Transcript: Plumbing and drainage (Building Code update webinar)

Slide 1

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Text on screen: Welcome to the Building Code Update webinar – the webinar for Plumbing and Drainage will start at 12.00pm

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Devin Glennie: Kia ora koutou. Hello, everyone, and welcome to our webinar session to talk about the Building Code update for plumbing and drainage. My name is Devin Glennie, and I am here at MBIE I'm part of the team that helps update the New Zealand Building Code. So this morning, we talked about some of our changes for protection from fire. Now we're going to talk about documents we published last week for plumbing and drainage. These webinars are being recorded. So they will be available on our website in a few days, and we have taken a few questions before the webinar started

Slide 2

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Devin Glennie on screen welcoming everyone to the Webinar.

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Devin Glennie: So we'll be trying to answer those. There's other questions, you can enter into the Q&A function here on Zoom. And we will try to answer some of the short ones and text. And if there's time, we'll get to some of the other questions as well. Ah, so we'll start into the background here. Sorry, if you've seen this this morning, we're going to repeat a few things here for people who are new, but just where we're at in the process. Some of these changes have been in development for several years, we actually consulted on these in May 2022. There are over 100 submissions received across the different topics in that consultation.

Slide 3

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Building Code Update phases presented by Devin Glennie.

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Devin Glennie: After we analysed and considered all that feedback, we announced the decisions in for lead and plumbing in November last year, and then the remaining topics earlier this year in May. So the new documents from those that consultation, those decisions were all published online last week. So now that documents were published, we're entering a period here of implementation, monitoring and seeing how the changes are taking hold in sector and how they're actually landing. So these updates are important for New Zealanders, because the public expects that the building they live in and work in are safe, durable, warm, dry, healthy, and have a low impact on the environment.

Slide 4

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Building Code triangle presented by Devin Glennie.

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Devin Glennie: Little slide here that you may have seen before on the Building Code triangle. So this just shows the hierarchy here of legislation in New Zealand. At the top is the building act, it sets out the rules that all buildings must meet. And it's a primary legislation for building construction in New Zealand. So this is an enacted through Parliament, and it's a mandatory set of requirements. The Building Code sits below that in regulations specifically schedule on the Building Regulations 1992. But when most people talk about the Building Code, they think of the system which is the regulations as well as the acceptable solutions, verification methods, and standards and guidance that helps support some of those compliance pathways. So today, we'll be primarily talking about updates to the acceptable solutions and verification methods. However, there's a lot of details that are actually cited in the standards. And we'll be covering some of those as well where relevant so we'll be talking about some of the standards we revised and and how that affects plumbing and drainage compliance.

Slide 5

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Question asked and answer by Devin Glennie.

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Devin Glennie: So the first question we received are very popular one from the in our webinar signups was when did the changes take effect?

Slide 6

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Transition periods presented by Devin Glennie.

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Devin Glennie: So the new documents were published last week, which means that they can be used to demonstrate compliance today. But there is a transition period which allows you to use the previous documents for the next year. So at the end of the transition period, all the old documents can no longer be used. And during that transition period, both documents can be used to show compliance. So documents were published on the second of November, and so they can be used again until first November 2024. There's one additional transition period around the lead and plumbing products, but we're going to talk about that specifically in that section of the webinar.

Slide 7

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Building Product Information Requirements presented by Devin Glennie.

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Devin Glennie: One last thing before we get into the rest of our plumbing and drainage topics is a reminder about our building product information requirements. These regulations commence on the 11th of December this year. And these applied all products manufactured into New Zealand, manufactured or imported into New Zealand on or after that date. So the regulations set out the minimum information that has to be presented for those products. It includes the things like the description of a product, its intended use, and installation and maintenance requirements. Most importantly, it also includes information about how what code clauses are relevant for the building product and how it might be expected to contribute to build in code compliance. We've had several webinars and events already for what this means for the manufacturers, importers and the retailers. But there's also benefits for those who are designers or plumbers or building consent officers. The information provides a minimum level for all building products, everyone gets to see the same information about the different product types. And this allows better access to that information. It can also be used to help support consent applications or making decisions around the use and approval of the products. And it can be helped to support alternative solutions as the information doesn't have to refer to acceptable solutions or verification methods, it could refer to other ways of demonstrating compliance of the Building Code through alternative solutions or standards cited overseas. So there we go, my slides are changing on me. So we're going to be talking about three different parts of the Building Code today focused on plumbing and drainage.

Slide 8

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Front Cover of updated documents presented by Devin Glennie.

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Devin Glennie: This is E1 surface water, G12 Water supplies and G 13 foul water. When we consulted on these topics, last year, there was about seven different topics that we broke these down into. We asked people on signing up for the webinar, which they were most interested in a large number of responses were around the AS/NZS 3500 standards. So we're going to spend some time on those. And also the backflow, or the protection of potable water supplies, we'll talk about that.

Slide 9

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Plumbing and Drainage topics presented by Devin Glennie.

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Devin Glennie: And focus on that, as well as the water temperatures proposal or topic. So those are the things we'll be going into the most detail and but we're also going to try and cover some of these other things as well.

Slide 10

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Plumbing and Drainage topics welcome slide for Ross Wakefield

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Devin Glennie: I'm now going to introduce Ross Wakefield, who's going to talk about the details of the changes. Ross is a Senior Advisor for plumbing and hydraulic services in our building and performance engineering team. He's a certifying plumber gas fitter and drain layer. And since putting away the tools he has worked as a council, plumbing inspector of Industry Training assessor and hydraulic service design consultant, welcome, Ross.

Ross Wakefield: Thanks Devin and thank you all for joining us today to learn more about the plumbing and drainage building code updates.

Devin Glennie: So we're gonna get right into it. The first topic we had was lead in plumbing products can you tell us where lead is used them? Why lead is used in plumbing products?

Slide 11

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Lead in plumbing products with photo of child drinking from tap.

