EUSWNCa Install new domestic water services

Overview                    

The Standard is about installing new domestic water services. This can apply to pipes with internal diameters up to 50mm.

This involves interpreting material requirements, producing and securing assemblies and any required insulation and liaising with plumbers.  Assembly methods and techniques can include cutting, electrofusion welding, drilling and tapping or mechanical jointing on metallic or polyethylene (PE) materials or barrier pipes.

This Standard is for water network operatives who assemble pipes and fittings for new domestic services.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:    

  1. verify required service inspection has taken place before commencing work
  2. assess site conditions and interpret design documents to identify material requirements
  3. check that approved materials are available, procuring them when required
  4. carry out risk assessments at appropriate times
  5. communicate relevant information to plumbers and other relevant people
  6. assemble pipes and fittings in line with health, safety and environmental regulations and guidelines
  7. assemble pipes and fittings in line with design and construction specifications, work instructions, assembly drawings and any other relevant specifications
  8. work in line with water hygiene requirements at all times
  9. make sure specified pipes and fittings are available and in a usable condition
  10. check any pre-laid mains and service pipes are laid to the correct depth and have the appropriate marker tape
  11. check house entry ducting is suitably insulated, internal stop valves are fitted and external pipework capped
  12. check that polyethylene (PE) barrier pipe or suitable alternatives are used where ground is contaminated
  13. use the correct type of pipe, fittings and components for the ground conditions
  14. use appropriate methods and techniques to assemble pipes and fittings in their designated positions
  15. secure pipes and fittings using specified connectors, securing devices and any required insulation
  16. check that finished assembly meets specification
  17. follow water company processes for hygiene and testing when fitting domestic services
  18. deal with problems within your control without delay
  19. report problems you cannot solve to relevant people
  20. report the completion of installations to relevant people

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. relevant health, safety, environmental and water hygiene legislation and industry procedures, codes of practice and organisational procedures including manual handling and use of equipment
  2. relevant information about quality standards and accuracy to be achieved from industry standards, manufacturers’ instructions and specifications, company procedures, codes of practice
  3. how to interpret drawings, water company design and construction specifications and related specifications
  4. the purpose of service inspections and how to verify they have occurred
  5. how to carry out a site assessment
  6. the purpose of risk assessments and when and how to carry them out
  7. required materials and how to check they are compliant with water regulations and specific site requirements
  8. how to identify approved suppliers of materials
  9. how to interpret requirements for drain off points, stop valves and check valves
  10. minimum and maximum depths for mains and service pipes and exceptions to these
  11. marker tape requirements for mains and service pipes
  12. types and complexity of assembly to be produced including screwed and compression
  13. the types of barrier pipe
  14. the characteristics of polyethylene (PE) barrier pipe and suitable alternatives and the assembly methods and techniques to be used
  15. the ground conditions required for barrier pipe to be used
  16. the need for quality control procedures
  17. relevant types of handling equipment and procedures
  18. preparation techniques for simple rigid and non-rigid pipe jointing
  19. the tools and equipment required for assembly and the importance of looking after them
  20. water company requirements for hygiene and testing
  21. the different insulation types and when they might be appropriate
  22. the limits of your responsibility and how to resolve problems within your control
  23. organisational reporting procedures and when and who to report to