NCC 2022 Volume Three - Plumbing Code of Australia
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B2
Part B2 Heated water servicesPart B2 Heated water services
This Part sets out the requirements for any part of a heated water service of a property that is connected to the drinking water supply. It covers from the point of connection to the points of discharge.
Objectives
B2O1
Objective
2019: BO2
The Objective of this Part is to—
Functional Statements
B2F1
Heated water supply
2019: BF2.1
Sanitary fixtures, sanitary appliances and supply outlets provided with heated water must have a safe and adequate piped heated water supply.
B2F2
Heated water installations
2019: BF2.2
The heated water supply must be conveyed through plumbing installations in a way that—
B2F3
Greenhouse gas emissions
2019: BF2.3
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to the degree necessary, a heated water service is to—
The greenhouse gas intensity of energy sources vary. For example, natural gas has a low greenhouse gas intensity compared with electricity generated from coal.
For the purposes of B2F3(b), the renewable energy source must be on-site (not GreenPower) and includes, but is not limited to solar, wind, hydroelectric, wave action and geothermal.
Performance Requirements
B2P1
Heated water supply
2019: BP2.1
A heated water service must be connected to a drinking water supply.
B2P1 applies to a heated water service used for human consumption, food preparation, food utensil washing or personal hygiene.
B2P2
Scald prevention
2019: BP2.2
Heated water supplied by a heated water service must be delivered from the point of discharge of fixtures and appliances at a temperature which is unlikely to scald.
B2P2 applies to fixtures and appliances used primarily for personal hygiene.
B2P3
Velocity
2019: BP2.3
The water velocity in heated water service pipework up to 65 °C must not exceed—
The water velocity in heated water service pipework up to 65 °C must not exceed—
High velocities in heated water services can be a contributing factor to the erosion/corrosion of pipework. Consideration should be given to the appropriate velocities for the building based on water temperature, water chemistry and materials used.
B2P4
Access and isolation
2019: BP2.3
B2P5
Pressure relief and temperature limitation
2019: BP2.4
Containers used for producing and/or storing heated water are to relieve excessive pressure and avoid flash steam production by—
B2P5(a) has a tolerance of +5% or 14 kPa whichever is the greater.
B2P6
Legionella control
2019: BP2.5
Heated water must be stored and delivered under conditions which avoid the likelihood of the growth of a Legionella bacteria count greater than or equal to 10 Legionella colony forming units (cfu) per millilitre.
A risk assessment should be undertaken for the control and management of Legionella in heated water systems in aged care, health-care and other similar facilities with high risk occupants.
B2P7
Energy use and source
2019: BP2.6
Energy use and source
Excessive ‘dead water’ draw-off, i.e. where cooled water from the supply pipe is drained off prior to delivery of heated water, can result in water and energy wastage.
To improve the efficiency of heated water systems, the design should consider factors such as the number of outlets, their purpose and expected typical usage, and the distance between the water heater and each of the outlets. The water heater should be positioned nearest to the most used outlets, or installed to provide consistent coverage of the building. Where this is not viable, the use of multiple water heaters or a flow and return pipe loop may need to be considered.
B2P7(2) permits the energy source of the heated water service to be considered. This means that the net energy obtained from renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind, and biofuels may be considered as 'free' energy in calculating the energy consumption. Similarly, heat reclaimed from another 'free' source such as a by-product from co-generation type processes as well as other industrial processes, which could otherwise be rejected from the building, could be considered as 'free' energy in calculating the energy consumption.
B2P8
Temperature
2019: BP2.3
A heated water service must ensure that heated water is provided at appropriate temperatures for the correct functioning of the fixture or appliance.
B2P9
Pressure
2019: BP2.3
The points of discharge for a heated water service must—
B2P9(a)(i) and B2P9(a)(ii) do not apply to existing low-pressure gravity only water services.
Pressure
The points of discharge for a heated water service must—
B2P10
Uncontrolled discharge
2019: BP2.3
A heated water service must avoid failure or uncontrolled discharge.
B2P11
Water efficiency
New for 2022
A heated water service must ensure the efficient use of drinking water by limiting water use from a tap or outlet for a shower, basin, kitchen sink or laundry trough to a flow rate of not more than 9 l/m.
Verification Methods
B2V1
Heated water storage temperature
2019: BV2.2
Compliance with B2P6 is verified for each heated water storage system when the water heater is designed such that all water is subjected to a temperature-dependent minimum exposure period as specified in Table B2V1 within 7 days before passing through the water-heating appliance's heated water outlet.
