Legislation related to Plumbing, Drainlaying and Gas fitting

The Building Code is made up of a number of clauses. Each clause sets out the ‘objective’ of the clause, the ‘function’ or how well it must work and the ‘performance’ or what the minimum standard is that must be achieved.

One example is G13. This clause includes compliance documents for the supply of sanitary plumbing and includes two Acceptable Solutions, that is G13 AS1 and G13 AS3 (AS/NZS 3500.2).

An Acceptable Solution is a recognised way of carrying out a job.

Any work on hot water services that you do must conform to this clause of the code. The following list is a summary of Clause G12 AS1’s ‘performance criteria’ (mandatory requirements) which expects hot water services to:

• be delivered at a temperature that avoids the likelihood of scalding
• have adequate flow rates to sanitary fixtures and sanitary appliances
• avoid the likelihood of leakage
• allow reasonable access to components likely to need maintenance, including a means of isolation
• be capable of being controlled to prevent the growth of legionella bacteria
• have vessels used for producing or storing hot water to be provided with safety devices that:
• relieve excessive pressure during both normal and abnormal conditions, and
• limit temperatures to avoid the likelihood of flash steam production in the event of rupture.

The methods of hot water supply covered in this text book will be of sound trade practice and the acceptable solutions of the New Zealand Building Code. It is not intended to cover alternative designs which are at Certifying level.

An Alternative Solution is a proposed way of carrying out a job and needs approval before the work can be done.