Plumbing Work Victoria - Licensing & Registration

According to changes to state regulations, coming into effect from November 23, 2009, anyone in Victoria who undertakes plumbing work must be licensed or registered with the Plumbing Industry Commission.

The definition of plumbing work is generally includes under eight types of work, including: Water Supply, Gasfitting, Sanitary, Roofing (Stormwater), Drainage, Mechanical Services, Fire Protection or Irrigation (Non-agricultural).

Fire Protection Work^[1]

For clarity, it is worth confirming the regulations define fire protection work as; construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of any part of a water service ^[2] used for fire fighting, from the point of connection of the service to the water supply to any fire fighting device or equipment forming part of that service, including the following equipment:

• a fire hydrant or hose reel;
• a residential or domestic fire sprinkler system;
• a commercial or industrial fire sprinkler system;
• a fire system pump set other than the commissioning of a fire system pump set;
• any design work that is incidental to, or associated with, any work described above

The good news is the the definition of fire protection work excludes inspection from the list, however this is not much of a concession...

In regard to is available in 11 restricted classes, and 3 restricted specialised classes of plumbing. An individual may hold registration or licence in one or more restricted classes. Four of the eleven restricted classes relate specifically to fire protection and include the following;

• Restricted to Hydrants or Hose Reels
  is the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of a fire hydrant or hose reel.
• Restricted to Residential or Domestic Fire Sprinklers in Buildings Above 4 Storeys
  is the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of a residential or domestic fire sprinkler system in a building above 4 storeys.
• Restricted to Residential or Domestic Fire Sprinklers
  is the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of a residential or domestic fire sprinkler system.
• Restricted to Commercial or Industrial Sprinklers
  is the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, testing or commissioning of a commercial or industrial fire sprinkler system.
• Restricted to Fire System Pump Sets
  is the construction, installation, replacement, repair, alteration, maintenance, or testing of a fire system pump set. It does not include commissioning.

^[1] PIC Information Sheet, Main Plumbing Classes
^[2] A water service includes a service that is connected to a reticulated water supply, a rainwater supply or any other water supply.