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Ross Wakefield: Yes, the use of lead in the manufacture of plumbing products has been common practice for many centuries. It's most commonly found in copper alloys, such as brass or a small amount of lead is added to provide malleability when it's machined our copper alloys are frequently used as components of plumbing products, and lead's long been recognized as a cumulative toxin. And people can be exposed to it from ingestion of airborne dust, foods through the soil or even through drinking water. The World Health Organization recommends that all practical measures are taken to reduce the exposure to lead, including the use of low lead alloy fittings and new plumbing installations or repairs. Now Australia has recently announced changes to limit the allowable level of lead in plumbing products and there are existing lead free plumbing product requirements in place in North America. Now at the moment leads currently allowed in small amounts and the raw material used to manufacture some plumbing products in New Zealand provided it doesn't contaminate the water. Now while these existing products that comply with the building code are considered safe, health officials recommend that where exposure to lead can be reduced, it should be reduced. And reducing the allowable levels of lead further will contribute to protecting public health.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, so just to reiterate that the existing products comply the Building Code are safe. But health officials they recommended anytime there's exposure lead, we should reduce it where it should be reduced or where it could be reduced. Yes, thats correct. All right. So what is the change, what actually changed about the requirements here?

Slide 12

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Changes to Lead in plumbing products presented by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so from the 1st of September 2025, any product that contains copper alloy and is intended for use in contact with potable water for human consumption, there must have a maximum lead content of 0.25% to be deemed to comply with the building code. Now this this change applies to products such as copper alloy fittings, valves, taps, water heaters, water dispensers and water meters that are intended for contact with water for human consumption. Products that are used exclusively for non drinking water uses, such as manufacturing or industrial processing, irrigation or other uses where the water is not anticipated to be consumed by people are excluded. And this part of the update also clarifies that copper alloy water supply system components must be dezincification resistant to minimize premature corrosion.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, and this is what I mentioned earlier, where the transition date is actually in the acceptable solution. It talks about the requirements taking effect from the first of September 2025. So in a year from now, you can use the new documents but it will still have this requirement that doesn't enact for another year. So the limit is 0.25% Why not just say that all products have to have 0.00% lead?

Ross Wakefield: Yes, this is something that we looked at in detail and 0.25% was the lowest maximum allowable level that can be reasonably be set for copper alloy plumbing products. Raw materials may contain trace amounts of lead. So it's difficult to set a maximum allowable limit lower than this. And this limits the same as the one being introduced in Australia, and aligns with existing limits for plumbing products in North America. So this ensures there's no gap between requirements for these products on both sides of the Tasman and be aligned with international markets.

Devin Glennie: How does this affect existing existing buildings and existing column work?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, well, from the first of September 2025, all the products used for new plumbing work will need to comply with with the new requirements when using the acceptable solution to meet the building code. And that's regardless of if a building consent is required or not. This proposed change does not affect existing plumbing systems unless they've been altered or replaced. So existing products that are compliant with the building code at the time they were installed do not need to be replaced.

Devin Glennie: I'm talking about the products themselves how might a manufacturer demonstrate that their products comply?

Slide 13

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Demonstrating compliance presented by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yes, manufacturers can demonstrate their products comply by using the National Sanitation Foundation 372 standard. So this is an American National Standard that we've referenced, which provides a standardized method for determining and verifying product compliance to minimize lead contaminants in these products. And the standard serves as the basis to establish compliance with the new G12/AS1 lead in plumbing product provision. And compliance with a standard can be demonstrated with a test report provided by an accredited test facility.

Devin Glennie: So how might somebody be able to identify that the product complies with the new lead in plumbing provisions.

Slide 14

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Identifying compliance presented by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yes, there are several ways in which products that comply with the new provision can be identified. As you mentioned earlier Devin the new Building Product Information Requirements are coming into effect on the 11th of December 2023. And these places, obviously obligations on New Zealand based building product manufacturers or importers of products to state how their product complies with the Building Code. So this is one way you'll be able to have a look to see how these products comply. There are also international products certification scheme markings that can indicate compliance with equivalent requirements and other jurisdictions. And these markings include the Australian lead free watermark, mark of conformity, or lead free certification marks from the American National Standards Institute accredited certification bodies. As mentioned in the previous slide, there's also the test report that can be provided by an accredited test facility in accordance with the ASF 372 standard. And that test report should verify that the product has a weighted average lead content of no more than 0.25%. And that's another way you can check if a product complies.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, and this information here on this slide this is actually available on our website. So we posted this last week as well under the G12 water supplies page, you can you can find a link there and read the same information. So we had a question before the webinar started. What will be a phase out period for existing stock of brass plumbing products.

Slide 15

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Question asked by Devin Glennie.

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Ross Wakefield: Yes, as you mentioned we announced this decision early. We announced this decision in November last year to provide manufacturers and suppliers as much time as possible to be aware that this change was coming and to give them time to make the necessary changes to support the availability of compliant products in New Zealand. And the changes mentioned comes into effect on the 1 September 2025. So from that date, only products complying with the new provision will be deemed to comply with the New Zealand Building Code.

Devin Glennie: All right, so that wraps up our little bit about lead we're gonna move on to water temperatures. What changes made to the water temperatures?

Slide 16

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Hot water temperature reduction explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Well hot water supplies they must be adequate to meet building users needs while also keeping them safe. And the Building Code requires that hot water is provided to personal hygiene fixtures at a temperature that avoids the likelihood of scolding. Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 has been amended to reduce the maximum temperature of hot water at the tap to reduce the risk of scolding injuries to New Zealanders. Now the maximum allowable temperature of hot water use for personal hygiene has been reduced from 55 degrees celsius to 50 degrees celsius for most buildings. This change only applies to new plumbing fixtures use for personal hygiene such as hand basins, baths and showers. And the maximum temperature does not apply to kitchen sinks and laundry tubs as these are not considered sanitary fixtures use for personal hygiene. Now while high temperature hot water can be provided to kitchens and laundries testing has been done that shows the provision of 50 degrees C hot water to domestic kitchen sinks is adequate for the hand washing dishes. We've also maintained the maximum hot water delivery temperature of 45 degrees celcius for institutions such as schools, hospitals and care homes within G12/AS1 additional temperature control devices have also been introduced to provide more ways for plumbers to limit the temperature of hot water delivered to sanitary fixtures. I just wanted to highlight again that this changes about the hot water delivery temperature. The Building Code requires that hot water systems are able to be controlled to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria which is usually achieved by storing heated water at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or higher. So this change does not affect the minimum temperature for hot water storage set by G12/AS1 which is 60 degrees celsius. And that's set to limit the risk of Legionella bacteria growth as mentioned.

