NZ Plumber June-July 2018

JUNE/JULY 2018

2017 list MPA Fina

MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR What makes a winning business

PEDAL TO THE METAL

Addressing lead in plumbing fittings

CAMP GLENORCHY

Major sustainable plumbing project

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EDITORIAL

Volume 70, Number 3 MAGAZINE TEAM CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 03 543 2008 beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz DESIGN Sally Travis Design www.sallytravisdesign.co.nz PRINT Service Printers 258 Taranaki Street 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 beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz To order an annual subscription, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number here: licensing@pgdb.co.nz TO ADVERTISE Contact Catherine Schuster cschuster@masterplumbers.org.nz

NZ Plumber is the official magazine of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ Inc. Contact details for the MPGD Board, Society 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letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled ‘Not for Publication’.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.

Business smarts

It’s interesting to see how many different elements combine to create a winning business.

LAST MONTH, I paid a visit to Hutt Gas and Plumbing in Wellington. You’ll see members of the team on our front cover, proudly holding up their Master Plumber of the Year trophy for the photograph. It 60s and 70s was a treat to see the carved greenstone plumber up close, with his overalls, cap and rolled up shirtsleeves. Measuring 55cm high, the award is a sight to behold—and suitably heavy too.

The trophy is a mark of how prestigious it is to receive the Master Plumber of the Year accolade. Entrants have to show how well their business functions in a number of areas, including marketing and image, customer service, business Above: One of the posters at performance and personnel. Giving close attention to any the NZ Plumber 70th event, one of these aspects will benefit a business, but it’s only when showing covers and adverts from the 1960s and 1970s. all aspects align that you get a truly winning combination.

Turn to p50 to find out what gave Hutt Gas and Plumbing the edge at this year’s awards.

With NZ Plumber celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, it was great to have the opportunity to thank Master Plumbers’ Business Partners for their outstanding advertising support over the years at a birthday event in Auckland in May. We had a great time picking magazine covers and adverts from previous decades to show on posters at the event (one pictured on this page), and guests were treated to an enormous NZ Plumber birthday cake styled to look like a stack of original 1948 editions.

The magazine has been through various permutations over the years, and has enjoyed a long succession of editors, contributors, advertisers, designers... and readers. To be still going strong at 70 years is quite a feat and is thanks to all involved.

Beverly Sellers Editor, NZ Plumber, beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz

OVER TO YOU The best email, letter, tip or photo sent in by readers that we publish on this page wins a $30 prize voucher!

Do you have a picture, story or news to share? Or feedback on any of the articles you’ve read in NZ Plumber? We’d love to hear from you. Email the Ed: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz or give me a call on 03 543 2008.

Blocked by wasps Had two unusual jobs in the last month with low hot water pressure at certain taps in the house. In both cases the pipes were blocked with wasps.

This is the first time in my 20+ years of plumbing that I have seen this. This may be to do with the warming climate, who knows? Want to mention it in the mag and see if it is becoming a more common thing, or maybe it always has been and I have not struck it before?

Paul Mccallum, Allpoints Plumbing From the Ed: Thanks for your letter Paul. We’d love to hear from other readers who may have encountered this issue. Please email beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz and let me know!

This month’s prize voucher coming your way Paul.

June/July 2018

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Inside this issue

50

JUNE/JULY 2018

WHAT’S ON 7 Industry events for the diary MASTER PLUMBERS’ NEWS 8

CEO Greg Wallace on Budget disappointments; Best in Brand prize; new members; new appointment

IN FOCUS 13 Metal in the water

Proposed action on testing lead in plumbing fittings

16 Vertical construction risk

Another one bites the dust

REAL LIVES 18 Cold as ice

Plumbing in the Antarctic

32 True professional

Why this tradesman is a stand-out 38 Wish you were here!

20th anniversary fun in Sydney for this plumbing firm

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June/July 2018

TECHNICAL THEME: UP ON THE ROOF 21 Spouting success tips

Ensuring a top-performing installation

22 Roof flashings

A useful guide to checking requirements 26 Cold roofs? Warm roofs?

The science behind roof construction options

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 28 Pitching camp

Setting new standards for sustainable tourism

NUTS & BOLTS 35 Discussing drainage

Issues for the sector 36 Cabinet heater concerns

Have they had their day?

37 Tech points

This edition’s technical updates in brief

INDUSTRY TALK 40 Two registration classes remain

Tradesman and Certifying classes will stay 41 St Chad charity event

Laser Group plumbers volunteering their services 44 Sam’s speak

Sam Tyson on reacting to negative social media 46 In the bag!

Mico Bathrooms is now plastic-bag free in all stores 47 Preventing complaints

Some guidance from the PGDB 48 In the office

In this edition’s column, Andrea Lovell has tips on retaining staff

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER JUNE/JULY 2018

2017 MPA Finalist

50

MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR What makes a winning business

13

PEDAL TO THE METAL

Addressing lead in plumbing fittings

28

48 Expansion for aquatherm

This Kiwi company is expanding its product offering

60 Made in New Zealand?

Why businesses must be able to back up their claims

SMART BUSINESS

AROUND ASSOCIATIONS

50 Cutting it in the Hutt

What makes this business a top award winner 54 Stress busters!

Five ways to reduce stress as a small business owner 56 Taking annual leave

Advice on working out annual leave entitlements 56 Business Performance Panel

Helping Kiwi business owners improve their management practices 58 Subcontract agreement update

SA-2017 is now available as a PDF with editable fields 59 Gross or net

Should trades businesses operate on a gross or net profit basis?

62 Hydrology Study Retreat 2018

Another great year for this annual institution—and for the man who makes it happen!

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES 65 Twin your toilet

This fundraising initiative aims to save lives worldwide

SAFETY FIRST 68 Too much noise

Construction workers are particularly at risk, warns WorkSafe 69 Meet Pat and Joe

WorkSafe’s new ‘Use your Mouth’ video commentators

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CAMP GLENORCHY

Major sustainable plumbing project

Cover photograph: Colleen Upton, Scott Adin (left) and Grant Jefferson of 2018 Master Plumber of the Year awardwinning business Hutt Gas and Plumbing.

Photograph by Lance Lawson.

ACROSS THE DITCH 70 Australian WaterMark advocacy

Calling for WaterMark point-of-sale legislation

NEXT GENERATION 72 Best in class

Plumbing World Scholarship winners 75 Programme development

Q&A with the new Programme Development Manager at Skills

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 76 New products and services to watch out for

AND FINALLY 79 Offcuts

Plumbing media snippets 81 Dodgy plumbing

More shonky gas, plumbing and drainage work…

69 Asbestos quick guide

New guidance for plumbers working with or near asbestos

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THE SEARCH FOR NZ’S NEXT TOP TRADIE

IS ON! The Young Plumber of the Year competition is about recognising new talent, promoting high standards, and ensuring that plumbing in New Zealand is something we can all be proud of.

From Kaitaia to Invercargill, the country’s most ambitious young plumbers are vying for 48 branch champion titles at local events, before the winners head to the regional events in July.

The competition, initiated by Plumbing World, is in its second year. With over 400 registered competitors, it’s sure to be a close race to the final.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVENTS IN YOUR AREA AT YPC.CO.NZ OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK T HA N K S TO O U R S P O N S O R S

SUPPORTED BY: Apprenticeship Training Trust (ATT), Heron Plumbing, HiFlo Plumbing, Hutt Gas & Plumbing, McIvor Plumbers & Gas Fitters Wanaka, Peter Jackson Plumbing, Whitehead Plumbing, Precision Group Ltd

EVENTS

What’s on

Industry events and training to note in your diary.

CONZTRUCT Dates: Now until 25 October Venues: • •

24-26 July: Auckland North, Tauranga, Napier 15-16 August: Nelson, Blenheim

Cost: Free CONZTRUCT is New Zealand’s leading trade event that showcases new products and industry developments in the construction sector.

• Choose from a variety of relevant workshops • Discover the latest products and solutions • Understand best practice and compliance direct from suppliers • Take advantage of show specials with a chance to win great prizes.

The event travels nationwide and it’s FREE to attend!

Register at www.conztruct.co.nz

build nz | designex

If you have an event you would like to promote in a future edition of NZ Plumber, please email the Ed: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz

Master Plumber’s training courses Dates: Current timetable until 28 August Venues: Nationwide Cost: from $90 (ex GST) Master Plumbers’ member price; $120 (ex GST) non-member price; Masterlink apprentices attend free The Master Plumbers’ face-to-face training timetable currently includes the following courses: • • • •

Top Quality Customer Service What’s New in Law Preparing Quotations Getting Payment.

The timetable for the second half of 2018 will be available soon.

Book and pay for courses online at www.masterplumbers.org.nz/ training

Venue: ASB Showgrounds Auckland

PGDB & Mico CPD Roadshow

Cost: Free

Dates: Now until 12 September

Date: 4-5 July

buildnz | designex is the largest pan-industry gathering of build, construction and design professionals in New Zealand.

This year it will include the KiwiBuild Summit, fronted by government leaders, including Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford and Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa. Also on the panel will be PrefabNZ CEO Pamela Bell. buildnz | designex and the co-located National Safety Show were voted Best Trade Show in Australasia in the 2017 EEAA Awards for Excellence.

Register at www.buildnz.com

Gas Industry Forum Date: 7-9 November Venue: Rydges Hotel, Wellington Cost: Tbc Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the modern age, and a robust plan to address the issue needs to be put in place.

Carrying on from the 2017 Gas NZ Industry Forum, the 2018 Forum will continue to discuss this issue.

Those planning to attend this year’s event should consider booking accommodation early.

For more details, go to www.gasnz.org.nz

Venues: Nationwide Cost: $30 (inc GST) To renew licences in the Journeyman, Tradesman and Certifying classes for the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying trades on 1 April 2019, tradespeople will need to have attended the CPD training session part of the 2018 PGDB & Mico Training Roadshow, or have completed this training online.

The following topics are covered within this training: • Working at heights, confined space and fire protection considerations.

• Innovation in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industries.

• Insurance considerations.

• Consumer relationships, dispute resolution and consumer complaint handling.

• Common mistakes and concerns relating to backflow, pipesizing and vaporisation.

Bookings for the face-to-face roadshow sessions are now open.

Enrolments for the online version of the course will be available from 1 October.

Book your face-to-face session online at www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/ cpd

June/July 2018

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MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Budget disappointment We had hoped to see employer incentives for taking on apprentices in the Government’s budget.

IT WAS DISAPPOINTING that the budget failed to provide any financial assistance for construction sector businesses taking on apprentices. Master Plumbers was among several organisations, including Skills and the Industry Training Federation, advocating for some sort of subsidy for employers to help address critical skills shortages in our industry.

At the education summit in Auckland on 12 May, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins acknowledged that New Zealand is short of 50,000 construction workers. This statistic is backed up by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Future Demand for Construction Workers report and economists predicting strong growth in the next eight years.

We have heard a great deal of noise regarding KiwiBuild and other major construction projects, but no one in Government seems to have been able to answer how we will be able to facilitate the amount of work planned for the next decade.

In 2014, the National Government put in place the Apprenticeship Reboot incentive for employers and apprentices who signed into a formal agreement. This is the only incentive of its kind in the past 30 years to deliver improved apprentice numbers across all

construction sectors.

Master Plumbers is currently advocating for plumbers to be placed on Immigration New Zealand’s skill shortage list for the Upper North Island region.

However, in reality, very few overseas tradespeople will receive immediate recognition for their qualifications in New Zealand. In short, immigration will not fix the skills shortage.

As I’ve said many times before, the only solution is for the plumbing industry to accept that apprentice numbers need to grow and more companies must commit to training for the protection of our industry. We will keep communicating this fact until people realise the urgency of the issue.

You may have seen recent media coverage on cabinet heater safety, with Master Plumbers calling for a ban on their use in residential properties. Natural gas and LPG appliances are a great way to heat homes, providing an instant, cost-effective and efficient heat source.

Portable cabinet heaters, however, pose risks to householders’ health and safety, and it is these that we want to see banned here, as they are in Australia.

As you will read on p13, concerns have also been raised here and in Australia about unacceptable levels of lead leaching into drinking water from inferior plumbing fittings. Some recent tapware test results from Australia have led Master Plumbers to investigate options for carrying out similar product testing in New Zealand.

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June/July 2018

Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

Want to join?

NEW MEMBERS A warm welcome to new Master Plumbers’ member businesses: • Auckland Gas Company, Auckland • Deep in Plumbing Ltd, Auckland • Essential Plumbing & Gas Ltd, Auckland • Fletcher Plumbing Ltd, Auckland • Fusion Plumbing Ltd, Auckland

For quite some time now, we have voiced our concerns around the lack of regulation on importation of products of suspect quality. It has come to the point where we have resolved to arrange our own testing through an independent accredited laboratory in order to be able to supply evidence to government officials.

On a final note, it has been extremely disheartening to hear of more construction companies under financial strain. It astounds me, in this environment of strong economic growth, that we still have poor operators in the market who cause financial pain to others and ultimately costs that have to be passed on to the consumer.

We now have better protection for subcontractors through the Construction Contracts Amendment Act, and the newly released SA-2017 Subcontract Agreement (see p58), which is available for members’ use on the Master Plumbers website. It is our strong advice to use only SA-2017 when agreeing to terms with main contractors or project managers.

Carefully review any contracts before signing, to ensure you are not agreeing to terms that are unreasonable, impractical and a potential risk to your business.

• Multi Plumbing Ltd, Auckland • Pipewise Plumbing and Gasfitting Ltd, Auckland • Pipework Solutions Ltd, Wellington • Platform Plumbing Ltd, Auckland • Supreme Plumbing Ltd, Auckland

When you join Master Plumbers, you get excellent business resources, training and savings for your business—helping you be the best.

Special two-year membership deal available.

0800 502 102 membership@masterplumbers.org.nz www.masterplumbers.org.nz

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Budget fails to meet plumbing pipeline The Government’s budget has failed to acknowledge the contribution made by employers who take on apprentices.

The Master Plumbers’ Masterlink apprenticeship scheme has apprentices looking for work, but not enough employers willing to take them on, so it was disappointing not to see financial incentives for employers in the latest budget.

“We are pleased the Government is committed to providing incentives to get more people into apprenticeships in critical shortage areas. But it also needs to ensure it has employers who are willing to give them a job,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace. “Employers put their

time, energy and own money into training apprentices, and we had hoped the budget would provide them with an extra incentive to invest in the future workforce.

“New Zealand is suffering from a major shortage of skilled plumbers, especially in Auckland, Queenstown, Bay of Plenty and the Waikato. We need more plumbers to meet demand, and we need more employers willing to invest in training them. Less than 20% of the plumbing industry currently takes them on.”

Many Master Plumbers members are

already stretched just trying to meet the day to day demands of their businesses, with some saying they can’t take on any new clients.

We are currently trying to get plumbers on the immigration shortlist for Auckland, where the plumbing workforce needs to grow by nearly 40% by 2021 to keep up with demand. “With such capacity restraints it’s hard to imagine how KiwiBuild promises can be fulfilled, and plumbers’ rates are likely to go up, which is not good for New Zealanders,” says Greg.

70th anniversary celebrations

NZ Plumber’s 70th anniversary was celebrated with our advertisers in May. To thank Master Plumbers’ business partners for their vital ongoing support of Master Plumbers’ and NZ Plumber advertising, a 70th-anniversary event was held at the waterfront Ponsonby Cruising Club in Auckland in May. CEO Greg Wallace presented plaques to Master Plumbers Platinum Partners and flowers to the magazine team, and

guests were treated to drinks, nibbles and a magnificent 70th birthday cake representing the very first edition in February 1948.

Greg also gave some quick facts on the magazine, including: • NZ Plumbers’ Journal cost 10s/6d in 1948 • It didn’t go full colour until the late 1990s • It was renamed NZ Plumber in 2013

Above: The tasty Plumber's Journal birthday cake!

Above: Editor Beverly Sellers (left) and Advertising Manager Catherine Schuster (right) at the event with Master Plumbers Chairman Craig Foley.

• It went digital in 2015 • The digital NZ Plumber app has been downloaded in Thailand, China, The Netherlands and Canada, among other countries • Dodgy Plumbing is the most popular page!

It was a great way to mark an amazing 70 years for the publication—with, we hope, many more years to come!

Plumber for the Day winner!

Congratulations to Rachel Phillips, our Facebook prize winner.

To celebrate this year’s World Plumbing Day, we ran a Facebook competition to Win a Master Plumber for the Day. People were asked to like and comment on the page, saying why they deserved to win the services of a Master Plumber for the day.

The winner was Rachel Phillips of Taranaki, who said her family needed the hot water checked as there was no pressure. “It takes a good half an hour to run my son a bath and when you’re two that’s a really long time,” said Rachel. “If he was to have a shower it

will either be too hot or ice cold…”

Our huge thanks to Houghton’s Plumbing, Heating and Gas Ltd in Hawera for agreeing to provide Rachel with eight hours’ labour to help fix her family’s problem.

June/July 2018

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MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Wanganui Secretary retires

Brian Rhodes is retiring after 44 years as Secretary and Treasurer of Wanganui Master Plumbers.

Brian Rhodes has been Secretary and Treasurer for the Wanganui Master Plumbers since 1974, when he took the role over from his father-in-law Kinnon Rabone.

Over the years, Brian has been involved in running two national conferences organised by the Wanganui Association, as well as organising the overseas conference held at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast in the late 1980s.

“It has been a very enjoyable time and has kept me connected to the local

business world, acting as a Chartered Accountant to a large number of plumbing firms over this period,” says Brian.

He has made many connections with long-time local plumbing identities, including John Buchanan and Des Wink of Wanganui Plumbing Ltd; John Wadey, his father Maurie, and uncle Des of Wadey Bros Ltd; Ron King; and Palmer family Neville, Malcolm and father Nelson of Palmers Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Brian was made a Life Member of Master Plumbers in 2016.

Above: Brian Rhodes.

simPRO on the road

simPRO’s Roadshows reveal new innovations.

Over 100 people braved the unexpected wild weather to attend simPRO’s April Roadshows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as simPRO NZ General Manager Richard Pratley and Global Head of Product Dale Newman showcased the technology company’s recent innovations.

SMS Made Easy, simPRO’s latest release, was featured. This enables users to send text messages to clients and workers from within simPRO for better communication at a lower cost.

Attendees were also given exclusive previews of upcoming simPRO innovations, designed to further improve everyday processes and business efficiency. These new features will be released over the coming months.

The simPRO Roadshows will be back on 16-18 October. You can register your interest by emailing admin.nz@simpro.co To find out more about simPRO SMS Made Easy, call simPRO on 0800 100 854 or visit simpro.co.nz/features/sms

Above: Richard Pratley presenting at the April Roadshows.

