Download - The Rising Main Issue 35 - April 2016
THE RISING MAIN
IN THIS ISSUE
MAJOR CHANGES TO ACT GAS MARKET
FROM TODAY
BUSINESS PARTNERS / LWG ZURN
HIRE ME / AQUATHERM STATE OF THE PIPE
MEMBER PROFILE
ARE YOU DRILLING INTO ASBESTOS
EVEREADY PLUMBS RICKY STUART HOUSE
THE WRONG WAY AND THE RIGHT WAY—
ATTENTION MEMBERS
THE GOLF DAY
SIX WEIRD AND WACKY PLUMBING FACTS
Issue 35: April 2016
MAJOR CHANGES TO ACT GAS MARKET FROM TODAY
Driven by the Australian Energy Market Operator, the ACT & NSW gas market is currently conducting a program to transform the way it operates. This transformation will occur on May 2 for the ACT and NSW gas market. Our business systems and processes are being improved to prepare ActewAGL Distribution (AAD) for the changes being introduced on May 2. A component of this program will involve replacing our current IT system (managed by Jemena) with a SAP system. This will mean changes to the way customers access our services including:
• Lodging connection requests • Requesting quotes and the quoting process • Access to other services and information
On May 2 ActewAGL Distribution’s service provider, Jemena is launching a self-service portal that allows customers, plumbers, developers and energy Retailers to request, pay for and track new connections, abolishment’s and addition/alteration services in the AAD network. Types of Services impacted by the change New Connection services include:
Detached residential premises - gas connection for new or existing detached homes. Commercial - all connections to a commercial premise.
Abolishment services include:
Decommissioning and meter removal - disconnection of the gas supply at the gas main and the removal of any AAD metering equipment.
Addition/Alteration services include:
Meter service upgrade / downgrade – for gas meter changes. Meter relocation
Pulse counter - for business/commercial customers who require real-time access to gas flow data. ActewAGL and Jemena are well prepared for the cutover to these new processes; however you may experience some issues in the first few weeks whilst the industry beds these processes down. If you are experiencing problems or require more information contact Ed Gaykema, Manager Gas Network—[email protected]—0402 060 308
New Connections (02) 9867 7550—If New Connections are unable to answer the call, please email them on—[email protected]
“Have you seen our
new Facebook page ”
click on the icon
SUPPORT OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS
LOOKING FOR AN APPRENTICE !!
FOR A COPY OF THEIR RESUME RING COLLEEN
61128630
JAMES McDONNELL BARRIERA 0400 314 746 2nd Year
DYLAN GIBSON 0400 476 762 New Entrant
JASON JOHNSTON 0420 589 134 Pre-Voc (Current)
CHRIS BRIMAGE 0402 550 656 1st Year Completed
YANNICK DECNUDDE 0431 580 204 New Entrant
WILLIAM WHITE 0416 584 361 Pre-Voc (Current)
RYAN GARNER 0412 177 993 New Entrant
* New Entrant – a person who is seeking an apprenticeship and has had no/very
little experience in plumbing.
* Pre-Voc - completing a program designed to give participants an
understanding of the skills and knowledge required to work successfully in the
plumbing industry
Aquatherm Australia issues cautionary note on Combined
Copper with PP-R heated water circulatory systems
Thursday March 31 2016
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is encouraging all plumbing practitioners to review a cautionary note on mixed (Polypropylene – Random (PP-R/Copper) hot water recirculation systems published by Aquatherm Australia.
Aquatherm Australia is a producer of PP-R pipe systems. Aquatherm has found that PP-R, like any other polyolefin, can fail in the main ring of a mixed (PP-R/Copper) hot water recirculation system due to "Oxidative Stress Cracking".
The cautionary note recommends, in a mixed PP-R/Copper hot water recirculation pipe system, to bring the hot water velocity in the copper pipe system down to 0.7 m/s (absolute max. 0.9 m/s) to avoid excessive copper (erosion-) corrosion.
