notifiable work presentation final€¦ · notifiable work building codes queensland, department of...

Building Codes QueenslandDepartment of Housing and Public Works

Notifiable work

Plumbing Legislation and Standards Branch

Notifiable workBuilding Codes Queensland, Department of Housing and Public Works

Overview

• Background

• New categories of plumbing and drainage work

• Notifiable work lodgment process

• Audit programs

• New offences and penalties


Background


Background

From 1 November 2012, a new category of plumbing and drainage work called notifiable work will start.

Notifiable work will increase the amount of work a plumber or drainer can perform without a local government permit or mandatory inspections.


Notifiable work

• Replaces the current category of notifiable minor work

• Will apply to most plumbing and drainage work undertaken in existing homes

• Requires notification to the Plumbing Industry Council (PIC)


Red tape reduction

• Notifiable work will reduce costs and delays for licensees, local governments and consumers

– Estimated that 89 000 kitchen and bathroom renovations were undertaken in Queensland last financial year

– This gives an annual saving of over $25 million for Queenslanders undertaking these renovations under the new process


The new system

• When a licensee performs notifiable work they must lodge a Form 4—Notifiable work to the PIC within 10 business days of completion

• Only one Form 4 is required for all work carried out under a single transaction on a single property

• If more than one plumber performs work, one of the plumbers or the responsible person for the work can lodge the form – this covers work done by multiple plumbers

• Forms can be lodged either electronically or manually

• Forms must be accompanied by the appropriate fee


The new system

• Inspections of notifiable work are not required

• Licensees may still request a local government inspection

– local governments may charge a cost-recovery fee for inspections that are requested

• Consistent fees and lodgment system across Queensland

– benefits plumbers working across different local government areas


Key concepts

• Completed: plumbing and drainage work that is operational, or where an invoice has been issued for the work

• Installation: where a plumbing or drainage item (for example a fixture) is connected permanently in position for service or use in a plumbing system

• Repair: making repairs to an existing plumbing or drainage item to restore it to good or sound condition


Important definitions

• Replacement: removing a plumbing or drainage item (for example a fixture) and replacing with a similar fixture

• Removal: removing a plumbing or drainage item (for example a fixture) and closing the connection

• Single transaction: Generally given its ordinary meaning – the work was part of a single work order, was carried out continuously or an invoice has been issued for the work


Types of buildings—Building Code of Australia

• Full list of classifications is included in the BCA

– Class 1 is a domestic dwelling (including detached houses, terrace houses and small boarding houses)

– Class 10 is a non-habitable structure such as a garage or shed

– Class 2 to 9 is all other building types including apartments, commercial and public buildings


New categories of work

Notifiable workMinor work

Unregulated workCompliance assessable work


Schedule of notifiable work

work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a testable backflow prevention device

8

work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a water heater7

work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a temperature control device6

work necessary for extending, altering, replacing or removing existing sanitary plumbing for a building classified under BCA as a class 2 to 9 building

5

work necessary for extending, altering, replacing or removing existing sanitary drainage, other than a combined sanitary drain, for a building classified underBCA as a class 1 or 10 building

4

work necessary for extending or removing a fire service if the work is associated with a building development approval as defined under the Building Act 1975,schedule 2

3

work necessary for extending, altering, replacing or removing existing water supply piping, other than extending or removing a fire service

2

emergency work1


Schedule of notifiable work

work necessary for sealing an existing water service downstream from a water meter for a building classified under BCA as a class 2 to 9 building

16

work necessary for sealing a sanitary drain upstream from the connection point for a service provider’s sewerage system

15

work necessary for installing or relocating a fixture in a building, classified under BCA as a class 10 building

14

work, other than work for sanitary drainage, necessary for installing or relocating a fixture in a building, classified under BCA as a class 2 to 9 building, of 1 or 2 storeys

13

work necessary for relocating a fixture in a building classified under BCA as a class 1 building

12

work necessary for installing a fixture in a building classified under BCA as a class 1 building

11

work necessary for replacing a greywater treatment plant for a building classified under BCA as a class 1 building

10

work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a dual check valve with an atmospheric port

9


Notifiable work exclusions

plumbing and drainage work that complies with:

a) the performance requirements of the PCA by formulating an alternative solution that is a means of compliance with the PCA; or

b) the performance criteria of the QPWC code by formulating an alternative solution within the meaning of the QPWC; or

c) the performance requirements of the QDC by formulating an alternative solution within the meaning of the Building Act 1975 that is a means of compliance with the QDC

plumbing and drainage work necessary for installing a fixture for a building connected to a combined sanitary drain

plumbing and drainage work for, or connected to, trade waste

plumbing and drainage work for installing a new fixture for a building with dual reticulated water supply provided by a water service provider