Temperature | Minimum exposure period |
---|---|
70 °C or greater | 1 second |
66 °C | 2 minutes |
60 °C | 32 minutes |
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
B2D1
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions
2019: B2.1
There are no Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions for warm water systems.
B2D2
Water heater in a heated water supply system
2019: B2.2
Year | Tank volume of 400 litres or more and not more than 700 litres | Tank volume of more than 220 litres and less than 400 litres | Tank volume of not more than 220 litres |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | 34 in zone 3* and/or 32 in zone 4 | 24 in zone 3 and/or 23 in zone 4 | 15 in zone 3 and/or 14 in zone 4 |
2023 | 30 in zone 3 and/or 28 in zone 4 | 21 in zone 3 and/or 20 in zone 4 | 13 in zone 3 and/or 12 in zone 4 |
2024 | 26 in zone 3 and/or 25 in zone 4 | 18 in zone 3 and/or 18 in zone 4 | 11 in zone 3 and/or 11 in zone 4 |
2025 | 22 in zone 3 and/or 21 in zone 4 | 16 in zone 3 and/or 15 in zone 4 | 10 in zone 3 and/or 9 in zone 4 |
* Zones are defined by the Clean Energy Regulator
A property is connected to a reticulated gas supply if it has a piped connection to a gas distribution system and this connection is capable of supplying gas to gas equipment and/or appliances.
A property is not connected to a reticulated gas supply if:
Reticulated gas includes:
The energy ratings for natural gas and LPG water heaters are available at: http://www.aga.asn.au/product_directory
STCs are Small-scale Technology Certificates. References to Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) refer equally to STCs. The number of STCs is provided for each eligible model of solar water heater and electric heat pump water heater at: https://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET/Scheme-participants-and-industry/Agents-and-installers/Small-scale-systems-eligible-for-certificates/Register-of-solar-water-heaters
The STC values specified in Section SA B2D2 for either CER Zones 3 or 4 may be used to demonstrate compliance, regardless of the actual zone in which the water heater is to be installed.
Water heater in a heated water supply system
In a new Class 1 or Class 10 building—
Water heater in a heated water supply system
Water heater in a heated water supply system
Water heater in a heated water supply system
Compliance is not required with the national provisions of B2D2 as the sources of energy for new Class 1 and 10 buildings are regulated under BASIX.
Number of bedrooms in the building | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 or 2 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
3 or 4 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
4 or more | 25 | 22 | 19 | 16 |
Number of bedrooms | Minimum energy saving |
---|---|
1 or 2 | 40% for a ‘small load’ system |
2 or 3 | 60% for a ‘medium load’ system |
4 or more | 60% for a ‘large load’ system |
B2D3
Layout of taps
2019: B2.3
Where both a heated water tap and a cold water tap are installed, the heated water tap must be installed to the left of, or above, the cold water tap if—
To reduce the likelihood of scalding in a bath, consideration should be given to installing taps out of reach of the bath occupants. This would reduce the likelihood of children accidentally turning the heated water on or adjusting the water temperature.
To reduce the likelihood of scalding, consideration should be given to the following when installing heated water taps in a shower:
B2D4
Water efficiency
2019: B2.4
A tap or outlet used for a shower, basin, kitchen sink, or laundry trough must be a minimum of 3 Star WELS rated and discharge not more than 9 litres per minute.
The requirements of B2D4 do not apply to a shower intended to provide rapid drenching of a person for emergency purposes, such as chemical removal.
A heated water outlet includes an outlet which delivers any combination of heated water and cold water.
AS/NZS 6400 Water Efficient Products - Rating and labelling, provides the basis for the rating and labelling of a range of products under the mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme.
B2D4 outlines the minimum level of water efficiency for certain plumbing products and fixtures, however the adoption of products and technologies of greater efficiency should be considered.
B2D5
Maximum delivery temperature
2019: B2.5
The delivery temperature of heated water at the outlet of each sanitary fixture must be—
B2D5 applies to all heated water installations intended for personal hygiene.
B2D5(b) does not apply to the replacement of a water heater unit in the same location where the original installation did not require a temperature control valve.
Scenarios covered in B2D5 may include where—
Consideration should be given to the intended occupants of a building when commissioning the heated water delivery temperature. For example, if the occupants of a Class 1 building are older adults or young children, a lower temperature than specified in B2D5(b) should be considered.
Maximum delivery temperature
B2D5 applies to all heated water installations intended for personal hygiene.
