Good Morning – Members of the Panel, Delegates
My name is Don Hill, and I am Secretary of the Plumbers’ Association.
Our main objectives are:
We hope to achieve these with the help of Government through Training, Indentureships, and the formation of a fully comprehensive Plumbing Code. We welcome the opportunity to lay before you many of the pitfalls of the trades in Antigua and perhaps the wider Caribbean region. Our feeble attempts at teaching the trades are both pitiful and laughable. Our educational system and the powers that we have delegated the trades, especially plumbing, to the lowest level possible, and hence there is no respectability.
Plumbing is the system of pipes and fixtures installed in a building for the distribution of potable water and the removal of water-borne waste materials. A plumbing system should perform in such a manner that the occupants of the building are never endangered by contaminated drinking water, or by contact with harmful waste. Safe plumbing systems can only result from careful planning, which takes into account the location of the building and the activities taking place within it, the limitations of the local Water and Sewage Systems and the plumbing standards enforced by the Nation. Properly designed, a plumbing system will maintain sanitary conditions over a broad range of both normal and abnormal operating condition, thereby mitigating the effects of natural disasters.
The development of adequate water and sewage systems has been problematic since the days of the Romans, when complex aqueducts were built to supply water to the cities. However the early systems of waste disposal by means of carts, is still in operation some 20 centuries later. The outbreak of typhoid fever and dysentery were often spread by the consumption of water contaminated with human waste. The establishment of strict guidelines and codes will eliminate conditions that could be more disastrous than any other natural disaster to our fragile Tourism Industry and the country’s economy as a whole.
Codes are founded upon certain basic principles of environmental sanitation and safety, through properly designed, professionally installed and adequately maintained plumbing systems.
Most people in our society regard the trades as the last resort for people who lack the ability to achieve academically, but could possibly do something to carve out a meager existence and not be a burden on society. This is clearly demonstrated by the level of students in the Youth Skills Program, and the fact that our higher level institutes do not offer courses in plumbing, or any trades for that matter. The time is long overdue for the establishment of a real (and I stress real) Trades Institute, with the required prerequisites, to lift the trades out of the doldrums, and give them their rightful place and respectability that they deserve. It must be remembered that the Trades are the builders of any Nation, and good educated Tradesmen will ultimately give you better buildings.
Our limited travel and practical experiences have shown us that we are not alone in this quagmire, and that other islands are experiencing the same. Amusingly, we are so far behind, that we actually think we are ahead. However, this opportunity might be the signal of a new dawn, and the age of enlightenment. This age will not happen miraculously but by hard work and unity, and mainly by sensitizing the population not to settle for alternatives when the reality is beckoning.
We have heard the horror stories, the name calling, and, we have all been ripped off by unscrupulous tradesmen. We have all opted for the lower prices offered by hackers and bashers, then stand with fingers crossed hoping that we have lucked out once again. But have we really? The answer is a resounding 'No'. All we have done is instill more confidence in a fraud. This is happening in plumbing as well as the other trades and even some professions. Then we ask ourselves, "Why is this happening?" The answer is simply that the little standards that we have are both unknown and are not enforced. You cannot practice something that you do not know.
As we move into the 21st Century, we must come up to speed with the rest of the world, by working to acceptable standards. There is now an urgent need, if only for the health of this Nation and region, for all to practice and work towards elevating the standards of plumbing. This can be achieved by the following:
Although there are codes being developed, updated, revised and appended, they are only words on paper if the various Government agencies do not move to mandate them. In other words, the way forward rests squarely on the shoulders of Government, and, until they do something, the public will continue to be fed doses of substandard workmanship.
It was very interesting to note some articles in the Daily Observer last year , captioned "Burnt Consumer" and "Another Burnt Consumer". They were referring to the trades. In one of the articles, reference was made to the Architects’ Association. The following day a list of Architects licensed to practice in Antigua, appeared in the papers. To them I say Bravo. It clearly indicates that by coming together, by lobbying Government, things can be achieved for the betterment of our nation. I now ask, "Where is the list of licensed Building Contractors? Where is the list of licensed Tradesmen? Where is the list of licensed Plumbers/Contractors?" There is no list and there has never been any. But there are lists of duly certified and licensed professionals with privileges to traverse the region freely.
Our local tradesmen are not permitted to work in other islands because of their local restrictions or codes – but in Antigua, it is a free for all – in other words, who ever will, may come. The time is long passed for Government to get its act together with Structured Programs. Licensing Boards, Inspectors and adherence to Building and Plumbing Codes.
With the world now a Global Village, the future of the Nation’s youth will be lost forever to others more skilled and more proficient. Considering ourselves as part of the Global Village, when we look at the national plumbing code of the U.S.V.I., and then look at ours and regionally, you know we have a lot of work to do. We must be proactive and not reactive especially in economies as fragile as ours – knowing fully well that the health of the nation depends in part on our ability to safely dispose of our waste.
Presently in Antigua, there are youths doing a 9 month stint at Youth Skills. This is totally inadequate if we are to keep the trades alive for today and the future. We must embark on structured indentured programs incorporating local companies where apprenticeships can be practiced. Our PWD can only absorb a few and the broad range experience cannot be realized there. Major construction sites like the hospital, that we know are long range, and run the full gambit of trade experiences have been a most glorious opportunity lost to the youths of our nation.
By licensing plumbers, homeowners and entrepreneurs alike, would be assured of a higher quality of work and would also have a course of redress if it became necessary. The Labour Department along with the licensing board would be able to regulate and be the watch dog that is urgently needed.
