6 ASSOCIATIONS
The four Ps of Plumbing
By
Rory Macnamara
Way back in 2019 the World Plumbing Council Conference in Melbourne based its conference on the Four Pillars of Plumbing .
Much work had been done before the event , carefully ensuring that the outcomes would be meaningful to the plumbing industry and plumbers with the end user being the beneficiary .
Plumbing Africa has adopted the “ four Ps ” in its content structure as we believe these exemplify plumbing in its truest sense .
“ Instead of embracing standards , some try to subvert them , instead of driving compliance some try the non-compliant route .” This is a quote from the early discussions and what set the path to end up with the four Ps .
It is of no consequence where one is practising the trade of plumbing – supply and removal of water and waste is necessary in any country in the world . What is of consequence is that the trade is practiced professionally by qualified people for the sole purpose of the health and safety of all people .
Participation If we have any hope of maintaining and improving water conditions and solving “ water poverty ” in this country , we need first class training to enable us to raise awareness of the role of the plumber at school level .
We need to attract , train , and retain plumbing professionals .
Plumbing is an elevated risk ; every connection has the potential of risk and inadequately trained people increase the risk to the consumer and themselves .
There are pockets of excellence in training and while this is to be celebrated , the question must be , why pockets , why not the whole suit ?
So , we are not doing that well in the participation stakes , we need a concerted effort by official bodies , Dept of Higher Education , qualified plumbers , owners of businesses , suppliers , Dept of Basic Education , NGOs , etc . this is not confined to plumbing only but to all the trades .
Practices Apart from ensuring that only qualified people enter the industry , equally critical is the application of the compulsory standards and should the Local Authority choose to make a voluntary standard ` through bylaws – they can do so but with good reason or they may face court action ! The gap between non-compliance and compliance is creating a huge risk for the consumer which could come all the way down the supply chain . Just as compliance is critical so is enforcement . We lack in both areas . If every company had a risk management programme , compliance would be first and if such companies referred to risk management when discussing plumbing with the client rather than fighting cheap prices , this may well change the perception .
Our standards in some cases are out of date . Materials and technology are improving at a fast pace and standards are not keeping up with these changes .
Products Manufacturers invest enormous amounts of money in ensuring their products are compliant and stand by those products . Yes , these products cost more but one does not have to replace non-compliant products regularly at a long-term cost which is more than the cost of compliant products .
The value of plumbing products sold worldwide is estimated to be more than $ 80Billion ( WPC 4P ’ s working document ) and has grown since 2019 .
With the markets opening and trade becoming freer and bringing with it sub-standard products using inferior materials , the big question asked was , “ How do we help industries put systems and processes in place that allow certified products to enter the market , without stifling the market and potentially creating anti-competitive behaviour ?”
Anti-competitive does not mean allowing a market and the economy to be uncontrolled impacting on health and safety . SABS has a clear SABS / Competition Commission document which must be read in conjunction with standards being set , revised , and requiring amendment if found to be in contravention of the Competitions Act .
Standards are voluntary until called up into Law by an Act of Parliament . They then become compulsory / mandatory .
Agreement SA is doing excellent work in certifying non-standardised and innovative products . So , when designing and installing , cover yourself by looking at both SANS and Agreement SA .
The introduction of SA Watermark is a further opportunity to credit products . I have learnt from a reliable source that the latter is going through a rethink , and we should hear feedback shortly .
The planned WATER section in the National Building Regulations should be an added advantage eliminating the nonsensical NRCS and DWS stand-off at the expense of the consumer , inspector , and plumber .
Credit to those who , against formidable odds of non-compliance , continue to retain their SANS accreditation from one of the four SANAS approved certification bodies .
From that aspect we are doing well . To improve compliance the official bodies should lodge a complaint against non-compliant products , which just by being non-compliant are in fact engaging in anti-competitive behaviour in relation to compulsory standards .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline July 2022 Volume 28 I Number 5