Notice Type
General Section
Notice Title

Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (Gasfitting Registration and Licensing)

Amendment Notice 2012
The Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board, under sections 28, 30, 31 and 139 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006 ("the Act"), having been guided by the principles set out in section 32 of the Act, issues the following notice to amend the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Gasfitting Registration and Licensing) Notice 2010, published in the New Zealand Gazette, 21 October 2010, No. 143, page 3608.
Contents
1. Title
2. Commencement
3. Principal notice
4. Purpose
5. Interpretation
6. Schedule amended
(1) Paragraph 2(2)
(2) Paragraphs 3(1), (2), (3) and (4) amended
(3) New subparagraph inserted
(4) Paragraph 7(2) amended
(5) Paragraphs 8(1), (2), (3) and (4) amended
(6) New subparagraph inserted
______________________
1. Title
This notice is the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board (Gasfitting Registration and Licensing) Amendment Notice 2012.
2. Commencement
This notice comes into force on 11 October 2012.
3. Principal notice
This notice amends the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Gasfitting Registration and Licensing) Notice 2010 ("the principal notice").
4. Purpose
The purposes of this notice are:
(a) to revoke the competencies that the board, in setting the examinations referred to in the principal notice, requires applicants for registration as certifying gasfitters or licensed gasfitters to demonstrate, and to replace them with new competencies; and
(b) to revoke the continuing professional development ("CPD") requirements referred to in the principal notice and replace them with new CPD requirements.
5. Interpretation
(1) In this notice, unless the context otherwise requires-
board means the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.
(2) Any term or expression that is defined in the Act that is used but not defined in this notice has the same meaning as in the Act.
6. Schedule amended
Paragraph 2(2)
(1) Replace paragraph 2(2) in the Schedule with:
"(2) The certifying gasfitter examination and the certifying common examination referred to in paragraph 2(1) are set by the board so that, to pass the examinations an applicant demonstrates the ability to design, manage the installation of, and verify/certify gasfitting systems through possessing competencies in the areas of:
(a) Trade calculations and trade science used in the design and installation of gasfitting systems. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) estimation, measurement, and calculation using measurement systems;
(ii) application of formulae;
(iii) physics laws and their application as they relate to gasfitting;
(iv) hydraulic principles;
(v) combustion and ventilation;
(vi) flame characteristics;
(vii) flammability limits;
(viii) gas rating;
(ix) heat input/output and efficiency calculations;
(x) expansion and contraction;
(xi) corrosion;
(xii) fluing;
(xiii) pipe sizing;
(xiv) fluid flow;
(xv) pressure;
(xvi) volume.
(b) Drawings and specifications for gasfitting. Descriptors include, but are not limited to preparing plans and specifications.
(c) The selection of materials; their properties, applications and how they are used in the design and specification of gasfitting. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) compatibility, testing, and commissioning procedures;
(ii) alternative materials, approval regimes, and protection of material.
(d) The design, specification and verification/certification of gasfitting installations and system components. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) gas supply pipework, service lines, meters, and regulator systems;
(ii) sizing the appliance to meet the duty required;
(iii) domestic gas-fired appliances and equipment installations;
(iv) commercial gas-fired appliances and equipment installations;
(v) industrial gas-fired appliances and equipment installations;
(vi) pressure and flow controls;
(vii) safety devices.
(e) Access to, and application of, relevant documentation relating to gasfitting to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) Acts and Regulations;
(ii) standards;
(iii) codes;
(iv) manufacturers' instructions.
(f) Management of the effect on the integrity of structures relating to the design and installation of gasfitting systems, including weather tightness considerations as they relate to penetrations to the building envelope and coordination with other services. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) preservation of structural integrity;
(ii) prevention of damage to property including weather tightness;
(iii) positioning and protection of services along with the coordination with other building services.
(g) Responsibilities relating to managing health and safety. Descriptors include, but are not limited to health and safety systems, and preparation of safety plans.
(h) Responsibilities relating to the oversight and/or supervision of persons who do, or assist in doing, gasfitting work."
Paragraphs 3(1), (2), (3) and (4) amended
(2) Replace paragraphs 3(1), (2), (3) and (4) in the Schedule with:
"(1) To be eligible to be issued with a certifying gasfitter practising licence, an applicant must, during the licensing period concluding immediately before the licensing period for which the licence application is being made, have obtained a minimum number of continuing professional development ("CPD") points ("CPD points").
