The Need for Backflow Tester Revalidation Presented by Max Hunter Inaugural National Backflow Prevention Conference 2nd/3rd August 2013 Greenmount Resort, Coolangatta

The Plumbing Industry has always been an industry of many challenges and changes being brought about within the legislative framework, causing differing interpretations to plumbers with back flow licensing endorsement.

Practitioners who choose to sit on the fence, out on the boundary, can and do, find it very complex and attempt to gather their information and updates, either second hand or by word of mouth. The previous method mentioned can be, and quite often is a game of hit and miss which affects not only the industry and the customer, but ultimately the person who chooses to struggle in today’s environment of changes and challenges.

It remains a challenge to the Plumbing Industry to encourage qualified tradesmen to remain involved to the ongoing commitment to re- educate and to promote the industry they originally served their apprenticeship in.

Enter the Backflow Tester The revalidation course for Backflow Prevention is essential for the plumbing industry practitioner, with license endorsement, who wants to retain the necessary skills to understand the complex issues involved with installing, commissioning, operating and maintaining a device designed to protect the communities most precious resource, that being WATER.

The term revalidation is essential for maintaining the endorsement on one’s license, as this indicates to a customer, and also the industry that the nominated person has taken the time and put in the effort to maintain their skills and awareness of the latest products, materials, standards and ability to keep involved within the backflow industry. Revalidation has become more user friendly in recent times, with an online course being available to endorsement holders, therefore making use of modern day technology, to enable participants to remain on the job. Revalidation can be updated every 5 years to maintain the endorsement on a plumber’s license. A 12 month period after the 5 year expiry is also available to license holders to update their revalidation. This can be completed online. It is a tradesman’s “Duty of Care” to the community and the profession to continue to promote a vital area in water plumbing that involves risk assessment and zone containment at the highest possible level. The test gauges alone are an essential calibration device that requires 12 monthly servicing, to ensure a test procedure is carried out correctly, and in accordance to AS , implemented July

Associations No doubt one of the greatest achievements is to speak the same language as other qualified personnel who in time become involved with like - minded associations to promote a sense of consistency in the interpretation of Codes and Standards. This continuation of learning enables plumbers, who maintain their qualifications in backflow prevention techniques, to grow the industry and become a recognized forum for regulators and legislators to call on for specialized advice. A strong and dedicated support network is essential for the backflow industry to gather momentum, and this has evolved by the educational sector taking the arduous task of course content presentation, along with the dedicated support of industry manufacturers who provide strong sponsorship and advice on a continual basis along the way.

National Licensing The issue of National Licensing has been on the agenda for comment and deliberation; it will be interesting to see the challenges along with possible changes, which will affect the revalidation of backflow endorsements, in each state and ultimately the recognition of practitioner operations throughout the industry. Once again the term consistency and interpretation will be at the forefront for the plumber on the tools, who has to get the job done to satisfaction for all concerned.

Summary A united and supportive means of maintaining a qualified system of revalidation for a reliable and recognized backflow prevention industry is essential. It is essential for customers and the general public to have awareness and acceptance for reliable and professional trades business’s to promote their knowledge and skills in providing a satisfactory testing regime for commercial, domestic, or industrial projects that have backflow prevention devices installed. Water safety and reliability is a world wide phenomena occurring daily at a venue near you, your family, your community and our neighboring countries, many of whom are yet to experience the value of reliable and reticulated potable water on a consistent basis. At the end of the day it is paramount in demonstrating to regulators, on a universal arena, that the safety and integrity of the precious resource known as good, clean potable water suitable for human consumption, is definitely something that should never be compromised by red tape reduction or deregulation in anyway shape or form what so ever.

Presented By Max Hunter Senior Plumbing Inspector Southern Downs Regional Council