This issue of Plumbing Africa reinforces the role of plumbers and plumbing in water saving at a time when our potable water is reaching dangerous levels due to several ongoing issues.
IOPSA addresses this in detail, coupled with the effect that load shedding has on our water systems. Take into account the failing infrastructure – it will be plumbers that save the day in keeping clean drinking water flowing.
This month’s JASWIC listing shows a newcomer to the taps and mixer stable by obtaining their SABS 1408.
We continue with our Women in Plumbing and Women on the Tools series, reinforcing the role women play in this critical industry.
Uwe Putlitz reminds us again that standards are essential for several very good reasons, and this was reinforced at the Polokwane PTE exhibition when a few visitors remarked at the extent of compliant fittings and plumbing systems which were compliant and the reasons for compliance. A point we make in the review of the exhibition as to why both Plumbing Africa and PTE insist on SANS accredited products and systems for compulsory standards.
Our feature is on solar in the form of a matrix, which we find our readers and users enjoy as a quick reference. As solar will, if it has not peaked yet, play an increasingly critical role in the lives of plumbers and their clients, one must ensure the local manufacture requirements as well as the installation needs which as a start require a qualified plumber to install. Sadly, a few people do not understand the law when it clearly states that “only a plumber may work on the water line”, which includes solar.
IAPMO, in discussing Hunter’s Curve makes the valid point that while a fair amount of time may be spent on the front end of a piping system with water efficient showerheads, taps and mixers, the most important part is the back end of a pipe installation. As Chris Lohr states, this is where science and physics meet, which only a qualified plumber learns about.
Our project is a “gracious old lady,” a building in Parktown built decades ago that required a major retrofit in the supply of hot water to the flats on eight floors. We show the innovative technology employed in the retrofit which many a times is not as easy as it looks.
Patrick Gordon talks to us about Anti-Freeze valves and our Tell me Why series continues.
I earnestly invite plumbers and projects from all over South Africa to share their stories with us, we want to hear your voices.
Next issue we will be profiling for our Tell me Why series a plumber from Cape Town.
Enjoy this issue!
Rory Macnamara, Editor | rory@interactmedia.co.za
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