NZ Plumber October-November 2019

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

2020 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE: Get ready for Marlborough

WATER LEAK CLAIMS

The high cost of water damage

G12 AND G13

Some changes you need to know about

MORE WOMEN WANTED

What's being done to attract females to trades

More flow | More control | Easier to maintain

30% more flow Compared to original Fastflow*

Find out how at fastflow2.co.nz *Average increase compared to original FastflowŽ when tested on typical unequal pressure (header tank, single story, double story and heavy head) with mix temperate at 40°C.

48

Be safe with jetters

24

72

$10k for employers taking on MSD jobseekers through Masterlink

Contents

Plumbing on the world stage

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

EVENTS

REAL LIVES

NUTS & BOLTS

10 NZ Plumbing Conference 2020

28 On the rise

From apprentice to business co-owner

42 Standards spotlight

What’s changed for G12 and G13

40 Drain man

Why this apprentice loves his drainage career choice

44 Shed the lead

The risks of lead in our water and what plumbers can do to reduce them

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS 13 CEO Greg Wallace on public liability insurance and a new crisis management resource; Guarantee cover now $20k

MASTER PLUMBERS BENEFITS

18 Some great new member resources

IN FOCUS: ATTRACTING NEW TALENT COVER STORY 20 More women wanted!

What’s being done to grow female workforce numbers 24 Skills for jobseekers

Government initiatives and subsidies to encourage trades employers to take on jobseekers 26 Passing it on

How retired tradespeople are helping upskill future workers

TECHNICAL THEME: PLUMBING PIPEWORK & SYSTEMS

31 Pipe penetration through cladding How to get it right 34 Pressed for time?

Why press fit systems can save time on site 36 Rise in water damage claims Water damages top claims in new Aussie report 38 Let’s talk PEX Installation advice for new pex system

46 Gas ring

Gas disconnection advice, important gas certification update and new cylinder guidance 48 Stay safe under pressure

Safety pointers for high-pressure jetter use 49 Tech Q&A

Answering producer statement queries

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT 51 Polytechs in prisons

A plumbing course at Springhill Corrections Facility is teaching inmates useful skills

October/November 2019

3

ON THE COVER OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

2020 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE:

11

Get ready for Marlborough

WATER LEAK CLAIMS

36

G12 AND G13

42

The high cost of water damage Some changes you need to know about

20 Why we need more women in the mix

INDUSTRY TALK 56 Kiwis for kiwi

Why Rheem has got involved in this charitable project 57 Monkey off your back

Laser Plumbing members are getting on their bikes for a good cause 58 Civil construction projects awarded

A look at some outstanding projects and a new report on the state of the civil construction industry

SMART BUSINESS 60 Situational awareness

What it is and why you need it in your business 62 Post-injury rehabilitation

What to consider when an employee is out of action on long-term accident compensation 63 In the office

Andrea Lovell discusses the reality of retentions

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October/November 2019

20

64 Compound interest: eighth wonder of the world

Tips from our new finance columnist 65 10 tips for surviving the silly season

Be ready for the Christmas period 66 Sam’s speak

Sam Tyson asks: are you making enough money?

NEXT GENERATION 69 Valentino’s day

Masterlink apprentice Valentino Eyer’s journey to the Young Plumber of the Year National Final 70 Master Plumbers Apprentice Membership

Awesome new deals and discounts for apprentice members 72 Can-do in Kazan

What this Southland plumber was doing in Russia

MORE WOMEN WANTED

What's being done to attract females to trades

On the cover: Women make up half the population but currently only a tiny percentage of the plumbing sector—and that needs to change.

Photograph courtesy of NAWIC.

76 Masterlink messageboard

Updates from the Master Plumbersowned apprentice management company 78 Dyslexia no obstacle

How Harrison West has received the support to succeed

HEALTH & SAFETY 80 Silicosis alert

Why plumbers must know about silicosis dangers 81 Toolbox tips

The importance of speaking up about safety matters

PRODUCTS & SERVICES 83

What’s new to the market plus this edition’s Master Plumbers Recommends featured product

AND FINALLY 86 Dodgy plumbing

Shonky work to make your eyes water

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Volume 71, Number 5 MAGAZINE TEAM CEO Greg Wallace EDITOR Beverly Sellers 03 543 2008 bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz DESIGN Sally Travis Design www.sallytravisdesign.co.nz PRINT Blue Star 81 The Esplanade, Petone Wellington 6141 SUBSCRIPTIONS NZ Plumber is published six times a year by Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ. Members and Certifying tradespeople receive all six editions. If you wish to opt out, please email bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz To order an annual subscription, go to www.masterplumbers.org.nz MAILING LIST For enquiries, or to update your details: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz Non-Master Plumbers’ members with address detail changes should notify the PGD Board direct, giving their registration number here: registration@pgdb.co.nz TO ADVERTISE Contact Alton Anamani advertising@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.

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October/November 2019

Plugging the gap

It’s good to see some positive initiatives underway to attract more people to a plumbing career.

WHILE PULLING TOGETHER this edition of NZ Plumber, I spent some time in the UK staying with my elderly parents. I was intrigued to see an advert in the local community newspaper for a plumbing company called Pink Plumbing, comprised entirely of women.

Whilst an all female company is a rare thing, it is always good to see females thriving in a plumbing career.

Women make up half the population in New Zealand but only a tiny percentage of registered plumbers—so attracting more into the industry is one obvious solution to plugging the skills gap. On page 20, we look at what action is being taken to encourage and support female tradespeople in this country.

Another solution is to educate school leavers about their career options aside from university and it’s positive to see a new government scholarship being made available to all high schools for students who excel in trades subjects—showing both parents and pupils that trades skills are to be acknowledged and valued. Turn to page 23 for more about this new prize.

Jobseekers who have been out of work for a while or want a career switch are another useful pool of people to tap into, and the Ministry of Social Development has some practical Skills for Industry initiatives to increase their construction skills, as well as financial support for employers who take them on through the Master Plumbersowned Masterlink apprentice company (see p24).

We also talked to the inspirational founder of Kiwi Can Do, a programme that gets willing and able retired tradespeople involved in helping jobseekers pull on a fluoro, hard hat and steel boots and learn a skill to become a tradesperson. Read the article on p26. Employers shouldn’t look past giving a prisoner a second chance, either, says Olaf Sparrow, plumbing tutor at Springhill Corrections Facility. He explains why on page 51.

Plumber Paul Olsen, who we feature on p28, has gone from apprentice to co-owner at a Christchurch business and is now supporting the apprentices coming through the firm—a perfect example of how to keep this industry thriving.

There is still a long way to go to fill the severe shortage of plumbers, but every new initiative or new employer deciding to take on an apprentice takes us a step closer.

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

OVER TO YOU The best email, letter, tip or photo sent in by readers that we publish on this page wins a $50 prize voucher.

Email the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

PRIZE LETTER Why dodgy?

We have been sitting around the smoko table discussing the picture ‘Danger averted’ [NZ Plumber, August-September 2019, p82]. We are not able to work out why this is considered dodgy work. We all feel it is entirely legitimate to install a valve vented system. Clearly the valve is doing what it is designed to do, as well as alerting the owner to issues on the hot water cylinder. Is there any more information you can provide so as to close what has been a very good learning conversation?

Rob Malcolm, James B Malcolm Ltd

From the Ed: We forwarded Rob’s query to the company that sent in the photo and this was their response: “The HWC was connected to a fire wetback which was running 24/7. These valves can’t be used with a wetback. When a wetback is installed, it can turn the HWC into a kettle—not a great idea to put a plug in the spout of a kettle… It needs unrestricted flow to prevent the pressure building up.”

“Perfect,” replied Rob. “That was one of the scenarios put forward.”

This edition’s $50 letter prize voucher on its way to you now, Rob!

Is self-certification the answer?

Dear Ed I read with interest the technical column written by Rod Miller in which he answers a question about an issue the writer had with a drainage inspector and what should they do?

The short answer advised by MBIE is to seek a ‘Determination’ to the issue. This process can be time consuming and there is a cost involved, with the determination being made not necessarily in favour of the drainlayer.

Rod suggests that the only solution is to have self-certification for plumbers and drainlayers. Given the wide scope of our trades and the varying level of competency being practised by individual trades persons, I personally do not agree that selfcertification is the answer.

You only have to read the Editorial in [the August-September issue of] the magazine and look at the endless stream of dodgy plumbing photos to appreciate that everything is not all black and white when trying to comply with either an Acceptable Solution, an Alternative Solution or a Verification Method.

Do you know and understand the different requirements of each method of compliance??

For a number of years I was a Plumbing and Drainage Inspector (on the dark side). One of the questions I used to be asked by tradespeople was: “What can I get away with?” The discussion that followed was at times forthright and blunt and at other times I put my educator’s hat on. The issue was discussed and a means of compliance was agreed to which achieved a mutually satisfactory resolution to the issue.

When the Government introduced the Building Act, the provision for plumbing and drainage inspections only to be carried out by licensed plumbers and/or drainlayers was repealed and other professions were permitted to conduct plumbing inspections. These include carpenters and people holding a bachelor of Building Science degree. It must be added that plumbing inspectors are also used as building (carpentry) inspectors. I believe this has led to an abuse of power, due in some cases to a lack of understanding or interpretation of the rules and regulations.

A mentor of mine used to say that “Rules and Regulations are for the guidance of wise men (persons) and the strict adherence of fools”. You place yourself in the appropriate category.

As a former Council officer, I used to be contacted by applicants complaining that I (the Council) was taking too long to process their consent. A check of the consent would bring to light that the application had been stopped because further information had been requested from the architect. The architect had been circumspect with the truth when talking to the client and conveniently passed the blame onto the Territorial Authority. The practice of sending a copy of the letter to both the applicant and the architect to inform them of what was happening was instigated.

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LETTERS

Rod conveniently wraps up the whole application process into one. The applicant in a lot of cases does not understand the process and, as we run around in circles, we lose sight of the objective due to a lack of clear information and directions.

In closing, I offer some points for further discussion: •

Self-certification will not work for plumbing and/or drainlaying in its current regime • Clearer and simpler documentation covering the building application needs be produced • MBIE needs to have a technical advice helpline similar to other organisations, where issues can be discussed and clarified, so the tradesperson can make a reasoned decision based on the documentation and knowledge available • Inspection documentation needs to be simpler, with a set requirement of the number of inspections and photos taken to assist in the record keeping and help resolve issues that may occur • There needs to be clarification of the re-inspection regime on a job—set number per type of inspection, and awareness from the client of the costs associated with poor tradesmen on site.

Derek Staines

Multi-layer ‘plastic’ gas pipe concerns I have been a Certifying Gasfitter for over 40 years and earlier this year I finished a 3-year period as a Lecturer in Gasfitting at Unitec Institute of Technology. During my time at Unitec it was apparent when talking to the students that most of them were installing various forms of the multi-layer gas piping systems that are currently on the market. When discussing these products, it became apparent to me that the students were not aware of the regulations around the installation of these systems, but I put it down to their lack of experience in gasfitting. I hoped and believed that their employers would be ensuring that no mistakes were being left unresolved.

However, since leaving Unitec to start my own gasfitting business, I have found, on an almost daily basis, installations using ‘plastic’ pipe systems that are non-compliant. I have listed below the faults I am finding, the relevant page number where it is referred to in AS/NZS 5601:2013.1 and a precis of what the clause states.

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have yet to find an installation where a transition piece has been fitted (clause 5.2.13) I have never come across an installation that has a label attached to the gas meter or bottles stating which system has been used in the property (clause 4.5.4) I have also found many installations where the pipework is exposed to sunlight (clause 5.3.17) Also finding undersized pipework is common.

I appreciate the above contraventions of the codes may not have any immediate serious safety consequences, but not following them means a lot of unnecessary hassle for gasfitters in the future when needing to add to, alter or repair the installations.

The systems in the NZ market are not inter-changeable and each need their own expensive specialist tools to install. It’s not that easy to identify which product you are dealing when most of the pipework is hidden within the building structure.

One common fault that I do come across regularly and which

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October/November 2019

does cause me major concerns over the safety of the installation is the use of ‘plastic’ pipe to make the final connection to a gas appliance (page 110, clause 6.6.1).

I have to admit that I do not know for certain why this is stated in the gas codes. I contacted two manufacturers of the product to find out and they couldn’t help, which is concerning in itself.

As gasfitters, we should be able to rely on the manufacturers of the products we install to be as knowledgeable as us, if not more so, about the systems they are selling. I emailed Energy Safety for advice and was told that, in the first instance, I should ask my fellow gasfitters. Answers on a postcard please!!

Based on my 40 plus years’ experience, my concern is where gas cooktops and gas fires have been directly connected to the ‘plastic’ pipework, it results in the ‘plastic’ pipe being exposed to much higher temperatures than I believe they are designed to withstand.

During my career I have come across several installations where a domestic electric oven has been installed in its housing without the required compartment ventilation being supplied. This had led to severe scorching of the inside of the oven housing. If the heat generated by the oven can scorch wood, what could it do to the ‘plastic’ gas pipe?

The same applies to gas fires. The gas connection on many fires is directly underneath the gas burner. I know that a New Zealand gas fire manufacturer had issues with its electronic control system being affected by high temperatures found beneath the burner. Again, what impact will these temperatures have on the pipework? This problem can be even more extreme on an open flued gas fire. I have seen gas fire heat exchangers blocked with soot that has led to the burner flame ‘rolling’ under the burner itself, causing severe damage to anything below the burner.

I have found gas leaks on the connection between the pilot supply pipe and the gas valve, which catch light when the gas fire is on and continue to burn until the fire is turned off. These connections are often directly below or adjacent to the inlet gas pipe.

Most accidents are caused, not by one event alone, but by a series of mistakes. We, as professional tradespeople, must make sure we are not contributing to a possible future disaster by ignoring the gas codes or by failing to use our common sense where the codes may not be clear.

Robin Trevallion, Marine & Domestic Gas Ltd

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:

October/November 2019

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EVENTS

What’s on With 2020 around the corner, here’s an industry calendar for this year and into next—including the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Conference!

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Forum Christchurch gasnz.org.nz

Zealand Roadshow Queenstown Zealand Roadshow Dunedin Free (6pm) Invercargill Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz trade.centralheating.co.nz Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz

Trust within Teams training course Tauranga $100 ex GST (member price) masterplumbers.org.nz

7 Developing High

7Auckland Build

7 Central Heating

8 Central Heating

13Developing High

14Developing High

2020

MARCH

30GasNZ Industry 4 Central Heating New

Trust within Teams training course Nelson $100 ex GST (member price) masterplumbers.org.nz

•

2019 • Auckland Free • aucklandbuildexpo. com •

5 Central Heating New 6 Central Heating New 6 Developing High Zealand Roadshow

Building & Facilities Management Summit BIM & Digital Construction Summit Women in Construction Summit Auckland Build Expo Conference

11Central Heating New 12Central Heating

13Central Heating

DECEMBER

11Developing High

Zealand Roadshow Wellington Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz

14

New Zealand Roadshow Palmerston North Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz

New Zealand Roadshow Napier Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz

Central Heating New Zealand Roadshow Hamilton Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz

2 ATP Electrical

Training Auckland $995 inc GST www.etec.ac.nz/courses/ etec-electrical

Trust within Teams training course Christchurch $100 ex GST (member price) masterplumbers.org.nz

APRIL

JUNE

JULY

1-3NZ Plumbing

Conference Marlborough nzplumbingconference. org.nz

3

ATP Electrical Training Auckland $995 inc GST www.etec.ac.nz/courses/ etec-electrical

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

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October/November 2019

1 ATP Electrical

Training Christchurch $995 inc GST www.etec.ac.nz/courses/ etec-electrical

New Zealand Roadshow Timaru Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz

Trust within Teams training course Auckland $100 ex GST (member price) masterplumbers.org.nz

22 & 33National Safety Show & Build NZ Auckland Free buildnz.com safetyshow.co.nz

New Zealand Roadshow Nelson Free (6pm) trade.centralheating.co.nz

Trust within Teams training course Hamilton $100 ex GST (member price) masterplumbers.org.nz

18ATP Electrical

Training Wellington $995 inc GST www.etec.ac.nz/courses/ etec-electrical

DECEMBER

2 ATP Electrical

Training Auckland $995 inc GST www.etec.ac.nz/courses/ etec-electrical

NZ Plumbing Conference 2020

EVENTS

Registrations open on 23 October for the 2020 NZ Plumbing Conference, to be held in the stunning Marlborough Region.

Master Plumbers is very excited to announce that the 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Conference will be held in the scenic Marlborough region from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 April.

Surrounded by world-renowned vineyards, rolling hills and pristine coastline, the Marlborough Convention Centre is the contemporary and spacious venue for the event.

With its large exhibition area, onsite catering and multi-purpose spaces, the venue is conveniently located in the centre of Blenheim, providing easy access to Marlborough’s major attractions, including Peter Jackson’s Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, wineries, cafés, restaurants and, of course, the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

There are excellent accommodation options at different price points, all just a five-minute walk from the conference venue.

Strategies for Success is the theme of the 2020 event, combining valuable business, product and technical information to take back to your business. For the first time ever, the conference will also include a Women in Plumbing programme.

Master Plumbers looks forward to bringing you another topquality conference for the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry and encourages everyone to attend.

10 key highlights 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Guest Speakers & Technical Sessions Trade Exhibition & Product Showcases Women in Plumbing Programme Panel Discussion: Master Plumbers & PGDB Partner Activity Programme: Food & Wine Tour Taste of Marlborough Welcome Night Function Fun Night Dinner at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Afternoon Leisure Activities: Vineyard Tours & Boating in the Sounds 10. New Zealand Plumbing Awards Dinner Register at www.plumbingconference.org.nz—early bird rates apply until 31 January 2020.

October/November 2019

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*Promotion offer is exclusive to Mico trade account customers. Rewards will not be offered if the customer is outside of Mico customer credit terms. Available while stocks last. Limited quantities of Hams, Smoker Bundles (500) and GoPro Hero 7 White (280) nationwide. Qualifying supplier product spend includes: Rheem, Hydroflow, Caroma, Kembla, Dux, Apex, Aqualine, SPK, RMC, Iplex and Raymor. Promotion period is from Tuesday 1st October 2019 to Saturday 30th November 2019, or while stocks last. Limit of 4 x Hams, 1 x Smoker Bundle and 1 x GoPro Hero 7 White per trade account/customer while stocks last. Rewards will be available for collection from your local branch after the promotion, the Mico team will advise you on dates nearer the time. Unless stated otherwise, all rewards must be collected by Wednesday 18th December. For full terms and conditions, visit www.mico.co.nz/hams. *Ham sizes are an approximate only and may vary between 4–4.5 kgs in weight (includes the bone). Each ham comes supplied in a Mico cooler bag.

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MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

CEO’S REPORT FOLLOWING THE GAS explosion in Christchurch, Master Plumbers has been working on two key initiatives to support members in the event of any significant incident that could impact the operation and reputation of their business.

The first is to put in place a crisis management action plan for members’ use. This one-page plan includes available support and contacts for legal advice, public relations and media advice, HR advice, IT advice and employee assistance programme services, should staff counselling be needed.

This action plan will be free for members to download in the business resources section of our website.

The second is to ensure members

a further $8 million cover for only a small extra fee CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON 16 OCTOBER, the Master Plumbers Board held a strategic planning day, where we sat down to go over the strategic plan and see if we needed to make any changes to our direction.

