Master Plumbers Association of Queensland

For Your Protection and Peace of Mind
 
Always Use A Master Plumber!

Plumbing work on your property can affect the health of your family and environment. With so much at stake, use someone you can trust ..... call a Master Plumbers' Association Member.

For your peace of mind, call us on (07) 3252 1266. We will put you in touch with a quality plumber who takes seriously the slogan:

Plumbers Protect the Health of a Nation

Contacting MPAQ

Adrian Hart
Executive Director
Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland
84 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills QLD 4006
PO Box 408, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Phone: 07 3252 1266
Fax: 07 3257 1910
Email: adrian.hart@mpaq.com.au
Website: www.mpaq.com.au

What is Plumbing?

The public may sometimes be under the impression that a plumber just repairs tap washers and clears blocked drains, but in reality the scope of their work is much more (eg):

Why is Plumbing Important?

Protecting Community Health

Plumbers protect community health primarily by providing clean drinking water, which is free of contaminants, and safely removing wastes generated in ablution and food preparation areas.

Regulations:

Plumbers are highly skilled individuals who are trained in the latest technology, Australian Standards and regulations.

The legally enforceable guidelines under which plumbing work is undertaken are not determined randomly; rather they have been developed over a long period of time from experience.

They ensure that water is delivered at the required volume and pressure for us to enjoy and that waste is disposed of effectively.

Those regulations also ensure that unpleasant sewerage smells do not intrude into our homes or worse still that raw sewerage does not back up into our homes or yards.

Cross Connections:

Plumbers ensure that dangerous cross connections do not occur and poison our drinking water.

There have been incidences of people becoming sick or even dying after drinking contaminated water.

Plumbers are trained in the identification for high hazard areas and the installation of air gaps and backflow prevention devices should be maintained regularly to ensure their consistent, efficient and safe operation.

Simple cases of backflow can occur through faulty plumbing installations, using garden pesticide sprays or leaving hoses in chemicals used in the industry or agriculture etc.

Approved Products:

Just as there are legal guidelines controlling the way plumbers do their work, there are also legal requirements controlling the products they install.

All plumbing fixtures and fittings must meet stringent manufacturing guidelines before they are approved for use in Australia. This is to ensure that they actually do what they promise to do without causing harm.

It is ironic that while it is not illegal to sell a product that has not been approved or does not comply with the standards, it is illegal to install it.

Once again there are real reasons why you should only use approved products.

Protecting the Environment:

Plumbers protect the environment by safely removing wastes and reducing the impact of the community's need on natural resources.

Stormwater:

When stormwater enters the sewerage system, the treatment plant can not cope with the excess water. This results in raw sewerage being pumped into the sea or rivers untreated.

These illegal connections are usually found as a result of home handyman activities where the person doing the work does not understand the ramifications of their actions.

Local Government undertake smoke testing of their sewerage systems to identify illegal stormwater connections and require the homeowner to have a licensed person rectify the problem.

Stormwater First Flush Division:

Stormwater rightly drains into the catchment systems for our creeks and rivers. Unfortunately it also takes with it many pollutants arising from our modern way of life (eg. chemicals from car washes or grease from truck stops and wash down waste from industry etc).

Plumbers can install first flush diversion systems to trap the initial stormwater containing the pollutants and allow the remaining stormwater to drain off naturally. Contained wastes can then be disposed of properly thus protecting the waterways.

Domestic Treatment Plants:

Plumbers are trained in the correct installation and maintenance of domestic treatment plants used for the safe disposal of household/human wastewater.

Failure to maintain these plants properly results in the dispersal of raw sewerage and other contaminants into the environment.

Resource Management:

Master Plumbers are concerned with the effective management of our scarce natural resources. Efficient use of water can help save the environment and millions of dollars of tax payers money by not having to build new dams.

The Association has entered into a joint venture agreement with the State Government to promote efficient water use through the WaterWise campaign.

WaterWise Master Plumbers have been specially trained to advise on efficient water usage. They can perform a water audit and identify where and how water can be saved.

As Local Governments charge for water on a consumption basis, more and more consumers will be looking for the opportunity to save more money through efficient water use.