Platinum Partner

Best in Brand

Are you up for the next prize?

“Made my day!” said Mike Wilson of F.B. Hall on learning he was this edition’s Best in Brand prize winner. Check out the super cool use of the Master Plumbers’ branding on this F.B. Hall & Co ute.

Your turn next If you want to be in to win the next $200 Prezzy Card prize voucher, just send in a photo or two showing how you’re using the Master Plumbers’ brand on your vehicles, workwear or signage.

Email them to Sarah Rowe by Friday 13 July 2018: srowe@masterplumbers.org.nz

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June/July 2018

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

At the CPD roadshows

Master Plumbers and Masterlink have a joint stand at the PGDB & Mico CPD Roadshow.

With the PGDB & Mico CPD training sessions kicking off in early May for the 2018 nationwide roadshow, it’s been great to have our brand-new display stand at the travelling trade show.

Members of the Masterlink and Master Plumbers teams are manning the stand, promoting the benefits of joining Master Plumbers and of taking on a Masterlink apprentice.

Find roadshow dates at www.pgdb.co.nz/trade/cpd and we look forward to seeing you there.

ROOF & BALCONY

DRAINS LARGE DIAMETER BRONZE FLANGE

Above: The new Masterlink/Master Plumbers stand display.

New Business Development Manager After five years with Master Plumbers, Business Development Manager Catherine Schuster is leaving at the end of this month to pursue exciting new ventures in Australia. Catherine has been a real asset to Master Plumbers and we thank her for all her hard work, dedication and commitment to the role.

We are pleased to report that Catherine will continue to manage NZ Plumber advertising Above: Our new Business Development Manager, until November.

Steve Rushworth.

We’d like to introduce you to our new Business Development Manager Steve Rushworth, who joined us in early June. Steve comes to us from Mico, where he worked for 17 years, the last four as a Branch Manager. Steve brings a wealth of experience to the table, with 20 years in the plumbing industry. Welcome Steve!

Steve’s contact details are: • srushworth@masterplumbers.org.nz • 027 839 8398

SMALL DIAMETER BRONZE FLANGE BALCONY ALLTHROUGH

SUREFLOW

RAINWATER SYSTEMS allproof.com

Platinum Partners Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Platinum Partners for their support:

Gold Partners Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Gold Partners for their support:

Silver Partners Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ thanks the following Silver Partners for their support:

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June/July 2018

IN FOCUS

Metal in the water

Action is being taken to address heavy metals leaching into drinking water from plumbing pipes and fixtures—but is it enough?

NEW ZEALAND’S DRINKING water contains low concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, nickel, copper, cadmium and antimony.

“Traces of metals, in particular lead, are of concern because over time they pose a potential health risk, especially if consumed from childhood,” noted a 2010 Ministry of Health technical report.

The report went on to say that research carried out by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research had shown some New Zealand supplies contained minute traces of lead that are near to, or exceed, the maximum acceptable level (MAV) specified in the Drinking-water Standards.

MAVs for heavy metals are calculated assuming chronic (ie, long-term) exposure. Infants, children up to six and pregnant women are the most susceptible to the adverse health effects of lead, so its MAV is calculated using an infant’s bodyweight.

Lead in household fittings The lead referred to in the report does not come from the water supplies themselves, but mainly from metals in some household

fittings that may be dissolved and absorbed by the water—in other words, taps or fittings that connect the taps to the pipes.

The amount of lead that will dissolve from a fitting depends on: • how plumbosolvent the water is • the temperature of the water • the composition of the plumbing fittings • how long the water has been in contact with it. >

plumbosolvent water is a category of drinking-water in which metals of health concern are generally found in the first portion of water collected from the tap June/July 2018

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IN FOCUS

Plumbosolvent water is a category of drinking-water in which metals of health concern are generally found in the first portion of water collected from the tap, but occur at a much lower concentration after flushing the tap.

Plumbosolvency is typically associated with lead being dissolved into drinking water from fittings within the house.

This is not a new issue, but there is growing concern about poor quality plumbing fittings being installed in Kiwi homes escalating this risk.

“The brass from which taps are made is the source of some of the heavy metals,” noted the report. “Lead is added to some brass alloys to make them more easily machined. Tap components are made from a range of alloys with differing lead content.

“In New Zealand, some brass components used in the manufacture of plumbing fittings have contained up to 4% lead, in the past. In the United States, brass with a lead content of up to 8% is permitted. The levels of lead leached from brass rise as the lead content increases.

Other metal traces “Nickel is the heavy metal that appears at an elevated concentration most frequently after lead in drinking waters.

Some brass alloys may contain traces of nickel, but the major source is likely to be the nickel- or chromium- plated surfaces of the tap.

“Cadmium can be present as a trace impurity in zinc. As the two main components of brass are copper and zinc, small amounts cadmium may be released from brass.

“Some of the copper that is present in water drawn from a tap will arise from dissolution of the brass, but unlike the other metals, there is another major source of copper in (cold water) plumbing systems—copper pipes.”

Copper roof and guttering materials may also leach copper into rainwater collected for a home’s water supply.

However, the Ministry of Health has stated that copper is much less of a health concern than other heavy metals.

While the health effects of heavy metals are the primary concern of the Drinking-water Standards, highly plumbosolvent water also exacts an economic toll, as it may cause failures in reticulation networks, and domestic or industrial plumbing systems.

About the author: This article has been produced with the assistance and input of Noel Roberts, Technical Manager at Water New Zealand, a not-forprofit organisation that promotes and represents organisations within the water industry in New Zealand.

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June/July 2018

highly plumbosolvent water also exacts an economic toll, as it may cause failures in reticulation networks

Addressing leaching risks The majority of New Zealand water supplies do not treat for plumbosolvency—water's capacity to dissolve lead. In the UK, over 95% of water supplies, and in the US over half of the water supplies, have been dosed with 1 milligram per litre of phosphate since the early 1990s to reduce the amount of lead and copper being corroded from fittings and pipes, or from the solder used to join copper pipes.

Adding phosphates to the drinking water as a corrosion inhibitor prevents the leaching of lead and copper from pipes and fixtures. Inorganic phosphates (eg, phosphoric acid, zinc phosphate, and sodium phosphate) are added to the water to create orthophosphate, which forms a protective coating of insoluble mineral scale on the inside of service lines and household plumbing.

The coating serves as a liner that keeps corrosion elements in water from dissolving some of the metal in the drinking water.

As a result, lead and copper levels in the water will remain low.

There are test methods which New Zealand water suppliers are periodically required to carry out to see if plumbosolvency is an issue for them. The New Zealand Drinking Water Standards has a table of MAVs (Maximum Acceptable Values) for many chemicals, including metals.

As lead is most frequently found at concentrations exceeding 50% of its MAV, this puts it into the Priority 2b category, which then requires a monitoring programme.

Many New Zealand water suppliers place an advert in papers periodically notifying the public of the recommendation to flush the first mug full of water from a tap before drinking if the water has been sitting in the fitting for more than six hours.

BRANZ is currently putting together a project proposal to randomly test new plumbing fittings for leaching of heavy metals. This came about as a result of concerns they have of the quality of fittings being imported into New Zealand against AS/NZS 3500 and AS/NZS 4010 (testing of products for use in contact with drinking water).

It is estimated that dosing phosphate to protect from corrosion alone saves $20 for every $1 spent. In the US, this equates to an estimated $4 billion in savings to homeowners.

IN FOCUS

Message to consumers New Zealand consumers may be familiar with seeing a message of this kind in their local paper from their local water supplier: “Plumbosolvent waters are slightly acidic waters that can dissolve metals that they come into contact with.

“Some plumbing fittings have the potential to allow minute traces of metals to accumulate in water sitting in the fittings when taps are unused for several hours.

“Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health Drinking-water Standards recommends that you flush a mugful of water from your drinking-water tap each morning before use, to remove any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings.

“All households are advised to take this precaution, whether they are on public or private water supply.”

Health effects of lead “Lead is a general toxin that accumulates in the skeleton. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it and its inorganic compounds as possible human carcinogens, but lead also has other toxic effects. These include interference in metabolic activities, and toxicity to both the central and peripheral nervous systems, causing neurological and behavioural effects. There is some evidence that exposure to lead depresses the intellectual capacity of children.”

Plumbosolvency: Technical Fact Sheet, Ministry of Health

Above: BRANZ is putting together a project proposal to randomly test new plumbing fittings for leaching of heavy metals. Master Plumbers is also investigating testing options.

there is growing concern about poor quality plumbing fittings being installed in Kiwi homes

Substandard product concerns Recent media coverage in Australia has highlighted concerns around health risks of lead. An article this March in Western Australia’s Courier Mail referred to a US study of lead levels in more than 14,000 Americans over 20 years, which found that even very low levels of lead (between one and five micrograms per decilitre of blood) increase risk of premature death.

Cardiovascular death risk was raised by 70% by higher levels of lead exposure, according to the study. “Based on the findings, the researchers estimated that each year more than 250,000 Americans died from heart disease due to traces of the toxic metal in the environment,” reported the article.

NSW civil and environmental engineering professor Stuart Kahn noted that it was common for lead to enter drinking water from old pipes and other plumbing materials, particularly where poor procedures had been used for welding and soldering.

He went on to say Australian water-quality managers could not afford to be complacent, especially with school plumbing systems where students come back after the long summer break to potentially warm, stagnant water in the system.

In another article in The Sunday Times, WA Master Plumbers CEO Murray Thomas said governments had to step up to

protect public health and safety, which was being put at risk by “the flood of cheap taps and other noncompliant parts that leach lead and other toxic metals into drinking water”.

Australia has a compulsory WaterMark scheme, which penalises plumbers found to be installing non-compliant products. Despite this, Australia is experiencing a plumbing product crisis, due to a “massive loophole” that enables hardware stores to sell non WaterMark certified taps and other plumbing products, and for builders and developers to import container loads of non-compliant product, according to the article.

The Australian Building Codes Board is currently assessing the feasibility of point-of-sale laws that will penalise retailers for stocking non WaterMark products. In April, it also began a national investigation into potential sources of lead in plumbing materials, prompted by lead contamination in the drinking water at Perth Children’s Hopsital, which was likely to have been caused by ring main pipes or brass plumbing fittings installed at the new hospital.

A subsequent report noted that lead leaching into drinking water “is a potentially significant public health issue”. ■

June/July 2018

15

IN FOCUS

Vertical construction risk With another high-profile vertical construction company placed in receivership, the new retention rules will be put to the test.

FORMER HAWKINS COMPANY, the Orange-H Group, was placed in receivership in May, owing creditors around $30 million.

Its collapse comes just three months after Fletcher Building announced it would not bid for any more major vertical construction projects after making huge losses on existing projects.

“With these high-profile failures and the Mainzeal collapse in 2013, questions need to be asked about why these vertical construction companies are struggling to perform profitably in boom times for the construction industry,” says Master Plumbers’ CEO Greg Wallace.

Subcontractors doing work for head contractors have typically faced losing their retention payments if the head contractor goes under. “The withholding of retention money has always been something of a concern for contractors and subcontractors,” says construction law specialist Dr Gigi Fenster.

“If a main contractor goes insolvent, what rights do subcontractors have to their retention money? At the time of Mainzeal’s liquidation, the company owed substantial sums in retention money to its subcontractors. As the law then stood, these subcontractors were not secured creditors, and had to join the pool of creditors who were owed money.”

While the Mainzeal liquidation was playing out, a Bill amending the Construction Contracts Act was making its way through the Parliamentary process. It was decided to include new rules on retention payments into this Bill, in an effort to protect people who have retention held against them—particularly in the event of a liquidation.

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June/July 2018

The new rules were introduced in 2015, but only came into effect at the end of March 2017. They apply only to contracts entered into after 31 March 2017, and only to commercial construction contracts.

This means that subcontractors who entered into work with Orange-H before 31 March 2017 won’t have access to the added protection of the new retention regime.

“Our company has four jobs at the moment where retentions were due and we have had to chase and put pressure on the main contractors who I am sure are just holding on to the money for another month to get the interest on it,” says Colleen Upton, General Manager of Hutt Gas and Plumbing.

“If we don’t get our money owed we could have kissed goodbye to $400k plus in the last four years. That’s $100k a year for something that is not our fault, not due to poor workmanship, not due to lack of delivery of a quality product—but due to mainstream, supposed good-quality builders going belly-up.”

What the rules provide

Under the new regime, if a contractor wishes to hold retention against a subcontractor (or principal against a contractor), the person holding retention must hold the money ‘on trust’. This does not mean that the money must be put into a separate trust account, but it must

be in the form of cash or assets that can be readily converted into cash. Proper accounts must be maintained, and must be made available for inspection. The money cannot be used for any purpose other than to rectify defects.

The new rules also provide for the repayment of retention money. Under these rules, it is prohibited for the retention to be returned later than the date on which the subcontractor has completed their obligations under the contract—even if the main contract still has a way to go.

If retention is not repaid on the date agreed in the contract, interest is payable.

The new law provides that you cannot contract out of the retention regime.

There is just one exception to this: retention does not need to be held on trust if some other form of security, such as a bank guarantee, payment bond or insurance is provided as security for the return for the retention money.

The latest construction company receivership will be a test of how well the new retention regime works in practice. ■ When tendering for contracts with head contractors, subcontractors are strongly advised to use the SA-2017 Subcontract Agreement (see page 58). If you are presented with a contract and are unsure about any of the terms and conditions, seek advice before signing.

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REAL LIVES

Cold as ice

“Carefully” and “sparingly” are watchwords when it comes to using plumbing materials in the Antarctic, Ross Miller explains.

FOUR NEW ZEALAND Army plumbers have developed the skills to be able to use precision tools while wearing the heavy protective gear required in the sub-zero temperatures of the Antarctic.

Heavy gloves do not make it easy to work with welders, or even simple spanners, but there is no choice in the matter when the average March temperature at McMurdo Station is -17ºC. The plumbers were among 22 New Zealand Defence Force engineers and tradespeople on a six-week deployment to the ice to assist with infrastructure repair and replacement at the US Antarctic scientific research centre, located on the southern tip of Ross Island. McMurdo accommodates over 1,000 scientists and support personnel during summer.

Always lurking in the back of the mind, says Lance Corporal Michael Whitehead, is that materials have to be used very carefully and sparingly, as delivery is by long-distance plane and can only be made over the six weeks of the summer season.

Flights over the winter months are severely restricted.

The plumbers undertook a variety of tasks on the dormitories at McMurdo. The majority of the plumbing work was maintenance, to make sure the existing plumbing lasts well into the future.

“Other tasks included ensuring all indoor and outdoor

Above: Working on the 6km fuel supply line.

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June/July 2018

Above, from left: Lance Corporal Whitehead, Sapper Dugand and Corporal Eltherington levelling fuel stanchions.

pipework is thoroughly insulated and the dormitory boiler working efficiently; refitting existing toilets in the shared dormitory bathrooms; and resealing shower liners and trays from existing leaks,” he explains.

Working in the extremely cold climate makes every task much

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more challenging and time-consuming. “Due to the weather conditions, the welfare of all members had to be monitored carefully to ensure the risk of cold injuries was reduced as much as possible. Outside work was reduced where possible to eliminate the risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

“It was challenging working outside in extreme cold weather gear, which restricts movement and dexterity. Working with limited resources and tools was very challenging and encouraged us to think of other solutions to get tasks completed during our deployment.”

The contingent also worked on sections of a 6km fuel supply line running from New Zealand’s Scott Base research support station to McMurdo. Significant movement of the terrain over the years had placed the fuel line under stress, so the fuel stanchion brackets needed realigning to ensure the line would stay working for years to come.

Other work included building a timber bridge for use by NZDF drivers when offloading the annual supplies brought in by cargo ship.

Working in such a different environment was a great experience, which all members of the team enjoyed, says Lance Corporal Whitehead. It broadened trade knowledge for all members of the contingent. “We learnt how different countries apply their trade skills and codes of practice compared to how we work back in New Zealand. Being forced to work out of our comfort zone was very challenging at times.” ■

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TECHNICAL THEME

UP ON THE ROOF With many plumbers involved in roof and spouting work, we take a closer look at roof flashings, spouting, and how to ensure a well-designed and well-constructed roof.

In this section

21 22 26

Spouting success tips Roof flashings Cold roofs? Warm roofs?

TECHNICAL PAGE THEME TAG

Spouting success tips Marley’s Tai Tulaga provides tips for ensuring a top-performing spouting installation.

MARLEY HAS BEEN a trusted provider of spouting and downpipes to Kiwis for over 40 years, so choosing Marley for your next install is an easy decision.

Installed correctly, the system will provide you and your customers with the confidence that it will do what it is intended to do: safely and securely taking rainwater from the roof to a stormwater drain or collection tank.

However, there are some key things to do to make sure the installation process runs smoothly. Here are some common issues and how to avoid or rectify them.

1.

Spouting sags and dips

Ensure you have the correct number of brackets for the job.

500mm spacing for normal installations, 300mm for high-wind areas. Make sure the expansion joiners, corners, and expansion outlets are well-supported.

2. Spouting holds water

0.5mm/metre fall is all you need to ensure water flows to your rainwater outlets.

3.

Joins pull apart

Expansion joiners must be used in long spouting runs over 12 metres where there is no expansion outlet.

4. Spouting pulls out of outlet

Ensure the spouting going into the expansion outlet is cut to the correct temperature setting marked on the inside of the outlet. This will allow for enough expansion and contraction of the spouting within the outlet.

5.

Leaking joins and corners

Marley MCS® solvent is the only one to use and is required for the Marley 15 year guarantee. Both the spouting and fitting surfaces need solvent applied to them. Then push them together for 20-30 seconds in order to achieve the correct bond and a watertight seal.

6. Misaligned downpipes

Above: Marley Typhoon® spouting and RP80® downpipes in black. Marley systems won’t rust, look great and are very low maintenance.

Often, downpipes don't line up nicely with the stormwater connection, or need to 'bend' around obstructions. Use Marley's compact 43° male and female bends for narrower angles or soffits. Adjustable downpipe clips also provide much greater flexibility, especially when dealing with variations in cladding types.

Above: The new Marley Curve™ leaf diverter in Grey Friars®.

Extra things to consider when planning your installation: is it surrounded by trees, which could drop leaves and debris into the spouting and cause blockages? If so, consider installing the new Marley Curve™ leaf diverter.

Also, the award-winning Marley Twist® is an ideal option for capturing free rainwater in a small tank for gardening or emergency supply.

All the best with your next install and remember, a job done right is a job well done!

