in confined spaces

Hot work on foamed plastic panels

(tanks, containers, ducts, dust collectors etc)

(insulating panels)

Be familiar with the hot work safety procedures in confined spaces—ensure that anyone who welds, brazes, solders or gas cuts any container or pipe that has contained a combustible substance, carries out these safety measures: • Hot work equipment is cleaned, and all combustibles removed • Containers are flushed out and all flammable vapours extracted.

Be familiar with these important safety steps when working on or near foamed plastic panels: • Do not use heat producing cutting or drilling equipment directly on the panels • Where panels need to be cut, only use cold cutting methods, such as shearing with handoperated tools at low speed or cooled/lubricated drills or hand saws.

HOT WORK: check your public liability cover!

EARN POINTS, REDEEM FOR GREAT REWARDS

Most public liability insurance policies include a hot work endorsement that states you will not be covered for any personal injury or property damage caused directly or indirectly by hot work unless you comply with specific precautions, as set out in the endorsement. This applies to commercial, industrial and domestic sites.

To give an example, the hot work endorsement in the public liability insurance policy available to Master Plumbers’ members through Master Plumbers Insurance includes these precautions: • The area of the hot work must be cleaned of combustible material for a safe distance of not less than 10m from or beneath the place where the work is being carried out.

If impracticable, combustible materials must be covered with fireproof blankets or similar protective equipment.

Combustible parts of premises must be similarly protected • Hose reels or fire extinguishers of a suitable type and capacity must be kept adjacent to the area of work and available for immediate use • Equipment must be lit or switched on for as short a time as possible before use and extinguished immediately after use • Lighted or heated hot work equipment must not be left unattended • A thorough examination for any signs of combustion must be made within or below the area where work has been undertaken immediately and then 30 minutes after the termination of each period of hot work • Before applying heat to metal built into or projecting through walls, floors or ceilings an examination must be made to ensure the other end of the metal is not in hazardous proximity to combustible material.

The endorsement also states that any specific site Hot Work Permit must be complied with in addition to the precautions given above. So, if a site has its own rules over and above the insurance guidelines, these must be followed. This might include, for example, having a second person on fire watch while the hot work is carried out, and to monitor it for a set time afterwards.

Find out more WorkSafe offer more information at https://worksafe.govt. nz/topic-and-industry/welding/health-safety-in-welding/ NZS 4781:1973 Code of Practice for Safety in Welding and Cutting Standard is available at https://shop.standards.govt.nz/

Do you own your own drainlaying, plumbing or gas fitting business?

Buy selected products by any of these leading brands and earn points for great rewards.

Sign up for FREE at www.theplumbersclub.co.nz

On the tools BUILDING CODE

COMPLIANCE NEWS Updates to help you stay compliant with the Building Code and Standards.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON BUILDING CODE UPDATES The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) wants to hear your thoughts on its proposals to update Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods in June 2020.

Proposed changes include:

BUILDING AMENDMENT ACT 2019

The Building Amendment Act 2019 came into force in December 2019, just after the last edition of NZ Plumber went to print. A long time in the making, the changes in the Act apply to how buildings are managed in an emergency, with special provisions for heritage buildings. MBIE now has clearer legislative powers to investigate significant building failures without first needing permission from a building owner.

Subscribe to MBIE’s Codewords newsletter for regular building compliance updates. www.building.govt.nz/ about-building-performance/news-and-updates/codewords/

Surface Water Introducing a new Acceptable Solution for stormwater drainage systems

Surface Water Replacing the rainfall intensity maps with updated locationspecific rainfall intensities for NZ towns and cities

Foul Water Modifying AS/NZS 3500.2 to reflect fixture 4.9.1(a) 45° Junction at grade—intended to reduce the probability of blockages occurring

Internal Moisture Providing additional options to manage overflow risks in multiresidential kitchens and laundries

Submissions must be in by 5pm, Friday 27 March 2020.

For more information and to provide feedback, please visit www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say

HEATED WATER STANDARD: PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Standards New Zealand are currently consulting on a proposed amendment to joint Standard AS/NZS 3500.4:2018 Heated water services. The proposed amendment is intended to ensure that the maximum dynamic pressure differential requirements apply only to circulatory heated water systems. The current wording applies these requirements to all heated water systems.

The maximum dynamic pressure differential requirements are intended to reduce the likelihood of crossflow of cold water into the heated water pipework occurring at mixing valves or combined taps.

Have your say by 16 March at www.standards.govt.nz/ developing-standards/comment-on-draft-standards 034

nzplumber

NEW GAS STANDARD PUBLICATIONS

In February, Standards New Zealand published: AS/NZS 5263.1.1:2020 - Gas appliances - Part 1.1: Domestic gas cooking appliances Provides specific requirements and test methods for domestic gas cooking appliances, including stovettes, hotplates and separate ovens.

AS/NZS 5263.1.6:2020 - Gas appliances, Part 1.6: Indirect gasfired ducted air heaters Provides particular requirements for indirect gas-fired ducted air heaters that apply in addition to or in place of the general requirements for gas appliances set out in AS/NZS 5263.0, Gas appliances, Part 0: General requirements.

AS/NZS 5263.1.2:2020 - Gas appliances - Part 1.2: Gas fired water heaters for hot water supply and/or central heating Provides specific requirements and test methods for gas water heaters and central heating boilers, with an energy input not exceeding 500 MJ/h, and includes types intended for the supply of hot water at a maximum temperature of 99 °C for: (a) sanitary, potable and drinking purposes (b) hydronic space heating; and (c) a combination of Items (a) and (b).

These Standards supersede the 2016 versions.

Post a photo or video with the hashtag #proudtobeaplumber for your chance to win! “l’M PROUD TO BE A PLUMBER, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE’S SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES!” - PAUL OLSEN #proudtobeaplumber

WIN… Master Plumbers Branded Fridges

#proudtobeaplumber

Terms and conditions apply. Visit masterplumbers.org.nz/proud

BACKFLOW DEVICES installation & repairs

Before you turn the page thinking this isn’t relevant to you, consider that all plumbing system installations have one thing in common: they must not contaminate the potable water supply.

AUTHOR JON LEWIS

B

ackflow prevention… Now, there’s a topic of conversation that causes an instant glazing of the eyes and a search for a quick exit.

It’s the look I generally see on people’s faces when they turn up to the backflow prevention training course I host for WSP Environmental. “How can this subject go for three days—it’s simple!” I imagine them thinking. “This guy’s going to bore me to tears.”

As with most courses, it’s the effort you put in that ensures you get the most out of it. I challenge participants to look at the subject differently. Backflow prevention is just a label.

Think instead about the overall plumbing system work you do on a daily basis, whether it be maintenance, new domestic plumbing or commercial work—in fact anywhere you go to install, test or maintain a potable water supply.

036

nzplumber

All the systems you install, add to or alter have one common denominator: if you don’t do the installation correctly, it has the potential to contaminate the potable water service.

Cross-connection fundamentals The issue of cross connection within a potable water supply should be viewed as a fundamental part of any plumbing system. A cross connection is the link between a potable and non-potable water supply. For example, when you install a piece of equipment and supply it with potable water, will that installation have the potential to contaminate the water supply through back pressure or Above: One of the backflow devices for training purposes at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) in Melbourne.

Key messages for plumbers When installing any backflow device: • Read G12 (including G12/AS1) • Read the manufacturer’s installation instructions • Help empower our industry and undertake additional training— there’s value in it, no matter how old and experienced you are.

On the tools TECHNICAL THEME

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES IN CEILING SPACES Let’s consider G12/AS1 in relation to a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) high hazard backflow prevention device. The document states that backflow devices need to be readily accessible for testing and maintenance.

Pretty simple instruction, you may think—yet we allow an architect or engineer to be able to dictate that the backflow device be installed in a ceiling. From discussions I’ve had with plumbers throughout NZ, it seems this is a very common practice.

back siphonage? In really simple terms, if you were to get your garden hose and stick it down your drain to clean it out…

Wow! Instant cross connection with potable and non-potable water—and the potential to seriously harm or endanger the homeowner, yourself, or the public water supply network.

Backflow prevention is a design you as a plumber must consider to stop this happening. This could be either passive backflow prevention, such as the installation of an air gap, or non-passive, requiring the installation of a mechanical backflow prevention device.

Industry knowledge gaps

The problem for testing and maintenance being…

1. Accessibility. Generally, where there is no work platform, you find yourself crawling over roof trusses and ceiling battens just to get to the device, let alone undertake any testing or repairs.

2. Weight. Don’t worry about the suspended ceiling… most plumbers weigh under 75kg, don’t they?! Seriously, though, taking both your weight and the weight of the ceiling props into account could make for some interesting reading in your Job Safety Analysis.

3. Space. Considering that the ceiling is a confined space, how are you going to get out easily if something goes wrong? As I get older, I find reversing out of small spaces has started to become a challenge!

4. Repairability. If you can’t look down inside the device in situ, then it’s pretty much unrepairable. Consider this scenario: the RPZ device in the ceiling space fails the test.

You’ve crawled over to strip it down and undertake repairs… but you can’t see inside it!

It’s been installed with no mechanical unions for easy removal, but you’re going to have to remove it to make repairs. (As an aside, if you use AS/NZS3500 as a backflow prevention device installation method, mechanical unions are required. G12/AS1, however, does not call for them… a mistake, right?!)

BACKFLOW

You find yourself crawling over roof trusses and ceiling battens just to get to the device.

And the problem for installation being...

5. Discharge from the relief port.

The manufacturer’s instructions call for the RPZ to be installed where you can observe the discharge from the relief port— not so easy to do in the ceiling space. Have you installed it to allow for ‘catastrophic failure’ from the relief port? That’s where, based on the water supply size and inlet pressure to the device, you have read the manufacturer’s instructions and worked out a discharge rate out of the relief port and installed the correct size discharge pipe.

Quite a few who’ve attended the backflow course have realised: “We’ve got to go back to these jobs!”

TIP: Next time an architect tells you to install an RPZ backflow device in the ceiling, consider advising them it can’t go there and you both need to work out an alternative. Remember, one day you may be the one working on it.

The most common issue for people attending the backflow prevention course is a lack of knowledge around what type of device should be installed in any given situation, and how to install it correctly. It never ceases to amaze me how many plumbers have not read Building Code acceptable solution G12/AS1 or, for that matter, the manufacturer’s installation instructions for the branded backflow device they plan to install.

Whilst I can’t recite the contents of G12 verbatim, I have read it enough and know I can easily access it at building. govt.nz to ensure my installation pathway is correct—and I encourage all plumbers to do the same.

One of the biggest issues in our industry is poor installation of backflow prevention devices. We all still get it wrong—yep, me too; been there, done that. It appears to be common practice throughout NZ for us to rely on an architect or engineer to tell us where one should be installed, and on the local council inspector to advise us on the best device and installation.

We have accepted this as the norm and yet, frankly, it’s our industry. As long as we comply with the relevant legislation, why are we getting direction from an individual who, in all likelihood, is just doing what they have always done and sometimes for no other reason than that’s how they were shown? I bet there are still a few historical local authority bylaws and even the local inspector wouldn’t know why they are in place.

Backflow basics:

TRAINING COURSE Backflow specialist Jon Lewis is presenting a Master Plumbers training course in 2020 on backflow prevention basics. Keep an eye out for dates and venues at www.masterplumbers.org.nz/training

About the author: Jon Lewis runs The Lewis Plumbing Company in Rotorua. Jon is a Certifying Plumber and Certifying Drainlayer with over 30 years’ industry experience. He serves as a director on the national Master Plumbers Board and represents Master Plumbers on Australian Standards committees WS-014 (overall plumbing sector) and WS-023 (backflow prevention). Jon runs a threeday backflow prevention course for WSP Environmental and is also delivering a Master Plumbers course in 2020.

nzplumber

037

Backflow device selection Device selection is key when carrying out backflow prevention installation work.

“When it comes to backflow device installation advice, the key thing is to ensure you have the correct device to suit the hazard rating of the application, as outlined in Building Code G12 Water Supplies [Acceptable Solution G12/AS1],” says RWC Area Manager Jeremy Chapman.

RWC stock and sell the Flomatic range of backflow devices, covering low, medium and high hazard applications. “We stock a full range of parts, and repairs are very straightforward,” he says.

Device types & hazard ratings Backflow can be prevented either through an air gap or a backflow prevention device, depending on the situation. In most situations, an air gap is the most cost-effective and reliable form of backflow prevention.

However, if the system is high pressure and a pipe is directly connected to an appliance or sanitary fixture, it may not be possible to use an air gap. In this case, a backflow prevention device must be installed.

The appropriate device for a particular installation will depend on the: • Hazard level of any potential contaminant • Potential for cross-connection • Type of backflow expected • Physical limitation of the device and the environment.

Cross-connections are rated according to G12/AS1 to three hazard levels: High: potential to cause death (eg, hairdresser’s sinks, dental equipment, car wash facilities) Medium: would endanger health (eg, untreated water storage tanks, swimming pools and spas) Low: colour, odour or taste would be a nuisance but would not endanger health (eg, drink dispensers—except carbonators).

G12/AS1 gives many more examples for each.

This article is based on information on the BRANZ Level website. To read the information in full, go to level.org.nz/water/water-supply/systemlayout-and-pipework/backflow-prevention

Get insured today and save.

Exclusive corporate rates for Master Plumbers members.

The best quality life, medical, income protection, mortgage cover and more. enquiry@spratt.co.nz 038

nzplumber

spratt.co.nz

021 422 821

On the tools TECHNICAL THEME

BACKFLOW

Double non-return valve assembly (also known as a double check valve assembly)

Backflow testing: Did you know?

The New Zealand Backflow Testing Standard, jointly prepared by Master Plumbers and Water New Zealand, was updated in 2019. The document includes template test certificates for: • Air gap • Reduced pressure zone device • Double check valve • Pressure vacuum breaker • Atmospheric vacuum breaker • Hose connection vacuum breaker.

