AHSCA (VIC CHAPTER) News

National Construction Code (NCC) 2022

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 23:45:10 GMT

The National Construction Code (NCC) sets out the requirements for the design and construction of buildings in Australia, including plumbing and drainage work. It sets the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of certain buildings.

Volume One: relates to Class 2 to 9 buildings.
Volume Two: relates to Class 1 and 10 buildings.
Volume Three: relates to plumbing and drainage work associated with all classes of buildings (see Plumbing Codes and Standards for more information).

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) released NCC 2022 on 1 October 2022 to allow industry time to adjust to the new requirements and structure prior to it becoming mandatory. PDFs of all volumes are available for download. Printed copies will also become available for purchase from the ABCB’s commercial providers .

NCC 2022 will be adopted by states and territories on 1 May 2023.

Noting the pressures experienced in recent times by the construction industry, Building Ministers have also agreed to transitional arrangements for the following speciﬁc requirements:

New livable housing requirements commence 1 October 2023
New energy efﬁciency and condensation mitigation requirements commence 1 October 2023
New lead-free plumbing product requirements commence 1 September 2025.

The transitional arrangements will allow practitioners to continue using the relevant provisions of NCC 2019 until the end of the relevant transition period.

Refer link below to the latest on NCC 2023:

- https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/building/regulatory-framework/ncc-2022

- https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/

Upcoming Training Courses!

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 03:45:34 GMT

Please see the below flyers for information regarding upcoming training courses.

AHSCA Research Foundation Newsletter - May 2018

Thu, 03 May 2018 01:22:16 GMT

AHSCA Presentation from November Meeting

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 20:22:34 GMT

Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards night sensational success

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 23:38:08 GMT

In the deco inspired surrounds of the luxurious Grand Hyatt Melbourne, an enthusiastic crowd of 500 celebrated the achievements of their peers at the Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards on Saturday 5 August.

The sold out event, now in its third year, is a collaborative event presented by the Master Plumbers, the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union (PPTEU), the National Fire Industry Association (NFIA), and for the first time this year, the Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia (AHSCA), who has joined forces with the other stakeholders as a fifth presenting partner.

Several VIPs were in attendance on the night including The Hon. Senator Kim Carr, Senator Kimberley Kitching, Mr Peter Khalil, Member for Wills, Mr Shaun Leane, Parliamentary Secretary to the Special Minister of State and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, and Councillor Oscar Yildiz of Moreland City Council and Founder and CEO of Bully Zero Australia Foundation.

Setting the scene for a night of top class entertainment was MC and star of stage and screen, Tim Campbell, performing an excellent rendition of The Jackson Five’s ‘Can You Feel It?’

With the nominees and guests eager to find out who this year’s winners were, the first set of awards were announced recognising indigenous and female industry professionals, excellence in OHS, education and sustainability, and outstanding contributions from the fire protection industry.

A short break for entrée service allowed guests to mingle and visit the media wall for photos and to congratulate the first round of winners. Next up was the AHSCA suite of awards, followed by those presented to the plumbing industry’s top apprentices.

The feature act for the night was well known to nearly everyone in the room – The Black Sorrows, with front man Joe Camilleri pumping out hit after hit from their back catalogue of songs to a packed dance floor of fans.

Energy levels were high and the room buzzed with anticipation as the final three premier awards were announced. Project of the Year was presented to Cooke & Dowsett for their impeccable work on Simonds Stadium, Mark Pasini was presented with the plumbing industry’s most prestigious Award, the Andrew Letten Gold Medal, and finally, Fire Industry legend Lou Maglio took out the William P. Hite Leadership Excellence Award.

Tim Campbell and his band returned to the stage to keep the party going until midnight on what was a wonderful evening of celebration and success.

A massive congratulations to all of the award nominees and winners and a huge thank you to their family, friends, colleagues and peers who attended the event, making it a huge success.

An event of this calibre doesn’t happen without the commitment of sponsors and the PFIA Stakeholders Committee sincerely thanks the many organisations who provided their support.

You can see all the photos from the event on the awards Facebook page facebook.com/PFIAAwards which also has links to the award presentation videos.