About the author: Tai Tulaga is a Marley Territory Manager.

For more detailed installation and product information, please visit www.marley.co.nz/ rainwater or call 0800 MARLEY.

June/July 2018

21

PAGE TAG THEME TECHNICAL

Roof flashings

Flashings play a vital role in keeping water out of buildings. Follow this useful guide to check the requirements for roof flashings in Acceptable Solution A2/AS1. By Alide Elkink.

THE TYPE OF roof flashings required depends on what part of the roof is being flashed and what the roofing material is.

Apron flashings

Horizontal apron flashings must: • extend over profiled metal roofing (see Figure 1) for: o 130mm (excluding the soft edge) in low (L), medium (M) and high (H) wind zones where the roof pitch is 10° or more – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 1 o 200mm (excluding the soft edge) in L, M and H wind zones where the roof pitch is less than or equal to 10° – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 2 o 200mm (excluding the soft edge) for all roof pitches in Very High (VH) and Extra High (EH) wind zones – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 3 • extend over clay and concrete tiles for 150mm minimum and have the lead flashing dressed into the pans – E2/AS1 Figure 26(b).

Figure 2: Apron flashing at roof/wall junction—parallel flashing.

•

for metal tiles, have a 40mm minimum upstand and a minimum overflashing cover of 35mm – E2/AS1 Figure 35(a).

Hems and hooks A hem or hook is required to flashing upstands in L, M, H and VH wind zones in addition to the dimension set out in E2/AS1.

Alternatively, the upstand dimension may be increased by 25mm.

In EH wind zones, flashing upstands must have both a hem or hook and a 25mm increase to the upstand dimension.

Cap flashings Figure 1: Apron flashing at roof/wall junction—horizontal flashing.

Raked metal apron flashings must have tapered stop-ends to the lower end of the flashing to divert water away from the back of the upstand and into the gutter and have a 5° minimum crossfall (see Roof-to-wall junction in Build 160).

Metal tiles Metal tiles must be installed with a 40mm minimum upstand and a minimum overflashing cover of 35mm – E2/AS1 Figure 35(b).

Parallel to roof slope Apron flashings that are installed parallel to the roof slope must: • for profiled metal roofing (see Figure 2), extend over at least two crests – E2/AS1 Table 7 and Figures 47 and 48 • extend over clay and concrete tiles for 150mm minimum and have the lead flashing dressed into the pans – E2/AS1 Figure 26(a) 22

June/July 2018

Under E2/AS1, cap flashings must be installed over parapets or enclosed balustrades. They may be either metal cap flashings or butyl or EPDM membrane under flashings.

Metal capping flashings are detailed in E2/AS1: Figures 9 and 10 (see Figure 3). They must have: • a minimum cross-fall across the top of 5° • drip edges to both sides—use a bird’s beak drip edge on the deck side of a balustrade • expansion joints at maximum spacings of: o 12m for light-coloured steel and stainless steel o 8m for dark-coloured steel, copper and aluminium.

cap flashings must be installed over parapets or enclosed balustrades

TECHNICAL THEME

Figure 4: Membrane under flashing to parapet/balcony wall.

Figure 3: Metal cap flashing.

Membrane under flashings (see Figure 4) must have a minimum cross-fall of 10° when used as an underflashing with a textured top coat – E2/AS1 6.5. (Note: BRANZ recommends 15° minimum).

Both metal and membrane cap flashings must: • not have any penetrations • overlap wall claddings on both sides by: o 50mm for L, M and H wind zones – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 1

o o

70mm for VH wind zones – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 2 90mm for EH wind zones – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 3.

Saddle flashings

Fabricated saddle flashings are required: • at the junction between a framed balcony wall and an adjacent wall • where parapets at different heights may intersect (see Figure 5) • at junctions of walls and joists for cantilevered timber decks.

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The flashing must extend 125mm back up under the roofing and have a 35mm overlap to the back upstand of the gutter – E2/AS1 Figure 45(a).

Figure 5: Fabricated saddle flashing to framed balcony/wall junction or at intersection between different height parapets.

Details for saddle flashings are provided in E2/AS1 Figures 11 (which gives the internal corner flashing requirements below the saddle), 12 and 16.

Barge flashings

E2/AS1 barge flashings (see Figure 6) must have a minimum overlap over the barge or fascia board of: • 50mm for L, M and H wind zones where the roof pitch is 10° or more – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 1 and Figure 47 • 70mm for L, M and H wind zones where the roof pitch is less than or equal to 10° and all roof pitches for VH wind zones – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 2 and Figure 47 • 90mm for all roof pitches for EH wind zones – E2/AS1 Table 7, Situation 3 and Figure 47.

Figure 7: Eaves flashing.

Ridge and hip roof flashings

Ridge and hip flashings (see Figure 8) for profiled metal roofing must provide a minimum cover as for apron flashings. They must have: • soft edges dressed to a corrugated profile – E2/AS1 Figure 41 • the edges turned down and notched to accurately match a trapezoidal profile, leaving a 5mm gap between the flashing and the cladding – E2/AS1 Figure 42.

Figure 8:: Ridge/hip flashing (non-vented).

Figure 6: Barge flashing.

Barge flashing cover over roofing is the same as for apron flashings installed parallel to the roof slope.

Eaves flashings

E2/AS1 requires eaves flashing (see Figure 7) to be installed with long-run profiled metal roofing in VH or EH wind zones where the roof slope is 10° or less and the soffit width is 100mm or less from the cladding.

24

June/July 2018

All troughs ending under a ridge or hip flashing of profiled metal roofing must be turned up.

Metal tile roofs must be installed with preformed ridge caps of 35mm over 40mm minimum metal tile upstands – as detailed in E2/AS1 Figure 34.

Clay and concrete tiles must have a ridge tile as shown in E2/ AS1 Figure 23, bedded in mortar with weepholes at the pan of each tile. © BRANZ Build 161, August 2017

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TECHNICAL THEME

Cold roofs?

Warm roofs?

HIGH MOISTURE LEVELS and consequential mould growth have become an issue in some newly-built residential roof spaces in New Zealand. They are often caused by: • not enough indoor ventilation in increasingly airtight new buildings (see Build 158 Airflow through ceilings) • a ceiling that is permeable to this moist air • a relatively airtight roof cavity.

This constitutes a dire threesome.

A triple whammy Moist air from the living quarters can easily move upwards into the attic space through openings such as old-style downlights and become trapped there. If surface temperatures then drop below the dew point temperature, condensation will occur.

Construction moisture can also be an issue. Wet timber that is closed in too early, combined with an airtight roof space, is a major concern. This problem often remains undetected, since visits to the roof space are rare.

The industry is aware of this phenomenon, and there are a number of strategies to reduce the risk. BRANZ has also covered this topic in science seminars on ventilation in 2017, the Build article mentioned above and in the Design, science, build feature in Build 157.

Warm roofs and condensation One strategy is a so-called warm roof as described in Build

161, Don’t be cool about warm roofs. Properly designed and well-constructed, these roofs avoid condensation issues as the insulation layer is positioned outside the structure. There is no cavity below the roof cladding that is exposed to the outside climate.

However, fibreglass insulation pushed hard against the cladding does not constitute a warm roof. This practice is still found in some buildings but must be avoided at all costs.

Clarifying the physics behind this should explain why.

Ventilated roof design Let’s start by describing a typical New Zealand metal-clad roof. The assembly of metal cladding, roof underlay and wire mesh, mounted on top of the purlins creates a space above the insulation. This space can be very large for normal truss roof spaces or a few millimetres deep in a skillion roof design (see Figure 1).

The space created in between the roof cladding and the insulation is more or less ventilated and exposed to the outside climate. Consequently, this space will get cold when the outside temperature drops, only moderated by the heat loss through the ceiling insulation layer. If the surfaces get cold enough, condensation will form.

In techspeak, we say that the condensing surface—the underside of the roof cladding—is not controlled. Any condensation that may occur will need to be removed by ventilation.

FIgure 1: Construction of skillion roof to allow air movement across top of insulation.

26

June/July 2018

What’s the main difference between roof construction options? BRANZ explains the science.

By Stephan Rupp.

FIgure 2: Comparison of vented and unvented roof designs.

It is obvious that this cold roof space should be decoupled from the internal, conditioned building space. An airtight ceiling will prevent a flow of potentially moist air into this space, and insulation will minimise heat losses.

Unvented roofs Warm roofs, on the other hand, should be regarded as unvented roofs. The design is such that condensation will not form on the underside of the roof cladding. We say that the condensing surface is controlled, and this can be achieved in two ways: • An appropriate, rigid and weathertight insulation can be installed on top of the roof cladding, keeping the iron warm enough not to form condensation. The condensing surface is controlled by temperature.

• An air-impermeable, spray-foam type insulation can be installed on the underside of the roof deck and in direct contact with it, which leaves no gaps. The crucial airimpermeable aspect means that moist air can’t reach the roof deck to condense on it. The condensing surface is controlled by humidity.

The second method is uncommon in New Zealand, but it is important to understand that any air-permeable insulation product is not a suitable replacement. Moist air can easily flow through the insulation layer to reach the cold roof deck to form condensation in direct contact with the insulation, spelling trouble.

Since the second approach doesn’t actually entail a warm roof cladding, it is preferable to talk of an unvented roof design. We can then classify roof designs as summarised in Figure 2.

Key points when designing a roof In brief, when designing roofs, it is important to understand: • which surfaces can get cold • whether moist air can get to these surfaces to condense • whether this condensation can be quickly removed without accumulating. © BRANZ Build 164, February 2018

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Pitching camp Completing a project that aims to set new standards for sustainable tourism has proved a real winner for Optum Plumbing. By Matthew Lowe.

28

June/July 2018

of camping, cabins, group gathering and retail services in this township of around 350 people. Construction at the campsite began in October 2014 and work on the accommodation finished in mid-March this year, when the first official guests arrived.

“Around 300 different trade suppliers were engaged throughout Camp Glenorchy’s creation and, over the course of the build, around 2,500 people worked on the project,” says Nigel.

Specialist plumbing requirements

Wanaka-based Optum Plumbing’s efforts to complete all the plumbing, draining, heating and solar work at the campsite earned them the Project of the Year title at the 2018 New Zealand Plumbing Awards.

Optum Managing Director Kevin Henderson says he is proud that he and his staff played a part in revamping the site after first getting involved in February 2016.

Above: Debbi and Paul Brainerd have used the latest technology to create a sustainable campsite.

Photographs courtesy of The Headwaters.

CAMP GLENORCHY IS the vision of Paul and Debbi Brainerd, philanthropists from America who are passionate about the environment, education and technology.

Situated in the small Glenorchy township at the northern end of Otago’s Lake Wakatipu, the campground has been transformed in the past few years using energy-efficient, innovative systems, and is registered under the Net Zero Energy certification pathway.

Nigel Murray, Camp Glenorchy’s expeditor, says the Brainerds wanted to revitalise the site in accordance with the Living Building Challenge, which is recognised as the toughest environmental building design certification in the world. It has been designed with the aim of using 50% less energy and 50% less water than standard accommodation facilities.

“As keen travellers they visited many sustainably designed buildings around the world, seeing how other people were adopting environmental design. They said they often found these buildings to be a little stark or a little unfriendly, so at Camp Glenorchy they wanted to integrate the latest technology, while also delivering a warm, friendly experience to guests.”

Camp Glenorchy is part of The Headwaters, a revitalisation

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Camp Glenorchy and solar garden photographs courtesy of The Headwaters.

“This project had to cover many aspects of renewable energy, with a knowledge of solar hot water, PV solar, ground source heating, wastewater, rainwater harvesting, water filtration and treatment and the control of the various sections,” he says.

“This was a highly complex project, using various pipework and components, so knowing how each piece of the ‘puzzle’ would operate and react while operating was highly specialised.”

Composting toilets at the camp are expected to save about 30,000 litres of water each year. All rainwater is collected in three large in-ground water tanks, then pumped and filtered for irrigation, and UV treated to NZ Drinking-water Standards for the potable water supply.

“The layout and design had to be strictly adhered to as every litre of water, flow rate, pipe diameter, every pump, every watt of power, everything had to be accounted for, to maintain the Living Building Challenge approach that our clients wanted,” Kevin says.

“The design by Steve Jarvis of HDS covered all of the hydronic parts of the project, including the solar, ground source heating, water filtration, pumps, heating bores, the waste treatment, the wetlands, each cabin having a small ground source heat pump to boost the district heating… the list could go on.

“For example, the thermal solar heated the water for the camp and cabins, but when there was excess it could be diverted to the large common building underfloor heating pipework or back into the ground source bores to use as a heat sink.” >

Above: The solar garden at Camp Glenorchy is believed to be the South Island’s largest.

Above: Workers installing the composting toilets in the basement of the ‘Dunnies n’ Showers’ building at the campsite.

Above: Recycled building materials, including wood from post-quake Christchurch, have been used at Camp Glenorchy.

June/July 2018

29

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Optum staff sourced many products for the scheme from overseas and the team had to plan meticulously to make sure they had what they needed at the right time.

“Orders had to be carried out well in advance to make sure there was stock in NZ and materials could get to the site on time,” Kevin says. “There were products from the USA and various countries in Europe. The ground source heat pumps came from the UK, PAW Friwa ring main pump stations from the USA, solar from Europe, all pipework for waste and water was Rehau and the plant rooms were in Kempress copper. A lot of research was carried out by the owners to specify certain materials.

“The location of the project, 40km from the nearest suppliers and labour, also had an impact on materials, with no local plumbing merchants in the area. Each day had to be planned meticulously in advance to ensure that all materials had been sourced and were on site ready to install.”

days. The team had to work around the conditions to maintain the integrity of the pipework—especially the district heating pipework which ran around the camp, feeding each of the cabins and utility buildings.

“There is a massive amount of pipework in the ground including the sewer, stormwater, ground source, irrigation, water main, district heating and greywater. The weather would slow down the process and sometimes the pipe would have to be ‘warmed up’ just to be able to uncoil or straighten the pipes out.

“On days when it was impossible to work on the outside— like when it snowed—the team had plenty to do in the cabin basement plant rooms and utility buildings.”

Lukas Kirchner was foreman of the project for Optum and was on site for the duration of the contract along with his colleague Joe Bradshaw. Eight other Optum staff were involved on and off as required.

Winter weather challenges

Setting high standards

Kevin says Optum feels very privileged to have been part of the Camp Glenorchy project and to have helped the Brainerds bring their vision to reality.

“When people do the tour and walk around the completed project, they only see the ‘finished article’. It would be difficult for anyone to understand the amount of pipework they are walking over around the camp, what is under the floors or in the walls of the buildings. I absolutely believe that what our clients envisioned from the start and have delivered to the community

Photograph by Optum Plumbing.

Besides meeting stringent design standards to ensure the campsite achieves its sustainability goals, including producing as much energy as it uses, the weather proved to be the most challenging aspect of the project, according to Kevin.

“The main issue in the winter was getting to the project in the icy road conditions. There were also periods of harsh frost where we would have to wait until later in the morning to carry out any ground works or work on the pipework,” he says.

“There would be heavy ‘West Coast rain’ and extremely hot

Above: Solar thermal collector arrays have been installed on the cabins.

30

June/July 2018

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

of Glenorchy, has set a very high standard for building in New Zealand.”

He is delighted with the company’s win at the 2018 New Zealand Plumbing Awards held in Hamilton in March.

“We have won awards previously, but the best awards to win are the ones where you are judged by your peers, who know what it takes to carry out all the tasks in a large-scale project like this.

“This project is probably a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most companies, but the dedication, perseverance and high standard of workmanship carried out by our team makes me extremely proud to have them in the Optum team. Camp Glenorchy is a legacy project that will be around for many years and that we will be proud to associate ourselves with.”

Nigel Murray says Optum’s award is a great reflection of their work.

“We know the project has been much admired. It’s been a tall order to achieve integration of so many different types of plumbing systems in a remote location,” he says.

“Optum also embraced the challenge of integrating a control monitoring system that now allows us to continually analyse and make improvements across our heating, water supply and discharge systems.” ■

Photograph by Optum Plumbing.

the location of the project, 40km from the nearest suppliers and labour, also had an impact on materials

Above: Inside the heating plantroom.

Performance monitoring To achieve Living Building Challenge imperatives, Camp Glenorchy has been created through a process of collaboration. In contrast to typical building projects that involve architects, designers, engineers and tradespeople working in silos, Camp Glenorchy’s approach also included local artists, craftspeople, and energy management specialists.

Staff at the picturesque site are now working to make sure it meets its environmental goals as guests make use of the facilities. “With the design and build components complete, our focus is now on ongoing monitoring of our sustainable operating systems,” says Camp Glenorchy’s expeditor Nigel Murray.

“Camp Glenorchy is really like a living laboratory which continually measures, and will soon begin to share, the performance of a wide range of carefully selected sustainable building systems and our progress towards Net Zero energy.

“While these systems most immediately benefit our environment and our guests, our goal is that our experience from their use also generates significant value to wider

national and international tourism, architecture and building communities.

“After 12 months of operation we’ll apply for Living Building Challenge certification of achievement of the ‘petals’ we’re working towards, which are water, energy and beauty.”

Nigel says that among the challenges faced in completing the Camp Glenorchy project, one was the training and education of tradespeople and installers.

Significant time was spent at the outset of the project to explain the principles behind the Living Building Challenge and defining specifications for suppliers’ work and materials in order to achieve the camp’s targets.

“A project like this has to engage every key partner and supplier from the very outset, to ensure the sustainability vision is understood and shared,” he says.

“There are lots and lots of small gains to be made when taking a sustainable approach and, wherever you choose to place yourself on the Living Building Challenge scale, the gains will be apparent—especially once the building or project is operational.”

June/July 2018

31

REAL LIVES

True professional Customer-focus, neat and tidy workmanship, and a passion for mentoring apprentices make Mike Goldsworthy a stand-out tradesman.

By Shelley Burt.

“I’M PERSONALLY VERY proud of Mike’s achievements. It’s a privilege working with such a positive professional who displays exceptional trade knowledge and a vision for the future,” says Tania Jones, General Manager of Taumarunui Plumbing Ltd. Tania is referring to company employee Mike Goldsworthy, who recently won Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer of the Year 2018 at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards. Looking back, the journey from working in a supermarket to Plumber of the Year has surprised Mike, who thought he would give plumbing “a three-month trial” to see if he liked it. He loved it, and three months has turned into a career of over 13 years to date.

Positive relationships

Some of his Mike’s drivers are being customer-focused and ensuring satisfaction by working to the best of his abilities and maintaining a positive attitude. He always takes care to explain what he’s going to do beforehand and follows through with explanations as he goes.

