There are some proposed revisions to the AS/NZS 3500, Plumbing and Drainage series, and Standards Australia is currently seeking feedback from industry.

Updates to the following parts of the AS/NZS 3500 series are now open for public comment:

•   Part 1, Water services
•   Part 2, Sanitary plumbing and drainage
•   Part 4, Heated water services


From reviewing the draft documents, the major changes I have noted include:


DR AS/NZS 3500.1:2017 - Water services

•   Clarification of permitted jointing methods (Soft solder for jointing copper pipework removed etc.)
•   Requirements for plastic pipes and fittings installed in direct sunlight (UV protection etc.)
•   Backflow prevention requirements updated (Prevention of backflow in fire services etc.)
•   Clarification of certain requirements for non-drinking water services (bypass’s, identification, commissioning changes etc.)
•   Rainwater system testing and commissioning procedures added.

DR AS/NZS 3500.2:2017 - Sanitary Plumbing and Drainage

•   Significant additional requirements for consideration of soil types and associated soil movements that can occur.
•   Requirements for flexible joints updated.
•   Requirements for trenches passing under buildings (Barriers to prevent ingress of water into trenches - clay plug/DPM etc.)
•   Procedures for structural plastic re-lining of drains (Cured in place pipe, lining etc.)
•   Requirements to accommodate differential movement (4.8.5)
•   New section on vacuum drainage design
•   Additional appendices for:
•   Classification of soils
•   Sizing vacuum drainage and buffers
•   Renovating of sanitary plumbing and drainage systems using structural plastic liners


DR AS/NZS 3500.4:2017 - Heated water services

•   Max flow velocities for re-circ HW lowered to 1m/s for all pipework materials
•   Use of thermostatically controlled taps (TMV Taps) included
•   Requirements for plastic pipes and fittings installed in direct sunlight (UV protection etc.)
•   Clarification of permitted jointing methods (Soft solder for jointing copper pipework removed, press fit connectors added etc.)
•   Installation of circulatory heated water systems, including:
o   Circulating HW commissioning checklist
o   Requirement for circulating HW system schematic complete with design data to be permanently attached to the system for commissioning/future reference
o   Section 10 – Sizing and installation of circulatory heated water reticulation (a good read)
•   Pipework type internal diameter tables updated
•   Appendix N – Provision for expansion and contraction (section relocated and updated)
•   Appendix O – Estimation of PSD for residential buildings from total LU’s



I have attached the draft documents, and the second part of each document consists of the current edition of the standard with the proposed changes tracked.


Making comments on the Draft Standards

The public comment period for the proposed AS/NZS 3500 revisions is currently open, but closes on 7 December 2017.

Anyone who feels they have something to contribute to a Draft Standard should use the Public Comment Period to provide their view on its provisions.

All comments are considered in detail by the relevant Committee (Committee WS-014) and, if necessary, further drafting will be undertaken.
Individual feedback will not be given by the Committee on the comments provided.

Instructions on how to submit comments can be found on the inside cover page of each draft document


I will be submitting comments on the proposed changes, and I encourage others from the NZ Plumbing and Drainalying industry to do so also. 

Feel free to use this thread to discuss and thoughts/ideas/concerns regarding the proposed changes.


Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/codes-standards-health-and-safety/10/asnzs-3500-standards-review-2017/2220/