26 FEATURES
as a correlation tool along large pipelines over an extensive area . You could almost say that this is acoustic detection from the sky .
Acoustics and gas detection should be used in conjunction with each other . This is why leak detection is expensive : the cost of the equipment , the technician ’ s expertise and the time taken to locate the leak . playing a numbers game . While it is company ’ s owners ’ personal choice to expand , it is worth considering that one can ’ t be in two places at once , and it would be time to employ others to assist . Good management means good quality work and service .
According to South African National Standard document SANS 3088 : 2019 – Water Efficiency In Buildings , when it comes to plumbing fixtures and fittings , paragraph 4.1.2 states that for all buildings , all water installations must comply with SANS 10252-1 along with water services by-laws where relevant .
The document also states that all plumbing systems must be in good working order and that no leaks are permissible anywhere on the premises at any inspection .
Challenges Every leak is different . Domestic leaks can take anywhere from five minutes to an entire day to find . You wouldn ’ t be the first plumber
Technician works on a leak in a pipeline .
to tell a client that you can find the leak in under ten minutes and then find yourself still hunting for it two hours later . It ’ s best not to give a time limit on how fast you may be able to find a leak . Water finds the easiest route out , not the easiest route for the plumber to find .
Another problem is not knowing where the pipework network is . This issue is particularly tricky when it comes to housing complexes , office parks and industrial areas .
Expanding your plumbing services to include leak detection is a sound business move . The bigger a company becomes , the more they are
Hurn Merrington
“ Fixing a leak really comes down to the type of client one is doing the job for .”
According to SANS 10400-P : 2010 , The application of National Building Regulations , all installations must be made by a competent person , who is defined as someone who is qualified by virtue of his education , training , experience and contextual knowledge to make a determination regarding the performance of a building or part thereof in relation to a functional regulation or to undertake such duties as may be assigned to him / her in terms of the National Building Regulations . PA
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline November 2023 Volume 29 I Number 9