He also places high value on clean and tidy workmanship and the professionalism conveyed by wearing a uniform—leaving customers with a great impression.

Wide-ranging skills

As well as becoming a Tradesman Plumber, Certifying Gasfitter (the only one in the region) and Certifying Drainlayer, Mike has successfully completed additional training, including electrical Associated Tradesperson, Air Tech sewage treatment systems, Solid Fuel Appliance Installation Technician and Solar Installer Certification. He also has Heavy Traffic and Dangerous Goods licences.

“Living in a rural town has its challenges for tradespeople.

We’ve probably only got about 8,000 people, so we struggle to get specialised tradespeople here. That means we’ve got to pick up the slack,” says Mike. He relates the need for these additional skills back to the needs of his customers. “We might travel an hour-and-a-half out of town to a job, so we need to be a onestop shop.”

Project management

“Mike is a valued tradesman, who brings life to the industry,” says Tania. “He is an ambassador, not only for our company, but for the industry, as he acts with integrity and consistency. He is also highly respected within the industry and is known in the community for his leadership and project management skills.”

With the company’s support, Mike has been offered many learning opportunities and enjoys problem-solving. Some larger jobs, such as hot water units for ablution blocks, new houses, 32

June/July 2018

Above: Plumber of the Year 2018, Mike Goldsworthy.

living in a rural town has its challenges for tradespeople underfloor heating, radiators and fire installations, involve design, installation and organising other trades. One challenging job he enjoyed together with his boss, Paul Stephens, was undertaking a town water supply—from water source to people’s gates, including water filtration and working with electricians.

With the many opportunities for skill development, it’s understandable that he would develop a favourite. “At the moment, I really enjoy the gas side of things—like new installations, gas cooking, gas heating, and so on,” he says.

Paying it forward

There’s another area that Mike’s passionate about, and that is supporting the apprentices coming through the firm. “One of my main roles is mentoring the apprentices and passing on skills. I love it. There are three of us who do this. That way, they get to learn the different ways you can do things.”

With his focus on customer satisfaction, mentoring apprentices, continuing upskilling and the enjoyment he gets from job challenges, it’s easy to see how valuable a team member he is to Taumarunui Plumbing and the local community. ■

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NUTS & BOLTS

Discussing drainage NEW ZEALAND’S DRAINLAYING businesses welcome the integration of drainlaying into the plumbing apprentice qualification from this January. For too long, drainlaying has been an afterthought and has not been given the recognition it deserves, said Dave Strong at the NZ Plumbing Conference.

A Certifying Drainlayer and joint director of Morrinsville Plumbing and Gas Services, Dave facilitated the drainlaying technical sessions at this year’s event.

“Until now, drainlaying has only been a very small part of the plumbing qualification and yet there are plumbers doing underfloor slabs and drainage design under houses,” he said. “As drainlayers, we must ensure we always have a close working relationship with the plumber, so we know what they want to dispose of and how.”

System design A Director of the Master Plumbers Board, Dave has also delivered nationwide onsite wastewater system design and servicing courses within the Master Plumbers training timetable.

“My passion is to get more drainlayers doing septic tank and rainwater system designs,” he said at the session. “We are just as competent as engineers, if not more so, to specify these systems.”

Participants agreed. “I keep getting sent bad designs, and if I see the plan is wrong I won’t price it on principle; I’ll do the design myself,” said one. Another felt that few engineers do a proper on-site percolation test, which requires 3,000 litres of water—often not readily available on a new section.

Drainlayers carrying out wastewater treatment system design and installation currently have to supply to councils a PS3 for the installation, with the designer supplying the PS1 for the design and PS4 for an overall statement regarding the design and installation of the system.

This is a time-consuming and costly

Participants at the NZ Plumbing Conference raised several issues of concern for the drainlaying sector.

Above: One of the drainlaying sessions at the NZ Plumbing Conference.

they need to know that the potential health risks are huge if it goes wrong process for the consumer and the liability for the installation sits with the drainlayer. If drainlayers do the design then they can issue the PS1, PS3 and PS4 at the completion.

It used to be common practice for drainlayers to do standard septic tank designs. Today, with increasing wastewater treatment system products on the market, drainlayers need to keep up with what’s available, so they can continue this value-add service for clients, providing them with advice on their options.

Product suppliers also need educating about who can install systems, said one participant, with some advising homeowners they can do this themselves.

“They need to know that the potential health risks are huge if it goes wrong.”

Council inconsistencies Concerns were also expressed that some council inspectors were not qualified to comment on drainage work, as they had little expertise and tended to class it as part of the plumbing. This could result in

requests for additional work or changes that were not needed and could also lead to inconsistency with inspections. This lends weight to the need for a push for drainlayer self-certification to provide clarity and reassurance on drainage projects, says Dave.

One attendee said his firm showed the inspector how they were going to do the job before any work began to try and alleviate potential future issues. “It can add four to five days to a job following archaic requirements from inspectors who won’t listen to your rebuttal,” he said. “And this all adds to building costs, which the industry and the Government want to reduce.”

Subdivision concerns Concerns were also raised about drainage pipes on carparks, supermarkets and subdivisions being put in by civil drainlayers, who weren’t licensed to do so.

Also brought to light, was the issue of some engineers doing designs on individual subdivision properties often being unable to give drainlayers sufficient information to complete the drainage on a house. “The title is not enough,” said one participant. “It doesn’t state where the invert is, or the building floor level— also COS (check on site) is just another excuse for not doing their work correctly, leaving the design to fall in part onto the drainlayer.” ■ June/July 2018

35

NUTS & BOLTS

Cabinet heater concerns Master Plumbers has gained extensive media coverage about its call for cabinet heaters to be banned from NZ homes.

MASTER PLUMBERS WOULD like to see cabinet heaters banned from use in all New Zealand residential properties, because of the serious risks they pose to householder health and safety.

The heaters have been banned in Canada, some US States and Australia.

Master Plumbers believes New Zealand needs to follow suit and welcomes the Government’s move to review the use of these heaters in rental properties, as part of its consultation process on the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act. “The Ministry of Health warns that portable unflued gas heaters release polluting gases directly into the room that can harm your health,” says CEO Greg Wallace. “They are also a source of condensation, making homes damp.

“New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world. A 2007 study report found that the health of children with asthma improved significantly when unflued gas heaters were replaced with cleaner heating sources.

“It is not safe to use portable gas heaters in sleeping rooms or small rooms, such as bathrooms or hallways.

However, as cabinet heaters can easily be moved to any room in the house, it’s easy for you to put yourself or your family at risk.”

He says manually connecting an LPG gas bottle inside your home also creates a serious fire hazard. “If you incorrectly connect your gas bottle to your outdoor BBQ it may not have catastrophic consequences—as it’s in an open space.

But if you make the same mistake with an indoor cabinet heater it certainly could. The close proximity of the burner to the gas bottle, combined with the fact

36

June/July 2018

that gas leaks build up indoors, makes it a very real fire hazard.”

The Healthy Homes Guarantee Act, passed in December, enables the Government to set standards for rental housing quality, relating to heating, ventilation, drainage, moisture, insulation and draught stopping.

Under the Act, landlords could be banned from providing portable gas heaters, such as LPG cabinet heaters,

in rental properties, and tenancy agreements could stipulate that tenants are not allowed to use them.

However, the heaters will still be available in shops. “While these relatively cheap heaters may appear to be costeffective heating solutions, you have to weigh this up against the risk to the public. Surely the health and safety risks are too great to continue their use,” says Greg. ■

Energy Safety advice Shortly after the recent media coverage, Energy Safety released consumer advice on using LPG cabinet heaters safely. It includes advice on testing the cylinder connection after attaching the gas cylinder, checking for obvious signs of damage and what to do if you smell gas.

“If you’re using an LPG cabinet heater make sure you are using it safely. Don’t use in a small space—like a bedroom, bathroom, cabin or caravan. It’s also a good idea to ventilate and have some fresh air circulating through the room by keeping a window ajar to remove carbon dioxide emissions and reduce condensation.

“Keep your distance—keep your heater at least one metre away from anything that could catch fire and put up a safety guard if you have young children or pets, or if the area has a lot of foot traffic.

“If someone in your house has asthma, avoid using an LPG heater, the flue products can be irritating.”

Tech points

NUTS & BOLTS

This edition’s round-up of technical news in brief.

HOUSING WORK CONTRACT NOW FREE

UNSAFE TPS CABLES

If you’re a contractor, you must provide a written contract for residential building work costing $30,000 or more (inc GST).

MBIE recommends you have a contract even if the work will cost less. NZS 3902:2004 is a standard building contract you can use for clients who engage you to do work. MBIE has sponsored the standard, so you can now download it free from the Standards New Zealand website www.standards.govt.nz/sponsoredstandards/building-standards. (Although it is expected to be used mainly for house construction, it can also be used without amendment for other small building works.) Master Plumbers members can also download a residential building work contract PDF with editable fields at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (in the member log-in under Business Resources).

Following a complaint received on the compliance of electrical building wiring cable marked EESS-150102-0, Energy Safety ran an investigation and has identified this TPS cable as electrically unsafe. It has published two prohibition notices to prohibit the: • Sale, supply, offer of sale and installation of the unsafe TPS cable – with immediate effect • Use of the unsafe TPS cable – to take effect in four years, from 2 May 2022.

There is significant risk of electric shock and fire where this unsafe TPS cable is installed, which will become greater as the cable ages, it warns. The second notice gives building owners four years to replace any unsafe TPS cable.

E-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES BRANZ offers eLearning modules on a range of topics, including Restricted Building Work and the Building Control System.

Modules cost $8.50 each, take around 20 minutes to complete and include a self-assessment component. Find them at www.branz.co.nz under Education/E-Learning. Master Plumbers also offers a free E-Learning module on gas certification and gasfitting risk levels at www.masterplumbers.org.nz under Training/E-Learning

STORAGE AND HANDLING OF LP GAS Amendment 1:2018 has been published to AS/NZS 1596:2014A1. The standard specifies requirements for the location, design, construction, commissioning and operation of installations for the storage and handling of LPG.

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REAL LIVES

Wish you were here!

Virtual Plumbing recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a trip to Sydney for eating, drinking and making merry.

VIRTUAL PLUMBING IN Lower Hutt likes to celebrate staff milestones. With several team members coming up to 20 years with the company, Director Vince Cookson is introducing a reward scheme for the long-serving staff who have helped build the business.

Virtual Plumbing reaches its own 20-year milestone this year, and to mark the anniversary, Vince arranged a fun trip to Sydney in February for staff and key suppliers and contractors.

In total, 15 boarded the plane, all wearing the company’s brand-new fluorescent uniforms. They clearly created a stir, with Virtual Plumbing getting a nice plug over the intercom from the flight crew, and the group invited to the cockpit to meet the pilots on landing.

They were met at the airport by MM Kembla rep Craig Earons and taken to the factory for a tour of the copper pipe manufacturing process. “This was an eye opener for our guys,” says Virtual Plumbing's Business Manager Wei Ting. “We marvelled at the process of taking copper billets all the way to the copper pipes we use daily. Huge respect to the guys working in the factory—it was HOT!” The next day saw some grand prix style racing at Eastern Creek Karts. After a plentiful lunch, the guys got on the track for four heats and final race, with drainage team member Jake Turner taking out first place on the podium. A well-deserved Brazilian style all-you-can-eat BBQ, a look round Chinatown and some live music at Sydney’s oldest pub rounded off the day.

Day three began with a trip to Maniax for some axe throwing, “something many of us had dreamed about doing but had never experienced,” says Wei. “Jake came from behind to become the victor and claim back-to-back crowns—what a year for the new father and now Virtual Plumbing champ!”

Above: Mico rep Cory Calton presents Vince Cookson with a 20-year anniversary plaque.

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June/July 2018

Above: The 15-strong team.

Above: Meeting the pilots in the cockpit.

Above: Axe-throwing adventures.

REAL LIVES

Above: The factory tour was an eye-opener for the guys.

Above: The final evening at the Munich Brauhaus.

Once again, food and drink proved a highlight, with a quick water taxi ride past Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Munich Brauhaus for Bavarian-style food and beer served in 1-litre steins.

“This was certainly one of the best trips I have experienced with work and it would not have happened without Vince and the 20 years he has put into Virtual Plumbing,” says Wei. Now it’s back to work and things are pretty busy for the company, which specialises in commercial work. “Wellington is still going pretty strong, particularly in the commercial market.

There is a lot of earthquake strengthening and new building work, particularly in retirement village projects.” ■

Above: Water replaces champagne for the Eastern Creek Karts winners.

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INDUSTRY TALK

Two registration classes remain Master Plumbers welcomes the PGDB’s decision to keep both Tradesman and Certifying registration classes.

The Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) recently consulted on whether to keep the two Tradesman and Certifying classes of registration.

Following consultation in 2015, when industry submissions were evenly divided, the PGDB resolved to retain two classes of registration—but says it then continued to receive extensive industry feedback on the matter. As a result, it thought it important to take time to hear industry views again.

Before making its submission, Master Plumbers held a survey of its members. This showed the vast majority were in favour of keeping the two registration classes. “Having two registration levels gives businesses the flexibility to employ tradespeople at different stages in their career,” says Master Plumbers CEO Greg Wallace. “It also gives apprentices and tradespeople time to decide when and if they wish to further their education.”

According to the PGDB, a record number of good quality submissions were received in response to the consultation and

were of real help in its decision to keep the two registration classes.

The Board remain of the view, as backed by many of the submissions received, that having two classes of registration is an important part of protecting the health and safety of members of the public, preventing damage to property and promoting the competency of persons doing the work.

Retaining the two classes helps to ensure that those who have not yet attained the Certifying level are adequately supervised until such time as they have both sufficient training and experience.

“Our industry already faces significant challenges attracting apprentices,” notes Master Plumbers Chairman Craig Foley.

“Master Plumbers believes retaining two licences is the best solution to take the industry forward.”

A summary of the submissions can be found at www.pgdb.co.nz/ consultation/recent

Skills want you

It’s an exciting time for the industry, and Skills is offering you the chance to be a part of it.

The team at Skills is in the process of developing new plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying qualifications and programmes, but they can’t do it without your help.

They’re on the hunt for Tradesman or Certifying plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers who’ve spent a fair amount of time on the tools and would like to contribute to the future of our industry. To ensure the new qualifications and programmes are fit-for-purpose, they need industry experts, like yourself, to sign on to be either a resource writer, unit standard developer or programme designer.

To find out more about how you can contribute to the future of industry, get in touch with Skills today. Programme Development Manager, Richard Thornton, is waiting for your email: richardt@skills.org.nz Join Skills and contribute to the future of our industry.

Photograph Stuff/Dominion Post.

Wellington Gold

Finalists in this year’s Wellington Gold Awards include two Master Plumbers’ member businesses.

Established almost 20 years ago, the Wellington Gold Awards celebrate excellence and enterprise in the region’s businesses.

Finalists were announced at an event at the end of May, with Wellington Gold Awards Director John Dow saying that many showed a “more holistic and collaborative approach to doing business”.

They include Straight Flush Plumbing in the Emerging Gold – Services, and Hutt Gas and Plumbing in the Supporting Gold and Team Gold categories.

40

June/July 2018

Above: Darren Smith of Hutt Gas and Plumbing (left) with some of the other finalists.

Congratulations to both these Master Plumbers’ member businesses for showing how to lead the way in the region!

The Wellington Gold Awards are run in association with The Dominion Post. The 2018 Gold Awards Dinner will be held on 5 July at Wellington’s TSB Bank Arena.

INDUSTRY TALK

St Chad charity event Around 500 Laser Plumbing & Electrical tradespeople converged in Rotorua this June for the trans-Tasman LaserCon 2018 conference.

As part of the event, they and their families spent a day at St Chads fixing plumbing and electrical issues, as well as carrying out general maintenance.

The Laser Group identified St Chads as the recipient of their annual Taskforce project after contacting the Geyser Community Foundation, which assists many of the region’s charitable organisations.

“We connect people who care with causes that matter, to help build better communities for the long-term,” explains Executive Officer Annette Burgess. “This is a wonderful example of a group of committed and generous people coming together to make a real difference in our local community.”

Established in 1984, St Chads provides services to people aged from 16 to 64 who are living with disabilities.

Providing resources, training, life skills and connection programmes, activities are designed to enable clients to engage with the local community and achieve regular life outcomes that many of us take for granted.

When helping non-profit organisations like St Chads, Laser Plumbing & Electrical focus on creating sustainable solutions, enabling them to decrease running costs through energy efficiency and equipment updates.

Since 2010 Laser Group has completed work valued at over $700,000, for charitable organisations located in cities hosting their annual conference. NZ General Manager Scott Carr says he was excited by what the group could achieve at this year’s event.

“Our team of plumbers, electricians and their families made a huge difference to the quality of service that St Chads is able to provide to their clients.

“In addition to the services, helping the organisation save money in the long-term by making their buildings more energy efficient is something we are extremely pleased to have been able to help with.”

Laser Group plumbers and electricians volunteered their services at St Chads in Rotorua this June.

Above: Non-profit organisation St Chads was delighted to have Laser Group plumbers and electricians doing some volunteer fixing and maintenance work at their facilities.

Also helping Laser Plumbing & Electrical at the St Chads project was Kiwi champion race car driver and Laser Ambassador Steve Richards. Steve enjoyed meeting the clients and signing autographs.

Centre Manager for St Chad’s Nicky Mayne was overwhelmed by the offer of support from the largest plumbing and electrical network in Australia and New Zealand.

“We know that providing great outcomes to people with disabilities in Rotorua is not something we can do alone—it requires a community of people willing to do what they can to make a difference. We are so thankful for the generosity of the Laser Group for being willing to use their time and skills to support what we do.”

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INDUSTRY TALK

Sam’s speak

People can get nasty on social media, says Sam Tyson—but how to react?

An ‘unhappy customer’ recently posted a bad review of our services on our online Yellow listing.

This was after a disputes tribunal where the ruling did not go favourably their way. I was horror-struck, as Yellow is where a lot of our new customers find us.

I reactively responded to the review, naming them and saying, “Crickey, [Blank], I guess you weren’t happy with the outcome of the disputes tribunal.”

I went on to explain our standards and guarantees to reassure people who would find us on Yellow, and would ultimately see the review and our response.

Interestingly, when I wrote my reply on the Yellow online form, it said: “Before replying to your review…

Breathe!” In hindsight I should have taken this advice as, within an hour of me responding, our ‘unhappy customer’ had posted on Neighbourly and a local Facebook page, warning people not to do business with us—twisting facts, naming our staff, posting photos, saying we were liars, and responding to every person who commented, damning Climate & Plumbing in every way they could think of.