Called Field testing of backflow prevention devices and verification of air gaps, the Standard is available in the member area of the Master Plumbers website (under Business Resources>Legislation): www.masterplumbers. org.nz

Typical applications: In-house pumps, elevated tanks, non-toxic boilers

Reduced pressure backflow assembly

Typical applications: Industrial plants, hospitals, morgues, chemical plants, irrigation systems, pumps, elevated tanks, boilers, fire sprinkler systems

Vacuum breakers

Air gap

Typical applications: Taps, sinks

Typical applications: Industrial plants, cooling towers, laboratories, laundries, swimming pools, lawn sprinkler systems, fire sprinkler systems

nzplumber

039

Aerial view of Huia dam water filtration facility in Auckland.

3 WATERS

pipeline of work The establishment of a new independent drinking water regulator is among the regulatory reforms for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater in the government’s Three Waters Review.

AUTHOR SARAH JOHNSON

T

he Three Waters Review has moved into a new phase, with the government agreeing to establish a new drinking water regulator as an independent Crown entity.

The drinking water regulator is one part of a suite of regulatory reforms, announced in 2019, that aim to ensure the safety of New Zealand’s drinking water, and improve the environmental performance of the country’s wastewater and stormwater systems.

In New Zealand, most three waters assets and services are owned and delivered by local councils. The review explores how best to achieve

040

nzplumber

safety and improved environmental outcomes for these predominantly, but not exclusively, council-controlled drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace says that Master Plumbers welcomes the establishment of a national drinking water regulator, as it should provide more transparency and consistency around water supply and management decisions.

“Under the current regime, regional councils control water supply decisions,” says Greg. “This has caused issues for our members, particularly in Hawke’s Bay and Christchurch, where there was a spike in low pressure copper hot water

1

DRINKING WATER A new regulatory framework for drinking water will: • extend regulatory coverage to all drinking water suppliers, except individual household self-suppliers • introduce a multi-barrier approach to drinking water safety, including mandatory disinfection of water supplies, with exemptions only in appropriate circumstances • place stronger obligations on water suppliers and local authorities to manage risks to sources of drinking water • strengthen compliance, monitoring and enforcement of drinking water regulation.

On the tools WATER MANAGEMENT

2

WASTEWATER For wastewater and stormwater, regional councils will remain the primary regulators, albeit alongside stronger central oversight, including: • requirements for wastewater and stormwater operators to report annually on a set of national environmental performance measures • national good practice guidelines for the design and management of wastewater and stormwater networks • enhanced monitoring for emerging contaminants in wastewater and stormwater, and coordinated national responses, where necessary.

Aerial view of Wellington wastewater treatment plant.

cylinder failures following initial chlorination of the water supply. Some affected homeowners put the onus on the plumber and were reluctant to pay them for remedial work done.

“We are also concerned that councils currently carry out their own water supply testing, without oversight. To date, we have been unable to access test results from Christchurch City Council from the first two weeks following chlorination of the city’s water supply and we question why this information is not readily available.”

New drinking water regulator’s role The new dedicated drinking water regulator will oversee the regulatory regime. The government’s decision to establish the regulator as a standalone Crown entity is intended to provide the focus and independence needed to build confidence in New Zealand’s regulatory regime for drinking water.

Water New Zealand Chief Executive John Pfahlert says a stand-alone regulator will provide an enduring focus on drinking water safety, rather than having that function delivered by an agency with a raft of other conflicting objectives.

He is also heartened to see that the new organisation will be technically focussed, and incorporate both a Maori advisory group and a technical advisory group.

3

STORMWATER The regulator’s responsibilities and functions will include providing leadership, information, advice and education, and building capability within the sector, as well as setting standards, ensuring compliance, monitoring and enforcement, and reporting on performance.

The regulator will also contribute to fresh water outcomes by providing central oversight and guidance for the sector’s wastewater and stormwater regulatory functions.

A stormwater pipe discharging into the waterway.

nzplumber

041

On the tools WATER MANAGEMENT

A unit to get the regulator up and running is currently being created within the Department of Internal Affairs, with associated legislation planned to be introduced to parliament in the coming months and expected to be passed in 2020.

The Water Services Bill (as it is currently known) will include transitional arrangements to allow water suppliers to adjust to the regulations, with support from the new regulator, if necessary. The bill will change the current regulatory regime in the Health Act 1956. At present, it is not anticipated that there will be any change to the Building Act 2014 or Building Code.

Technical Q&A

New approach for small communities One key change in the new three waters regime is its application to smaller communities than those currently regulated. Marae, papakāinga, schools, prisons and other institutions that are self-suppliers will have to comply with the new regulations and standards. Private dwellings remain exempt, unless one property is supplying water to a dwelling on another property.

These changes will have infrastructure and funding implications, and may prove unaffordable for many smaller communities, towns, marae and provincial areas.

The government expects that, once established, the regulator will determine the most practicable approach for bringing suppliers that are not currently covered within the regulatory regime, including transitional arrangements and options for addressing any financial and other barriers they may face.

It will also look at options for supporting smaller provincial councils, particularly those with declining rating bases, some of which are already struggling to keep up with infrastructure requirements, and safety and environmental standards, and to access appropriate technical support.

Greg Wallace says the focus on improved water infrastructure is timely. “Underinvestment in New Zealand’s water infrastructure has led to cross contamination of the stormwater and wastewater networks, causing untreated or partially treated wastewater to be discharged directly into our waterways. Ageing water supply pipework is also leading to high levels of iron filings getting into domestic water supplies. New Zealand needs modern, resilient infrastructure going forward,” he says.

What sparked the reforms?

The government’s Three Waters Review began in mid-2017, in parallel with the Havelock North inquiry into drinking water safety following a 2016 campylobacter outbreak in which thousands of people fell ill and four people died as a result of a contaminated drinking water supply.

The review is being led by the Minister of Local Government, with extensive cross-agency involvement, including within the health, environment, business, primary industries and rural communities portfolios.

Initial findings from the review raised broad questions about the effectiveness of the current regulatory regime for the three waters, and the capability and sustainability of water service providers. Many of these issues were seen to result from oversight for water being split across multiple agencies and legislation, creating fractured and ineffective responsibilities.

042

nzplumber

Got a technical issue? Master Plumbers technical support specialist Rod Miller answers your queries. Send your questions for Rod Miller to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

Q

A couple of our gasfitters are trying to get answers around AS/NZS 5601.1 (Clause 4.4 f) relating to prohibited joints containing soft solder. Is this just Yorkshire fittings or all of them? Clarification would be good as it seems strange that the UK and US can use soft solder but not NZ.

A

The short answer is, you are not allowed to use any fittings that have soft solder. We believe that the reason this was inserted in our Standard was because of an issue with Yorkshire fittings. They didn’t have enough solder in them, which caused some problems. From that period, our joint Standard has not allowed soft solder capillary fittings in either Australia or New Zealand. There could be a chance to have this clause re-assessed when the regulations are out for consultation.

About the author: Rod Miller is National President of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ and runs Plumbing Hydraulics & Drainage Consulting Ltd. Members of Master Plumbers can contact Rod at no charge on the Master Plumbers Technical Helpline. Contact details available in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz

FRESHWATER PROGRAMME The Three Waters Review is a separate, but related, stream of work to the Ministry for the Environment’s Essential Freshwater programme. Essential Freshwater is about establishing an integrated freshwater management system, which ensures that all discharges and water users are helping achieve catchmentlevel and regional-level freshwater outcomes. The work done under Three Waters to improve the quality of New Zealand’s drinking, storm and wastewater will have a clear impact on raising the environmental quality of discharges.

KEMPRESS® STAINLESS STEEL. FASTER. SAFER. SMARTER. • Made from 316L stainless steel • Higher corrosion resistance and durability Low carbon content and min. 2.3% molybdenum • High strength and smooth finish Precision TIG welding, facilitating the perfect “press fit”

• Huge range of tube and fittings Huge range of tube and fittings in sizes 15 -108mm and pressures up to 4000kPa for Water, Gas & Industrial applications • High performance quality stainless system Fittings made from MM Kembla Stainless Steel tube, ensuring precise tolerances, tightly controlled quality and full range annealing to ensure material properties required of the highest performance system • National availability, technical and sales support Renowned MM Kembla quality, reliability and service Contact MM Kembla for a huge range of stainless steel tube and press fittings and finish fast and in front.

S TA I N L E S S S T E E L Phone: 09 274 0111 or 0800 KEMBLA Email: sales@kembla.co.nz www.kembla.co.nz

MM Kembla NZ Ad 185 x 130mm.indd 1

7/2/19 11:58 am

On the tools INNOVATION

Answer to flushable wipes?

Broadcast journalist and business entrepreneur Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha has come up with a biodegradable alternative to sewer-clogging wet wipes. NZ Plumber spoke to her about her innovation.

BDÉT personal hygiene products come in two fragrances, concocted with the help of an Auckland-based perfumier.

Bathrooms come with challenges, says Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha— one of them being wet wipes. Having completed an MBA in 2017, she decided to use her new business skills to get into full production of a wet wipe alternative she’d devised 22 years earlier.

She engaged with an Auckland-based French perfumier to concoct two natural room fragrances using the same methods as for eau de toilette. “It really annoys me how many toilet sprays smell like chemicals and actually make the toilet area smell worse,” she says. Asked to describe her Newanewa fragrance, Enhancing toilet paper Billie Jo describes hints of frankincense, peppermint and fresh “The use of wet wipes is becoming ingrained in a lot of societies, linen, whilst PikoPiko has fruity mango and coconut tones. “I and it is clogging drains and ruining infrastructure,” she says. “In think it’s a courtesy to leave the bathroom smelling good when the UK alone, 11 billion wet wipes are used each you leave it, so I’ve also created purse and travel year. For many years, I had used my product packs for when you’re out and about.” All bottle on toilet paper to make it soft yet flushable, so sizes are refillable, so can be reused and recycled.

I decided to have a go at making a natural foam The product range is available online at b-det.com, wash pump prototype.” The result was BDÉT, a and supermarkets are on the radar. It is attracting world-first natural and biodegradable alternative interest on both domestic and commercial fronts, to wet wipes. “In my work as a journalist, I with Watercare in discussions around its potential could see a huge shift away from single-use for public bathroom facilities and Billie Jo busy plastics,” she says. “Wet wipes are often made installing BDET foam wash dispenser trials in a from non-flushable plastic or polyester, and number of cubicles when NZ Plumber caught up BDÉT is a direct way of reducing our plastics with her.

KARL GEISELER, Biolytix consumption.”

“Auckland’s Māngere wastewater plant alone Karl Geiseler, General Manager of wastewater screens out around 53 million wet wipes each treatment system and septic tank manufacturer Biolytix, is fully year,” she says. “With BDÉT, I hope to change people’s habits.” supportive of Billie Jo’s concept. “When normal toilet paper comes into contact with water, it pulls about and deteriorates,” he says.

“Wet wipes, by contrast, are designed to maintain their consistency when soaked. This may be good for cleaning purposes but has a negative and costly impact on septic and wastewater treatment systems—and has a massive, negative impact on the environment.

“One of the basic rules of keeping a healthy septic tank is to avoid the use of harsh chemicals, like solvents, bleach and drain cleaners, along with limiting the things you throw in the toilet, like Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha wipes and tampons.”

“One of the basic rules of keeping a healthy septic tank is limiting the things you throw in the toilet”

hopes to solve the wet wipe problem with her new product.

Tackling bathroom smells Billie Jo’s new product range also tackles the challenge of bathroom smells. “I love fragrant skincare products and wanted to create a beautiful room perfume to complement the scented foam wash.”

044

nzplumber

Find out more at www.b-det.com

On the tools PRODUCTS

Products

What’s new in the marketplace—plus how Greens are helping support industry apprenticeships with their new Vantage product range.

NEW RINNAI N SERIES COMMERCIAL WATER HEATERS

The new Rinnai N Series commercial condensing range includes internal and external models with a heat output of 55.5kW (32L/min). The N Series will be a flagship range for Rinnai NZ and will include exciting new features for commercial gasfitters, including an all stainless-steel heat exchanger and down-draft burner with a thermal efficiency of 97%.

The range will be the most adaptable Rinnai commercial product and has longer maximum flue lengths allowing up to 48m of flue in some applications. Two polypropylene (PP) flue systems are compatible with the N Series: an individual appliance coaxial flue system and common flue system with room-air and outside-air options.

Master Plumbers Recommends:

Check out this edition’s featured product from the Master Plumbers Recommends range.

GREENS VANTAGE: SUPPORTING PLUMBING APPRENTICESHIPS

The new Vantage range from Greens is the latest to receive the Master Plumbers Recommends tick of approval. Suitable for all pressures, Vantage products feature the patented FloBOOST® and RainBoost® shower technologies. A donation from every sale of Greens Vantage products supports scholarships for new apprentices in plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying.

Products in the Vantage range: Shower Mixer Basin Mixer FloBOOST® Round Shower Mixer FloBOOST® Square Shower Mixer FloBOOST® Retrofit Shower Mixer Round Shower Mixer Mains Pressure Square Shower Mixer Mains Pressure RainBoost® Rail Shower Swivel Bath Spout.

Greens have a brand-new product showcase van, pictured here at a launch event for the Greens Vantage range and at a Greens BBQ breakfast held in January at Laser Plumbing Hamilton West to promote the range to plumbers.

If you’re keen to book an event in your area, contact your local Greens Area Representative or email mark.lunjevich@greenstapware.com Check out the Vantage range at masterplumbers.org.nz/vantage

About Master Plumbers Recommends Master Plumbers Recommends shows consumers the products they can trust: for performance, quality and a manufacturer’s guarantee. View all recommended products at www.tickofapproval.co.nz

nzplumber

045

Our Partners

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks our Business Partners for their support: PLATINUM PARTNERS

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

046

nzplumber

Master Plumbers

MEMBER BENEFITS

NEW BENEFIT: UMBRELLA COVER With Group Umbrella Cover, members who are part of the Crombie Lockwood Master Plumbers Insurance programme can access up to $10m additional public liability cover at highly competitive rates.

If your business were responsible for a major property damage claim, would you have sufficient public liability cover to cover the repair costs? Master Plumbers Insurance partner Crombie Lockwood have developed Group Umbrella Cover: a unique cover that gives you the ability to call on additional cover over and above your current limit of indemnity.

Increasing your own limit of cover can cost hundreds, even thousands in extra

premium. With Group Umbrella Cover, you have access to up to a maximum of $10m cover for a lot less money.

“We believe this Group Umbrella cover is a first in New Zealand and it is exclusive to members of Master Plumbers who are part of the Crombie Lockwood Master Plumbers Insurance programme,” says Crombie Lockwood broker Vaughan Bridges.

