Hot and cold pipework orientation

I know that the generally accepted arrangement of hot and cold pipework is hot to the left, and cold to the right. My daughter's new build apparently has them around the wrong way for the shower mixers in both bathrooms. I rang the Master Plumbers (Vic) and he said it is possible that the mixer has been installed upside down, but he wasn't across the Australian Standards for this, and for true compliance issues I'd need to talk to the VBA.

This is more of an annoyance than anything else, especially now that they have worked out that hot and cold are reversed from normal. Interested to hear opinions though - it's unlikely that anything can be done about it, partly because she's living in the completed house and partly because there are only unmentionable things that can be said about this builder.

Could also be a good chance a travelling tradie, NSW is opposite us in vic when it comes to hot and cold. I also think in SA I have come across this having travelled across there just recently.
Pretty sure the standard does not cover left/right orientation.
Every new house build has a story, this is your daughter’s.
cheers

If you are lucky the pipework might extend straight up into the roof space above before connecting into other outlets and a plumber could swap the pipes around
If not it will be a bit more complicated

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Originally Posted by Wrongwayfirst

Every new house build has a story, this is your daughter’s.
cheers

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I like your comment. :) Interesting to see another Geelong member, too. I think there are a few!

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Originally Posted by Beardy

If you are lucky the pipework might extend straight up into the roof space above before connecting into other outlets and a plumber could swap the pipes around
If not it will be a bit more complicated

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This would be good, because she has a fridge with icemaker and did not arrange for plumbing connection in the pantry. I highly doubt it though!

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Originally Posted by Cecile

…there are only unmentionable things that can be said about this builder.

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Was it a volume builder?

Have a read in here
https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/__data/as...wsflash540.pdf

Then here
https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/system/files...lume_Three.pdf

Page 49

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Originally Posted by Cecile

I know that the generally accepted arrangement of hot and cold pipework is hot to the left,

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Originally Posted by Wrongwayfirst

Could also be a good chance a travelling tradie, NSW is opposite us in vic when it comes to hot and cold. I also think in SA I have come across this having travelled across there just recently.
Pretty sure the standard does not cover left/right orientation.
Every new house build has a story, this is your daughter’s.
cheers

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huh, never come across hot on the right in NSW but have so in New Zealand.

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Originally Posted by droog

Have a read in here
https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/__data/as...wsflash540.pdf

Then here
https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/system/files...lume_Three.pdf

Page 49

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That clears it up then :rolleyes: :oo: :?

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Originally Posted by Cecile

I know that the generally accepted arrangement of hot and cold pipework is hot to the left, and cold to the right. My daughter's new build apparently has them around the wrong way for the shower mixers in both bathrooms. I rang the Master Plumbers (Vic) and he said it is possible that the mixer has been installed upside down, but he wasn't across the Australian Standards for this, and for true compliance issues I'd need to talk to the VBA.

This is more of an annoyance than anything else, especially now that they have worked out that hot and cold are reversed from normal. Interested to hear opinions though - it's unlikely that anything can be done about it, partly because she's living in the completed house and partly because there are only unmentionable things that can be said about this builder.

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Whoever you spoke to from the Master Plumbers is absolutely right. It is a compliance issue and therefore the responsibility lies with the Plumber who signed off on the compliance certificate for this works. If you contact the VBA they will confirm this and may request the Plumber attend an audit on the property.

From the National Construction Code (NCC 2022)

B2D3 Layout of taps
[2019: B2.3]


Where both a heated water tap and a cold water tap are installed, the heated water tap must be installed to the left of, or above, the cold water tap if—


(a) each tap controls a separate outlet; or

(b) both taps control a combined flow of water delivered through a single outlet.

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Originally Posted by jack620

Was it a volume builder?

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Yes, it was. Not a very competent one, in our experience. Lots of issues and problems, delays, errors in the build, you name it. Poor communication. Etc. Horrendous experience.

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Originally Posted by Cecile

Yes, it was. Not a very competent one, in our experience. Lots of issues and problems, delays, errors in the build, you name it. Poor communication. Etc. Horrendous experience.

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That's par for the course I'm afraid. I built my own home 20 years ago. I did a lot of the work myself, but also engaged tradesmen for some stages too. Some of the unbelievably stupid things I witnessed tradesmen doing was eye-opening. I quickly implemented a policy that no trades were to be on site unless I was there. Some of them were excellent. Most of them were rubbish. I don't imagine things have improved in 20 years.

Chances are that you can just swap the pipes. Can't say that there is a law that says hot -left or if that is just a thing. Never seen the opposite though.

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Originally Posted by wood spirit

Chances are that you can just swap the pipes. Can't say that there is a law that says hot -left or if that is just a thing. Never seen the opposite though.

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Maybe not a law but certainly a standard. From the posts above:

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The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA), Volume Three of the National Construction Code series,Part B2.5 ‘Layout of taps’ provides installation standards on how separate hot and cold water tapsare to be installed. It provides that the hot water tap must be positioned either on the left hand sidefor horizontal placements or above the cold water tap for vertical placements.

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How that equates to mixer taps I am unsure.

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Originally Posted by droog

How that equates to mixer taps I am unsure.

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It doesn't. The first doc you linked above makes it pretty clear that the PCA doesn't address the installation of mixer taps:

"This installation requirement is only applicable where each tap controls a separate outlet or where both taps control a combined flow of water delivered through a single outlet. The PCA does not provide installation standards specifically for mixing taps."

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Originally Posted by jack620

It doesn't. The first doc you linked above makes it pretty clear that the PCA doesn't address the installation of mixer taps:

"This installation requirement is only applicable where each tap controls a separate outlet or where both taps control a combined flow of water delivered through a single outlet. The PCA does not provide installation standards specifically for mixing taps."

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Sadly that's where common sense must be employed
Push lever to left = hot
Push lever to right = cold

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Originally Posted by Cecile

- it's unlikely that anything can be done about it,

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Depending on the mixer, if you re mount the handle upside down it will achieve what you want.

Call the Vba complaints dept. and ask for guidance.

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Originally Posted by Bedford

Depending on the mixer, if you re mount the handle upside down it will achieve what you want.

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Unfortunately that would mean instead of pulling the lever away from the wall for on, the lever will have to left out and pushed back to wall for on
Not ideal

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Originally Posted by jack620

It doesn't. The first doc you linked above makes it pretty clear that the PCA doesn't address the installation of mixer taps:

"This installation requirement is only applicable where each tap controls a separate outlet or where both taps control a combined flow of water delivered through a single outlet. The PCA does not provide installation standards specifically for mixing taps."

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My question was more about while the PCA specifically exclude the standard for mixing taps in the QLD Building Codes, does the same apply in VIC where the OP is based or can the NCC be applied given that the NCC does not specifically address the exclusion for mixers ?

If you look at the current NCC available at Australian Building Codes Board | ABCB there is specific reference to mixers in that section now but no exclusion like the QLD Building Codes.
Attachment 526511

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Originally Posted by droog

Maybe not a law but certainly a standard. From the posts above:


How that equates to mixer taps I am unsure.

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I read through the info and the only thing it stipulates is that hot and cold must be clearly marked on the tap, but not whether it's right or left. Presumably, if the temperature of the water does not match the red/blue on the tap, there's an issue.