Victorian Building Authority

Matt Wilson

• Who is the VBA

• The regulatory framework

• New Compliance Certificate IT system

• Plumbing Regulations Sunset Project update

• WaterMark update

• Plumbing Audits and compliance issues

• Backflow prevention

• Performance solutions

• Plumbing technical advice line and common technical enquiries

• Common audit failures and how to avoid them

Topics covered

▪ The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is a Victorian Government statutory authority that promotes safe, healthy and sustainable outcomes for all Victorians, through an efficient and effective plumbing regulatory system

▪ Established under Part 12A of the Building Act 1993

Who is the Victorian Building Authority?

▪ Provide an administration, licensing and registration system for plumbers

▪ Promote and enforce plumbing standards across Victoria

▪ Promote plumbing practices to protect the health and safety of the community and integrity of water systems

▪ Monitor the performance of plumbing practitioners

▪ Promote sustainable plumbing practices

What do we do!

The regulatory framework

Building Act 1993 Part 12A

Plumbing Regulations 2008

Plumbing Regulatory Framework

Compliance Certificate Technology

• On the 31st of July 2017 the VBA moved

to new technology

• The first phase, Licensed Plumbers

currently use is VBA360 to purchase and

manage Compliance Certificates

• Ongoing improvements to technology

will continue for all VBA stakeholders

over the next few years

Technology

• The system is used to purchase, allocate

and lodge compliance certificates

• eToolbox is still used for all other activities

e.g. management of practitioner profile

information

• New self service features include the ability

to transfer and amend Compliance

Certificates online

• Can book 30 minute drain inspections

• Can store credit card details for future

purchases

for you?What does this mean

• Licensed Plumbers are required to

have a current unique email address

in eToolbox

• You must ensure your contact details

are kept up to date in eToolbox

• Always keep a look out for

information from VBA - letters and

SMS’s notifications

• For more information go to the VBA

website or contact a VBA

representative

How can you help us to

help you?

Plumbing Regulations sunsetting project

Update on the Plumbing Regulations Sunset Project

• The current plumbing regulations will expire on 18 November 2018.• Victorian law requires all regulations to have a 10 year lifespan so that their

performance can be thoroughly reviewed. • The VBA provided assistance to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and

Planning in their work on this project, mainly through providing technical input.• This is an important project that affects all plumbers and stakeholders involved in

the industry.• The regulations set the requirements in a broad range of areas including:

o Prescribing the classes of plumbing work and what work you can do under each class

o Setting the minimum experience and qualification requirements in order to become registered or licensed

o Setting technical requirements for work including adopting the Plumbing Code of Australia

o Sets fees for plumbing matters.

Plumbing Regulations sunsetting project

Update on the Plumbing Regulations Sunset Project continued

• During the sunsetting project the Department ran a public consultation process to seek feedback on the effectiveness of the regulations as well as ideas for change.

• Over 40 submissions were received from a variety of stakeholders including: plumbers, TAFE teachers, industry bodies, water authorities, and local government.

• The submissions were reviewed by the Department and the VBA conducted a thorough technical review of the Regulations.

• A RIS, was developed. • The RIS set out a number of policy options for potential changes to the regulations

including the associated costs and benefits. • The RIS was released for public consultation in late 2018. • The new regulations were formally made on the 2nd of October 2018.

• Definitions of regulated plumbing work

• Classes and scopes of plumbing work

• Experience and qualification requirements to be a registered and/or licensed plumber

• Adoption of the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA)

• Reference to technical documents

• Fees for plumbing matters

Plumbing Regulations Sunset Project

What is included in the Plumbing Regulations?

• Managed the whole regulation making process

• Developed policy including review of ideas from stakeholders

• Conducted public consultation and engagement with industry and stakeholders

• Sought Government approval for new regulations

Plumbing Regulations Sunset Project

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

• Provided technical input to assist DELWP

• Assisted with consultations and engagement with industry and stakeholders

Victorian Building Authority

Who was involved in the Sunset Project

Plumbing Regulation 2018 seminar series

The Plumbing Regulations 2018 have been made and will come into effect on 18 November

