Page 29 - HW May 2022

“We’ve got to increase the numbers of employers or businesses taking on apprentices, because really apprentices are the only solution to the labour crisis right now.”
What sort of proportion of Master Plumbers members have apprentices?
“In the overall construction industry, only 10% employ apprentices. In our industry, it’s about 27%, but that is far too low,” admits Greg.
With the broader construction sector all competing to attract basically the same talent pool, this shortage is also putting pressure on wages and Greg Wallace glumly foresees that this situation will only get worse.
APPROVAL DELAYS? DO IT YOURSELF!
Master Plumbers’ second most pressing concern is the delays caused by both the supply chain and the speed of approval and consenting processes.
Not actually related to plumbing products, the plumbers’ main supply chain issues currently relate to builders having to put renovations on hold due to shortages of particularly timber and plasterboard.
As a result, “Completion rates are nowhere near where they should be for renovations.”
Not much the plumbers can do about that situation, but they have set about working towards a solution to another issue – the speed of approvals and delays in consenting – which Greg Wallace says have reached “record levels and are costing the industry millions and millions of dollars a day.”
Master Plumbers are therefore working towards self- verification – oddly something that their gasfitter members already have in their toolbox but plumbers and drainlayers don’t.
“We believe is that a licensed tradesperson should be responsible for their own workmanship,” says Greg Wallace.
“We have self-certification for gasfitters, but we don’t have it for plumbers and drainlayers, who are often the same person! A gasfitter can self-certify. But a plumber can’t.
“So, when we’re dealing with a flammable material like natural gas or LPG, we’re deemed as responsible to self-certify, but when we’re dealing with water or waste, we’re not.”
So Master Plumbers is working with MBIE as co-funders and a project team managed by Tuhura Partners towards a pilot scheme with Hamilton, Tauranga and Christchurch City Councils, using digital technology, including the Artisan app developed by BRANZ, to speed up inspections and consent approvals.
Admitting some pain around the speed with which these
wet areas – bathroom & laundry
Where to for plumbing among the Building Code changes?
On 2 May, MBIE opened consultation on proposed changes to
the Building Code Acceptable Solutions and Verification Methods covering plumbing and drainage (as well as protection from fire and structural stability of hollow-core floors).
The proposed changes for plumbing and drainage look to limit the allowable lead content in certain plumbing products, reduce the risk of hot water scalding injuries (by proposing to lower the maximum hot water delivery temperatures for most buildings from 55°C to 50°C), and protect potable water supplies from backflow contamination.
Of particular interest for suppliers is the proposal to reduce the maximum allowable lead content for certain plumbing products to align with changes being made in Australia.
MBIE is proposing to limit the allowable lead content in plumbing products which contain copper alloys and are intended for use in contact with drinking water to not more than 0.25%.
This change would affect pipe fittings, valves, taps, mixers, water heaters and water meters and their lead content would need to be verified through a test report from an accredited laboratory.
These and other proposed changes – including recognition of “WaterMarked products”, the only products Australian licensed plumbers are allowed to install – will also usefully bring the NZ plumbing regime into closer alignment with Australia.
The transition period is proposed to end on 1 September 2025 – at the same time as equivalent requirements come into force in Australia.
Consultation on the proposed amendments to the Building Code runs from 2 May to 1 July 2022 and final decisions on the changes will be made later this year.
You can have your say at the following URL:
www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/building-code-update-2022
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MAY 2022 | NZHJ 27