Practitioners are encouraged to review the cautionary note prior to carrying out work on a mixed (PP-R/Copper) hot water recirculation system. For a full list of recommendations for hot water recirculation applications, please refer to the cautionary note available on the
MEMBER PROFILE
MITCHELL IRVING
VERTECH PLUMBING
MY FIRST JOB WAS Pizza delivery driver for Domino’s pizza Florey.
I COMPLETED MY APPRENTICESHIP WITH Robert Edwards (Edwards Valley Plumbing).
I HAVE BEEN RUNNING MY BUSINESS FOR only about a 1 month….. AND I Do Commercial and Domestic maintenance.
If it’s broken, I fix it. Ranging from a simple toilets seat to a complex plantroom hot water circulating system and modifying pipework on a particle accelerator.
A GREAT DAY AT WORK IS WHEN The wife is in a good mood.
THE BEST THING ABOUT PLUMBING IS Completing a job and having a happy client.
MY WORST JOB WAS When I had to crawl 20 metre under a house which was only a foot high and was flooded by sewerage (the good old sewerage story).
I ONCE MET This is a hard one because I also work in the lighting and sound industry; I have met a lot of people. It is too hard just to say, one person.
I GET ANGRY WHEN When people don’t do what they said they were going to do and people that lie to me.
I REALLY ADMIRE PEOPLE WHO Always do what they say they were going to do and also who help others before themselves.
I’D LOVE TO LIVE IN New Zealand.
MY GUILTY PLEASURE IS Talking.
ONE DAY I WOULD LIKE TO Have no debt !!
I RELAX BY Taking the motor bike out for a cruise.
MY FAVOURITE FILM Anything with action in it usually or a good comedy.
MY FAVOURITE BOOK AS 3500.
MY FAVOURITE MUSIC GROUP IS Being a drummer I like all types of music.
IF I HAD ONE WISH To be able to understand how my wife thinks J and a health family.
I AM A MEMBER OF MPA BECAUSE I want a place that I can discuss my thoughts and issue’s on the industry which could make a difference. And to have the support of an organisation which could guide me in the right direction in running the finer things of my business.
Are You Drilling into Asbestos?
The only nationally accredited “Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials” (10559NAT) is now open to apprentices and ancillary workers
This course was developed to train workers how to drill safely into asbestos containing materials while minimising risks to themselves, their clients and the wider community.
The course was developed through consultation between industry and government and follows extensive research and supervised development testing of existing technologies to reduce exposure to friable asbestos.
Entry requirements were recently broadened, with approval by the Australian Skills Quality Authority to now include workers:
with a trade level qualification in the construction or allied industry,
in ancillary occupations, and
trades apprentices.
This course is delivered face to face in the classroom with knowledge and skills assessments focusing on best practice techniques and hands on skills.
Working with asbestos is a potentially inherently dangerous work activity -
unless your workers are properly trained. That's why the Work Health and
Safety Act requires that workers who are likely to work with asbestos be
appropriately trained.
Protect your workers, your clients and
meet your duty of care obligations
Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Section 19 Duty of Care
For more information, including a list of RTOs delivery this training visit
http://energyspace.com.au/courses/asbestos/
or
Contact the E-Oz Asbestos Project Group
(Steve Taylor or Helene Dawson)
Phone 02 6262 7055
MASTER PLUMBERS ACT MEMBER EVEREADY
PLUMBING PLUMBS RICKY STUART HOUSE
Tim Shea and Brad Laurent from Eveready plumbing with Ricky Stuart at the opening
The Ricky Stuart Foundation, in partnership with the ACT Government, has
constructed a respite centre for children with disability aged 5 - 12 years in
Chifley. The ACT Government committed $1.075m plus land to the project in the
2014-15 budget, and throughout the year the Ricky Stuart Foundation has
successfully partnered with the local business community to drive and deliver this
project, featuring innovative physical and sensory design, including recreational
spaces. The plans include a six-bedroom home that will provide short term
respite for families with children with disability. Construction of the centre will offer
families and children with increased choice of respite options that are responsive
to their individual familial needs and circumstances in an NDIS environment.
