Drainage and Plumbing
Scope
This section covers the construction of drainage and building plumbing.
Building Regulations and Standards
All materials and construction shall comply with the most recent version of:
- the relevant parts of the Building Regulations;
- the Standards referred to therein;
- other Standards nominated in this specification; and
- other relevant Regulations.
Relevant Standards
[+]
- AS/NZS 3500 (Compendium) National Plumbing Code Set
- AS/NZS 3500.1 Water supply
- AS/NZS 3500.2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage
- AS/NZS 3500.3 Stormwater drainage
- AS/NZS 3500.4 Hot water supply
- AS/NZS 3500.5 National Plumbing and Drainage – Domestic installations
- AS/NZS 3500.2.2 Sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage – Acceptable Solutions
- AS/NZS 3500.3.2 Stormwater drainage- Acceptable Solutions
- AS 3855 - Suitability of plumbing and water distribution systems products for contact with potable water
- AS 3498 Authorization requirement for plumbing products – Water heaters and hot water storeage tanks
- AS 2712 Solar and heat pump water heaters – Design and construction
- AS 1056.1 Storage water heaters – General requirements
- AS 3740 Waterproofing of wet areas within residential buildings
- AS/NZS 4858 Wet area membranes
- AS 4020 – Testing of products in contact with drinking water
- AS 2070 – Plastics materials for food contact use
- AS/NZS 4766 - Polyethylene storage tanks for water and chemicals
- AS 1074 - Steel tubes and tubulars for ordinary service
- AS/NZS1260 PVC-U pipes and fittings for drain, waste and vent applications
- AS1646 Elastomeric seals for waterworks purposes
- AS/NZS 2642.2 - Polybutylene pipe systems - Polybutylene (PB) pipe for hot and cold water applications
- AS 3691 – Solvent cement and priming (cleaning) fluids for use with ABS pipes and fittings.
- AS/NZS 3879 – Solvent cements and priming fluids for use with uPVC pipes and fittings
- AS/NZS 2492 - Cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes for pressure applications
- AS/NZS 1254 Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) pipes and fittings for storm and surface water applications
- AS/NZS 1260 - PVC-U pipes and fittings for drain, waste and vent application
- AS/NZS 2280 - Ductile iron pipes and fittings
- AS/NZS 1167.1 - Welding and brazing - Filler metals - Filler metal for brazing and braze welding
- AS 3688-2005 - Water supply - Metallic fittings and end connectors
- BS 2598-4 - Glass plant, pipeline and fittings. Specification for glass plant components
- AS 4139 - Fibre reinforced concrete pipes and fittings
- AS 3571 - Glass filament reinforced thermosetting plastics (GRP) pipes - Polyester based - Water supply, sewerage and drainage applications
- AS/NZS 2492 - Cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes for pressure applications
- AS 1477 PVC pipes and fittings for pressure applications
- AS 2032 Code of practice for the installation of UPVC pipe systems
- AS 2033 Installation of polyethylene pipe systems
- AS 1432 Copper tubes for plumbing, gasfitting and drainage applications
- AS 3517 - Capillary fittings of copper and copper alloy for non-pressure sanitary plumbing applications
- AS 3495 Authorization requirements for plumbing products - Stainless steel non-pressure pipes and fittings
- AS 2887 Plastic waste fittings
- AS 1589 Copper and copper alloy waste fittings
- AS/NZS 4401 – 2006 Plastics piping systems for soil and waste discharge (low and high temperatures) inside buildings – Polyethylene (PE)
- AS 4058 Precast concrete pipes (pressure and non-pressure)
- AS/NZS 3499 – 2006 Water supply – Flexible hose assemblies
- AS 1273 - Unplasticized PVC (UPVC) downpipe and fittings for rainwater
- AS 1741 - Vitrified clay pipes and fittings with flexible joints - Sewer quality
- AS 2439.1 - Perforated plastics drainage and effluent pipe and fittings - Perforated drainage pipe and associated fittings
- AS/NZS 2179 - Specifications for rainwater goods, accessories and fasteners.
