Building and Energy

Building and Energy has launched a new campaign encouraging consumers to check for a safety and compliance symbol when buying electrical appliances and equipment. Unapproved electrical appliances and equipment can pose serious risks, such as electric shock and fire. It is illegal to sell household electrical appliances that are not approved by an Australian regulatory authority. Shoppers are advised to always check for a regulatory compliance mark (RCM), displayed as a tick inside a triangle, showing the electrical product meets Australian standards and has been independently approved for use. ➡ Read our media statement for more info: https://lnkd.in/gMYd8rZ9

In the latest Business News magazine, WA’s Building Commissioner and Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, speaks with Isabel Vieira about Building and Energy’s priorities – with a spotlight on trends and challenges in the building sector. Access the full article with a Business News subscription: 📄 Online version: https://lnkd.in/gj6N9f_U 📖 Magazine (30 Sep-13 Oct issue): https://lnkd.in/ghBgKHfS 📸 Michael O'Brien

Summer is on its way, so you may be thinking about dusting off your barbecue ☀ Here are Building and Energy's top five tips for using your barbecue: 1. Check that your gas cylinder and hose are in good condition and in date. 2. Carry out a “soapy water test” to check for any gas leaks. 3. Keep your barbecue away from flammable materials and clean it regularly to help remove flammable grease and oil. 4. Ensure safe use, storage, and transportation of gas cylinders. 5. Always use outdoor gas barbecues in well-ventilated areas to avoid hazardous carbon monoxide build-up. For more information on our top five tips and more summer safety advice visit 👉 https://ow.ly/ceGM50TqBj2

⚖ SAT OUTCOME: The former directors of Flexible Homes Pty Ltd have been fined a combined $50,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal, which found the now-insolvent builder engaged in conduct that was misleading during three building projects in Shelley, Piara Waters and The Vines. The Tribunal ordered Pavreet Singh and MD Touhidul Islam Sunny to pay $25,000 each for the company’s conduct, which are disciplinary matters under WA’s builder registration laws. According to agreed facts following mediation at the Tribunal, Flexible Homes “represented to certain clients that it would be the builder of their respective houses” but in fact the company “intended for a third-party builder to be engaged”.

🏆 TOP APPRENTICES: At the recent NECA WA Awards, Building and Energy’s Matthew Peacock was on hand to congratulate the winning and commended electrical apprentices. Winners (pictured clockwise): 🔹 First year – Kaire Raik (Electrical Group Training (EGT), hosted by Cabling Network Solutions) 🔸 Second year – Bianca Vaz De Oliveira (Electrical Group Training, hosted by Fredon WA) 🔹 Third Year – Dong Jun Kim (Elec Power Technologies) 🔸 Fourth Year ELV/Communications – Crystal Romeo (Electrical Group Training, hosted by Mizco) 🔹 Fourth Year Industrial – Rushi Pathak (Elec Power Technologies) 🔸 Fourth Year Commercial/Domestic – Nicholas Copeland (Pacific Energy Renewables) Commendations: 🔹 First Year – Jack Johnson (Electrical Group Training, hosted by Fredon WA) and Lachlan Hockings (Electrical Group Training, hosted by Everett Smith & Co) 🔸 Third Year – James McKenna (Electrical Group Training, hosted by Everett Smith & Co)

🚿 PLUMBING PENALTY: The Plumbers Licensing Board has fined a South West plumber $7,500 for multiple disciplinary matters related to plumbing work at three properties in the Margaret River area. Breaches of the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations occurred at each property, including negligence or incompetence in relation to carrying out plumbing work. Several instances of non-compliance with plumbing standards were found including high-risk issues at two homes. The plumber also failed to provide the Board with compulsory compliance paperwork including notices of intention, certificates of compliance and drainage plumbing diagrams.

⚖ ELECTRICAL PROSECUTION: Western Power has been fined $40,000 for failing to have adequate electrical testing processes after a Manning resident received an electric shock. The network operator pleaded guilty at Perth Magistrates Court to failing to develop, implement and maintain adequate work practices as required by the Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015. The incident occurred when a subcontractor installed a new tariff meter at the affected property while converting overhead to underground electricity supplies. An electrical worker completed a service connection test checklist form provided by Western Power, but an investigation later revealed the tests specified on this form failed to detect a hazardous load neutral voltage. This caused metal components at the home to become live. A resident received an electric shock while touching a bathroom tap, but fortunately no injuries occurred. Building and Energy told the court Western Power’s service connection test form did not include an electrical neutral integrity test, which is considered a definitive method for identifying the neutral fault that occurred at the home. WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan (pictured), said the hazardous voltages could have caused serious or fatal injuries, as well as property damage or fire. “Western Power has previous convictions for instances in which deficiencies in the form led to inadequate testing and risk to consumers. Western Power has recently advised me it has now taken adequate corrective actions and included the electrical neutral integrity test as a key requirement for service connections.” ➡ Read more: https://lnkd.in/gkGZYa5F

🔥 BUSHFIRE-PRONE AREAS 🔥 The 2024 edition of WA's Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas, published today, shows new bushfire-prone areas and those continuing from earlier editions. A four-month transition applies to the new areas before the Building Code of Australia bushfire construction requirements apply (on 24 January 2025). Also released today is the revised State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire and its associated Planning for Bushfire Guidelines (https://lnkd.in/dYzCQZdM). The map introduces two contexts for applying the policy and guidelines for planning purposes: 🔸 Area 1 (Urban) comprises built-up urbanised areas of Perth, Peel and Bunbury where the risk posed by landscape-scale bushfire to people, property and infrastructure is lower 🔸 Area 2 covers the rest of WA that is designated as bushfire-prone. The release of the map, policy and guidelines concludes the third and final stage of the State Government’s 2019 Action Plan for Bushfire Framework Review.

SKILLS ON SHOW: Building and Energy’s Chief Electrical Inspector (Compliance) Todd Bell was among 11 WA representatives for Team Australia’s “Skillaroos” at the WorldSkills International vocational competition in Lyon, France. As an expert in the electrical installation category, Todd assessed the skills of young competitors from all over the world. Todd also worked closely for several months with Queensland's Dylan Redman, who represented Australia in the electrical competition, which was eventually won by Zhijun Zhao from China. The Skillaroos finished a respectable 14th out of 59 countries in the overall competition, which is a celebration and showcase of vocational careers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e8JjrNsE 📸 Todd Bell (second left) with other Australian experts 📸 Dylan Redman during the electrical competition

PIPE UPDATE: Law changes are progressing to help resolve Typlex 1050 plumbing pipe leaks, ensuring all affected homeowners can access a consistent remedy. The amendments will allow building service complaints related specifically to Typlex 1050 pipes to be lodged with the Building Commissioner for up to 15 years after completion of a building or renovation project, rather than the usual six years. Read the Commerce Minister's statement here: https://lnkd.in/gmRau_ue Building remedy orders resulting from the 15-year disputes process will, as far as reasonably practicable, align with the remediation program for the recent announced Industry Response (https://lnkd.in/gFHUPw5b) – an in-principle agreement between the pipe manufacturer (Iplex Australia), participating builders and the State Government to fund a structured remediation program based on the number of leaks experienced.