The respite centre will be known as Ricky Stuart House and was opened last
month. Eveready Plumbing are proud to be able to be involved in the project.
Peter Laurent from Eveready plumbing said he was approached by Manteena Pty
Ltd in the early stage of planning and was only to happy to get on board.
“It is important to support this type of project, and we are proud to be associated
with Manteena and the whole team which worked hard to bring this world class
facility which is the first of its kind into reality. Most pleasing though was the
support I had from all my staff who all forfeited some of their own personal days
off to make this project happen.”
“We all know somebody who is in the position to be able to use this facility, and
it’s not only designed for the kids but more importantly to give parents and carers
some much needed time to themselves with the knowledge that their kids are in
first class care.”
The foundation is pushing to open another centre for teenage kids with disabilities
in the future. If you would like to donate to the foundation go to
www.rickystuart.org/projects/ricky-stuart-house/ and follow the links to donate.
ATTENTION MEMBERS!
ACT Plumbing Inspectors have asked the Association to notify its
members on the current practice of joining earthenware to uPVC. The
inspectors have informed us that a number of contractors are using
earthenware to uPVC adaptors to transition between the two materials.
This form of jointing is not acceptable.
Table 9.2 of AS/NZS 3500.2:2003 (shown below) states that the
connection between earthenware and uPVC can only be made with
solvent cement (joining of uPVC pipe to bush or bell adaptors), rubber
ring or banded clamp sleeve. (adaptor coupling)
See next Page for the Right Way and the Wrong Way !!
The Right Way and
The Wrong Way
RHEEM MASTER PLUMBERS V MASTER BUILDERS
GOLF DAY 2016
Gold Creek Country Club was again the host for this year’s golfing battle between
MPA and MBA. This is the second year that the trophy has been played on this
picturesque course. Forty golfers representing their respective Associations enjoyed
lunch, golf and a presentation at the conclusion of the event. Unfortunately the MPA
team gallantly went down to the MBA team.
Steve Loiterton and the MBA Team
The MPA’s “Team Hawaii 40”
Allan Robertson and the MPA Team
Six weird and wacky plumbing facts
1. Notorious Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilson, who murdered and
dismembered at least 15 victims between 1978 and 1983, was
eventually caught in his top-floor apartment, after dismembered
human entrails blocked his neighbours’ drains, which were later
found to be congested with human flesh.
2. Water does not drain away in different directions according to
what hemisphere you are in. This myth that was further
perpetrated by an episode of The Simpsons when Bart visited
Australia and noticed the water draining in an anti-clockwise
direction.
3. Ozzy Osbourne, John Farnham and Michael Flatley all worked as
plumbers before becoming entertainers.
4. Albert Einstein was an honorary plumber. He remarked in 1954 “If
I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my
living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I
would rather choose to be a plumber in the hope to find that
modest degree of independence still available under present
circumstances.” Einstein was subsequently granted an honorary
membership into the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, A.F.L., in
Washington D.C.
5. Fatbergs, created when oil, grease and fats poured down drains
bonds with wet wipes and other non-degradable material, causing
blockages in sewage systems, are becoming increasingly
common in developed countries including Australia. In 2013, a
fatberg weighing more than 15 tonnes and the size of a double-
decker bus destroyed a London sewer and took six weeks to
repair. A spokesperson for Thames Water said at the time, that if it
hadn’t been discovered in time, raw sewage could have started
spurting out of manholes across the entire suburb of Kingston.
6. Approximately 75% of blockages in Sydney’s sewage blockages
are caused by wet wipes (including those marketed as ‘flushable’)
which costs Sydney Water $8 million a year to fix, and more than
120 tonnes of wet wipes are pulled from south east Queensland’s
sewerage network each year. Laid end to end, just south-east
Queensland’s contribution would extend from Australia to New
Zealand.