Please call the Crombie Lockwood team on 0800 866 766 if you’d like to know more.

48 51 52 54 56 58

BULLETIN MARLEY & DUX 5-YEAR PARTNERSHIP MEET THE BOARD MEMBER PROFILE NEW SOUTH ISLAND BRANCH MASTERLINK MESSAGES nzplumber

047

BULLETIN DISCOVER THE LATEST FROM MASTER PLUMBERS AND GET TO KNOW THE TEAM WITH EACH EDITION.

NEW

Member portal

The new Master Plumbers member portal puts you in the driving seat!

Following a pilot in late 2019, the new Master Plumbers portal has launched. A group of members tested its suitability and usability to ensure it is user-friendly and meets members’ needs. It is easily accessible via a link in the member area of the Master Plumbers website.

All Master Plumbers companies have been contacted and a Company Administrator set up for each. It is this person who has access to the portal and the ability to add and modify information such as: Company address and contact details Add new staff and remove those who have left Update details of the work your company engages in

Access your past communications from Master Plumbers There is also detailed information about fuel card usage and rebates.

We encourage you to check out the portal and see how you can use it. The portal represents a significant amount of work and is a major step forward for Master Plumbers—and it doesn’t stop here. We have plans for further developments and will bring these to you just as soon as they happen.

We welcome your portal feedback to Operations Manager Margaret Dawson: mdawson@masterplumbers.org.nz

MPANZ MEETING IN MELBOURNE Chief executives and other team members from Master Plumbers in Australia and New Zealand came together in Melbourne in February.

The aim of the Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand Staff Conference, hosted by Master Plumbers

048

nzplumber

Victoria, was to discuss ways that all the Master Plumbers organisations in Australia and New Zealand can work collaboratively to provide added value to members in both countries.

Whilst in Melbourne, Greg took the opportunity to look around the

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, with its hands-on training facilities for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. Plans are underway to upgrade the centre to include a tower for apprentices to carry out plumbing stack training.

Master Plumbers

Meet the team...

Get to know the Master Plumbers and Masterlink team over the coming year with our quick Q&As. 1. What does your day-to-day role entail?

Managing marketing initiatives for Master Plumbers and Masterlink. For Master Plumbers, I often work on the ways we advocate for and engage with our membership. For Masterlink, I manage events and marketing messages that attract people to an apprenticeship and encourage more host employers to take on our apprentice candidates.

2. Where are you based for work?

Wellington, with travel around NZ. 3. What’s your work background?

I’ve worked for Master Plumbers & Masterlink for just over a year. Before that I held a position as marketing manager for a high-performing real estate office, managing a Luke Pirie

NEWS

NAME: Luke Pirie ROLE: Marketing Manager,

Master Plumbers & Masterlink

marketing team of five. I have also managed a design studio for a nationwide signage company specialising in flags and displays. During my younger years I gained some valuable trades experience in bricklaying, surveying, pre-cast concrete, logging and factory work.

4. Can you tell us a little bit about you?

I came to NZ from the UK 27 years ago and lived in Balclutha before moving to Wellington, where I have now settled in Lower Hutt with my wife and two young daughters. We love family time, diving, and spending time with our friends around the region.

5. What’s your favourite band?

Smashing Pumpkins.

6. What’s your favourite book, movie or TV series?

I struggle to find the time to watch movies, but I did enjoy the TV series Breaking Bad. 7. Where’s your favourite holiday spot?

Tora or Whitianga.

8. What’s your favourite food?

Sushi or anything spicy.

9. Who particularly inspires you?

Barack Obama for his composure, Jimmy Iovine for his drive and Eddie Izzard for his authenticity.

10. What do you enjoy in your spare time?

Spearfishing, art, tattoos, and spending time with family and friends.

BEST IN BRAND We have two winners this edition!

You’ve got to love this! Talk about getting youngsters inspired to take up a plumbing career…

Soren Ebbett of Peter Jackson Plumbing on the Kapiti Coast is our first winner with some awesome ‘out of the box’ thinking! Soren sent in these photos of her boys wearing their little Master Plumbers-branded plumber uniforms and at the wheel of the van. “I thought I would pop through for a little laugh,” she said. “They have an Instagram @ littleplumber” Second up for the $200 Prezzy Card prize is Paul Olsen of Whitehead Plumbing and Gas in Christchurch, who sent in this photo of the company’s recently updated van. Congratulations on a very professional design!

YOUR TURN...

Show us how you’re using the Master Plumbers brand to best advantage for a chance to win the next $200 Prezzy Card prize.

Email your photos (big files please!) to Sarah Rowe by 17 March 2020: srowe@masterplumbers.org.nz

nzplumber

049

Master Plumbers

NEWS

#PROUDTOBEAPLUMBER

Are you proud to be a plumber (or gasfitter or drainlayer)?!

Be sure to take part in our new #proudtobeaplumber campaign, with awesome prizes to be won!

We want all New Zealanders to know the pride we share in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. We all have a different story to tell and a different reason to be proud of our part in it.

To get the message out, Master Plumbers is running a new #proudtobeaplumber campaign for members and their staff, with awesome Master Plumbersbranded 50L mini fridges to be won! Winners will be drawn at random throughout the campaign, which runs until 20 November 2020. The competition is also open to Masterlink hosts and all Master

Plumbers Business Partners and their staff.

How to enter It’s simple: 1. Post a photo or video on your public Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Linkedin page 2. Caption why you are proud to be in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry 3. Use the hashtag #proudtobeaplumber For full terms & conditions, go to masterplumbers.org.nz/ proud

PUBLIC LIABILITY: MINIMUM REQUIREMENT INCREASE

The public liability insurance minimum cover requirement for members is being raised from $1m to $2m to help ensure people and their properties are protected.

For several years, the minimum public liability cover requirement for members of Master Plumbers has been $1m. Due to increasing construction costs and the importance of members having sufficient cover in the event of a large claim, we have made the decision to increase this to $2m.

Members will need to ensure they have at least $2m public liability cover in place by 1 June 2020 at the latest. Evidence of your policy number, provider and cover amount would preferably be demonstrated before this date on the 2020 online Quality Assurance declaration, emailed to members in March.

050

nzplumber

Pictured is one of our first #Proudtobeaplumber entries from Scott Garvie of Scotties Potties in Wellington. "I’m proud to be a plumber because I feel I can add value to the trade as a whole by training up new apprentices and ensuring good quality workmanship," says Scott. "I also enjoy the flexibility of this career and the events and support given by Master Plumbers, along with the camaraderie between other Master Plumbers plumbing companies."

WANT TO JOIN?

Master Plumbers is here to support all businesses in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry. Members are Quality Assured and Steve Rushworth backed by the Master Plumbers North Island Guarantee. We offer a wide 027 839 8398 range of business resources, srushworth@masterplumbers.org.nz HR & technical support, plus training and member discounts—and we advocate for our members as a collective industry voice.

Get in touch to discuss our twoyear membership deal!

Or contact 0800 502 102 membership@ masterplumbers.org.nz

Sam Timlin South Island 021 433 615 stimlin@masterplumbers.org.nz

Master Plumbers

5-year Platinum Partnership with Marley & Dux Master Plumbers is thrilled to announce a new 5-year Platinum Partnership with Marley and Dux as brands within the Aliaxis Group.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace met with Marley and Dux representatives in late 2019 to mark the new Platinum Partnership.

“This five-year commitment by Aliaxis through their Marley and Dux brands is a significant benefit to all our members and we’re so proud of the relationship we’ve been able to build,” says Greg. “Thanks to the partnership, we can work on long-term projects with Marley and Dux to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our members.”

As part of the partnership, Marley and Dux will continue their significant sponsorship of the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference, and both companies have also committed to the Master Plumbers Recommends initiative.

“We want to make sure that our members are using the best products possible and it’s about that credibility,” says Greg.

Marley New Zealand Managing Director Mike MacDonald (left) and Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace shake hands on the new 5-year Platinum Partnership with Marley and Dux of the Aliaxis group.

SPONSOR PROFILE

PLATINUM PARTNERS

A proud history Aliaxis, through their commercial brands Dux and Marley, have made the significant decision to partner with Master Plumbers for another five years at a Platinum level. It’s made possible due to their shared values and goals, a mission to provide excellent product solutions and a passion for supporting the industry.

Dux and Marley value their long-standing relationship with Master Plumbers and tradespeople.

Their partnership reinforces that they are around for the long-haul, with products and systems that are equally long-lasting – backed up by strong guarantees.

Dux’s SecuraGold™ hot and cold piping system is used widely in residential, light commercial and industrial applications. The simple design and proven use of high-performance materials delivers long term, reliable results. Combined with fast installation and simple crimp application, SecuraGold™ results in lower installation costs making it the choice among plumbing professionals and specifiers.

Marley’s Optim® DWV range is recognised as a market leader amongst plumbers and coupled with new products such as the innovative Stratus Design Series® spouting and downpipe range and the all new Compakt® Boss Gully Trap, has cemented their position as a trusted and valued supplier to the New Zealand plumbing industry. Marley products and solutions are recommended by tradespeople due to their quality, longevity and suitability for our New Zealand buildings and environment. Innovative rainwater harvesting products like Curve® and Twist® also benefit homeowners on both a practical and financial level.

Aliaxis are also proud to be a leader in our community; a significant local manufacturer employing over 400 New Zealanders, the first plastic manufacturer in NZ to achieve Environmental Management Registration back in 2004, a major recycler of PVC and PE products at end of life and a strong supporter of local clubs, charities, schools and many industry organisations in addition to Master Plumbers. Both Marley and Dux also offer annual scholarships to provide further support to plumbing apprentices and high school students in our local areas.

The brands aren’t just a flash in the pan. Dux has been servicing the NZ plumbing industry for over 80 years and Marley over 60 years. Through their commitment to Master Plumbers, they give assurance that events can be planned, and products can be developed together to benefit all.

nzplumber

051

Master Plumbers

BOARD PROFILES

BOARD PROFILES

This edition, we profile Master Plumbers Board members Jon Lewis and Martin de Gouw.

Jon Lewis Jon Lewis has been on the Master Plumbers Board for the past two years. “I joined Master Plumbers over 20 years ago to improve my plumbing skills and see being a board member as a natural progression from the local branch,” he says.

Jon is a firm believer in continual education and self-improvement and feels he can add more value to the industry by representing Master Plumbers at board level. He also represents NZ on the Standards Australia working group for the AS/NZS 3500 standards and the AS/NZS 2845 backflow prevention standard, and is a backflow course tutor for WSP Opus International.

Honesty, safety and fairness

“I’m grateful to my wife and family for supporting me in getting to where I am.” are the values he brings to his Rotorua-based Lewis Plumbing Company business, which he has run for the past 28 years.

The company employs two

office personnel and seven plumbing staff and deals in new housing, light commercial, commercial and general maintenance, drainlaying, gasfitting and water filtration.

Jon has also run Backflow Prevention Ltd for 18 years.

He got into plumbing when he wanted to leave school and his father told him he could if he got a trade. “Thanks to the plumber working at our house at the time for giving a young guy a go,” says Jon. He relishes the shared knowledge and experiences, friendship and industry advocacy that has come with being a member of Master Plumbers. “I’m grateful to my wife and family for supporting me in getting to where I am, and to just about

every Master Plumber I have met who has helped me in some way, shape or form - even though they may not have realised it.

“Being an active member has been extremely rewarding and I encourage everyone to get involved,” he adds. “This may be just going to conference or a local meeting, or even answering a questionnaire.

Every time you participate you ensure the enduring strength of our industry and community.”

Whenever possible in his down time, Jon joins many others to help his friend Sean Clarke, one of NZ’s top offroad motorcycle riders, to run events for extreme off-road riding, trail riding, enduro and adventure riding.

Martin de Gouw Martin de Gouw has been a shareholder and director at Clyne & Bennie in Christchurch for 25 years and managing director since 2008. “The company currently has 50 full-time staff covering plumbing, gas, drainage, heating and electrical in the domestic, commercial and industrial fields,” he says.

The business has been a member of Master Plumbers for over 30 years, and Martin enjoys the networking and industry standard setting. “The business support also enhances the benefits to our business.”

He got involved at board level in 2013 because he believes in giving back to an industry that has supported him and his

052

nzplumber

family. “I believe I bring foresight in what we do as an industry, as well as the longevity in the organisation to help steer into the future whilst not being focused on the past.”

He has also been a Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers Board member since September 2019.

Martin was inspired to become a plumber by his uncle in Holland, who had a plumbing and heating business. “I enjoyed fixing things when younger and, being colour blind, electrical work was not a great option!

I jumped at the chance to join a trial accelerated apprentice programme in 1987.”

In Martin’s view, apprentice training is the main challenge

“The real benefit of Master Plumbers is getting a strong network around you.” facing today’s industry. “Pressure is mounting for staffing in many areas and insufficient people are training,” he says. “Learnings need to be shared around how to

benefit from apprentices early in their training to make it more attractive to businesses.”

Over the years, Martin has become good friends with many other members. “I strongly believe the real benefit of Master Plumbers is getting a strong network around you and sharing information with like-minded people nationwide.”

This, together with the great support from his wife Rhonda and his business partners, has helped Martin throughout his career. “The more time you invest in something, the greater the return or enjoyment,” he says. “That applies to family, marriage, and being a member of Master Plumbers. Get involved!”

Feeling under Pressure?

GREENS Don’t let your jobs get backed up.

Take on an apprentice and secure the future of your business.

Call Skills on 0508 SKILLS (754 557) to find out more.

Master Plumbers

MEMBER PROFILE

The iPlumber vans make a striking impression around town.

Embracing Certifying Plumber and Gasfitter Jamin Saes is the man behind iPlumber, growing the business from a sole trader to a team of four over the past 10 years. We asked him how technology has helped grow the business and keep his team on top of day-to-day admin.

With its nod to mobile technology, the name of Jamin Saes’ Hamilton-based business reflects the way he likes to work. He isn’t shy about embracing new technology and appreciates the way it can help the team to streamline workflow.

Paperless plumbers “We’ve always done everything electronically for quoting and invoicing, so we are as paperless as we can be,” he says. Tradespecific job management software helps them track jobs, manage documents and streamline admin. “We use it to upload photos, record hours, job info and materials, and access prices from suppliers, as well as see costing and some reports.”

