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OutletThe Official Reece Customer Update We welcome your feedback so please send any comments by e-mail to outlet@reece.com.au or by fax to (03) 9274 0131.

In t

his

issu

e World Apprentice Competition

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Keeping our driest regions lush

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THE CRACKQuirky loo facts

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Spring Bathroom Lookbook

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ISSUE#153November 2014

Don’t compromise on PE-X

PE-X is used everywhere these days. And when a product is going behind a wall and has to last the life of the building, you don’t want to compromise on quality.

Recently we’ve seen a bunch of copycat PE-X products hit the market, but there’s no use risking your reputation on unproven products. Don’t compromise on quality – it’s just not worth it.

We are committed to offering the peace of mind our customers deserve by only stocking the very best and most trusted PE-X brands, like Auspex, Rehau and SharkBite.

With innovation and the ability to respond to the ever-changing needs of the market at the core of their success, you can also rest assured you’ll have all the support you need from these PE-X piping leaders.

Along with a 25 year warranty, you can take comfort in knowing that Auspex, Rehau and SharkBite will have you covered for any job. Read more on page 2…

DialbEfORE

2 | REECE.COM.AU/OUTLET

It’s simple to be safe before starting an excavation job, but so many civil, plumbing and irrigation workers get it wrong. They take dangerous chances, causing damage to underground pipes and cables which results in widespread disruption to essentials like water and electricity, financial penalties or even worse, personal injury or death.

Dial Before You Dig is a national not-for-profit group of state associations made up of member organisations that own Australia’s underground assets. It’s a free service that makes it easy to locate underground networks at your excavation site anywhere in Australia, with a single phone call. It’s the essential first step of safe excavation. Whether you’re a backyard renovator, an individual tradesman or a commercial excavator, Dial Before You Dig is your ‘phone a friend’, no matter the size of your project.

Dial Before You Dig acts as a single point of contact, so you don’t have to contact the utility organisations individually. Just tell them when and where you plan to dig, they pass that information on to the underground utility owners who will respond directly to you with the cable and pipe location information. Easy as that.

Next time you’re planning to excavate, give Dial Before You Dig a yell. We know you’ll dig it.

You can get started by registering at www.1100.com.au or download the iPhone App and request plans on the go.

Reece Spring bathroom Lookbook, an extra tool in your kitWith so many products on offer to bathroom renovators, choosing between mixers and tap sets, cisterns and pans and vanities and cabinets can be a tough decision for your customers.

So let us help you become your customers’ bathroom hero by adding an extra tool to your kit. The Reece online Spring Bathroom Lookbook, our new digital magazine, is filled with pages of bathroom tips and design creativity. Inspire your customers with 7 steps to bathroom happiness, the latest spring trends, easy update ideas, mini makeover inspiration, bathrooms we love and a spotlight on the powder room.

Give your business a professional edge and help your customers make the hard choices about products, fixtures and fittings. Reach into your virtual toolkit for the online Spring bathroom Lookbook at reece.com.au/spring – your customers will forever see you as their bathroom hero.

The story:

Created by father and son duo, John and Glenn Bines, Auspex is Australian made for Australian conditions. Auspex has been the trusted name in PE-X crimp systems for more than 15 years and continues to set the quality standard that others follow. So when the job has to be done right, you can rely on Auspex.

The facts:

• No.1crimpsystem

• Quick,easytouseandsuperreliable

• TestedtocomplywithAS2537

• ExtensiverangeoffittingsandPE-Xpipe

• Largerangeofadaptorsforothersystems

The story:

German precision engineered, REHAU is one of the industry’s most respected manufacturers for more than 50 years. REHAU are the global leader in PE-X compression systems, with an absolute commitment to offering plumbers the highest quality piping systems.

The facts:

• No.1compressionsystem

• Secureandrobustforoutstandingquality

• Aneasy-to-usePE-Xsystemthat’sbuilt to last

• Excellentlifecyclecosts

• ExtensiverangeoffittingsandPE-Xpiping options

The story:

Through ongoing innovation, SharkBite has created a proven system that combines durability, safety and performance. Locally manufactured in Australia, every fitting is simple to install with an innovative push-fit connection. When every minute counts, you can count on SharkBite.

The facts:

• No.1pushfitsystem

• Approvedforbehindwallsandinground

• Engineeredfordurability,safety and performance

• Emergencyrepairsarefastandeasy

• Nosoldering,clamps,unionsor glue required

• Fittingsusesolidforgedbrassbodiesfor strength and performance

AUSPEX CRimP SySTEm

REHAU ComPRESSion SySTEm

SHARKbITE PUSHfiT SySTEm

A U S P E XC R E A T I V E F L O W

yOU Dig

WAS $1,150

$649NOW

Drop into your local branch for some great deals on Rothenberger’s Inspection range. Head to your local Reece Plumbing branch or visit reece.com.au/plumbing for details.

