Roofing (stormwater)
What is Roofing (stormwater) work?
Get to know the regulation
Under Part 4 of the Plumbing Regulations 2018, Roofing (stormwater) work is the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of any roof covering or roof flashing, or any part of a roof drainage system involved in the collection or disposal of stormwater and includes:
- the connection of any stormwater piping to:
- a below-ground stormwater drain; or
- an on-site retention tank; and
- any design work that is incidental to, or associated with, any work described in this subregulation.
Roofing (stormwater) work does not include:
- any cleaning, painting or preparation work in relation to any item, device or equipment involved in the collection or disposal of stormwater other than the connection, disconnection or alteration of that item, device or equipment
- the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of any roof covering consisting of non-metallic tiles, timber, concrete, glass, bitumen or slate
- any work on a membrane applied to a roof covering or roof flashing; or
- any work referred to in subregulation (1) that is carried out in relation to a freestanding Class 10a building that has a floor area not exceeding 10 m2 except where the Class 10a building requires connection to a below-ground drain or retention tank.
Typical Roofing (stormwater) work
Roof plumbing work involves a roof drainage system that collects and disposes of stormwater. Many factors affect how quickly water drains off a roof, if water drains completely and if the roof is watertight. A roof drainage system usually comprises gutters, eaves and downpipes.
Experienced Roofing (stormwater) plumbers typically do the following work (and more):
- installing eaves gutters
- fabricating and installing downpipes
- installing box gutters, outlets, overflows, rain heads and sumps
- installing drains above ground and downpipes for the roof drainage system
- installing flashings such as soaker, step, apron, valley, ridge, pressure and side flashings
- installing flash penetrations to fixtures such as vent pipes, skylights, air conditioning units, flues and exhaust fans
- installing rainwater tanks to collect drinking water
- laying and securing metal roof sheeting safely.
What do Roofing (stormwater) plumbers need to know and do?
Roofing plumbers must understand how water behaves under different conditions, including wind, heat and cold. They must also understand fundamental roofing principles such as capillary action and electrolysis. They must be comfortable working outdoors and at heights. What does this mean for you?
As a registered practitioner, you must be able to understand and apply the compliance requirements of Roofing (stormwater) plumbing work.
These requirements include:
- AS3500 National Plumbing and Drainage Code
- HB 39 Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding
- HB 114 Guidelines for the design of eaves and box gutters.
To undertake Roofing (stormwater) work to a safe and competent standard, you must also be able to:
- work safely at heights, including on scaffolding or elevated work platforms
- know the different types of roof flashing and how they differ
- know which roof materials are not compatible
- perform calculations and measurements necessary to use roofing materials and install a roofing systems.
What competencies and experience do you need?
The VBA publishes a set of units of competency for each class of plumbing work. Each unit of competency describes a work outcome, all the knowledge and skills needed to do the work to the expected standard, and how they should be assessed.
The VBA uses the units of competency to assess your skills and experience if you apply to register in a class of plumbing work.
To be eligible to register in the Roofing (stormwater) class, you must be able to show:
- you have the relevant competencies plus recent and relevant experience in work related to the Roofing (Stormwater) class of plumbing, or
- you have knowledge equal to the competencies for Roofing (stormwater) work of Certificate III, plus at least four years of experience while working under the supervision of a plumber who is licensed in Roofing (stormwater) work.
Before applying for registration or licensing, please read the current approved units of competency for Roofing (stormwater).