The five-year plan is reviewed on an ongoing basis, and amends are made depending on how events unfold during the year.

to ensure we have the right people in the right place for the future

have public liability cover that is fit for purpose and sufficient to cover a major incident that may be out of your control. In a newly negotiated package with Master Plumbers Insurance broker Crombie Lockwood, for a small additional annual fee, all members signed up to the Master Plumbers Insurance offering can enjoy extended public liability cover of $10 million.

For a small to medium business that currently has $2 million public liability cover, for example, this means a further $8 million cover for only a small extra fee—a significant benefit of being a Master Plumbers member and taking advantage of what Master Plumbers Insurance has to offer.

We are excited to announce that our 2020 New Zealand Plumbing Conference will be held from 1-3 April in the Marlborough region, a spectacular part of the country and the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds.

We have some stunning venues for the three days and our focus is to ensure everyone takes valuable learnings back

Advocacy is a major strategic focus for Master Plumbers, and we are working with Government and other stakeholders on a number of key projects. This work is currently affected by the fact that the Government’s vocational education reforms are up in the air in terms of how they will look in reality.

Diversity around the Board table is high on the radar and this was another topic for discussion on the day, as was Board succession planning to ensure we have the right people in the right place for the future.

Earlier in October, I attended Roger Herd’s farewell evening in Dunedin, together with CEO Greg Wallace and South Island Masterlink team members.

Roger retired in September, after 15 years with Masterlink and more than 50 years in our industry. It was a great event, with drinks and speeches to thank Roger for his commitment to the industry – and I’m sure he will continue to keep in touch to make sure everything is tracking well!

to their business. We really encourage you to take some time out of your business to enjoy what we feel sure will be a wonderfully successful conference.

Another current focus for Master Plumbers is our ongoing advocacy work with the Ministry of Education, the Tertiary Education Commission and industry training organisations regarding the apprentice training reforms. This is very much a work in progress, but we want to ensure that we are at the table for any discussions on what these reforms will look like for our industry.

On a final note, we are extremely pleased to have enhanced our apprentice membership category with some fantastic new discounts and deals.

Looking after this industry’s future generation is one of our key drivers and we believe these expanded benefits are of great value to all apprentices.

Greg Wallace, CEO Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ

Above: Roger Herd and his wife Lynn at the farewell event, with Roger’s certificate for long service to Master Plumbers and Masterlink.

October/November 2019

13

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Master Plumbers Guarantee now $20k We’re very pleased to let members know that the Master Plumbers homeowner guarantee has been increased to $20,000.

With the rising cost of residential building work, we have reviewed the amount covered by the Master Plumbers Guarantee and we are very pleased to inform members that it now covers up to $20,000 including GST. The guarantee applies to residential plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying work carried out by a Master Plumber. It covers: •

Advance payment: completion of any work that has been paid for but not completed, due to the Master Plumber going into liquidation or bankruptcy*

•

Substandard workmanship: remedying of any work done that is accepted not to be up to the standard expected of a Master Plumber.*

To help you promote the Master Plumbers Guarantee to your customers, find a consumer fact sheet and logo downloads in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz * Subject to terms and conditions. Exclusions apply.

Apprentice Membership: great new deals

For just $40 a year, plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprentices can apply for Master Plumbers Apprentice Membership and receive some awesome benefits!

All plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices can apply to become a Master Plumbers Apprentice Member.

Discover the many great reasons for signing up on p70.

They include: • Membership card that doubles as a 12-month StudentCard, New Zealand’s largest discount card • Discounts and deals on tyres, vehicle servicing, hire equipment, powertool purchases and much more • Fully funded Outward Bound Scholarship opportunities • Discounted Master Plumbers training courses • Discounted Trade Lab PGDB exam preparation courses.

Want to join?

Above: Sign up to become an Apprentice Member for only $40 per year.

All this for a sign-up fee of just $40 per year.

And Masterlink plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprentices are automatically enrolled—Masterlink will cover your sign-up fee at no cost to you or your host!

Head to www.masterplumbers.org.nz/ apprentice-membership to sign up today.

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

Special two-year membership deal available 0800 502 102; membership@masterplumbers.org.nz www.masterplumbers.org.nz

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October/November 2019

NEW MEMBERS A warm welcome to new member businesses: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A Plus Plumbing, Whanganui Barnes Plumbing, Southland Civil Underground, Auckland Dynamo Plumbing, Auckland Haase Marshall Drainage, Canterbury Hot Haus Heating & Plumbing, Waikato KR Plumbing, Otago Lake Wide Plumbing, Volcanic Plateau Lanceley Plumbing & Drainage, Manawatu Mike Lindsay Plumbing, Otago Phoenix Plumbing, Waikato Preferred Plumbing Specialists, Manawatu Prentice Solutions, Auckland R&J Tennent Plumbing, Canterbury Rigby Plumbing & Gas 2012, Volcanic Plateau Smith Plumbing & Gas, Otago Stechman Plumbing, Hutt Valley/ Wairarapa Thompson Plumbing & Gas, Whanganui Tilyard Plumbing, Auckland Tully and Plumber, Wellington Valet Plumbing, Auckland VIP Plumbing, Volcanic Plateau Watersmith Plumbing & Gas, Hutt Valley/Wairarapa

Half-Yearly Meeting

Nationwide Branch and Association delegates attended the Master Plumbers Half-Yearly Meeting in Wellington in mid-October.

This year’s half-yearly meeting was held in Wellington just as NZ Plumber was going to print. The agenda included guest speakers Graham Burke of the Specialist Trade Contractors Federation and Tim Fowler of the Tertiary Education Commission. We will have more information in the next edition.

MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Portable LPG cabinet heater risks

Master Plumbers is renewing its call for portable LPG cabinet heaters to be banned in New Zealand.

A coroner’s report, released in August, showed an elderly Christchurch man had died from carbon monoxide poisoning in his home due to the use of a faulty LPG cabinet heater in a space with insufficient ventilation. This has led Master Plumbers to renew its call for the ban from sale of portable unflued gas heaters of this kind in New Zealand.

As well as the carbon monoxide risks, unflued gas heaters release pollutants and water vapour known to increase respiratory problems, such as asthma—a particular health issue among children in New Zealand.

From our research, we can confirm that the leading household product retailers in this country no longer stock cabinet

customers with cabinet heaters in their homes aware of the risks and the need for regular servicing, and to let them know about their alternative heating options.

Above: Whilst LPG cabinet heaters are no longer for general sale on the high street, they are still often available for purchase on online auction sites—and not necessarily in good condition. heaters. However, second-hand products remain available for sale on online auction sites—some advertised with known faults.

We urge our members to make any

Our advocacy work Lobbying for cabinet heaters to be banned from sale in New Zealand is just one of the topical issues on our advocacy agenda. To find out what other work we are engaged with, read our new advocacy document at www.masterplumbers.org.nz (under About)

Best in brand prize

Best Plumbing is our Best in Brand winner this edition!

Will you be next up for the $200 prize?

Les Francis, who runs Kerikeri Master Plumbers member company Best Plumbing, sent in this photo of their van showing the Master Plumbers branding along with their own logo reworked to include the Master Plumbers aqua. It really pops, says Les. You’re right there! A $200 Prezzy Card voucher prize is on its way.

Send us your entries Send us a photo of your vehicles, workplace or work wear showing how you use the Master Plumbers brand to best advantage. Email Sonja Rae by 8 November 2019: srae@masterplumbers. org.nz and we’ll put your entry in the draw.

Public liability insurance: extended offering In a new insurance package with Master Plumbers Insurance broker Crombie Lockwood, members can enjoy $10m public liability cover for a small additional annual fee.

In your daily work at clients’ properties, you need to have sufficient cover should the worst happen, and the property gets damaged or someone is injured. To join Master Plumbers, members must have an absolute minimum of $1m public liability cover. Given rising building and

property costs, we have negotiated a new package with Master Plumbers Insurance broker Crombie Lockwood that enables members using the Master Plumbers Insurance offering to extend their public liability cover to $10m for a small additional annual fee.

To find out more, contact Crombie Lockwood on 0800 866 766.

October/November 2019

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MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

Meet the Board

This edition, we profile Master Plumbers National President Rod Miller.

Rod Miller started his career on leaving college to take up a plumbing and drainlaying apprenticeship at WL Weaver Ltd, the largest plumbing company in the Wairarapa at the time. About 37 years ago, he started Water-Mart Wairarapa Ltd, specialising in all four related trades of plumbing, gasfitting drainage and roofing. The company expanded and grew to become the largest plumbing company in the Wairarapa, employing 47 staff.

Water-Mart Wairarapa quickly earned a reputation for getting the job done and gained the respect of all the major contractors in the region and beyond.

The company undertook many large commercial contracts, one of the largest

being the new Masterton Hospital. Rod acknowledges he was very fortunate when forming this family business to have his wife Prue supporting him as the office manager, looking after the creditors, debtors and other essential areas critical to the success of any business.

He says he was also very privileged to have both of his children working in the business, with Stacey assisting Prue and looking after wages and invoicing, and Nick completing his apprenticeship and going on to become foreman and a Certifying Plumber. Rod’s grandson also completed his apprenticeship in plumbing and drainlaying, so Rod had three generations working at the business, which he says was very special.

In 2006, he was appointed to the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board and served as Chairman for a period of his term.

Rod sold Water-Mart two years ago, giving him more time to put into industry issues that need a push. He has been involved with Master Plumbers at varying levels for most of his business career, and is currently National President. In this role, he enjoys assisting new and established businesses with any issues he can help with. He also enjoys the challenges of dealing with legislative changes and industry matters that affect all plumbers in New Zealand.

Rod currently provides a technical helpdesk for member businesses and also reviews products for the Master Plumbers Recommends consumer initiative.

Out of work, he enjoys fast cars, motorbikes, golf, fishing and travelling.

Protecting your money

The recent collapse of construction company Stanley Group and its subsidiary Tallwood is another reminder to take steps to protect your business against financial losses.

Current legislation can only protect subcontractors so far. We urge members to be cautious before entering into commercial project contracts: • Make sure you know what the retentions are, where they are held and in what form

•

Find out how and when they will be paid • Follow up to ensure that what has been agreed in the contract has been put in place.

If a construction company or developer is not prepared to discuss this with you openly, ask yourself if this is a risk worth

taking. Master Plumbers is advocating for urgent reform of the Construction Contracts Amendment Act to provide better protection for subcontractors and to make directors liable for noncompliance regarding retentions. We believe audits and fines should apply, as is the case in Australia.

NEW: Beaurepaires becomes a Discount Partner

We’re delighted to welcome Beaurepaires as a new Master Plumbers Discount Partner.

Beaurepaires offer and partner with the Checking your vehicle regularly can save on Beaurepaires store know you’re a member world’s most trusted brands so you have peace of mind on the road.

They can help with tyres, wheels, batteries, oil changes, wheel alignment servicing, engine oil, puncture repairs and wheel balancing.

Beaurepaires staff are well trained to provide advice on the most appropriate tyres for your vehicle and are happy to answer your questions.

16

October/November 2019

unnecessary downtime—Beaurepaires offer FREE 4 Point Safety Checks. The team will check your tyre pressure, tyre tread depth, oil level and battery condition, for FREE. Master Plumbers Members can check out the Master Plumbers website for some great discounts on Michelin, BFGoodrich, Goodyear and Dunlop tyre brands plus Shell engine oil and Exide batteries.

Just let the team at your local

or quote MASTPLUMB and they’ll make sure you get your discounts!

0800 30 50 60 Find your local Beaurepaires at beaurepaires.co.nz/tyre-shop-near-me

Discount Partner

Plumbing New Zealand

CONFERENCE 2020 1-3 April, Marlborough

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Marlborough Convention Centre, Blenheim

Strategies for Success www.plumbingconference.org.nz The leading trade event for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers

MASTER PLUMBERS BENEFITS

Supporting Your Business

Resources, discounts and savings available to Master Plumbers members.

Master Plumbers is here to assist member businesses in every way possible. Discover the many benefits available to those who join.

It’s all in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz

Marketing Support Master Plumbers Brand The Master Plumbers logo is available for download in various file formats and colourways, both stacked and horizontal.

Display the logo on your company uniforms, vehicles and building signage to show clients your work is covered by the Master Plumbers Guarantee and is Quality Assured. Members can also order free vehicle decals with the Master Plumbers, Master Gasfitters and Master Drainlayers branding. Please follow our brand guidelines when using the logo.

Master Plumbers Guarantee When a residential client uses a Master Plumber, their work is covered by the Master Plumbers Guarantee for 12 months.

The Guarantee applies to all residential plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying work carried out by a Master Plumber, up to $20,000 inc GST. It covers advance payments and substandard workmanship.

Employment Support HR Helpline Contact our HR Helpline for advice on HR and employment issues (first 30 minutes’ free).

HR guidance and resources Workplace policies, recruitment guidance, performance review templates and more.

Featured resource: NEW succession planning guidance to assist you with: • Preparing a business for sale • Having an exit plan.

Business Support •

• • • • • • •

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Apprentices—Source top quality, mentored apprentices through the Master Plumbers’ Masterlink apprenticeship scheme. Masterlink manages the apprentice PAYE, HR and block course arrangements.

Fuel—Efficient fleet management and significant fuel savings with the Master Plumbers Mobilcard.

Vehicle care—Member discounts at Beaurepaires and Pit Stop.

Equipment hire—20% discount on Hirepool hire equipment.

Car hire—Discounted rates on Avis rental cars.

Job management—20% discount on initial implementation of simPRO Enterprise software.

Training—Business courses from just $100+GST per person in the annual Master Plumbers training timetable.

Office supplies—Competitive pricing on office products with NZ Office Supplies plus a $50+GST credit when your initial spend reaches $250+GST.

October/November 2019

Featured resource: NEW extended $10m public liability cover offering with Master Plumbers Insurance

• •

Monthly deals—Regular promotions and prizes from Master Plumbers Business Partners.

NZ Plumber magazine—Six issues per year in print and digital: www.nzplumber.nz

MASTER PLUMBERS BENEFITS

Health & Safety Support Master Plumbers H&S App Use the app for instant on-site H&S reporting for you and your team.

Master Plumbers H&S Manual Personalised for your business.

GEMENT Support CRISIS MANA er ers Memb

Master Plumb

the most. you need help help you when issue or a an employment the workplace, t or accident in support. serious inciden with advice and Whether it’s a can provide you customers, we your with dispute office hours.

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EAP Services Ltd discounts on annual EAP management fee and one-hour sessions.

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nce Programme: lling services – Employee Assista expert counse EAP Services ted, confidential access discoun and anxiety.

Members can e, depression stress and pressur to assist with rs.org.nz masterplumbe Contact: srowe@

Featured resource:

10% discount when you join Site Safe or renew your existing membership.

Crisis management action plan Support and contacts for legal advice, public relations & media advice, HR advice, IT advice and employee assistance.

put or Hacks: attack, we can IT – Cyber Threats s come under s at your busines If the IT system experts to assist. you in touch with bers.org.nz on@masterplum Contact: mdaws ce.

First Aid training discounts

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) discounts

st assistan to provide speciali rty companies s may apply. rs uses third-pa fields. Charge Master Plumbe to experts in their You will be referred

Red Cross First Aid courses at a 10% discount.

NEW Crisis Management Action Plan for your business

Regulatory Compliance Support Residential building contracts Templates for use when doing fixed price or hourly rate work for residential clients direct. A written contract is a legal requirement for work costing $30k inc GST or more.

products or get a hot water cylinder replaced.

Gas certification Gas certification template downloads.

Online Standards Quotes and terms of trade For jobs under $30k inc GST, you can choose to rely on our quote and terms of trade templates—however, we strongly recommend you provide a written residential building contract, no matter how much the building work costs.

Online catalogue of key industry Standards, including AS/NZS 3500 and AS/NZS 5601.

Best Practice Guidelines Compliance guidance on entering and administering contracts, dealing with disputes and more.

Customer letter templates

Compliance training

Helping you limit your risk when customers supply their own plumbing

Topical Master Plumbers training courses to help with business compliance.

Technical Support Technical Helpline Freephone or email Rod Miller with your plumbing, gas and drainage queries during normal business hours.

Technical Training Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying technical courses on the Master Plumbers training timetable.

Access full details of all these benefits in the member log-in at www.masterplumbers.org.nz

I want to join!

Not a member and want to access these awesome benefits?

Contact Steve Rushworth: 027 839 8398; srushworth@masterplumbers.org.nz

October/November 2019

19

ATTRACTING NEW TALENT

IN FOCUS

More women wanted!

Women make up only a tiny percentage of plumbing apprentices… and growing their number could have a massive impact on the skills shortage.

NZ Plumber looks at what’s being done to attract females into trades careers and the support available to women in construction roles.

AT THE OPENING ceremony for the global 2019 WorldSkills Competition, the New Zealand skills team was represented by female plumbing apprentice Lauren Phillips. You can read more about Lauren’s journey to the international event, held this August in Russia, on p74.

Like other female plumbing apprentices, Lauren wants to be acknowledged for her skills rather than the fact that she’s a woman. The more women that enter the construction workforce, the more likely that is to be the case. So, what is being done to show women the opportunities and benefits of a trades career and to support them in their roles?

Women in Trades Not-for-profit organisation Women in Trades (WIT) promotes 20

October/November 2019

trades and trades training as a career option for women.

WIT lets women know what’s available to them by holding an annual ‘mini-conference’, with female speakers, a panel discussion, trade exhibitors and careers information. The 2019 event was held in Auckland in late August, and this year’s keynote speaker award winner was carpentry apprentice Flora Rivers of Johnstone Construction.

Flora, who hails from Samoa, worked in hotel management until some guests gifted her a tool set after watching her improvise a fix on a broken chair at the hotel. She switched her focus to construction and went on to complete a Unitec pre-trade carpentry course in 2018 before working towards her Level 4 qualification with BCITO.

Above: Hutt Gas and Plumbing General Manager Colleen Upton won the supreme award at the 2019 National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Awards.

IN FOCUS

its members throughout the year. Originally Her parents hadn’t envisaged this career for founded in Texas in 1952, NAWIC has grown her, but Flora held firm. She says entering the to become an international organisation. It has industry was hard, physically and mentally, and been active in Wellington since 1996, and now pushed her out of her comfort zone but she loves also has chapters in Auckland and Canterbury, it. The men Flora works with are supportive and, providing services for women working in the by doing the job well, she hopes to convert other construction industry or in businesses providing men to think this is the right place for women. construction services.

Flora’s advice to other women thinking of The highlight of the NAWIC annual calendar entering the industry is to be true to yourself: is the Excellence Awards, this year celebrated in “Don’t pretend to be a man.” late September. Among the winners in the eight One issue she’s encountered? All the work award categories was Colleen Upton, General gear is designed for men. Ever solutions focused, Manager of Hutt Gas and Plumbing in Lower Flora is working with her aunt to design a line of Hutt, who received the supreme Helen Tippett PPE for women.

Award.

Industry training organisations Skills, MITO Above: Use the Supporting Women in the Trades icon and BCITO were among the sponsors of the in your business to show Girls with Hi-Vis® WIT event. BCITO Advocate for Women Erica customers you support Project managers, civil engineers and surveyors Cumming also gave a presentation, which diversity and inclusiveness. sit alongside plumbers and drainlayers on the looked at the high levels of job satisfaction construction and infrastructure skills shortage among women construction workers. This year, list. Industry training organisation Connexis is working to get the training organisation actively promoted construction careers more women into the infrastructure workforce through its to women in a marketing campaign that ran from August until Girls with Hi-Vis® event, held in June each year. Like Women mid-October. It included Building Women Nights in three in Trades, this initiative, led by the Connexis Ultimit Women > locations nationwide.