(1A) Of the CPD points required by a certifying gasfitter for each licensing period, an applicant must have obtained at least 75% of the CPD points by successfully completing board-accredited CPD courses, and a maximum of 25% of the CPD points by completing self-directed learning, as set out in the following table:
Practising licences CPD points for each licensing period
Certifying gasfitter practising licence only 12 CPD points, of which-
" at least 9 points must be from board-accredited CPD courses; and
" up to 3 points may be acquired through self-directed learning
Certifying gasfitter practising licence and one of the following-
" certifying drainlayer practising licence
" licensed drainlayer practising licence
" certifying plumber practising licence
" licensed plumber practising licence 20 CPD points, of which-
" at least 15 points must be from board-accredited CPD courses; and
" up to 5 points may be acquired through self-directed learning
Certifying gasfitter practising licence and two of the following-
" certifying drainlayer practising licence
" licensed drainlayer practising licence
" certifying plumber practising licence
" licensed plumber practising licence 24 CPD points, of which-
" at least 18 points must be from board-accredited CPD courses; and
" up to 6 points may be acquired through self-directed learning

(2) A "board-accredited CPD course" means any learning programme accredited by the board before the certifying gasfitter enrols in it. In exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Registrar, the board may accept CPD points as being for board-accredited courses where the course was not accredited before the certifying gasfitter enrolled in it but where the board subsequently accredited it.
(2A) One hour of self-directed learning has the value of one (1) CPD point. The following are examples of activities that an applicant could claim as CPD points for self-directed learning:
(a) attending seminars;
(b) attending conferences;
(c) reviewing published material;
(d) presenting at conferences;
(e) writing articles.
(2B) All CPD points must be relevant to at least one (1) of the competencies prescribed for the trade or trades to which an application relates. "Competencies" means the competencies in the areas identified in:
(a) paragraphs 2(7) and 7(2) of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Drainlaying Registration and Licensing) Notice 2010;
(b) paragraphs 2(2) and 7(2) of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Plumbing Registration and Licensing) Notice 2010;
(c) paragraphs 2(2) and 7(2) of this notice.
(2C) Where an applicant is seeking to be licensed in more than one (1) trade, they must ensure that they have obtained some CPD points relevant to the competencies for each of those trades, and that those CPD points are from board-accredited CPD programmes.
(2D) CPD that does not relate to the competencies is not eligible to be counted as CPD points.
(3) If, in any licensing period, a certifying gasfitter obtains more than the required number of CPD points from board-accredited CPD courses, those additional points may be counted towards the CPD points for the next licensing period, but may not be counted towards the CPD points required for any subsequent licensing period.
(4) From time to time, the board may require certifying gasfitters to undertake particular CPD courses. The CPD points obtained as a result of successfully completing board-required CPD will be regarded as being CPD points from board-accredited CPD."
New subparagraph inserted
(3) After paragraph 3(13) in the Schedule, insert:
"Transitional provision
(14) The first date by which certifying gasfitters are required to have obtained the CPD points so that they can be issued a certifying gasfitter practising licence for the following licensing period is
31 March 2013."
Paragraph 7(2) amended
(4) Replace paragraph 7(2) of the Schedule with:
"(2) The board's examination, referred to in paragraph 7(1), is set by the board so that, to pass the examination an applicant demonstrates knowledge, and the experience and practical ability to install, test, commission, fault-find, and maintain gasfitting systems through possessing competencies identified in the areas of:
(a) Trade calculations and trade sciences. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) estimation, measurement, and calculation using measurement systems;
(ii) application of formulae;
(iii) gas rating;
(iv) heat input/output calculations;
(v) pipesizing;
(vi) fluing;
(vii) corrosion;
(viii) flame characteristics;
(ix) flammability limits;
(x) physics laws as they relate to gasfitting;
(xi) combustion and ventilation;
(xii) expansion and contraction.
(b) Limitations and applications of materials used in gasfitting, including material protection and jointing methods. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) copper;
(ii) PVC;
(iii) polyethylene (PE);
(iv) mild steel;
(v) stainless steel;
(vi) polypropylene;
(vii) cross linked polyethylene;
(viii) brass/bronze;
(ix) cast iron;
(x) aluminium;
(xi) fire-rated materials;
(xii) the use of tools and equipment.
(c) The installation, testing, commissioning, fault-finding, and maintaining of gas installations. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) appliances;
(ii) equipment;
(iii) ventilation;
(iv) pipework;
(v) fluing.
(d) Types, uses, characteristics, composition, and safe storage and handling of fuel gases. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) manufactured gas;
(ii) natural gas;
(iii) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG): butane, propane, general product.
(e) The principles of space and water heating systems. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) principles and components of direct and indirect heating and ventilation;
(ii) solar boosted systems;
(iii) hydronic systems;
(iv) fans;
(v) ducting.
(f) Drawings and specifications for gasfitting. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) interpreting plans and specifications;
(ii) drawing as-built;
(iii) development of patterns.
(g) Electrical and electronics work as it applies to gasfitting within the limitations under the Electricity Act 1992.
(h) Access to, and the application of, relevant documentation relating to gasfitting to meet compliance requirements, and an understanding of the regulatory environment. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) Acts and Regulations;
(ii) standards;
(ii) codes;
(iv) manufacturers' instructions.