With reference to section F of the Building Code, we would like to embrace it and refer to it as the Plumbers’ Bible. Our Association will be using it as a supplement to the syllabus for our night classes, which are due to commence shortly.
Again it is interesting to note that most sets of building prints drawn locally are devoid of a proper plumbing drawing. You may get a plumbing sketch, but never an isometric and a bill of quantity. It is usually provided for electrical, carpentry, A/C etc., but never plumbing. Whether it is to cut cost, or the importance is not recognized, you have entrusted to the plumber, who for the most part stumbled into the trade, usually with no formal training and no full knowledge of why he is doing what he is doing, your hard earned money and life long dream. He is usually left on his own to do his own thing, and hopes it turns out right. There are usually no as-built drawings, so for repairs and maintenance work you are also on your own. We must bear in mind that the real problems in plumbing usually takes years to manifest themselves and when you should be relaxing and enjoying the fruits of our labour, you are faced with major expenses again.
Some of the major problems that we have found are the use of the wrong schedule of pipe and fittings for waste lines under and around buildings and trees. The lighter schedule pipe usually bellies due to improper installation and other natural factors, also the presence of roots that have gravitated to sources of water.
Gas installations (Propane Gas) is not treated with the respect it deserves. Lack of understanding of the characteristics of propane and the dangers of it, puts us at great risk. The practice of propane cylinders in the kitchen, connected by a rubber hose, is a disaster waiting to happen. It was reported that Antigua and Barbuda experienced over 400 fires last year. Most were of an electrical nature, but what was not reported is the fact that most fires, especially in small dwellings, where the propane gas cylinder was inside the house or the rubber hose passed through the wall, may have aided the fire significantly, and may have been the major cause of the rapid spread of the flames. The lack of time does not allow for the full discussion of propane and its characteristics. I personally, would prefer to have my 20# propane tank stolen, than risk having it inside the house.
400 plus fires in 2000 in a population of approximately 70,000 with an average of 4 persons per household, gives a statistical average of 1 in 44 homes. This type of statistic is both alarming and scary to say the least.
Again, the time is now for us to be pro-active and bring fire safety to the forefront of our discussions. In our global village our builders and designers can stand tall among the giants of the world, but the Achilles’ Heel is adequate fire protection. We are putting down magnificent buildings, not spread out, but mainly taller. Our fire department does not have the capacity to safely and effectively reach above the third floor. Yet it behooves me that entrepreneurs, bankers, insurance companies, regulatory bodies, and government agencies would allow public and commercial buildings to be constructed without the proper fire protection.
Looking at some of the major fires in recent times, and the fact that these buildings are replaced without the proper protection, one wonders what is actually going on. Are we asleep at the post? The frustration and helplessness of the fire department! The installation of Fire Alarm Systems does not go far enough in the protection of property and saving human life. Fire Sensing devices alert us to the fact that a fire has started. An Automated Fire Sprinkler System stops fires dead in their tracks. The Sprinkler System is an area of plumbing that has been forgotten and practically non-existent in Antigua. It is a specialized branch of Plumbing/Pipefitting that must be left to the professional and certified installer. I will leave that to our resident expert to enlighten us some more.
Standardization regionally will not be easy to achieve, as the topography of each island, as close as we are, differs greatly, and codes of each island will be different or appendices and amendments made. To my knowledge, and I stand corrected, mandatory requirements of water catchments in Antigua will not apply to the Windward Islands or even Montserrat. For these reasons and others, it becomes necessary for tradesmen from the various islands and further afield to work under the direction and tutelage of a licensed and certified plumber before obtaining a license to work in that country. In this way, all islands can maintain and enforce their standards and particular codes for the protection of its citizens. It should be appreciated that our waste disposal systems differ greatly from some of the other islands where the widespread use of privies still exist, and others that are already on a central sewage system.
In many cases, builders and house designers are not cognizant of the problems that plumbers are up against, when foreign designs and fashions are used. The plumbing aspects of things and the idiosyncrasies of each region and area must be factored into the whole scheme of things, eg topography, location of septic tanks in relation to cisterns, soak-a-ways to ground water, streams and ponds, run lengths from the fixtures to point of disposal. These and others are psrts of the formula that equate to trouble in the years ahead. Please give plumbing and the trades the respectability they deserve.
The Antigua and Barbuda Plumbing Association stands ready and willing to assist in any way possible in the establishment of Procedures and Codes for the betterment of the people and the region.
I thank you.
The role of a Plumbing Inspector is as follows:
An inspector answers to the Development Control Authority, who in turn answers to the Minister responsible for the Trades and Bureau of Standards
The need for a Plumbing Inspector is of vital importance at this time in the Nation’s development, in order to bring the Nation in line with the developed world. The majority of our qualified/experienced plumbers could attest to the litany of corrective work they have had to do, plus the other plumbing problems they are aware of that should be remedied.
The Plumbing Inspector is the person needed at this time to control the unscrupulous plumbing being done mostly by unqualified people, therefore he or she must have the proper education and knowledge of the Plumbing Code. I know that at present there are no Plumbing Inspectors on the island. I think that the Government should start a Training Program for Training Inspectors, so that when they go on the job they will know what to look for. The Plumbing Inspector will visit the building to make sure that the correct sizes and the correct types of pipes are being used. He will check to make sure that the waste pipes have the proper run or pitch, and that the vents are put in correctly and not too far from the fixtures.
I can see the Plumbing Inspector as an asset to Consumers, to the Plumber and to the Apprenticeship Program of our Training Program.
This is how all 3 could benefit from having a Plumber Inspector.
Thank You
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