Time to Complete lesson: 30 mins

An Industry Certification is a process of program evaluation ensuring that individual operators meet industry standards. Therefore, all operators in this field will have guidelines as to what is deemed safe for human consumption.

In the following section, we will provide definitions and explanations for the following industry certifications:

WaterMark™ Certification Scheme
Ingress Protection (IP) Rating
Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA)
Standards Australia
NSF Standard Certification (America)
Australian Standards AS/NZS

7.1 WaterMark™ Certification Scheme

What is WaterMark™?

WaterMark™ is a product quality certification mark provided by independent certifying authorities. It confirms that a product complies with the Plumbing Code of Australia and the relevant Australian Standards, which relate to product quality, including health and safety, and warrant that it is fit for purpose.

WaterMark™ certification is mandatory for products to be legally installed in accordance with state and territory plumbing regulations. Products required to be certified are listed in the Plumbing Code of Australia and AS3500.000.

The WaterMark™ logo, pictured right, the relevant product standard and the license number are required to be marked on the product itself.

Material and product failures in plumbing systems can cause contamination of the water system and be a public health concern.

The Plumbing Code of Australia requires certain plumbing and drainage materials and products to be certified and authorised for use in a plumbing or drainage installation. These materials and products are to be certified through the WaterMark™ Certification Scheme and listed on the WaterMark™ Product Database.

In order to achieve Watermark Certification, the subject material or product must:

Be tested by a recognised testing laboratory;
Comply with an approved specification (either a relevant existing standard or an approved WaterMark™ Technical Specification);
Be manufactured in accordance with an approved Quality Assurance Program; and
Carry a warranty.

Materials and products complying fully with the applicable requirements of the WaterMark™ Certification Scheme are then eligible to be certified by a WaterMark™ Conformity Assessment Body (WMCAB) and listed on the WaterMark™ Product Database.

The WaterMark™ Certification Scheme provides a nationally consistent, risk based certification scheme for ensuring the quality of certain materials and products used in plumbing and drainage installations.

7.2 Ingress Protection or International Protection (IP) Rating

IP rating stands for “Ingress Protection” or “International Protection”. This is a standard rating that determines how waterproof and dust / solid object proof, a fitting is.

The first number in an IP rating refers to how dust proof a fitting is and the second digit refers to how waterproof a fitting is. With the 2 numbers combined this will determine the likelihood of any foreign objects getting into the fitting and possibly damaging it.

The below table, which represents various levels of protection as well as explains what each number means.

Protection against Ingress of Solids		Protection against Ingress of Water
Number	First Digit	Number	Second Digit
0	No Protection	0	No Protection
1	Protected against solid objects over 50mm in size. Eg, large tools	1	Protected against vertically falling drops of water
3	Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm in size. Eg, wires and small tools	3	Protected against direct sprays of water with light tilted 60 degrees from vertical – strong rating
4	Protected against solid objects over 1mm in size. Eg, wires and bugs	4	Protected against sprays of water from all directions – gentle spray with a hose pipe
5	Limited protection against dust ingress – harmful amounts can’t get in.	5	Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions – strong spray with hose pipe
6	Totally protected against dust ingress – dustproof	6	Protected against strong jets of water from all directions. Cleaning light with high pressure hose
7	-	7	Protected against temporary immersion in water no deeper than 50cm – bit of flooding
8	-	8	Protected against continuous immersion in water no deeper than 100cm – pool or pond light

All PWS Electrical Ballasts meet IP rating of 6 & 5.

7.3 Australian National Plumbing

To operate as a PWSA franchisee, you do not need to be a licenced plumber. The core of our business, Tank Cleaning does not require any plumbing facilitation. Installation of water filter systems may require a licenced plumber.

National and Local plumbing laws may prohibit the initial fitting of a water filtration systems by persons other than licensed plumbers.

Under sink filtration kits are generally equipped with DIY instructions for the use of a licensed plumber.

Please ensure that you abide by the appropriate plumbing rules and regulations in your State.

With this in mind, we have included the Australian National Plumbing standards and relevant State and Territory links for you to check.

7.3.1 Plumbing and Drainage Australian Standards

The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) is the technical standard for all plumbing and drainage work within Australia. It is published by the National Plumbing Regulators Forum (NPRF) on behalf of each State and Territory Government.

The Code is only given legal effect by relevant legislation in each State and Territory. This legislation consists of an Act and subordinate legislation, which empowers the regulation of certain aspects of plumbing installation and contains the administrative provisions necessary to give effect to the legislation.

The goal of the Plumbing Code of Australia is to enable the achievement of an acceptable standard of installation at all times in order to provide for public health, safety and Amenity, resource and environment conservation, sustainability and protection of public and private infrastructure for the benefit of the community now and in the future.

The goal is applied so that the requirements in the Code extend no further than is necessary in the public interest, are cost effective, easily understood and are not needlessly onerous in their application.

To achieve the above goal, the Code:

Creates an accountable and transparent framework for product authorisation;
Establishes national objectives for plumbing work on a performance basis;
Fosters water and energy conservation;
Encourages best practice;
References effective solutions;
Calls up relevant Australian Standards; and
Is compatible with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

To view the PCA directly, you can go to the following website address:

http://www.abcb.gov.au/about-the-national-construction-code/the-plumbing-code-of-australia

7.3.2 Filtration / Sterilization Supply & Servicing

While the PCA stipulates that any plumbing related tasks associated with the water mains requires a licenced plumber to conduct a filter/sterilization installation, there are exceptions. These may include:

Replacing a domestic water filter cartridge

If you are in doubt as to whether the work you are seeking to undertake may be “Notifiable”, “Minor” or “Unregulated” work, please contact the Plumbing Industry Council prior to commencing the work.