NAWIC The voluntary, non-profit National Association of Women in Construction holds networking and educational events for

Flora is working with her aunt to design a line of PPE for women

Above: Women attending the Women in Trades Mini Conference in August got to try out some construction-related challenges to give them a taste for the industry. These included a plumbing pipe challenge on the Masterlink exhibition stand and this fun digger challenge.

October/November 2019

21

IN FOCUS

Facts at a glance •

• • • • • • •

Women currently account for around 3% of all tradespeople on the tools in the national construction industry.

The total percentage of women in construction roles in 2018 was 17%—double the figure from 15 years previously.

The construction sector goal is for women to make up 30% of people in construction roles by 2040.

From the total of around 13,000 apprentices currently in training with BCITO, around 400 are women.

Women account for about 6% of employees in the infrastructure industries.

There are currently no stats available on the number of female registered plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers.

1% of Skills plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices are women.

Just over 4% of Masterlink plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentices are women.

Above: Carpentry apprentice Flora Rivers of Johnstone Construction was the Mitre 10 Trade Keynote Award winner at the 2019 Women in Trades event.

in Infrastructure network, gives women a hands-on taste of the available career options.

During 2019, more than 450 attendees sampled civil, energy, telco and water jobs by visiting companies around New Zealand, including Contact, Powernet, HEB Construction and Fulton Hogan Northland with Wilson Earthmoving.

Women in Governance As well as being a NAWIC winner, Colleen Upton made this year’s finals for the supreme award at the Women in Governance Awards, which are held jointly by Women on Boards NZ and Governance NZ. Colleen is one of three women on the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board, which comprises 10 ministerially appointed members.

The awards were presented in Auckland by Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter, who said 2018 had seen a record level of women on state sector boards.

“By making sure the public sector has equal representation at the top, we want to inspire the private sector to lift its game,” she said. “We’re encouraging organisations across New Zealand to challenge current workplace cultures and support women into leadership roles, not just because that’s the fair thing to do, but also because diversity helps organisations function more effectively.”

Women on Boards NZ is a business unit of independent professional body Governance NZ and was set up to promote greater gender diversity at the executive and board level.

“What I saw in Auckland are these most amazing women who come from so many different backgrounds and are doing such amazing stuff,” says Colleen of the Women in Governance Awards. “Many have been to university, but others have come up through the same route as me—being a mum at home, getting on kindy then school boards and learning about governance and management that way. Too many women discount the skills they are learning and using in these areas and don’t see the gems of gold that they are.

22

October/November 2019

“It’s also awesome to be able to shine a light on trades and women’s roles in the industry. I see so many women involved in plumbing companies across New Zealand who see themselves as ‘just helping’ when it fact they are virtually running the business side of the business.”

Show your support On International Women’s Day last year, BCITO came up with a simple way for people to show their support for women taking up careers in what has traditionally been seen as a man’s world.

They created an icon that employers, tradespeople, their partners and friends can use and share as widely as possible.

If you’d like to show your customers that you support inclusiveness and diversity, you can download the icon and display it in your business (see box below for the BCITO website address). ■

Find out more www.womenintradesnz.com www.nawic.org.nz www.bcito.org.nz/employers-industry/women-inconstruction/support-women/

Women in Plumbing Programme at NZ Plumbing Conference This year, for the first time, the New Zealand Plumbing Conference will include a Women in Plumbing programme for all female business owners, managers, office administrators, employees, field staff and apprentices. The programme, on Wednesday 1 April 2020, includes a lunch and guest speakers.

Book for the conference at www.plumbingconference.org.nz

ATTRACTING NEW TALENT

IN FOCUS

Prize money for top trade pupils All secondary schools can now access a $2,000 prize to award to their top student in trades and other vocational education.

HAS IT EVER bugged you to see the school prizegiving line made up entirely of academic achievers? Then you’ll be pleased to hear about the government’s move to recognise students who excel in trades and other vocational study.

All secondary schools and wharekura can now apply for a $2,000 prize to award to their top vocational student at their next prizegiving – a chance to recognise New Zealand’s future plumbers, among others.

“For too long trades and on-the-job skills training has played second fiddle in how we see success at school and later career choices,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on announcing the new award in August.

“Going to university will always be a great way to further your career but vocational careers are equally as important, particularly given the huge skills shortages that exist across many industry sectors.”

Plans are also afoot to change the NCEA school qualification system to provide clear pathways to trades and other vocational careers, as well as to ‘redesign’ the careers system, giving early support to students that may be interested in following these pathways. ■

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for too long trades and on-the-job skills training has played second fiddle

ATTRACTING NEW TALENT

IN FOCUS

Skills for jobseekers

Significant employer subsidies and virtual reality training are among the incentives on offer through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)’s Skills for Industry scheme to help jobseekers into a trades career.

$10,000 for plumbing employers

Photograph courtesy of the Ministry of Social Development and LSV.

Plumbing companies that take on MSD jobseekers as apprentices through the Master Plumbers-owned Masterlink programme are eligible to receive a $10,000 Skills for Industry subsidy.

Masterlink recruits plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice candidates and places them with nationwide plumbing firms for on-job experience as they work towards their qualifications.

Some of the MSD candidates on Masterlink’s books have geared up to be work-ready by completing a Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) six-week course, run by MSD and the NZ Army.

The course helps trainees develop selfdiscipline, self-confidence and a positive attitude.

To date, Masterlink has placed three candidates with plumbing firms in the South Island, with two of them in the process of completing their three-month trial before being taken on as apprentices.

If you’re interested in taking on an MSD beneficiary as a Masterlink apprentice in your business, contact Lisa Duston: lduston@ masterplumbers.org.nz; 021 245 1704

Virtual reality cuts training time Jobseekers can try out tasks like using a digger or driving a dump truck using a virtual reality headset in a new Skills for Industry partnership between the Ministry of Social Development and Auckland-based experiential learning company Joy Business Academy (JBA).

Virtual reality education reduces typical basic training from four days to 45 minutes with little cost and virtually no risk, says JBA founder and CEO James Coddington. Jobseekers can learn new skills that make them more employable 24

October/November 2019

Above: The six-week Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) training course is designed to motivate young jobseekers and help them find work.

and also find out quickly if they like what they try. For employers, it’s a useful way to assess a potential worker’s skills before making a job offer.

Civil Contractors NZ CEO Peter Silcock says the JBA virtual reality scenarios showcase the industry in an accessible way

to career starters. “There are lots of jobs for people who don’t mind getting hands-on,” he says. “We need to show people there’s a place for them in our industry.”

“This kind of VR education is new on a global level,” says James Coddington.

“One of its biggest advantages is full

IN FOCUS

immersion – no other medium can give users the feeling of ‘being there’, because there are no distractions.

“It also transports learners, immediately, safely and under expert remote guidance, to a different world, and allows them to practise jobs that are technically difficult or expensive to repeat in real life.”

The untethered headsets can be used anywhere and two ‘players’ can work together from two different locations, with an instructor in a third. “Instead of just reading about an experience, learners can live that experience,” he says. “It is an important tool to engage those who may have great screen or game literacy but poor traditional literacy or numeracy.” ■ The new tool will be piloted over the coming months with a view to rolling it out to the wider construction sector.

Above: With virtual reality training, jobseekers can learn new skills that make them more employable and also find out quickly if they like what they try.

Left: A glimpse of what trainees might see through the headset.

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ATTRACTING NEW TALENT

IN FOCUS

Passing it on Retired tradespeople have a big role to play in Kiwi Can Do, a training programme that gets beneficiaries onto the first rung of a construction career.

NZ Plumber spoke to founder and managing director Iain Morrison about the programme.

THE IDEA FOR Kiwi Can Do came about five years ago, in association with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) Industry Partnership team, when Iain Morrison recognised the important part that retired and semi-retired tradespeople can play in addressing construction skills shortages.

With their years of experience and knowledge, retirees have a great deal to offer the next generation of tradespeople, he says.

By talking to them, he also realised that many welcomed the chance to keep their hand in with a part-time role rather than sitting around drinking tea and watching TV. From here, Iain started recruiting a dad’s army of paid tutors to work alongside motivated beneficiaries and support them in gaining some basic work skills. “We look for tutors who are friendly and supportive and who will treat our cadets as they would a favourite nephew or niece—no grumpy buggers,” he says.

What started out as a mobile training course run from a 20ft container has now become a North Island wide programme that offers three-week residential courses from training hubs in Auckland and Lower Hutt.

With funding through a national MSD contract, Kiwi Can Do sources its trainees from those on jobseekers’ benefit at MSD service centres throughout most of the North Island. Only those with a positive attitude and a genuine interest in a construction career make the cut. They may have fallen through the cracks at school but they’re keen to get the chance to prove themselves in the workplace.

The course is hands-on, with paper-based learning limited to attaining a Site Safe Passport and a drivers’ licence upgrade. “It is principally about building people’s confidence and developing trust,” says Iain. “Cadets learn basic work skills: turning up, being on time, being positive, doing what the boss says.”

Supported to date

by Master Painters, the Building and Construction ITO (BCITO) and the Association of Wall and

Left: Cadets enjoy the mentoring and support of retired or semiretired tradespeople.

26

October/November 2019

Above: Kiwi Can Do cadets at the Auckland workshop get to build a 10sq m cabin as a way of learning basic construction skills.

with their years of experience and knowledge, retirees have a great deal to offer the next generation of tradespeople Ceiling Industries, Kiwi Can Do gives cadets the chance to sample a broad range of construction work, from scaffolding and gib stopping to painting and wheels, tracks and rollers. They help work on real house builds, learning how to wield a hammer, use a nail gun or drive a digger.

The graduation events are a personal highlight for Iain. “We have a rolling recruitment, so every week we have groups of 12 to 15 graduating. Parents and family attend and there’s a lot of pride, with spontaneous speeches and waiata. A lot of cadets have never had an experience like this and find out they’re actually quite good at doing stuff and they really shine when they see what they can achieve.”

Into the workforce Once the training is complete, the aim is to get the work-ready cadets employed by local businesses, and Kiwi Can Do continues to support them throughout this process, helping them with their CVs and getting a job placement.

“We try to find them jobs close to where they live but if that’s not possible, we look to relocate them,” explains Iain. “We stay in touch for 12 months—making contact twice monthly.”

Cadets and their employers are encouraged to enter into

IN FOCUS

Get involved •

If you are a retired or semi-retired plumber or drainlayer looking to pass on your knowledge, Kiwi Can Do would love to hear from you.

• Kiwi Can Do is also keen to hear from North Island plumbing and drainlaying companies willing to give cadets some practical work experience.

Get in touch at www.kiwi-can-do.co.nz

an apprenticeship, so they can go on to gain recognised qualifications in their chosen career.

The employer has the benefit of knowing the cadet is reference and background checked and drug tested, provided with health and safety training, including a Site Safe passport, their driving licence upgraded before starting work, as well as equipped with steel capped boots and PPE. From there, it’s over to the business to give them a chance to succeed. “And if there’s a problem, they can come back and tell us about it, so we can work to resolve the issue,” says Iain. ■ Above: Celebrating each group’s graduation is a highlight for founder Iain Morrison. This group is outside the Kiwi Can Do Auckland residential training hub. A second hub opened in Lower Hutt this May.

the employer has the benefit of knowing the cadet is reference and background checked and drug tested

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On the rise REAL LIVES

At 21, Paul Olsen began his plumbing apprenticeship at Whitehead Plumbing in Christchurch. At 33, he has become a co-owner at the firm and a mentor to the new apprentices coming through.

Je t’aime Hayr talked to Paul about his career growth, his future goals and the importance of nurturing the next generation.

TWELVE YEARS AGO, Paul Olsen didn’t really know that plumbing was for him; he just knew he no longer wanted to be a courier driver. “My grandfather was a carpenter and he’d always let us fix things with his tools, so I wanted to do something with my hands. I tagged along with a plumber friend for work experience and decided to give plumbing a go.”

He enjoyed his work experience and began his apprenticeship under tutor Steve Woodbury, training in plumbing and gasfitting initially and then later signing up for drainlaying at his Masterlink host firm Whitehead Plumbing in Christchurch.

“Plumbing is exciting and challenging,” he says. “Whitehead Plumbing offers plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying services, and there’s so much variety—from everyday maintenance jobs to large projects like rest homes and schools, along with specialist work such as solar and backflow prevention.”

One-on-one support

In the early days of his apprenticeship, Paul was fortunate to have one-on-one support. “Owner Mark Whitehead always encouraged my learning and a foreman called Aaron Peterson took me under his wing. Whitehead Plumbing was a small firm of around six guys back then and I spent the majority of my days with Aaron, who knows plumbing inside out.”

A lot has changed since then. Paul is now Operations Manager, which means that, although he oversees some large commercial projects, he’s more hands-on in the office. And the company has grown a lot over the years too—there are now 33 people in the team including office staff, tradespeople and apprentices.

Paul noticed that with growth came less opportunity for the apprentices to get the invaluable individual mentoring he’d enjoyed, so he and Mark implemented an apprentice programme to redevelop those connections. “We want our young people to have a role and not feel like a number,” he says.

The day-long compulsory training takes place once a month and concludes with everyone sitting down to discuss customer

when we treat apprentices like part of the team, that’s what they become 28

October/November 2019

Above: Paul Olsen (left) with Masterlink apprentice Matt Neal. Paul started at Whitehead Plumbing as a Masterlink apprentice himself and is now Operations Manager.

service and other practical skills. “It provides an opportunity for the apprentices to ask for clarification in the workshop and learn about new products. In addition to practical skills we also teach responsibility, ownership, and commitment to the job,” he explains.

Paul is a big advocate for investing time in the next generation of plumbers. “I’m involved with Plumbing World’s Young Plumber of the Year competition and have helped with judging.

Whitehead Plumbing have four to six apprentices at all times, so it’s awesome to be able to help young people grow.”

Having been a Masterlink apprentice himself, he now sees himself as a mentor to the new apprentices coming into the firm.

“I’m their link to management. I’m 33, so they feel they can talk to me. I’m passionate about helping them to making the right decisions to get to where they want to be. A little extra guidance goes a long way.”

The success formula

What does it take to be a successful apprentice? Paul sees it as a combination of individual and company effort. “Responsibility, accountability and reliability are strong traits to have. Turn up

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Above: Paul supervising Matt on a job. He says it’s awesome to be able to help young people grow.

to work on time, ask the right questions and get stuck in. A couple of young people here always put in the extra hours and effort, so we feel confident giving them more responsibility and the support to achieve. Ultimately that means they can become skilled in their trade faster. And when we treat apprentices like part of the team, that’s what they become.”

Paul’s own career is flourishing too, and he serves on the executive committee at Canterbury Master Plumbers. “I really enjoy working with other business owners. I’d like to see some fresh young faces on board and see more people involved in the community, giving back to the trade.”

He has also recently become a shareholder and director in Whitehead Plumbing. Just as he’s driven to help the apprentices reach their goals, he has a long-term plan for the company. “I think we can expand our staff and knowledge whilst maintaining the company values. Not many companies offer maintenance gas and plumbing, so we can grow that area while still doing commercial projects. I believe doubling our numbers would be a good 10-year plan.”

There’s one other person Paul says he particularly needs to thank for supporting him throughout this busy time in his career. “My wife backed me in my decision to buy into the firm, which was a big deal. I work 60-70 hours a week and am away a lot, and all the while she runs the household and takes amazing care of our young kids. She does a fantastic job and never complains about how hard she works. I wouldn’t be able to do this without her.” ■

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TECHNICAL THEME

PIPES & PIPE SYSTEMS

This edition’s technical theme takes a look at clamp and press-fit systems, best practice pipe penetrations through exterior cladding and why consumers might consider having automatic shut-off valves installed in their homes.

In this section Pipe penetration through cladding

30

Pressed for time?

34

Rise in water damage claims

35

Let’s talk PEX

38

30

October/November 2019

TECHNICAL THEME

Pipe penetration through cladding It’s important that holes for pipes that penetrate from the building interior through the exterior cladding are constructed in the correct sequence to maintain weathertightness. By BRANZ. SIMPLE PENETRATIONS ARE often installed after the cladding assembly has been completed, and this leads to potential water entry.

All components that penetrate the exterior cladding should be installed before the cladding installation. This ensures that an interior air seal can be installed and that the penetration can be adequately sealed to the exterior face of the wall underlay.

This provides an efficient drainage path for moisture that may get through the cladding assembly and onto the wall underlay.

Following installation of the cladding, all required weather and air seals are installed to ensure the penetration is weathertight.

Install everything in the right order: Step 1 – Install solid timber blocking to the wall framing in the required location. When a weatherboard cladding is being used, if possible, locate the pipe so that it will penetrate through the centre of a weatherboard when installed.

Step 2 – Drill a suitably sized hole in the blocking and install the pipe. Ensure the pipe has a fall to the outside. Install an

Step 1

expanding foam air seal around the pipe to form a complete seal to the blocking.

Step 3 – Seal the pipe to the wall underlay with accurately installed flexible flashing tape dressed to the wall underlay and around the pipe. Alternatively, use a suitably sized preformed pipe penetration grommet to seal the pipe to the underlay.

Best practice is to install the flashing tape or grommet on the diagonal to ensure that potential moisture on the wall underlay drains more effectively around the seal.

Step 4 – Install the wall cladding – bevel-back weatherboards in this example – with a suitably sized hole to allow the pipe to penetrate the cladding.

Step 5 – Adequately fix a timber packer – formed from a weatherboard off-cut with a hole to suit the pipe diameter – to the face of the cladding with the top edge fitted tightly to the underside of the board above. Ensure the packer is sized to suit the pipe flange to be used, the end grain is sealed with paint and the face of the packer is at right angles to the slope of the pipe to ensure accurate installation of the pipe flange.

Step 6 – Install a suitable backing rod and exterior sealant to the diameter of the pipe flange and to the face of the timber packer as a weather and air seal.

Step 7 – Install the pipe flange, ensuring it is well adhered to the sealant or packer and there is a complete seal around the entire back flange.

Step 8 – Install suitable backing rod and exterior sealant to the gap between the circular pipe flange and the pipe. ■

Step 2

October/November 2019

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TECHNICAL THEME

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

About the author: This article on the construction sequence for pipe penetration through exterior bevel-back weatherboard cladding first appeared in Build 173 (August 2019). Build magazine is published by BRANZ, an independent research organisation that provides impartial evidence-based advice on building and construction issues. www.buildmagazine.org.nz

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October/November 2019

TECHNICAL THEME

Pressed for time?

Forza copper and stainless steel press fit systems eliminate the need for a hot works permit on site, saving the installer time in a range of applications, from hot and cold potable water to solar hot water and gas. NZ distributor Aqualine provides information on the system and its applications.

WHEN QUOTING FOR a job, choosing the correct material for the installation can be daunting. Large commercial jobs, manufacturing plants and other industrial projects may call on you to step into unfamiliar territory, as the services will generally be larger size tube and pipe diameters.

Forza Global, in partnership with two of the world’s largest factories in their respective markets, has spent the last two years developing reliable and economical press fitting systems in both copper and stainless steel. Design input was sought from various areas of the industry, including plumbers, hydraulic consultants, merchants and their sales teams. All products comply with the relevant Australian and New Zealand standards and have WaterMark certification.

Tube, fitting & tooling The systems consist of tube and a press style fitting, along with tooling designed specifically for this style of jointing method.

The type of jaw used in the tool is determined by the option best suited for your application. For the smaller and more common sizes, both systems use a ‘V’ style fitting: from 15mm-50mm for copper and 15mm-54mm for stainless steel. The larger sizes have a slightly different design to ensure the seal can withstand the same pressure at a larger volume.