Devin Glennie: Can you just explain that again what's the difference between the storage temperature and the delivery temperature.

Ross Wakefield: So the temperature of stored water within your hot water cylinder for example should be 60 degrees celsius or higher but the water delivered to a tap is for personal hygiene should be automatically reduced through a temperature control device such as a tempering valve before being delivered to the tap used for personal hygiene.

Slide 17

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Tap water scalds graph showing number of burn center admissions between 2010-2019 in different age groups.

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Devin Glennie: So, can you tell us why this reduction in temperature and what was the some of the background?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, the burns registry of Australia and New Zealand they lead a study into people with tap water scolds, admitted to Australian and New Zealand burn centers between 2010 and 2019. The graph showing on screen shows the number of people admitted to hospital from tap water scald burns during this period broken down by age groups. The study found 130 People with tap water scolds are admitted to New Zealand burns centres during centers during this period, and 65% of the severe tap water scolds were occurred in infants and young children under the age of four years old. And over 90% of these burns occurred in the bathroom while bathing. Now one thing it's important to note that the data shown on this graph only includes severe tapwater scalds, where patients were admitted to hospital burns units for treatment. These numbers did not account for the many tapwater scolds that are treated by first aid at home or by a general practitioner or hospital emergency department.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, so in summary, this research showed that children were most at risk of these tapwater scalds.

Ross Wakefield: Yes, that's correct.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, and so how can we actually reduce the risk of scalding.

Slide 18

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Scald risk reduction showing diagram of exposure time it takes to scald based on temperature.

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Ross Wakefield: On this slide deck the graph on the right hand side produced by the Building Research Association of New Zealand shows the time of exposure and water temperature at which full thickness scalds can occur. As you can see, at 55 degrees Celsius, the time it takes for a child to get a full thickness scalding is 10 seconds. At 55 degrees Celsius. Again, it only takes about four seconds for a child to get a second degree burn. Now when the temperature of water is reduced to 50 degrees Celsius, the time it takes for a child to get burned increases to one minute. And for adults, the time it takes to get scolded increases from about 30 seconds to around five minutes. And at temperatures below 50 degrees Celsius the likelihood of scalding continues to decrease. Now it's important to note that these changes around that tempurature reduction are not retrospective, that is they only apply to the temperature of hot water delivered to new sanitary fixtures used for personal hygiene.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, so that tiny bit of temperature different five degrees actually significantly increases or decreases the risk from that scalding for those children. So we talked about some of the new temperature control devices as you briefly mentioned is what are some of the new ways that you can limit the hot water delivery temperature.

Slide 19

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Delivery temperature control devices with diagram from G12/AS1 of tempering valve.

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Ross Wakefield: Yes, so the temperature of hot water delivered to taps is generally limited using a temperature control device such as a tempering valve or a thermostatic mixing valve and additional devices for limiting hot water temperature delivered to sanitary fixtures use for personal hygiene had been provided a new tables within G12/AS1 table 8a and 8b. One key change to note with these tables is that those institutions with persons that are at greatest risk from scolding that have a maximum hot water delivery temperature of 45 degrees celsius such as schools or hospitals or care homes they require the thermostatic mixing valves or thermostatic tap water be provided. These tables also clarify that each thermostatic mixing valve or tempering valve must have a non return valve fitted to the hot and cold water supply. And these devices may be fitted separately or form an integral part of the valve itself. And just to highlight these temperature control devices should only be installed or adjusted by authorized plumbers.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, so it's not up to somebody who's a homeowner to go and adjust the temperatures themselves. They actually need to get a plumber involved and make sure that that storage temperature is still being kept at the 60 degrees while the delivery temperature is the only thing affected. All right. We're going to talk a lot about more about backflow protection or protection of potable water supplies. What did what did we do here? What What changes have you made?

Slide 20

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Protection of potable water from backflow with key changes explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so improve some of the requirements to protect drinking water from backflow contamination. Our backflow occurs when the flow of water in a pipe is reversed, which can draw contaminants into potable water supply. And this can create a health risk to occupants and buildings and to entire public water supply systems. So changes to the Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 within section 3, which is for the protection of potable water, have included providing more clarity around when backflow prevention is required, what type of backflow prevention devices are suitable and how these devices should be installed and tested. Some of the key changes include providing additional cross connection hazard rating examples, introducing containment backflow protection provisions to provide additional protection for water supplies, updating some of the backflow prevention device installation requirements, amending provisions for hose taps and hose connection and vacuum breakers. We've also cited the AS/NZS3500:1 water supplies and then do Acceptable Solution G12/AS3 which brings in the cross connection control and backflow prevention provisions within that standard. And we've made a number of supporting protection of potable water changes throughout the acceptable solution. We'll cover these in a bit more detail in the next few slides.

Slide 21

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New cross-connection hazard rating examples explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: Lets start with some of those new cross connection hazard rating examples. Can you tell us some of the ones that have changed or what what these are about?

Ross Wakefield: Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 describes three cross connection his rating categories, which are high, medium and low. And it provides examples of various building systems which fall into each category. So as part of this update, the following additional cross connection hazard rating examples have been included which are the ones that you can see on screen. For high hazard examples we've included the likes of bidet and douche seats. Host steps associated with soil waste dump points and medium hazard we've included an example of treated gray water. point to note here we've added an exemption to the existing medium has an example for swimming pools, spas and fountains, which excludes those filled by hose taps in conjunction with household units. And this will support the provision of hose connection vacuum breakers as acceptable backflow prevention devices for filling spa pools and pools at home which we'll cover a bit more on the next slide. And for low cross connection hazards we've added in two new examples, one for drinking fountains and bottle fillers and one for hose taps other than those associated with medium or high hazard situations.

Slide 22

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Containment backflow protection provisions explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: And so how do these backflow protection provisions how do they relate to requirements from an individual council or for a water supplier

Ross Wakefield: Yes, well we've introduced new provisions for containment backflow protection to be provided. The new premises that pose a heightened risk of water supply contamination if a cross connection was to occur. Now containment backflow protection is also known as boundary backflow protection. And this has been defined as backflow protection installed adjacent to the ported point of supply to a property to protect a water main from any potential contamination risk posed by backflow from our premises. So these new provisions that we've introduced, they only apply in situations where containment backflow protection is not provided by the water supply. And additionally, they don't apply to premises containing only household units. Where containment devices provided water downstream of this device is considered to be potable unless there are unprotected hazards within the premises and individual backflow prevention devices within buildings are still required to be provided upstream of fixtures or equipment that poses a cross connection hazard and this is to prevent the contamination of the water supply within the property. The image shown on screen that illustrates the point of supply. So the backflow prevention devices installed downstream of the point of supply which is indicated by the red dash line they must be installed by an authorised plumber and backflow prevention devices installed upstream of the point of supply are the responsibility of the water supply.