INSpectION DeAlS

1 NOVeMBeR uNtIl 31 DeceMBeR 2014 WhIle StOcKS lASt

Real tools for real plumbers.

9502840

ROtheNBeRgeR ROScOpe 1000 tec hANDhelD cAMeRA Set

Continued from page 1

REECE.COM.AU/OUTLET | 3

Aussie plumber competes in world apprentice competitionEarlier this year we brought you the story of the World Plumbing Day Apprentice Skills Competition winner NathanFrauenfelder.Asthewinnerof this event, Nathan was selected to represent the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) and Australia at the United Association International Apprentice Skills Contest in Michigan in the US. Having just returned from the States we caught up with Nathan to find out more about his US escapades.

You’ve just returned from the Apprentice Skills Contest in the US, what was the highlight of your trip?

Participating in the competition was the highlight. Everything was completely different to how we do things in Australia so I enjoyed the challenge of learning different plumbing techniques.

What did the competition involve?

The competition was as much about testing skills and knowledge as it was about your ability to think and act under pressure.

We had to complete a range of tasks including measuring a site for materials,

‘plumbing service’ which involved role-playing with a customer about a plumbing issue and then fixing the issue for them. We also had to undertake some general knowledge and theory testing, complete a full bathroom installation and a copper fabrication project.

What was the most challenging part of the competition?

They do things very differently in the US. All their standards are different and converting measurements from imperial to metric [under pressure] was a challenge. The bathroom installation component was particularly challenging as the materials and fittings we had to use are completely different to what we have here.

What was the most interesting thing you learnt about US plumbing practices?

In Australia you might have one sewer vent for an entire house but in the US every fixture has its own sewer vent. Also, each US state has its own plumbing code making it pretty tricky for the plumbers who work across different states.

We all know the US is pretty famous for its fast food offerings – do they do it better than us?

Not really, most of it was overcooked! But I’d have to say the burgers were definitely better – mostly because they’re about five times the size of what we have here.

Keeping Australia’s driest regions lushCovering an area of 3000m2 the Onslow Community Garden and the Onslow School Garden are large community spaces in the Pilbara region of WA. As the gardens are largely made up of vegetable beds and tropical food forests, it was critical for the Shire of Ashburton to find the right irrigation solution to keep the area, in what’s regarded as one of WA’s driest regions, lush and plentiful.

Known for their extensive experience and skill with planning and designing integrated water systems, landscaping and sustainability experts Josh Byrne & Associates were called upon to plan and design a highly efficient irrigation system using a Weathermatic SmartLine weather based controller.

Weathermatic’s SmartLine System is the world’s leading weather-based controller.

The controller uses weather data, location, sprinkler and soil type to make precise watering decisions. It works with the Weather Station, taking data every 8 seconds to automatically adjust duration, frequency and soak time to provide optimum watering.

The efficiency of the SmartLink system lies in its accessibility via a web-based system, ensuring it can be watched and monitored from any location. Multiple controllers can be managed globally, from any web-based device. Taking intoaccountOnslow’sremotelocation(1386kmNorth of Perth), this benefit was truly embraced, with the team accessing all controllers from their computer and tablet rather than having to send someone out to each individual controller to make changes manually.

Using the Weathermatic system, the gardens in Onslow also saw big savings, with a 53% reduction in water use over a three-month period. The carefully calibrated system of daily

adjustment resulted in a wide range of benefits for the gardens above and beyond water savings, including financial savings, increased plant health from promoted root depth, reduced water run-off, reduction in staff time and pre-emptive email alerts to prevent plant or water loss.

When working on large projects with complex weather patterns and conditions, such as the Onslow gardens, Weathermatic offers a great irrigation solution that allows for careful zone-by-zone monitoring, taking into consideration different plant and soil types. Regular reports from the Smartlink Network also create an opportunity to continually improve and ensure your irrigation system is delivering the right amount of water without wasting a drop.

To read more about the Onslow Community Garden project visit watercorporation.com.au

HITACHI SUMMER REWARDS

BUY 5 OR MORE Hitachi Air Conditioners

in October and November and be rewarded with a

VOUCHER ValUED FROM

$200 TO $1000Ask in store for details.

Reward period ends 30 November 2014.

The competition was as much about testing skills and knowledge as it was about your ability to think and act under pressure.

