TECHNICAL
65
Hot water heating
systems
By Mark de Wet
SANS is just as important as the installation itself in terms of
product requirements.
So, we all believe we understand the hot water
geyser installations and all the requirements, but do
we really follow all the rules and standards when
doing an installation? With so many non-SABS
products out on the market today, are we sure that
the products and materials we install conform
to the standards? Do we ensure that we perform
the installation in such a way that not only the
installation complies to the standards, but the actual
product and materials also comply with the SANS
requirements to ensure that we as plumbers are
covered in all aspects of the installation?
With so many non-compliant installations having been
done, we are required to ensure that we understand
SANS 10254. When we come across unsafe and non-
compliant installations, we c an make the consumer
aware of the risks of having a non-compliant installation.
The first point to look at in SANS 10254 is “The
installation, maintenance, replacement, and repair of
fixed electric storage water heating systems in the
scope.” The scope makes it clear that the standard
applies to all water heaters that fall within the scope of
SANS 151. It also refers to SANS 1307 for storage tanks
and solar water heaters, but we will focus on electric
water heaters only.
All electric water heating units then need to comply
with SANS 151.The first questions to ask when
purchasing a geyser is whether this product complies
with the requirements of SANS 151, and has the
unit been tested and approved to the standard. It is
unnecessary for a plumber to understand every part of
SANS 151, but you are required to know the overview
of this standard and other standard requirements
referred to in SANS 10254, to ensure that the products
you install are approved for South African installation.
Some manufacturers and importers supplying
products to the plumbing industry state that their
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
products conform to an international standard or to
SANS 60335-2-21 and, therefore, do not also require
approval of compliance to the SANS 151 standard. This
is incorrect, as SANS 60335-2-21 forms only a part of
SANS 151, and the unit will still need to comply fully
with SANS 151.
We can also take it a step further, by supporting that
the unit needs to comply with the complete standard
requirement of SANS 151; the Water Services Act;
the Pressure Equipment Regulations; and the National
Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, compulsory
specification VC9006, which all require that the
fixed electric storage water heater must comply with
SANS 151.
To ensure that the product complies with the required
standards, the easiest way is to look for the SABS mark
on the product; however, this method is not foolproof, as
we all know how easy it is to print and attach a sticker
without having the paperwork. The best way to ensure
that the product is in fact approved is to ask the supplier
to provide you with a copy of the SABS mark certificate
from the manufacturer or importer of the product,
stating that it conforms to the standard requirements.
However, the second page schedule should also
accompany the SABS mark certificate, as it provides
all the required details as to which product exactly is
approved. Nevertheless, if a product does not have
the SABS certification, it must be tested to SANS 151
and listed with JASWIC, who maintains the accepted
list of components that may be installed in the local
municipality’s area of jurisdiction.
You as the plumbers are responsible and liable for
damages if you install a non-compliant product in
terms of the OHS Act and the Consumer Protection Act.
The only way we as plumbers can protect ourselves
and eliminate non-approved products on the market
is to demand that the products we are supplied by the
Mark de Wet
Mark de Wet is the national
technical manager at
IOPSA. He is a qualified
plumber and registered gas
installer. He also sits on the
SABS technical committees
and working groups on
behalf of IOPSA and the
IOPSA National Executive
Board, as well as being a
PIRB inspector.
Continued on page 67
August 2017 Volume 23 I Number 6