IOPSA 57
A closer look at the amendments to SANS 10254
The first amendments for discussion relate to the scope of SANS 10254.
By
Mark de Wet
1. SCOPE 1.3 This standard applies to all water heaters that fall within the scope of SANS 151, including the storage tanks of solar water heaters that fall within the scope of SANS 1307, and storage tanks for heat pump systems and gas water heating systems.
( COC) is required for all gas installations, so the plumber will be required to submit his PIRB COC and receive a COC from the registered gas installer to ensure full compliance when doing gas water heater installations. PA
Amendment:“… and gas water heating systems.” This may seem to be a minor amendment, but it will play a vital role in ensuring that gas water heating systems comply with the SANS requirement.
With many South Africans looking at substitutes for energy saving, gas is becoming a popular choice as an alternative energy used for water heating, with many new developments being required to do away with conventional water heating to meet the XA requirements.
We have seen in the past that with anything new to the industry, the market gets flooded with imported products that do not meet the requirements of SANS, causing endless confusion and problems on site for plumbers.
Although gas water heaters have been available in South Africa for several years, it is not seen as your everyday water heating option. This, however, has changed in the past few years with gas water heaters becoming increasingly popular.
• With gas water heating systems being added to the scope of SANS 10254, it will ensure safer installation practice, protecting the health and safety of the public and the plumber.
• Great care should also be exercised when plumbers do gas geyser installations. The flow rates and balance pressure requirements need to be considered and the manufacturer’ s requirements always need to form part of your installation to ensure not only compliance to the SANS standards, but also manufacturer’ s warranty requirements.
• The gas supply to the water heater also needs to be completed by a registered LPGas installer and should not be undertaken by anyone who is not qualified in the field. A certificate of compliance
Mark de Wet
Mark de Wet is the national technical manager at IOPSA. He is a qualified plumber and registered gas installer. He also sits on the SABS technical committees and working groups on behalf of IOPSA and the IOPSA National Executive Board, as well as being a PIRB inspector.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za March 2018 Volume 24 I Number 1