I received phone calls and emails from friends, customers, suppliers and fellow tradies, asking if I was aware of what was going on online. At my request, some of these people kindly wrote nice comments about us on the posts to try to counteract the negativity that was playing out.

A couple of our clients commented of their own volition in a positive way, which made us feel good for a moment. But it was short-lived, as our ‘unhappy client’ responded venomously to each comment. I decided not to comment, as I reckoned it

would just add fuel to the fire.

Our lawyer basically said there was nothing he could do—that this is more of a media management issue. He said it’s becoming more common, as you might expect, and there is no law that directly tries to regulate this type of behaviour. He said I needed to put a written policy in place on how we as a company would respond to negative social media comments going forward, and recommended I sit tight without comment, in the hope that it would fizzle out.

There are so many reasons you can get a negative review, and people can get very nasty on social media (as we have found out), over both big and little things. Pick your battles. If the person has a genuine reason to complain, you need to respond quickly, publicly apologise and then take any further conversation offline. “We’re sorry to hear that and hope we can remedy this issue soon. We will be in touch.” Make it short and sweet. The better you handle a situation, the more respect you stand to gain.

On Yellow, you can report the review as being inappropriate—which I ignored in the heat of the moment.

However, our ‘unhappy client’ must have reported my response as being inappropriate as both posts have now been removed.

When I clicked on the links to the other posts on Facebook and Neighbourly to see whether there were any new comments two weeks after they first appeared (I was checking every day), they too had been removed—not sure why. Maybe the administrators of the sites deemed them inappropriate.

Still, the moral of the story... Breathe!

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INDUSTRY TALK

In the bag!

Mico Bathrooms goes plastic-bag-free in all its branches.

Mico Plumbing and Bathrooms is now plastic-bag-free in all 65 branches—a change expected to save 168,000 plastic bags being used each year.

Regional Manager Nigel Harvey says the need to take action became very clear while he was taking a holiday dip in the Indian Ocean.

“I was in crystal clear water and thought I was being attacked by jellyfish, but realised I was actually tangled in plastic bags,” he says. “Single-use plastic bags, while convenient, come at great cost to our environment—particularly our beautiful oceans.”

It wasn’t only Nigel who felt strongly that plastic bags needed to go. When the Mico team reviewed their staff feedback survey results, it was clear the team felt strongly about reducing plastic bag use.

On Nigel’s return, Mico formed a regional working group to go 100% plastic-bag-free in branches between New Plymouth and Nelson. Reusable bags were designed to provide a practical alternative, and boxes are also available for customers’ use.

The first 14 Mico branches phased out plastic bags in October 2017 and, in April this year, Mico went plastic-bag-free in all

65 branches—the first in the building products trade industry to do so.

“Mico is a key part of the New Zealand business community and we are committed to doing our bit to maintain a great environment for all New Zealanders,” says Mico General Manager Richard Doig. “Going plastic-bag-free gathered momentum really quickly. Nigel and his team were inundated by other branches asking to get on board.

“It was actually through two Fletcher Building companies, Mico and Iplex Pipelines, working together, that we managed to phase out plastic bags completely in less than six months. Customer feedback has been extremely positive.

“One of the Government’s commitments on the back of signing the CleanSeas pledge is developing options to get rid of single-use plastic bags. We estimate that we will prevent around 168,000 plastic bags from entering either our rubbish tips or the environment each year.”

The team at Mico are also reducing shrink wrap on pallets by 30% and looking for other ways to reduce their environmental impact.

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June/July 2018

INDUSTRY TALK

Preventing complaints

Tips from the PGDB on keeping your site safe and avoiding complaints.

A lot of time and industry money is spent dealing with complaints about tradespeople, says Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) Chief Executive Martin Sawyers.

“However, many of the complaints that the Board sees could have been avoided or dealt with better by the practitioner.”

The PGDB has 10 tips on keeping yourself safe and avoiding complaints—plus tips on how to deal with a complaint made to the Board.

1. Don’t cut corners: Regardless of time or cost pressures, don’t compromise your work standards.

2. Stick to your area of competence: Only take on work you are confident you have the training and experience to carry out competently.

3. Supervision: If you are responsible for supervising others, make sure you do it properly (see box below).

4. Have a complaint management system: This is your best chance to resolve a complaint before it is made to the Board.

5. Don’t hide from complaints: Address the issue and deal with complaints promptly to prevent customer frustration.

6. The issue will be big for the customer: The issue may seem minor or trivial to you, but if the customer has taken time to raise it, you can be sure it’s huge in their mind—so get on and deal with it.

7. If you make a mistake, fix it: Be quick to acknowledge if your work wasn’t up to scratch, and put it right.

8. Sorry can be a great start: Apologising can go a long way.

Most people are reasonable and, if you behave reasonably and start by apologising, that will help take the tension out of the complaint.

9. Work with the Board: Often, by the time a complaint gets to the Board, it can be too late to simply resolve it. However,

if we think it could be resolved, we will try and work with the complainant and the practitioner to sort it out—work with us.

10. Always act professionally: It may be satisfying to tell a customer where to go, but that rude email won’t read so well when it finds its way to the Board. Likewise, telling Board staff what you think of them will likely be included in the material the Board sees. If you’re unfortunate enough to have a complaint made against you to the Board, don’t send a rude email right back. By all means, put everything down in writing that you want to say, but sleep on it before sending.

Who can do what?

The PGDB has created a ‘Who can do what’ card as a quick and handy reference to your supervision requirements. A lot of complaints it receives are the consequence of a lack of, or poor, supervision, it says. The cards are available at the nationwide PGDB & Mico CPD trade shows.

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June/July 2018 47

INDUSTRY TALK

In the office

Andrea Lovell provides some tried and trusted tips on retaining staff.

In the seven years that we have owned our company, we have only lost three tradesmen to other companies—two moved out of Auckland and the other one wasn’t a good fit.

We have retained all the apprentices who completed their apprenticeships with us during this time. Our estimator, contracts manager, two project managers and two site managers all completed their apprenticeships with Heron Plumbing.

My husband Dale and I both pride ourselves on holding onto to our staff, so I thought that I would share a few tips.

1. Accommodate individual needs, rather than treating staff members as a number.

2. Make sure you challenge them, appreciate them and give positive feedback.

3. Talk to your staff about their goals.

4. Promote from within.

5. Make your employees feel important and listen, because everyone can have some really great ideas.

6. Treat your staff like family and get to know them and their families.

7. Hold work events and get everyone involved.

We have a midwinter Christmas party for all our staff and do a family Christmas party for staff, partners and children. For the regular toolbox meetings, we have in our workshop, we put on a BBQ after work and the guys all enjoy getting together and catching up, having a laugh and playing some darts or table tennis.

We treat our staff like family and love to watch their families grow and succeed. Staff retention is as much about the environment they work in as about their hourly rate.

You may have heard the saying ‘happy wife, happy life’. Well, here is another one for you: ‘happy staff, productive staff ’.

Expansion for aquatherm

Kiwi company aquatherm NZ announces an expanded product range.

Known for its aquatherm PP-R (polypropylene-random) product range, aquatherm NZ has recently expanded its range to include fixing products, water pressure and HVAC solutions, and stainless-steel piping. The company says architects, specifiers and plumbers can now source pipes, fittings, energy efficiency and hydraulic regulation products under a single aquatherm NZ warranty.

“With the introduction of Mayer, we have a stainless-steel system that is now comparable with other traditionally used metallic systems,” says Andrew Sommerville, General Manager of aquatherm NZ, noting that Mayer stainless is suitable for installation in plant or other environments with very high temperatures.

More recently, aquatherm NZ has introduced the Cofix Black range of fixing solutions, designed to hold pipes firmly while resisting vibration and sized to fit all ranges of pipe available in NZ. Plus, brand new to the company and to the local market, is the Oase TECH range of products, which assist in balancing pressure, flow, and air and dirt-removal systems from domestic and industrial HVAC environments.

“The increasing diversity and complexity of domestic and mechanical systems requires innovative answers for balancing and controlling supply variables such as air, pressure, dirt contaminates, chlorine and other factors,” says Andrew

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Above: Combined PPR on hot and cold water with Mayer stainless on gas.

Sommerville. “We’re able to address all hydraulic regulation, energy control and energy efficiency optimisation requirements with Oase TECH’s automatic air and dirt separators, pressure tanks, automatic water make up devices and more.”

He says aquatherm NZ has enjoyed substantial growth in recent times, not only adding several new vendors to its line-up, but also employing more staff and expanding its distribution networks to make the full range of solutions available across the country.

Cutting it in the Hutt THE MAINZEAL COLLAPSE in 2013 nearly brought Hutt Gas and Plumbing to its knees, with the company owed $300,000 in unpaid bills by their main client. But like a phoenix from the fire, the firm rose from the ashes—determined not to be defeated. It was a long haul back to good financial health, but they did it with the support of loyal, long-serving customers of this 26-year-old business.

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We talk to Colleen Upton, General Manager at Hutt Gas & Plumbing—2018 Master Plumber of the Year—about what makes this business tick.

“The majority of our work comes from returning customers or referrals,” says General Manager Colleen Upton, who is a joint Director of the firm with Scott Adin and Darren Smith.

“We provide exemplary customer service by employing three full-time and one part-time office staff to answer web enquiries, emails and phone calls, and provide solutions and appointments to our customers. We offer a seamless experience from the first

Photography by Lance Lawson.

SMART BUSINESS

SMART BUSINESS

phone call to an appointment with a plumber, to the invoicing and payment.”

Mainzeal was also a catalyst for streamlining business systems by adopting cloud-based technology for job management, forms and financials. Office and field staff can instantly share job appointments and information, cutting down on time and paperwork. By introducing online and mobile payment facilities, customers can make payments immediately—either on site or online.

Refresh and rebrand In the past two years, the company has undergone a full rebrand, including the website, stationery, fleet, building signage and uniforms, comprising branded polo shirts, caps, sweatshirts, jackets and high-vis vests. “Our new black-and-white logo embodies our brand and represents our longevity with the Wellington market,” says Colleen. “It is more striking than our old logo and the team now wear their uniforms with pride.”

With its prominent position on Wellington’s State Highway, the company building is visible to more than 17,000 passing vehicles a day, ensuring the new logo is well recognised in the region.

The Master Plumbers Guarantee logo is used alongside their own on the business website, email signatures, customer quotes and vehicles. “Promoting this to our customers provides confidence that they’re using a reputable company,” she says.

Staff also ensure they carry their PGDB authorisation cards as identification, and are trained in customer service.

“For example, they remove their shoes before going in customers’ homes and clean up before they leave, taking all packaging and rubbish with them. This experience reassures customers that they are using a professional company that will provide a qualified and reliable service.”

The Hutt Gas and Plumbing offices have also been repainted, re-carpeted and a new reception installed. “Anyone who had visited before would have described it as a typical tradesmen’s office, full of dust, horrific orange paint and mismatched furniture. We’ve found the new professional environment noticeably influences staff who work here and flows through to the service our customers receive.”

Broad client base The company’s customers encompass domestic and commercial clients, and they have built a reputation for working on highly specialist plumbing work. “Laboratory projects have included the Ministry of Primary Industry’s Bio-containment Lab, ESR’s Wallaceville Containment Lab and the Rangipapa Forensic Unit.

“We have also been engaged in healthcare and corrections projects, which require a high level of skill to develop systems that meet strict client criteria,” says Colleen. “These projects have included Wellington Hospital Oncology and A&E, Bowen Hospital, Te Hopai Resthome, Rimutaka Prison and Arohata Women’s Prison.”

Opposite page: From left, Directors Scott Adin and Colleen Upton and Contracts Manager Grant Jefferson with the Master Plumber of the Year trophy. Above: Apprentice Ethan Stevenson in the workshop.

The company’s Directors have been instrumental in negotiating commercial contracts with several large organisations, including Nova Energy, Mitre 10 and Spotless, adopting procedures to match their in-house systems.

Getting the work done are seven Certifying Gasfitters, three Certifying Plumbers and two Certifying Drainlayers, together with seven Tradesman class tradespeople and 10 apprentices.

“We have a proud history of training apprentices and taking them through to Tradesman and onto Certifying status,” says Colleen. “We invest heavily in training and have trained over 45 new apprentices since 1992.”

Most have remained in the industry and some have gone on to start their own businesses, with more than 15 businesses in Wellington now owned by former Hutt Gas and Plumbing graduates—a major contribution to the local workforce given the current trades shortages, says Colleen.

Supporting staff development The company encourages all staff to further their education and qualifications and supports approved training by reimbursing the cost of passed exams and providing a paid study day, over and above annual leave. “We cover the full cost of licensing and > June/July 2018 51

SMART BUSINESS

facilitation to attend relevant professional development courses for all our staff, and also cover First Aid Certificates, Site Safety courses and any related time off work.”

The business has a policy of only employing registered and licensed tradespeople or apprentices. “This ensures our customers deal with competent and knowledgeable staff and shows our team we highly value their qualifications and experience.”

They also value diversity, with staff from many different ethnicities and backgrounds. “Leading by example, we have employed three female tradespeople over the years, and we fully support the professional development of women, which can be challenging in a male-dominated industry,” says Colleen.

Celebrating diversity There are currently just 22 female plumbing apprentices nationwide, and Hutt Gas and Plumbing employ two of them.

“Our female staff are well-respected by their peers and consistent feedback from our customers proves time and again what valuable team members they are.”

Female apprentice Nikita Ward is showing great promise, having been awarded for getting the best results in Level 3s at WelTec and gaining first place at the Wellington Regional WorldSkills Plumbing Competition in 2016. She was also highly commended for the Apprentice Excellence Award at last year’s National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards.

Other award winners at the company include Contracts Manager Grant Jefferson, who won Plumber, Gasfitter or

Above: Grant Jefferson teaches an apprentice about the tools of the trade.

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Drainlayer of the Year in 2016 and this year’s James Douglas Medallion Gasfitting Finalist Patrick Howard. “Celebrating our team through awards, serves an important function in acknowledging their talents,” says Colleen.

Industry involvement Now the company has received the ultimate accolade with the Master Plumber of the Award. “Much of our success is down to the support provided by Master Plumbers and particularly the Hutt Valley/Wairarapa Association,” notes Colleen. “We came out of our very first Association meeting with a couple of new ideas for our business and it went from there. We’ve met some outstanding people through participating in industry associations, branches and panels.”

Colleen went on to serve as the Association President and later as a Director on the national Master Plumbers Board. She and Darren have put their hands up for various other industry roles in the industry—gaining useful leadership skills along the way. Together, they contributed to the Skills Leadership and Governance Group setting the new apprentice qualifications for the industry.

Darren currently serves on the New Zealand Standards committee for gas measurement systems, while Colleen serves on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board and a Skills working group for the Certifying qualification.

Five years on from the Mainzeal collapse, Hutt Gas and Plumbing is in great shape. “Taking on apprentices is how we’ve grown our business—bringing them from the bottom up. I’d challenge everyone to do that,” says Colleen. ■

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SMART BUSINESS

Five ways to reduce stress Check out these top tips from BNZ's Head of Small Business Harry Ferreira.

OWNING A SMALL business is one of the most stressful things a person can do. Pressure comes from all angles—from staff, from suppliers, from customers, all placing demands on a business owner’s time. So much so, that there’s often no time left in the day to actually work on the business itself.

Because of the hands-on nature of many small business owners, this can mean important business activities such as marketing, social media and business development can fall by the wayside. This leads to stagnation, lower turnover and, sadly, more stress. It’s a vicious circle, but there is a way out.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help Going it alone is a recipe for disaster. Once you realise there’s a lot of help available out there, you’ll be well on your way to a less stressful business life. Seek out and work with business coaches or mentors. Perhaps try a course or workshop like those run by The Icehouse, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in helping businesses and business owners take their operations to the next level.

2. Look after number one That’s you, by the way. There’s no getting away from the fact that, as the owner of the business, you play a critical role in the success of the company, and likely wear many different hats along the way. If you don’t look after yourself by finding ways to de-stress and tune out of work for a while, then everyone, including the business, will suffer.

Don’t just take our word for it, though. In an interview with

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the NZ Herald*, Dr Mark Le Feyre, senior research lecturer in management at AUT University, said that the ‘my business is my life’ approach only works for so long.

He suggests a change of “mind and attitude” is essential lest you run out of energy, not only for work, but for family and friends. “If you’re not taking care of your mental and physical health,” says Le Fevre, “you won’t be taking care of your business for too much longer.”

According to Le Fevre, one simple yet essential thing to start with is to ignore interruptions until you’ve finished the job you’re doing. Don’t answer the phone until you’re ready.

The first time you do it, says Le Fevre, “you’ll break out in a cold sweat and your heart rate will go up”, but he insists that soon you’ll realise you don’t need to drive yourself so hard to succeed, and the business will be just fine.

3. Do healthy things This isn’t just about eating healthily—although that’s always important. Doing healthy things covers a broad spectrum of stuff that basically helps refocus your attention. It could be going for a half-hour bike ride a couple of times per week, going for a walk and breathing in some fresh air, or even redecorating the office to make it a more pleasant place to be.

soon you’ll realise you don’t need to drive yourself so hard to succeed

when you do delegate a task, don't hang around and micromanage it 4. Don’t forget to delegate This one goes hand in hand with some of our previous entries.

By delegating tasks to your staff, you’re not only easing the workload on yourself, you’re also doing your business a favour by ensuring things won’t fall apart when you do actually take a day off.

In case you’re getting the excuses ready for why you can’t delegate, a 2012 study by Harvard Business Review** is a step ahead of you. Whether you’re a perfectionist who feels it’s easier to do it all yourself, or you simply worry that passing on work will diminish your own importance, the story says the first step to becoming a better delegator is to recognise the signs that indicate you’re not doing enough of it.

One sign of under-delegating is that you can’t remember how you spent your day. Keep a diary of how you spend your time and you should start to see some patterns emerge after a few days. Seek out the low-priority activities in the list and hand them off to someone else. And remember, when you do delegate a task, don’t hang around and micromanage it.

5. Take advantage of technology If you haven’t already, make sure you’re getting full use out of that smartphone, tablet or laptop. Thanks to mobile internet connections and cheap or free cloud-based storage solutions, it’s relatively simple to take yourself out of the office while still being able to get some work done.

Pretty much anything from accounting software to banking to video communications and invoicing can be done from afar, allowing you to take some time out of the office without being totally removed.

