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—Ed.gaykema@actewagl.com.au—0402 060 308

New Connections (02) 9867 7550—If New Connections are unable to answer the call, please email them on—gasportalenquiry@jemena.com.au

“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.