Because the software is cloud-based, his team can easily stay organised on the job by accessing it through their mobile phones. But there’s another upside too—customer communication has improved.

“We use text messages to remind customers about maintenance or invoices, which is useful for recurring jobs or just to send a calendar reminder. Plus, we offer a 15-year labour guarantee on every plumbing and gasfitting job if we check the job every two years, so job management software lets us automate those reminders too.”

No customer ever likes to see extra costs on their invoice, so iPlumber also uses the software to price up any potential extras

054

nzplumber

upfront. “It can be hard to stick to the original quote, but if it’s our fault we wear it, as we don’t like to go over what we’ve quoted. We have a lot of experience with old houses, which means we can warn customers of potential issues and unforeseen challenges and costs.”

The business also uses fleet management software to reach customers quicker. “GPS in the vans ensures our people take the best route to a job, which ultimately means the guys do less driving, so it’s good for time management and reduces fuel emissions—a win-win.”

24/7 customer service Knowing that much of his bottom line is made up of small—and often urgent—maintenance jobs, Jamin looked to a support solution that could quickly respond to customers’ initial requests.

The answer lay in adding the US-based LiveChat app to the iPlumber website. “Our LiveChat is answered by real people in the United States, 24 hours a day. They have a small amount of training in plumbing and HVAC services and are able to determine what the customer needs and if the job is urgent—in which case we grab their details and get in touch with them.”

That’s particularly important in the plumbing industry when

things can, and often do, go wrong outside of business hours. The company do their absolute best to respond to every enquiry within 24 hours and the LiveChat service helps to prioritise jobs by urgency, so customers are never left hanging.

In fact, Jamin says he wouldn’t be without the service now. “The LiveChat specialists are friendly and professional and bring in around 20 leads per month, which averages JAMIN SAES around 10 actual jobs per month.”

Director, iPlumber This, combined with Google Ads marketing, adds up to around 70% of the company’s jobs, according to Jamin. “We do a bit of social media marketing, with our main focus being Facebook, but we are also active on LinkedIn and Instagram. However, the Google Ads marketing now brings in about 45 percent of our business.”

We’ve always done everything electronically for quoting and invoicing.

Looking after clients & staff iPlumber won the 2019 Waikato Master Plumber of the Year Award last September. Jamin believes the company’s strong communication was key to their win—and to their large number of happy customers. “We take the same approach with every job: ask the right questions, find out exactly what the customer wants, and then do a thorough investigation and quoting process,” he explains.

Once work commences, clear communication is equally important throughout the job. “We tell customers when we are on our way and we let them know if we are running late. It’s basic customer service, but it’s important. Our policy is to try to answer every call, get back to people in a timely manner and show up on time. If you can do that, you’ll have a successful business.”

The company has recently started sending out links to Google reviews to get feedback from customers and the positive, five-star feedback is testament to their efforts. But Jamin insists that a company’s success isn’t just about keeping customers satisfied—it’s Top technologies about looking after your own people too. “We pay our Paperless technologies Jamin Saes uses in his employees a good wage, have a business include: robust KiwiSaver scheme and Job management equip them with all the gear, software including quality tools and a Fleet management uniform. If the guys do a callout software on the weekend, we give them Business website $80 of the callout fee and they Live chat app get $15 extra for urgent jobs.

Google Ads Keeping your people happy is Facebook LinkedIn really important.”

DOMESTIC CHANNEL

Designed and Manufactured in New Zealand at Allproof MADE FROM

RECYCLED MATERIALS

NZ

MADE

Instagram

AUTHOR: JE T’AIME HAYR

allproof.com nzplumber

055

Master Plumbers

BRANCH PROFILE

NEW SOUTH ISLAND BRANCH

The new Queenstown Lakes District Master Plumbers Branch held its inaugural meeting in late 2019, with around 40 participants at the launch event.

The first meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Master Plumbers Branch was held at Sherwood in Queenstown.

Adventure-sport legend Steve Gurney was the guest speaker The idea for the creation of a Queenstown Lakes District Branch on the night, with Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace also came from Master Plumber Reuben Cutts. Reuben had moved from attending, along with local Masterlink Regional Manager Brendan Auckland to Queenstown with his family for the lifestyle early in Parker and representatives from simPRO, Marley, Plumbing 2019 and saw a real need for an additional branch. His proposal to the World, GWA and Mico. national Society was accepted, and the new branch established at the “All Masterlink apprentices are automatically end of last year. signed up for Master Plumbers apprentice membership, “When I arrived, Queenstown and Arrowtown were and others can join for only $40 per year, which is a part of the Southland Association, with Wanaka and fantastic way for apprentices to engage with other Cromwell part of Otago. It seemed quite far for members members at events like this,” says Reuben. “I think we to travel to meetings at those two hubs and I felt there should all really encourage the inclusion of apprentices was enough activity in the region for a branch to stand at meetings. There’s so much for them to take away by on its own two feet.” talking to other plumbers.”

There’s no doubt it’s a vibrant region. There are Since that inaugural meeting, the Queenstown and multiple major projects underway, as Reuben explains.

Lakes District executive committee of five has been “Frankton has significant commercial development, formed, with Mark Galbraith of Arrowtown Plumbing and there’s talk in the pipeline of hotel projects and - Reuben Cutts as president. Four early evening meetings are planned hospital development in Queenstown. There’s also the for 2020—the first held as NZ Plumber went to print.

Three Parks mixed-use commercial development outside Wanaka.”

“A portion of each national member’s annual subs goes to their Reuben also believes the new branch will help put a stop to the local branch or association, and I feel strongly this should be used current problem of unauthorised people doing plumbing work, with wisely within the financial year to benefit members or communities Queenstown currently on a par with Auckland as a particular hotspot in the area where they live, whether that’s for catering events, for illegal activity of this kind. attracting guest speakers, running training sessions or supporting Coming together local charities,” says Reuben. “This new branch will continue to Employers, industry partners and apprentices all counted among have people from inside and outside the industry providing useful the attendees at the very first Queenstown Lakes District Master information to help members think about aspects of the trade or Plumbers meeting, held in November at Sherwood in Queenstown. their businesses in general.”

I think we should all really encourage the inclusion of apprentices at meetings.

GOLF & GOOD TIMES Other recent events from around the Master Plumbers branches and associations have included a Volcanic Plateau BBQ and ambrose 18-hole golf tournament at the Lakeview Golf and Country Club. Well done to BOP Plumbing & Gas for finishing in first place! The Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne Master Plumbers also got together for a joint Christmas function

056

nzplumber

and awards night, held at the Mission Estate Winery in December. The 100+ guests enjoyed drinks and canapes on the terrace, followed by dinner in the restaurant.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace and Chairman Craig Foley attended, as did Master Plumbers from Gisborne, Manawatu and the Volcanic Plateau regions. Highlights included the presentation of

a Services to Industry Award to George Astridge from Hastings District Council, who has spent his life in the industry. The after dinner speaker was former All Blacks Captain Ian Kirkpatrick MBE, who had everyone in stitches with stories of All Blacks tours.

The night was made possible with generous sponsorship from Mico and Plumbing World.

Enjoying the Volcanic Plateau Master Plumbers ambrose golf tournament at Lakeview Golf and Country Club.

“Masterlink has gone really well for us” “Masterlink ensures a good match for my business. I look for apprentices with a good attitude. As long as they’re willing to learn, I can teach them the skills.”

– Bruce Trenwith BT Plumbing, Auckland

“I like the fact that there is someone else supporting the apprentice in the background, someone you can fall back on if there are any issues.”

– Richard Graves Inside Systems, Invercargill

More of the support you need and less risk: • • • • • •

Recruitment & Testing Mentoring and appraisals Apprentice PAYE and HR Block Course arrangements Health & safety management Starter toolkit and PPE

“Using Masterlink has gone well for us. They offer good support and communication. It takes the stress off you because they do the vetting and pre-employment testing.”

– Aaron Jamieson BOP Plumbing & Gas, Rotorua

Too easy!

Contact our team today 0800 502 102 admin@masterlink.co.nz www.masterlink.co.nz

Master Plumbers

MASTERLINK

MESSAGEBOARD The 2020 calendar is chock-full for the Master Plumbers-owned Masterlink apprentice management company.

TOOLKIT PRIZE FOR BBC PLUMBING

Masterlink team members around NZ manned the Masterlink stand at the trade shows during the nationwide 2019 PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow. Masterlink were offering a fabulous toolkit prize for those who entered their draw—congratulations to lucky winner Mark Burns of BBC Plumbing in Wellington!

Look out for Masterlink at the 2020 PGDB & Mico CPD Training Roadshow! The first CPD session will be held on 1 April in Blenheim during the 2020 NZ Plumbing Conference (details at www.plumbingconference.org.nz).

INTERACT WITH THE NEW MASTERLINK PORTAL Masterlink hosts and apprentices will have easy access to information about progress for the apprenticeship with the brand-new Masterlink portal.

Each apprentice has been set up with a profile, where they can view details of their apprenticeship, including appraisals completed, block course documents and a list of recent messages, interactions and newsletters.

Hosts are also set up to access the portal for details of progress for each apprentice they are training.

The portal is a big step forward for Masterlink and there are plans for further developments in the coming months.

Send your Masterlink portal feedback to Operations Manager Kate Jenkins: kate.jenkins@masterlink.co.nz Masterlink toolkit prize winner Mark Burns (left) with Regional Manager Bob McCoy.

2020 TRADE TOUR CELEBRATING OUR WINNERS

With the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Awards Night coming up on Friday 3 April at the Marlborough Convention Centre, Masterlink looks forward to acknowledging the three Masterlink apprentice Plumbing World Scholarship winners. Nominated by their host employers or Masterlink regional managers, the scholarship winners are picked for having shown strong personal growth and commitment to their studies. Each wins a $1,000 credit at their local Plumbing World Branch and the overall winner receives a full conference package.

Learn all about the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Conference & Awards at www.plumbingconference.org.nz 058

nzplumber

Plumbing World and Masterlink will once again be sending social media stars (and plumbers!) Logan Dodds and Jesse James Cassrels out on the road for the Trade Tour in 2020. The Trade Tour is all about getting young people excited about a career in plumbing, with all the earning potential and opportunities that come with it. Right now, a list is being compiled of high schools that want to be included in the tour, which is scheduled to kick off in May.

Master Plumbers

MASTERLINK

“THAT WAS CLOSE!”

All Masterlink apprentices are encouraged to report a ‘near miss’ (something that almost resulted in an accident). By letting the host company know, the situation can be fixed, and a future accident averted.

To keep this top of mind, every Masterlink apprentice who reports a near miss goes in the quarterly draw to win a voucher.

Details of the draw are available on the Masterlink app and Facebook page.

2020 YOUNG PLUMBER OF THE YEAR PLUMBING AS A CAREER CHOICE

Masterlink joined Plumbing World at the 2019 CATE (Careers and Transitions Education) Conference in Napier late last year to talk to school careers advisors and other influencers about why plumbing is a first-class career choice. With a spin the wheel chance to win prizes from a bathtub full of treats—plus a 2019 Japan World Cup ABs’ jersey signed by Kieran Read—there were plenty of visitors to the stand. Congratulations to Margaret Beagley, Career Advisor at Kaikorai Valley College in Dunedin, whose name was drawn from the hat to win the jersey this February. The school plans to put it on TradeMe as a fundraiser.

Masterlink will be attending events of this kind again in 2020, as they are great networking opportunities with the people who influence school leavers’ career decisions.

Margaret Beagley with her prize-winning ABs' jersey, signed by Kieran Read.

Masterlink apprentices did us proud at the nationwide 2019 Plumbing World Young Plumber of the Year events. The competition is open to all authorised plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers up to 31 years old.

Masterlink apprentice Valentino Eyer, hosted at Rogers & Rogers Plumbing in Kaitaia, was the only apprentice to compete in the national final and surpassed a number of Tradesman and Certifying tradies to place 5th overall.

Plumbing World presented 21-year-old Valentino with a special Most Valuable Plumber award to recognise his excellence at such a young age. “He blew the judges away with his skill level, attitude and abilities,” says Plumbing World’s Daniel Keenan.

For Valentino, getting behind the scenes of the plumbing industry and being exposed to new products was a highlight of the competition, and he says entering has given him more confidence to ask questions and grow as an individual. “I wouldn’t turn down any opportunities that come my way now.”

Masterlink and Master Plumbers will be sponsoring Young Plumber of the Year again in 2020. We encourage all our apprentices to get involved—there are over $50,000 worth of prizes and priceless experiences up for grabs!

Want to be the 2020 Young Plumber of the Year?

Register your interest now at www.ypc.co.nz Above: Six Masterlink apprentices made it to the branch finals (and some beyond!) at last year’s Young Plumber of the Year. They were Akida Shimamoto, Ben Stanley, Carlos Donnell-Brown, Patrick Sweeney, Valentino Eyer (pictured) and Joey Naea.

Valentino went all the way—becoming the only apprentice to compete against qualified plumbers at the national final. Will it be you in 2020?

GET IN TOUCH

Need an apprentice in your business? Masterlink Regional Managers are here to help.

Tania Forsyth Auckland & Northland 027 558 5441

Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296

Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929

Sam Timlin Bob McCoy Brendan Parker Lower North Island Upper South Island Lower South Island 021 433 615 027 479 0075 021 644 560

nzplumber

059

Business smarts 60 MARKETING: THE

WHAT & THE WHY

62

HUMAN IMPACTS OF A CRISIS

66

LAUNCHING WELLBEING ON TAP

68

EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES

70

ESTIMATING JOB HOURS

72

WARNING OR DISMISSAL?

73

REVIEWING THE RETENTIONS REGIME

060

nzplumber nzplumber

060

Business smarts MARKETING

MARKETING THE WHAT & THE WHY In this Q&A, Master Plumbers Marketing Manager Luke Pirie explains why marketing your business is essential—and how to go about it.

Q: With so many plumbing firms flat out with work, is business marketing necessary?

A: Unless you have an exceptional database of customers, you’ll eventually run out of work if you don’t pay attention to your marketing. You need to be in it for the long term. In smaller areas, where there’s not so much competition, you may be able to rely on word of mouth for repeat business, but in the major cities you need to work much harder to be found.