Both systems eliminate the need for hot works permits on site, allowing for repairs to done more time effectively and for assembly time to be kept to an absolute minimum.

System applications Each system has three colour-coded O-ring fittings for use in a variety of applications: •

34

Black-EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer): hot and cold potable water, chilled water, vacuum lines,

October/November 2019

Above and below: Forza copper and stainless steel press fit systems are suitable for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

•

•

domestic fire sprinkler systems and fire hose reels, and compressed air installations that do not contain oil.

Red-FKM (fluorocarbon): for when there is a need for a seal that can withstand extreme temperatures for a prolonged period of time, eg solar hot water lines running from the panels to the storage tank, where temperatures can reach 180°C. Yellow-HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber): with great chemical resistance, this is predominantly for oil and gas applications – both natural gas and liquid gas installations as well as compressed air installations that may have an oil content, heating oil, diesel fuel, engine oils and lubricants.

There can be some limitations on what a press system with an O-ring can withstand, so check with the Aqualine team if you are unsure if either system will be suitable for the job.

Leak detection capability For the smaller system sizes, a special leak detection O-ring has been designed to ensure it does not come in full contact with the tube until it has undergone a complete press. Whilst in this state, water/air can still travel past the O-ring, making it easy to locate and then press to seal.

Some systems without this design may pass a pressure test, as the pipe supports hold the tube in place, giving the impression that the system is watertight. Only further down the track will the leak actually appear, in some cases causing significant damage to walls, floors and ceilings.

Both systems have also been designed for use with other manufacturers’ tooling, enabling plumbers to change systems using their existing tools and accessories. Installation guides for each system include a chart to assist with this.

The systems are backed by Forza’s 25-year warranty. ■ Contact Aqualine on 09 837 2725; orders@aqualine.co.nz or visit www.aqualine.co.nz

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TECHNICAL THEME

Rise in water damage claims A new report from Chubb Insurance in Australia shows a big increase in the number and size of claims due to internal water damage.

NZ Plumber takes a look.

INTERNAL WATER DAMAGE in Australian homes is now a more common risk than fire and burglary. Homeowners protect their homes with locking devices, alarm systems and smoke detectors, but most don’t think to install a water shut-off device.

This is according to a new report from Chubb Insurance, released in August, which estimates the average claim from water damage in Australia has increased by 72% in the past five years. Average water damage claims have risen from A$17,627 in 2014 to A$30,361 in 2018.

According to the Get Smart about Water Leaks Insight Report, water damage accounts for 34% of claims, compared with 16% for fire and 9% for burglary.

Data shows water damage often occurs when a house is unattended, and high value homes are more susceptible because they have multiple bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and appliances.

According to Chubb, the number and cost of claims is likely to keep going up, given the growth of plumbed-in appliances using flexi hoses; more bathrooms and laundries on upper levels of homes; and more open-plan living spaces.

Above: This diagram shows the percentage of water damage claims in Australia compared to other domestic property claims.

The results of water leaks can be disastrous, affecting floors, carpets, ceilings and furniture, and forcing residents to vacate while repair work is carried out.

“The irony is we prepare for holidays by cancelling newspapers, turning lights off and setting our home alarms without giving any thought to possible water damage,” says Michelle O’Dowd, Chubb underwriting manager, personal lines, Australia and New Zealand. “Yet by installing one central system to monitor the flow of water across your home and automatic shut-off valves can significantly reduce the amount of damage in the event of a leak.” ■

Above: Average water damage claims in Australia have risen from A$17,627 in 2014 to A$30,361 in 2018.

36

October/November 2019

Top 4 causes According to the Chubb report, the top four causes of internal water damage are:

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4. Blocked drains – eg, after heavy rain or from tree roots and wipes or paper towels

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TECHNICAL THEME

Let’s talk PEX The table below summarises the pros and cons of the PEX pipe made using each method: Pros PEX-A • •

•

Pexline pipe REGARDLESS OF BRAND, PEX pipes are manufactured via three methods: A, B or C. Contrary to popular belief, these letters are not grades of PEX and have nothing to do with the quality or performance of the pipe. The letters are merely used to identify the manufacturing process and, in fact, all types of PEX pipe must adhere to the same standard in terms of: • • •

Pressure and temperature ratings Minimum bending radius Pipe wall thickness and inner diameter/outer diameter dimensions (subject to manufacturing tolerances).

The three main manufacturing processes used to produce PEX pipe are, in brief: A (Peroxide or ‘Engel’ method): HDPE polymer is melted, creating free radicals, and the cross-linking of molecules occur at temperatures that exceed the polymer’s decomposition temperature.

B (Silane or Moisture Cure method): Cross-linking of the HDPE polymer molecules is done after the extrusion process using a catalyst and by exposing the PEX tubing to water (steam bath). This is probably the most common manufacturing process, and Pexline PEX pipe is made using this process.

C (Irradiation or Cold Cross-linking method): After extrusion, the pipe is exposed to an electron radiation beam.

The radiation allows the breaking of existing bonds between the polymer’s molecules and initiates the cross-linking process.

High flexibility (softness).

Kinks can be repaired with a heat gun.

High degree of cross-linking.

Cons •

• •

• PEX-B • • • • PEX-C • •

Highest price (100160% higher than PEX-B).

Lower bursting pressure than PEX-B. Possible residual or leaching chemicals from manufacturing process.

Variation in wall thickness.

Highest chlorine and • oxidative resistance. • Highest bursting pressure.

Lowest price vs PEX-A and PEX-C Lowest dimensional tolerances.

Stiffer than PEX-A. Kinks can only be repaired by splicing (using coupling).

•

Prone to development of cracks.

Least uniform crosslinking.

Least resistance to kinks, which are repairable only with a coupling.

Softer than PEX-B. Little or no coil memory.

• There is very little data available on PEX-C tubing to allow for competitive analysis.

•

It can be seen that not only is PEX-B pipe the clear winner in terms of price against the other types of PEX pipes, it has the highest bursting pressure compared to PEX-A, and a similar or better resistance to oxidation—a very important factor for plumbing installations.

Furthermore, PEX-B pipe has been in use for over 40 years with no known issues—offering peace of mind given that a typical warranty for any type of PEX pipe is only 20 to 25 years.

Pexline fittings Pexline fittings, in both de-zincification resistant (DZR) brass and high-performance polymer, are based on the same easy-to-install design of Buteline fittings. This is typically a slimline one-piece fitting with pre-attached marine grade aluminium rings for quick, hassle-free installation. To differentiate visually between Buteline fittings and Pexline fittings, the Pexline fittings are black in colour and brass fittings feature a black collar around the aluminium rings.

Above: Pexline pipe, available in coils and lengths, is made of PEX-B, which has high chlorine and oxidative resistance.

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October/November 2019

Table as cited at www.pexuniverse.com/types-of-pex-tubing, 2019

The Pexline Plumbing System is a new PEX system by Buteline, which features PEX-B pipe, brass fittings and engineered black polymer fittings with the new patented SureFit tail. Buteline explains what this means for ease of installation, security and performance.

TECHNICAL PAGE THEME TAG

Pexline polymer fittings are made in New Zealand, using a custom compounded polymer with high tensile strength and excellent chemical resistance properties. Installation of these fittings is simple, further enhanced by the new SureFit Above: A new SureFit design feature makes installation of helix: a patented design Pexline fittings easy by ensuring feature that ensures precise precise positioning of the pipe, positioning of the pipe, whilst whilst preventing the pipe from preventing the pipe from falling falling off the fitting tail. off the tail of the fitting. This means installers will not only find it easier when it comes to installation, but the pipe is also positioned correctly when the joint is clamped up.

with the added SureFit helix enhancing the positioning of pipe while maintaining the ease of installation handle) ProClamp tool can be used for clamping Pexline 16mm pipe and fittings.

In addition, installers needing to connect the Pexline Plumbing System to existing Buteline installations or to PN20 PEX systems have a variety of Pexline transition fittings available for this purpose.

Above: Various Pexline transition fittings are available for installers needing to connect the Pexline Plumbing System to existing Buteline installations or to PN20 PEX systems.

Above: This diagram explains how the Pexline fitting design enables enhanced performance and security.

Advice for installers When installing, push squarely cut Pexline pipe all the way into the Pexline fitting with a slight twist to ‘SureFit’ onto the shoulder of the fitting.

Clamp using the appropriate Pexline tool to complete the plumbing joint securely.

Note that the Buteline PRO18 (15mm blue Above: The plumbing joint is secured using the appropriate Pexline tool.

The Buteline PRO18 (15mm blue handle) ProClamp tool can also be used for clamping Pexline 16mm pipe and fittings.

In summary, there are three ‘types’ of PEX pipe and they are not a ‘grade’ but an indication of the manufacturing method used (this is often misunderstood). There are some important benefits to PEX-B pipe, such as having the highest burst pressure, and being more resistant to oxidation. Pexline polymer fittings are designed and made for high performance, with the added new SureFit helix enhancing the positioning of pipe while maintaining the ease of installation. ■ For more information on the Pexline Plumbing System, please visit www.pexline.com or contact Buteline on 0800 BUTELINE.

Quality pointers •

• •

• •

The Pexline Plumbing System complies with the Australian and New Zealand joint Standards AS/NZS 2492, AS/NZS 2537 and WaterMark.

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There is a 25-year guarantee when installed by a licensed plumber in accordance with the Pexline Technical & Installation Manual as well as local and national plumbing regulations.

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Free tools for new users.

October/November 2019

39

REAL LIVES

Drain man

Large drainage projects are all in a day’s work for Masterlink apprentice Shea Reynolds. He talked to Matthew Lowe about why he loves his chosen career.

FOR THE PAST year, Shea Reynolds has been working on a major drainage project at the men’s and women’s prisons in Christchurch and the nearby, lower-security Rolleston Prison. New drainage systems are being put in place as the Department of Corrections adds hundreds of extra cells across the three sites.

The ongoing project, which involves running main lines and putting in manholes and pipes, is part of the on-job experience this 30-year-old father of three has gained during his two-year drainlaying apprenticeship at Foleys in Christchurch.

“Working in the prison isn’t for everybody but it is what it is and it doesn’t bother me,” says Shea. “However, it’s a rigmarole to get to work because we have security checks each day on the way in and the way out.”

Shea began his apprenticeship in late 2017 and is due to start his final block course in October. He hopes to remain with Foleys once he has qualified.

Career and family life “I love what I do and it is something different all the time,” he says. “It’s also a career where you can start from the bottom and work your way up—and the money is pretty good too.

“I had been working as a stevedore in Dunedin and was away from home a lot and had a wee family, so it was pretty

Above: For the past year, Shea Reynolds has been involved with a major drainage project for Christchurch Men's and Women's Prisons and Rolleston Prison.

hard. I left the wharf and things have just gone from there.”

In the early part of his apprenticeship, Shea was placed with a business that mostly focused on residential drainage and new housing. At Foleys, he relishes the chance to jump on the big jobs.

“You have to learn all aspects of drainlaying, or at least that’s what I believe,” he says.

He also hopes to one day take his knowledge beyond New Zealand’s shores and help less fortunate communities worldwide. “I’m going to carry on doing what I’m doing and later on I would like to do even bigger stuff like civil works and provide drainage for Third World countries that do not have the necessary facilities just to go to the toilet.

“It’s so simple and I do not understand why it’s not available to everybody.”

Effort gets results

Above: The project involves running main lines and putting in manholes and pipes.

40

October/November 2019

Shea is doing his apprenticeship through Masterlink, the mentored apprenticeship scheme run by Master Plumbers.

“Joining up with Masterlink is one of the best things I have ever done; it’s been smooth sailing ever since and I heavily recommend it to others,” he says.

“They have been keen to help me from the get-go and what you put in is what

you get out. I push myself and in turn they help push me.

“I’d recommend anyone out there wondering what to do to get a trade—end of story. It’s very important for the whole country; we need skilled tradesmen.”

Shea’s Masterlink regional manager, Sam Timlin, is impressed by his efforts.

“When Shea moved to Foleys, he took it and ran with it. He’s definitely one of the hardest workers I am mentoring.

“My role is mainly about sitting down with him and doing appraisals and setting goals for him in areas of work he may be lacking in—although, with Shea, he has made my job easy because he’s pretty darn good.To be put on the job at the Christchurch prisons and get that big job feeling is a great experience for him.”

Sam currently works with 26 apprentices across the South Island, from Nelson to Waimate, and besides encouraging them in the practical side of their jobs, he also assists them with their paperwork and makes sure they get it in on time.

“Shea only has a few assessments left to do and then he will be doing his final practical block course,” says Sam. “It’s awesome to see him and other apprentices coming out the other side with a qualification and some experience and watching their confidence grow.” ■

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NUTS & BOLTS

Standards Spotlight

G12 and G13 update NZ Building Code clauses G12 and G13 have been updated to cite the 2018 versions of AS/NZS 3500, parts 1, 2 and 4. MBIE outlines the changes, which take effect from 31 October.

ON 27 JUNE 2019, MBIE updated the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) clause G12 Water supplies and G13 Foul water compliance documents, following a consultation process that took place earlier this year.

These documents now cite the 2018 versions of AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage – Parts 1, 2 and 4, and the previous 2015 versions of these standards will cease to have effect as prescribed compliance solutions on 31 October 2019.

AS/NZS 3500:2018 – what’s changed?

There have been a number of changes made in the 2018 versions of AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage Parts 1, 2 and 4, some of which are outlined below.

AS/NZS 3500.1:2018 Part 1: Water services Verification Method G12/VM1 now cites AS/NZS 3500.1:2018: • Section 2: Materials and products • Section 3: Sizing of water services • Appendix C: Sizing method for supply piping for dwellings as a design method for water supply systems, which satisfies the performance criteria of NZBC clause G12.

Note: AS/NZS 3500.1:2015 was previously cited in G12/VM1.

Key updates

Key updates within the cited sections of AS/NZS 3500.1:2018 include: • Clarification of approved jointing methods, including the removal of the provision that allowed soft solder joints (Clauses 2.4.1 & 2.4.2) • New requirements for the protection of plastic pipes and fittings from direct sunlight (Clause 2.4.3) • Clarification that minimum flow rate requirements do not apply to emergency showers, and that maximum flow rates apply to the cold water outlet (Clause 3.2.1).

AS/NZS 3500.4:2018. Part 4: Heated water services Verification Method G12/VM1 now cites AS/NZS 3500.4:2018 as a design method for water supply systems which satisfies the performance criteria of NZBC clause G12.

Acceptable Solution G12/AS2 also cites AS/NZS 3500.4:2018 for the installation of solar water heaters (with modifications).

Note: AS/NZS 3500.4:2015 was previously cited in G12/VM1 and G12/AS2.

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October/November 2019

Key updates

Key updates within the 2018 version of AS/NZS 3500.4:2018 include: • Additional information and requirements around the reduced circulatory velocities for heated water systems introduced with the 2015 version (Clauses 1.7 & 1.8) • New pressure requirements (Clause 1.9) • New provisions for the use of thermostatically controlled taps (Clause 1.11.3) • Clarification of approved jointing methods (Clauses 2.4.1 & 2.4.2) • New requirements for the protection of plastic pipes and fittings from direct sunlight (Clause 2.4.3) • New provisions for the use of expansion vessels to accommodate thermal expansion (Clause 5.9 & Appendix P) • New provisions for the design, installation and commissioning of circulatory heated water systems (Sections 9, 10 and Appendix O) • Tables detailing internal diameters for different pipework materials/types/SDRs/pressure classes and nominal diameters (DN) (Appendix C) • Additional requirements for the allowance of expansion and contraction in heated water pipes (Appendix N).

AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage Acceptable Solution G13/AS3 now cites AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 (with modifications) as a means of compliance which satisfies the performance criteria of NZBC clause G13.

Note: AS/NZS 3500.2:2015 was previously cited in G13/AS3.

For more information on the modifications to AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 included within Acceptable Solution G13/AS3, please refer to: https://www.building.govt.nz/building-codecompliance/g-services-and-facilities/g13-foul-water/

Key updates

Key updates within the 2018 version of AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 include: • New requirements for the protection of plastic pipes and fittings from direct sunlight (Clause 2.4.4) • Additional details for the installation of structural plastic liners for renovating sanitary drains (Clause 3.16.3 and Appendix F) • Removal of note excluding floor waste gullies with non-return valves fitted from the requirement to be installed 150mm above the overflow level of the overflow relief gully, or invert of the overflow pipe (Clause 4.6.6.6).

MBIE appreciates everyone who took the time to contribute during the consultation process for these changes, and value the feedback that was received. â–

Alternative solutions The use of any sections or appendices of the AS/NZS 3500 series that are not cited within the NZBC Acceptable Solutions or Verification Methods would need to be proposed as an alternative solution to the building consent authority when applying for a building consent.

For more information on using alternative solutions for compliance with the NZBC, please refer to: https://www.building. govt.nz/building-code-compliance/how-the-building-code-works/ different-ways-to-comply/alternative-solutions/

these documents now cite the 2018 versions of AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage – Parts 1, 2 and 4

Note from Jon Lewis, our regular Standards Spotlight columnist: I present a backflow prevention course for WSP Opus. The course primarily covers backflow prevention device testing, installation and maintenance. I get to talk to plumbers from all different areas of the plumbing industry, from commercial plumbing to new housing and maintenance. I find that many people have some idea that our industry is governed by certain Acts and legislation, but a few are sadly lacking in their understanding of where this legislation fits. Needless to say, the more you understand the legislation, Building Code and Acceptable Solutions, the more you as a plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer are empowered to take control and produce high-quality, compliant work.

The changes to AS/NZS 3500:2018 outlined in this article will hopefully aid us all in producing better plumbing systems.

These changes also show the importance of continually being able to review Standards, so they can be changed to meet the modern-day design requirements of an ever-changing world.

www.hydroflow.co.nz

NUTS & BOLTS

Shed the lead Even low levels of lead exposure can have a significant impact on children’s IQ levels, and its effects can continue to cause adverse health impacts throughout a person’s life—so why is it still used in plumbing materials?

Professor Mark Patrick Taylor of Macquarie University reports on a global move towards zero lead tapware.

SHOULD WE BE concerned about lead in plumbing products in New Zealand and Australia? There have been plenty of Australian media stories about dangerous levels of lead leaching from public drinking fountains and taps in people’s homes.

Whilst there is no clear evidence of harmful effects resulting from lead exposure from drinking water in our two countries, the increased public concern surrounding the use and effect on drinking water from lead in plumbing materials is why the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) commissioned an evidence-based review of the issue, which our team at Macquarie University published in June 2018*.

Why is lead used in plumbing products?

Lead is highly durable, malleable and does not easily degrade, which has resulted in its extensive use in the plumbing industry for pipes, solder, valves and other fixtures and fittings (the very word ‘plumbing’ derives from the Latin for lead).

Above: Lead has been used extensively in the plumbing industry due to its durability and malleability.

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October/November 2019

Above: Professor Mark Patrick Taylor speaking at the 2019 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.

However, lead is also a toxic metal, easily absorbed into the human body. Early life exposure to even low levels can cause adverse neurocognitive effects that do not decrease with age.

Children under the age of two are at the greatest risk as their bodies and brains are still developing, and normal mouth behaviours mean they are highly susceptible to oral exposures from a variety of common household items that might contain lead, such as dust, toys, paint and jewellery. Further, bottle fed children typically have higher blood lead levels than those who are breast fed due to the additional burden of exposure supplied from water sources.

