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Following on from an earlier thread - this was indeed in the Info Brief from the PGDB in April. To summarise (direct from the Info Brief):
Proprietary pipe systems are one are that have significant changes with the installation of a pipe system. Key points to note:
The requirement to follow manufacturer's instructions
The requirement to provide a label at the point of supply and
the provision for a reversion fitting or a transition connection
Manufacturers carry out tests to ensure products meet the stands to be used in NZ. Each manufacturer can have different installation requirements - UV protection is a good example. Here, instructions must be followed as the manufacturer states. (NB - following manufacturer's instructions does not relieve the obligation to meet the requirements of Section 2 of the Standard).
As some proprietary pipe systems look alike, it is difficult to tell the difference between systems - particularly after the installation has been there for some time. Unless state otherwise, no other systems fittings or tooling can be used on their system. Identifying the system is a key inclusion in the standard.
AS/NZS5601.1 point 4.5.4 states a manufacturer label shall be attached adjacent to the gas meter or LP gas cylinder(s).
Transition connections to proprietary systems or reversion fittings allow for the connection of different pipe systems. If different piping systems are being used it is important to identify clearly which system is installed in what part of the installation.
For installations in a caravan, AS/NZS5601.2 2.6.2 states: Proprietary systems shall be suitable for their intended use and shall be installed as a complete entity in accordance with the manufacturer's relevant instructions. Multi layer proprietary piping systems shall not be used in mobile applications.
It is important with any gasfitting work you carry out that you are familiar with the means of compliance you are using. You need to ensure the installation is safe and the work you carry out is compliant before turning on the gas supply and issuing a compliance certificate.
You can view a video presentation on AS/NZS 5601 gas installations at www.standards.co.nz
End of item.
So - after investigation into costs of these metal labels - IPLEX K1 tags are retailing at $25 + GST EACH at Mico. Your cost will depend on your discount structure, but it also seems to me that these tags are doing a bit of advertising for IPLEX and K1 and should cost significantly less, or come free when you buy the pipe or fittings.
For those of you that haven't seen one of these tags (and you could make your own labels, but they would need to be waterproof) - what they have to have on them is:
Parts of this installation contact the XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX system.
Installed by: _________________________________
Licence No:___________________________________
Date: _______________________________________
Capped Tee location: ___________________________
The IPLEX one says:
This home is plumbed with iPlex K1Gas pipe and fittings system for gas.
A threaded connectgor for future extension is located: _________________________________________
Gasfitters name: _______________________________________________________________________
Gas licence number: ____________________________________________________________________
Contact iPlex on 0800 800 262
Website: www.iplex.co.nz
This will add $25 per job on to the consumer, or make you own and make it cheaper. A good idea, but any manufacturer of gas pipe and fittings that decides to make the labels available free of charge will get a lot of business.
How many of you are doing this now?
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not Me! ???
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jaxcat, have you seen any of the copper tube manufactures produce these tags ?
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No, but excellent point - I will follow up.
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Copper won't come under "proprietary" pipe systems - relates basically to pex. Although it is an interesting point. Our supplier is taking the issue up with the pipe manufacturer that we purchase off basically saying they should come with the pipe - it is necessary now - otherwise we'll be making our own - we won't be paying $12 odd for them.
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i have today chased up my pexal rep and he will get on to it, i will do the same with our copper supplier and see what comes of it
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Here is a curve ball for you! why isnt ALL plumbing pipe systems not having to be identified???
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Possibly because copper is copper and is easily identified, but there are SO many pex systems out their - and say, for example you purchase off one supplier you may not be able to readily identify what the other sorts are - and I guess they want to ensure there is no mixing and matching unless it is approved by the manufacturer's as being able to be joined on to another brand. Bottom line is this is all at a cost to the consumer and they don't even know it.
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why risk or put yourself though it , i only use copper ever on gas
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My local Big Name supplier didn't even know that there were labels available and thus they don't sell them. Surely this type of information would be far better than a BBQ with a free T shirt and 5 points. I do find it hard to believe that the Board is so blind with upskilling
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I only know IPLEX have produced them for K1 - not sure about other multi layered pipe systems - but the PGDB newsletters shows what is required if you make your own labels. I agree this would be a better upskilling item. Still you can claim the time it's taken to read this forum and the PGDB article as self directed learning - got to be worth at least 2 points don't you think. If your big name supplier is Mico then they are selling the Iplex labels - although it would appear not all branches know about it.
As far as Plumbing World goes I wouldn't have a clue.
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PW had no info on this at our branch....but do now :D, so i guess that the importers of all pex systems havent read nzs5601 yet then aye?
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From some questions I asked today, it would appear that only IPLEX have produced the labels - and it was because they were approached to do so (not sure if from the regulator). So it doesn't look like the other piping systems are geared up at all. Knowledge on this is sparse, although it was in the Info Brief from the PGDB. We have fitted a few - but I was choking at the cost of what is essentially a label. I think we will produce our own going forward and use them as a marketing tool. So I guess big ups to Mico for being on board early!
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PW are selling Rifeng tags for $12. The four major brands, K1, Kembla, Rifeng and Valsir are all made to the same std, so they are technically interchangeable as long as the correct crimper is used for the fitting. Pipe dimensions are identical.
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I don't agree mini g - I think the manufacturer of the pipe has to state that it is interchangeable with another pipe system - see below from the Info brief
To summarise (direct from the Info Brief):
Proprietary pipe systems are one are that have significant changes with the installation of a pipe system. Key points to note:
The requirement to follow manufacturer's instructions
The requirement to provide a label at the point of supply and
the provision for a reversion fitting or a transition connection
Manufacturers carry out tests to ensure products meet the stands to be used in NZ. Each manufacturer can have different installation requirements - UV protection is a good example. Here, instructions must be followed as the manufacturer states. (NB - following manufacturer's instructions does not relieve the obligation to meet the requirements of Section 2 of the Standard).
As some proprietary pipe systems look alike, it is difficult to tell the difference between systems - particularly after the installation has been there for some time. Unless state otherwise, no other systems fittings or tooling can be used on their system. Identifying the system is a key inclusion in the standard.
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Yes I understand that, the internal and external dimensions of the four brands are identical on the pipe so can be fitted to different fittings with the right crimper for the fittings. May not be to the code but they do fit, similar to the different polybute water pipe systems around. Not saying do it, just that it is possible if no other choice is to hand at the time. Was told this by the Kembla rep originally, checked at a supplier and yes they do all fit.
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So what is your liability if you do it though? If it contravenes regs and you certify - are you in the shit? What if there is some sort of "accident" at the property and an investigation and it turns out that two different pipe systems were in place and neither manufacturer had okayed that, or had said they would guarantee their product if joined with another system. What would the insurance people say and who would they come after? These were just the points I was trying to make.
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Yes, when there is a problem everyone ducks for cover. I don't mix brands but think the regs are still playing catch up with the new technology of composite pipes. Mixing copper and galv from different manufactures doesn't seem to worry people if they conform to the relevant standard, why not composite systems that are made to the same standard as long as the crimp tools used are designed for that particular fitting. Who hasn't mixed polybute systems when doing alterations ?
Just my two cents worth, aren't the regs also open to "acceptable solutions "?