Q: What are the essentials in your first marketing budget?

A: A logo, a lead-generating, user-friendly website, and Google Ads would be my top three. Google is king—and, for plumbing services, ‘emergency plumber’, ‘after hours plumber’ and ‘24hr plumber’ are among the top keyword searches. By its nature, plumbing work is often needed NOW, so your website should be easily found when people do a Google search— and Google Ads will help with this.

Q: How exactly do you define marketing?

A: Marketing is much more than advertising your services. It connects with almost every aspect of your business: from your brand values right down to the details, such as the colour of your uniforms, the promises you make—even the way you deliver your invoices or answer the phone.

Q: How much does it all cost?

A: If you’re starting out in business, marketing costs will be higher in the first couple of years. There are huge numbers of providers offering logo and website development services, and charges vary enormously—so do your research and take recommendations. It’s worth investing in a good website that makes it easy for people to contact you. As well as easily visible contact details, your website could include an online booking service or even a chatbot.

Your website developer should also understand the importance of search engine optimisation (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) to ensure maximum visibility for your website.

Having the right keywords in your content will help your search engine rankings but you really need to pay for Google Ads, too. If you’re confident that a customer has had a good experience, you should ask them to write a Google review.

Q: So, where do you start particularly if you’re new to business?

A: First, think about what services you deliver, so you can determine your market. Is it residential or commercial, new builds or maintenance, plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying—or all three?

Then consider how you want your brand to be perceived. Will you go for the tried and true approach or do you have a significant point of difference that will make you stand out in a crowded marketplace?

Five-star reviews help your rankings—and reviews are free.

Ongoing website costs will include hosting, domain name licensing and content management (unless you do this in-house).

Q: What about social media?

A: You might want to consider a Facebook page or website blog to showcase your work, encourage reviews or give advice—but only if you have a content strategy and the resource to do it well. A poorly performing social media presence can be more detrimental than not having one at all. A lot of people think Facebook is free, but to get a business page seen, you really have to pay for Facebook Ads to boost your posts.

Top tip Guarantees give customers assurance and gain their trust—both high on the list for consumers when hiring a plumber. The residential Master Plumbers Guarantee is a great way of showing your workmanship is covered. Does your business also have its own customer service guarantee (late arrival compensation, for example)?

nzplumber

061

HUMAN IMPACTS OF A

CRISIS In the final part of our mini-series on risk management, RiskLogic discusses the after-effects of a crisis on the people in a workplace—and why it pays for business leaders to provide support.

062

nzplumber

Business smarts RISK MANAGEMENT

AUTHOR BRAD LAW

M

otivation is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a reason for acting or behaving in a particular way. It goes without saying that motivated employees will improve overall business unit performance—but understanding what demotivates them is critical for managers too.

Employee motivation during and after a crisis will often differ from those in a business-as-usual (BAU) work environment, and are often ignored as a leadership consideration.

Did you know

In the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011: 3,900 businesses in the CBD lost 22,400 employees to that location 18% of NZ businesses went on to suffer long-term impacts two-thirds of NZ businesses reported being affected by the quakes 12% of Christchurch businesses never opened their doors again.

Post-crisis support In the past five years, RiskLogic has witnessed some major events first-hand, from the Lindt Café Siege (300m away from our head office), the Canterbury earthquakes (in our NZ office), to the numerous bush fires, the Christchurch mosque shooting, the SkyCity fire and the Whakaari/ White Island eruption.

Unfortunately, eight out of 10 NZ organisations have no formal process for supporting crisisaffected staff*. When a business is back to BAU, it’s seldom part of the recovery process to offer support in the weeks or months after an event.

Even more so with leaders and the C-suite, who are generally expected to deal with the trauma.

However, not considering the people element post crisis brings serious after effects.

‘She’ll be right’ is cheerfully thrown around many NZ workplaces, but do we truly appreciate its repercussions?

What motivates employees?

Before discussing motivation in a crisis, we need to examine core drivers of general employee motivation. We know employees are motivated by factors such as job satisfaction, challenges, pride, financial reward and non-financial recognition. To better understand how to increase employees’ overall motivation, researchers at Harvard Business School conducted a study of 350 employees from two major firms. The study focussed on four common workplace indicators of motivation: engagement, satisfaction, commitment, and intention to quit.

The study demonstrated that satisfying all four

of these drivers together has a huge bearing on employee motivational scores. However, failure to satisfy even one driver can substantially diminish scores for the other three.

More than 75 years on, Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs still backs up this statement and is a valid model for understanding human motivation. Maslow presented the five pillars to a human’s needs: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

physiological—food, water, shelter safety and security—health, finances love and belonging—family and friends self-esteem—confidence and respect self-actualisation—morality, creativity, a purpose.

RiskLogic has found that when successful crisis leaders directly address (and plan for) the last two during a crisis, employees produce a nearly 60% more effective response.

The question to ask then is: “What do I know about my employees’ physiological stability and security concerns?” Everyone is different.

Effects on your business In his book Organisational Crisis Management, Gerald Lewis discloses that the effects and

nzplumber

063

Business smarts RISK MANAGEMENT

afterburn of a crisis on an organisation last longer than any lifespan (particularly natural disasters).

For any business, the ultimate objective is financial. The efforts to get there require the highest performance possible during BAU. But this same motivated, pinnacle output is rarely seen by crisis managers during an event.

When people are affected in your workplace, it takes very little time for the business to begin to fail. Clients are ignored, deadlines missed, reputation damaged. When people begin to concentrate on external factors like a new job or home, you lose.

A crisis doesn’t always happen in front of you either. In fact, the most common impact to a business dealing with third-party partners is their people being affected by a crisis thousands of miles away. Take the current Australian bush fires and how that will affect trade in New Zealand soon.

What to consider as a leader

We need to change in 2020

*All statistics in this article come from RiskLogic reports and training modules available at risklogic.co.nz

About the author: Brad Law is the country manager for RiskLogic New Zealand and an award-winning consultant with nearly three decades of experience in the resilience space.

He now focuses on helping New Zealand organisations find resilience solutions unique to their people, whilst building a culture of preparedness. He is leading the risk management programme for the Master Plumbers organisation. www.risklogic.co.nz

064

nzplumber

yo

u crisis rea ?

It’s not a matter of if, but when. Cyber attacks, natural disasters, illness, loss of workplaces…

Any and all of these issues can affect our people this year and it’s becoming harder to mitigate and prepare for them. In 2019, we saw more significant events than in any other year of that decade. By building an open culture, a place where resilience is part of your values, your team will begin to feel like they have support. Don’t ignore this. It’s not HR’s problem, it’s yours.

Eight out of 10 NZ organisations have no formal process for supporting crisisaffected staff.

Ar e

faulty thinking habits and bad decisions.

This looks bad on the individual and is rarely considered an after effect of a crisis. Identify and support those showing symptoms of anxiety.

dy

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is the number one issue for American soldiers. It’s a slow-burning crisis that many in the US are struggling to address due to numbers. Similar instability after a crisis can take its toll on your employees too, even if you don’t have 1.3 million staff hindering action.

Not all psychological hurdles follow similar symptoms. Often, your people may be affected by the stress of a changing home, or a loved one. As a leader, you have a responsibility to support this. In fact, you may be the only one capable.

It is rare for these issues to be placed on your desk. We’re all human and issues can get the best of us. So, what are the signs to look for?

An obvious drop in work output or targets (look for consistency here) Distant, jumpy and occasionally overly-excited at dull things Emotional and physical distress blanketing the ability to complete basic needs Talking more and more about the event, months after.

The ultimate issue is anxiety—an unpleasant, stress-induced emotional state in the anticipation of exposure to the same threat. When we feel anxious, we ‘think about thinking’. We make

Cyber attacks, natural disasters, illness or workplace loss—any of these issues could affect your business at any time.

MyRheem Pro The toolbox for tradies and specifiers

•

Spare parts & installation guides

•

Service manuals

•

Trade promotions

•

Tech support

… and much more

REGIST ER TODAY!

rheem.co.nz/trade

THE BEST HOMES ARE GRUNDFOS HOMES PREMIUM SOLUTIONS DESIGNED FOR EASY INSTALLATION Pressure Boosting Groundwater Drainage grundfos.co.nz

Launching Wellbeing on Tap A new health & wellbeing programme specifically for the plumbing industry is being spearheaded by Master Plumbers.

To comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act, employers must have effective systems in the workplace that protect staff health and safety from both physical and mental work-related factors.

To help plumbing businesses promote good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, Master Plumbers is launching a new Wellbeing on Tap programme in 2020.

Information & resources Information and resources will be available on both the Master Plumbers and Masterlink websites for employers, employees and apprentices to access, along with videos, challenges and activities to get people engaged and talking. These will be presented under five mental health and wellbeing ‘pillars’: Nourish, Sleep, Active, Mind and Connect.

Resource topics will include: • Why we need to talk about mental health at work • How to identify someone who is struggling • How to have a conversation about mental health • Active listening tips • Where to get help.

SOMEONE TO TALK TO Kereama Carmody will play an active role in the Wellbeing on Tap programme. A qualified social worker, Kereama has worked with both adults and young people in the mental health field for the past 15 years—eight of them in youth operations for Odyssey, the alcohol, drugs and gambling addiction support service.

Now with his own Christchurch-based private practice, he focuses on providing mental health and wellbeing services for businesses. “Employers are often unsure what to do if one of their team is showing signs of poor mental health and maybe not turning up for work,” he says.

Kereama offers in-house workshops for workplaces wanting to implement good mental health and wellbeing practices. He can also assist individuals who are struggling with mental health issues, with an initial phone check-in followed

by Skype or phone meetings.

For Master Plumbers’ members wanting to speak with Kereama or have their employees call him, the initial check-in is free, with any ongoing consultation costing $135 an hour. Contact him on 021 222 1160.

Wellbeing champions As part of Wellbeing on Tap, volunteer Wellbeing Champions around NZ will help raise awareness of activities on the programme calendar, share resources and information, and encourage the people around them to engage and get talking about this important topic in the workplace.

Qualified social worker Kereama Carmody (left) is supporting the Wellbeing on Tap programme for the plumbing industry.

wellbeing on tap Nourish

Look out for Wellbeing on Tap tips and advice in future editions of NZ Plumber!

066

nzplumber

Sleep

Active

Mind

Connect

Business smarts WELLBEING

This photo of Lisa with her family was taken at a family wedding last year.

“I know I have to look after myself” Mental health & wellbeing is a topic close to Lisa Duston’s heart. As HR Manager for Master Plumbers, she has been working with wellbeing coach Sue Kohn-Taylor to develop the Wellbeing on Tap programme for Master Plumbers’ members.

Lisa’s own first-hand experience of mental health challenges has driven her desire to implement the programme for the benefit of people working in the plumbing industry. When her son was 15, two of his mates took their own lives and she saw the huge impact it had on him and others around him. “He couldn’t understand why it had happened and it was tough for him to go through at such a young age,” she says.

As a teenager herself, Lisa learned that she was adopted, which left her struggling with feelings of rejection and low self-worth. “It wasn’t until my early 20s that I realised I hadn’t dealt with it properly and decided to go for counselling. That really helped, not only with getting it

all out of my head but also with giving me some tools to manage my mental health and wellbeing.”

This was to be tested again in 2011, with the earthquakes in her home town of Christchurch. “They took their toll on a lot of people here,” she says. “I couldn’t be in enclosed spaces with people for a long while afterwards—I’d have to take myself away. That, coupled with a marriage break up around the same time, left me depressed. I felt flat, lost my motivation and didn’t want to engage, which felt scary as I’m generally an outgoing, social person.”

As well as counselling support during these major life events, Lisa’s key to staying mentally fit is exercise and connecting with good friends.

“I know I have to look after myself, even though life often gets in the way! I really try to focus on making time to get out and be active, take vitamin supplements for stress and make the most of my great support network, as I know these are essential to my wellbeing.”

nzplumber

067

4 PRINCIPLES TO LIVE BY Are you drawn to a bit of industry gossip? Do you tend to take sides? In this edition’s column, plumbing firm managing director Sam Tyson shares a useful learning experience.

A

few months ago, I went to a talk given by Dr Joanna Breare, CEO of Todd Energy New Zealand and Chair of The Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand. She is an amazing woman with an interesting story and has achieved a lot in her career. At the end of her talk, she parted with four principles she lives by in the public arena. Don’t swear. Don’t gossip. Be neutral.

Don’t talk about diversity.

Is swearing a habit?

I thought they sounded pretty good and decided I would adopt them myself. So far so good, although the no swearing part has been a bit of a challenge as swearing has become a habit of mine.

068

nzplumber

In some ways I think I swear to give people a bit of a shock that I would use such a word. And if I am being honest, I probably swear to feel accepted, part of the team.

I believe how much you swear depends on who you are with. For example, out of respect I don’t swear in front of my father—or when I am with my grandchildren, as I don’t want them picking up bad habits from their Nana. It’s the same when I am with customers.

Regardless of whether they are swearing or not, it doesn’t seem very professional to swear in front of them. But when I am at work talking with the guys, it seems like I have an F-bomb exploding out of my mouth.

Swearing can be emotional. If we feel stressed, letting rip with a few expletives can somehow make us feel better. If we hurt

Business smarts EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES

ourselves, we generally seek pain relief by swearing our heads off.

The more we swear in our general conversation, the less effective swearing risks becoming when we really need it to release all that emotion or lessen the pain.

Good gossip vs bad gossip Not gossiping also has proven a little difficult as we all love a bit of drama. Gossiping can be like eating cake for breakfast— temporarily thrilling, totally delicious, but leaves you feeling a little bit guilty and/or ill.

I have noticed that plumbers do like a bit of gossip, especially when they congregate at the merchants or meet up at a trade event, or pass each other in their vans. They like to chat about who’s doing what with who, and did you hear about so and so? The trick is to recognise what is good gossip and what is bad gossip.

Generally speaking, bad gossip is when you are talking about someone who isn’t there and probably passing judgment. When it is especially malicious, gossip humiliates and demeans the person, and is very hurtful when they become aware of it. I have gone by the rule: would I be happy if someone was talking about me in this way?

The other day, our project manager Popey came rushing into my office saying, “Guess what, guess what?” Then he halted and said, “Oh, that’s right, you’re not doing gossip.” Even though I begged, I still have no idea what he wanted to tell me!