2018

The upcoming Plumbing Regulation 2018 - Seminar Series will be held on the following

dates at the following locations Date Location

Week 1 Tuesday, 30 October 2018 Traralgon

Wednesday, 31 October 2018 Bairnsdale

Thursday, 1 November 2018 Wodonga

Week 2 Tuesday, 6 November 2018 Melbourne Cup no event

Wednesday, 7 November 2018 Bendigo

Thursday, 8 November 2018 Swan Hill

Week 3 Tuesday, 13 November 2018 Ballarat

Wednesday, 14 November 2018 Horsham

Thursday, 15 November 2018 Warrnambool

Week 4 Tuesday, 20 November 2018 Frankston

Wednesday, 21 November 2018 Croydon

Thursday, 22 November 2018 Werribee

Week 5 Tuesday, 27 November 2018 Berwick

Wednesday, 28 November 2018 Sunshine

Thursday, 29 November 2018 Chadstone

Week 6 Tuesday, 4 December 2018 Geelong

Wednesday, 5 December 2018 Brunswick

Thursday, 6 December 2018 Heidelberg

Standards update

Cold water supply

Standard Number Title Publication

AS/NZS 3500.1:2018 Plumbing and drainage Part 1: Water services 29 June 2018

Recent inclusions within this standard include:Updated requirements relating to plastic pipes in direct sunlight to make the requirements consistent as appropriate with all relevant clauses of AS/NZS 3500 (Parts 1,2 and 4) with regard to plastics pipes and fittings installed in direct sunlight.

Standards update

Sanitary plumbing and drainage

Standard Number Title Publication

AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 Plumbing and drainage Part 2: Sanitary plumbing and drainage

29 June 2018

Recent inclusions within this standard include:A Deemed to Satisfy section introducing new requirements and information for the renovation and relining of drains that were not included in the 2015 version.Clarification of the requirement that risers shall be installed vertically with no offsets to ensure that drains can be easily inspected and unblocked.A new requirement for a DN 100 vent pipe, the maximum number of fixture units discharging to the drain is now 600. In the 2015 version there was no maximum limit.A new alternative requirement for the discharge from refrigerated air conditioners and heat pumps. These devices can also be connected to an appropriately installed tundish and self-sealing device.

Standards update

Stormwater drainage

Standard Number Title Publication

AS/NZS 3500.3:2018 Plumbing and drainage Part 3: Stormwater drainage 29 June 2018

Recent inclusions within this standard include:A Deemed to Satisfy section relating to the installation of siphonic roof drainage systems.A review of the ARI’s for surface drainage and roof drainage.The inclusion of the latest data from the Bureau of Meteorology.The inclusion of 350 mm x 350 mm minimum size for stormwater pits.A minimum downpipe size of 90 mm round or 100 mm x 50 mm for downpipes from sumps or rainheads servicing box gutters.The inclusion of basic performance objectives for overflow provision for balconies and terraces.

Standards update

Heated water supply

Standard Number Title Publication

AS/NZS 3500.4:2018 (Incorporating Amendment No. 1)

Plumbing and drainage Part 4: Heated water services 29 June 2018

Recent inclusions within this standard include:Updated requirements relating to plastic pipes in direct sunlight.New requirements for the sizing and installation of circulatory heated water reticulation.Clarification of pipe jointing methods.Revised text amendments to simplify and clarify allowable methods for joining tube products due to the fragmented and disorganised way they were written.Amendment of Clause 1.9.3 (a) to include thermostatically controlled tapware as an additional Deemed-to-Satisfy option for the delivery of 45°C water.

WaterMark Update

• WaterMark is a point of installation scheme administered by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB)

• It requires certain plumbing products and materials to be WaterMarked before they can be installed

• Look for the WaterMark label / marking

• More information is available at www.abcb.gov.au

WaterMark Update

About the WaterMark System

• The ABCB WaterMark Product Database was launched in April 2017

• Some plumbing products and materials no longer needed to be WaterMarked from July 2017:

– Evaporative air conditioners

– Bain Marie's

– Dental equipment

– Photographic processors that use water

– Fire hydrants

– Fire protection booster valves

WaterMark Update

Changes to the WaterMark System

▪ The VBA auditing benchmark:

− 5% of all Compliance Certificates lodged are randomly audited

− 5% of sanitary drainage installations are audited

− Class A recycled water installations are inspected as required and in

the manner specified by the relevant local water authority

▪ Audits are carried out by employees of the VBA

▪ Auditing of plumbing work does not remove the responsibility of the

licensed plumber

Plumbing Audits

▪ From 1 October 2017 – 30 September 2018 860 compliance certificates were lodged with Backflow Prevention (8) indicated.

▪ 65 audits were completed, (7.6% of the total number compliance certificates lodged)

▪ 5 Notices were generated relating to backflow prevention

▪ Incorrect clearances

▪ Incorrect device selection

▪ Incorrect clearances from surface level

▪ Incorrect device support

Compliance auditing figures

▪ Non-compliant work equates to approximately 5.8% of the total inspections conducted.

