Regulations Regarding Geyser Installations
On 8th June 2001 the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry published amendments to the Water Services Act of 1997, introducing compulsory legislation for the installation, maintenance, repair or replacement of electric hot water storage geysers, which are now required to be compliant in terms of the SABS Code of Practice for this type of work. (Refer to SANS 10254).
Electric hot water storage geysers installed before the 8th June 2001 do not have to comply, however should a plumber be required to work on any geyser that was installed before the 8th June 2001, he must advise the owner in writing that he is required by law to upgrade his installation in terms of the requirements of SANS 10254, otherwise he will be guilty of a civil offence.
insurance companies are now advising clients to upgrade any geyser installation that was installed prior to the 8th June 2001, as in future insurance companies may no longer cover clients for damages unless the geyser installation is compliant with SANS 10254.
Plumbing regulations for new or replacement geyser installations make it compulsory for every geyser to have safety tray installed under the geyser … the size of the safety tray is not only determined by the size of the geyser but also that it shall be large enough to catch any leaks that might occur from any of the geyser valves or ancilliary fittings.
Each safety tray shall have a 50mm discharge pipe leading to the outside of the building preferably into an open trapped gulley, or a special waste pipe or fitting specifically designed for that purpose.
The safety valve and pressure reducing valve on any geyser installation shall each be of the same pressure rating as the design capacity of the hot water storage geyser.
Kindly note … metal discharge pipework from either the geyser safety valve or the pressure relief valve may not discharge into the safety tray, they shall be taken outside the building and discharged into an open trapped gulley or into a waste pipe designed specifically for that purpose.(Refer SANS 10254/2004/Item 5.2).
It is now a compulsory requirement in terms of the SBS Code of Practice for this type of work for both the hot and cold water delivery pressure in the system to be equally balanced. (Refer SANS 10254/Item 4.3.3).