Whether you choose to try some or all of the tips outlined above—or come up with your own plan—you can be sure everyone benefits from having a boss with less stress in their life. ■ *www.nzherald.co.nz/small-business-sme/news/article. cfm?c_id=85&objectid=11455558 ** https://hbr.org/2012/07/why-arent-you-delegating

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SMART BUSINESS

Taking annual leave Advice from HR specialist Lisa Duston on how to work out your annual leave entitlement.

IF YOU ARE an employee, you are entitled to four weeks’ paid annual leave after working for your employer continuously for one year.

If you work less than five days a week, your leave will be calculated on four weeks of your contracted hours. For example, if you are contracted for three days a week, your leave entitlement will still be four weeks, but taken as 12 days (ie, 3 x 4 = 12).

When requesting to take your leave entitlement, you must give at least two weeks’ notice—and some employers may ask for more notice than this.

You and your employer must agree on when you are planning to take time off, and employers have the right to say no if the timing does not suit the business—so don’t book overseas holidays until you know you can take the leave!

Employers can also tell you when they want you to take leave, again with at least two weeks’ notice.

You will receive a new entitlement of four weeks’ annual leave on each anniversary of starting with your employer. Any annual leave from the current year that you do not take carries over into the next year (this is called ‘outstanding entitlement’).

If you need to take additional leave over and above your annual leave entitlement, your employer may let you take some of the next year’s leave in advance (this is called ‘accrued leave, paid in advance’). This will mean that when you reach your

anniversary and receive the next year’s entitlement, it will be less any days you have taken in advance.

For an employee on a casual agreement, holiday pay is paid at 8% of gross earnings with no actual time off for annual leave (known as ‘pay as you go’). For example, if you are a casual employee paid a gross wage of $230.00, an additional amount of $18.40 (8%) will be added to the wage, giving you a total of $248.80 before tax.

Similarly, if you are on a fixed-term agreement for less than 12 months, you are generally not entitled to any leave until the end of that term, at which point you will be paid 8% of your total earnings.

Some employers have an annual shutdown, generally over the Christmas/New Year period. In this case, employees must take their annual leave at this time—or take unpaid leave if they have used up their annual leave entitlement. So, remember to take this into consideration when planning what leave you want to take through the year.

Happy holidays! ■

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

Business Performance Panel A new panel is helping Kiwi business owners improve their management practices.

ONE OF THE best ways business owners can become more productive is by improving management practices. This means things like implementing systems and processes to help with everything from employee motivation, to cashflow planning.

That’s often easier said than done, especially with the long todo lists that keep business owners so busy that there’s little time to sleep, eat and chase invoices, let alone find time to research the latest management ideas.

Business.govt.nz has been working with a group of worldleading experts to create free, easy-to-use online tools and resources to help Kiwi business owners understand and 56

June/July 2018

implement the best management practices from around the world.

The group is called the New Zealand Business Performance Panel, and was officially launched in late March by the Minister for Small Business, Stuart Nash.

Panel members have worked with business.govt.nz to create the first two sections of business performance resources: • Sharpen your leadership and management skills— www.business.govt.nz/business-performance/ management-and-leadership • Get on top of your business finances—www.business. govt.nz/business-performance/strategic-finance/ ■

GIVE YOUR PLUMBING BUSINESS THE COMPETITIVE EDGE Become a Master Plumber Get training, business resources and savings for your plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying company. We have supported and protected the industry for 100 years, advocating for excellence and helping you provide customers with quality assurance.

masterplumbers.org.nz

Subcontract agreement update SMART BUSINESS

Subcontract agreement SA-2017 is now available as a PDF document with editable fields.

THE SPECIALIST TRADE Contractors Federation urges everyone involved in subcontracting in the construction industry to use Subcontract Agreement SA-2017.

The document is copyright, but anyone is free to use it subject to no changes to the General Conditions or any other part other than the editable fields.

Other subcontract conditions supplied by contractors may transfer risk and disadvantage the subcontractor in the event of a dispute.

Why the update?

SA-2009 was a historic collaboration between parties representing builders and subcontractors to produce a workable and reasonably balanced document that clearly sets out each party’s obligations but was able to be tailored to suit particular requirements.

SA-2017 is an update to: • ensure compliance with the Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015 • align the document with NZS 3910:2013 Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction • provide an option to enable use with NZS 3916:2013 Conditions of contract for building and civil engineering construction – Design and construct.

CLASSIFIED ADS Building Consent Processing Officer (Plumbing and Drainage) Dunedin City Council Dunedin is booming, so come be part of our city’s exciting future! Balancing customer service and a regulatory function, you will primarily be responsible for ensuring that building consents are processed and granted in accordance with the Building Act and Regulations.

If you have experience in this field of work, are an experienced plumber and drainlayer, and are looking for a new challenge, then this is your chance to be part of a motivated, supportive team with exceptional development and ongoing training opportunities.

Visit http://www.dcc.jobs/ for full details.

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Why use it?

A good working relationship between the contractor and subcontractor is critical to ensuring construction projects run smoothly and are completed on time and to budget.

This agreement aims to ensure obligations and responsibilities are identified up front, to avoid later disputes that can be costly both in time Above: Everyone involved in subcontracting in the and goodwill. construction industry SA-2017 is set up for commercial should use the SA-2017 Subcontract Agreement. construction, but can be used for any size contract.

The document was developed by a working group of representatives from the Registered Master Builders Federation and NZ Specialist Trade Contractors Federation Inc, of which Master Plumbers is a member. ■ Master Plumbers’ members are urged to use the SA-2017 Subcontract Agreement. The PDF document with editable fields is available for download in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under Business Resources).

The cost to advertise is $60+GST for Master Plumbers' members; $100+GST for nonmembers. Just send your text (up to 100 words) to advertising@masterplumbers.org.nz

PLUMBER WANTED • • • • •

Generous relocation payment Good remuneration Scrap for cash bonus Van/Boots/Uniform/Phone provided All courses and registration paid for

We can adapt a role to suit your needs.

This could include Plumbing full time or having a shared quoting role.

The shared role would include learning our quoting process and developing your quotes during your days in the office.

This is an exciting position with many added bonuses.

Phone or email us if you think this might suit your needs. admin@ shpl.co.nz or 07 871 7099

Plumbing company name for sale Howick Plumbing Limited Excellent branding for new or existing business. All enquiries to grantham@xnet.co.nz

Is your plumbing business for sale?

An established plumbing business is wanted by a Certifying Plumber in the Christchurch area. Small to medium business required—prefer maintenance company although this is not essential.

Please respond to chchplumb@gmail.com

SMART BUSINESS

Gross or net

In this opinion piece, Dan Pollard explains why he thinks a trades business should always work on a gross profit basis.

STRAIGHT OFF THE bat, I want to put a real stake in the ground and say you need to work on a gross profit basis, not net profit.

Why? Well, working on net profit requires some serious crystal-ball gazing.

You have to first work out your target net profit percentage—for most trade businesses, but by no means all, this will be 10%—and then predict your total revenue and spending, spread across 12 months, at the start of the financial year.

Whew!

Unless you have an amazing financial controller (and that crystal ball) it’s near-impossible in any trades business to predict what you’ll be spending and what you’ll be making on a month-by-month basis.

We all know jobs go over budget— tradesmen work longer than expected and there are unexpected weather delays that prolong jobs by weeks, or even months.

Then there are those extra outgoings that crop up, such as an advertising campaign or a big health and safety upgrade; costs you didn’t see coming when you set your budget at the start of the year.

Suddenly you’ve spent $10,000 more in one month than you’d planned. And, there’s no extra revenue to balance the books. Believe me, I know how easily this scenario can happen.

You’re then tasked with chasing an extra $10,000 in net profit, spread across the rest of the financial year, to get you back to your net profit target.

It can quickly become complicated and overwhelming.

That’s why gross profit should be your guiding light. This way, you can use actual revenue and outgoings to make smart and realistic financial targets.

Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re working towards a target of 40% gross profit margin, leaving you with a net profit of 10%. This month you invoiced $100,000 and made a gross profit of

putting pressure on your team to chase down a loss of net profit is no way to run a business $35,000 or 35% total gross profit. You’re now $5,000 behind your gross profit target.

So, what can you do about it? Well, you either have the option of making up the extra 5% next month, or you can delay some of your spending.

To me, the most obvious answer, and the one you have more control over, is to delay spending. No doubt, there are a few outgoings you can push to the next month. Can you wait to buy the new tools you had planned to invest in, or delay a new hire by another month?

I know it’s not an ideal situation to be in, but at least you’re in the driving seat.

And, you’re not on the back foot next month trying to chase another 5% gross profit.

In my experience of running plumbing businesses, putting pressure on your team to chase down a loss of net profit is no way to run a business. The way to steer the ship forward is to work with actual revenue and then match your spending to meet your gross profit target. ■

About the author: Dan Pollard is a veteran tradie who, after going bust once and burning out once, figured a trades business needs proper systems in place to keep it running—without running its owner into the ground. In his search for great systems, he developed Fergus Job Management Software and was able to grow his business from four vans to 15 in less than four years. Dan is now the CEO of Fergus.

June/July 2018 59

SMART BUSINESS

Made in New Zealand?

Businesses must be able to back up their claims, warns the Commerce Commission.

FASHION BRAND ‘WORLD’ has been in the media recently for selling some clothing items labelled on the item as made in Bangladesh, but with a ‘Made in NZ’ swing tag.

The Commerce Commission opened an investigation after receiving nine complaints from consumers about the swing tag’s accuracy.

Now, the Commission has put out a video to remind all businesses of the importance of ensuring all ‘Made in New Zealand’ claims are accurate and can be backed up. “Symbols such as kiwis or the New Zealand flag can also convey a misleading impression about the origin of the product if, in fact, it is not manufactured or produced in New Zealand,” it says.

What does ‘made’ mean?

Whether a product is actually ‘made’ in New Zealand depends on several factors, notes the Commission, including the nature of the product and what consumers understand about it.

For example, for a manufactured product, was it substantially manufactured in New Zealand? Where was the primary componentry made? Were any substantial stages of manufacture conducted offshore?

Consumers are often influenced by the origin of goods when making purchasing decisions, says Commissioner Anna Rawlings, and they are entitled to rely on the information provided by the retailer.

“Some consumers are happy to pay a higher price for goods which they believe are made in New Zealand and, for some, this represents an important ethical decision,” she says.

How much is enough?

The test as to whether a ‘made in New Zealand’ claim breaches the Act is based on whether such a claim is likely to mislead consumers. According to the Commerce Commission, if a product is produced in New Zealand from virtually all New Zealand components, there is little risk in claiming it is NZ made. However, if important components are imported, or if part of the manufacturing process is undertaken offshore, a ‘New Zealand made’ claim risks breaching the Act. Depending on the product or the nature of the manufacturing process, however, some such products may be legitimately described as ‘made in New Zealand’.

many products sold in New Zealand have ingredients or components which are made elsewhere 60

June/July 2018

Above: The Commerce Commission has a new video called, If you can’t back it up, don’t say it.

“Increasingly, given economic globalisation, many products sold in New Zealand have ingredients or components which are made elsewhere,” it says. “In many such instances it will be misleading to claim a single place of origin. In such cases, to avoid making misleading claims about where the product was made, explicit terms or phrases such as ‘assembled’, ‘packaged’ or ‘blended’ or ‘designed or assembled in New Zealand from imported components’ should be used.”

The Commission gives the example of a company promoting an office chair as being New Zealand made. The chairs were assembled in New Zealand using components manufactured in Taiwan, China and Italy to the company’s specifications. The only parts of the chair actually manufactured in New Zealand were some incidental parts and the foam and upholstery for the seat and back support. The court held that the ‘New Zealand made’ representation was misleading in this case because the New Zealand input into the chairs was not sufficient. ■

Significant fines •

A heat pump supplier made claims about the efficiency of some of its heat pumps, but couldn’t back them up. It was fined $125,000 for unsubstantiated representations and $185,000 more for other misleading claims.

• An Australian paint manufacturer was fined $400,000 for claiming its paint range reflected heat and lowered the temperature inside by up to 10°C, but it didn’t have enough evidence to prove this.

• A health supplement company and its owner were fined more than $500,000 for claiming bee pollen was New Zealand-made when the pollen was sourced from China.

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AROUND ASSOCIATIONS

Hydrology Study Retreat 2018 The Southland Master Plumbers Hydrology Study Retreat has become an annual institution looked forward to by participants from all around the country.

Study convenor Ray Galt looks back on another successful event in 2018.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, the Southland Master Plumbers hosted 34 participants from Auckland, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, who undertook the challenge of furthering their knowledge at the 2018 Hydrology Study Retreat.

On their arrival in Invercargill on a Friday in February, those who were able enjoyed a social get-together at one of Invercargill’s fine watering holes in preparation for the rigours expected during the following day’s study.

With an early start (pick up 7am), three van loads of eager participants travelled to Ian & Sharon Goodman’s residence in Winton to meet up with a fourth group.

From there we travelled through rolling farmland to the townships of Nightcaps and Ohai—both towns a remnant of their thriving past as coal mining townships. Everyone enjoyed the stop at one of Southland’s more colourful conveniences, with photos being taken and a historical narrative provided by local plumber Graeme Millar.

From there it was a short drive to Mount Linton Station, one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned stations (13,365ha), farming Angus beef and Texel and Suftex sheep.

We were met by Ceri Lewis, the farm’s manager, who gave us an introduction to the station while we enjoyed the best homemade scones and jam imaginable. We then travelled with Ceri over some of the station’s 600km of internal roads to Rock Hut, where

Above: The study crew at Mount Linton Station’s Rock Hut. 62

June/July 2018

Above: Ray Galt feeling on top of the world.

some serious study was undertaken with everyone working in pairs to complete the assignment workbooks.

Below is a sample of the questions that formed part of the assignments. Can you name the field of scientific study the following words relate to? Answers on page 79.

Acoustics, Aerodynamics, Alethiology, Aristology, Bioecology, Climatology, Fluviology, Gastronomy, Geoponics, Gerontology, Halieutics, Hydrodynamics, Hydrology, Hyetology, Hypsography, Ichthyology, Kymatology, Laberorphily, Limnology, Microclimatology, Oenology, Ombrology, Orology, Schematonics and Zymurgy.

Ceri explained how they were planning to increase farming stock units from 130,000 to over 150,000 by converting the more marginal land to productivity. The process is quite complex and

Above: Boats at the ready to escort participants down the south arm of Lake Te Anau.

AROUND ASSOCIATIONS

the whole farm is run with just 20 staff, each having their own area to look after.

Lambing and calving is spread over a number of months to avoid any weather bomb impacting numbers. Productivity and technology is the name of the game, with drones being used to check the vast paddocks and calves being scanned to check the quality of the marbling in the meat—not making the grade means an early trip off the farm.

After leaving Mount Linton, the group headed to Lake Te Anau, where a number of Southland members had boats ready to take the study groups to the end of the South Arm. Travelling through a rough patch of weather proved too uncomfortable for some, who had to turn back and partake of an early drink to settle the nerves.

Once through the bad weather, the others enjoyed sunshine and calm water before Southern Lakes Helicopters landed on a beach to transport participants to the top of Mount Kidd, where high altitude study was undertaken. Five kea (mountain parrots) joined us for this part of the study, which provided extra interest.

From there we returned to Te Anau where we enjoyed a rather intense debriefing over dinner and marking of the study assignments took place. The highest placed study team (Daphne

Above: Southern Lakes Helicopters transported participants to the top of Mount Kidd.

Fairbairn of Winton and Rowena Bullock of Auckland) took the honours and the generous prize provided by Masterlink.

Those who didn’t have to travel home on Sunday enjoyed a day in the Corporate Box at the Winton Harness Race Meeting, sponsored by the Southland Master Plumbers with assistance from Peter Cocks, Rheem, Plumbing World, Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC), Hydroflow, Buteline, Mico, Masterlink and Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. ■ Planning for the 2019 Hydrology Study is underway. If you are interested in attending, and wish to be added to the invitation list, please contact ray@baxterneilson.co.nz

Recognition of services

Ray Galt was recently made a Life Member of Master Plumbers.

There are currently only 21 national Life Members of Master Plumbers—a sign of just how prestigious this award is. No wonder, then, that Ray Galt was blown away to be announced as the latest Life Member at the 2018 New Zealand Plumbing Awards.

Ray and his wife Trish own Master Plumbers’ member business Baxter & Neilson Plumbers in Invercargill. Over the years, they have employed up to 18 staff at any one time (currently 10) and have trained many apprentices. A loyal advocate and a proud member of Master Plumbers throughout his 44-year plumbing career, Ray served on the national Master Plumbers Board between 2008 and 2013, with a two-year term as President from 2011-2013.

“When retiring from the Board, I was presented with an Outstanding Services to the Industry Award,” says Ray. “This surpasses that, and I’m truly humbled and honoured.”

At the awards night, he began by thanking his wife Trish for her support. The couple are 40 years married, “just slightly longer than my involvement with Master Plumbers”.

Ray went on to show his appreciation for the Southland Association, in particular Graeme Millar, for their unstinting support for whatever he has done to try and benefit Master Plumbers; the membership and Business Partners throughout the country for their hospitality and the friendships made over the years; the Wellington Master Plumbers staff; and his team at work for allowing him to be so involved with Master Plumbers.

Ray has seen many changes to Master Plumbers over the years

Above: Ray and Trish Galt at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards ceremony.

and says it is good to see the organisation modernising itself in recent years to become more focused on delivering quality outcomes for the membership and the industry as a whole.

Closer to home, for more than a decade Ray has singlehandedly organised and run the annual Southland Master Plumbers ‘Hydrology Study Retreat’—an annual highlight for many attendees, taking them to remote and rugged destinations for fun and fellowship (see main article for a report on this year’s event).

An advocate for quality apprentice training, Ray has also been on advisory committees for the Southern Institute of Technology and The Skills Organisation.

June/July 2018 63

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SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

Twin your toilet!

The Toilet Twinning fundraising initiative aims to save lives worldwide, one toilet at a time. By Monica Sharp.

FOR MOST KIWIS, proper sanitation is something we take for granted. So, we tend to be unaware that millions of people throughout the world suffer because they don’t have access to even a basic toilet or clean drinking water.

This isn’t just a matter of inconvenience, but of life and death.

Diseases associated with poor sanitation kill many—the UN reports that worldwide almost 1,000 children die every day from preventable diseases.

Disease is not the only issue. One in three people worldwide don’t have access to a safe toilet, with sexual assault a particular risk for females having to go to the toilet in the open. Girls also miss out on education during menstruation.

This ‘sanitation crisis’ has led aid and development organisation Tearfund to create the UK-based Toilet Twinning fundraising initiative. The idea behind

Above: A ‘twinned’ toilet building in Zambia.

