Consultation on gazetting the competencies required for registration and licensing

Transcription

1 Consultation on gazetting the competencies required for registration and licensing PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENT Approved 14 February 2012 Version 1.0

2 Contents Purpose 1 Background 1 Proposal 1 Process 2 Making a submission 2 Submission form 3 Appendix 4 Purpose The Board is consulting on its proposal to include the competencies set out in the appendix (the competencies) as the contents of Gazette notices. In doing so, it seeks the views of people it considers can represent the views of plumbers, gasfitters, or drainlayers, or of classes of these tradespeople, and with organisations that it considers will be substantially affected by its proposal or whose members will be. Background The purposes of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 (the Act) are: to protect the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring the competency of persons engaged in the provision of sanitary plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying services; and to regulate persons who carry out sanitary plumbing, gasfitting, and drainlaying. To comply with purposes of the Act, and to carry out its functions, the Board considers it important that there are minimum standards of competency required of people who wish to be registered and licensed as plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers. Since 2010, the Board has been reviewing, developing, and consulting on the competencies for plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers. On 26 July 2011, the Board adopted the competencies, deciding to publish them by way of policy rather than in the Gazette. However, having furthered considered submissions received, the Board has now reconsidered this decision and would prefer to publish the competencies, under section 30 of the Act, in Gazette notices. Key milestones achieved 5-6 July 2010 Industry Advisory Groups (IAGs) consider the development of new competencies July 2010 Board approves draft competencies for consultation and reference to the Technical Committee for analysis. 1 November - 10 December 2010 Public consultation undertaken on the basis the competencies would be gazetted, 20 nationwide meetings, 84 submissions received. 1 February 2011 Board considers consultation feedback, makes changes, and refers competencies to IAGs. 8-9 March 2011 IAGs review and develop descriptors and recommend changes to competencies. 29 March 2011 Board accepts IAGs recommendations. 13 June - 1 July 2011 Further round of consultation, 89 submissions received. 26 July 2011 Board considers consultation responses, adopts competencies, and decides to publish competencies by way of policy rather than in Gazette notices. 14 February 2011 Board decides it would prefer to publish the competencies in Gazette notices and to consult on this proposal. 1

3 Proposal Making a submission The Board proposes to publish the competencies in Gazette notices. The Board is seeking feedback on this proposal. Process Before it makes a final decision as to whether or not to publish the competencies in Gazette notices, the Board is consulting on its proposal as follows: 1. It is advising tradespeople and organisations that the Board considers will be substantially affected by its proposal, or whose members will be, of its proposal, the consultation period, and the ways in which submissions may be made. This advice is being provided by way of: notification on its website, letter to all currently authorised plumbers, gasfitters, and drainlayers, at their notified addresses letter to organisations that the Board considers will be substantially affected by its proposal or whose members will be. 2. The Board is also placing a copy of this consultation document on its website, and will send hard copies to people on request. 3. At its meeting on 15 May 2012, the Board will consider submissions received. It will then decide whether to proceed with publishing the competencies in Gazette notices or whether it will take some other action. 4. As soon as possible following the Board s meeting on 15 May 2012, the Board will advise of the outcome of its deliberations by: Submissions on the Board s proposal are welcomed and must be received by 5pm on Thursday 5 April There are three ways you can make a submission... you can complete an online submission at you can send your written submission by to submissions@pgdb.co.nz you can mail your submission to: The Registrar, PGDB, PO Box 10655, Wellington When responding please be specific about whether you do or do not agree with the Board s proposal. If there is not enough room on the form, please feel free to attach your response on separate sheets. Did you know that you can now make your submission online? Visit to find out how... directly contacting submitters publishing its decision on the Board s website. 2

4 Submission form Question 1. Do you agree with the Board s proposal to publish notices in the Gazette under section 30 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 that prescribe the competencies as minimum standards of registration? (please circle) YES / NO If no, please explain why, and describe alternatives you think the Board should consider. Your contact details Name: Registration number (if applicable): Organisation: Address: Phone: Thank you for your submission. The Board appreciates the time you have taken to make your submission and can assure you that it will be carefully considered. Privacy statement The Board may publish submissions on the Board s website. If you do not want your personal details to be included, please tick the following box 3