Slide 23

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Containment Backflow protection showing table 2A from G12/AS1 examples explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: All right, is there anything else been added to the acceptable solution as part of this containment new table provisions

Ross Wakefield: Yes, a new table has been added table 2a which is shown in part on the right hand side of the slide. And this list premises that require containment backflow protection and the type of protection required. Now like other automatic backflow prevention devices, a containment backflow prevention device that's installed downstream at the point of supply by a plumber also needs to be included on the buildings compliance schedule. And these devices require annual testing by an independently qualified person as part of the process for issuing an annual building warrant of fitness. The exception to this is airgaps which are not required to be included on a compliance schedule.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, I think we had that question coming in before the webinar, do put air on the compliance schedule. The answer is no, it does not appear with the air gap. So if you look at the device installation, can you tell me about this and what we updated?

Slide 24

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Backflow protection device installation explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so the backflow prevention device installation requirements within G12/AS1 have had a few updates to clarify that devices must be attached only after the pipework has been flushed, they must be fitted with connections which allow for the easy removal and replacement of the device. The devices must be adequately supported, and installed with isolation valves in order to allow the independently qualified persons to test these devices annually. And that reduced pressure zone devices must be installed with adequate drainage provisions where they are installed inside a building. We've also provided some commentary around what constitutes an accessible position for a backflow prevention device to be installed. And this clarification is intended to reduce the likelihood of devices being installed in locations that may compromise the health and safety of the independently qualified persons who are required to test these devices annually.

Devin Glennie: Ok, and we also talked about the host taps earlier in the hazard examples what have we changed there.

Slide 25

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Hose Tap Vacuum Breakers explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: So the provisions within G12/AS1 for hose taps and hose connection vacuum breakers have been updated. Now these updates clarify, as I mentioned before, that hose taps other than those associated with a medium or high hazard are considered to pose a low cross connection hazard. And that hose taps connected to the potable water supply require backflow protection and the minimum acceptable type of backflow protection device is a permanently attached hose connection vacuum breaker. Now, hose connection vacuum breakers are only suitable for low cross connection hazards as mentioned and protection against back siphonage and these devices can be tested in accordance with the method outlined in the 2019 New Zealand backflow testing standard. And we've also included some installation requirements, which are relatively straightforward for hose connection vacuum breakers within G12/AS1.

Devin Glennie: You briefly mentioned that as well, that the AS/NZS 3500.1 has backflow prevention provisions. How does this relate to the changes in that standard or in how does it relate to the standard?

Slide 26

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AS/NZS 3500.1 backflow prevention provisions explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so as part of the updates that have been published the acceptable solutions, the latest 2021 versions of the AS/NZS 3500 standards have been cited. And I'll discuss that in a bit more detail shortly. But as part of citing the latest versions of these standards, the cross connection control and backflow prevention provisions included in AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 had been included as another means of complying with the Building Code and these form part of a new acceptable solution which is Acceptable Solution G12/AS3. Within 3500 part 1 2021 section 4 specifies requirements and methods for the prevention of contamination, drinking water and the water service, and provides for the selection and installation of backflow prevention devices. There are a number of changes made which better align requirements within the section of the standard and existing G12/AS1 provisions for backflow prevention and cross connection control. And citing this section of the standard within the new acceptable solutions gives them more options for designers and planners to consider when they're selecting backflow prevention devices.

Devin Glennie: So does the standard contain its own examples of cross connection hazard ratings.

Ross Wakefield: Yes, an important point to note is that in the recent amendments to 3500, part one in the 2021 edition that included withdrawing the cross connection hazard rating examples that were in the standard for appendix F so that there's no duplication or inconsistencies with those included an Acceptable Solution G12/AS1 or in Australia, the Plumbing Code of Australia. So it's an important point to note that when you use the section of 3500 part one for backflow prevention selection, you'll need to refer to G12/AS1 for the cross connection hazard ratings for consistency.

Devin Glennie: Okay, and just briefly talk about some of those other standards that are cited what else have been changed to support backflow protection?

Slide 27

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Image of updated backflow testing standards that have been cited.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, a couple of the other changes to support these updates include citing the latest backflow prevention device testing and manufacturing standards. And we've provided some new or updated definitions which support these changes.

Devin Glennie: And what changes can be made to the pipeline identification.

Slide 28

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Pipeline identification explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so water supply pipework systems they need to be clearly identifiable to reduce the risk of plumbers miss identifying pipe working cross connections occurring. Cross connections between potable and nonpotable water supply pipe work can result in more supply contamination and previous versions of G12/AS1 referenced an older standard in NZS 5807 as a means of identifying potable and nonpotable pipelines within buildings. The standard lack sufficient clarity regarding identification requirements for the marking of water supply pipe work within buildings and the reference to the standards now been withdrawn. So, we've replaced that with some updated provisions around the around pipeline and unification to reduce the risk of cross connection. And these changes include where non potable water supply pipe workers reticulated around a building, that all of that non potable water supply pipe book shall be lilac colored or made readily identifiable using permanent identification markings. And where in non potable water supplies, particularly around a building other than a household unit, the potable water supply pipe which also be made readily identifiable, as containing potable water. And there's also provisions for where permanent identification markings are used instead of the lilac color for where these markings should be placed. And these changes closely aligned with changes made in the 2021 edition of AS/NZS 3500, part one for water services.

Slide 29

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Image of AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage standards.

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Devin Glennie: Alright, so quite a bit of alignment there between the acceptable solution as well as the standard and making sure that they're both producing similar results here. We've talked about the standard quite a bit now. So we'll we'll actually go into it more detailed here. So AS/NZS 3500 tell me about these, these standards are the standard series.