Toilet Twinning is that anyone interested in supporting the scheme can ‘twin’ their toilet with a new one built, potentially on the other side of the world. It costs £60 (around NZ$120) to twin a toilet—the average cost of providing a toilet in one

of the 20 countries currently involved in the scheme. However, the most important destination for the money is the educational programme, designed to help people understand the vital importance of sanitation. >

Above: The Toilet Twinning initiative helps educate communities about sanitation.

June/July 2018 65

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

‘twinning’ is a symbolic gesture that reminds us of our own good fortune In many communities, the main issue is raising awareness of how important good sanitation is to health. Once people understand how much difference even a basic long-drop can make, they want to jump on board. They can then be shown how to build and maintain their own latrine.

Whilst the money does not directly fund a particular toilet, when you get involved you receive a certificate and photo of one of the newly built toilets to hang next to your own—effectively linking them across the globe. So, ‘twinning’ is a symbolic gesture that reminds us of our good fortune when we use our own facilities, as well as making a tangible difference to a community somewhere else in the world.

To date, Tearfund’s project has reached a total of 88,000 twinned toilets, changing 528,000 lives. ■ To find out more, go to toilettwinning.org

Above: A Malawi village leader with his family by a new toilet building.

Helping out in Nepal More than half of all families in rural Nepal have to go to the toilet in the open—and the country ranks lowest in Southern Asia in terms of sanitation coverage.

One of the biggest barriers to raising awareness of the positive effects of good sanitation is the fact that many women are illiterate. Tearfund is working to change this through its Toilet Twinning initiative. In the Nuwakot District north of Kathmandu, for example, Toilet Twinning partners are helping teach literacy to women though a ‘Life Relevant Education’ programme.

Once they understand the concept, most women are keen to build toilets for their families to use. In a culture where women are viewed as homemakers, this is also changing perceptions of women as people who have the ability to make significant changes within their communities.

Kiwi plumbers getting involved Auckland Plumbers Group has supported the Toilet Twinning initiative since Director Andrew Durrans spotted a twinning certificate in a toilet last year. Intrigued, he did some research and spoke to his business partners and work colleagues, who were equally happy to get on board.

Andrew has also twinned his toilet at home and those of his adult children as Christmas presents last year! He says he likes the fact that the money isn’t just about building toilets, but goes to educating people about sanitation. He also likes the fact that you can request to have your payment go to a particular part of the world.

The company now orders a batch of certificates each month, so they can twin toilets as soon as they are installed in customers’ homes. Some already know about Toilet Twinning but others are baffled to receive their personalised certificate, which gives the team a great opportunity to raise awareness of the initiative.

There’s still a long way to go, says Andrew. GPS coordinates sometimes have to be left off certificates because in some of places supported by the scheme, the local government does not agree with the idea of its people having proper sanitation, so the toilets have to be built in secret.

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Above: Andrew Durrans with a Toilet Twinning certificate.

EXCLUSIVE

NZ PLUMBER NOW AVAILABLE DIGITALLY

TO MASTER PLUMBER MEMBERS! BOOKINGS OPEN FOR THE 2018 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE! —See p6 CONTENTS

24

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

ON THE COVER HOW BINDING IS A QUOTE? AND CAN IT BE WITHDRAWN?—See p62

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTS Your rights and obligations

12

60

45

Inside this issue

2017 t MPA Finalis

62

30

DODGY PRODUCT

HOW ORGANISED ARE YOU? Work smart tips

15

NEW!

Better policing needed

TECHNICAL THEME

TOMORROW’S GASFITTERS Learning support

20

HOT WATER

Water chemistry, home heating and more

70 Cover photograph: A new consumer campaign from MBIE.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

WHAT’S ON 7

Check out our industry calendar

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS 8

CEO Greg Wallace on apprentice training; new Comms & Marketing Advisor; product advocacy and Best in Brand prize

50 Staying strong Outstanding Services to Industry Award winner Dave Strong

TECHNICAL THEME: HOT WATER TECHNOLOGY 21

IN FOCUS 12

15

APPRENTICE QUALIFICATIONS The proposed changes explained

Policing products Why better controls are needed around imported product

24 Warm water—warm home Combining household hot water with the central heating system

Customer contracts A new campaign reminds contractors of their obligations

26 Legionella control Legionella in potable water systems

REAL LIVES 18

Driven to succeed Plumber Jacob Smith sets himself a high bar

42 Walking into retirement Why this 76-year-old ex-tutor is tramping the length of New Zealand

4

Water pH impact Why water pH matters when choosing hot water products

August/September 2017

29 HPWH technology How they work plus installation tips

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 30 Preservation plumbing Heritage house plumbing work

NUTS & BOLTS 35

Taken in isolation Benefits of isolation valves

36 Backflow basics What plumbers need to know about backflow prevention 39 Device types Unsure which type of backflow device to use?

40 Tech points Technical updates in brief

INDUSTRY TALK 44 Asbestos removal training Training requirements for an asbestos removal licence 45 Heating up Emirates Team New Zealand Rinnai’s hot water solution for the Bermuda crew 45 Watercare changes in Auckland Changes to compliance statements and connections 46 Sam’s speak What’s the answer to the plumber shortage?

48 Steel mesh charges Charges filed against three producers 48 Cylinder restraint study Could be time for a new approach 49 Homestar rating tool updated Homestar v4 makes the assessment process easier

HEALTH MATTERS 52

P aware The risks of working in meth houses

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

58 KiwiSaver—10 years on It’s a no-brainer for young working people to join, says the IR 59 Contract Works cover When your subcontract agreement includes Contract Works excess 60 How organised are you?

Top tips to working smarter—plus two case studies

NEXT GENERATION 70 Tomorrow’s gasfitters How Rinnai is supporting gasfitting apprentices 73

Taking on the world Young Kiwi plumber prepares for Worldskills Internationals

77

Apprenticeship designed by you A new website from Skills to have your say

62 Quote, unquote How binding is a quote?

54 Water recharge Two new managed aquifer recharge projects

64 Pricing & payments Tips on optimising efficiency and profitability

SMART BUSINESS

INNOVATION

56 We’re watching you Legal boundaries of electronic staff surveillance

66 Drain brain Odour eating floor waste product

57

67 Urgency needed on skill shortages BNZ on why business and government need to work together

Process for change What to know when altering an employee’s agreement

WORLD VIEW 69 Hospital on hold Lead contamination in water at new Perth Children’s Hospital

SUPPLY LINES

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 79 What’s new in the marketplace

AND FINALLY 81

Offcuts Bits and pieces of the unusual kind

82 Dodgy plumbing The best of the worst August/September 2017

5

BOOK BY 1 FEB FOR CONFERENCE EARLY BIRD RATES — See p6

WATERMARK

DECEMBER 2017/JANUARY 2018

Should it be mandatory in NZ?

TECHNICAL THEME

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

2017 MPA Finalist

Changes are here

RETENTIONS: Questions answered

LISTEN UP How communication prevents complaints

READY TO RACE Hampton Downs 500 event

EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY

WELS label changes, recycling water and more

SEASON'S GREETINGS Happy holidays!

TECHNICAL THEME

MEPS IN NZ Why electric HWC must comply

YPC WINNER Young Plumber of the Year!

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

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SAFETY FIRST

Too much noise?

Construction workers are particularly at risk of hearing loss resulting from exposure to loud noise at work, according to WorkSafe.

HEARING LOSS IS permanent. Once the damage is done, there’s no cure.

Many construction tasks, tools and equipment produce high noise levels which can lead to hearing problems. Over 30% of New Zealand workers are exposed to loud noise at work at least a quarter of the time—and this will be higher in construction.

Working in noisy environments is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease. It also has the potential to become a workplace safety risk if workers are not able to hear instructions, moving vehicles and equipment.

Give your ears a battering today and you might not notice any effects tomorrow. But noise-induced hearing loss is caused by repeated exposures to loud noise over many years.

The good news is noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.

So what can you do to prevent it?

Some ways are: • Providing adequate hearing protection • Removing the noise entirely • Quietening the noise • Stopping the noise from reaching people • Reducing the time of exposure to the noise.

WorkSafe has guidance on managing noise exposure in construction.

Noise in Construction includes information about measuring noise levels and a Noise Hazard Identification Checklist.

So, how do you know when noise is a problem at your workplace? According to the guidance, “If you have to raise your voice to have a normal conversation when standing about 1m apart, for at least part of the day, then noise levels on the site could damage hearing.

“There could also be a problem if there are sudden extremely loud noises on the site, such as from cartridge operated tools, or if at the end of the day you notice that your hearing is muffled, or your ears are ringing.”

Noise Levels Created by Common Construction Tools gives average and peak sound levels of various hand tools. It also provides the longest exposure time when using these tools without hearing protection. ■

Noise management toolbox WorkSafe is putting the final touches to a toolbox of advice for businesses and workers on managing noise in the workplace.

“Reducing noise-induced hearing loss is a work-related health priority for us,” says WorkSafe. “Over the next three years, we will be raising awareness about noise risks to clearly set out our expectations of how workplaces manage noise exposure for their workers.”

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June/July 2018

Noise in construction

Jackhammer 109dB*

Hammer on nail 104dB*

Handsaw 85dB*

Bulldozer 99dB*

Normal conversation 60dB* *Based on 8 hours’ exposure. Noise is measured in decibels dB(A). In New Zealand, the average exposure limit is 85dB(A), or 85 decibels averaged over an 8-hour period, according to WorkSafe’s Noise Levels Created by Common Construction Tools fact sheet.

SAFETY FIRST

Meet Pat and Joe Your mouth is a great bit of safety gear, say Pat and Joe, WorkSafe’s new comedic commentators.

COMEDY DUO PAT and Joe are part of WorkSafe’s current Use Your Mouth campaign.

The pair feature in a new WorkSafe video series, popping up in workplaces to give a running commentary on the importance of using your mouth at work.

The series focuses on a range of topics, including manual handling, fatigue,

bullying, vehicles, hazardous substances and slips, trips and falls.

Pat and Joe have their own page on the WorkSafe website where you can check out the full video series and find more information for you and your team.

Go to www.worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/ campaigns/useyourmouth/

Above: Use Your Mouth commentators Pat and Joe.

Asbestos quick guide A new quick guide for plumbers working with or near asbestos.

WORKSAFE HAS LAUNCHED a new Asbestos Quick Guide for Plumbers.

It helps you quickly understand your responsibilities and how to manage risks when working with or near asbestos.

The 18-page guide is designed for plumbers who work for themselves or who have other people working with them, including apprentices.

It is a one-stop information resource that covers: • The risks of working with or near asbestos • The difference between friable and non-friable asbestos • Where asbestos is likely to be found in NZ homes and other buildings

• • •

The key ways to protect yourself when working with asbestos How to dispose of asbestos waste Workers’ rights and responsibilities.

Find the quick guide at www.worksafe. govt.nz (search under Asbestos Quick Guides).

Asbestos removal fine

WorkSafe says people working in construction need to be more diligent about managing asbestos removal because it puts them and others at risk.

“Asbestos fibres can travel thousands of kilometres from a site where removal work is undertaken under certain weather conditions,” says Simon Humphries, WorkSafe Deputy General Manager, Investigations and Specialist Services.

“Negligence is unacceptable and there is no excuse for putting the lives of others in and around your workplace at risk.”

WorkSafe’s comments follow the sentencing of a 74-year-old Taranaki man on health and safety charges relating to unsafe removal of asbestos.

In February 2017, he began work on a New Plymouth property to remove asbestos containing material (ACM) from a shed. He used hand tools to break up the ACM, and failed to use masks and proper protective clothing, or to manage airborne asbestos particles.

WorkSafe’s investigation found he had failed to manage the risk of asbestos appropriately, despite training and a prior improvement notice. WorkSafe was not notified of the Class B removal work and no asbestos removal plan was prepared.

His “haphazard” removal work put him and a worker at risk, as well as the occupier and visitors to the property, and those in the neighbouring area.

Asbestos is New Zealand’s number one killer in the workplace with around 170 people dying every year from asbestos-related diseases.

Above: A new one-stop information resource.

June/July 2018 69

ACROSS THE DITCH

Australian WaterMark advocacy

Master Plumbers Australia is calling for WaterMark pointof-sale legislation and an end to the practice of single WaterMark certification of entire bathroom pods. By Penny Cornah, Secretariat Master Plumbers Australia.

A PRACTICE IS occurring in Australia where suppliers of bathroom products are having entire bathrooms constructed and certified under a single WaterMark certification. As a result, the construction is lawfully able to be conducted by unskilled and unlicensed people anywhere in the world.

Pod certification concerns This practice is allowing the complete circumvention of plumbing legislation in relation to bathroom construction as long as it is built ‘offsite’. This is circumventing the entire premise of the occupational and contracting licensing system operating within each State.

Master Plumbers Australia Ltd (MPA) has concerns that other licensed works including electrical, waterproofing, fire and mechanical are potentially being undertaken by unlicensed people in the fabrication of these bathroom pods.

MPA represents Master Plumber Associations across the country in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. We are the collective voice for the Australian and New Zealand plumbing industry and each association collaborates together on a National Level.

It is our strong position that it was never the intent of the WaterMark Scheme to allow for mass certification of whole postassembled products such as an entire room to be made under a single assessment.

Above: The Australian WaterMark logo.

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June/July 2018

this practice is allowing the complete circumvention of plumbing legislation This practice is eroding the integrity of the WaterMark Scheme and is further eroding the confidence held by major stakeholders within the WaterMark Scheme.

New ‘chain of responsibility’ laws The WaterMark Certification Scheme (WMCS) is the foremost certification scheme for plumbing products in Australia. WMCS falls under the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), administered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB). It is a robust certification system that protects the health and safety of the community, consumers and plumbing and drainage

practitioners. This protection is envied by other industry sectors.

Compliance of the WMCS has historically been the responsibility of state and territory-based regulators, with the scheme being policed only at the point of installation, with licensed plumbers being responsible to install only certified plumbing product. This has often led to conflict with builders and developers, who frequently purchase product from overseas suppliers by the container load based on price and avoid the supply chain in Australia, compliance with ‘Product Specifications’, and WaterMark certification.

In addition, many consumers are also purchasing product online and insisting that these products be installed by the plumbing contractor. Further conflicts arise as many retailers and hardware stores do not appreciate that plumbing product must be certified under the WMCS before they can be legally installed. Traditionally there was no barrier to these retailers and distributors selling plumbing product to

ACROSS THE DITCH

the public whether certified or not. Often these sales are based on price and sold into the DIY market.

To combat these issues, in August 2017, the Queensland Government passed new laws under the Building and Construction legislation (Nonconforming Building Products – Chain of Responsibility and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017. These laws place greater responsibility on everyone in the building product supply chain to ensure that products used on buildings are fit for their intended purpose.

Point-of-sale compliance advocacy Non-Conforming Building Products (NCBPs) pose a grave risk to health and life safety, as their use threatens the integrity of buildings, putting all those who enter and use the building or building site potentially at risk. The use of NCBPs within a building can also create significant costs for owners, who often bear the burden of rectifying problems and/or undertaking remedial actions.

if non-approved products cannot be sold or purchased, they cannot be put into service illegally Damages claims and legal liability from the installation of NCBPs can also flow through the supply chain to the construction, manufacturing, trade (imports) and retail sectors.

This legislation aims to stop that by introducing a point of sale compliance, where a non-approved (nonWaterMarked) product supplied with the intention of being installed into a plumbing or drainage system would be deemed non-conforming or not fit for purpose.

MPA advocates that the WMSC should encompass point of sale legislation to truly protect water and waste infrastructure and the health of the community Australia wide. If

non-approved products cannot be sold or purchased, they cannot be put into service illegally. As with the Queensland legislation, point of sale requirements ensure that the supply chain is educated and understands their responsibility in the sale of products and that the consumer/customer/client is also able to access product information to assist in purchasing choice, rather than on price alone.

It is positive that the ABCB has undertaken a review of Point of Sale legislation and we await the outcome of this review. ■About the author: Penny Cornah is the Executive Director of the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland. Penny is well known to members and works closely with them and the Board on the raft of issues which currently face the industry. Penny identifies her role as heading the organisation that is the conduit between protecting community health and the environment. Penny was appointed as a Director to Master Plumbers Australia Ltd in 2012 and has taken over the Secretariat role.

June/July 2018 71

MASTERLINK MESSAGEBOARD

Best in class

What makes a great apprentice? Quality workmanship, reliability and excellent customer service skills were among the reasons why these six Masterlink apprentices were awarded 2018 Plumbing World Scholarships.

EACH YEAR, PLUMBING World awards $1,000 scholarships to nationwide Masterlink apprentices who have grown in maturity and shown diligence in their studies.

Kaleb Reeve Stage of apprenticeship: Final year Works at: Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas When the Waikato FutureForce careers resource was looking for a plumbing apprentice to video, they picked Kaleb Reeve.

In the video, Kaleb explains why he chose plumbing as a career path and what he enjoys about it. “I doubt the shy kid I met three years ago would have had the confidence to star in this video,” says Masterlink Central North Island Regional Manager Dave McGall. “It’s a credit to both Kaleb and to his host company.”

Dave Strong of Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas says it is Kaleb’s attitude that sets him apart. “He is on time, honest and a team player who gets on outstandingly well with all staff,” says Dave. “He continually receives compliments from customers, supervisors and co-workers. As a young apprentice, he has developed great respect from others on all sites where he has worked.”

At the 2017 Waikato Master Plumbers Awards, Kaleb won top second year apprentice and was also nominated for Masterlink apprentice of the year. He has also represented the Waikato region in the World Skills competition.

Watch the FutureForce video at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zCfJX7CcSdE&t=5s

Leon Watson Stage of apprenticeship: Now completed Works at: Adams Plumbing Leon Watson came to plumbing in his 30s, having run the family farm for many years after leaving school. He studied hard from day one of 72

June/July 2018

his plumbing and gasfitting qualification and has just passed his Tradesman Registration exams in both trades. A dedicated and loyal member of the team at Adams Plumbing, he is now training other apprentices at the firm.

He was nominated for the scholarship by Masterlink South Island Manager Roger Herd, who says Leon has grown in maturity both personally and professionally in the past 12 months.

Valentino Eyer Stage of apprenticeship: Third year Works at: Roger & Rogers Valentino Eyer was nominated for the scholarship by his host Jack Rogers for his attitude, aptitude and personality. “Valentino shows consideration to others and is very conscientious on job sites,” says Jack. “He has risen through the ranks and is viewed as a capable plumber with skills beyond his age.”

Academically able, Valentino is great at understanding and retaining instructions, and has high skill levels. He quickly became capable of carrying out maintenance plumbing and ventilation work and is often asked for by name by clients wanting more work carried out.

