Plumbing Africa March 2018 | Page 47

BUSINESS AND TRAINING 45 PIRB requirements for CoC geyser installations We share information on complying with the changes to SANS 10254. By Sam Dubazana COMPLIANCE AND INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS Compliance refers to an agreement between the South African regulatory body and plumbing industry regarding the purpose of safety methods to prevent the public and domestic property from being harmed by plumbers when they do installations, replacement, or repair of a fixed electric storage water heater (a standard geyser), especially the high-pressure systems. The plumbing sector — especially the insurance companies, the Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB), and their service providers — often misconstrues this agreement. There is no clear information about who is accountable and responsible for the activities performed by plumbers or service providers when installation, replacement, and repair is done according to the agreement standards and requirements. In order to track the installation, the PIRB is enforcing the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) on their members in case of geyser damage to the property. Some of the queries raised are: • What action will the PIRB take if one of their members is found failing to comply with the agreement. • What will the insurance service provider do if members of the PIRB are found guilty of failure to comply. • What is the role or function of the geyser manufacturer in this regard. www.plumbingafrica.co.za CONTROL OF PLUMBERS AND PLUMBING WORK The plumbing compliance certificate requirement, according to the National Building Regulations (NBR), local council by- laws, and the SABS, is that: 1. No person shall perform the trade of plumbing as contemplated in Government Notice No. R1875 of 31 August 1979 unless he or she is a trained plumber or works under the adequate control of a trained plumber or approved competent person. 2. Where any person who is not a trained plumber has been practising the trade of plumbing and was required in terms of any local authority by-law to register with it before so practising in the area of jurisdiction, he or she may, if so registered, continue to practice in such area or the area of any other local authority if such registration is acceptable to such other local authority. 3. Any person not being a trained plumber, or a person contemplated in sub- regulation (2) above and who practices the trade of plumbing, shall be guilty of an offence. Sam Dubazana Sam Dubazana is the founder and director of The Plumbing Academy. He is a member of IOPSA and an accredited facilitator, assessor, and moderator through CETA and NAMB. He gives back to the plumbing community by partnering with the local plumbing entrepreneurs to assist in the development of plumbing artisans and plumbing entrepreneurs. So, to my understanding, this indicates that all insurance service providers will need to use a qualified person to comply with the law. PA Compliance refers to an agreement between regulators and industry. March 2018 Volume 24 I Number 1