As a result, it is important that processing of lead is properly controlled in order to limit emissions into the environment and its use does not inadvertently result in potential exposures via food and water systems.

Although global lead exposures have fallen dramatically since the near total removal of lead additives in automobile fuel (it is still used in AVGAS), it remains one of the globe’s most pervasive and damaging industrial contaminants.

Various studies have estimated its outcomes on humans. In 2016, almost 14 million healthy life years were lost globally due to lead poisoning, according to a IHME (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation) 2016 data.** In addition, a 2017 study by the US Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation showed 540,000 human deaths worldwide could be attributed to preventable exposures.

Of course, lead is not found only in plumbing materials. Its versatility has meant that its use has pervaded almost every

NUTS & BOLTS

Adverse neurocognitive and behavioural outcomes over a lifetime Early years • Reduced IQ and academic ability • Attention-related behaviours (eg, ADHD) • Anti-social behaviours (lead in the air has been linked to aggression and higher crime rates).

Middle years*** • High childhood blood levels result in reduced full-scale IQ in later life • Lower IQ in turn can result in lower socioeconomic status.

Twilight years**** • Heart conditions and disease • Faster age-related cognitive decline.

Above: Babies and toddlers are at most risk from the harmful effects of lead as their bodies and brains are still developing, and they have a tendency to put things in their mouths, including toys, jewellery and painted objects.

facet of our lives. Other typical sources include smelter and mining operations, fuel, old lead-based paint, lead acid batteries, firing range ammunition and contamination, recycled soil and contaminated foodstuffs and cosmetics.

Trace amounts of lead and other industrial contaminants have been measured in nearly every natural and human environment—including polar ice, deep oceanic waters, lichens, birds, bees, honey, wines and vegetables, for example.

Is there a safe level of lead in plumbing products?

The simple answer is no—particularly where lead is used in material for fittings in contact with drinking water. The World Health Organization has deemed there is no safe level for lead exposure and that gives us cause for taking practical steps to significantly reduce its use in plumbing fittings associated with drinking water.

Tapware is the key challenge, as taps have traditionally contained lead in the brass cartridge. The AS/NZS 4020 Standard used in Australia and New Zealand allows for up to 4.5%wt (weight percent) lead to be used in drinking-water products and materials. In the US, this was reduced to 0.25%wt across wetted surface areas.

Whilst some companies have started the process, it would be prudent for the whole plumbing industry to start the process and make the necessary investments to lower the maximum level of lead used in its fittings to mirror the US standard of 0.25%. This is because it is likely that the joint Australian New Zealand standard will be revised in due course (www.abcb.gov.au/Connect/Articles/2019/03/14/ABCBinvestigates-lead-in-drinking-water).

Although councils may put out regular advice to homeowners to flush the first draw from the tap before drinking, this is not an ideal solution because research shows it is not guaranteed to work. Therefore, if there is no lead in plumbing fittings, there is no problem. ■

*The www.abcb.gov.au/Resources/Publications/Consultation/Lead-in-PlumbingProducts-and-Materials ** Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (2019). GBD Results Tool 1990-2017, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Seattle, WA. Available from http://ghdx. healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool ***Based on the Dunedin Study, which has followed a group of New Zealanders from their births since 1972-3. Available at https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.1712 ****Based on a US study of 14,289 people followed over 20 years, which found one fifth of deaths from heart disease were attributable to lead exposure. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(18)30025-2 About the author: Mark Patrick Taylor is Professor of Environmental Science at Macquarie University in Sydney. He and his team have conducted extensive research into lead contamination and human health risks, including from drinking water systems. Resulting reports include Lead in Plumbing Products and Materials, commissioned by the Australian Building Codes Board and published in June 2018.

30

REASONS TO LEAVE YOUR

(PLUMBING MERCHANT THAT IS)

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We’re the largest plumbing merchant 100% owned by New Zealanders, for New Zealanders.

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October/November 2019 45

NUTS & BOLTS

Gas Ring Energy Safety explains when gasfitters have the legal right to disconnect a property’s gas supply.

Gas disconnections

Gasfitters often ask: “When can you disconnect?”

The easy answer is: Whenever the owner lets you.

Gasfitters also need to be aware of the legal requirements regarding connections and disconnections: Testing: When you are testing gasfitting work on installations, refer to Regulation 45 of the Gas (Safety and Measurement) Regulations 2010 (GSMR). Note that this includes the existing installation.

If you discover it is unsafe, you cannot turn the gas back on.

Connection: When you are in the connection phase of gasfitting, see GSMR Regulation 51. Once you have installed fittings, pipework or an appliance, you connect your work to the gas supply (ie, carry out the last bit of gasfitting work to make the gas flow). This could be connecting to the gas meter, for example, or screwing the last part of pipe into the existing pipework. You are then required to test that the work you have done is operating safely.

in gasfitting, there is no such thing as temporary

If it is not safe, you must disconnect your work from the gas supply.

Reconnection: Regulation 52A requires that: • • • •

if a gas installation has been disconnected or isolated from a gas supply, and if no general or high risk work has been done, and if it is less than six months since the installation has been disconnected, then after reconnecting or restoring a gas supply, the person doing the work must ensure the gas installation or part installation is operating safely.

If you are not satisfied it is operating safely, you must disconnect the installation immediately.* *Be careful here—if you remove the outlet pipe from the gas meter for testing and find a leak, this will apply to you.

How gasfitters can avoid potential liability

The key words in all of this are ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’. Non-compliant work is somewhere in between. There is no duty on an owner to do anything about a non-compliant installation. It is only an offence for a person to knowingly or recklessly use, or let another person use, an unsafe installation.

A gasfitter could potentially be found liable if he or she disconnects non-compliant work and it is subsequently found not to be unsafe—so it’s best to get the owner’s agreement. There is no duty 46

August/September 2019

on a gasfitter to report a non-compliant installation to Energy Safety.

One way to deal with problems that arise is to disconnect and cap off the unsafe part of the installation—this could be a heater, for example, or the whole installation.

Why it’s important to seek the customer’s permission

Remember, if you disconnect the gas meter from the installation, and you find something unsafe, you cannot reconnect the pipework to the gas meter. You must leave the pipework disconnected if you can’t fix the problem. If you haven’t physically disconnected any pipework and you turn the gas back on, that is considered to be a connection.

Everything you do must be suitable for the occasions when customers won’t let you back on the property. In gasfitting, there is no such thing as temporary.

If you were to go to a gas leak and, without disconnecting the gas or working on the installation, you gave the customer a price to fix it and they declined, you have no legal right to disconnect the installation—you must have their permission to do so.

If you connect a test piece to the meter outlet fitting, you have undertaken gasfitting work and Regulation 52A then applies.

Energy Safety encourages gasfitters to seek permission to disconnect in all of these cases. If the installation is immediately dangerous, you must advise the owner and or occupier, and notify Energy Safety as soon as possible. ■

NUTS & BOLTS

Important: gas certificates Copies of old gasfitting certificates will no longer be available from the end of 2019, advises the PGDB.

information. Therefore, migration of the legacy certificate information (2013 and before), or providing public access to it, will not occur as part of the PGDB’s database update. ■

UP UNTIL 1 October 2013, gasfitters had to file paper-based or electronic gasfitting certificates with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB), according to requirements in place under the Gas Act from 1993 to 2013.

The information contained on those copies has been publicly available through the PGDB’s database since 2006.

At the end of this year, the PGDB will be updating its database.

Under the current certification regime, the PGDB no longer receives funding or has a mandate to keep gas certificate

If you issued certificates during 2013 Gasfitters are required to keep their own copies of signed gasfitting certificates for up to seven years. If you have been relying on your 2013 certificate information to be on the PGDB’s database, you will need to print and save this information before the end of 2019 to ensure you comply with the seven-year requirement.

For any gasfitting certificate information issued after 1 October 2013, you need to contact WorkSafe-Energy Safety: www.worksafe.govt.nz

New gas cylinder guidance New WorkSafe good • the testing, filling and handling of cylinders practice guidelines are • the marking of cylinders, valves available to help you and fittings, aerosols and noncomply with the Health refillable containers. and Safety at Work Key points (Hazardous Substances) guidance notes six key points: Regulations 2017 for gases The 1. Improper handling of gases under under pressure, including pressure may cause injury, death or ill health to a person due to the gas cylinders and fittings.

THE NEW WORKSAFE Guide to gas cylinders aims to assist anyone involved in importing, manufacturing, supplying, filling, storing, handling, or periodically testing gas cylinders, valves and fittings.

The guidelines provide information on: • the approval of gas containers and fittings

pressure of their containers 2. Cylinders must be approved before being filled in New Zealand 3. Every cylinder and its contents must be clearly identified 4. Cylinders must be handled and stored carefully 5. Only approved fillers may fill compressed gas containers

6. All cylinders must be inspected and tested after manufacture and then at intervals throughout their life. ■ Find the 100-page document at https:// worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/ hazardous-substances/guidance/ substances/gases-under-pressure/

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www.spratt.co.nz October/November 2019 47

NUTS & BOLTS

Stay safe under pressure High pressure water jetters can be dangerous and operators need to know how to use them safely. Australian Pump Industries has advice—plus news of new safety standards.

HIGH PRESSURE WATER jetter users should read operator manuals from top to bottom, wear safety gear at all times, and seek certification and training.

All of the above is true but most plumbers using this type of equipment in their work are untrained—even those using big machines that require certification under new safety standards.

Australian Pump Industries (Aussie Pumps) have worked hard to produce a new series of jetter safety manuals for operators. Videos on safe use are also available.

“There can be no cavalier attitude to using jetters,” says Aussie Pumps Senior Engineer John Hales. “We hear horror stories about misuse leading to serious lacerations and even amputations following infections.”

Above: Users of high pressure water jetters should always read the operator manual, wear safety gear, and get the necessary training and certification.

Training & certification requirements The company’s emphasis is on education on jetter operation.

That extends through its range of Class A and Class B jetters, specified by joint Australian-New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4233.01.

Class B units require operators to be trained and certified.

Aussie Pumps recommends that all operators of machines of Class B size familiarise themselves with AS/NZS 4233.01 to ensure they are compliant.

“Compliance isn’t easy but it is necessary,” says John. “We urge plumbers to get certified even though it’s expensive and not easy to find a good authorised trainer. Staying safe is everyone’s responsibility.”

In a breakthrough for the plumbing industry, Aussie Pumps has released the first 5,000 psi jetter that complies with Class A. Class A jetters do not require operator certification and can be operated by one person.

The jetters are mounted in a compact stainless steel ‘cube’ frame that has been engineered to withstand the rigours of life in the back of the plumber’s ute.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest from plumbing companies that understand the impact of the new safety standards and are looking for practical jetters that keep their teams safe,” he says. ■

About the author: Aussie Pumps are passionate members of the Australasian High Pressure Water Jetting Association and are Australia’s leading manufacturer of drain cleaning jetters. Full information on jetter safety, copies of the new Aussie Pumps safety manuals and free safety stickers are available from www.aussiepumps.com.au

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October/November 2019

6 jetter safety pointers Ignoring regular maintenance and safety checks is asking for trouble. Here are six key tips from Aussie Pumps Senior Engineer John Hales.

1. Avoid over-speeding on engine drive machines.

Engine speeds are set by the manufacturer and should not be increased in speed to ‘rev her up’.

2. Valve adjustment to get more pressure is a no-no.

Tampering with the regulator will void warranty and can be dangerous! Dropping pressure should never be compensated by adjusting the regulator. Normally it means the orifice in the nozzle is worn and needs replacement.

3. Do a daily jetter checklist. Simple daily safety checks on your jetter take no more than a few minutes and can pre-empt problems. Consult the manual for details.

4. Beware of worn out nozzles and hoses. If the rubber covering on your high-pressure hose is worn, get rid of it fast. Faulty tools are dangerous, with 60% or 70% of injuries in jetters being generated by nozzle/hose issues.

5. Change that nozzle! How often you change the nozzle depends on the abrasiveness of the water and the hours of use. However, it should always be changed whenever the pressure of the machine drops.

6. Use the warning stickers. Always ensure Aussie Safety decals and warning stickers are clear and readable. It may save a life! Free safety stickers are available at www.aussiepumps.com.au

NUTS & BOLTS

Technical Q&A Got a technical issue? In our new regular column, technical support specialist Rod Miller answers your queries.

Send your questions for Rod Miller to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

Q: At the end of a contract, do I need to fill out a PS3 Producer Statement for contractors and councils to get project sign-off and a code compliance certificate from the council?

may ease their responsibility over the contract.

However, it doesn’t really matter whether or not you sign a PS3. You, as a Certifying Plumber or Certifying Drainlayer, are responsible for the work you carry out and for the work of those under your supervision. It is then up to the regulator (PGDB) to enforce the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act as required. ■

A: The short answer is no. I am sure that

Left: Rod Miller answers your technical queries in this new regular column.

if plumbers and drainlayers had selfcertification, the form we would be using would look nothing like the PS3 being used now. It is not a requirement under the Building Act 2004 and the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) certainly don’t recognise the document as a means of signing off work.

The PS3 appears to be a document that councils get a bit of comfort from knowing someone has put their name to and that

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

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Polytechs in prisons Plumbing employers shouldn’t look past the keen and willing workers who have gained basic plumbing skills and an introduction to the industry whilst in prison, says Olaf Sparrow, plumbing tutor at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.

Above: Neatly ordered tools in the plumbing workshop at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.

WHEN THE LAST round of prisons in New Zealand were built, some were allocated with space inside for institutes of technology and polytechnics.

At Waikato’s Spring Hill Corrections Facility—one of the country’s largest men’s prisons—this resulted in plumbing and painting workshops for the prisoners, and delivery has now grown to include carpentry and horticulture courses.

“By equipping the men with practical and applicable skills, we place them in a better position to gain meaningful employment after their release,” says plumbing tutor Olaf Sparrow. “We know this is a key factor in assisting them to lead offence free lives into the future.” > October/November 2019 51

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Above: One of the students learning to braze copper.

In the plumbing workshop Any prisoner at Spring Hill can express an interest in completing the Level 3 plumbing course, which is available through a partnership between the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) and the Department of Corrections.

“They will be referred for an interview with a Wintec tutor if they meet the eligibility criteria, have time in between other courses and rehabilitative programmes, and have time remaining on their sentence,” explains Olaf, who is a qualified secondary school teacher with a background as a plumber and gasfitter.

“There are three courses a year and we often have more names than we can fit on the courses. We try and pick people for whom the courses will make a real difference.”

Spring Hill’s modern, well-equipped plumbing workshop has a welding bay area with an oxygen acetylene welding plant, and a sheet metal working area with a large three-in-one (guillotine, folder, rolling) machine. It also has work benches equipped with vices, chain vices, and all the hand tools you would associate with plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and roofing.

“Our workshop is a positive place,” he says. “The feel of it is very similar to any plumbing workshop on the outside. When our students arrive in the morning, they sit down for a safety brief and an explanation of the day’s work and study. The rate at which our students pick up skills is amazing. The class is a mix of theory and practical. I like to say we are about 70% practical and 30% theory.”

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October/November 2019

Above: Wintec tutors (from left) Stephen Jamieson, Olaf Sparrow and Ernie Pene in the workshop.

The course success rates are high, he adds. “On the last course, 12 of the 14 students who started successfully graduated. It is not uncommon to have all students pass the course.”

Graduation and beyond Graduation events for the plumbing trainees are held three times a year at the end of each course, and attended by the prisoners, tutorial staff, Corrections staff, and Wintec and prison management.

“I feel that the opportunity we were given was a good chance to learn new skills that will open new opportunities to further myself in a plumbing qualification,” said one recent graduate.

“I was enthusiastic to start the course; I enjoy opportunities like this,” said another. “I thoroughly enjoyed the course content and how it was delivered, and have recommended plumbing to most of my peers as I believe it will be beneficial to one’s future and keeping the mind in a proactive state. If given the opportunity, I would like to progress in this industry after completing the T3 plumbing at Spring Hill.”

Once the men complete the course, they are given the opportunity to work in Spring Hill’s refurbishment yard to build on their skills by renovating and building new houses for Housing New Zealand, under the supervision of registered tradespeople.

“Corrections aims to get offenders ‘work ready’ in prison and provide them with training and opportunities to gain qualifications and employment skills, so they can find a job on their release, and are set up for a successful transition back to their community,” explains Olaf. “Over the duration of the course, the prisoners also get the chance to meet with visiting groups of employers. We had a visiting delegation in mid-August, which included members of the Waikato Master Plumbers.

“They are put in touch with industry trainers and employers who are willing to look beyond a person’s criminal history and give them a chance. We have 27 Offender Recruitment Consultants across the country, dedicated to connecting offenders with jobs on their release.

“Some prisoners are also able to go on Release to Work, doing paid employment in the community, in order to help them gain employment on release.”

Willing and able workers Olaf says that what Wintec are doing at Spring Hill is about what comes next for these men, their families, and New Zealand as a whole.

“To the plumbing industry I would say there is a pool of willing and able recruits wanting work. These guys now have some skills and an introduction to our industry. For many, this is their first opportunity to get this kind of training and learn useful skills. This helps build their confidence and gives them a sense of achievement from a positive activity. >

we try and pick people for whom the courses will make a real difference

Have you registered yet? rheem.co.nz/trade

Your destination for everything hot water • spare parts • installation guides • brochures • resource libraries • service manuals • compliance documents • trade promotions • mobile-friendly

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Above: Olaf with a course participant at one of the benches in the workshop. The rate at which students pick up skills is amazing, he says.

30

REASONS TO LEAVE YOUR

(PLUMBING MERCHANT THAT IS)

“Corrections work tirelessly to build relationships with industries through the Release to Work programme and the offender recruitment consultants. These men are keen to work and being given an opportunity could support their whanau and contribute in a positive way to society.” ■ If you’re interested in having a look at the plumbing workshop at Spring Hill, please contact plumbing tutor Olaf Sparrow.

Email olaf.sparrow@wintec.ac.nz or call 07 826 0629.

A better chance for employment

We really know what’s what, Scott #1

With us you’ll get friendly, expert advice from people who really know their stuff.

To discover all 30 Reasons visit

plumbingworld.co.nz/30reasons

54

October/November 2019

Most prisoners have no formal qualifications and limited education or work experience before coming to prison.

Research shows that participation in education and employment can significantly reduce the risk of re-offending following release from prison. Educational achievement is also important in enabling offenders to fully participate and benefit from other rehabilitative programmes.

Corrections encourages all prisoners to take part in education, employment and treatment activities in prison that will assist with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community, including by giving them a better chance of gaining employment when they are released.

At Spring Hill Corrections Facility, the prisoners have a wide variety of study, trade and work experience options available to them. They are also able to study with providers to get help with literacy and numeracy, training in scaffolding, working at heights, forklifts and infrastructure, to name a few.

LOOK OUT FOR THE TICK OF APPROVAL

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

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

INDUSTRY TALK

Kiwis for kiwi Rheem is helping save New Zealand’s national bird in a new partnership with national charity Kiwis for kiwi.

KIWIS FOR KIWI works to educate communities, protect and increase native kiwi numbers throughout the country. With the help of well-known ambassadors, such as Rachel Hunter and Sir Graham Henry, the organisation raises funds for kiwi incubation facilities, creating education programmes and its ongoing work to protect kiwi habitats.

“We are excited to be able to support such a great organisation and we believe our customers will be delighted to know that when they choose a Rheem water heating product they are helping to protect the future of kiwi,” says Rheem General Manager Steve Bullock.