Advantages of staying neutral In public and at work, I find most of the time I can be neutral and not be seen to take sides or have favourites. I have been watching The Crown on Netflix, and I have learnt that the Queen, and all the royals, can’t take sides politically or voice their opinion for fear of swaying the people. So, in fear of swaying the people, I’ve simply been acting like a queen and all is neutral in my realm!

Don’t mention the D word As a woman in business, when you talk about diversity, you can be damned if you do and damned if you don’t. If you achieve a notable appointment, the gossipers out there could say you’re only there because the organisation is ticking the diversity box, making it hard to prove you are there by merit. On the flip side, does it matter how you get in? The more women who get the opportunity to be in such roles will make it easier or ‘more normal’ for future women to step in.

It’s been an interesting few months. Here is what I have learnt and what are now my four parting principles: Swear selectively. Good gossip is healthy. Act like a queen. Be amazing in a diverse way.

About the author: Sam Tyson has been the Managing Director of Climate and Plumbing since 2010. She is an active member in the industry and, with a background in strategic business development, shares her knowledge and experience gained from her award-winning business to help others obtain better results in their businesses. Sam was selected for the 2019 NZ Plumbing Merchants Future Governance Programme.

Need a trademark?

If you want your brand to be unique and stand out from the crowd, you might need to trademark it, advises Andrea Lovell in this edition's column.

When Dale and I took over Heron Plumbing in 2011, we decided we would rebrand. We wanted people to know that we did more than just plumbing, and we were more than just plumbers. So, we worked alongside our signage company to come up with a new logo that incorporates our ‘more than just plumbing’ slogan.

Last year, we noticed that another company in another region of New Zealand had started using the same slogan—our slogan. This got me thinking about branding and copyright. Our company name is already trademarked but not our slogan. So, when should people

"We wanted people to know that we did more than just plumbing, and we were more than just plumbers." trademark a company name and/or a company slogan?

A trademark is a type of intellectual property consisting of a recognised sign, design or expression which identifies products or services of a particular source from those of others. A trademark gives you legal protection to deter others from trying to imitate your brand, and it is a good way to distinguish your business from others. No two companies can be registered with the same name. So, I guess if you don’t want anyone to use similar branding to you, I would recommend you to trademark—and we’re in the process of doing just that—but if you don’t mind, don’t worry.

About the author: Andrea Lovell is Office Manager at Heron Plumbing in Auckland. She is co-director of the company with her husband Dale Lovell.

nzplumber

069

ESTIMATING HOW MANY HOURS THE JOB WILL TAKE:

WHY 83% GET IT WRONG

How often have you quoted a job but ended up losing it, because the hours blew out? It happens to everyone once in a while… but get this wrong too often, and you won’t be very profitable.

AUTHOR DANIEL FITZPATRICK

Business smarts COACHING

E

ven the big players in our industry get the hours wrong more than they’d like to admit… Fletchers got in trouble last year with overruns on a number of their major projects. It cost them millions.

Clearly when you want to make money on your jobs, it’s very important to estimate accurately how much time they will take. If you’ve ever wondered why your quotes don’t work out, this is a good starting point.

Research shows only 17% of the population can accurately estimate how much time a job or task will take. Basically, we’re all optimists. We tend to believe the future will be better than the past.

If only 17% can estimate time correctly, that means 83% are getting it wrong.

There are a lot of moving parts in a business, and if you often underestimate hours on jobs, or don’t allow for unexpected curve balls, you won’t make the margin you need to.

Achieving target margins consistently on every job is key when it comes to being profitable.

Let’s not forget: when costs exceed what you quoted, that cold hard cash comes directly out of your pocket.

In very real terms, that means less income for you plus stressful cashflow. And that is all kinds of bad, especially for a family business.

Plus, cashflow headaches are the #1 reason for going broke.

Mistakes include: • Failing to consider how long it’s taken us to complete similar tasks in the past (science calls this: planning fallacy) • Assuming that we won’t run into any complications that will cause delays (science calls this: optimism bias)

Did you know?

look at their previous jobs they can see exactly where they’re losing money on under-quoting.

From then on, everything becomes much easier.

Use a pricing formula Be sure to use a pricing formula so you have certainty that your price is fair. Not too low that you won’t make money. Not too high that you’ll be priced out (or if you are, you can walk away confident, knowing the margin was not enough— you don’t work for free).

Using a formula also means you price consistently regardless of whether you’re feeling optimistic, tired, are desperate for work for your team, or have too much on already.

Include your ‘fudge ratio’ calculation and buffer % to build in extra hours for delivery delays, staff absences, weather etc.

Aim at a strong margin

Finally, you need a strong gross profit margin.

A ‘good’ margin to add on top varies for each company, depending on your overheads and The Sydney Opera industry. So, it’s important to know what is a good House was completed a margin % to be aiming at for you, in your market. massive 10 years behind Although, if it’s not at least 20%, I’d schedule! encourage you to make some adjustments right away. Anything under this, and you won’t be able to cover overheads and still make the profits you need to maintain a successful business.

By the way, studies also show: while we generally bad at Deal with concrete numbers estimating how long it takes us to do the job, we’re quite good at So how can the average tradie business owner override planning estimating how much time the job will take when others are doing fallacy and optimism bias? the work. So, harnessing the talents and objectivity of someone The secret is to be dealing with concrete numbers. They make outside your immediate team (like a QS) could be a smart move. things very black and white, allowing for smarter decision-making.

Ultimately, accurate predictions and backcosting effectively That’s the kind of strategic thinking required for both quick wins ensures you will achieve the target margins you need, become and long-term success. more profitable, and grow safely, even with the variables, and any I’ve worked with hundreds of tradie businesses and I can tell bias you may have. you: It’s amazing the insights you can get from a simple deep dive Tweaks like this in profitability + productivity typically get into the numbers—when you know what to look for (most don’t). my clients return-on-investment far exceeding my fees inside 3-6 months.

Backcost on previous jobs

Yes, one important part of this is backcosting (checking all costs— including time/labour—on previous jobs to see how your quote stacked up against what actually happened).

To do this, you first need to be working with the right project management software, time tracking app or system, for your specific business.

Then, the main thing is, use a structure—so backcosting is easy and doesn’t take all day! Especially important if you run multiple jobs and have a large team.

Revisit regularly and make sure you are charging enough. The trick is to then actually deploy this historical data and turn it into increased accuracy on your next job.

When I assist clients in the business coaching process to really

References for facts in article: https://medium.com/swlh/escape-the-tyranny-of-the-to-do-listhow-to-schedule-your-priorities-not-your-time-fe5fc90d0d58

About the author: Daniel Fitzpatrick runs Next Level Tradie. Book a time with Daniel here to find out how he might be able to help you: www.nextleveltradie.co.nz/nextstep

nzplumber

071

Business smarts HR ADVICE

WARNING OR DISMISSAL? Following a fair disciplinary process is one thing—coming to the correct decision is another.

AUTHOR LISA DUSTON In a recent case, the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) upheld a claim for unjustified dismissal of an employee following a disciplinary meeting. The employee was on a final warning in relation to various prior incidents when he was dismissed for failing to follow up a customer who went to a competitor company.

The ERA found that, although the employer had followed a fair and reasonable process for investigating the complaint (all the steps were correctly followed for a disciplinary process), it was not justified in finding the conduct amounted to serious misconduct, bringing with it the sanction of dismissal. The failure to follow up a customer should have resulted only in a warning. Despite the employee being on a final warning for other matters, this particular matter did not justify dismissal.

There is no law or court judgment that demands three warnings before dismissal. The only relevant test is whether, by dismissing the employee, you have acted in a way that a fair and reasonable employer would, having regard to the circumstances.

The ERA awarded the employee $11,000 in lost wages and $6,800 in compensation for hurt and humiliation. This compensation was reduced

from $8,000 due to the employee’s conduct in failing to follow up the customer and failing to accept responsibility for that error.

If you are working through a process, you need to consider all possible outcomes, and whether or not the decision is justified for the nature of the conduct.

The 'Master Plumbers HR Guide: Disciplinary Process & Suspension', covers the employer process for an employee misconduct situation.

Find it in the website member log-in.

About the author: Lisa Duston is HR Manager at Master Plumbers. Lisa offers HR advice to Master Plumbers’ members at competitive rates (first 30 minutes free). Contact Lisa on 021 245 1704 or email lduston@masterplumbers.org.nz

Woken up to central heating yet?

It’s still a bit of a secret in New Zealand but...

• • • •

It’s the best comfort by far No hot air New cooling options available Get on board with our training courses: Feb 25 – 27 and March 17 – 19 0800 357 1233 | info@centralheating.co.nz | trade.centralheating.co.nz

072

nzplumber

Business smarts RETENTION PAYMENTS

Reviewing the retentions regime Following an independent KPMG review into the retentions regime, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) says more work needs to be done this year to ensure subcontractors are fully protected.

Plumbing industry business owners were among those to be surveyed for a recent KPMG survey on retention money provisions, commissioned by MBIE. The survey report, published by KPMG last December, showed that, whilst most of the sector is complying with retention payment requirements in the Construction Contracts Act, subcontractors are still not sufficiently protected in the event of a major construction company collapse.

“The report findings raise some concerns around enforceable penalties, co-mingling retention monies, and a lack of guidance for construction firms,” said MBIE general manager, building system performance Anna Butler. “More work is required to ensure subcontractors are protected across the board. Ensuring our builders, plumbers, electricians and other tradies are protected in the unfortunate event of construction firm insolvency remains a top priority.”

Anna Butler noted that Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa expected to make more announcements this year about what this work will entail. “Government and construction industry leaders are working together through the Construction Accord Transformation Plan to tackle the long-term issues in the sector, including better risk management and fairer risk allocation,” she said.

Compliance issues The survey found that 27% of respondents who hold retentions had faced difficulties complying with the retention regime at some point. The main reasons included lack of available funds, insufficient information on how to comply,

no available insurance policy or financial instrument, a lack of knowledge of the legislation and the impression that there was little compliance.

Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace said it was also disappointing to see from the report that some head contractors were responding defensively (or not at all) to subcontractor requests to inspect accounting records for their retention payments, which illustrate the potential inadequacy of some to comply with the legislation. “Master Plumbers is advocating with MBIE for strong penalties for directors that don’t comply, as we believe this is the only way to ensure compliance,” he said.

Ensuring our tradies are protected remains a top priority.

- Anna Butler, MBIE Find out more Read the full KPMG report here: https:// www.building.govt.nz/projects-andconsents/why-contracts-are-valuable/ construction-contracts-act-2002/#jumptoreview-of-retention-money-regime

Report recommendations Based on the report findings, KPMG makes four recommendations to MBIE: 1. To improve awareness—more guidance for payees on what records to request for inspection 2. To improve compliance—more guidance for payers on how to comply with the Act, including what constitutes a liquid asset and a complying financial instrument, best practice guidelines on record keeping and financial processes to manage the retention fund, and information about the consequences of non-compliance 3. To continue to encourage positive behaviour—encouraging the industry and business leaders in endorsing positive behaviour towards compliance in place and encouraging behaviour that maintains ongoing compliance 4. To address early impacts—giving more consideration to how to address operational issues concerning how retention money held by a firm is administered in the case of insolvency of the firm.

nzplumber

073

Career starters 74

"I'M VERY FUTURE-ORIENTED"

76

WHAT I WISH I'D KNOWN

78

RoVE: WHERE IT'S AT

074

nzplumber

Career starters APPRENTICE PROFILE

“I’M VERY FUTURE-ORIENTED” Fourth-year Masterlink plumbing and gasfitting apprentice Dave Hodgson is always thinking about his next move: planning for success in a career he takes pride in. We talked to Dave about what drives him.

AUTHOR KERRIE MORGAN Above: Dave and partner Dora in the Grand Canyon on a New Year trip to the US. Having time to travel was an important factor in his career choice.

some of Europe’s hot spots and celebrated his 18th birthday over In his 23 years, Dave Hodgson has experienced and achieved there. Seeing the world at such a young age gave him an appreciation more than many would in a lifetime, but he remains humble for New Zealand, in particular Rotorua, where he’s lived for the past and hardworking.

15 years. Calling himself a farm boy at heart, his work ethic has been When he left school at 16, Dave was told by his teachers that recognised within the industry. He won a Plumbing World Scholarship by not finishing school or going to university, he would “amount to at the 2019 NZ Plumbing Awards and has been the awarded the nothing”.

Top Masterlink Apprentice at the past two Volcanic Plateau Master A harsh comment to receive, but the thought of it now makes him Plumber Awards. It’s easy to see why. Dave is the guy who calls smile. In a few short years, he’s managed to prove them all wrong. around the rest of the team after 5pm knock off, to see if anyone Straight out of school, he took up a contract in earthmoving. “It needs any help before he heads home. was an awesome job and I loved it,” he says. “But I started planning for the future and realised the hours weren’t feasible long term—you don’t Getting it done really get a summer and the hours are long.” It was time to move into a So what’s next for this talented young plumber/gasfitter/drainlayer? trade, something Dave had long been thinking about. “I had considered “I’m very future oriented,” he says. “That’s building, but I just wasn’t one hundred percent why I chose to do all three of the trades—I sold on it. I didn’t like the thought of being on There are not many just wanted to get it done. I love where I am one site for six months plus.” right now and my goals are just to do well and opportunities out be able to do what I want in life—including Chance meeting there to work, learn travelling and having a good base.”

It was around this time that Dave met Andrew Dave says he’s proud to be a plumber Lewis from Plumbing World Rotorua. Andrew and earn all at the because there’s a lot more to the trade than connected him with Jon Lewis (no relation), same time. most people know. “Plumbing is the backbone who got him set up with a week of work of the modern world—within cities, housing experience. “My first day was spent digging - Dave Hodgson and infrastructure. A lot of people think it’s just holes!” laughs Dave. “But I loved it, and at the toilets!” he laughs. “But it’s actually one of the end of that week, Jon asked me if I wanted to more diverse trades out there. I take a lot of pride in what I do.” come back the following week and get paid—I said yes.”

Six months later, Dave signed up for his Masterlink apprenticeship.