For professional advice and assistance call WaterWise Master Plumber:

Adrian Hart
Executive Director
Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland
84 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills QLD 4006
PO Box 408, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Phone: 07 3252 1266
Fax: 07 3257 1910
Email: adrian.hart@mpaq.com.au
Website: www.mpaq.com.au

Fact Sheet

Mission Statement
Protecting Community Health and the Environment through Professional Plumbing Services.

Background

The Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland (MPAQ) was formed in 1990 by a handful of plumbing pioneers whose goal it was to represent the interests of those in the Plumbing Industry by mutual fellowship and support.

Today, the scope of the services provided by the MPAQ has grown considerable. As well as promoting the Plumbing industry as a whole, the MPAQ:

In 1964 the MPAQ became registered as a union of employers in Queensland under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act and is a body corporate by virtue of this registration.

As a registered industrial organisation the Association enjoys certain privileges, however it also has obligations under the Act, especially in regards to its rules, governance and elections.

MPAQ currently services just over 1 2000 members and associates from its own premises situated at Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills.

It is governed by a council elected annually which consists of a President, two Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Past President and no more than six but no less than four other members. Additionally, volunteer office bearers assist with he running of 16 divisions throughout Queensland.

The association is one of a range of industry groups operating in connection with the Building and Construction or Allied Services Industries in Queensland. The particular focus of the MPAQ is to service the Plumbing and Allied Services Industries while developing a general community focus.

Achieving its mission the MPAQ will conduct itself in a way, which reflects the following core values and beliefs:

To fulfil its mission the Association has the following goals in its view:

MPAQ Services

For more information contact:

Adrian Hart
Executive Director
Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland
84 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills QLD 4006
PO Box 408, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Phone: 07 3252 1266
Fax: 07 3257 1910

Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland

CODE OF ETHICS, TRADE CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES

The Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland has approved of this Code of Ethics as a means of encouraging the highest standards of business conduct. It is issues so that all members of the Association may together strive for the improvement of the trade and the development of those personal and business attributes which are the basis of all good trading relations. In all matters relating to the interpretation of this code, a member shall recognise the authority of this Association and its Constitution.

  1. It is considered that the health and well being of the community as it is affected by all Branches of the Plumbing Trade is of prime importance and shall be protected to the best of the member's ability. The task of raising the living standards of the community is one entrusted to the members of the Association, and in fulfilling this task, every endeavour shall be made to convey this obligation to the staff of the Master Plumbers' establishment.
  2. A member shall observe the highest standards of honesty in all of his transactions, and shall in advertising avoid all use of false titles, ambiguous statements and misleading claims.
  3. A member shall endeavour to create friendly cooperation with his fellow members and assist whenever possible, and shall not criticise another member's account or workmanship without first discussing it with the Master Plumber concerned or if agreement is not reached the matter to be referred to the Association.
  4. A member shall carefully avoid the enticement of labour from another member by the offering of higher wages, bonuses, or better conditions.
  5. A member shall not cancel a contract undertaken in good faith without good and sufficient cause, and only then by mutual consent of the parties.
  6. It shall be the endeavour of the members of this Association to provide the best service at a reasonable charge, after taking into consideration all factors and the requirements of the trade and services rendered.
  7. A member shall not supplant another member on any job unless after consultation and agreement with that other member. Should agreement not be found possible, the matter in dispute shall be referred to the Association for settlement.
  8. In addition to being illegal, it shall also be considered unethical for any member to sign as a Licensed Plumber, Licensed Drainer, or Licensed Gasfitter, any relevant documents on behalf of an unlicensed person to enable him to carry out work in the Plumbing Industry.
  9. A member shall endeavour to protect the public and the Trade generally against the lack of skilled tradesmen. He will concern himself regarding the employment of his quota of apprentices and their proper training.
  10. A member shall not pay any person, Secret Commission, Discount or Rebate in order to gain advantage over other members.
  11. A member shall be responsible for the acts of any person or group of persons with whom he is associated by partnership or otherwise, in connection with his business; and upon receipt of an intimation for the Executive Committee of his Trade Association, that the party with whom he is associated, is acting in a manner contrary to the ethical standards of his Association, the Master Plumber shall, as soon as practicable, terminate his connection with such party or otherwise give satisfaction to the Executive.
  12. A member shall at all times consider the preservation of harmonious employer-employee relationships throughout the industry.

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