Water supply FAQs
There is no distance referenced in the standards. A TPR drain must terminate in a position that does not pose a risk to a person operating the TPR valve.
No, this pipe is a drain not a hot water pipe. Refer to manufacturer’s installation instructions for conformation.
There are no temperature limitations for kitchen sinks or laundry troughs. The NCC refers to personal hygiene fixtures being baths, showers and basins.
Yes, the maximum water temperature requirements have been removed from the standard and escalated to the Plumbing Code of Australia 2022, under Part B, VIC B2D5.
No, a thermostatic valve or thermostatic tap is required when the water temperature requirements are 45 degrees. Refer to Volume 3 of the National Construction Codes (NCC) volume 3 clause B2D5 for temperature requirements and B2D6 for how to achieve these temperature requirements.
Yes, it is the utility network operator’s jurisdiction for the type of devise they require to protect their asset. This is referred to as containment protection.
There are no temperature limitations for tempering water to kitchen sinks or laundry troughs in aged care facilities.
No. Where a hot water unit (HWU) is located at ground level, the standard requires the HWU to be supported on a level, stable and impervious base designed and located to avoid ponding.
Note, that the standard does not make provision for chocking or blocking of the HWU or base to achieve a level installation.
Unconcealed water storage tanks, installed inside buildings on or above a floor surface that is impervious to water and suitably drained to a trapped or untrapped floor drain or an external doorway, do not require safe trays.
AS/NZS 3500.4 clause 5.4.2 No, a mains pressure water heater with a leak protection device fitted adjacent to the cold-water inlet and upstream of any expansion control valve does not require a safe waste outlet/drain.
AS/NZS 3500.4 clause 5.5.3 Yes, bonded brick or concrete cast in situ, having a thickness of not less than 75 mm.
No, closed cell polymer lagging shall be installed, clause 4.11.5 & section 8 AS/NZS 3500.4
Not recommended as providing access is without hazard, undue difficulty, or use of a tool (a ladder is considered a tool) Each thermostatic mixing valve and each associated valve, pressure control or temperature control shall be readily accessible.
AS/NZS 3500.1 clause 4.6.2.2 No not unless they are readily accessible, access without hazard, undue difficulty, or use of a tool. All devices shall be readily accessible for ease of maintenance or testing without the need to work from ladders or scaffolding.
AS/NZS 3500.1 clause 2.5.3 Plastics pipes and fittings shall not be used to support valves, meters or associated pipes and fittings
Lagging each pipe hot and cold in 25mm closed cell foam insulation within the plastic conduit would be acceptable, to reduce the possibility of noise from the unclipped pipework, and achieve the required separation. This method should only be used where there is no other viable alternate method available, such as to an island kitchen bench. The conduit should extend vertically on each side and be as short as possible. Preferred method is that each pipe hot and cold could be placed unlagged in an individual smaller conduit, which may be easier to embed in a concrete slab prior to construction, than one larger pipe.
All tanks shall be installed on bases, plinths or supports designed to adequately support the weight of any such tank and its contents when filled to maximum capacity. Keeping in mind that 1,000 litres of water weigh in at 1,000 kilograms. The practitioner needs to meet the manufacturers specifications and suit the ground conditions. Manufacturers suggest best options are bases made of concrete or boxed compacted crusher dust.
AS/NZS 3500.1, Clause 3.3.4 The maximum static pressure at any outlet, other than a fire service outlet, within a building shall not exceed 500 kPa. A pressure limiting valve is not required where the mains pressure does not exceed 500kPa.
AS/NZS 3500.1 clause 17.3 Water services shall not show any leakage when subjected to a hydrostatic pressure of 1 500 kPa for a period of not less than 30 min.
AS/NZS 3500.1 clause 3.3.2 The minimum working pressure at the furthermost or most disadvantaged fixture or outlet shall be not less than 50 kPa.
No. Any product intended for use in contact with drinking water must comply with AS/NZS 4020, verified in the form of either A test report provided by an Accredited Testing Laboratory, in accordance with AS/NZS 4020 A WaterMark licence issued in accordance with (3), if it includes compliance with AS/NZS 4020 (3) A product of a type listed on the Watermark Schedule of Products is deemed to be fit for purpose if it has a WaterMark licence issued in accordance with WaterMark Scheme Rules.