Associations
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This guideline will provide critical standards
that, if followed correctly by the plumber, will
help to prevent product failure from happening.
Conversely, this document will give information
that supports technical reasons as to why a
manufacturer may void a warranty due to a non-
compliant installation.
It is worth noting that this guideline is a dynamic
document and will be updated as necessary,
along with as and when IOPSA and industry
reconvene. It is also critical for installers to
understand that compliance to all regulations
and standards applicable to a fixed electrical
water heating system are to be adhered to.
Table 1 advises those areas that are critical
to the fixed electrical water heating (geyser)
cylinder failure. All points of reference are to be
verified with the relevant manufacturer in terms
of warranty conditions to alleviate confusion,
liability, or uncertainty.
Guidelines to manufacturer
items that may lead to product
warranty void
1. Indoor hot water cylinder installed outside
(must be identified on the cylinder).
2. Electrical element burnt in air: element
warranty only.
3. Limited or no access to hot water cylinder
installation (maintenance and replacement
purposes): replacement product provided,
but installation labour for customer’s
account. Manufacturer will only provide the
cylinder.
4. Required isolating valves not installed:
cylinder will be provided and customer
must install the cylinder using his or her
own plumbing contractor.
5. Water heater cylinder has been tampered
with.
6. Water heater cylinder serial plate has been
tampered with or is missing.
7. Water heater cylinder has been removed
from the installation.
8. All components installed in conjunction
with the hot water cylinder must
be approved components as per
manufacturer specifications; if ‘grey’
product components are used the
warranty will be void.
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9. If the incorrect support structure is in
place, the manufacturer will only provide a
cylinder replacement. The installation cost
will be for the consumer’s own account,
using his or her own plumbing contractor.
The same goes for cylinders mounted on
an incorrect wall support.
NOTE
1. This is only a guideline to industry and
users must always refer to current
regulations and standards.
2. This guideline does not exclude the
supply chain from liability of compliance
in any manner. Installers must issue a
Notice of Non-compliance to property
owners, as required by regulation.
3. Solar geyser and heat pump installations
have been excluded from this guideline
at this point.
4. This guideline is subject to the
manufacturers’ (water heater cylinder
and valves) installation instructions.
Recommendations
1. Compliance of an electrical water heater
system installation should be included in
manufacturer warranty conditions going
forward. Change the behaviour of the
entire supply chain to ensure that the
regulation requirements are met; therefore,
ensuring the protection of the public and
the environment.
2. Clear guideline to industry of how to bring
an existing electrical water heater system
installation into being compliant.
3. Create an understanding of installations
where specific conditions may affect
voiding a warranty claim:
a. Amendments to regulations/standards
related to installation date.
b. Water heater cylinder not being
SANS 151 accredited (SABS approved)
at time of installation.
c. Solar water heater system not being
SANS 1307 accredited (SABS approved)
at time of installation.
d. Requirements of all solar system panel
and cylinder configurations being SANS
accredited (SABS approved).
For more information, please visit the
IOPSA website at www.iopsa.org or contact
08610 PLUMBER. PA
August 2017 Volume 23 I Number 6