The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) is warning plumbers to ensure their drainage work is compliant and ready for auditing after a third of drains failed a statewide inspection blitz.
The BPC conducted 440 inspections over two weeks on below ground sanitary drainage work with 146 drains either failing to meet standards or not being ready for inspection as required.
BPC inspectors handed out 35 on the spot fines totalling more than $20,000 and issued 51 rectification notices for non-compliant work.
Four unregistered workers were also caught working on site and 14 more cases have been referred to the BPC’s investigations team for potential disciplinary action.
The most common non-compliances found were a failure to meet minimum gradients required for efficient water flow, incorrect alignment and a lack of openings and fittings necessary for maintenance and future inspections.
Underground drainage systems are critical to site infrastructure and must be installed correctly from the outset to prevent long term structural damage and costly rectifications for the homeowner after they move in.
“Getting underground drainage right is critical to preventing long term problems for homeowners and that’s why BPC inspectors will continue to be out in force,” said state building surveyor Steven Baxas.
“Drainage inspections are mandatory for a reason and plumbers must comply.”
The BPC conducts random below-ground sanitary drainage inspections of plumbing work to ensure work complies with the relevant standards, regulations and local laws.
It is mandatory for plumbers to book a drainage inspection with the BPC and all work must be available in its entirety for viewing prior to backfilling.
If a BPC inspector does not attend the site within 30 minutes from the nominated inspection time, the plumber is permitted to backfill the drain.
An on the spot fine of $611 may be issued when the drain is not ready for a drainage inspection at the nominated booking time.
For serious non-compliance, suspension, disqualification and fines may apply. Unregistered workers can be prosecuted.
The BPC conducts drainage inspections between 7am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.
Consumers should always use a licensed or registered plumber or a registered builder. You can check if your builder and plumber are registered and if they have been disciplined or prosecuted online at Find a Practitioner.