2017 PFIA – Winner and Finalists
AHSCA Commercial Plumbing Affiliate Award
Finalist	Cooke & Dowsett
Finalist	Geschke Group
Winner	NSG Plumbing

AHSCA Corporate Sponsors Award
Finalist	Greg Brittain - Zip Industries
Finalist	Scott Johnson - Rheem Australia
Winner	Dean Rowlands - SpecRep Services

AHSCA Tom Clements Consultant of the Year Award
Finalist	Mark Pearson
Finalist	Nick Spanu
Winner	Bruce Clements

AHSCA Commercial Plumbing Affiliate Award

Proudly sponsored by Davey Water Products

NSG Plumbing

NSG Plumbing are active contributors to the AHSCA and often provide relevant advice and commentary at the general meetings. Norm and his team are well liked and respected by the AHSCA members.

AHSCA Corporate Sponsors Award

Proudly sponsored by AHSCA Victorian Chapter

Dean Rowlands - SpecRep Services

Dean has the ability to perfectly balance a level of professionalism with a healthy sense of humour. He has a detailed knowledge of all aspects of his product range and a wealth of experience across the wider plumbing industry.

AHSCA Tom Clements Consultant of the Year Award

Proudly sponsored by Conex Banninger

Bruce Clements

Bruce has been a longstanding member and valued contributor of the AHSCA. He has previously served on their Board of Directors and demonstrates the integrity and professionalism expected by the Association.

Although it has been discussed at Board level for many years, 2017 is the first year that the Consultant of the Year Award has been named in honour of the Association’s inaugural President, Tom Clements – Bruce’s father.

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Conex Banninger & Davey Water Products.

Plumbing & Fire Industry Awards - AHSCA Award Sponsors

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 21:34:23 GMT

AHSCA Award Sponsors

Davey Water Products

Video

Headquartered and a market leader in Australia, Davey manufactures and distributes a range of products which transfer, conserve, treat and filter water to over 50 countries where they perform in some of the world’s toughest conditions.

With a focus on new and smarter ways to help customers solve problems and its strong engineering capability, Davey develops and markets leading water products for homes, businesses and farms, fire and flood protection, rainwater harvesting, swimming pool and community needs.

Since 1934 Davey Water Products has provided innovative and dependable water solutions with great service and advice.

Conex Banninger

Conex Bänninger has built a reputation as one of the leading innovators and manufacturers of high quality plumbing fittings and valves in the world. ‘Excellence since 1909’ is not only recognition of our heritage of innovation, but the ethos by which we have built strong relationships with our customers by providing the best in technical, sales and customer support.

We work closely with industry professionals in the plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, health sensitive and ship building sectors, to provide cost-effective solutions for applications such as sanitary, heating, gas, solar, compressed air and liquid gas systems.

As part of the IBP Group, we have international resources such as world-class manufacturing facilities, extensive research and development, and the expertise of employees based around the globe.

Conex Universal Ltd is an ISO 9001 Quality Assured company registered with the BSI. Our ISO 9001 certification assures our customers the very best in product quality.

AHSCA Roof Drainage Research Project Website Launched

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 04:00:00 GMT

The AHSCA is pleased to announce the launch of the Research Project into Advanced Roof Drainage Systems website is now active.

www.testrig.com.au

AHSCA Roof Drainage Research Project - Pump Commissioning

Sun, 26 Apr 2015 01:43:23 GMT

Pumps for the research project were recently commissioned by BKB Grundfos at their factory on 22nd April 2015. These pumps are capable of flowrates up to 100 L/s and are vital to the construction of the test rig at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).

The AHSCA thanks BKB Grundfos for donation of the pumps.

AHSCA and USC Research Project has begun

Sun, 26 Apr 2015 01:32:51 GMT

The AHSCA has commissioned the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) to undertake research into roof drainage systems. The project, entitled Developing accurate Australian performance and design guidelines for roof drainage systems with internal box gutters, overflows and downpipes will help to overcome the limitations with the current standard AS/NZS 3500.3 referenced in the Building Code of Australia.

A full-scale test rig will be constructed at USC and will be flexible to allow for testing of box gutters, sumps and downpipes that exceed current limitations of 16 L/s and 150 mm diameter.

