Galvin Engineering Shares The Three S's Of School Plumbing Management

Galvin Engineering’s quick guide to the three S's of plumbing management will help schools prepare for some of their most important maintenance decisions. Managing finances isn't as easy as learning ABCs, but schools across the country are constantly searching for ways to make their maintenance budget stretch further each year.

While it can be tempting to go for the quick fix to save a few dollars here and there, all facility managers know they end up spending more in the long term with cheaper products failing quicker, more often, and with damaging consequences. 

Plumbing

Plumbing is a significant expense for any school and introduces a multitude of risks to students' health. Galvin Engineering has been providing water solutions for a healthier environment for more than 90 years. 

It has the technology and experience to give schools peace of mind their products will not only be compliant with Australian standards but also stand the rigorous tests of time in harsh conditions.

1. Safety and Hygiene

Because users can't cut corners on health

Galvin Engineering has done all the hard work by removing the pitfalls and risks for schools

From fungal and bacteria-resistant materials offering protection for children's teeth to lead-safe tapware, keeping up to date with new standards in safety and hygiene can be a time-consuming and often complex topic to understand.

After all, not everyone has the time or experience to interpret Australian plumbing standards, research advancements in technology, or check requirements for sanitary tapware. 

That’s why Galvin Engineering has done all the hard work by removing the pitfalls and risks for schools. Not only can it guarantee that its products are compliant with all relevant Australian standards and requirements, but are always looking for ways to future-proof its solutions by staying ahead of the curve. 

Lead-free requirements

One National Construction Code amendment Galvin Engineering has been preparing for since 2017 is a sweeping reform to plumbing that's about to impact every new commercial build project in Australia.

From 1 September 2025, plumbing products that do not conform to lead-free requirements amendment to the 2022 edition of the National Construction Code will no longer have valid certification and will not be authorized for installation if in contact with drinking water.

Industry impact

While 2025 sounds like a long time away, industry impacts will become apparent much sooner as suppliers start to deplete current stock as early as next year and Education Boards' demand changes across their schools.

Indeed, some School Building Authorities already have strict requirements for lead-safe products in anticipation of the new national standard. 

Lead-free provisions

WaterMark-certified products conforming to the lead-free provisions will be authorized for use in plumbing

The amendment to the NCC Volume Three – Plumbing Code of Australia, lead-free provisions was made in response to a decision by the ABC Board to limit the allowable lead content in plumbing products, which contain copper alloys and are intended for use in contact with drinking water. New standards limit the weighted average lead content to not exceed more than 0.25%. 

That means from 1 September 2025, clause A5G4(2) of the NCC Volume Three will take effect. From then, only products WaterMark certified as conforming to the lead-free provisions, where required, will be authorized for use in plumbing installations.

Lead safe plumbing solutions

Importantly, drinking water is defined by the National Construction Code as "water intended primarily for human consumption but which has other domestic uses".

And it's the broad intent of this definition that will see enormous changes to every school plumbing decision, whether it's repairs, replacements, or new installations. 

Amended safety standards

Vigilant schools preparing for the amended safety standards are already adopting lead-safe solutions as part of their maintenance programs.

From drinking bubblers and fountains in the playgrounds to complete plumbing solutions, Galvin's commitment to new standards in its extensive range of Lead Safe™ products makes it simple, affordable, and convenient for schools to make the switch. 

School Compliance

As the demand for new lead-safe products increases, schools will need to ensure they can secure the products they need

While the plumbing standards imposed from 1 September 2025 are much needed and welcomed by the entire industry, there's much work to be done in a short amount of time to ensure every school is compliant.

As the demand for new lead-safe products increases, schools will need to ensure they can secure the products they need. 

2. Supply

Because users always need it yesterday

Supporting the Australian economy and workers are only two of the many reasons schools choose to buy from Australian manufacturers. When users manage extensive inventories of items that need replacing or repairing frequently, the last thing they need is supply chain issues.

That's why buying Australian-made tapware is the answer to getting what users need when they need it, giving greater control over maintenance programs. 

Galvin Engineering

Galvin Engineering has been manufacturing products in Australia for more than 90 years.

Made right here in Western Australia with warehouses in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland, it means products are on the shelf ready to go.

High-quality resources and materials

Australia requires businesses to meet some of the world's strictest labor, trade, safety, and quality control standards

Giving peace of mind that inventory levels are reliable and guaranteed to be available. So no matter where the educational facility is in Australia, users can have the products they need when they need them. 

Australia requires businesses to meet some of the world's strictest labor, trade, safety, and quality control standards. That means when users buy from Australian companies, they know they're contributing to a business that uses high-quality resources and materials that are suitable for a unique environment.  

3. Suitability

Because users need it to be fit for purpose and made for Australian conditions

From the tropical Top End to the snowy mountains of Tasmania, whether users are in the burning sun of the Western Australian desert or the relentless winter rain of the southern states, one thing users need to know is that their products will keep working for longer.  

Quality doesn't have to break the bank, and Galvin Engineering recognizes that sustainability or whole-of-life costs are critical in the design and development of educational facilities. Its tapware, safety, and sanitaryware products are intentionally designed to reduce costs and downtime for the item's lifecycle. It ensures and warrants that everything we sell is durable and fit for purpose in the most demanding education environments, as well as being supported by the Australian team of experts. 

Reliability

As a mark of reliability, Galvin products are proven to withstand the test of time and heavy-duty usage in school indoor environments or Australia's harsh outdoors.

Using robust materials like chrome-plated DZR, stainless steel, and nitrile rubber compounds, it has designed weather and vandal-resistant products, giving schools longer-lasting products that minimize maintenance worries. 

Solutions that Work for Schools

Schools and universities across Australia have trusted Galvin to provide tapware for safety products

Galvin Engineering team is committed to providing solutions that meet the highest safety, functionality, and quality standards at value-for-money prices.

For more than half a century, schools and universities across Australia have trusted Galvin to provide tapware for drinking, washrooms, school wet and dry labs, safety products, and more. 

Galvin proudly holds WaterMark, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, WELS, and AGA Certifications. As well as this, it holds approvals in New South Wales schools, Victorian VSBA projects, Queensland DETE projects, and Western Australian DET schools.

Compliance, value, and reliability

Whether users are facility managers, maintenance engineers, school principals, or members of an Education Board, the team at Galvin Engineering can advise on the best solutions to give compliance, value, and reliability. 

With Galvin's experience users know they are getting products proven to withstand the test of time as well as meet the highest standards of hygiene, giving water solutions for a healthier environment.