5 Appendix - competencies required for registration and licensing Adopted by the Board on 26 July Licensed plumber The applicant must demonstrate knowledge and, have the experience and practical ability to install, test, commission, fault-find and maintain sanitary plumbing systems by means of the following competencies. 1. Trade calculations and trade sciences a. Estimation, measurement and calculation using measurement systems b. Application of formulae c. Physics laws as they relate to sanitary plumbing d. Hydraulic principles e. Expansion and contraction f. Corrosion protection g. Water quality h. Density i. Energy transfer 2. Limitations and applications of materials used in sanitary plumbing, including material protection and jointing methods a. Copper b. PVC c. Polybutylene (PB) d. Polyethylene (PE) e. Mild steel f. Stainless steel g. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) h. Polypropylene i. Cross linked polyethylene j. Brass/bronze k. Cast iron l. Sheet metal m. Lead n. Glass o. Use of tools and equipment 3. Drawings and specifications for sanitary plumbing a. Interpreting plans and specifications b. Drawing as-built c. Development of patterns 4. Installation, testing, commissioning, faultfinding and maintenance of water services for sanitary plumbing a. Pipe sizing principles b. Hot and cold water reticulation systems c. Water storage systems d. Domestic fire sprinkler systems e. Rainwater harvesting f. Pumps g. Sanitary appliances and fixtures h. Backflow prevention i. Heating systems that relate to sanitary plumbing i. Hot water systems ii. Solar water heating j. Alternative water supplies 5. Installation, testing, commissioning, faultfinding and maintenance of foul water systems for sanitary plumbing systems a. Principles of sizing and venting for foul water plumbing systems b. Pumps c. Sanitary appliances and fixtures d. Backflow prevention e. Irrigation systems 4

6 6. Access to, and application of, relevant documentation relating to sanitary plumbing to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment a. Acts and regulations b. Standards c. Codes d. Manufacturers instructions 7. The effect of the installation of sanitary plumbing systems, or its components, on the integrity of structures; including weather tightness considerations as they relate to penetrations to the building envelope a. Preservation of structural integrity b. Prevention of damage to property including weather tightness 8. Responsibilities relating to health and safety a. Personal and public safety b. Site safety c. Electrical safety d. Environmental considerations 9. Limitations on persons who do, or assist in doing, sanitary plumbing work Certifying plumber The applicant must demonstrate the ability to design, manage the installation of and verify sanitary plumbing systems by means of the following competencies. 1. Trade calculations and trade science used in the design and installation of sanitary plumbing systems a. Estimation, measurement and calculation using measurement systems b. Application of formulae including transposing c. Physics laws and their application as they relate to sanitary plumbing d. Hydraulic principles e. Expansion and contraction f. Corrosion protection g. Water quality h. Density i. Energy transfer 2. Selection of materials; their properties, applications and how they are used in the design and specification of sanitary plumbing systems a. Compatibility, testing and commissioning procedures b. Alternative materials, approval regimes, protection of material 3. Drawings and specifications for sanitary plumbing a. Preparing plans and specifications 5

7 4. Design, specification and verification of water services for sanitary plumbing systems a. Pipe sizing principles b. Hot and cold water reticulation systems c. Water storage systems d. Domestic fire sprinkler systems e. Rain water harvesting f. Pumps g. Sanitary appliances and fixtures h. Backflow prevention i. Heating systems that relate to sanitary plumbing i. Hot water systems ii. Solar water heating j. Alternative water supplies 5. Design and specification of foul water systems for sanitary plumbing a. Principles of sizing and venting for foul water plumbing systems b. Pumps c. Sanitary appliances and fixtures d. Backflow prevention e. Irrigation systems 7. Management of the effect on the integrity of structures relating to the design and installation of sanitary plumbing systems; including weather tightness considerations as they relate to penetrations to the building envelope and the coordination with other services a. Preservation of structural integrity b. Prevention of damage to property including weather tightness c. Positioning and protection of services along with the coordination with other building services 8. Responsibilities relating to managing health and safety a. Health and safety systems, preparation of safety plans 9. Responsibilities relating to the oversight and/or supervision of persons who do, or assist in doing, sanitary plumbing work 6. Access to, and application of, relevant documentation relating to sanitary plumbing to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment a. Acts and regulations b. Standards c. Codes d. Manufacturers instructions 6

