Section 2 - Materials & Products
Limitations On Use Of Pipes & Fittings
It should be noted that under 2.4.2 (c) that galvanized pipes and fittings shall only be used in non-drinking water systems that are installed above ground. The internal and external galvanizing shall be a minimum of 300 g/square metre hot dipped galvanizing.
Section 3 Sizing Of Water Services
Maximum pressure within buildings
The NOTE 1 under Clause 3.3.3 (Head losses) in the previous version has been changed to a requirement for a maximum operating pressure within buildings of 500kPa at any outlet other than a fire service outlet.
Pressures above 500 kPa can cause damage from water hammer, reduced life of appliances, taps and fittings, and cause excessive noise in the system.
Section 5 Installation Of Coldwater Services
“BUSHFIRE ZONES” This is a new clause that provides requirements for exposed and buried water supply piping, in Level 1 construction or higher risk areas. [Refer to AS 3959. Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas]
Exposed piping to be metal and piping of other materials are to buried to a depth of at least 300 mm.
Section 9 Non-Drinking Water Services
This is a new Section which sets out the requirements for non-drinking water services including recycled or reclaimed water installations. There are similar requirements in Section 2 of AS/NZS 3500.5:2000 “Domestic installations” and the current “South Australian Variations and/or Additional Provisions to the National Plumbing and Drainage Code AS/NZS 3500-1990/98”.
The Section covers the requirements for cross connection control, hose tap outlets, marking and labelling of non-drinking water pipes and outlets, below ground pipes, signage at outlet points, fire services, water meters and testing and commissioning a non-drinking water service.
Section 14 Installation Of Water Supply Systems From Rainwater Tanks
This is a new Section that has been introduced because of the increasing use of rainwater for domestic purposes. The Section relates to the water pipes and fittings from the rainwater tank. It does not relate to the rainwater tank.
The Section covers the requirements for pipes and fittings including marking and labelling and the interconnection between a water service connected to the water supply system and water from a rainwater tank.
It should be noted that there is a requirement for the piping from the rainwater tank to be marked at intervals not exceeding 1 m with contrasting wording ‘RAINWATER’ and that water outlets are to be identified as ‘RAINWATER’ with a label or a rainwater tap identified by a green coloured indicator with the letters ‘RW’.