Minor work and unregulated work

• Categories of minor work and unregulated work will be increased to reduce red tape

• Minor work:

– must be performed by a licensee

– does not require notification to the PIC or local government

• Unregulated work:

– does not require a licence

– does not require notification


Schedule of minor work

work necessary for maintaining or repairing a greywater use facility8

work necessary for installing or replacing an automatic switching device, within the meaning of the QPWC, for a rainwater tank installation

9

work necessary for maintaining or repairing an on-site sewerage facility7

work necessary for unblocking a pipe that is sanitary plumbing or sanitary drainage6

work necessary for maintaining, repairing or replacing fire hydrants or fire hose reels5

work necessary for sealing an existing water service downstream from the water meter for a building classified under BCA as a class 1 or 10 building

4

work necessary for installing, replacing, maintaining, repairing or removing an apparatus, but not if the work involves the following—a) work necessary for installing, replacing or removing a temperature control device; a

water heater; a testable backflow prevention device; or a dual check valve with an atmospheric port; or

b) replacing a domestic water filter cartridge

3

work necessary for repairing a broken or damaged pipe2

work necessary for replacing, maintaining, repairing or removing a fitting or fixture1


Schedule of unregulated work

• replacing caps to ground level inspection openings on sanitary drains

• maintaining an above or below ground irrigation system for the disposal of effluent from an on-site sewerage facility or greywater use facility

• cleaning or maintaining ground level grates to traps on sanitary drains

For sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage

• replacing a domestic water filter cartridge

• replacing, in a water closet (WC) cistern, a drop valve washer, float valve washer or suction cup rubber

• changing a shower head

• replacing a jumper valve or washer in a tap

• installing or maintaining an irrigation or lawn watering system downstream from an isolating valve, tap or backflow prevention device on the supply pipe for the irrigation or lawn watering system

For water plumbing


Compliance assessable work

• Previously called ‘regulated work’

• All work associated with construction of a new building will require compliance assessment

• The Form 1 process will remain in place


Process for lodging Form 4s

Electronic lodgmentOther methods of lodgment


Electronic lodgment

• Form 4s can be lodged online through the Plumbing Application Service (PAS)– can be used with any device that can access

the internet

• A copy of the form must also be given to the owner, occupier or agent of the property

• Fee for electronic lodgment is $25 per form


Other lodgment

• Licensees who do not wish to lodge forms electronically will be provided with a book of forms

– additional books can be ordered from the PIC (no charge)

• A copy of the form will also be provided on the Department’s website

– If a licensee wishes to use this version they must contact the PIC for an identification number prior to lodgment

• Must be completed and signed by the person responsible for the work

• Lodgment fee is $35 per form


Form 4 book


Form 4 – for manual lodgment

• The information on the Form 4 must be completed accurately and printed clearly

• The 16 categories of work correspond to the schedule of notifiable work in the SPDR

• Each form will have a unique identifying number


As-constructed diagrams• Where work involves underground

drainage, an as-constructed diagram must be provided

• Diagram should include:

– where relevant, the location of:• any affected fixtures and sanitary

drains

• each access point

• any new reflux valves

– dimensions of any affected sanitary drains

– dimensions of depths and setbacks of any pipes, fixtures or apparatus installed.


Audit programs

Plumbing Industry Council auditsLocal government audits


Plumbing Industry Council audits

• The PIC will audit lodgment of Form 4s, and will have powers to:– require licensees and employers to supply certain

documents– take disciplinary action against licensees who fail to

provide documents


Local government audits

• Local government audits will ensure licensees are performing work to the correct standard

• Will receive funding to audit notifiable work• May target categories of work considered higher

risk

• Both local governments and the PIC will monitor compliance levels and undertake audits


Offences and penalties

Rectification notices

Penalty infringement notices (PINs)PIC disciplinary action


Local government rectification notices

• Where plumbing work is found to be defective a rectification notice may be issued

– notice must state the action required and the period for rectifying the work – must be no less than five days

– must be accompanied by an information notice with the reasons for the decision – can be appealed to the Building and Development Dispute Resolution Committees

– licensee can arrange an assessment time with the local government

– it is an offence to not comply with the notice unless the person has a reasonable excuse – 20 penalty units


Penalty infringement notices

• PIC investigators and local government officers are able to issue PINs in relation to a variety of offences– noncompliant work– work performed without approval– work performed by an unlicensed

person

• New PINs introduced for notifiable work


New offences in the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2002From 1 November 2012