Now, nearly four years on, he is just six months away from finishing his Happy to talk apprenticeship, which will see him qualified as a plumber and gasfitter. He encourages anyone considering getting into the trade—or who The next step? A drainlaying apprenticeship, which will take him might be thinking four years is a long time for an apprenticeship—to another year—a small price to pay according to Dave, as he’ll come just do it. “I’m 23 now and nearly finished and moving on with my life,” out of it fully qualified and registered in all three disciplines. he explains. “If anyone wants to find out more about it, I’d be happy to He thrives off the variety of the work, and challenges he faces each talk to them. The industry needs more young people and it’s a great day. “I’m always travelling around and meeting new people—every day option. There are not many opportunities out there to work, learn and is a new site with new people and a new problem to solve,” he explains. earn all at the same time, and university doesn’t appeal to everyone.”

There’s no denying Dave is an enterprising, determined young man, though he’s too humble to say as much. Instead he thanks Travel bug Andrew Lewis for getting him the job in the first place—along with Being able to travel is important to Dave, who squeezed in a career Jon and Jan Lewis, the “work boys” and his partner Dora, for their working on superyachts in between his earthmoving contract and his ongoing support and everything they do. plumbing apprenticeship. Over the course of eight months he saw nzplumber

075

Career starters TIPS & ADVICE

What I wish I’d known…

We asked three tradesmen what advice they’d give those just starting out on a plumbing career. Here’s what they had to say....

BEN RYAN

Age: 32 Company: Heron Plumbing Qualification: 4th-year Masterlink plumbing & gasfitting apprentice 1.

2.

3.

The important thing is to listen and take the task on board rather than wing it. If you’re unsure, ask—it never hurts to ask how to do something. You’re not expected to know everything.

I came to plumbing from a defence force career as a firefighter, where I did my training in three months. After that, I could handle any situation, from driving the truck to operating the pumps. Plumbing and gasfitting takes four years, so be patient.

You’re not going to know everything when you’re out of your apprenticeship—or even when you’re certified. There’s always a lot to learn.

There are so many different areas you can get into if you decide to specialise: mechanical heating and cooling, hydraulic design, project management—lots of opportunities. I did a year of plumbing when I was 22, working on residential, new builds, renos and maintenance. When I came to my apprenticeship, I expected to pick it up easily, but I’m now doing mostly commercial. You won’t walk straight into it—you’ve got to work your way up the ladder.

KRIS RANGITAAWA

Age: 37 Company: Plumbing & Gas Works Qualification: Certifying Plumber & Gasfitter 1.

2.

3.

076

I was older when I started but if you’re young, follow the lead of the more mature guys. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in, get your hands dirty and always be busy.

There should always be something for you to do—ask if there isn’t. There’s nothing worse than idle hands on site. It’s not just the plumbers who will notice—all the other trades will too.

Don’t take study help for granted. At Plumbing & Gas Works, we’re really lucky to have Managing Director Mike Foote and Contracts Manager Jacob Smith running weekly study sessions after hours, in their own time. Take as much help as you can. It can be hard grind to pass and pass first time.

There’s never a stupid question. Don’t be scared to speak up and ask. I’d rather answer what may seem a ‘silly’ question than no question at all. nzplumber

TANE MCGUIRE

Age: 27 Company: Eastland Plumbing and Gasfitting Qualification: Tradesman Plumber & Gasfitter, and has sat Certifying exams.

1.

2.

3.

I wish I’d started earlier! It was only by chance I got to work at a plumbing firm after a year at uni, and I knew I wanted this. Don’t expect an employer to give you an apprenticeship straight away. You’ve got to work your way up the ranks.

You’ve got to be self-motivated to do your studies. It’s a big jump from school. The tutors give you the study guides but it’s up to you to use them. If you don’t do the work, it will be obvious. It’s on you, so keep yourself honest.

I’ve had to work on customer relations and communications.

When you’re starting out as an apprentice, you are in the background and you can watch and learn from your colleagues. Your confidence grows slowly and you learn it’s important to let customers know what’s happening.

DO YOU DIG DISCOUNTS?

GET THEM NOW AT BEAUREPAIRES!

16

*

*

15

*

*

Plus COME IN-STORE FOR A FREE 6 POINT SAFETY CHECK

**

FREE TYRE PRESSURE CHECK

We also offer

FREE TYRE TREAD DEPTH CHECK

FREE BATTERY CHECK

FREE OIL CHECK

FREE WIPER BLADE CHECK

FREE HEADLIGHT CHECK

TYRES • EXIDE BATTERIES • WHEEL ALIGNMENTS • SHELL OIL CHANGES HEADLIGHT RESTORATION • WHEEL BALANCING • PUNCTURE REPAIRS

0800 4 TYRES | BEAUREPAIRES.CO.NZ *Discounts are valid for account number #MASTPLUMB only. For full terms and conditions visit: masterplumbers.org.nz/dashboard/partner-services/beaurepaires **The Free 6 Point Safety Check: consists of a Tyre Tread Depth Check, Tyre Pressure Check, Battery Check, Oil Check, Wiper Blade Check and a Headlight Check at any participating Beaurepaires store and is subject to availability on the day.

Market Leaders in Waste Water Treatment Austin Bluewater is NZ’s fastest growing wastewater treatment manufacturing

Our superior products are distributed throughout

company. We have a highly experienced team, many with decades of experience

New Zealand – these include Oil & Grit Separators,

in the industry.

Septic Tanks, Grease Traps, Water Retention Tanks

We manufacture and stock concrete and polyethylene

treatment plants providing a quality solution for every situation.

and Pump Chambers.

To find out more call us today or visit our website:

Joe Drury 027 899 5005 joe@austinbluewater.co.nz

0800 287 846

austinbluewater.co.nz

Lew Austin 021 356736 lew@austinbluewater.co.nz

RoVE: WHERE IT’S AT NZ Plumber provides an update on progress for the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE).

LEGAL TIMELINE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED

13 February 2019: Seven-week consultation on RoVE proposals opens, with 2,904 submissions received. Around 190 events, meetings and forums held as part of the consultation.

Stephen Town will be the inaugural Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (working name). Currently in his final year leading the Auckland Council, Stephen will take up the role in July.

1 August 2019: Government announces RoVE decisions.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS (WDCs)

Six industry-led Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) will be established to give industry greater leadership across vocational education and training.

The six new WDCs will cover: 1. Construction & Infrastructure 2. Primary Industries 3. Services Industries 4. Health, Community & Social Services 5. Manufacturing, Engineering, Logistics & Technology 6. Creative, Cultural & Recreation.

Combined, they cover most of the industries that employ around 2.5m people in businesses across NZ. Plumbing will sit under the Construction & Infrastructure WDC. Once established, the WDCs will take over some of the key functions of the current ITOs. These include ensuring training qualifications meet industry standards and that courses taught are relevant and up to date. “Unless a training or education programme has the confidence of industry through its representation on a WDC, it won’t be approved or funded,” said Education Minister Chris Hipkins on announcing the six WDCs in December.

“The other current role of ITOs—the responsibility for day-today support for apprenticeships and other on-the-job training—will shift from ITOs to the Institute of Skills & Technology and other provides such as wānanga and private training establishments.”

26 August 2019: Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill introduced

6 November 2019: Closing date for submissions to Education and Workforce Committee, with 7 public meetings held in October/November 2019. Master Plumbers, representing member businesses in the plumbing industry, provided an oral submission to a select committee hearing.

10 February 2020: Final date by which Bill must be reported back to the House.

1 April 2020: Bill becomes law.

Your insurance needs sorted CL458A

Master Plumbers membership gets you customised insurance solutions at competitive rates Talk to a broker, call 0800 866 766

CLMB Master plummer updated ad 185mm(w) x 55mm(h) V1.indd 078CL458A nzplumber

1

28/01/20 11:50 AM

Career starters RoVE

Next steps Early this year, the next steps for the WDC establishment process will begin.

This includes: • Further engagement with industry, stakeholders and ITOs • Supporting WDCs to ensure good governance arrangements are put in place and that the WDCs represent all industry interests within their area of coverage • Supporting ITOs in their transition by establishing transitional ITOs on 1 April 2020 to maintain current ITO capability until WDCs are established and a provider has taken on their responsibilities for arranging training.

The establishment of WDCs will be enabled by the passing of the Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill. There will then be a transition period until 31 December 2022, to allow time for functions to transfer to the new WDCs and providers.

Proposed coverage of Construction & Infrastructure WDC General coverage areas Construction (including heavy, civil and residential) and associated industries and trades, and infrastructure including water supply, electricity and gas transmission, road and bridge building, and sewage.

Components from existing ITOs • BCITO • The Skills Organisation (construction-related industries, eg, plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying, electrical services, scaffolding etc) • Competenz (lift and escalator servicing) • Connexis

CLASSIFIEDS The cost to place a classified advertisement is $60+GST for Master Plumbers members; $100+GST for non-members.

Send your text (up to 100 words) to advertising@ masterplumbers.org.nz

CENTRES OF VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE (CoVES)

Cabinet funding approval has been given for two initial pilot CoVEs: Primary Sector and Construction.

A CoVE is a group from across a sector that works together to develop vocational provision and share curriculum and programme design across the vocational education system.

Each CoVE will be hosted by a regional campus of the NZ Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), which comes into being on 1 April 2020, or by a wānanga, and will include the NZIST, other providers, the new Workforce Development Councils (WDCs), industry experts and researchers.

Six workshops were held in November 2019 in Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland with industry representatives, industry training providers (ITPs), and ITOs for the pilot CoVEs. Participants shared and discussed their views on sector issues and how the CoVEs should be structured.

The Registration of Interest process opened in December 2019 and closes in the first quarter of 2020. “From there, we’ll work with applicants to determine which proposals to progress,” says CoVEs project lead Deirdre Marshall.

“We expect to make funding decisions in May next year, enabling the successful Primary Sector and Construction Consortia to establish their CoVEs around mid-year.”

For now, it’s business as usual Education and training continue as normal—no overnight changes. If you have an apprentice, they’ll be able to continue training with little change over the next year or two. If you’re thinking of taking on an apprentice, go for gold.

Apprentices should see minimal change over 2019 and 2020 and their studies should not be impacted by these changes, which will happen gradually. The role of supporting apprenticeships and other on-the-job training will gradually move to the the new insititute once it comes into being on 1 April 2020. If you have a Masterlink apprentice, Masterlink takes care of the details of the apprenticeship, leaving you free to take care of your business.

Keep an eye on the TEC website for ongoing information: tec.govt.nz/rove/

Wellington Roofing Company Ltd The owner of this Wellington business is about to retire. Owner operated business has traded profitably for over 68 years, 50 years with current owner and established as a comprehensive roofing company servicing the Wellington area.

Key points are: • Large customer database, repeat clients • Known for their work in re-roofing and preventative maintenance

• • • •

Residential and commercial clients Ongoing maintenance work Reputation for quality workmanship Option to purchase plant, equipment and vehicles.

The vendor will ensure a smooth transition to the new owner. Enquiries should be directed to wellingtonroofing@yahoo. co.nz, price negotiable.

nzplumber

079

And finally...

Preparing for the off: JP Rossouw (left) and Dave Henderson get set for the 55km bike section of the Rodney Coast to Coast.

80 SEE YOU ON THE START LINE

82 10 MINUTES WITH...

PLUMBER DAN 83 84 080

SEE YOU ON THE START LINE

Management and site teams at Quix Commercial faced off in the recent Rodney Coast Challenge—with manager Dave Henderson throwing out the challenge to others for the next event.

OFFCUTS DODGY PLUMBING nzplumber

AUTHOR CLAIRE PREEN PHOTOGRAPHS ALI HOLLIS

The Rodney Coast Challenge is an annual familyfriendly event, which has been run as a fundraiser by the Kaukapakapa Scout group for the last 22 years. It attracts over 300 participants, mainly from the Auckland area—and in this year’s event, Master Plumbers’ member business Quix Commercial entered two teams, each with four members: Very Quix (management) and Too Quix (site).

The multisport event traverses the Rodney district from Muriwai Beach on the west coast to Wenderholm Regional Park on the east coast and involves a 10km forest run, a 30km road bike, a 25km mountain bike, an 8km kayak, plus a 100m sprint to the finish line. Participants in order were Maurice Tusa, Dave Henderson, Harry West and Wyatt Raw in Very Quix, and Callum Dimond, JP Rossouw (a ‘ring in’ from Dominion Construction!), Jacob Khan and Fred Goodwin in Too Quix.

As it turned out, Too Quix weren’t quite quick enough and were pipped at the post by Very Quix despite being ahead for much of the race, with only 1.22 minutes separating the teams.

Wellbeing & teamwork According to manager Dave Henderson, the office put a team together first and then put out the challenge to the site guys. Fred Goodwin, one of Quix Commercial’s senior foremen, was the first to step up and he encouraged others to follow.

“We’d love to have more participants next year,” says Dave. “Not only from within Quix but across the industry, suppliers included. This is a great event, not just for team morale but for the overall wellbeing of our staff.”

Manager Maurice Tusa adds: “We’d been thinking about entering Quix for a while, partly as Dave and I enjoy events like this but also because the Coast Challenge is not too serious and allows everyone to take part. It wasn’t just an event for competitors either, as other staff (Brent, Ali, Nic, Rob and Allister), alongside family and friends,

Too Quix team member Jacob Khan cycles over the finish line of the bike riding section.

The Game Changers In the 2018 documentary, The Game Changers, former UFC fighter James Wilks embarks on a quest to find the optimal diet for human performance and health. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Lewis Hamilton and Novak Djokovic, it covers multiple success stories of athletes on plant-based diets. gamechangersmovie.com

Fred Goodwin from the Too Quix team finishing the 8km kayak section.

participated as support crew, which we really needed at the transition points. Thank you!

“Taking part in events like this benefits everyone. We work together as a team, we plan and coordinate who will be where, we compete but we also support each other, especially through the transitions. Then of course—the best bit—we celebrate at the end when everyone is on a huge natural high.”

For Dave, the worst part of the day was getting up early enough to be at the start line by 6.30am.

“There were no gear failures or injuries—the event organisers doing a fantastic job of keeping everyone safe—and only one near-disaster, when Callum nearly didn’t make the race as he was dropped off at the wrong place. He had no cellphone coverage, so had to hitch his way to the start. He got there in time though and managed to beat Maurice!”