Water Meter and Service Guidelines Version 4, 2015

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 10:53:41 GMT

Version four (4) of the Water Metering and Servicing Guidelines (as adopted by SEW, CWW and YVW) is now available on CWW and SEW websites.

http://southeastwater.com.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/BuildingAndDevelopment/Plumbers/WaterMeteringServicing/Water_metering_and_servicing_guidelines.pdf

Significant changes to guidelines in addition to those in-line with the Water (Estimation, Supply and Sewerage) Regulations 2014 S.R No. 87/2014 are as follows;

Standardised spatial requirements for primary meter assemblies (drawing 20)
Typical arrangement for interconnected supply to feed hydrant suction outlet (drawing 15A
Tapping configurations (drawings 17 & 18)
Reduction in clearances for meter assemblies (Sub/Check meter) in confined spaces
Sub/Check meter typical arrangement options for Drinking / Class A recycled
Requirement for Class A recycled water washing machine stop tap in the laundry (drawing 19)

SEW, YVW & CWW have implemented any changes/additions effective immediately.

South East Water - Sewer Servicing Guidelines

Sun, 22 Feb 2015 04:46:25 GMT

http://southeastwater.com.au/Building/Page/SewerServicingGuidelines.aspx

South East Water - Training Modules

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 08:14:49 GMT

South East Water has, in association with Chisholm Institute, developed training modules to assist industry with knowledge around plumbing work at the interface of Water Corporation assets.

Chisholm Program Flyer A4 v5.pdf

Dates for South East Water Plumbing Training Courses.pdf

Practice Note - Protection of Water Corporation Assets

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 08:08:57 GMT

Practice Note prepared by South East Water and endorsed by the major Victorian Water Corporations.

The Practice Note was created to raise awareness around protection of Water Corporation assets and define Water Corporation and property owners responsibility of sewerage infrastructure, in accordance with the Water (Estimation Supply and Sewerage) Regulations 2014 SR No 87-2014 effective 1st July 2014.

South East Water - On-Tap Newsletter - December 2014

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 07:55:44 GMT

Latest plumbing news and developments at South East Water in their bi-annual update of 'On-Tap'.

Cooke & Dowsett Awarded Commercial Plumbing Affiliate of the Year 2014

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 04:00:00 GMT

The AHSCA (Victorian Chapter) Board of Directors would like to congratulate Cooke & Dowsett on being voted Commercial Plumbing Affiliate of the year for 2013-14.

Dean Rowlands (SPS) Awarded Sales Representative of the Year 2014.

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 04:00:00 GMT

The AHSCA (Victorian Chapter) Board of Directors would like to congratulate Mr Dean Rowlands on being voted Sales Representative of the year for 2013 - 14.

South East Water - Important Revised Guidelines for Fire Service Installations

(Past member) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Introduction of revised water meter assembly drawings and adoption of single check valves (testable) on fire services – 1 July 2012.

Commencing 1 July 2012 all new water meter assembly installations need to comply with the revised Water Metering and Servicing Guidelines and its related drawings. However where design and contracts have been undertaken prior to this date, an exemption may be considered on a case by case basis for up to a three month period.

The revised guidelines and drawings are also being adopted by City West Water and Yarra Valley Water.

The most significant change is the adoption of testable single check valves for fire services. These must be WaterMark approved to comply with AS/NZS 2845- 2010, Water supply – Backflow prevention devices.

In accordance with the Water Metering and Service Guidelines, all new and upgraded 80mm diameter and greater fire service installations within South East Water’s region must be fitted with a:

single check detector valve (testable) on a fire hydrant service or
single check valve (testable) on a fire sprinkler service with Magflow meter.

An additional isolation valve is also required on the outlet side of the valve for testing purposes.
Please be aware that this may increase the length of the assembly and impact the assembly space.

Valves must be supplied and fitted by the plumber at the time of the tapping connection and where a bypass assembly is required, fitted with the South East Water supplied 25mm bypass meter.

As part of the conditions of connection, the single check valve (testable) must be:

coloured ’fire service’ red
tested by a licensed and endorsed backflow prevention tester upon installation, and the completed registration form and test report submitted to South East Water.
The revised guidelines and drawings can be accessed at anytime from southeastwater.com.au

Please note: Fire services are for emergency use only. They are not to be used for any other purpose. Fire service maintenance is the owner’s responsibility.

For more information, please contact Colin Vickers, Fire Services Technical Coordinator or John McCulloch Plumbing Coordinator, on 131 694.

South East Water to become a Statutory Authority

(Past member) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 02:00:00 GMT

South East Water is transitioning to become a Statutory Authority on 1 July 2012. Please see attached letter here for more details.