Valentino says he was very proud to represent the firm at Plumbing World’s inaugural Young Plumber of the Year competition. He won the Far North regionals and was placed fourth at the semi-final—quite a feat considering he had only one year of plumbing experience at the time and was competing against qualified plumbers and gasfitters.

“Having the opportunity to work for a firm like Rogers and Rogers has taught me many life skills, such as being punctual, flexible, honest and reliable,” he says. “I have developed great respect for those who are teaching me everything they know.”

The biggest challenge of the job is the diagnostic aspect, says Valentino.

Albert Singh Stage of apprenticeship: Second year Works at: W Mattson “Albert has achieved a high level of skills for someone at his stage at his apprenticeship,” says his host employer Tony

MASTERLINK MESSAGEBOARD

Mattson. “This allows us to allocate him technically interesting jobs, which continue building the foundations for a top tradesman.”

Polite, reliable and trustworthy, Albert was already quite a mature person on joining the company and has continued to grow in confidence and ability. “He is a valued member of our team and well liked by his peers,” says Tony.

He notes that the firm often gets positive feedback about Albert from customers he works for. “One example that comes to mind was a few months ago when Albert and Lionel were replacing some troublesome plastic pipes under a customer’s house. The job took longer than expected, mainly due to the very tight access under the house. Without hesitation, Albert and Lionel offered to stay on working late into the evening to get the water back on to all the customer’s fixtures. Our customer was so impressed with their overall work ethic that she bought them both $100 worth of movie vouchers.”

Albert says he has become increasingly aware of what is required by his role over the past 12 months—in particular having good customer service skills and adapting quickly to working in diverse environments with different challenges.

Tom Walls Stage of apprenticeship: Third year Works at: The Plumber Engaging, focused and positive is how Masterlink host Jamie Blakely describes his apprentice Tom Walls. “Tom is a team player and a great collaborator out on work sites and in team meetings. He always has ideas at hand to bring in to a discussion.”

The quality of Tom’s workmanship has also grown stronger every day says Jamie, with his problem-solving skills and ability to improvise coming along in leaps and bounds. “As a business, we have felt comfortable granting Tom more freedom and autonomy in his work. This frees up more time for us but also gives him the platform he needs to thrive as a trade professional.”

Tom enjoys striving to generate more business for the

his problem-solving skills and ability to improvise coming along in leaps and bounds company by offering the complete package of quality service, products and workmanship. Solving problems for clients is a constant challenge of the job, he says.

“Just last week a customer had a blocked toilet and on arrival I found all the drains on the property overflowing and the septic tank full. With a family wedding on the property in two days’ time, the customer was very stressed about getting the problem fixed. I got on the phone and arranged for a septic pumping truck to attend the site that morning to drain the tank and jet clean the drains.”

Scott Gillespie Stage of apprenticeship: Now completed Works at: Advantage Plumbing and Drainage Since receiving his scholarship, Scott Gillespie has completed his plumbing and drainlaying National Certificates. He was nominated for the scholarship for his 100% commitment and dedication to his job and for rising to any challenge that comes his way.

Scott’s host employer says he is doing exceptionally well for his age, is keen to learn, able to follow instructions and very reliable. In recent times, Scott has impressed the foreman at ABL construction with his involvement in a project for Fletcher Living, managing the preslab for 20 units at One Central (previously East Frame)—a new residential development in the centre of Christchurch.

“Another major project was at Lincoln New World, which involved a lot of afterhours work, due to the involvement of other contractors. This meant a lot of night shift and Sunday work on stainless blusher pipe with heat trace and fiberglass lagging—a 40m long distance of pipework, which took a lot of forward planning by Scott.”

Scott says he had moments in his apprenticeship when he started falling over, “But with great support from my host and Masterlink, I always picked myself up and got moving again.”

With the experience and skills he has gained over the course of his apprenticeship, Scott understands how to get it right first time.

June/July 2018 73

Come to us artfor quality

arning!

• art• living!

Masterlink handles all your apprentice needs.

Recruitment & testing

Mentoring and appraisals

• • • •Too easy!

Apprentice PAYE and HR

esses in Oamaru are Block course g for plumbing and arrangements gasfitting Health & safety management ntices right now.

Starter toolkit & PPE sterlink apprentice, we pay you while n for a great career. Get qualified and up for life! ourpractical team today ve good Contact hands-on, skills y real job0800 variety, send your CV and 502 102 tter to roger.herd@masterlink.co.nz admin@masterlink.co.nz www.masterlink.co.nz Link.co.nz

Programme development THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR is buzzing with demand for skilled tradespeople. With that buzz comes added importance on programme development. Skills has recognised that and appointed Richard Thornton in the new role of Programme Development Manager Lead.

Here’s a sneak-peak into what makes Richard tick.

1. Tell us about yourself I was born in Otahuhu and spent my college years at Papakura High. I’m a rugby fan, having played for Counties and coached at several schools. Outside work, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife, Suzanne, our children and grandchildren.

2. Where has your career taken you?

I spent 10 years as a secondary school principal and another 10 years in the business sector with Commodore Computers and Dick Smith Electronics. I spent several years in education review, was National Manager at the Education Review Office and Deputy CEO at NZQA. I’m also proud to have been involved with Special Education, Youth Guarantee and Vocational Pathways projects.

3. What’s your role at Skills?

I’ll be managing a team of programme managers and working with industry to ensure our programmes are fit for purpose. I’ll be involved in the continual development of the PGD apprenticeship.

We’ll soon be launching the Level 5 programme development and asking for your input.

NEXT GENERATION

Q&A with Richard Thornton, Programme Development Manager Lead at Skills.

4. What’s your vision?

I’ve done a lot of work with low socioeconomic communities, and it’s my vision to continue that by making vocational training accessible to all. I’d also like to have an impact on tutoring and put a modern spin on vocational training.

5. Finally, one thing that makes you, you!

I started collecting Matchbox Toys when I was seven, and never stopped. I now have an extensive collection which is popular with the grandchildren. ■ Thanks, Richard.

Richard is based at Skills’ Highbrook office in Auckland and is keen to stamp his mark on this exciting position.

Gooseneck

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES

SMS with simPRO

Now, that’s smart

Business texts get more affordable with new simPRO SMS plans.

Wise up to water heating with the new Rinnai Smart Cylinder™.

simPRO’s ongoing mission to help trade businesses increase productivity and profitability has taken a giant leap forward with the launch of their latest SMS plans to complement the job management system. simPRO’s SMS plans give businesses the ability to use mobile devices in the job process without having to worry about added service providers and logistics. Depending on the plan, cutting out the need for a separate SMS provider means businesses can save up to 60% on their current plans.

Starting from just $10 a month, businesses can choose from a range of plans that allow SMS anywhere from 110 to 1,250 messages. simPRO users with a SMS plan can send custom messages that update and inform customers on work progress or alert workers of a new job or request, meeting or project reminders, both on site or in the office.

The revolutionary new Rinnai Smart Cylinder™ offers the latest technology in home water heating, with a new and improved design that uses less power to keep the cylinder running, saving households up to 10%* on the water heating bill.

Traditionally, an electric HWC works to heat all the water in the cylinder 24/7, 52 weeks a year. The new Smart Cylinder™ learns the household’s habits and only heats what’s needed.

An easy-to-use LCD control pad has three handy modes: iQ Mode (smart learning mode), Manual Mode and Vacation Mode.

The iQ Mode learns one week of the household’s hot water usage habits, after which the savings algorithm is applied. The Rinnai Smart Cylinder™ constantly monitors the household water usage and updates the saving algorithm.

With Vacation Mode you select the number of days you’ll be away and the cylinder keeps the water at a minimum temperature (6°C) to save power. And if the household is hosting friends and family, Manual Mode enables it to operate as a traditional electrical storage cylinder when guests arrive.

The following Rinnai products have capacity as a Rinnai Smart Cylinder™ (135, 180, 250L): • Mains pressure enamel • Mains pressure stainless steel • Low-medium pressure stainless steel.

Dynamic duo Bring sleek, space-saving style to any shower with the Englefield Duo. Bring sleek, space-saving style to any shower with the Englefield Duo, an innovative 2-in-1 showerhead and hand shower combination. It will easily replace an existing fixed showerhead, screwing on to the shower arm – no tools required! The perimeter of the showerhead detaches to function as a convenient handshower and stays securely in place with magnetic docking when not in use. Duo offers five distinct spray experiences that can be changed at the touch of a button: Full Coverage, Silk Spray, Infinity Spray, and two combination sprays. Infinity Spray is a uniquely shaped water pattern that cleanses, massages, and rinses all in one spray.

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June/July 2018

*Savings are influenced by a number of factors including cylinder size, hot water use profiles and plumbing system design. Savings of up to 10% have been observed in field trials in New Zealand and Europe when compared to a standard electric hot water cylinder.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Grease lightning

Going under-house

Introducing Dux Endura XL Grease Traps.

A new addition to the Cofix range of pipe fixing products.

New to the Dux™ suite of Grease Management Solutions comes the Endura XL hydromechanical Grease Trap range. The Endura XL has a 75% smaller footprint when compared to traditional gravity grease traps, whilst still achieving the same grease capacity. This makes it lightweight, easy to transport and reduces installation time for the plumber or drainlayer.

Integrated flow control and a unique dynamic inlet baffle work together to deliver enhanced operational performance allowing for a more compact footprint. Three factory installed outlet points allow for the most convenient outlet connection to be used, also resulting in reduced installation time.

No matter what your requirements may be, Dux will have a Grease Management Solution.

For more information visit www.dux.co.nz

The new Cofix flat bar hanger is the ideal attachment for under-house pipe fittings. Traditionally only available with the pipe clamp pre-attached, requiring large amounts of bars in different dimensions, Cofix’s new flat bar comes with a 10mm boss, so clamp change-outs can be done easily and effectively on site to all pipe clamp dimensions for PVC, copper, PPR and more.

Zinc-coated for durability, with multiple holes and a versatile length of 440mm, the flat bar provides a great inexpensive under-house fitting that complements the Cofix range of pipe clamps.

Contact james@aquatherm.co.nz for more information.

Smart software for growing trade businesses Cloud-based job management software for plumbers

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June/July 2018 77

Even the most experienced plumbers can run into a tricky situation.

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The most cost-effective solutions for MPGD members, tailored specifically for your unique circumstances.

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Email: allan.mearns@sprattfinancial.co.nz

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June/July 2018

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AND FINALLY

Offcuts

Media snippets with a plumbing flavour from here and abroad.

Kiwi shower habits

Kiwis like to sing, listen to music and even eat in the shower, according to a recent Rinnai Smart Cylinder survey. Half of those surveyed said their bed was the best place in the house to think, but 18% did their best thinking in the shower, and 7% in the toilet. The survey found that almost half (48%) of New Zealanders said a hot shower is a greater necessity of life than the internet (28%), a smartphone (13%) and coffee (10%). Showering can also be the cause of household grief, however, with those hogging the shower causing household hot water arguments, according to 41% of respondents.

Parliamentary plumbing

The Palace of Westminster, home of the British Parliament is “rotting from the inside” with its water and waste pipes described as “sclerotic” in an article in the New Zealand Herald. After a 10-year delay, British lawmakers have finally approved “one of the most ambitious restoration projects of the modern age”, says the report, which will see the entire Parliament decamp to nearby buildings for six years while the refurbishment takes place. Apparently, work is scheduled to start in 2025 and will include an upgrade of the 1880s sewage ejector and constantly failing loos above.

Plumbers to the rescue

Hawke’s Bay plumber Bevan Gully of Advanced Plumbing & Drainage was on his way to work when he saw a group of cyclists being charged by an aggressive steer that had become separated from the rest of the herd while crossing the rural road, reported the Sunday Star Times in April.

With one of the men lying on the ground and about to be charged again, Bevan took quick action, hooting his horn and driving at the steer with his vehicle’s bull bars. The steer took off once more, targeting a stationary female cyclist, who ended up in hospital with a seriously injured leg. Gully jumped back in his ute and parked up beside her until the emergency services arrived. The plumber was the unsung hero, said the male cyclist.

Also in April, the driver of a plumbing and bathroomware truck came to the aid of the driver of a truck and container unit carrying a load of onions, which had toppled and partly crushed his plumbing truck. He managed to climb out of the window and pull the other driver out to safety, reported Hawke’s Bay Today. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Robotic plumbers?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) units are out to get us—and take our jobs—according to a piece in the Northern Outlook. The website willrobotstakemyjob.com invites you to submit your occupation and fires back a percentage estimate of whether your job is in jeopardy, it says. Apparently, landscapers and groundkeepers fare among the worst, with a 95% chance of losing their daily tasks to robots. The outlook for plumbers, pipefitters and steam fitters is better at 35%, but they should still “be looking over their collective shoulders”.

“Robots, it seems, are perfectly comfortable if asked to assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air or other liquids or gases,” says the article.

Hydrology Study Retreat – Assignment Answers (from p62) “Each of these were studied quite intensively throughout the weekend,” says Ray Galt.

1. Acoustics: science of sound 2. Aerodynamics: dynamics of gases 3. Alethiology: study of truth 4. Aristology: science of art of dining 5. Bioecology: study of interaction of life in the environment 6. Climatology: study of climate 7. Fluviology: study of watercourses 8. Gastronomy: study of fine dining 9. Geoponics: study of agriculture 10. Gerontology: study of the elderly and aging 11. Halieutics: study of fishing 12. Hydrodynamics: study of movement in liquids 13. Hydrology: study of water resources 14. Hyetology: science of rainfall 15. Hypsography: science of measuring heights 16. Ichthyology: study of fish 17. Kymatology: study of wave motion 18. Labeorphily: collection and study of beer bottle labels 19. Limonology: study of bodies of fresh water 20. Microclimatology: study of local climates 21. Oenology: study of wines 22. Ombrology: study of rain 23. Orology: study of mountains 24. Schematonics: art of using gesture to express tones 25. Zymurgy: branch of chemistry dealing with brewing and distilling.

June/July 2018 79

A COMPLETE TRAP & WASTE SOLUTION

AIR ADMITTANCE VALVE for better performance and a curved internal bend for smooth flow

Integrated pop-up waste with flat style plug (optional) Choice of 32mm or 40mm outlets

TELESCOPIC INLET for quick and easy height adjustment

WIDE SPACE for easy handling

FULL REPLACEMENT WARRANTY 50 years warranty on traps and 10 year warranty on pop-ups

AS2887 LicWMK 26068 AS/NZS 4936 LicWMK26069 SAIGlobal

WIDTh OF TRAP from centre of inlet to outlet

Introducing the ideal solution for when space is limited - the new Dux Tight P Trap range. With 6 feature-packed traps to choose from, our Tight P Traps will see you working smarter and faster.

Check out the full range and technical specifications at www.dux.co.nz *Applies to width of traps only.

AND FINALLY

DODGY Plumbing

Keep them coming! Send your Dodgy Plumbing examples to the Ed: beverlysellers@xtra.co.nz

Dodgy plumbing, gas and drainage… we’ve got it all!

Cooked!

“Came to replace this only to find it illegally installed in the first place,” says Martin de Gouw of Clyne & Bennie Plumbing.

Pushed for space

“Another installation by a skinny plumber/ electrician,” says Dale Lovell of Heron Plumbing. “This was passed by the council in Auckland, we assume, as the owners have moved. The call was for no hot water—unfortunately, we can’t get near the electrical to test.”

Tempering tampering

Foleys Dunedin say they discovered this deceitful installation recently. “The first photo shows a tempering valve installation where the valve has been installed the wrong way around, together with polybutelene hot supply from the top of the HWC. Imagine our surprise when we investigated further to find the apparent tempered hot water pipe terminated within the wall cavity and just nailed to the stud. No wonder the client was experiencing hot water problems. Someone was obviously trying to pull the wool over their eyes, or they carried out the work themselves. What makes this even more serious is that the HWC was also heated by a space heater.”

Mixing it up

“A wee gem we found in Oxford area,” say Craig and Mal of Malcolms Plumbing and Drainage.

June/July 2018 81

AND FINALLY

DODGY Plumbing

UED

CONTIN

Rust never sleeps

Support act

Thanks to Rob Dobbie for sending in this classy photo. “And I thought logs went in the toilet,” he says.

“Another home handyman installation of a HWC,” says Dale Lovell of Heron Plumbing. “Leak on the top crox nut was dripping and has rusted the outside of the HWC. Short-sightedness and cost-cutting has meant the replacement of a 7-monthold HWC.”

What a gas

“Found this in a rental property,” says Tom Palmer of Foley Plumbers. "The tenant had installed himself. Obviously he was not tradesman. We removed before damage was done."

Bathroom botch up

Thanks to Terrance Upfold of Truflow Plumbing for sending in these photos. “I went to a customer who had just bought a house. The previous homeowner had done the bathroom himself and this is what I found behind the walls after advising the whole job was dodgy.”

Please send the biggest size photos you have.

The bigger the file, the bigger we can show it on the page!

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State of collapse

No comment needed. Thanks to Vince Basile Plumbing for sending in this gem!

157

18° 89

99

430

40 MAX

Ø33~Ø36

G1/2˝

20° 270 202 120

Ø33~Ø36

40 Max

420

G1/2˝

102

Ø64

80

Ø64

18

14

o

200

55~65 102

170

Ø64

70 80

Ø64

14

G1/2” Cold

20

55~65

170

70

G1/2” Hot

G1/2” Cold

Recommend 102mm

Ø64

The finished wall

G1/2˝

18º 200 Rim of bath

Rc1/2” x 3

100

Finished Wall 3.5

100

Rc1

100 160

14

32~52

14

182 323

22°

Ø33~Ø36

40 Max

232

G1/2” Hot

G1/2˝

Congratulations

New Zealand Plumbing Awards Product of the Year 2018! ...and SHOUT! We’re totally pumped that TWIST® has received the prestigious Master Plumbers Product of the Year Award 2018. If you’re not familiar with what TWIST® can do then keep reading.

A smart and sustainable solution for rainwater harvesting. › Twist helps homeowners maintain a secondary source of water by turning a single downpipe into a tap › A compact water diverter, Twist quick connects to a small collection tank via any standard hose fitting › Designed for tanks up to 1,000 litres, Twist can fill a 300-litre tank in an hour* › It saves free water for the garden, topping up the pool, general cleaning or emergency use › In rural settings Twist can divert water to drinking troughs which are close to the house or out buildings

Now there’s something to shout about with your customers!

Find out more and watch videos at marley.co.nz/twist

*Simulated test conditions.

See Marley.co.nz for more information.

New Plum Zealand bing Awar ds PR

OD THE Y UCT OF EAR 2 018