Advisory Note. Plumbing Regulation PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE SERVICES INSTALLED IN PROXIMITY OF OTHER SERVICES AND UNDERGROUND OBSTRUCTIONS

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Corey Mathews
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1 Plumbing Regulation Advisory Note First issued: September 2014 Ver. 1.1 PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE SERVICES INSTALLED IN PROXIMITY OF OTHER SERVICES AND UNDERGROUND OBSTRUCTIONS PURPOSE The purpose of this Plumbing Regulation Advisory Note is to advise that when installing plumbing and drainage services in close proximity to other property services and structures, they must not impact on the function of any of the services. If installed incorrectly, there is a risk to those carrying out future maintenance or modifications to the services. BACKGROUND Good communication is the key when working on a building site. Developers and builders should ensure their sub-contractors know of the special requirements to follow when the trenches are being shared by various trades. Similarly, contractors should liaise with other trades, particularly prior to undertaking trenching work, to ensure that solutions put in place are compliant. PLUMBING CODE OF AUSTRALIA (PCA) AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Volume three of the National Construction Code, Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), sets out the performance requirements when installing plumbing and drainage services. Australian Standard AS/NZS 3500 Plumbing and drainage series suggests acceptable plumbing solutions (also known as deemed-to-satisfy provisions) which satisfy the PCA performance requirements for separating of plumbing and drainage services from other services and underground obstructions. AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS Australian Standard AS/NZS 3500 clearly defines the acceptable separation distances from other services such as existing gas and electricity services or services that have a predetermined location at the time of installation. AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations and AS/NZS 5601 Gas installations also provide guidance on minimum distances of electrical services and gas services to other services. Building Standards and Occupational Licensing Department of Justice

HOW TO INSTALL PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE SERVICES When laying plumbing or drainage services above or below ground in close proximity to electrical conduits, wires, cables or consumer gas pipes, drains

2 HOW TO INSTALL PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE SERVICES When laying plumbing or drainage services above or below ground in close proximity to electrical conduits, wires, cables or consumer gas pipes, drains and other existing services, plumbers should ensure that: no potential hazard is created for people appropriate separation distances are provided (both horizontally and vertically) between services when services laid in the same trench, the smaller sized service is located on shelf or ledge as shown in Figure 1 the installation doesn t interfere with the normal operation of a building any below-ground crossover of a water service crosses at an angle of not less than 450 and provides 100 mm separation. wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au P a g e 2

3 Figure 2: Typical compliant and non-compliant separation of services P a g e 3

4 TYPICAL INSTALLATIONS REQUIRING CONSIDERATION The following service installations are common situations that require careful consideration: Above-ground electrical conduit, wire, cable or consumer pipes Non-drinking water, including recycled water (above and below ground) Underground electrical supply cables or consumer gas pipes Underground communication cable Underground drains Underground services Crossover of other underground services Clearance from underground obstructions Clearance from above ground and underground service easements UNDERGROUND ELECTRICITY SERVICE Since mid-1970s the majority of power lines in new housing developments have been placed underground. Before starting any excavation work, you should contact both Tas Networks and Dial Before You Dig on 1100 or visit P a g e 4

5 UNDERGROUND GAS SERVICE Since mid-2000s reticulated natural gas pipelines have been placed underground connecting many Tasmanian properties. Before commencing any excavation work you should contact both Tas Gas and Dial Before You Dig on 1100 or visit DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG DBYD is available to provide information on locating underground utilities. It doesn t matter what size your project is, just contact DBYD and tell them when and where you plan to dig. DBYD will then pass your information on to the underground network utility owners who will then respond directly to you with cable and pipe location information. When you visit the DBYD website at select the link for Tasmania from the list of DBYD network utility operator members. You can also download the new Service Guidelines for Tasmania. DBYD members promote safe digging practices and they may also put you in touch with cable and pipe locators. For more information on how to dig safely in the vicinity of underground utilities, follow the links on the DBYD website. This document has been produced and published by the Building Standards and Occupational Licensing Division of the Department of Justice. Although every care has been taken in the production of the work, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose, of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant government department, local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information and/or reliance on its availability at any time. wstinfo@justice.tas.gov.au P a g e 5

Separation of common services (above and below ground) INDUSTRY BULLETIN. Background. Separation distances. Proximity of services below ground

Government of Western Australia Department of Commerce Separation of common services (above and below ground) The purpose of this industry bulletin is to remind building practitioners of their responsibilities