(i) The effect of the installation of gasfitting systems, or their components, on the integrity of structures, including weather tightness considerations as they relate to penetrations to the building envelope. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) preservation of structural integrity;
(ii) prevention of damage to property, including weather tightness.
(j) Responsibilities relating to health and safety. Descriptors include, but are not limited to-
(i) personal and public safety;
(ii) site safety;
(iii) electrical safety.
(k) Limitations on persons who do, or assist in doing, gasfitting work."
Paragraphs 8(1), (2), (3) and (4) amended
(5) Replace paragraphs 8(1), (2), (3) and (4) in the Schedule with:
"(1) To be eligible to be issued with a licensed gasfitter practising licence, an applicant must, during the licensing period concluding immediately before the licensing period for which the licence application is being made, have obtained a minimum number of continuing professional development ("CPD") points ("CPD points").
(1A) Of the CPD points required by a licensed gasfitter for each licensing period, an applicant must have obtained at least 75% of the CPD points by successfully completing board-accredited CPD courses, and a maximum of 25% of the CPD points by completing self-directed learning, as set out in the following table:
Practising licences CPD points for each year
Licensed gasfitter practising licence only 12 CPD points, of which-
" at least 9 points must be from board-accredited CPD courses; and
" up to 3 points may be acquired through self-directed learning
Licensed gasfitter practising licence and one of the following-
" certifying drainlayer practising licence
" licensed drainlayer practising licence
" certifying plumber practising licence
" licensed plumber practising licence 20 CPD points, of which-
" at least 15 points must be from board-accredited CPD courses; and
" up to 5 points may be acquired through self-directed learning
Licensed gasfitter practising licence and two of the following-
" certifying drainlayer practising licence
" licensed drainlayer practising licence
" certifying plumber practising licence
" licensed plumber practising licence 24 CPD points, of which-
" at least 18 points must be from board-accredited CPD courses, and
" up to 6 points may be acquired through self-directed learning
(2) A "board-accredited CPD course" means any learning programme accredited by the board before the licensed gasfitter enrols in it. In exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Registrar, the board may accept CPD points as being for board-accredited courses where the course was not accredited before the licensed gasfitter enrolled in it but where the board subsequently accredited it.
(2A) One hour of self-directed learning has the value of one (1) CPD point. The following are examples of activities that an applicant could claim as CPD points for self-directed learning:
(a) attending seminars;
(b) attending conferences;
(c) reviewing published material;
(d) presenting at conferences;
(e) writing articles.
(2B) All CPD points must be relevant to at least one (1) of the competencies prescribed for the trade or trades to which an application relates. "Competencies" means the competencies in the areas identified in:
(a) paragraphs 2(7) and 7(2) of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Drainlaying Registration and Licensing) Notice 2010;
(b) paragraphs 2(2) and 7(2) of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (Plumbing Registration and Licensing) Notice 2010;
(c) paragraphs 2(2) and 7(2) of this notice.
(2C) Where an applicant is seeking to be licensed in more than one (1) trade, they must ensure that they have obtained some CPD points relevant to the competencies for each of those trades, and that those CPD points are from board-accredited CPD programmes.
(2D) CPD that does not relate to the competencies is not eligible to be counted as CPD points.
(3) If, in any licensing period, a licensed gasfitter obtains more than the required number of CPD points from board-accredited CPD courses, those additional points may be counted towards the CPD points for the next immediate licensing period, but may not be counted towards the CPD points required for any subsequent licensing period.
(4) From time to time, the board may require licensed gasfitters to undertake particular CPD courses. The CPD points obtained as a result of successfully completing board-required CPD will be regarded as being CPD points from board-accredited CPD."
New subparagraph inserted
(6) After paragraph 8(11) in the Schedule, insert:
"Transitional provision
(12) The first date by which licensed gasfitters are required to have obtained the CPD points so that they can be issued a licensed gasfitter practising licence for the following licensing period is
31 March 2013."
Issued at Wellington this 5th day of September 2012.
WILLIAM MAX PEDERSEN
Registrar
Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board
Explanatory Note
This note is for explanatory purposes only.
The amendments set out in this notice:
" clearly prescribe what gasfitters should know or be able to do, to be eligible for registration in each of the respective registration classes; and
" require gasfitters who apply for renewals of their practising licences to complete continuing professional development to assist in maintaining and improving their competence.
By ensuring a minimum standard of competence and establishing methods that assist to maintain and improve competence, the board contributes to complying with the purposes of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006.
In prescribing the matters set out in this notice, and in accordance with the provisions set out in sections 32 and 33 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006, the board has:
" been guided by the principles in section 32; and
" consulted in accordance with section 33(1).
Issued under sections 28 and 30 of the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006.
Date of notification in the New Zealand Gazette: 12 September 2012.
This notice is administered by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board.