$4404A person must not state anything to an investigator, inspector, local government or the PIC that the person knows is false or misleading

False or misleading statements

128RA

$6606Failure to lodge a Form 4 with the PIC (within 10 business days)

Notifiable work

87(2)

$110010Failure by licensees and employers to supply documents or information (within 10 business days)

Offence to contravene notice

33TE (1)

FinePenalty units

Penalty detailsSection titleSection


Plumbing Industry Council disciplinary action

• The PIC may take disciplinary action against licensees who breach legislative requirements or perform work that fails to comply with technical standards

• More serious offences may be prosecuted


More information

• A special notifiable work edition of PIC Connect will be published soon

• Fact sheets and guidelines will be available at www.hpw.qld.gov.au/notifiablework

• Subscribe to Building Codes Queensland newsflashes at [email protected]

• Make sure the PIC has your current contact details

Notifiable work hotline: 1800 264 585


Contact details

63 George St, Brisbane

PO Box 15027, City East QLD 4002

Tel 1800 682 021

Email [email protected]

[email protected]

Website www.hpw.qld.gov.au

Building Codes QueenslandDepartment of Housing and

Public Works

63 George St, Brisbane

PO Box 15009 City East QLD 4002

Tel 1800 534 972


Website www.hpw.qld.gov.au


Plumbing Application Service


Overview

• The Plumbing Application Service (PAS) is the system used for electronic lodgment of Form 4s

– Creating an account

– Validating an account

– Lodging Form 4s

– Payment and top up accounts


Creating an account

• Go to www.hpw.qld.gov.au/notifiablework• Click on ‘Create account’


Creating an account

• Populate the fields and click ‘Create account’


Validating your account

• Go to your email account and find the acknowledgment email

• Clicking the link in the email will return you to the PAS login page


Finalising your account

• Enter your username (nominated email address) and password and click ‘login’

• The terms and conditions will appear – click ‘I agree’


Creating a profile

• Before you can submit Form 4s, you must create a profile• Once the terms and conditions are agreed to the below

screen will appear:

• Click on the ‘Notifiable work’ tab in the menu


Validating your licence details

• Enter your Plumbing Industry Council licence number and surname

• This information will be validated against the licensing database

• Click ‘continue’ to verify your details• You will then be taken to your account screen


Your account

• From this page licensees can change their password, add funds to a top up account, view payment and account balance histories and request manual lodgment booklets


Form 4 lodgment

• There are five steps for lodging a Form 4:1. Notification details2. Add location3. Upload supporting documents4. Review application5. Make payment

Start to finish—10 clicks of the mouse


Step 1 – Notification details

• Click on the ‘Notifiable work –Form 4’ tab

• Select the type or types of work

• Option to request local government inspection – first contact the local government

• Click ‘Continue’


Step 2 – Add location• Several ways to identify a location:

– Lot and plan data– Street address– Map function

• Once the address is entered, confirm the details and click ‘accept and continue’


Step 3 – Upload supporting documents

• Supporting information (e.g. as-constructed diagrams or floor plans) can be uploaded– Where the work involves underground drainage an as-constructed

diagram must be provided

• Click ‘add attachment’ to upload documents• If no attachments are required click ‘continue’


Uploading documents

• Select document type and enter a description• Locate the file and click ‘upload’• Maximum file size: 50MB• Repeat for additional attachments• Click ‘continue’ when all documents are uploaded


• The Form 4 details will be shown for confirmation• Check the box to the declaration statement and provide the

date of lodgment

• Click ‘pay and lodge’ to proceed to payment

Step 4 – Review application


Step 5 - Payment by credit or debit card

• There are two options for online payment:

– Single transaction by credit card or debit card

– Payment using funds from a top up account (Limit of $25 000)

• The ‘Top up’ function allows users to add funds to an online account and deduct $25 each time a form needs to be lodged rather than paying for each lodgement separately.

• Unless making paying for a single transaction, users must have the correct amount ($25) in their ‘top up’facility before lodging a form.


Form 4 complete

• Once payment is completed, you will be directed to return to PAS to view a summary of the Form 4

• You have the option to download a PDF of the form, any attachments and the receipt

– A copy of the form must be sent to the owner or occupier

• Logout to leave the system or return home to complete more forms


Helpdesk

For more information about lodging forms or assistance with PAS or to report any issues

contact the Plumbing Industry Council

Phone 1800 264 585


notifiable work presentation final€¦ · notifiable work building codes queensland, department of...

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