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so the AS/NZS 3500 series plumbing and drainage standards, they play an integral part in setting out the design and installation requirements for plumbing and drainage systems, both in New Zealand and Australia. These standards can be applied to new installations as well as alterations, additions and repairs to existing installations. They specify the requirements for the materials design and installation of water services, sanitary services, stormwater drainage, and heated water services. In the next few slides, I'll talk through some of the changes that were made in the 2021 editions of the AS/NZS 3500 standards and where these are cited under the Building Code.

Devin Glennie: And one of those citations is actually issuing a new acceptable solution to cite the standard is that correct?

Ross Wakefield: Yes, that's correct. I'll talk a bit about that in the next slide and the new acceptable solution that's been issued.

Slide 30

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AS/NZS acceptable solution citations explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: All right, so how are these built? Or how are these standards started that across? E1, G12, and G13?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so under G12. One of the key changes is that we've cited AS/NZS 3500:2021 parts, one for all the services and Part four for heating water services under a new acceptable solution, and that's G12/AS3. Now, these were previously cited in Verification Method G12/VM1 and part. However, citing these under a new acceptable solution will provide consistency between the status of these standards under the Building Code. Now, we've also cited the majority of AS/NZS 3500 Part 1 is an acceptable solution where previously only two sections and one appendix the standard was cited. The G13 foul water AS/NZS 3500 Part 2, the 2021 edition still remains referenced under G13/AS3 and AS/NZS 3500 Part 3 stormwater drainage is cited under E1/AS2. Now, it's important to refer to the acceptable solutions that reference the 3500 standards, because there's a number of New Zealand specific modifications to the standards made. And the modifications that have been made to the standards have been reduced. As part of this update. There's a number of New Zealand specific requirements have been embedded directly within these standards.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, so if you're looking to use these standards, you can find them as cited in the acceptable solution. But in some cases, they do have modifications to be fit for New Zealand Building Code that pay intention to. So tell me a little bit more about the standards and some of the changes that are made.

Slide 31

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AS/NZS 3500 -2021 edition changes by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, we'll talk over those in the next few slides some of the changes that were made in the 2021 additions, and it was some changes made to the definitions for terminology used in the series and the defined terms within parts 1 2 3 and 4 were relocated and consolidated in part 0, which is the glossary of terms and this provides definitions across the series. These definitions were reviewed in light of new technologies and practices, and they were also updated. There was some changes to specific product standard requirements. A number of the product standard references were removed to avoid inconsistancies with the watermark product certification scheme in Australia. You know, there's the reason for that as a product standard is referenced within the AS/NZS 3500 series may not be the same specifications as accepted under the watermark scheme, and it was creating some challenges. One example could be AS/NZS 3500 may previously referenced one manufacturing standard for a product, however, to be certified under the watermark scheme, the product would need to have been manufactured and certified for compliance to a different document and new product the materials appendices have been added within 3500 Parts 1, 2 and 4, to aid in determining if plumbing and drainage products and materials are fit for purpose for use in systems. As I mentioned in the earlier slide, there have been a number of backflow prevention updates made within 3500 Part 1, which better align requirements with the G12/AS1 backflow prevention and cross connection control provisions. And some of those included cross connection hazard ratings for atmospheric vacuum breakers pressure vacuum breakers and air gaps being amended to align with G12/AS1, which made it easier for us to cite this section of the standard.

Devin Glennie: All right, so tell me some of that changes here in part 2 in part 3 of the standard.

Slide 32

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AS/NZS 3500 -2021 edition changes by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: So there's been some changes made to the range of materials that can be used for foul water and storm water wet wells. They have been expanded to encompass prefabricated wells, including those manufactured from high density polyethylene and polypropylene and PVC. There's also been some changes to the venting requirements and AS/NZS 3500 part 2 for air admittance valves and pressure attenuators. With regards to the air admittance valve changes, they're relatively minor, and they're aimed at reducing any chance of non compliant installations. The pressure attenuators was a bigger change and will enable more flexible and efficient application for the installation of these types of systems in multi storey developments. There was also changes regarding penetrations and steel frames for water supply pipe work. These were updated to be consistent with the National Association of steel housing, steel framing standards. And they specify the provision of service holes and middle framework which includes the size number of placement of holes.

Devin Glennie: Yeah, and there were still some other changes tell me about the jointing methods.

Slide 33

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AS/NZS 3500 -2021 edition changes by Ross Wakefield.

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Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so, there was some changes to the joining methods for plastic pipes in AS/NZS 3500, part 1, and they were clarified and expanded to allow different methods and they really just reflect what should be occurring in practice at the moment. There was a change to the minimum separation distance between above ground heated water services and electrical services in 3500 part 4 and this reduced the clearance from 100 millimeters down to 25 millimeters to align with the wiring rules. And there was also some changes to the requirements for the marking of pipes and commercial buildings to assist in the better identification of pipe work and avoid cross connections very similar to the changes to G12/AS1 that I mentioned for pipeline identification.

Devin Glennie: There are some changes to the jointing or the rainfall intensities as well.

Ross Wakefield: So and AS/NZS 3500 part 3 for stormwater drainage systems that design rainfall intensities for New Zealand were updated to show the latest values from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research and they also changed how they're expressed in are expressed in terms of an annual exceedance probability to align with the performance requirements of the Building Code. And that's the probability that a given rainfall total accumulated over a given duration will be exceeded in any one year. There are also changes made to part 4 for heating water systems specifically around the circulatory systems. So this included changes around the location of water meters and entry points for heated water connections to individual units within buildings that have circulatory heated water systems and include insulation provisions for non circulatory heated water piping branches from these as well as recommending a maximum capacity of two liters for any dead leg from the branch to the outlet. These changes aim to improve the immunity for users in buildings with circulatory heated water systems and reduce wastage of water and energy. There were also the heated water delivery temperature control provisions within 3500 part 4. Now they will withdrawn and so there was no duplication between the provisions in that standard and what's set in the acceptable solution G12/AS1 which is published by MBIE or by the Plumbing Code of Australia. So that's the likes of the maximum delivery temperatures that we've mentioned earlier and the delivery temperature control devices. If you're using AS/NZS 3500 part 4, you need to cross reference G12/AS1 for those maximum hot water delivery temperatures.

