By Rory Macnamara and Tanya Olckers
Taps and mixers are needed to allow for a functioning water delivery system.
This matrix gives the plumber and engineer the basics when it comes to installing specific types of taps and mixers. The standards that are in place in the industry are compulsory and are there to protect people’s health and safety.
Yes, higher quality products will affect the end price for your client, however both you and the client can rest assured that the proper protocols have been followed in the vetting of the product itself.
The JASWIC listing – which highlights SANS, but which also accepts tests, hopefully leading to full certification – indicates ‘special conditions’. As with SANS there is more than just the certificate, but conditions which form part of the standard. These must be referred to so that costly mistakes are averted.
Beware of those that claim to hold SANS accreditation, but can’t provide the certificate of the certifying body, whether that’s SABS, SATAS, AENOR, SAPCS or Conformity International.
The types of tools you use – especially when it comes to the manufacturer – needs to be carefully considered. These tools should be of good quality as the ‘cheap and nasty’ sort don’t survive and they could damage the taps and mixers you are trying to fit for your client. In the long run, this is detrimental to both you and your client.
The use of compliant products is essential. This is where plumbers need to educate clients as non-compliant products can lead to greater expense in the long run. These shoddy products can result in damage and invalidation of warranties and insurance for the client, not to mention reputational damage to the plumber or installer. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions as they offer solid advice to obtain the best life from the taps and mixers.
In the matrix the applicable standards are mentioned in the listing and the full standard may be obtained from www.sabs.co.za.
It must be noted that the information provided assumes that the installer is a competent, qualified plumber.
End users/specifiers must take responsibility to check the mark certificate and the supporting documents which are integral to the issuance of the certificate.
We have added the name of the certification body to the list. Click here to view https://joom.ag/ckMd/p24 and https://joom.ag/ckMd/p26.