- AS 1397 - Steel sheet and strip - Hot-dipped zinc-coated or aluminium/zinc-coated
- AS/NZS 1866 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Extruded rod, bar, solid and hollow shapes
- AS 1631- Cast grey and ductile iron non-pressure pipes and fittings
- AS 1761- Helical lock-seam corrugated steel pipes
- AS 1566 - Copper and copper alloys - Rolled flat products
- AS 1769-1975, Welded stainless steel tubes for plumbing applications
- AS 3972 - Portland and blended cements
- AS 2758.1 - Aggregates and rock for engineering purposes - Concrete aggregates
- AS 3600 - Concrete structures
- AS 3700 - Masonry structures
- AS/NZS 4671 - Steel reinforcing materials
- AS 1478 - Chemical admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout
- AS 1172.1 Water closets of 6/3 L capacity - Pans
- AS 1172.2 Water closets of 6/3 L capacity or proven equivalent - Cisterns
- AS 1371 Toilet seats of moulded plastics
- AS/NZS 3982 - Urinals
- AS 1756 Household sinks
- AS/NZS 1730 Wash basins
- AS 3588 Shower bases and shower modules
- AS 2023 Baths for ablutionary purposes
AS/NZS 3662 - Performance of showers for bathing
- AS 3861 Spa baths
- AS/NZS 1229 Laundry troughs and tubs
- AS/NZS 3718 - Water supply - Tap ware
- AS/NZS 2040 - Performance of household electrical appliances - Clothes washing machines
- AS/NZS 2007 - Performance of household electrical appliances - Dishwashers
- AS 3958.1 - Ceramic tiles - Guide to the installation of ceramic tiles
- AS 1357.1 Valves primarily for use in heated water systems – Protection valves
- AS 1357.2 Valves primarily for use in heated water systems – Control valves
- AS/NZS 2845.1 Backflow prevention devices – Materials, design and performance requirements
- AS 1428.1 Design for access and mobility – new building work
- AS 1428.4 Design for access and mobility – Tactile ground surface indicators for the orientation of people with vision impairment
- AS 4552 Gas fired water heaters for hot water supply and/or central heating
- AS 5601 Gas installations
- AS/NZS 6400 :2005 Water efficient products – Rating and labelling
- ATS 5200.000 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products – Procedures for certification of plumbing and drainage products
- ATS 5200.006 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products – Reflux valves – Sewerage
- ATS 5200.012 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – In-line valves for use in plumbing water supply systems – Miscellaneous types metallic and non-metallic
- ATS 5200.014 Jointing materials
- ATS 5200.016 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Cistern inlet valves
- ATS 5200.017 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Cistern outlet valves
- ATS 5200.037.1 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products – Flow controllers – For controlling flows in cold or heated water systems
- ATS 5200.040 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products
- ATS 5200.046 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Diversion Systems – Wash down and first flush
- ATS 5200.047 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Self- sealing devices
- ATS 5200.050 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products – Prefabricated bathroom modules
- ATS 5200.051 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products –Bidet douche seats
- ATS 5200.052 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Metallic-bodied inlet pressure control valves greater than DN 50
- ATS 5200.053-2006, Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products - Stainless steel pipes and tubes
- ATS 5200.420 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products – Tap-priming valves
- ATS 5200.458 Universal transition fitting
- ATS 5200.460 Technical Specification for plumbing and drainage products – Grey water diversion device (GWDD)
- ATS 5200.464 Hot water manual or sensor activated pumping systems
- ATS 5200.466 Rainwater tank connection devices
- ATS 5200.467 Rainwater tank connection valve
- ATS 5200.468 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Hot water systems – Recirculation valves
- ATS 5200.469 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Waterless or limited flush urinals – With an integral sealing device
- ATS 5200.471 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Stainless steel tubes and mechanical compression fittings for pressure applications – Alternative systems
- ATS 5200.472 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Heated water system recirculation device
- ATS 5200.479 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Flood stop safety valve
- ATS 5200.481 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Thermal switching valves
- ATS 5200.482 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Soil waste dump fitting
- ATS 5200.485 Technical specification for plumbing and drainage products – Pressure compensating tank
Potential Problems and Solutions
[+]
Roughing-In
The roughing-in of wastes in concrete slabs is difficult to perform accurately, particularly if carried out before the edge formwork is constructed. This can result in wastes that are not in a suitable position for the plumbing fittings. Ensure that the edge formwork is erected before the roughing in is completed. This will require the pipes to be passed under the edge forms.
Gradient
Sewer and storm water pipes with insufficient gradient will deposit silt and debris, becoming choked in time. To avoid this problem, the Builder should provide the Plumber with invert levels of all drainage pipes, checking them before the trenches are closed.
Position of RWDPs
The stormwater drainage pipes must be accurately located to ensure that they align with the intended position of the rainwater downpipes.
Water Hammer
Water hammer occurs in mains pressure pipes that are not correctly secured and subject to the rapid opening and closing of taps and valves. Ensure that all pipes are adequately secured and tested for water hammer before completion. If necessary, fit pressure reducing valves or water hammer arresters.
Leaks
If plumbing fittings are not correctly sealed and tightened, they may leak. Ensure that the correct gasket material or plumbers tape is used and that all fittings are tightened. Inspect each pipeline for leaks before the plumber leaves the job.
Requirement of Rain Water tanks in new buildings
As of 2005, the inclusion of rain water tanks in new dwellings became compulsory in NSW (Basix), optional in Victoria (compulsory choice between a water tank or solar hot water).