8 Licensed gasfitter The applicant must demonstrate knowledge and, have the experience and practical ability to install, test, commission, fault-find and maintain gasfitting systems by means of the following competencies. 1. Trade calculations and trade sciences a. Estimation, measurement and calculation using measurement systems b. Application of formulae c. Gas rating d. Heat input/output calculations e. Pipesizing f. Fluing g. Corrosion h. Flame characteristics i. Flammability limits j. Physics laws as they relate to gasfitting k. Combustion and ventilation l. Expansion and contraction 2. Limitations and applications of materials used in gasfitting, including material protection and jointing methods a. Copper b. PVC c. Polyethylene (PE) d. Mild steel e. Stainless steel f. Polypropylene g. Cross linked polyethylene h. Brass/bronze i. Cast iron j. Aluminium k. Fire-rated materials l. Use of tools and equipment 3. Installing, testing, commissioning, fault finding, maintaining of gas installations a. Appliances b. Equipment c. Ventilation d. Pipework e. Fluing 4. Types, uses, characteristics, composition and safe storage and handling of fuel gases a. Manufactured gas b. Natural gas c. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) i. Butane ii. Propane iii. General product 5. Principles of space and water heating systems a. Principles and components of direct and indirect heating and ventilation b. Solar boosted systems c. Hydronic systems d. Fans e. Ducting 6. Drawings and specifications for gasfitting a. Interpreting plans and specifications b. Drawing as-built c. Development of patterns 7

9 7. Electrical and electronics work as it applies to gasfitting within the limitations under the Electricity Act 8. Access to, and application of, relevant documentation relating to gasfitting to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment a. Acts and regulations b. Standards c. Codes d. Manufacturers instructions 9. The effect of the installation of gasfitting systems, or its components, on the integrity of structures; including weather tightness considerations as they relate to penetrations to the building envelope a. Preservation of structural integrity b. Prevention of damage to property, including weather tightness 10. Responsibilities relating to health and safety a. Personal and public safety b. Site safety c. Electrical safety 11. Limitations on persons who do, or assist in doing, gasfitting work Certifying gasfitter The applicant must demonstrate the ability to design, manage the installation of and verify/ certify gasfitting systems by means of the following competencies. 1. Trade calculations and trade science used in the design and installation of gasfitting systems a. Estimation, measurement and calculation using measurement systems b. Application of formulae c. Physics laws and their application as they relate to gasfitting d. Hydraulic principles e. Combustion and ventilation f. Flame characteristics g. Flammability limits h. Gas rating i. Heat input/output and efficiency calculations j. Expansion and contraction k. Corrosion l. Fluing m. Pipe sizing n. Fluid flow o. Pressure p. Volume 2. Drawings and specifications for gasfitting a. Preparing plans and specifications 3. Selection of materials; their properties, applications and how they are used in the design and specification of gasfitting a. Compatibility, testing and commissioning 8

10 procedures b. Alternative materials, approval regimes, protection of material 4. Design, specification and verification/ certification of gasfitting installations and system components a. Gas supply pipework, service lines, meters and regulator systems b. Sizing the appliance to meet the duty required c. Domestic gas-fired appliances and equipment installations d. Commercial gas-fired appliances and equipment installations e. Industrial gas-fired appliances and equipment installations f. Pressure and flow controls g. Safety devices including weather tightness c. Positioning and protection of services along with the coordination with other building services 7. Responsibilities relating to managing health and safety a. Health and safety systems, preparation of safety plans 8. Responsibilities relating to the oversight and/or supervision of persons who do, or assist in doing, gasfitting work 5. Access to, and application of, relevant documentation relating to gasfitting to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment a. Acts and regulations b. Standards c. Codes d. Manufacturers instructions 6. Management of the effect on the integrity of structures relating to the design and installation of gasfitting systems; including weather tightness considerations as they relate to penetrations to the building envelope and the coordination with other services a. Preservation of structural integrity b. Prevention of damage to property 9