Rheem’s partnership will also include providing hot water systems for incubation facilities, such as the new Crombie Lockwood Kiwi Burrow near Taupo, which will process more than 200 kiwi eggs annually.

For more information go to www.kiwisforkiwi.org ■

Above: A Haast Tokoeka kiwi chick in the care of the Kiwi for kiwi charity, which now counts Rheem among its supporters.

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INDUSTRY TALK

Monkey off your back TAUPO IS THE starting point for next year’s ride for mental health, which will see plumbers and electricians from around New Zealand and Australia biking down to Invercargill and back up to Auckland, taking in many towns along the way.

The first ride of its kind for New Zealand, and the fourth for Australia, the Monkey Off Your Back Ride starts on 1 February 2020 and is being organised by Terry Bluck of Laser Electrical Auckland Central. The event keeps growing every year, he says.

“On the previous rides in Australia, we have seen the impact it makes on the people in the towns where we stop over. I have been humbled by people sharing their stories and also watching others gaining strength knowing they are not alone in fighting depression and anxiety.”

The riders, who are all from the Laser Plumbing & Electrical network, will be raising money for Lifeline Aotearoa in New Zealand and Beyond Blue in Australia. “It is because of the impact on people that we decided to bring the ride to New Zealand,” says Laser Group New Zealand Operations Manager Scott Carr.

“In 2018 our members raised $40,000 in one event, which meant we were able to ensure that 1,600 calls to Lifeline were answered. That is an outcome we are really proud to have been able to make happen. Just as important were the conversations had by the riders and by the people who supported them and came to see them at local events.

“We know we need to get people talking about mental health and events like the Monkey Off Your Back Ride has, for many people, started these important conversations.” ■

Thirty Laser Group plumbers and electricians will take to the road next February to get blokes talking about their mental health and knowing support is available.

Above: New Zealanders Reihana Manaena of Laser Plumbing & Electrical Napier and Wayne Isaacs of Laser Electrical Manawatu rode 3,500kms around Australia for Lifeline in the 2019 Monkey Off Your Back Ride.

They’re pictured here at Luna Park in Melbourne. Both will be taking part in the 2020 fundraiser around New Zealand.

Below: A group shot at Luna Park of the 28 riders from New Zealand and Australia, who took part in the 2019 Monkey Off Your Back Ride.

October/November 2019 57

INDUSTRY TALK

Civil construction projects awarded

The world’s longest pipeline using trenchless technology was among the prize winners at the 2019 CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards.

ROADS, ROUNDABOUTS AND wastewater plants are the sorts of things that can get taken for granted—but in August the best of these civil construction projects were recognised at the Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) awards, sponsored by Hirepool.

In the $20m-$100m project category, McConnell Dowell came out top for its Army Bay Ocean Outfall project at Shakespear

Uncertainty in the civil construction industry

Regional Park on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. The project’s 1.9km of pipeline became the longest in the world to use trenchless tunnelling.

Higgins Contractors won in the $5m-$20m category for its Watchman Road roundabout and airport intersection project in Napier, creating a safer intersection whilst also giving special consideration to the adjoining wetland.

Work on the 14m deep wet well Wynyard Quarter Pump Station in Auckland earned Fulton Hogan the up to $5m projects award for larger companies for the innovative work at a depth far below the water table.

Concrete Treatments NZ won in the smaller company projects up to $5m category for restoring the South Karori stormwater

Large businesses are looking to increase capability in

19% Public Infrastructure

35%

Three Waters

19% Public Transport

23%

Roading

Above: The Construction Industry Report 2019, commissioned by Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ) and Teletrac Navman, was released at the CCNZ conference. It includes the graphs shown here.

From the 2019 Construction Industry Report Above: Large civil construction businesses are currently getting the most work from roading and three waters (freshwater, wastewater and stormwater) projects and 35% plan to increase their capabilities in three waters over the next 12 months.

Number of staff would recruit 2019 Project initiators from 2018 - 2023*

2%

1% 18%

16%

24%

No recruitment needed 1-5

47

%

Private Sector

6-10

Local Government

11-20 21+

29% Central Government

Above: Local government projects are expected to account for nearly half of all civil construction projects in the five from 2018 to 2023.

Fromyears the 2019 Construction Industry Report * From Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment's National Construction Pipeline Report 2018.

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October/November 2019

63% Above: Only half of civil contractors believe their staff requirement will increase over the next year. Around one not Industry recruitReport and Fromin thefive 2019would Construction 63% would only recruit 1-5 employees. The biggest obstacle to staff recruitment is seen to be a lack of skilled workers.

WASTE

SYSTEMS

Above: Concrete Treatments NZ’s restoration project for Wellington Water’s South Karori Stormwater Culvert won the 1A category at the CCNZ awards for projects with a value of less than $5m and companies with an annual turnover of less than $10m. The company replaced rusting corrugated iron tunnels underground with a new geopolymer lining.

thousands of new workers are expected to be needed to complete the Government’s planned three waters, public transport and road safety projects

BOSS

culvert, which involved replacing rusting corrugated iron underground tunnels with a new geopolymer lining.

“These projects are vital for the economy and wellbeing of their communities,” said CCNZ Chief Executive Peter Silcock.

“We should be proud of the people who got the job done, and the outcomes their hard work has achieved.”

A new civil construction industry report, released at the CCNZ conference, shows that uncertainty around new projects is having a big impact on the civil construction workforce.

The Construction Industry Report 2019 is the result of a survey of around 200 industry participants, held earlier this year.

Thousands of new workers are expected to be needed to complete the Government’s planned three waters, public transport and road safety projects. But the industry says it is still waiting for the ‘record spending’ promised on these projects, which would bring some financial certainty and stability.

“If contractors are unable to see when proposed projects will come to market, this prevents them from investing in their businesses,” said CCNZ Chief Executive Peter Silcock.

Whilst the report suggests the industry understands the need to invest in the workforce, he said many businesses were being impacted by lowest price procurement and don’t have the margins built into their contracts to do so. “It is very clear that we need the support of the industry’s largest clients – local and central government – if we are going to invest in our people.”

The Construction Industry Report 2019 was commissioned by CCNZ and Teletrac Navman. ■

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SMART BUSINESS

Situational awareness In the second part of our risk management mini-series, RiskLogic explains the importance of situational awareness and how to build it into your business using technology.

‘MASS COMMUNICATIONS’ WAS classified as one of the major areas for concern during the Christchurch shootings. The issue wasn’t that people didn’t have access to technology that could mass communicate. It was the fact that everyone was on the same technology as the offender had access to, and there were issues surrounding the authority of the information being communicated.

In our previous article, RiskLogic disclosed some detail around emergency management regulations in New Zealand – specifically the FENZ policy or procedure check. Emergency management remains the most practised of New Zealand’s risk management disciplines, but at a pace that’s average at best when compared to countries like Japan.

So why is this? Why do Kiwi organisations struggle to stay confident and in control during all types of event? Why is that, when a mass-shooting occurred in New Zealand, the majority 60

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said they could not believe this had happened to us? The answer is situational awareness. And we need to get better at it.

What is situational awareness?

Situational awareness is the ability to make a complete analysis of environmental elements in order to build confidence that present and future decisions will most likely be the right ones.

As a leader, or someone who is part of a wider team, having the confidence to make correct decisions is often overlooked when you move into that role for the first time. The ability to make the right decisions during a crisis is only truly put to the test when a genuine crisis happens.

By building situational awareness, you will have the right information to inform your final decisions and this will significantly reduce any negative outcomes.

A good case study of where situational awareness could have prevented incorrect decisions was at a Christchurch primary school located around 12km from the first shooting event. After initially believing the phone call from the police was a hoax, they then released a Facebook message telling the world their students were in lockdown in room A4 by Reception and that parents should please head here.

Above: Smart technology is often used in businesses as a tool to create situational awareness – getting information out fast to the whole team.

SMART BUSINESS Not the right information to be sharing to a gunman who was on Facebook 30 minutes earlier. They then backtracked a few moments later and told all parents to stay away. You can imagine the chaos that ensued.

During an event, get the ball rolling to make better decisions by asking these three questions: • • •

Should I stay or go?

Is the information I’m receiving a fact?

Is the information I’m receiving an assumption?

Answering those three quickly gets you on the way, fast.

Using technology to enhance situational awareness

Smart tech is everywhere. If you don’t adopt it, you simply can’t keep up with your work tasks. That’s because so many people use it for their communications, emails, calendars, social lives and health. If you want to know if you’re driving in the right direction to a client’s job, your apprentice is going to be shocked if you fold out a paper map when Google Maps has generally become second nature.

This same technology is frequently used as a tool to create situational awareness: it sees where you are, calculates where you want to be, and provides information on traffic, crashes, closed roads and even weather. That’s situational awareness at its finest.

During the terrible events in Tōhoku, Japan 2011, millions of people wanted information on whether their family or friends had survived the devastating earthquake and tsunami – and Facebook posts, messages and news feeds generated that information.

This inspired Facebook to create a disaster board (later called Facebook Safety Check). By simply releasing a notification to everyone’s phones in the region, Facebook was able to get realtime information on the scale and numbers of casualties in a way that had never been seen before. With 2.1 billion users a day, that’s a lot of situational awareness.

If you’re not using a dedicated tool to control, manage and coordinate your team during an event, how else are you doing it? During the shooting, a Christchurch-based university used a mixture of phone calls, texts, emails and even door knocking to check on students. By the end of the day, it had taken them nearly five hours to get through to everyone, which doesn’t include a response.

So, the challenge is to pick the right tool, build a culture around the use of it and then ensure a structured plan is in place for everyone to know to use it and to head to that tool for the information. If you pick Facebook, for example, make that point during induction or during orientation to set the guidelines.

Next steps for your people

Your immediate questions to ask are: • How are we communicating with our people?

• Have we tested this in the last six months?

• Did it, or does it, work 100% for us?

• Does this technology (or method) create enough situational awareness for me and my team?

• If we go with technology, what are we going to do to build this into the culture?

RiskLogic provides New Zealand & Australia with two

technology solutions built to answer all these questions within seconds. Activate & CQCommand work as tools for organisations to centralise all their plans and procedures, whilst also actively working during an event. For example, a college out of Christchurch used these tools to send 75,000 messages to their students during the shooting. Similarly, Activate App was used in an Auckland fire and during the Tauranga flooding.

No matter what tool you use, they’re out there, and they’re there to help. ■ Learn more about RiskLogic’s tools at www.cqcommand.com and www.activatenow.com.au

Reader discount on RiskLogic services NZ Plumber readers who book RiskLogic’s services between 1 and 30 November 2019 can access a 10% discount. Just use the code MPCM01 when you book.

Contact RiskLogic on 0800 003 453 or info@risklogic.co.nz

About the author: Brad Law is the country manager for RiskLogic New Zealand and an award-winning consultant with nearly three decades of experience in the resilience space. He now focuses on helping New Zealand organisations find resilience solutions unique to their people, whilst building a culture of preparedness. He is leading the programme for the Master Plumbers organisation in 2019. www.risklogic.co.nz

30

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(PLUMBING MERCHANT THAT IS)

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October/November 2019 61

SMART BUSINESS

Post-injury rehabilitation Dismissing an employee for incapacity while they are on long-term accident compensation due to injury should be handled carefully, advises HR specialist Lisa Duston.

EMPLOYERS HAVE AN obligation in relation to work-related (vocational) rehabilitation under the Accident Compensation Act 2001. This applies when ACC decides it is reasonably practicable to return the claimant to their pre-injury employment with the same employer.

If this is the case, ACC will notify the employer in writing, and the employer must then take all practicable steps to help the employee meet the work-related rehabilitation goals. Note that the duty on employers to help rehabilitate injured employees applies to both work-related and non-work-related injuries.

An employer is not obliged to keep a role open, but a proper and fair process must be followed.

Employers must make reasonable

accommodations so that a disabled or injured employee can return to work under the Human Rights Act 1993. This means that employers must investigate all the ways that they can change the job so that an employee can return – whether this is reduced hours, changed duties, or even simple changes like doing some of the work from home.

You are allowed to terminate employment if your employee can no longer do the job at all. This decision does require a thorough consideration of all factors, however, including all medical evidence, possibilities of return in the future, and how other workers have been treated. The employee is also required to be part of the discussions.

There is no absolute requirement that you have to hire the employee in a different position, but neither are you allowed to simply terminate their employment without a thorough investigation of all the alternatives.

Where an employer is considering the dismissal of an employee on long-term accident compensation, they should: • act in line with any relevant provisions in the employment agreement or the workplace policies

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•

assist with any vocational rehabilitation programme for the employee through ACC • fully investigate an employee’s work capability and the actual needs of their job • base their decision-making on up-todate medical information about what the long-term effect of the injury will be • warn the employee that their longterm absence may result in dismissal, and ask the employee to give feedback during the decision-making process • consider giving the employee alternative, light work if they are temporarily unable to carry out their normal job.

For more information, check out the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz or talk to the case manager assigned to your employee case. ■ 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

SMART BUSINESS

In the office

If you are a commercial plumber, you will know all about the frustrations of retentions, says Andrea Lovell.

Retentions. Where to start? When the Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015 amended the 2002 Act around retentions, with effect from 31 March 2017, I thought getting our retention money from builders would become a lot easier—naïve, possibly.

Builders are now meant to hold all retentions in a trust regime. The retention money can only be held in a form of cash, or other liquid assets readily converted into cash. In other words, they aren’t allowed to cash flow their next project with your money.

But is this happening? Who as a contractor is going to show a subcontractor, if asked, where they hold all their monies and financial records? I wouldn’t.

On jobs $20,000 and under, we just say NO retentions and 95% of our customers are happy with this—and on the bigger jobs we are starting to offer discounts for no retentions.

When it comes to chasing retentions, we always hear the same excuses. Some of my favourites: “There is still some remediation work from other subcontractors to be done.”

“We are still waiting on your PS3s and as-builts.” (Even

though these have been sent many times.)

“We are waiting on practical completion certificate.”

“Final account hasn’t been agreed.”

“We haven’t been paid from the client.”

“Should be next month.”

“If you give us a discount we can pay straight away, or let’s talk about what we are pricing next.”

The parties to a construction contract are prohibited from making retention money payment conditional on anything other than the performance of the subcontractor’s obligations under the contract.

Who, as a subcontractor, is going to push a contractor too much in case they lose future works? Subcontractors still seem stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If you’re thinking of getting into commercial work, consider whether you’re able to finance 10% of your cashflow for 12-15 months minimum, as that is how long it can take to get paid. ■ About the author: Andrea Lovell is Office Manager at Heron Plumbing in Auckland. She is co-director of the company with her husband Dale Lovell.

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Compound Interest: SMART BUSINESS

Eighth Wonder of the World When you understand the power of compounding interest, you’ll want to make sure it works in your favour. Jacqueline Taylor explains.

IT’S BELIEVED THAT Albert Einstein once said, “There is no force in the universe more powerful than compound interest”, and further described it as “the eighth wonder of the world”. But it comes with a catch. “He who understands it earns it… he who doesn’t… pays it.”

The thing is, many of us don’t understand it. So, this means you could be missing out on significant amounts of extra dollars appearing in your savings account, with very little effort from you! And instead, you might be facing financial stress and difficulty in achieving your monetary goals.

The first thing to understand about compound interest is that it can act like a double-edged sword. If it works in your favour, it will be your best friend.

And if it works against you, it will be your worst enemy. So how can you ensure compound interest works to your advantage? First, we need to determine how it actually works.

When it’s your best friend

Put simply, compound interest is interest on interest. Let’s say you open a savings account with $1,000. The account has an annual interest rate of 10%. At the end of the first year, compounding interest has earned you $100. In the second year, you will be earning interest on $1,100. Now apply a complicated formula (that you really don’t need to know), and at the end of the second year you will have earned $210 on your original investment.

But what you do want to know is the formula for working out how long it will take to double your money. Again, Einstein came up with the answers. He invented the Rule of 72. This rule tells us how many years it will take to double 64

October/November 2019

your money by dividing the interest rate into 72. So, for a 10% interest rate, it will take only 7.2 years to double your money!

It may be hard to get excited about compounding interest with an investment as low as $1,000, but what if you started with $10,000? Doubling that in 7.2 years to $20,000 is pretty awesome, especially if you haven’t had to do much.

When used well through investment, compound interest acts as a form of passive income. You go to work, you earn cash (your active income), you save some, and while you sleep compound interest gets to work and grows your savings, without much effort from you (passive income).

When it’s your worst enemy

The power of compounding interest is a beautiful thing when it’s working to your advantage. But remember, the same rules will apply to borrowed cash, like for a home loan, or use of a credit card. You will be charged interest on your interest.

Imagine if that 10% interest rate applied to a loan. The longer it takes you to pay off a debt, the more it’s going to cost you!

Realistically speaking, a 10% interest rate from the bank on either a loan or an investment is fairly unlikely, especially given the recent reduction in the official cash rate

(OCR) in August. With the reduced OCR, interest rates will fall. This will work to your advantage if borrowing money, but if you are wanting compound interest to do its thing in your savings account, it probably won’t make much of a difference.

The secret ingredient

Investing is where compound interest really shows its magic. But remember, time is the secret ingredient for the magic of compounding interest to show its power. The more time you have, the faster your money will grow year-on-year. If you haven’t started saving yet, don’t delay.

The longer you take to act, the longer your money will be left on the table without growth. ■ Next issue: Ways to invest to get the most out of compound interest.

About the author: Jacqueline Taylor is the founder of JUNO magazine and the JUNO KiwiSaver Scheme. She is an advocate for financial capability and believes finance should be explained in plain English. Jacqueline is a National Board member for Life Education Trust.

SMART BUSINESS

By the book

10 tips for surviving the silly season The Christmas season can be difficult financially.

Lynn Render of the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers has some survival tips.

DURING THE CHRISTMAS season, there always seems to be lots going out of the account and not so much coming back in. Business tends to slow or close, holiday pay is due, 20th month payments are due and then, before you know it, the New Year is here with provisional tax, student loan payments, GST, FBT, PAYE and the next lot of 20th month payments!

Here are 10 tips to help you through.

1. Forward plan for the year. Create

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

reports of expense patterns so you know what’s due, when As you are paid, or as you pay your staff, put into a separate account the portion that may be needed to cover PAYE, GST, ACC etc If required, have only a skeleton staff working over the Christmas period Get all your December and January invoices out as early as possible, leaving plenty of time for reminders Consider invoicing at the end of each job, rather than monthly Are you using electronic invoices?

Stats show they get paid quicker than paper invoices Enable clients to pay on invoice via credit card or internet banking If possible make your terms 7 days

9. Follow up promptly and frequently on late payments 10. If you see a funding shortfall, talk to your bookkeeper or accountant: • Consider a short-term loan or overdraft, organised ahead • Consider invoice finance and factoring options • Use your business credit card • Discuss with suppliers the possibility of delaying or spreading payments • Prioritise your bills • Contact the IR if you need an extension of time • Consider a tax pooling company.

If you need help with any of the above, contact one of our Certified NZ Bookkeepers at www.icbnzbai.org.nz ■

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SMART BUSINESS

Sam’s speak

Are you making money? Healthy turnover does not equal healthy net profit, says Sam Tyson.

Recently our accountant finished working through our accounts for the end of our last financial year and called me in to go over the results.

The good news was we had a healthy turnover for the year; we were in the top quarter for turnover when comparing to the benchmark of plumbing and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) businesses in New Zealand. However the bad news was we were in the bottom quarter for net profit. In other words, in the financial year just gone, we were working our butts off, and not receiving the financial rewards.

