12 ASSOCIATIONS
The importance of IOPSA and PIRB : Why they exist !
By
Rory Macnamara
Lawlessness is described as “ a state of disorder due to a disregard of the law ”. Usually referred in the context of a country and its people , but for this article we relate to our industry and indicating how downright dangerous some so-called ‘ plumbers ’ are and their disregard for the safety and health of people .
Those who spend their time criticising the official bodies need to take heed of this , and these are not isolated cases – of that we are certain . For those who do follow the law and are prepared to stand up and be counted by their peers and have their installations audited , continue the good work . No one in their right mind would want to be associated with the installation that this article is about . We are intentionally omitting names and places at the request of the Body Corporate as well as those who had the courage to stand up and say no ! were found to be refurbished and illegal . The electrical installation , if it can be called that , was ‘ shocking ’ to say the least . No doubt another reason the insurance company refused cover !
As our readers and viewers will know , Plumbing Africa has been banging on about illegal geysers and have started naming and shaming merchants , hardware stores and other dubious operators who carry these items . We have also now gone to the ‘ belly of the beast ’, and have received zero acknowledgement and response in spite of them being warned we are going public with this .
All photos by IOPSA
Figures 1 to 3 : Illegal geysers
Those who spend their time criticising the official bodies need to take heed of this , and these are not isolated cases – of that we are certain . For those who do follow the law and are prepared to stand up and be counted by their peers and have their installations audited , continue the good work . No one in their right mind would want to be associated with the installation that this article is about . We are intentionally omitting names and places at the request of the Body Corporate as well as those who had the courage to stand up and say no !
These illegal geysers ( See figures 1 to 3 ) were installed in a complex and the Body Corporate sought insurance cover on the geysers and the usual building cover . Credit to the insurance company official who took one look at the installation and refused point blank to insure the geysers . This was a 54-unit complex , where 29 geysers
It all started with a call from a concerned IOPSA member and PIRB registered plumber who had been asked to provide an inspection report on the illegal geysers . Had the insurance company not acted in the way they did , this may not have been discovered and the consequences just cannot be contemplated .
The inspection was done , and a report duly provided . Understandably neither the broker nor the Body Corporate wanted the media involved , so we were unable to take photos so whilst the photos show the poor installation , they were taken with a cell phone but are perfectly suitable for the article .
The law is clear , the standards are compulsory , the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications ( NRCS ) has issued a notice about these illegal geysers
Sso wherein lies the problem ? Unqualified and incompetent people who call themselves plumbers ( we doubt whether an electrician was even involved ), the store which sold these illegal geysers and a body corporate who allowed this to happen . Each one broke the law in one way or another . For body corporates – remember your responsibility is to ensure compliance with the law
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2021 Volume 26 I Number 11