Plumbing Africa February 2018 | Page 65

ASSOCIATIONS 63 SANS 10254 “Starting 2018 on a positive note” is something all registered plumbers in South Africa could say, with the release of the latest edition of SANS 10254 for the installation, maintenance, replacement, and repair of fixed electric storage water heating systems. By IOPSA As plumbers, we sometimes find it difficult to keep up to date with the requirements of the SANS standards and may feel that changes to the standards will cause a world of confusion and frustration in an already challenging work environment. This is certainly not the case with the changes to SANS 10254. If anything, the changes have made the standard easier to understand and brings it in line with some of the other current standards, such as 10106 and 1352 for solar and heat pump installations. Over the next few months, we will be going into more detail on the changes to better explain the requirements, but for now we will only be looking at a key change to the standard that may have the greatest effect on all geyser installations. This key change in SANS 10254 requires that, on completion of a geyser installation, maintenance, or replacement of components, a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from the professional body for plumbers — this being the Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB) — in terms of the relevant national legislation shall be issued to the owner of the installation or the body requiring such a certificate, along with a written notice of any non-compliances. non-compliance notice informing the geyser owner of compliance issues. This calls for plumbers to upskill themselves and ensure that when completing work on a geyser, they understand the requirements of the standard not only to issue a CoC, but also to be able to note all non-compliances on the installation. The issuing of a PIRB CoC has been a requirement of SANS 10106 for solar geysers since 2014 and SANS 1352 for heat pumps since 2012, so the inclusion of the CoC requirement to SANS 10254 ensures that all hot water cylinder installation requirements are aligned to promote and uplift the quality of installation work and protect the well-being of the consumer and the environment. IOPSA is available to assist all its member to ensure they understand the requirements of the standards and the changes to SANS 10254. IOPSA has a compliance table, warranty, and geyser failure guideline documents available to all members, free of charge. IOPSA can also assist and advise members on all the training available to plumbers to uplift their skills and ensure their growth in the industry. PA In simple terms, plumbers are now required to issue a PIRB CoC for all work on a geyser, along with a We value your opinions and suggestions, so, we invite all of our readers to get in touch with any compliments, complaints, ideas, thoughts or industry-related news. To the editor We are also looking for participation in projects and innovative products or techniques for the industry, and would love to be at your events too! So get in touch with us: [email protected], or +27 (0) 11 579 4940 www.plumbingafrica.co.za February 2018 Volume 23 I Number 12