‘Secret strategy’ Maurice is still surprised that his team won, being on average a little older and in more sedentary roles. He wonders if their ‘secret strategy’ contributed to the success. Aside from training, which isn’t always easy to fit in when things are busy (and a big thank you to Fergs Kayaks for helping with Fred and Wyatt’s kayak training), the Very Quix team also tried out a plant-based diet for the week before.

“Nic Van Loggerenberg, our estimator, told us about The Game Changers documentary,” says Maurice. “We all watched it and thought we’d give it a go. One week probably wasn’t enough to make a difference but it’s definitely interesting how cutting down on meat can affect the body, not just in terms of improved athletic performance but overall health.”

For now, it’s back to work but everyone involved is keen to return in November 2020. “The challenge is out there to everyone for next year,” says Dave.

“See you on the start line.” nzplumber

081

And finally... ON THE SIDE

10 minutes with Plumber Dan We chat with Whanganui’s ‘Plumber Dan’, Dan Goldsworthy, about his spare time hobbies and community support.

AUTHOR JE T’AIME HAYR Age, occupation and business I am 43 and a plumber at Plumber Dan, which is a team of 14.

Tell us about your duck race...

My business logo features a yellow duck and, as we’ve got a beautiful river running through the town, I came up with the idea of a duck race to support a local charity four years ago. We sell tickets for 2,000 numbered Englefield ducks and then throw them over the Dublin St Bridge to see which one crosses the finish line first at City Bridge. This year, we raised $11,000 and I’m hoping that a smoother planning process in the future will get that number much higher.

Which charity does the duck race support?

The duck race raises money for Jigsaw Whanganui, a local charity that offers family counselling services

Dan’s stretch and topless Mini Coopers!

and helps parents with their parenting skills. Their work benefits the community, who are my customers as well, so I like to do my bit to help.

Is there anything else you do in the community?

Yes, I also take part in the Soapbox Derby and the Christmas Parade, plus I organise an annual Whanganui River Raft Race, which attracts lots of weird and wonderful entries. We even get a few celebrities auctioning themselves off to join a team.

I like to have fun and see locals out and enjoying themselves and I also think it’s important to give back to the community by fundraising for our local charities.

What are your hobbies?

I work very long days, so there’s not much downtime, but I really like to spend a bit of time working on my cars. I have eight different vehicles—and they are all unique, which is what I love about them. I have topless and stretch Mini Coopers, a 1950s bus, a hovercraft and a 1965 Impala to name a few.

Where do you keep all these projects?

I have a very big shed and—although my house has a few garages and my mother is kindly storing a boat for me—I really need to build a bigger shed!

What is on your bucket list?

I try to go overseas three times a year to get a break from work and my phone. I really enjoy travelling, so I want to do more of that. I sailed the Red Sea for six months, lived in Melbourne for a couple of years and in London for three years. Next up, I’d like to visit Canada and I am keen to do the Peking to Paris motor race, which is a 14,994-kilometre trip in a vintage car.

Plumber Dan is best known for his annual fund-raising Duck Race, but he also runs an annual Whanganui River Raft Race and takes part in the Christmas Parade and Soapbox Derby.

082

nzplumber

If you weren’t a plumber, you would be a…?

I often wonder this! I got into plumbing at 19 years old. My grandfather and two uncles were plumbers, so it was in my blood. I dabbled in horticulture as a teenager, and while travelling I worked in a menswear department, as a labourer, and as a painter/decorator —but none of those jobs were really ‘me’.

And finally... OFFCUTS

OFF CUTS This edition’s odds and ends for your enjoyment.

TRUMP ON PLUMBING

During a small business and red tape reduction roundtable last December, President Trump expressed his environmental standpoint on plumbing. He appeared to suggest that water-efficiency standards were actually resulting in higher water use, saying the White House was “looking very strongly at sinks and showers and other elements of bathrooms where you turn the faucet on—in areas where there’s tremendous amounts of water”. The problem?

“You turn on the faucet; you don’t get any water. They take a shower and water comes dripping out. It’s dripping out—very quietly dripping out. People are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once. They end up using more water. So, EPA is looking at that very strongly, at my suggestion.”

Let’s hope they get good advice from a plumber.

Try to remember, the greener grass over the fence may be due to a septic tank issue.

DEFINITIONS IN CONSTRUCTION

Some terms to be familiar with…

Tender submission: A poker game in which the losing hand wins Tender sum: A wild guess carried out to two decimal places Successful tenderer: A contractor who is wondering what he left out Architect: Someone who knows very little about a great deal and keeps knowing less and less about more and more until he knows practically nothing about everything Consulting Engineer: Someone who knows a great deal about very little and keeps knowing more and more about less and less until he knows practically everything about nothing Quantity surveyors: People who go in after the war is lost and bayonet the wounded Lawyers: People who go in after the Quantity Surveyors and strip the bodies Cost plan estimate: The cost of construction in heaven Management contract: The technique for losing your shirt under perfect control Completion date: The point at which liquidated damages begin Liquidated damages: A penalty for failing to achieve the impossible Subcontractor: A gambler who never gets to shuffle, cut or deal Contractor: Someone who starts out knowing practically everything but ends up knowing nothing due to his association with Architects and Consulting Engineers.

Top performing company wants you.

Aquaheat is a high performing company with a great culture and the BEST clients.

If you have experience in general plumbing maintenance, along with a proven track record in fault finding and troubleshooting, we want you!

We are growing our capability in Wellington, Auckland, Whakatane and Hamilton.

You’ll love our customers, you’ll love working with your great team and most of all, you’ll love coming to work for us.

We offer a competitive hourly rate with on-call allowances and overtime rates as applicable.

We also offer  Guaranteed hours a week  Assistance to achieve NZ qualifications  Life & Critical illness insurance cover provided  A modern company vehicle and uniform  A great team culture with genuine career development opportunities  Paid Birthday Leave If you feel you are the right person for this position contact us by emailing switchedon@hegroup.nz now.

nzplumber

083

Read the latest edition online OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 0

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 0

24 MASTER PLUMBERS

47

HOT WORK FIRE HAZARDS How to keep it safe

CLIMATE IMPACTS What actions is our industry taking?

I WISH I’D KNOWN

Advice for apprentices

09 WHAT’S UP

09

2020 NZ Plumbing Conference

CLIMATE CHANGE: INDUSTRY CHANGE

18

Discover the speakers, the sessions and the social events

12

O F F I C I A L MTraining AGAZINE OF

14 004

& events

Check out the industry calendar

Updates An industry news round-up

24

18 26

Making a difference Plumbing, gas and drainage manufacturers and suppliers tell us what they’re doing in the sustainability space

The tide is high Flood risks in NZ and actions being taken

Passive design for cohousing project How passive house principles are being used in a new South Island cohousing development

29

Cutting waste to landfills What’s being done to reduce construction & demolition waste

47

New member benefit Crombie Lockwood Umbrella Cover

48

Updates

51

Partner profile

52 54 56 58

New member portal, Best in Brand winner, meet the team

ON THE TOOLS

31 34

Meet the Board

Member profile How technology has helped iPlumber’s growth

Branch profile A new branch for Queenstown & Lakes District

Masterlink messageboard Latest news from the Master Plumbersowned apprentice management company

Hot work fire hazards How to keep it safe

Proposed updates for E1, E3 & G13

BUSINESS SMARTS

60 62

MBIE wants your feedback

36

Aliaxis Group’s Marley & Dux sign a 5-year Platinum Partnership

This edition, we profile Martin de Gouw and Jon Lewis

31

TECHNICAL THEME : BACKFLOW Installation & repairs Why all plumbers need to understand the importance of backflow prevention

38 40 42 44 45

Hazard ratings Selecting the right backflow device

3 Waters: pipeline of work Results of the government review

Tech Q&A

One woman’s innovative idea

Products What’s new in the marketplace

nzplumber

Marketing: the what & the why Marketing basics

Introducing: Wellbeing on Tap

68

4 principles to live by

69 70 72 73

CAREER STARTERS

74

Human impacts of a crisis The final part of our risk management mini-series

66

Our regular technical column

Answer to flushable wipes?

60

A new programme for the plumbing industry

Sam Tyson shares some learning

76 78

74

“I’m very future oriented” Fourth-year apprentice Dave Hodgson discusses his goals

What I wish I’d known Some first-hand advice for first-year apprentices

Training updates An update on progress for the Review of Vocational Education (RoVE)

AND FINALLY...

80

80

See you at the start line

82 83 85

Offcuts

Team challenge for Quix Commercial

10 minutes with...

Plumber Dan Odds and ends, plumbing style

Dodgy plumbing Some things never change…

Why trademark?

Andrea Lovell has first-hand experience

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF

On the cover

How many hours will the job take?

Why 83% get estimates wrong

Warning or dismissal?

Coming to the correct decision is as important as following proper process

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 0

HOT WORK FIRE HAZARDS How to keep it safe

CLIMATE IMPACTS What actions is our industry taking?

I WISH I’D KNOWN

Advice for apprentices

Reviewing the retentions regime More work needs to be done to protect subcontractors

New campaign launch (page 50)

On our cover this edition is Courtenay from the awesome team at iPlumber in Hamilton (read their story on page 54).

Director Jamin Saes says he’s proud to be a plumber because plumbers are out there getting things done to improve people’s quality of life.

nzplumber

005

F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 2 0

New campaign launch (page 50)

HOT WORK FIRE HAZARDS How to keep it safe

CLIMATE IMPACTS What actions is our industry taking?

I WISH I’D KNOWN

Advice for apprentices

New campaign launch (page 50)

No log-in required!

www.nzplumber.nz

Award winning and proudly brought to you by Master Plumbers

And finally... DODGY PLUMBING

Don’t be a drip This one was sent in by Dana Bidgood.

“When you don’t fix that dripping crox join for many years.”

Can’t help lazy Sent in a photo and haven’t seen it yet? Please bear with us as we work our way through all the entries!

“I was on a confined space course and on one of the muchneeded breaks, I noticed this in the men’s room,” says Certifying Drainlayer Scott Wells. “I asked the guy running the course about it and was told it was easier for him just to replace the paper every couple of days than to call a plumber.

Sometimes you just can’t help lazy?”

Just for laughs A couple of photos sent in by Aaron Jamieson of BOP Plumbing of things his company has come across. “This will lighten your day,” he says.

The magazine may have a new look but some things never change!! Enjoy this edition’s sorry collection of dodgy plumbing, gas and drainage pics—and keep ’em coming!

Rotten show Thanks to Martin Reid for sending in this photo of a pan connector [check] in a somewhat sorry state.

Rats!

“The landlord got us in to a leak in his basement and this is what we found,” says Blair McNab of this photo. “It’s a 40mm PVC waste pipe from the kitchen sink. The previous tenant apparently loved his roast dinners and obviously put the fat down the sink waste and caused a build-up. The rats chewed into the waste pipe and cleared the blockage for him but kept following the fat trail up the pipe—almost 1 metre chewed. You can see the claw and teeth works on the pipe.

“I had only been to the landlord’s place 6 months earlier to replace a section of polybutylene pipe in the wall cavity that mice had chewed through. I think the rats and mice in Kaikorai Valley have it in for him!!!!”

Send your dodgy photos to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz. The bigger the file, the larger we can show it on the page. nzplumber

085

And finally... DODGY PLUMBING

Stuck for good?

“I first spotted this stuck down a drain in an alley in Welly a year ago,” says Dana Bidgood. “It is still there. Stuck fast I would say. Too expensive to abandon otherwise.”

On a lean Thanks to Topline Trade Services for sending this pic of some dodgy plumbing their plumber Gavin found when he went out on job in Auckland.

No hot water? No surprises.

“Some photos of an HWC warranty job we were called to for no hot water,” says Dale Lovell of Heron Plumbing. “The address looked familiar, so I looked back and noticed we had quoted to replace the HWC but were told we were too dear by $300—now I can see why. We are constantly battling in Auckland with unlicensed, unregistered ‘plumbers’ who advertise on social media and people put up great comments for them. It’s so easy for them to get work, as no one checks if they are legal to work or understands the implications of when it goes wrong.”

Reporting dodgy work The easiest way to notify the PGDB about non-compliant work: 1. Go to the App Store or Google Play 2. Type PGDB in the search bar 3. Download the free Report A Cowboy app 4. Get using it!

Pushing waste uphill D Bidgood Plumbing sent in this little gem. “The pump in our new kitchen’s waste disposal doesn’t seem to work very well,” the client said.

086

nzplumber

If you come across a gas installation you think presents immediate danger: 1. Advise the property owner straight away 2. Seek permission to make the scene safe 3. Contact Energy Safety/ WorkSafe on 0800 030 040 or online at www.energysafety. govt.nz/forms/installationfault-notice-form 4. Contact the PGDB on 0800 743 262.

BUY RHEEM ENTER ONLINE

*

2020

INSTANT PRIZE WITH EVERY ENTRY WHILE STOCK LASTS

BUY ANY RHEEM PRODUCT* DURING FEBRUARY & MARCH 2020, ENTER THE DETAILS OF YOUR PURCHASE ONLINE AND YOU AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR A FREE THERMAL**

PLUS YOU’RE IN THE DRAW

TO WIN THE MAIN PRIZE: THE ULTIMATE FISHING & HUNTING EXPERIENCE 2×

saltwater fish 2×

FRESHWATER FISH 2×

IN 48 HOURS

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, LAST YEAR’S WINNER TOOK IT ALL WILL YOU BE THE NEXT TO BAG ALL 6??

GO TO WWW.RHEEM.CO.NZ/BIG6 TO ENTER **LIMITED STOCK AVAILABLE. GET IN QUICK!

game animalS

ENTER ONLINE

TO WIN ^

nzplumber *Excludes Commercial projects, spare parts and accessories. Terms and Conditions apply. For full T’s & C’s got to rheem.co.nz/big6

087

Boss Gully Trap

The shortest boss around › uPVC – seamless integration into Marley OPTIM DWV System ®

› Just 199mm high – 20% shorter than standard uPVC option › Get the right fit and fall within shorter joist heights › AS/NZS 1260 compliant New Zealand patent application no. 753983, New Zealand design application no. 426078 WaterMark Certification WMK20224

INNOVATIVE

230mm 230mm

230mm 230mm

TRADITIONAL

BAD FIT

EASY FIT & FALL

LESS WORKAROUNDS | LESS TIME | LESS STRESS