New Plumbing Guidelines - Dental Consoles

The Victorian Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) recently updated the Technical Guidelines for plumbers regarding Water Supply for Dental Consoles.

This update follows a seminar program convened by the ADAVB in May this year, at which a range of industry, Water Authority and regulatory representatives recognised that zone protection for a dental console in Australia is classified as low hazard (AS/NZS 3500 Part 1 Water Services Appendix F). This means that the recommended device is a non-testable backflow prevention device, the recommended version of which is a Dual Check Valve with Atmospheric Port (DCAP).

This is a welcome development as it will mean most practices can avoid the considerable cost of fitting a testable device, and the ongoing cost of annual test visits by specially licensed plumbers. The PIC note however that backflow containment protection for dental surgeries is at the discretion of the local Water Authority.