Plumbing Industry Council

tel 1800 682 021

fax (07) 3012 9826

email plumbers@qld.gov.au

mail PO Box 15027, City East QLD 4002

On 1 March 2010, the Plumbers and Drainers Board was replaced with the Plumbing Industry Council. The Plumbing Industry Council operates as an industry body, administered by the Queensland Government, working to protect public health and safety through Queensland's plumbing and drainage licensing system.

The Plumbing Industry Council will continue the important work of the former Plumbers and Drainers Board in investigating complaints about licensees and unlicensed work.

The council's responsibilities include:

Investigating complaints relating to licensed and unlicensed work
Granting plumbing and drainage licences and endorsements on licences
Investigating alleged breaches by plumbers performing work that does not meet the relevant technical standards or is in breach of their licence
Disciplining licensees by issuing reprimands, cautions or an infringement notice, imposing conditions on their licence, suspending or cancelling their licence.

7.3.3 State and Territory Legislation

State:

Links

NSW

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Tradespeople/Plumbers_and_drainers/Plumbing_code_standards_and_notes.page

WA

https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-commission/plumbing-code-australia

VIC

http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/practitioners/plumbing-standards

ACT

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/sl/2001-2/current/pdf/2001-2.pdf

https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/890779/Rainwater_tanks.pdf

QLD

https://www.legislation.qld.gov.aUView/html/inforce/current/act-2002-077

SA

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment/electrical-gas-and-plumbing-safety-and-technical-regulation/acts,-regulations-and-standards/plumbing-acts-regulations-standards-and-scheme

NT

No reference could be found

7.4 Other Standards

7.4.1 Standards Australia

Standards Australia is the nation’s peak non-government, not-for-profit Standards organisation.

Their expertise and main responsibility is the development and adoption of standards in Australia. They also facilitate Australian participation in international standards development.

They do not enforce, regulate or certify compliance with these standards.

They form technical committees by bringing together relevant parties and stakeholders. Through a process of consensus, these committees develop standards for Australia’s net benefit.

The work of Standards Australia enhances the nation’s economic efficiency, international competitiveness and contributes to community demand for a safe and sustainable environment.

For more information on Standards Australia, you can go to the following web link:

http://www.standards.org.au/OurOrganisation/AboutUs/Pages/default.aspx

Refer to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) in section 2.3 of this module.

7.4.2 NSF Standard Certification (America)

To provide franchisee’s with the best available product and service, a number of our products are sourced internationally. In particular, from the United States.

NSF International is an independent, accredited organisation that develops standards, tests, and certifies products and systems. They provide auditing, education and risk management solutions for public health and the environment.

As a public health and safety organisation, manufacturers, regulators, and consumers look to NSF International for the development of public health standards and verification programs that help protect the worlds food, water, consumer products and environment.

NSF follows the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards development process. Standards are developed by joint committees (balanced stakeholder groups of public health, industry and user representatives). The NSF Council of Public Health Consultants (CPHC) services as the independent, public health ratification step at the end of the process and provides final review and acceptance. CPHC members chair the joint committees to provide liaison between the council and joint committees.

The NSF Certification is a way to ensure that the product you use meet strict standards for public health protection.

Many of the filter products that PWS use are sourced from the US. They may be manufactured in the US or manufactured in Asia. All meet NSF standards.

7.4.3 NSF Australian Standard AS/NZS

Relevant to your Pristine Water Systems Franchise business is AS/NZS 3500.1.2003 Part 1. Water Services.

The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) forms Volume Three of the NCC, which is produced and maintained by the ABCB on behalf of the Australian Government and State and Territory Governments. The PCA is given legal effect by enabling legislation in each State and Territory which empowers the regulation of certain aspects of plumbing and drainage installations.

The PCA contains the technical provisions for the design, construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration and maintenance of:

Water services;
Sanitary plumbing and drainage systems;
Stormwater drainage systems;
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; and
On-site wastewater management systems.

To view the AS/NZS 2500.1:2003 directly, you can go to the following web link:

https://www.saiglobal.com/PDFTemp/Previews/OSH/as/as3000/3500/3500.1-2003(+A1).pdf

Industry Certifications

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Module 1 - The Franchise System

Module 2 - Administration and PODAC/ITF

Module 3 - Technical Information and OH&S

1.0 Background of the Water Industry

2.0 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) Introduction

3.0 Common Water Borne Diseases

4.0 Chemicals and Substances found in Water

5.0 Pristine Water Systems Chemicals and Treatments

6.0 Water Testing/Analysis & Results

7.0 Industry Certifications

8.0 Safe Work Australia / Workplace Health & Safety / Occupational Health & Safety

9.0 Filtration & Ultraviolet Products

10.0 Types of Tanks

11.0 Other PWS Products & Equipment

12.0 Glossary of Terms

Module 3 - Appendix

Module 3 Quiz

Module 4 - Operations - Standards

1.0 Introduction

2.0 The PWS Process

3.0 Planning your Work Schedule

4.0 Planning Product Ordering

5.0 Water Testing

6.0 AqueousPro™ 50 Water Sanitiser

7.0 Water Tank Cleaning

8.0 Filtration / Sterilisation Supply (Assembly)

9.0 Ongoing Service and Maintenance

10.0 PWS Standards

11.0 AqueousAir™ Assembly & Installation Instructions

Module 4 - Appendix

Module 4 Quiz

Module 5 - Sales, Marketing, Quoting & Invoicing

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Advertising & Marketing

3.0 Selling PWS / Selling Yourself

4.0 Assessments & Quoting

5.0 Invoicing

Module 5 Appendix

Module 5 Quiz

Module 6 - Equipment Maintenance

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Vehicle Maintenance

3.0 Equipment Maintenance

Module 6 Quiz

In-Field Quick Reference Guide Content