Slide 34

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Expansion vessels – new option for HWC by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: All right, so there's a lot of changes there. I guess if people want to see more they can read about them, all the standards are on the New Zealand website read the standards directly they are available for download there. We're going to move on into some of our water system supply component changes starting off with expansion vessels. Can you tell me about expansion vessels?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so expansion vessels have been introduced into Acceptable Solution G12. As one as a low cost simple to install alternative to expansion control valves, the mains pressure storage water heating systems, so cold water expands when it's heated. And because storage water heating systems are filled with a non return valve on the cold water supply. This prevents the expansion forcing back into the water supply. So there needs to be some other mechanism in the system to prevent water heaters or other components for rupturing. The status quo is the provision of an expansion control valve or a cold water expansion valve. But expansion vessels are a new option that can be used under this acceptable solution. And some of the benefits of installing expansion vessel as an alternative to an expansion control valve include the potable water savings, around five liters per day, more stabilized pressures within the hot water system. And it also reduces the need for a drain that you'd require from an expansion control valve.

Slide 35

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Expansion vessels sizing explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: So how do you actually determine the size of an expansion vessel needed.

Ross Wakefield: So a new section covering the installation sizing and commissioning and expansion vessels has been included in G12/AS1 and in this section is a calculation method that you can use to calculate the size of an expansion vessel and there's also an example table to help with selecting the correct size expansion vessel to match the storage water heater.

Slide 36

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Seismic restraint of water heaters explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: Yeah, so people can go read that in the new G12/AS1 we also have changes made to the seismic restraint of water heaters. Can you tell me about that?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so the previous detail for sizing, seismically restraining storage water heaters, required straps to be provided no further than 100 millimeters from the top and the bottom of the storage water heater. So this created some challenges with the straps clashing with pipe connections and cylinder controls. So we've added some new notes below the figure within G12/AS1 figure 14 that's shown on screen and which provide alternative options for the sizing restraint straps to be located within the top and bottom 25% of the cylinder. Now where this is done, you need to provide an additional strap centrally for cylinders up to 200 liters or two additional evenly spaced straps for cylinders over 200 liters. Yeah an additional strap placed centrally is also required, where a cylinders located more than 12 metres above ground or say on the fourth storey or above, in a multi level building, as the upper levels of a tall building can experience higher seismic forces in an earthquake and a maximum total of four straps are required a new situation and complying with these new provisions. And just to reiterate the sizing restraint for cylinders over 360 liters are outside the scope of this acceptable solution and detail and they may require specific design.

Slide 37

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Insulation, pipe installation and water pressure explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: All right, so some options there for some more flexibility for those straps. Can you tell you some of the other changes made in G12/AS1 here?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, we've made some updates to specify that pipework insulation material exposed to direct sunlight must be UV resistant or suitably protected to withstand degradation. We've also made some updates to pipework system installation standards so water supply systems can be constructed from various types of materials and to assist plumbers with ensuring the systems are installed correctly we've cited suitable installation standards for UPVC pipe work copper and polyethylene pipe work within G12/AS1 and to assist with ensuring that building water supplies are not installed with inadequate or excessive water pressures, minimum and maximum water pressure requirements at sanitary fixtures and appliances have been introduced within G12/AS1. Now it's important with these particularly with the minimum requirements which align with low pressure systems that you refer to manufacturer's information for the minimum and maximum pressures for particular valves or components of these systems. Now, maximum pressures were not previously specified in G12/AS1 but the pressure that's been introduced align with equivalent requirements in the AS/NZS 3500 series.

Slide 38

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Unintentional heating, wetbacks and accessible taps explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: All right, and so we had some other changes as well still we we looked at unintentional heating of cold water, can you tell us about that.

Ross Wakefield: So cold water within plumbing systems can become unintentionally heated if, for example, the cold water supply pipe work is run directly under a metal roof in a ceiling space. Now there are potential health risks involved if hot water becomes unintentionally heated, including the risk of bacterial growth within the pipe or in extreme cases scalding if the water gets very hot. Now, so G12/AS1 been updated to require water supply systems to be installed in a manner that avoids unintentional heating of cold water. So consideration should be given to avoiding long runs of pipe work and locations exposed to solar heat gain. While locating pipe work within ceiling spaces under any insulating material laid for restricting heat losses through ceilings or insulating the pipe work itself in certain situations. We've also made some updates regarding wetback water heaters. So wetback water heating systems they utilize heat generated from a solid fuel heater to heat water for domestic use. Now, previously, G12/AS1 provided a limited amount of information regarding wetback water heating systems, and some additional detail was required to ensure these systems are installed safely. So the acceptable solution has been updated to cite part 4 of NZS 4603, which is an older standard that provides more comprehensive provisions for designing and installing wet back water heating systems that utilise natural circulation. Now the standard NZS 4603 can be accessed from standards New Zealand website at no cost, as access to view and print the standards is currently sponsored by MBIE. We've also made a few updates regarding accessible taps. So previously only single lever or separate hot and cold capstan handle taps were permitted to be installed where they are used by people with disabilities when complying with G12/AS1. So this sections now been updated to include sensor taps that activate automatically when hands are placed under them. And sensor taps are particularly suitable for use by people with disabilities particularly where a person may have limited hand function. And separate hot and cold capstan handle taps are also no longer installed in facilities used by people with disabilities. So these have been removed as an acceptable option.

Slide 39

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Relief drains, pipe cover and flushing explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: All right, and what can you tell me about the real relief valve drain discard discharge locations

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so storage water heater relief valves require drains to convey water to an appropriate location when these valves open. And we've included some examples of acceptable relief valve drain discharge locations in G12/AS1. We've also made some changes regarding the minimum cover of water supply pipe work below non trafficable areas. So it's been updated to reduce the maximum cover from 450 millimeters to 300 millimeters where water supply pipes are installed below gardens or lawns or other areas not subjected to vehicular traffic. This aligns with the minimum water supply pipe recovery requirements for non trafficable areas and AS/NZS 3500 Part 1. We've also introduced some provisions regarding the flushing of water supply pipe work after installation or alteration. Now these flushing provisions often occur in practice and we've just clarified that it's needed to clear the system of any dirty water or any debris that may interfere with system components or contaminate the water.