According to the benchmark from our accountant, ideally a plumbing business’ net profit should be sitting at around 22%. Add in the HVAC benchmark at 12% and, averaged out, 17% net profit for our business would be about right.

When wanting to improve your bottom line, start by looking at how you can improve your gross profit margin (turnover, less cost of sales, divided by sales). The median gross profit benchmark for plumbing is 49% of your sales and HVAC is 33%.

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REASONS TO LEAVE YOUR

(PLUMBING MERCHANT THAT IS)

E US ’ ECA EEK B T US THE W EJ TH L OF A ‘DE

Sign up for great deals, Neil #4

It’s easy to open a trade account with us – and get sharper prices on whatever you need.

Three ways that you can improve your GP (Gross Profit) are: 1. Increase your sales, either by getting more sales or putting up your prices.

2. Negotiate better buying prices with your suppliers.

3. Produce more output from the same amount of input.

If you work on the 5% rule, where you increase your sales by 5%, reduce your purchases by 5%, and increase your productivity by 5%, the difference these small changes can make on your net profit is magic.

Then if you add in reducing your operating expenses by 5%, your net profit will skyrocket. You can choose whatever percentage you want—the point I want to make is that by making small changes in key areas, the accumulation of those small changes will give you big results.

My plan in fixing our GP is to: •

Analyse what jobs are more profitable than others and work out how we can do more of the profitable type of work and deliberately drop the types of jobs we’re not making any money on • Look at our quoted jobs to see how the number of hours quoted matches the actual hours taken to identify if there is an issue and what needs to happen to fix it • Explore ways we can be more efficient in our productivity and increase our chargeable hours • Investigate our charging to see where we can increase prices or add fees for different services we provide, such as use of equipment • Check that our processes when invoicing charge-up jobs are capturing everything: hours, materials, consumables, travel, use of equipment • Go through our operating expenses line by line to see where we can make savings—what we can do smarter for less money • Talk with our suppliers to find out how we can work together more profitably.

Although it was disappointing to realise our great turnover did not equal a great profit, it has provided me with an excellent opportunity to fine tune and discover ways we can be smarter and more efficient, which should in turn make for a happier meeting with our accountant next year! ■

To discover all 30 Reasons visit

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October/November 2019

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

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Appraisal No.942 [2017]

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

– Bruce Trenwith BT Plumbing, Auckland

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

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esses in Oamaru are g for plumbing and gasfitting ntices right now.

sterlink apprentice, we pay you while n for a great Get qualified and Morecareer. of the support you need and less risk: up for life!• Recruitment & Testing

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NEXT GENERATION

Valentino’s day Masterlink plumbing apprentice Valentino Eyer made it all the way to the Young Plumber of the Year national final on 9 October.

By Florence Cohen.

VALENTINO EYER MAY only be 21 years old, but he’s already become a name to be reckoned with—and not just in his Kaitaia home turf.

After winning in Kaitaia and Auckland’s North Shore at last year’s Young Plumber of the Year competition, Valentino has done it all again this year, this time making it all the way to the national final on 9 October, just as NZ Plumber was going to press.

The Plumbing World Young Plumbers Club competition is run annually, with each nationwide branch holding its own competition, followed by eight regional finals. With a timed theory category, and plumbing challenges sponsored by companies such as Methven and Caroma, it comes down to top-quality craftsmanship, knowledge and timeliness as to who wins the overall title.

Go-getting attitude Valentino decided on a plumbing, gasfitting and drainage career while still in high school and has gone on to make his family and host employer Jack Rogers proud, with his go-getting attitude and competition successes.

Jack Rogers and Valentino Eyer met while Valentino was still at Kaitaia College and figuring out which path to take when his schooling was over. Rogers & Rogers Plumbing, known for training apprentices in the region, initially took Valentino on through the school Gateway programme, a bridging class that helps give high school students a good feel for the trade they’re interested in.

That was nearly four years ago, and Valentino’s apprenticeship with the Master Plumbers-owned Masterlink apprentice management programme could not have gone more smoothly. “He’s outstanding and has been since day one,”

says Jack. “He’s a very academic young man as well as having good hand skills, and he gets along well with everyone—a model apprentice.”

Reliable client base Valentino is also a mature and kindnatured young man, who enjoys problem solving, which is exactly what Rogers & Rogers’ customers want—and he always cleans up at the end of a job. This has earned him his own reliable client base; not something every young apprentice can claim. “I’ll bar him from leaving Kaitaia, even if he doesn’t win in Hamilton!” said Jack before the national final took place.

You’ll never hear Valentino boasting about his wins or acting smug, though.

He is more interested in taking on leadership roles within the firm, including taking more junior plumbers under his wing and reaching the stage where his boss has more time to dedicate to the new apprentices.

Masterlink Regional Manager Tania Forsyth has been Valentino’s mentor throughout his four-year apprenticeship.

She believes Valentino’s Young Plumber of the Year successes are down to his studious nature, his attention to detail and his consistent planning and preparation—as well as being a great plumber.

“He’s a quiet achiever,” she says. “He’s

Above: Plumbing World Northern Regional Manager Tristan Wilkinson (right) presenting Valentino with his Young Plumber of the Year regional winner prizes and award.

always well-prepared way ahead for his upcoming block courses and this really helps him out in the theory category.

There are a lot of different types of plumbing work in the Kaitaia region that Valentino is already familiar with—and he always wants to do a good job.” ■

Congratulations to all national finalists Well done to all the finalists at the Plumbing World Young Plumber of the Year national competition in Hamilton. They are: Region

Name

Employer

Auckland Metro

Josh Beech

Tilyard Plumbing

Northern

Valentino Eyer

Rogers & Rogers Plumbing

BOP/Central Plateau

Alex Hyland

Steve Wolter Plumbing

Waikato/Taranaki

Thomas Carley

Carley Plumbing & Gas

Wellington/Marlborough

Josh Harvey

LB White

Lower North Island

Brett Trilford

Easyflow Plumbing & Drainage

Canterbury/West Coast

Andrew Bright

Warwick Kirwan Plumbing

Southern

Adam de Pass

Jackson Plumbing

Wildcard

Donovan Isted

Foleys

Wildcard

Roy Bates

Taumarunui Plumbing

October/November 2019 69

NEXT GENERATION

Master Plumbers

Apprentice Membership All plumbing, drainlaying and gasfitting apprentices can apply to become Apprentice Members of Master Plumbers for just $40 a year—and there are some amazing new deals and discounts!

MASTER PLUMBERS IS excited to announce a wide range of new deals and discounts available to all apprentices who sign up for Master Plumbers Apprentice Membership. Apprentice members receive a membership card, which also serves as a StudentCard, giving access to heaps of great discounts on food, clothes, entertainment and more.

There are plenty of other great opportunities for Apprentice Members—discover what’s available to you over these pages.

If you’re a Masterlink apprentice, Masterlink will pay for your annual membership at no cost to you or your host—you don’t need to do a thing.

Apply online at masterplumbers.org.nz/apprentice-membership

Above: The Master Plumbers Apprentice Membership card doubles as a StudentCard, New Zealand's largest discount card.

Savings with StudentCard Your Apprentice Membership card doubles as a StudentCard: New Zealand’s largest discount card! Save cash on heaps of your favourite brands, with discounts on pizzas, mobile data, clothes, entertainment and travel to name a few.

• Enjoy one year’s free StudentCard membership, with a small fee if you opt to continue in following years.

Deals for your wheels At Master Plumbers, we know how expensive it can be to keep your car on the road, so we’ve got some great deals on tyres, servicing, spare parts, car rentals and more.

Beaurepaires • 20% off Goodyear and Dunlop branded products • 16% off Michelin, BFGoodrich, Deestone, Infinity & Z tyres • 15% off all Exide batteries • 20% off Shell oil

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October/November 2019

Pit Stop • 10% discount on all Pit Stop EZY Service vehicle servicing packages and spare parts* • Pay just $48 (inc GST) for a WOF *Excludes tyres, freight and consumables.

Avis • Discounted rates on Avis rental cars in over 170 countries • Pay just $13 airport fee (an extra $32 saving) • Access discounted Avis car sales

NEXT GENERATION

Get equipped for less Get your gear sorted with some great discounts on hire equipment, powertool accessories and more.

Milwaukee • Purchase a powertool skin (eg, drill, impact driver, circular saw) and redeem 1 x 5ah battery and 1 x charger as a bonus gift* • Purchase a 2-piece powertool kit or higher and redeem 1 x 12ah battery*

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*Offer ends 31 July 2020

Outward Bound Scholarships Think you have what it takes to be a future leader of our industry? As a Master Plumbers Apprentice Member, you’re eligible to apply for our annual Outward Bound Scholarship, worth over $3,500.

The scholarship winner experiences an awesome 16-day Outward Bound adventure in the Marlborough Sounds.

Reduced rates on training & events Master Plumbers training courses Grow your technical and business knowledge with top-quality courses on the Master Plumbers annual training timetable. See what’s available at www.masterplumbers.org.nz/membership/ training •

Apprentice Members get the Master Plumbers member discount on all courses

PGDB exam preparation courses Getting ready to sit your PGDB Tradesman or Certifying exams?

Prepare online with TradeLab—the new way to get yourself set up for success six weeks ahead of sitting the exam. Check it out at tradelab.co •

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NZ Plumbing Conference If you haven’t been to the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference yet, you’re missing out! It’s THE industry event, with great speakers, social activities, technical sessions and much, much more—and it all wraps up with the NZ Plumbing Awards, celebrating the best in our trades.

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Be in the know Knowledge is a powerful tool when you’re starting out on your plumbing career. We keep Apprentice Members informed with a subscription to our regular member e-newsletters and easy access to NZ Plumber magazine online.

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October/November 2019 71

NEXT GENERATION

Can-do in Kazan The nine members of the NZ national skills team headed to Russia for the 45th International WorldSkills competition in August, including plumber Lauren Phillips.

NZ Plumber reports on the event.

THERE ARE THREE words for plumber in Russian: сантехник, водопроводчик and паяльщик. Someone who probably knows this by now is Masterlink plumbing apprentice Lauren Phillips.

Having earned a gold medal at the WorldSkills NZ Nationals in 2018, Lauren was selected for Team NZ – Kazan Squad to take part in the Plumbing and Heating category of the international contest, WorldSkills Kazan 2019.

She and her eight fellow team members headed to Russia in August for the fiveday event, which saw 1,400 competitors from 50 countries competing in 51 different skills in six distinct categories, including Construction and Building Technology. Other members of the NZ national skills team included a baker, a welder, a millwright and an aircraft maintenance worker.

Just before leaving for the competition, Invercargill-based Lauren caught up with her Masterlink mentor Brendan Parker.

She told Brendan the required training for the event in New Zealand was 600 hours minimum and she knew she was up against stiff competition.

“The set up for this year’s International WorldSkills competitions was truly magnificent, with the Russians doing an incredible job in preparing the venue,” says WorldSkills NZ Plumbing Manager Bryan Smith, who was with Lauren at the event. “Thirty nations took part in the Plumbing and Heating competition, which was 19.5 hours long, spread over three days.

“Two days before the competition, the competitors had a familiarisation day to practise with the tools and materials 72

October/November 2019

Above: Masterlink apprentice Lauren Phillips starting the practical on Day 1. Here she is preparing to bend the electro-galv steel heating pipe joined with compressed O-ring joints.

Above: Lauren carrying the flag for the New Zealand team at the opening ceremony, which can be viewed on You Tube.

Above: Fitting the radiators on one side of the frame.

Above: Lauren's completed 1.5-hour speed test, comprising two circulating pumps in 28mm copper.

NEXT GENERATION

Above: The speed test space within the Plumbing & Heating competition area.

they would be using. This was the first time they had an idea of what the project looked like.

“It included one 16-hour project, installing: • A water heated towel rail designed to a given set of instructions and using the mimimum amount of materials. The remaining pipe was handed back in for measurement and the one who had used the least materials to meet the

Above: Lauren cutting 10mm threaded rod for the installation of her pipework inside the frame.

•

•

design brief was awarded the Sustainability Award (Korea was the winner) Two radiators in electro-galv steel pipe with a joining method similar to Kempress A hot circulating system for the hot water system and the cold water system in copper, with lead free soft soldered joints servicing three sanitary fixtures, a wall hung

Above: Lauren's completed project, looking at the inside of the steel wall framing: toilet and basin on one side and shower on the other.

toilet with internal cistern, a basin and a shower.

“There were also two 1.5-hour-long speed projects.

“On the fourth day, the competitors were all divided into groups and enjoyed working together to complete parts of a bathroom complex for a disabled children’s orphanage on the outskirts of Kazan. This was organised by the International Association of Plumbing >

NEXT GENERATION

and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), a part of the World Plumbing Council.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and support team: Wintec for their support in the use of the facilities after hours for training weekends; Felton for assisting with Lauren’s training; Franklin Bathroom Plumbing Supplies; Masterlink for supporting Lauren’s endeavours; Dux and Mico.

“The Plumbing and Heating competition was won by Korea (Gold Medal), China (Silver Medal), Australia and Switzerland (Bronze Medal). Lauren did extremely well but missed a couple of crucial finishes by seconds. However, she was in high demand by the media, which included Moscow Television as well as the Dutch Television media. She was also interviewed during a training weekend at Wintec in Hamilton by Susan Strongman for RNZ.” ■

Kazan fact file 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Kazan is one of the oldest cities in Russia, dating back to the 10th century It is Russia’s third biggest city after Moscow and St Petersburg Most residents speak both Russian and Tatar Kazan’s Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage site Europe’s longest river, the Volga, runs through it.

Above: The 2019 WorldSkills International competition in August put Kazan on the map.

Are you a future winner?

The next WorldSkills International competition is being held in Shanghai China in 2021. The New Zealand regional and national competitions will be held in advance of the event.

If you will be under the age of 23 at the end of 2021, you’re eligible to give it a shot! Please contact Bryan Smith, Worldskills Plumbing Manager: bryan.smith@wintec.ac.nz or 022 091 0535.

Above: The white walls of the Kazan Kremlin can be seen in the forefront of this photograph.

The Kremlin was built on an ancient site and conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1552.

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October/November 2019

Read the latest edition online OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

ON THE COVER

More flow | More control | Easier to maintain

2020 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE: Get ready for Marlborough

48

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

Be safe with jetters

30% more flow

10

2020 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE:

20

MORE WOMEN WANTED

Get ready for Marlborough

Compared to original Fastflow*

WATER LEAK CLAIMS

36

G12 AND G13

42

The high cost of water damage Some changes you need to know about

Why we need more women in the mix

24

72

$10k for employers taking on WINZ jobseekers through Masterlink

Contents

57

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019

REAL LIVES

NUTS & BOLTS

10

28 On the rise From apprentice to business co-owner

42 Standards spotlight What’s changed for G12 and G13

40 Drain man Why this apprentice loves his drainage career choice

44 Shed the lead The risks of lead in our water and what plumbers can do to reduce them

NZ Plumbing Conference 2020

13

MASTER PLUMBERS BENEFITS

WATER LEAK CLAIMS

18

COVER STORY 20 More women wanted!

What’s being done to grow female workforce numbers 24 Skills for jobseekers Government initiatives and subsidies to OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019trades employers to take on encourage jobseekers

of water damage

26 Passing it on How retired tradespeople are helping upskill future workers

*Average increase compared to original Fastflow® when tested on typical unequal pressure (header tank, single story, double story and heavy head) with mix temperate at 40°C.

G12 AND G13

Some changes you need to know about 2020 NZ PLUMBING CONFERENCE:

Some great new member resources

IN FOCUS: ATTRACTING NEW TALENT

Find out how high at fastflow2.co.nz The cost

MNZ 1930 FFII Calendar Ad A4.indd 1

CEO Greg Wallace on public liability insurance and a new crisis management resource; Guarantee cover now $20k

TECHNICAL THEME: PLUMBING PIPEWORK & SYSTEMS 31

Pipe penetration through cladding How to get it right

34 Pressed for time?

Why press fit systems can save time on site 36 Rise in water damage claims Water damages top claims in new Aussie report 38 Let’s talk PEX Installation advice for new pex system

49 Tech Q&A Answering producer statement queries

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT Polytechs in prisons A plumbing course at Springhill Corrections Facility is teaching inmates useful skills

INDUSTRY TALK 56 Kiwis for kiwi Why Rheem has got involved in this charitable project

October/November 2019

Tradies on tour Laser Plumbing members are getting on their bikes for a good cause

58 Civil construction winners A look at some outstanding projects and a new report on the state of the civil construction industry

SMART BUSINESS 60 Situational awareness What it is and why you need it in your business

46 Gas ring Gas disconnection advice, important gas certification update and new cylinder guidance

52

On the cover: Women make up half the population but currently only a tiny percentage of the plumbing sector—and that needs to change.

Photograph courtesy of NAWIC.

Plumbing on the world stage

EVENTS MASTER PLUMBERS NEWS

20

62 Post-injury rehabilitation What to consider when an employee is out of action on long-term accident compensation 63 In the office Andrea Lovell discusses the reality of retentions 64 Compound interest: eighth wonder of the world Tips from our new finance columnist

66 Sam’s speak Sam Tyson asks: are you making enough money?

NEXT GENERATION

What's being done to attract females to trades

HEALTH & SAFETY 80 Silicosis alert Why plumbers must know about silicosis dangers

69 Valentino’s day Masterlink apprentice Valentino Eyer’s journey to the Young Plumber of the Year National Final

81

70 Master Plumbers Apprentice Membership Awesome new deals and discounts for apprentice members

83

72

86 Dodgy plumbing Shonky work to make your eyes water

Kiwi in Kazan What this Southland plumber was doing in Russia

Toolbox tips The importance of speaking up about safety matters

PRODUCTS & SERVICES What’s new to the market plus this edition’s Master Plumbers Recommends featured product

AND FINALLY

76 Masterlink messageboard Updates from the Master Plumbersowned apprentice management company 78 Dyslexia no obstacle How Harrison West has received the support to succeed

65 Surviving the silly season Be ready for the Christmas period

3

4

October/November 2019

26/04/19 9:50 AM

Get ready for Marlborough

MORE WOMEN WANTED

What's being done to attract females to trades WATER LEAK CLAIMS

The high cost of water damage

G12 AND G13

Some changes you need to know about

MORE WOMEN WANTED

What's being done to attract females to trades

No log-in required!

www.nzplumber.nz

Award winning and proudly brought to you by Master Plumbers

MASTERLINK MESSAGEBOARD

This edition’s updates from Masterlink, the Master Plumbers-owned apprentice management company.

Our future pipeline

High school is a great place to start if we are to grow the number of skilled plumbers for the future.

Whenever there’s a skills expo in a particular area, Masterlink aims to be there, manning a stand and talking with students about their plumbing career opportunities. Most recently, Masterlink team members were at Manurewa High School and Whangarei Boys High School, challenging pupils with some fun, hands-on plumbing activities.

Right: Students at Whangarei Boys High having a go at some of the plumbing challenges on the Masterlink stand.

Report that close shave

Masterlink urges all apprentices to report near miss situations, so the conditions can be corrected.

Masterlink apprentice Aaron Parry, hosted by Illingworth Plumbing in Auckland, won a $100 Mico Plumbing tool voucher in our Near-Miss Reporting competition, held earlier this year.

Aaron not only submitted a report but also made a note on the site report and brought up the incident at his next toolbox meeting. Regional Manager Colin Kilpatrick was pleased to present Aaron with the quality hole saw kit he bought with the prize.

We encourage all apprentices to report a near miss so it can be corrected—helping prevent a major accident.

Above: Aaron Parry receiving his near-miss competition prize from Masterlink RM Colin Kilpatrick.