Scenarios covered in B2D5 may include where—
Consideration should be given to the intended occupants of a building when commissioning the heated water delivery temperature. For example, if the occupants of a Class 1 building are older adults or young children, a lower temperature than specified in B2D5(b) should be considered.
A duty of care should be exercised by installers to explain to clients the merits of temperature control for heated water delivered to existing sanitary fixtures used primarily for personal hygiene purposes.
Maximum delivery temperature
The delivery temperature of heated water at the outlet of each sanitary fixture must be—
B2D5 applies to all heated water installations for personal hygiene purposes.
Maximum delivery temperature
The delivery temperature of heated water at the outlet of each sanitary fixture must be—
B2D5 applies to all heated water installations intended for personal hygiene.
Scenarios covered in B2D5 may include where—
Consideration should be given to the intended occupants of a building when commissioning the heated water delivery temperature. For example, if the occupants of a Class 1 building are older adults or young children, a lower temperature than specified in B2D5(b) should be considered.
B2D6
Temperature control devices
2019: B2.6
(a) thermostatic mixing valve; or
(b) thermostatically controlled tap.
B2D6 applies to all heated water installations intended for personal hygiene.
Scenarios covered by B2D6 may include where—
• a heated water service is installed on the premises for the first time; or
• the water heater forming part of an existing heated water service is—
• replaced with a like-for-like water heater; or
• replaced with a different type of water heater; or
• relocated, and is reconnected to, some or all of the sanitary fixtures to which it was previously connected; or
• more than one existing sanitary fixture is replaced with new similar fixtures; or
• an existing heated water service on the premises is altered or extended to serve additional sanitary fixtures.
Temperature control devices
B2D6 only applies to new and replacement heated water installations.
B2D6 does not apply to the replacement of a single heated water storage unit within a range or bank of heaters.
Temperature control devices
B2D6 only applies to—
A temperature control device need not be installed if one or more, but not all, heating units in a manifold water heater are replaced.
Temperature control devices
B2D6 applies to all heated water installations intended for personal hygiene.
Scenarios covered by B2D6 may include where—
B2D7
Heated water storage
2019: B2.7
Containers used for producing and/or storing heated water must be provided with a temperature and pressure relief device in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4.
B2D8
Legionella control
2019: B2.8
Legionella control for water heaters must be carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4.
B2D9
General requirements
2019: B2.9
A heated water service must be in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4 with the following variations—
General requirements
A heated water service must be in accordance with AS/NZS 3500.4.
B2D10
Bushfire prone areas
New for 2022
A heated water service in a designated bushfire prone area must be in accordance with AS 3959.
B2D11
Solar heated water
2019: B2.9
A solar heated water supply system for food preparation and sanitary purposes, where installed in a new building in climate zones 1, 2 or 3, is not required to comply with Section 8 of AS/NZS 3500.4.
NCC Volumes One and Two deal with a number of areas of on-site construction which are relevant to a heated water service. They include, but may not be limited to, those listed in Table B2.
Item | NCC Volume One Class 2 to 9 buildings | NCC Volume Two Class 1 and 10 buildings |
---|---|---|
Excavations for pipework adjacent to a building and footings | B1 Structural provisions | H1 Structure |
Termite management for attachments to buildings and penetrations through a slab | B1 Structural provisions | H1 Structure |
Penetrations for pipework through a vapour barrier | B1 Structural provisions | H1 Structure |
Pipework in timber bearers and joists of solid timber or engineered wood products | B1 Structural provisions | H1 Structure |
Fittings, fixtures and pipework installations in steel framed construction | B1 Structural provisions | H1 Structure |
Penetrations through a fire-resisting wall or floor | C1 Fire resistance Performance Requirements and C4 Protection of openings | H3 Fire safety |
Fixtures and fittings in a wet area | F2 Wet areas and overflow protection | H4 Health and amenity |
Service pipework external to the building and penetrations through roof cladding in a bushfire prone area | G5 Construction in bushfire prone areas | H7 Ancillary provisions and additional construction requirements |
Pipework sound insulation | F7 Sound transmission and insulation | H4 Health and amenity |
Flues, chimneys, pipes, gas storage, domestic fuel tanks, cooling or heating appliances or other services | C4 Protection of openings | H3 Fire safety |
Central heating pipework | J6 Air-conditioning and ventilation systems | H6 Energy efficiency |
Pool and spa heating and pumping - energy efficiency | J8 Heated water supply and swimming pool and spa pool plant | H6 Energy efficiency |
Energy consumption monitoring for water heaters | J9 Facilities for energy monitoring | Not applicable |