ASSOCIATIONS 15
Figures 10 and 11 : Safety valve discharge pipes were installed with 90 degree bends , instead of 45 degree bends .
Figures 12 and 13 : Pipework was soldered .
Figure 14 : No vacuum control valve was installed on the hot water outlet of the geyser .
Figure 15 : Pipes installed for water reticulation were not sufficiently anchored or secured .
The compliance auditor ’ s overview was as follows : 1 . No LOA certificate for the refurbished geysers was available . ( Not optional .) 2 . The geysers had no labels / serial plates ( see figure 4 ) 3 . The installer was not a registered plumber therefore could not issue a Certificate of Compliance .
4 . Some of the refurbished geysers were connected to heat pumps . It is important to note that all storage water heaters and heat pumps shall be installed , repaired , and replaced or upgraded to comply with the relevant normative SANS ( see box ).
5 . Only a person qualified to install , repair , and maintain heat pumps , and is registered with the PIRB with such a designation , may be allowed to safely action such work and on these types of systems .
6 . It is a legal requirement that such persons shall issue a CoC and notify the user or owner of any non-compliance .
7 . The compliance auditor was led to believe that this was not the case in this instance therefore exposing potential great risk .
8 . Some geysers were found installed in groups of two and three connected in series , where only one geyser was fitted with a temperature and pressure valve ( T & P ) ( safety valve ) instead of a safety valve on each geysers ( Figure 5 ).
9 . This unsafe practice may result in the geyser over pressurising / overheating and exploding , which may cause serious / fatal injuries to occupants / consumers as well as serious damage to property .
“ 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 .”
January 2021 Volume 26 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za