Slide 40

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G12/VM1 flow rate calculation method explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: Okay, and so to round out this section on water systems apply components. The last thing we'll talk about is the revised Verification Method G12/VM1 and has a method there to determine the size of pipe work. What can you tell me about the new VM?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so we've updated Verification Methods G12/VM1 now to provide a means of establishing maximum flow rates for use and sizing hot water and cold water supply systems for use by plumbing system designers. So this Verification Method G12/VM1 it previously cited the pipe sizing provisions within the 2018 and earlier versions AS/NZS 3500 Part 1 water services. And the method for sizing water supply pipe work within the AS/NZS 3500 standards is limited in scope being applicable to residential buildings only. So to assist with providing a compliance pathway that assisted with sizing pipe work for other types of buildings, this new method has been introduced into G12/VM1. The application of the loading unit method reference in this verification method to the sizing of hot and cold water services requires application of specialist knowledge, experience and judgment and plumbing system designers if they choose they can continue to apply other flow rate calculation methods if they use them as alternative solutions to combine the G12/AS1, G12 if they choose

Devin Glennie: And those standards the existing standards cited, they're now part of the new Acceptable Solution G12/AS3

Ross Wakefield: Yes, yes. The AS/NZS 3500 parts 1 and 4 and now form part of the acceptable solution. They've been relocated as verification.

Slide 41

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40+ standards referenced.

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Devin Glennie: All right, so we're getting close to the end. Topic number six, we revised over 40 standards on material standards. Can you give me a brief summary with important points for these?

Ross Wakefield: Yes, so as park of this update, we've referenced over 40 new or amended manufacturing or testing standards for plumbing and drainage system components, and that's across the acceptable solutions for complying with E1 G12 and G13. These changes form part of regular maintenance updates by large to address outdated product manufacturing standard citations. Here's some of the key points include the inclusion of additional acceptable materials for sanitary plumbing and drainage systems within the relevant materials tables, they also involved the removal of galvanized steel as an acceptable material for hot and cold water pipe work systems. That included the citation of the latest 2018 version of the plumbing product testing standard AS/NZS 4020 and the standards used to determine the suitability of products for use in contact with drinking water. We've also included informative comments indicating that products certified under the Australian watermark certification scheme, they may be verified as satisfying the relevant performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.

Slide 42

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G13 Foul Water Acceptable Solutions explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: All right, and so most of our webinar today we talked about G12/AS1 a lot of the changes made there, can you just remind me of the changes made in G13.

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so we've made a few updates to the acceptable solutions for complying with G13 foul water. These are predominantly to ensure consistency of key industry practices between the acceptable solutions and provisions with AS/NZS 3500 part 2 for sanitary plumbing and drainage. So some of these consistency alignments include the addition of incline junction provisions within Acceptable Solutions G13/AS1 and G13/AS2 now this improves consistency with the provisions introduced into G13/AS3 as part of the 2020 Building Code update. One of the other changes is reducing the minimum galley height above an unpaid ground level in G13/AS2 from 100 millimeters down to 75 millimeters. This is to align with the equivalent provision AS/NZS 3500, part 2, which is cited in G13/AS3.

Slide 43

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E1 Surface Water Acceptable Solutions updates explained by Ross Wakefield.

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Devin Glennie: And remind me about the changes made to E1 as well.

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, we've made a few updates to the acceptable solutions to complying with E1 surface water. As mentioned, this includes citing the new version of AS/NZS 3500.3:2021 stormwater drainage is an acceptable solution and we removed a number of redundant modifications to the standard that were previously found in this acceptable solution as they are no longer necessary. We've also cited new material standards and Acceptable Solution E1/AS1 for surface water drainage system components. And we've provided a calculation example, for the catchment area for type one and two sumps in E1/AS1.

Slide 44 - Questions

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Questions

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Devin Glennie: All right, so that brings us to the end, we do have time for questions. We're right on time here I just have loaded up but these are, I'm gonna take a scroll through and try and find some. When you're lodging a building consent, and you're looking at the requirements for new taps to contain low levels of lead, do you expect that this will be provided this information was provided in a consent application like a certificate or some other specification,

Ross Wakefield: It would be expected that this information will be contained on the building product information provided by the manufacturer or the importer of the product. So it should be clearly stated on there. And if it was asked for then the manufacturer or the importer should be able to provide a copy of the test report demonstrating verification.

Devin Glennie: And are there are credited test facilities here in New Zealand to determine that low level of lead?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, there are a couple of test facilities that are currently seeking accreditation, I believe and have the ability to test products in this manner. But the challenge is we've referenced a new standard, the North American Standard and so there's a process to go through without the need to seek accreditation. So at this stage, I don't believe there's anyone that has yet become accredited in New Zealand so I'm looking and there are accredited test facilities now available in Australia and likewise and other locations around the world.

Devin Glennie: Some questions here about the hot water temperatures. Some background on the research did it consider if it was untempered or temperate supplies associated with the scald.

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so the the research from the graph that I showed from Burns Research Association of Australia and New Zealand, that looked at data that was collected from burns units. And that data was quite detailed, although wasn't consistently able to tell you what the delivery temperature of the hot water was. So yes, it's it wasn't able to be clear enough, what was tempered and what was untempered, but it clearly showed that there was a high level of scalds still occurring, and where the risk lies predominantly in younger children, and predominantly at risk from sculpts from bathing or in bathrooms, which is why we did some further research and had a look into what the impacts of reducing the temperature by five degrees would be, from a practical perspective from the risk of scalding.

Devin Glennie: And can a plumber adjust the temperature of existing existing tempering valves?

Ross Wakefield: Yes, plumbers can adjust the temperature of existing tempering valves, but this shouldn't be done by homeowners or someone that's not an authorised plumber.

Devin Glennie: There's one here about AS/NZS 3500, It may be more detailed than you can answer, but I'll ask it anyways, within point 1, Part 1 and Part F4 of G12. Is section 4-5 on backflow prevention acceptable on G12. 4-5 of AS/NZS 3500.1

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so we've included a modification to the referencing of AS/NZS 3500 Part 1, there's only two and one of them's to exclude the referencing of that section and that section is a very broad section around the use of integral backflow prevention devices within appliances and and other equipment. And that was excluded because there's some challenges with how those have been verified and how they would meet requirements under the building act for the compliance schedule regime. And how you would check these integral backflow prevention devices were performing and how they met the required hazard ratings.

