Page 234 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

Work programmes can be used for private installation work such as the removal
of a bathroom and installing a wet room, where there could be quite a lot of
disruption to people living in the property. A discussion with the customers at
the outset will help to customise the work plan and organise different trades to
carry out their specific tasks in an effective and efficient way. When working
on-site, there are fewer restrictions than when working in a house. When a site
is occupied it is essential that the customer’s needs, requirements and lifestyle
are carefully considered when planning. There will invariably have to be some
p Figure 4.10 Supervisor showing compromises on both sides but the initial discussions are paramount to identify
an apprentice an area of work times where rapid progress can be made and where restrictions exist.
to be reviewed
Using work programmes to arrange and co-ordinate
maintenance activities
INDUSTRY TIP
In the same way, service and maintenance contract work requires a work
The Building Regulations now programme to ensure that appliances and components are kept functional,
require thermostatic control safe and in good working order. A plumbing company could be involved in
of hot water temperature. regular maintenance of a range of appliances in a large building – for example,
in a doctor’s practice or an office block, to monitor the chlorination of water
supplies and testing, and checking flow rates and temperatures of water outlets
to ensure compliance with the Water Regulations and current British Standards.

The heat source for the building could be a commercial gas boiler and these will
need to be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The
radiator circuit must also be checked for effective operation and leaks. Usually
on a maintenance contract, the sanitary appliances will have to be inspected
and the air admittance valves (AAVs) may have to be changed, as well as WC
siphons. Performance testing of appliance traps’ seals may be required if there
have been complaints of foul smells within the building.

There is a large range of maintenance tasks to carry out, and accurate records
of past events or risk assessments help plan for an effective work programme.
Private service and maintenance work in houses will involve planning and
record keeping to the same standard as larger projects but on a smaller scale.
Yearly boiler servicing is recommended by manufacturers, but appliance safety
checks are a legal requirement for landlords – the plumber’s record keeping and
planning will help them to work effectively. A heating system service will require
the plumber to test the safety controls on a sealed system and inspect the
ACTIVITY float-operated valve in the feed and expansion cistern located in a loft, where
If you are involved with safe access and good lighting needs to be provided.
installing a bathroom suite,
measure the temperature VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS
of the hot water tap and
see if it complies with the Communication with the customer is essential to ensure minimum disruption,
limit range set out by the as some tasks, such as chlorination, may have to be carried out after hours.
Building Regulations.

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