Browse Forums Eco Living Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 2Nov 06, 2012 11:05 am 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 6Nov 06, 2012 2:36 pm 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 8Nov 06, 2012 5:32 pm 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 10Nov 06, 2012 8:30 pm 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 11Nov 06, 2012 8:59 pm 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 13Nov 07, 2012 12:02 am 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 16Nov 07, 2012 1:57 pm 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 17Nov 10, 2012 7:55 pm Quote: The PIC also claim "We audit a minimum of five per cent of each licensed plumber practitioner's work, ensuring that the relevant plumbing laws are being met. Audits are conducted by compliance auditors. Their role is to conduct on-site assessments of the work performed, against the particular compliance certificate lodged". Hmm is that seriously true? I was on a building site in the last few weeks, the certifier identified 37 faults with the plumbing. And I guarantee that the rain water system was not even considered for faults. In the bush they are bit more aware of the requirements but certainly not in H20's league. Quote: It is a self-regulated industry which means that unless the consumer can work out for themselves that something is wrong there is nothing to stop plumbers giving you certificates that are meaningless! And all work must be carried out by qualified plumber, (no DIY) and to buy the Australian standards to check they have done the correct job is not cheap, not to mention buying the standards for all areas of the house build would really add up. I installed my own septic system, council wanted the system certified by a plumber so called a few plumbers; I know my install was correct but the plumber was adamant my method was wrong and needed to be changed so I pull out the standards to show it was not only according to the manufacturers recommendations but also the Australian Standards, yep he suggested he did not have time for this sH#t he was busy. So many tradies and others bullsh@t when they don't really know and just hope the person hearing know even less. As you and others have worked out that H20 is on the ball. Sorry to hear you are having problems with your new home but it could be worse. Pulpo Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 18Nov 11, 2012 5:40 am Hi Pulpo, I actually only started examining my rainwater tank because the plumber installed the hot water system incorrectly. He hadn't read the installation manual at all. This forum and Rinnai themselves gave me enough information to get it sorted. There is still a problem with it though because it makes an audible noise inside the house every time you turn the water on and off. The plumber said it is the "solenoids" and "this model does that". I rang Rinnai and got him to speak to them and then he blamed the fact that we have a weatherboard house. (He has already given me a lecture on everything wrong with the design of our house and why it shouldn't have been built like this.) I am now getting the builder to book a service call through Rinnai to see if we can sort out the problem. Just in passing though - I do remember that during the build, the builder was always asking me whether I was allowed to have a rainwater tank (we are on an estate with recycled water) and he would insinuate that the plumber was going to refuse to sign off on it. It got to the point where I rang the council and asked if I was allowed to have a rainwater tank and when they said "yes" I relayed this information back to the builder who insisted he had only been joking! Now I think that the plumber didn't know how to install it and was trying to get out of it. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 19Nov 11, 2012 5:47 am Pulpo Quote: The PIC also claim "We audit a minimum of five per cent of each licensed plumber practitioner's work, ensuring that the relevant plumbing laws are being met. Audits are conducted by compliance auditors. Their role is to conduct on-site assessments of the work performed, against the particular compliance certificate lodged". Hmm is that seriously true? I was on a building site in the last few weeks, the certifier identified 37 faults with the plumbing. And I guarantee that the rain water system was not even considered for faults. In the bush they are bit more aware of the requirements but certainly not in H20's league. Pulpo Not only is that true but those 5% inspections are normally close to the major cities. I worked in a rural area 150km from Melbourne for 5 years and never heard of any of the plumbers having an inspection. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Water tanks for the technically challenged 20Nov 13, 2012 2:54 pm Hi Liliana, I have spent some time researching the regulations and it has been perplexing as I have found that there is a lack of regulation for rainwater tank installations in Victoria apart from general plumbing requirements. There are numerous booklets and guidelines published by various regulatory bodies but I could not find any compiled regulations although some publications claimed to have done so. I also could not find any regulatory references to water tank wet systems and they are not encompassed under the same regulations as drainage pipes. As such, I now believe that leaf diverters, IO’s and mosquito proofing of water tank wet systems are not a regulatory requirement in Victoria. I am still searching for a regulation that covers the size and/or flow requirement for a tank’s overflow pipe but even if I do find something, I already know that it will be inadequate in scope. Click: http://archive.nwc.gov.au/__data/assets ... ersion.pdf to download a document from the National Water Commission titled: Requirements for installation of rainwater and greywater systems in Australia, Master Plumber and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, Waterlines Report Series No 10, November 2008. If you go to the Victorian section on page 25, there is basically nothing there but it does refer to the Victorian Plumbing Industry Commission Technical Solution Sheet I previously linked that contains information that states what “must” be done but I cannot find any regulations to support these directives. The text below is copied from pages 5 and 6 in the above handbook and refers in part to Technical Solution Sheets. I for one have been previously misinformed by the PIC as to the requirements published in the plumbing technical solution sheet and my subsequent understanding was that the sheet was based on regulatory requirements. I now know that it is not and what a ridiculous situation it is for the Plumbing Industry Commission to publish a technical solution sheet that states requirements that they have not regulated. This situation is not confined to just Victoria and as seen below, the National Water Commission recognises the mess that this segment of the industry is in but the document is four years old and little has changed since. “For installation of both rainwater and grey water systems, the approvals required, reporting needed, and responsibilities of the householder, plumber and regulatory authority (for example, councils, health departments and environment departments) vary considerably across Australia. It appears that the installation and approval process is often complicated and difficult to understand. Initially this must discourage householders and have them turn to their own resources to install rainwater or grey water system. If not installed correctly (complying with the appropriate guidelines and standards), this could ultimately compromise human health or the local environment. A number of guidelines currently available across Australia do not provide sufficient stand-alone approval process, design, installation and maintenance details at a technical and practical level for plumbers and householders to understand what is involved, and for plumbers to install rainwater and grey water systems. There is usually some referral to several other standards, codes or guidelines. Some states and territories have produced documents to address this issue. For example, the Rainwater plumbing guides for use and installation (SA Water 2006b) and the Sydney Water guidelines for rainwater tanks on residential properties. Plumbing requirements (Sydney Water 2003 – Amendment) are a good step in the right direction. Many other states do not provide guidance, and the guidance that exists is limited technically (especially from a plumber’s perspective of the practicalities of installing systems). Many states or councils offer some type of government rebate to encourage use of rainwater and grey water systems, most require licensed plumbers to install them (bucketing or direct diversion of washing machine grey water doesn’t usually require a plumber). The plumber must supply evidence of installation and that it has been done to a specific standard (in many cases there is no auditing of this process). The plumbing code (AS/NZS 3500 (AS/NZS 2003b)) relates only to the diversion of septic tanks, but not to grey water systems. What specific standards should they be installed to? Plumbers are generally identified as the interface between the user (householder) and the relevant standards, guidelines and regulations. Technical solutions for plumbers are dispersed through at least 10 Australian Standards, a number of codes, several state guidelines, two Australian guidelines and numerous acts of legislation and local government requirements. Plumbers are a crucial link in the householders’ understanding of rainwater and grey water systems. In many cases plumbers gain the final approval and install the rainwater or grey water system. This Waterlines publication provides a national overview, and aims to facilitate a greater overall understanding of the approval, installation, maintenance and use of both grey water and rainwater for interested householders, new home builders and plumbers”. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. That was always going to be a challenge and a test of patience. Full marks to your mate. Did you discuss the wet area near the trampoline? 16 18179 thanks Chippy, i hope they have applied sealer but i am doubt to be honest, so i am gonna do this job after handover. 8 17143 |