“

”

Head to your local Reece Hvac-r branch or visit

reece.com.au/hvacr for details

53%USING THEWEATHERMATIC

REDUCTIONIN WATER USE

SYSTEM RESULTED IN A OVER A 3 MONTH PERIOD

Main Price Changes for the full list of price changes or if you have any queries, please see your Reece Branch Manager or visit www.reece.com.au/outlet for further updates.

In The Pipeline Products for smarter plumbingPlumbing is changing and there’s a lot more to it than pipes, trenches and taps. in The Pipeline keeps you up-to-date on a wide range of products.

The Crack

4 | REECE.COM.AU/OUTLET

Supplier Products % Increase Date Effective

Billi Boilers, chillers & water filters Various % 1November2014

BremikFasteners Bolts, nuts & fasteners Various % 1November2014

Custom Sheetmetal Roof flashing Various % 1November2014

Denso Sealant tapes 6% 1November2014

Nelson Australia Irrigation products 5-7% 1November2014

Reln Plastics Septic tanks & Ag pipe only 3-5% 1November2014

Rheem Australia Hot water units 2% 1November2014

Tasman Sinkware Elan range of sinks 35% 1November2014

Zodiac Group Australia Pool products Various % 1November2014

Apricus Australia Solar hot water 3% 1December2014

Deks Industries Roofing & drainage products 3-4% 1December2014

Quirky facts about the humble looMore people in the world have mobile phones than toilets. Now that’s a scary statistic. Imagine, some of the 1.1 billion people who still defecate in the open own a mobile phone. Don’t even get us started on the germ spreading and subsequent disease this can lead to…especially for those toilet goers who enjoy a bit of phone entertainment while doing their business.

In light of World Toilet Day on 19 November, here are some other quirky facts that might surprise you about the good old loo:

1. Theaveragepersonspends3monthsof their lifetime sitting on the toilet.

2. Computer keyboards can carry more than 200 times as many bacteria as a toilet seat.

3. Mobilephoneshave18timesmorebacteria than flush buttons.

4. A restaurant in Taiwan serves food on miniature toilets.

5. Theaveragetoiletuses6litresofcleanwater in a single flush.

6. Britain’sfirstflushingtoiletwas inventedbyQueenElizabeth’sgodson,Sir John Harrington.

7. Inthe1880s,PrinceEdwardhiredThomas Crapper to build bathrooms in royal palaces.

8. The White House has 35 bathrooms, which means it has 35 toilets – we think some of these could be shared around!

Hand sanitiser, anyone?

Sources:

factslides.com/s-Toilets#

huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/things-you-didnt-know-about-toilets_n_2917253.html

Expanding the networkRELOCATION

Reece HVAC-R berrimah5/55 Pruen Road, Berrimah NT 0828

Ph (08) 8947 8830Fax (08) 8947 8839Email berrimah.hvac-r.nt@reece.com.au

VonRoll EcoPur

Now available from Reece, LASCO have developed a quick and simple push fit system for everyday irrigation needs. With the revolutionary Pushfit range, you get legendary LASCO quality with a new level of speed, convenience and flexibility on every installation.

Key features:

• Easy–noglueorprimerrequired

• Quicktoinstall–canbepressurisedimmediately

• Safe–chemicalfree

• Leak-free–stainlesssteelringanddoubleO-ringensures no leaks

The range includes elbows, tees, coupling, flexible couplings and a range of adapters that allow you to reduce size, adapt to LDPE and adapt to a female thread.

To find out more visit reece.com.au/irrigation

Lasco PVC Pushfit Morse Hole SawsNow available at Reece Plumbing, the Morse Hole Saw Advanced Edge bi-metal range has been engineered with the strongest tooth profile in the market. Its Advanced Edge technology delivers unrivalled performance and life-long durability.

Key features:

• Moreteeth,deepergulletinthecuttingactionincreasesmaterialremoval

• Newtoothformmaximisespenetrationwithapositiverakeface

• Increasedcontrolinhighertorqueapplicationsandlong wear resistance

• Impactresistantwhilemaintainingcuttingpenetration

To find out more visit reece.com.au/plumbing

Available from Reece Civil, VonRoll EcoPur delivers precision-engineered Swiss-quality piping and fittings for applications that demand absolute supply reliability and investment security. When it comes to long life piping for water and gas, VonRoll EcoPur leads the way. VonRoll EcoPur is ideal for urban environments and is suitable for high acidity soils, and is resistant to solvents and chemicals.

Key features:

• Manufacturedfrom unbreakable ductile cast-iron

• Internalandexternal polyurethane linings

• Corrosionfreeonboth sides of pipe

• Lifetimewarrantyprovidespeaceofmind

• Lightweightandfastertoinstall

• Qualityinsideandout

To find out more visit reece.com.au/civil