36 TECHNICAL
12 Months in a nutshell
By Patrick Gordon of Calafrica ( technical @ calafrica . co . za )
For the last twelve months we have often spoken about the Geyser Pressure Control Valve and what should or should not happen .
You will recall that every installation should have a specific isolating valve where the water enters the building ( May 2022 ). We also discussed why your geyser valve seems to be faulty when it drips . As we mentioned the geyser is going to drip while the water is being heated due to the expansion of the water and hence the increase in pressure ( October 2021 ) and how to do a quick fault finding on the valve before you do any repairs ( January 2022 ). The other fear that people have is that they will lose the compliance on the valve if they have opened it or worked on it ( April 2022 ). We also discussed what the correct orientation of the Pressure Conrol Valve should be ( September 2022 ), am I allowed to install it upside down . What is the correct way up ?
We also looked at the Push-Thru geyser type installation and what we need to do to make sure that the system complies with the installation standards and our customer / families are safe ( November 2022 ).
We also covered the topic of RPZ ( Reduced Pressure Zone ) Backflow preventers ( September 2021 What is Backflow ) and ( August 2022 Where should it be installed ).
These are but an extract of what has been published – if you have missed any issues please go to the following link : https :// plumbingafrica . co . za / digital-archive / to catch up .
You are welcome to contact the writer for any further information at patrick . gordon @ calafrica . co . za . PA
“… what should or should not happen .”
Plumbing Apprentices success series
Source
BluLever Education , edited by Rory Macnamara
Real change is happening : we present stories of positive change for young plumbing apprentices and the industry as we share the successes of the first group of plumbing apprentices from the BluLever Education programme .
BluLever
Siyabonga Sithole ( Siya ) age 27 , earned a living as a casual labourer before being selected through the Harambee process and then one of those chosen to enter the Leadership Base Camp , a BluLever initiative .
As with all the group arriving at base camp , they are nervous , apprehensive , and unsure of what they are getting into !
Siya was no different and his nervousness earned him the title of “ Class Clown .” Nonetheless , by the end of the camp he was awarded the “ Most Improved Apprentice .” Always in the
front row and asking questions contributed to him earning the award . Whether Class Clown stuck after this we do not know !
However , he joined QPS Plumbing for his Employer Based Learning , and his employer also noted Siya ’ s curiosity , willingness to learn and work ethic . This has encouraged QPS Plumbing to request more apprentices .
Importantly , his personal growth is reflected in his earning potential . Over the five years Siya has experienced a 190 % earnings increase from his days as a casual labourer to a qualified plumber .
Obviously this holds great promise for his personal journey as a professional plumber . PA
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2023 Volume 28 I Number 11