Code of Practice
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Presentation Transcript
NZ Boundary Code of Practice
History • 1961 Drinking Water Regulations covered Backflow but was loose. • “At the discretion of the Engineer” • 2013 Replacement Legislation. • Boundary Protection for Drinking Water Supplies
1991 NZ Building ActInternal Affairs • Backflow Section G12. • Internal Protection Only. • References AS 3500 & AS 2845 • Philosophy “If internal protection at potential source of contamination no Boundary protection required”
Proactive backflow prevention • WaterSuppliers used 1961 Regulations with Installations from 1961 onwards. • Legal action between large Councils and organisations like Ports of Auckland /Hospitals were all sorted on the Court steps . • Water Managers frustrated . • Together with NZW Backflow Group approached MOH 1990
Ministry Of Health • Had concerns for some time of NZ Water Quality and Safety. • MOH required plans for Water: • Catchment. • Treatment. • Distribution. • Backflow.
Backflow GroupMOH • New Legislation. Legal Jargon “Managing the Risk” • Water Managers funded COP to guide Water Suppliers implementing bylaws • 2003 1st Code. • 2013 revised with more detail. • ONLINE VIEWING • Safety Plans NZ MOH. • Water NZ – Publications-Backflow Code of Practise
CODE OF PRACTISEPart 1 • Guide lines for Water Suppliers. • Risk Assessment • Ownership. • Device Register • Backflow Prevention Programme • Policy Statement & Bylaw
CODE OF PRACTICEPart 2 • Code of Practice for Boundary Backflow Protection. • Boundary Backflow Installations • Additional Installation • Requirements for Fire Systems • Testing Requirements • Responsible for Payment • Specific Customer • Responsibilities • Building Act Responsibilities • Removal of a Boundary Device
NEXT STEPS • Safety Plans administered by MOH through Water Assessors employed by Local District Health Boards. • Points scored effect Water Rating for Water Suppliers. • Assessors check: • Catchment • Storage • Treatment • Distribution • Backflow
WATER ASSESSORS • Enforcement • MOH have published list of all assessors listing names and which DHB they work for. • Committee has compiled this list adding contact details for committee members to share responsibility to contact & offer to make their job easier by List of questions to ask • What to watch out for • Training etc.
INTERNAL PROTECTION • Leaky homes caused tighter regulations & awareness of responsibilities. • Swing to consultants for larger builds which include backflow rather than plumbers design and build. • Local Body Inspectors multi skilled • Ex builders inspecting plumbing • Ex plumbers inspecting buildings • Backflow writing Accepted Industry Survey Course funded by Water Managers Group
CONTROVERSAL SUBJECTS 1 • Why and how did Australia allow the change to testing methods ? • NZ Backflow Group rejected changes & now list an Industry Acceptable Method of testing in G12
CONTROVERSAL SUBJECTS 2 • Why and how did Australia allow a change of S/S material that only one manufacture could supply giving that company a monopoly ? • NZ Backflow Group accepted relative ASSE standards in the COP.