Well done to all our YPOTY competitors To all the Masterlink apprentices who entered the 2019 Young Plumber of the Year Competition—you are legends!

It was great to have so many Masterlink apprentices winning their branch competitions in Plumbing World’s 2019 Young Plumber of the Year contest—and we were particularly proud of apprentice Valentino Eyer for taking top place in the Northland Regional Final, which saw him go through to the National Final on 9 October in Hamilton.

Prizes or no prizes, we’re proud of all our apprentices who had the courage to enter this year’s competition and put their skills to the test against other young plumbers—it’s an attitude that will take you far.

Right: Masterlink RM Bob McCoy lent some moral support to apprentice Aidan Gregan as he competed in the 2019 Young Plumber of the Year Wellington/Marlborough Regional Final. Aidan’s host firm Plumbing Express were also there to cheer him on.

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October/November 2019

MASTERLINK MESSAGEBOARD

Our TV star!

Masterlink apprentice Hera Eruera recently featured on ThreeNow’s current affairs programme The Project.

In August, The Project featured Masterlink apprentice Hera Eruera as it took a look at how growing the number of females in the industry is one answer to the ‘tradie drought’. Females make up just 1% of the 700 plumbing apprentices that go through MIT each year, said lecturer Pete Shields on the show.

A solo mother, who had the first of her two children at just 17 years old, Hera knew education was the key to breaking the cycle of her own unhappy upbringing and getting a well-paid job.

When MIT plumbing tutor John MacDonald saw her potential, MIT took her on as a Masterlink plumbing, tutorial assistant and assistant technician—and Hera hasn’t looked back.

At the Women in Trades mini-conference Hera also dropped in to catch up with her Masterlink RM Tania Forsyth at the Women in Trades NZ mini-conference afternoon event in Auckland in August. Masterlink manned an exhibition stand, encouraging attendees to have a go at a range of plumbing activities. Other activities to try out at the event included operating a digger and doing virtual reality tasks. The evening closed with inspirational speakers and awards.

Above: Hera Eruera catching up with her Masterlink mentor Tania Forsyth at the Women in Trades mini-conference in August.

Left: There was plenty of interest in the Masterlink stand at the Women in Trades expo.

Above: A conference participant having fun with the 'rugby post' plumbing challenge.

Get in touch

Need an apprentice in your business?

Our Masterlink Regional Managers are here to help.

Tania Forsyth Auckland and Northland 027 558 5441

Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296

Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929

Bob McCoy Lower North Island 027 479 0075

Sam Timlin Upper South Island 021 433 615

Brendan Parker Lower South Island 021 644 560

October/November 2019 77

NEXT GENERATION

Dyslexia no obstacle HARRISON WEST HAS been a plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice for just over two years—but his boss, Dave Henderson from Quix Commercial, says he’s already a rockstar performer. So much so, Harrison has already been promoted to junior foreman.

What’s particularly impressive about this is that Harrison is dyslexic, so he’s had more challenges than most in his apprenticeship.

A helping hand

Dyslexia support for Harrison began when he approached his boss about six months ago to say he was struggling with his tech course work. “We said, ‘Look, that’s okay, there are a lot of people who have dyslexia and you are not alone’,” says Dave.

“We could see from the start that Harrison was a motivated and driven young individual.”

Dave and the Quix team put Harrison in touch with Garry McKenzie from the Industry Connection for Excellence (ICE), who steered Harrison to Skills for assistance. He is now about to begin his second gasfitting block course using a reader/writer for his written exams and has been enrolled in literacy tuition to help with course assessments.

“It’s great that the help is available,” he says. “Skills organised 78

October/November 2019

Dyslexia hasn’t got in the way of plumbing ‘rockstar’ Harrison West’s progress. Skills shares Harrison’s story and has tips for other apprentices with a learning difference.

for me to have an indicator test for dyslexia, and then I was able to access the literacy class. It was all pretty responsive.”

Living with dyslexia

Harrison says school was a challenge for several years until he was finally diagnosed with dyslexia. “When I was about 6 or 7, I struggled a bit with my reading and then spelling as well as I got older. When I began at Quix Commercial, I sat exams like everyone else. The plumbing was the easiest part but I realised I needed more help with gasfitting because the wording is more technical. I felt like I really struggled with that and fell behind.”

Employer’s perspective

According to Dave, Harrison excels in other areas, such as his verbal communication and people skills. He believes it’s important for employers to remember that everyone is different and, though they may find one area challenging, they can be strong in others.

Above: Harrison West, now in the third year of his apprenticeship, is getting the dyslexia support he needs to get through his assessments and exams.

“If they do ask for help, or you see they need it, do go and seek it,” he says.

“There are some great resources they may not know about, or they may just need some mentoring to get through it.”

Skills also provides Dyslexia in the workplace support for the employer.

Lee Agnew, from Skills’ Vocational Literacy Team, says it is a collaborative approach. “All parties are in regular communication: the account manager, Above: The Literacy Team at Skills has training provider, employer, practical information for employers on how to support employees with Skills Literacy Team and any dyslexia. providers of extra tuition, such as Literacy Aotearoa.

“The Literacy Team provides information to employers on how they can best support employees with dyslexia. Our booklet, Dyslexia in the Workplace, also gives employers useful strategies.

By giving dyslexic employees the right support, you can truly help them thrive and succeed.”

Did you know that one in 10 workers in New Zealand is dyslexic?

There is a good chance that someone in your workplace has dyslexia.

By giving them the right support, you can help them thrive and succeed.

This booklet will help you understand what dyslexia is and determine if you have dyslexic workers.

It also provides tips on how to help your dyslexic staff reach their potential.

Onwards and upwards

Dyslexia or no dyslexia, Harrison has big plans. “I now know

Take on an apprentice Need extra hands on deck?

An apprentice is what you need With a booming construction sector, there’s never been a better time to think about growing your business.

Taking on an apprentice can get your business pumping.

SOUND GOOD? Get started by calling Skills on 0508 SKILLS (754 557) to find out more.

Skills’ top tips If you are an apprentice with a learning difference: • Reach out to your account manager and they can arrange for you to get specialist support • Check out as many online tools as possible • Search for online support groups that share tips and provide support • Learn what works best for you and let your co-workers and managers know (eg, ask them to leave voicemails instead of send emails). They’ll appreciate knowing how best to work with you to get a job done, and it will make your life a lot easier.

there are resources there, which is great,” he says. “I want to own my own company one day, and my goal for the next five years is to become a projects manager and run multiple jobs.”

He has some simple advice for others with a learning challenge, who may feel daunted at starting a new career or putting their hand up for help. “Just ask someone,” he says.

“Don’t think you are on your own. And don’t be scared or worry what others think.

“When you have a learning disability, you feel like some people put you in a category, but don’t worry about that. You may be phenomenally better than them at something they are rubbish at.

Everyone has their advantages and disadvantages— that’s life.” ■

HEALTH & SAFETY

Benchtop drilling: safety alert Plumbers drilling holes for taps in engineered stone benchtops must protect themselves from the serious risk of silicosis, an irreversible lung disease.

INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN kitchens and bathrooms, engineered stone benchtops contain approximately 90% silica, which is much higher than natural stones. This August, WorkSafe put out a safety alert to people doing work involving benchtops of this kind.

The alert comes in response to a Queensland report that has identified 99 confirmed cases of silicosis associated with this kind of work, as of February 2019. Silicosis is an irreversible and progressive disease that causes fibrosis of the lungs. The only treatment for advanced disease is a lung transplant.

Many of the cases in the report are consistent with accelerated silicosis. This form of the disease develops over just one to 10 years from inhaling very high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and the progression to complicated silicosis is also more rapid.

“Specifically, nodules increase in size and merge into large lesions, leading to progressive massive fibrosis and ultimately cardio respiratory failure,” warns the WorkSafe alert.

Workers may be exposed to RCS while cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing stone benchtops during manufacture and installation. ■ Find out more at https://worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/news-andmedia/accelerated-silicosis/

Safety steps WorkSafe has put out the following health and safety advice: • Before starting work on engineered stone, businesses must complete a risk assessment and review their controls.

• It is important to eliminate uncontrolled dry cutting, grinding or polishing of engineered stone. If this is not reasonably practicable then exposures must be minimised.

• Options include: o isolating work areas or tasks that generate dust using physical barriers or computer numerical control (CNC) machines o using engineering controls, such as local exhaust ventilation (LEV), water suppression (wet cutting), or on-tool dust extraction attachments. Wet sprays should be controlled by guards to prevent dust becoming airborne and wet waste must be managed. LEV system dust collectors or vacuums should be H-class HEPA filtered. Any LEV must be effective, fit for purpose, installed, set up and used correctly and maintained so that it remains effective o further minimisation controls include administrative controls, such as good housekeeping practice (wet wiping, using an H-class HEPA-filtered vacuum, and low-pressure water cleaning—dry wiping or sweeping is not appropriate).

• If a risk still remains, use the appropriate personal protective equipment: o use a suitable respirator with a filter cartridge with the appropriate assigned protection factor o the appropriate respirator and filter cartridge combination will be informed by exposure monitoring o ensure the respirator is fit-tested for the worker, cleaned and maintained properly o wear suitable work clothing such as coveralls that are disposable or can be laundered at the workplace to avoid taking them home.

Health screening & monitoring

Above: WorkSafe put out an accelerated silicosis safety alert in August, following a recent study in Australia that has found high rates of accelerated silicosis among those working with engineered stone benchtops.

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October/November 2019

The prevalence of silicosis in NZ is currently unknown.

WorkSafe is working with the Ministry of Health and ACC to set up a self-referral screening process for workers who consider themselves at high risk. It is also determining ongoing appropriate health monitoring. If you’re interested in updates, record your details at https://worksafe.govt.nz/topicand-industry/dust-and-fumes/dust/accelerated-silicosis-form/

HEALTH & SAFETY

Toolbox tips

This edition’s brief health and safety messages have a focus on worker safety and the importance of speaking up.

However you say it… speak up WorkSafe is using humour to get across a serious message.

In a sequel to its Safe Guy campaign, D’Angelo Martin is joined by Montel Tivoli for a series of videos that play out familiar health and safety scenarios in the workplace.

“When it comes to looking after your workmates you’ve got to speak up—and it really doesn’t matter how you do Above: Be a Safe Guy poster it, as long as you do it,” says downloads are available on the WorkSafe’s Jude Urlich.

WorkSafe website.

Watch the videos and download posters for your workplace at http://campaigns.worksafe.govt.nz/ be-a-safe-guy

Life-changing accidents In two separate incidents, companies have received recent fines for life-changing accidents in their workplaces. A North Island insulation panel construction company was fined $304,750 after a worker was left permanently paralysed from the chest down after an accident involving a mobile elevating platform boom lift. The company had not trained him to use the boom lift and hadn’t ensured he was wearing a safety harness. In the other incident, two building companies paid $170,000 in fines and reparation after a 17-year-old Auckland apprentice was crushed beneath a 400kg piece of timber roof framing he was carrying with two other apprentices, leaving him severely injured and needing ongoing surgery.

Report It. Sort It. Master Plumbers and Masterlink are developing a new workplace poster reminding apprentices and workers to report near misses so the situation can be fixed before a major accident occurs. Make sure you put one up in your workplace and remind everyone how to report a near miss.

AUCKLAND • HAMILTON • WELLINGTON • CHRISTCHURCH • DUNEDIN 0800 253 774 • WWW.KERRICK.CO.NZ 82

February/March 2019

Now in New Zealand!

Holman Plumbing Fittings are now available in New Zealand. Manufactured in Australia, we are constantly developing new ideas and strive to provide a quality service and product to our customers.

DWV to 100mm PVC Pressure to 25mm

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

New products & services Check out the marketplace movers and shakers.

Bringing innovation to the nation Central Heating New Zealand is partnering with Firebird and Elco for a travelling roadshow in November.

Come along to a full evening event, packed with cuttingedge technology, educative thought leadership and product innovation. Targeted at plumbers wishing to get into the central heating industry, and incumbent installers wanting to improve their product knowledge, the evening promises to be both fun and informative.

Taking pride of place will be the first diesel boiler designed specifically for the New Zealand market. The new boiler is the result of a three-year, three-way conversation between Central Heating New Zealand, Firebird and Elco.

It has the exacting Firebird patent heat exchanger, updated casing and internal component arrangement, as well as the latest burner technology from Elco, Central Heating New Zealand’s new burner supplier.

Fondly known as the ‘Elco Blue’, due to its patented combustion head, Firebird’s latest offering boasts extremely low NOx emissions and outstanding reliability. The boiler has been endorsed by numerous environmental agencies including Europe’s Energy Saving Trust and OFTEC. Senior management from Firebird and Elco, who are flying in specifically for the roadshow, will be providing product

Introducing Fergus Checklists Creating and sticking to processes in a trades business is key to maintaining consistent levels of quality and safety.

Fergus’s new checklist functionality gives you and your team an easy, accurate way of making sure your company follows procedures and processes to the letter, and handles process management so that you can focus on the things that matter.

Create Checklists from templates and assign them to users in the team, sharing relevant tasks to different team members along with a due date to ensure the task is completed on time.

Checklists are an intuitive feature that are easily editable with drop-and-drag functionality so you can create templates or oneoff Checklists at any time.

Get started with Checklists on a 30-day free trial at www.fergus.co.nz

demonstrations at every venue. Afterwards there will be plenty of time to mingle with old and new faces. Food and drink will be provided, so bring a workmate and an appetite.

If that’s not enough to entice you, there is a prize draw worth thousands of dollars and everyone who registers in advance will get a free Firebird jacket on the night.

Space is limited so register online at trade.centralheating.co.nz now for this free event!

Venues the free roadshow is visiting, all 6pm Mon

4 Nov

Ascot Park

Invercargill

Tue

5 Nov

Novotel

Queenstown

Wed

6 Nov

Kingsgate

Dunedin

Thu

7 Nov

Benvenue

Timaru

Fri

8 Nov

Rutherford

Nelson

Mon

11 Nov

Mercure

Wellington

Tue

12 Nov

Distinction

Palmerston North

Wed

13 Nov

Blue Water

Napier

Thu

14 Nov

Ibis Tainui

Hamilton

Lock it in!

Fermit H5002 Thread Lock comes in a convenient 75ml squeeze bottle.

Fermit H5002 Thread Lock anaerobic sealant is the ideal choice for sealing cylindrical and conical metal threads for central heating circuits (cold water/hot water/ glycol water), oil heating (fuel oil), and gas heating (propane, butane, natural gas), as well as for steam and compressed air.

• Use without hemp • Enriched with PTFE • Fits new and older-generation heating units • Can be used for metal, steel, stainless steel, copper and copper alloys, such as bronze, brass or gunmetal • Can be quickly re-exposed to pressure • Very good resistance to water hammer • Can also be used as a high strength screw lock.

Enquire at your local plumbing merchant.

October/November 2019 83

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Independent living

10 in 1

Caroma has added some fantastic new accessories to the Opal Collection – specifically designed to enhance independence in the bathroom.

Save installation time with the Watts 10-in-1 commercial combi-valve.

Opal Folding Shower Seat • Maximum load 150kg • Non slip surface • Five year warranty.

Opal Corner Shower Support Rail and Opal Corner Shower Support Rail with Basket • Load bearing – constructed to withstand 1100N force (approx. 110kg) • Chrome with a non-slip finish • Five year warranty.

The Watts 10-in-1 commercial combi-valve is an’ all-in-one’ high (mains) pressure commercial ring mains valve solution that significantly reduces installation time.

The innovative design means, instead of sealing the 15 joints needed in a traditional valve installation, you can complete the same job in just four connections.

• Suitable for high (mains) pressure commercial ring mains • Can save an average of 12 minutes per installation • Installed with only 4 connections • The valve includes isolation, filtration, pressure limitation, non-return, balanced cold bypass and tempering.

Distributed exclusively through Hydroflow.

Master Plumbers Recommends:

Featured Product

This edition’s featured Master Plumbers Recommends product.

Apex Valves CP20 Combi Pack All you need for a standard HWC install in one handy pack.

With an Apex Valves CP20 Combi Pack you get everything you need for a standard hot water cylinder install all in one handy (reusable) container, keeping your customers happy and your reputation intact. All the major components* have been designed, manufactured and hand tested in New Zealand, so you know they’re high quality and reliable. If you ever run into any issues, Apex Valves stand behind their products.

Limiting Stop Valve LSV20500 • 4 in 1: Limiting, isolating, non-return and filter • Replaceable cartridge for easy inline servicing • Pressure compensated & extremely high flow rates – up to 135 L/min @ 700 kPa Cold Water Expansion Valve EVT700 • Energy saving: relieves cold water rather than hot • Can be installed in any orientation • Long life – high temperature diaphragm & noncorrosive valve seat materials

Tempering Valve TV20 • Extremely high flow rates (20 L/min at 2m head) • Failsafe shut down • High quality, corrosion resistant DR brass Non-Return • High quality, corrosion resistant • DR brass Ball Valve •

High quality

* Apex Valves consider the Limiting Stop Valve LSV20500, Cold Water Expansion Valve EVT700, Tempering Valve TV20 as major components

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

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October/November 2019

Installing Gas Continuous Flow Hot Water?

Set your plumbing business up for success with Fergus

Protect the entire homes’ plumbing system, balance the hot and cold-water pressure and allow for easy servicing by using a new Apex Valves CP20G gas pack.

Pack includes: • Pressure Limiting Stop Valve 20mm (LSV20-500C) • 20mm Ball Valve - Blue Handle for Water • 20mm Ball Valve - Yellow Handle for Gas • 1 x MF 20mm, 1 x 20mm Fibre Washer (Gas) and 1 x 20mm Rubber Washer (Water)

Available now through all good plumbing merchants.

“Fergus has been awesome for me, I can see exactly how much each job costs me and how much profit I am making per job. I like the fact that I can quickly look through previous jobs and customers and see how much work I have done for them. The invoicing is great, invoices are created easliy and you can alter the margins once it has been created.”

Andrew Try Fergus Free for 30-Days and get Owner - Operator $50 off your first paid month. Use Watersmith Plumbing promo code FERGUS-MP

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HOT WATER OUTLET

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20 M+F extension

20mm Ball Valve Blue Handle for Water

GAS CONNECTION COLD WATER INLET

20mm Ball Valve Yellow Handle for Gas

Gas in Water in

Water to CFWH unit

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Spartan by Aqualine

October/November 2019 85

AND FINALLY

DODGY Plumbing

Keep them coming! Send your Dodgy Plumbing examples to the Ed: bsellers@masterplumbers.org.nz

This edition's sorry collection of dodgy plumbing.

Top of the pops

“Found this four-year-old cylinder in Christchurch, says Jeff Driver. “The owner thought it was a warranty issue but the cylinder had popped due to the tempering valve blocking the vent.”

Supply fail

Jeremy Spring of White & Taylor says he came across this funny hookup when attending a leaky hot water cylinder job.

“Thought the mag might want to show off a serious DIYer job.”

Sticky situation

“One way to vent a p-pan,” says Cathy, who sent this photo of a neat job.

Ball of fire?

“We found this ball valve plumbed in on the relief pipe on a LP HWC,” says Alby Wilkes of Laser Plumbing Dunedin Central. “The handle has been removed, but if someone outside the plumbing trade turned off the valve, there would be a risk of a large explosion.”

Please send the biggest size photos you have.

The bigger the file, the bigger we can show it on the page!

86

October/November 2019

Under par

“How could you get this so wrong?” asks Bruce MacKereth of Laser Plumbing East Tamaki.

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