11 Licensed drainlayer The applicant must demonstrate knowledge and, have the experience and practical ability to install, test, commission, fault-find and maintain drainage systems related to drainlaying work by means of the following competencies. 1. Trade calculations and trade sciences a. Estimation, measurement and calculation using measurement systems b. Application of formulae c. Physics laws as they relate to drainlaying d. Hydraulic principles e. Expansion and contraction f. Corrosion protection g. Water quality (black, grey, recycled and potable) 2. Installation, testing, commissioning, faultfinding and maintenance of foul water and stormwater systems for drainlaying a. Foul water systems b. Stormwater systems c. Trade waste systems d. On-site effluent disposal systems e. On-site wastewater treatment systems 3. Limitations and applications of materials used in drainlaying, including material protection and jointing methods a. Copper b. PVC c. Asbestos d. Polyethylene (PE) e. Stainless steel f. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) g. Polypropylene h. Brass/bronze i. Cast iron j. Steel k. Earthenware l. Concrete m. Bedding materials and backfill n. Use of tools and equipment 4. Drawings and specifications for drainlaying a. Interpreting plans and specifications b. Drawing as-built 5. Access to, and application of, relevant documentation relating to drainlaying to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment a. Acts and regulations b. Standards c. Codes d. Manufacturers instructions 6. Responsibilities relating to health and safety a. Personal and public safety b. Site safety including safety precautions for earthworks and excavations c. Electrical safety d. Environmental considerations e. Other services location 7. Limitations on persons who do, or assist in doing, drainlaying workdrainage systems 10

12 Certifying drainlayer The applicant must demonstrate the ability to design, manage the installation of and verify drainage systems related to drainlaying work by means of the following competencies. 1. Trade calculations and trade science used in the design and installation of drainage systems a. Estimation, measurement and calculation using measurement systems b. Application of formulae c. Physics laws as they relate to drainlaying d. Hydraulic principles e. Expansion and contraction f. Corrosion protection g. Water quality (black, grey, recycled) h. Density c. Trade waste systems d. On-site effluent disposal systems e. On-site wastewater treatment systems 5. Management of the effect on structures and sites relating to the design and installation of drainage systems, and the coordination with other services 6. Responsibilities relating to managing health and safety a. Health and safety systems, preparation of safety plans 7. Responsibilities relating to the oversight and/or supervision of persons who do, or assist in doing, drainlaying work 2. Specification of materials; their properties, applications and how they are used in the design and specification of drainage systems 3. Access to, and application of, relevant documentation relating to drainlaying to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment a. Acts and regulations b. Standards c. Codes d. Manufacturers instructions 4. Design and verification of foul water and stormwater systems for drainlaying a. Foul water systems b. Stormwater systems 11

13 Keeping you informed! Our monthly e-newsletter, Info Brief, is a frequent and cost-effective way of sharing important information with you. It s packed full of up-to-date Board and industry news. Each month Info Brief is published online and we a link to all tradespeople for whom we hold valid addresses. Over 9,000 tradespeople currently subscribe to Info Brief. If you re not one of them it s now easier than ever to subscribe... Update your by logging into the Board s online register at - remember to keep your details up-to-date! Alternatively, communications@pgdb.co.nz with the subject: SUBSCRIBE and we will update your details for you. Or, you may request a printed copy to be sent to you in the post - your name and address to communications@pgdb.co.nz or phone Read the latest issue online at

14 SHOW YOUR CARD Authorisation cards act as a mark of quality, providing consumers with confidence that a tradesperson is competent and authorised by the Board. By showing your card as a matter of course on the job, you are helping the Board to raise public awareness of the importance of hiring authorised tradespeople. Raising public awareness will also help to squeeze out illegal workers from the industry. HOW TO CONTACT US Level 9, 70 The Terrace, Wellington 6011 PO Box 10655, Wellington 6143 Freephone Phone Fax