WATER SERVICES

Isolation valves: where they are required

An isolation valve is the difference between fixing one fixture and draining the whole house to do it. The standard is specific about where they have to go, and missing one is an easy fail to avoid.

Why they matter

Isolation valves let you take a fixture, an appliance, or a section of the service out of action without shutting down everything downstream of the meter. Beyond convenience, they are a compliance requirement at a set list of points.

Where they are required

• At the meter inlet to the property.
• At each appliance.
• At each tempering valve, pressure limiting valve, and pump.
• At the inlet and outlet of storage tanks over the set size.
• At each irrigation offtake.
• Immediately before every flexible hose assembly.

Check the current clause for the full list, but those are the points that get looked for.

What to check and photograph

Confirm each required valve is fitted, accessible, and the right type for the duty. Photograph the valve at each point, especially the meter inlet and the appliance connections. Elemetric prompts for these as part of the job record.

Common questions

Where are isolation valves required?

At the meter inlet, each appliance, each tempering valve, pressure limiting valve and pump, storage tank inlets and outlets over the set size, each irrigation offtake, and immediately before every flexible hose assembly.

Why fit one at every appliance?

So a single fixture can be isolated and serviced without draining the rest of the property. It is both a convenience and a compliance requirement.

General information for licensed tradespeople, not legal or regulatory advice. The licensed plumber remains solely responsible for compliance. Refer to the current AS/NZS 3500 standards and the Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly the VBA) for authoritative requirements.