▪ Common issues in water supply include:

▪ Incorrect backflow devices for the level of hazard

▪ Failure to comply with recycled water consent to connect conditions as set by the water authorities

▪ Incorrect depth of cover and separation for recycled water R1 inspections

Compliance issues

Backflow prevention

All water supplies must be designed

installed and maintained so as to prevent

contaminants from being introduced into

the water supply system.

Protection of water supplies

Drinking water supplies shall be protected from hazards by installing:

(a) Individual protection at each hazard with a device suitable for the degree of hazard

(b) Zone protection with a device suitable for the hazard rating and pipework identified.

(c) Water Points for Handheld Sprays

• Plumbing practitioners must be mindful of the risks of cross-connection when installing a water point adjacent to a water closet that may be used to connect a handheld spray.

Protection of hazards

The Water Industry Regulations 2006 require a backflow prevention device be located in an accessible position at or near the property boundary at the outlet of-

(a) the water meter; or

(b) the stop valve, if a water meter is not fitted.

Containment protection

Incorrect installation: Depicting a fire

service assembly without upstream or

downstream isolating valves and

appropriate backflow device

Containment protection

• Rainwater tanks are becoming increasing popular in residential areas.

• The majority are installed for sanitary flushing to meet 5 or 6 star building requirements.

• In recent times, there have been dwellings that have disconnected from the reticulated drinking water supply relying solely on their rainwater tank supply.

Rainwater tanks

• Currently there are no regulations in place to prevent the use of a private water supply

• There are no prescribed plumbing laws outlined to prevent residential dwellings from disconnecting from mains water supply

• It is important that appropriate backflow prevention is located at meter

Rainwater tanks

Performance solutions in action

Performance Solutions in Action

E.g: AS/NZS 3500 seriesor Alternative Solution

Meeting Performance Requirements of PCA

Performance Solutions in Action

Performance Requirements Specify the level of performance that all plumbing or drainage solutions must meet.

Example

Installations intended to supply cold water for human consumption, food preparation, food utensil washing or personal hygiene must be connected to a drinking water supply.

BP1.1 Cold water service

Performance Solutions in Actions

• Performance Solutions are pre-planned and deliberately installed

• Plumbing practitioners must decide whether they will carry out a Performance Solution before any work commences

• The compliance certificate must describe where and using what Assessment Method a performance solution has been carried out

• All documentation must be

• completed prior to the actual plumbing installation

• Retained for a minimum of 10 years.

Key principles of Performance Solutions

Performance Solutions in Actions

1. Prepare performance solution documentation

2. Carry out installation according to brief

3. Describe on Compliance Certificate

Key stages in a Performance Solution approach

Performance Solutions in Action

• Describe the proposal, its scope, purpose, where it is to be installed and the type of plumbing work required

• Identify which Performance Requirements are applicable to your Performance Solution

• Describe which of the Assessment Methods will be used to demonstrate compliance:

1. Evidence of suitability;

2. Verification methods;

3. Expert judgement; or

4. Comparison with the Deemed to Satisfy provisions.

Performance Solution Documentation

Performance Solutions in Action

The Final Report is the complete documentary record of the project

Prepare a Final Report

The Final Report must be

• approved by a suitably qualified person.

• retained by the responsible plumbing practitioner for at least 10 years

• Provided to the VBA in-full upon request

Key Features of the Final Report

The Final Report must include

• The initial design brief

• Analysis, modelling and/or testing

• Evaluation of results

• Conclusion

Plumbing Technical Advice Line and Common Enquiries

Have your license/ registration number and copy of relevant standard ready

Plumbing Technical Advice Line

Plumbing Technical Advice Line 1300 815 127

Hours of operationMonday to Friday (excluding public holidays)8.30am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 4.00pm

Plumbing Technical Advice Line

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2,000

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Dec

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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May

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Jun

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Monthly call volumes

22,395 Total number of calls received in a financial year

86 Average number of calls received per day

Common Technical Advice Questions

Common Technical Advice Questions

Topic

Question Do I need to install a high hazard device if I install a cold water point for a douche sprayer?

Hand held douche sprayers

Answer Yes, the hand held sprayer must be Watermark and it must have high hazard backflow prevention installed on the cold water service.

Common VBA Audit Failures

Failure To supply a temperature control device to sanitary fixtures used for personnel hygiene.

Solution A temperature control device must be installed when a water heater and heated water pipework is installed or when heated water pipework is installed / altered.

Questions