Annual Report 2007-08 - Plumbing Industry Commission

5 Star sustainability audits performed
Solar panels 2007–08
Number of installations inspected – passed 594
Number of installations inspected – failed 0
Total number of solar panel audits performed 594
Water tanks
Number of 2,000 litre water tanks supplying all cisterns – passed 618
Number of 2,000 litre water tanks supplying all cisterns – failed 17
Total number of water tank audits performed 635
Recycled water installations
Number of recycled water installations – passed 83
Number of recycled water installations – failed 0
Total number of recycled water systems audits performed 83
Total 5 Star audits performed for the period 1,312
Total number of 5 Star audits that failed 17
Saving water in fire sprinkler
maintenance
The Commission is partnering with City
West Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley
Water, the Department of Sustainability
and Environment and the Building
Commission on a project which aims to save
450 million litres of water a year by changing
procedures and technologies for testing and
routinely maintaining fire sprinklers.
Currently, the maintenance and testing
of sprinklers uses millions of litres of
drinking water every year. The Commission
and its project partners are seeking
ways of conserving water while ensuring
that the safety of human lives is not
compromised. The Fire Protection Services
Industry, the Communication, Electrical
and Plumbing Union, and leaders in
the commercial property and facility
management industries are also actively
supporting the project as an expression
of their commitment to environmental
sustainability.
Key objectives of the 12-month project
include:
• using a sample selection of properties to
demonstrate water saving practices
• implementing water saving programs for
high water-user buildings
• motivating change among property
owners and managers
• pursuing regulatory and other industry
framework changes to ensure greater
water efficiency in the maintenance of
fire sprinklers.
In the coming year, a range of activities will
be undertaken to achieve these goals,
including research, developing a management
guide for property owners, and a
communication campaign to encourage
property owners and managers to test
sprinklers monthly instead of weekly.
Other initiatives include investigating
changes to the building regulations, as well
as training and accreditation programs for
fire sprinkler installation and maintenance.
5 Star sustainability audits a
plus for the environment
In 2007–08, the Commission extended
the audit process to capture 5 Star
sustainability data and ensure that
environmental water efficiencies and
energy compliance are being achieved.
The 5 Star audits for sustainability have
steadily increased during the year, due
to the number of new homes installing
a reticulated recycled water system as a
5 Star option, as well as solar panels and
rainwater tanks.
The Commission also consulted with
all water authorities on greywater and
recycled water supplies to develop
initiatives and guidelines for dual water
pipe recycling systems.
Environmental best practice 31