Devin Glennie: Okay, switching to some of the backflow questions here I want the new backflow requirements does this extend to irrigation cross connections where cam check valves were previously used?

Ross Wakefield: No they don't apply were a solely an irrigation installation it only applies to new building work to water supplies that will be connected to serve sanitary fixtures or sanitary appliances in buildings

Devin Glennie: Does the backflow prevention apply to rural properties or self supplied water tank systems

Ross Wakefield: Yes, yes they would apply to rural properties and self supplied water tank systems.

Devin Glennie: Will all new hose taps installed even for replacement of an existing hose tap require a vacuum breaker to be attached

Ross Wakefield: Yes our minimum level of backflow prevention where a hose tap isn't associated with a specific hazard should be a hose connection vacuum breaker fitted to new hose taps to comply with G12/AS.

Devin Glennie: there's some questions here about the identification like what kind of identification would be required for those non potable water pipes? Would stickers be adequate? Or what forms?

Ross Wakefield: Yes, that is as long as it permanently fixed to the pipe work would be adequate in this and provisions within the acceptable solution likewise within the AS/NZS 3500 standards around where their stickers should be placed that sort of spacing distances on pipe and where the pipe work penetrates through walls or may branch through ceilings and the likes so yeah, stickers and adequate locations where the pipe work isn't covered or where the pipe work is insulated for some reason you couldn't tell it was covered, covered can be used.

Devin Glennie: Another one here about sprinkler systems and backflow, are backflow protection devices required to isolate the sprinkler system from potable water supply.

Ross Wakefield: Yes, well yeah all fire sprinkler systems should incorporate a backflow prevention device where they're connected to the potable water supply.

Devin Glennie: And then another clarification about backflow, How is it necessary for residential or not?

Ross Wakefield: Yes, the backflow prevention and cross connection hazards need to be addressed within residential properties. The new containment that backflow protection provisions that were introduced into G12/AS1 they don't apply specifically to just single residential buildings.

Devin Glennie: We'll switch here to some of the water system supply components, expansion vessels, do they require maintenance, such as yearly inspections or things like that?

Ross Wakefield: They can over time over a period of time, lose charge, they're essentially just pressurised with air, they're very simple system. And so they can be repressurised if they do lose, lose charge over time. And that can be easily checked if a plumber is on site. You can can see if it's operating, if it lost its full charge, you get the hot water cylinder discharging water from the temperature pressure relief valve. So that would be an indication that maintenance would be required on the expansion vessel.

Devin Glennie: Someone's asked her a question about standards under the Building Act Section 25a are standards required to be posted on MBIE's website as part of the acceptable solution? I can answer some of that. No, the answer is its not required to be posted on our website. They are incorporated into the content of the acceptable solution. There's other requirements under the Building Act about how standards are incorporated. And they we basically have we advertised where they are available. And so you can go and look those up. As we discussed earlier this morning in the fire presentation. There are standards that we cite and sponsor through standards New Zealand, but in some instances were unable to sponsor free access to the standards. And that's because of international agreements or copyright issues between those other standards. But the new standards AS/NZS 3500 they are available on the Standards New Zealand website Somebody's asked about a hose vacuum breaker Can you just go over again when that is required?

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so, the updates to G12/AS1 for hose connection vacuum breakers, they'd be required for hose taps where there's no medium or high hazard directly associated with that hose tap. So they've been classed as a low hazard. Hose taps have been classed as providing a load of presenting a low hazard where there's no specific hazard near that just because it's uncontrolled. People can hook a hose onto it and it could potentially become submerged in a contaminant. So the provision of a hose connection vacuum breaker helps mitigate that risk. And they can be installed on new hose taps. Where the hose connects with the hose steps associated with a higher hazard if it's used specifically with, for example, the new high hazard example provided for soil waste dump points where someone might be discharging foul water into a dump point you have a hose tap there to clean it down. And that would be considered a high hazard and high hazard device would be required with that hose tap.

Devin Glennie: And does the vacuum breaker apply where there is no pool? That's just a follow up on that question as well.

Ross Wakefield: Yes, yes. But for residential properties, a vacuum breaker would be sufficient protection against filling a residential pool or spa.

Devin Glennie: Another question about the lead requirements? What what how does it apply to showers baths and things like laundry tubs? What components would have to be low lead.

Ross Wakefield: Yeah, so it wouldn't apply to showers or bath shower mixers or showerheads or bath spouts for example. In recognition that these are not fixtures that are typically used for the consumption of water. And that water usually isn't left sitting in it for a long period of time. So those are some of the reasoning behind why those have been excluded and that aligns with the equivalent requirements under the watermark lead free certification regime.

Devin Glennie: All right, this couple of questions here, they're very similar, but they're asking about the 3500 standards, is it acceptable to mix and match or use portions of the standard and portions of the acceptable solution?

Ross Wakefield: So, if there was going to be a match mix and match situation that would need to be proposed to the Building Consent Authority as an alternative solution. And, and specific design considerations would need to be taken into account to make sure the system still meet the performance requirements in the Building Code.

Devin Glennie: Yep, so just to reiterate that if you're picking an acceptable solution, and it cites the standard, you're expected to comply with that fully, and if you if you can't, then it's an alternative solution. Just pick up on our last question there that we talked with the laundry tubs in our lead provisions?

Ross Wakefield: Around laundry tubs? Laundry tubs aren't specifically discussed in there but if they incorporate a tap, that could be likewise utilised on a kitchen sink. If it's a laundry tub, it's a bench mounted tap and that tap would need to comply with those provisions.

Devin Glennie: A couple of questions coming in if the webinar is going to be posted. And yes, it will be posted, the recording will be posted. In a few days, it takes a little bit of time to get it all configured and put up online. So it will be available. I'm not seeing more questions come in, there's a few that I've may have missed. But if we have missed them, we will try and address them after the webinar. And if there's answers that we can provide, we can we can do that. Unless we get anything else we may end it here.

Ross Wakefield: Yeah well thanks everyone for dialing into listening to the webinar today. And thanks to all those who provided comments and feedback during the public consultation the development of these proposed changes.

Devin Glennie: All right, well, thank you everybody. There will be an email that goes out after the webinar to just wrap it up and we will try and provide links to the recordings and things like that when it's available. So for look for those on our website.