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About this audit checklist
Auditors for the Solar Homes Program use this checklist when inspecting hot water system installations.
This hot water audit checklist:
- Applies only to hot water systems installed under the Solar Homes Program.
- Contains the questions used during audits of rebated systems. Audits are generally performed within six months of the hot water system installation date, with a focus on safety and compliance with standards.
- Is not intended to be used as a general hot water system audit checklist for systems outside of the program or for other related services.
- Is not an installation checklist and should not be used to guide the installation of a hot water system.
Audit ratings and what they mean
Auditors apply these ratings when inspect hot water installations against the questions in the hot water audit checklist:
| Rating | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Unsafe | This means there is a safety hazard which poses an imminent risk of damage to property or persons and that the system will be shut down until rendered safe. |
| Needs rectification | This means the system does not meet key safety and quality clauses in the standards/guidelines for installation. The installation does not pose an imminent safety risk but may be at risk of becoming unsafe in the future. The system requires priority rectification by the retailer and installer. |
| Improvements identified (for information) | This means the system does not pose a safety risk but was found to not comply with all standards and guidelines. |
| Adequate | This means no evidence of material non-compliance with standards or guidelines was identified and that the system was installed satisfactorily. |
Hot water audit checklist items
Hot water system
Question and rating Relevant standards and references Cross connection 1
Are the cross-connection control and backflow protection provisions in accordance with the standards?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
Clause 3.2 - AS/NZS 3500:4:2021 Cross connection control and backflow prevention devices shall be installed in accordance with AS/NZS 3500:1.2021.
AS/NZS3500.1:2021 cl 4.4.7 Heated water systems: the requirements of this section for backflow prevention devices apply equally to heated water supply systems and cold-water supply services.
The backflow prevention device used in heated water supply systems shall be suitable for the specific heated water installation.
Question and rating Relevant standards and references Flow rate 1
Have the correct flow rates at outlets within a building been achieved?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 1.10. and cl 10.3.2. Question and rating Relevant standards and references General installation requirements 6
Has the water tank been installed level and on an appropriate base of either:- bonded brick
- pre-case concrete (slab or pad)?
Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 5.5.3. General installation requirements 3
Do any storage tanks connected have overflow and safe tray provisions that comply?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 2.6.1, 2.6.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 6.4.4. General installation requirements 4
Does below ground pipework have the correct depth of cover?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification / Improvements identified
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 4.10. General installation requirements 5
Have the manufacturer’s installation requirements been adhered to?Applicable rating: Needs rectification / Improvements identified
Plumbing regulations – Part 3, 14. Manufacturer’s instructions are not mandatory, but must be considered. Includes gas installations.
AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 cl 6.2.2.
Question and rating Relevant standards and references Material and products 1
Are the materials used fit for their intended purpose and where required appropriately authorised?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification / Improvements identified
AS/NZS 3500.4:2018 – Section 2 and PCA Watermark Requirements AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 – App B.2 Watermark Certification PCA reference to AS/NZS 4020. ***NEW*** Material and products 2
If installed, has the condenser unit been securely fixed and installed in line with the manufacturer's additional requirements?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
Not applicable. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Pipework 1
Does the installation have the minimum internal diameter pipe size?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 1.7 to meet requirements of 1.8 & 1.9, cl 6.3.6 for solar water heaters, cl 10.6.1.1 for recirculation systems, and cl 7.2.1. for thermosiphon only. ***UPDATED*** Pipework 2
Has any pipework support been provided?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 4.5. ***NEW*** Pipework 4
If pipework support has been provided, is pipework support sufficient and compliant with AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 4.5?Applicable rating: Improvements identified
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 4.5. Pipework 3
Where penetrating concrete has the pipework been protected?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 4.6.1.2, 4.6.1.3, 4.6.4. ***NEW*** Pipework 5
Where pipework insulation is required for performance reasons, has it been provided?Applicable rating: Improvements identified
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 8.2. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Pressure requirements 1
Has the static pressure at outlets within a building been maintained at or below the minimum 500kPa?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.1:2021 cl 10.4.1 (note – this only applies to circulating systems). Question and rating Relevant standards and references ***UPDATED*** Protection against freezing 1
In areas with climates that could result in pipework freezing, has insulation been provided on pipework to prevent freezing?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 4.11.5 (where applicable), 8.2.1 and section 8. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Protection against leakage 1
Are there any leaks in the installation?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 9.3 and 9.4. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Proximity 1
Does the installation comply with the proximity to other services?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 4.3. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Roof mounting 1
Is the roof deflection significant or are there any concerns about adequate roof strength?Applicable rating: Unsafe
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 6.3.3. Roof mounting 2
Have hot water storage tanks, compressor units and solar collectors been installed securely and in line with manufacturer's instructions?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 6.3.13. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Solar collector 1
Are the solar collectors likely to be shaded between 9 am and 3 pm?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 6.3.2, 6.5.1.1 and Appendix H (informative). Solar collector 2
Do the solar collectors face between 30°E and 60°W of magnetic north?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
Plumbing Regulations 2018 Schedule 2 - Division 7 Regulation 9 (1) (a). Solar collector 3
Is the collector inclination between 15° and 55° to the horizontal?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
Plumbing Regulations 2018 Schedule 2 - Division 7 Regulation 9 (1) (b). Question and rating Relevant standards and references System specification 6
What is the make of the installed hot water system?Applicable rating: Information only
Not applicable System specification 7
What is the model of the installed hot water system?Applicable rating: Information only
Not applicable System specification 1
Does the manufacturer of the hot water system match the Solar Victoria data as required?Applicable rating: Information only
Not applicable ***NEW*** System specification 8
Is the system listed on Solar Victoria's locally made hot water product list?Applicable rating: Information only
Not applicable System specification 2
Does the model number of the hot water system match the Solar Victoria data as provided?Applicable rating: Information only
Not applicable System specification 3
Does the serial number of the hot water tank match the Solar Victoria data as provided?Applicable rating: Information only
Not applicable System specification 4
Do the serial numbers of the hot water collectors match the Solar Victoria data as provided?Applicable rating: Information only
Not applicable System specification 5
Was the homeowner given information about the suitability of the water heater relevant to their premises and hot water needs?Applicable rating: Improvements identified (for information)
Not applicable Question and rating Relevant standards and references Valves 2
Do all the valves, cisterns, taps and temperature pressure relief valves perform?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 9.3 and 9.4. Valves 3
Does the temperature pressure relief (TPR) valve termination point comply?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 5.11. Valves 4
Does the installation have isolating valves where required?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 Table 5.9.1 (a), cl 5.9, 5.9.4 and 10.10 (recirculating systems). Question and rating Relevant standards and references Drainage point 1
Has the temperature pressure relief (TPR) point of discharge from drain line been located so that the discharge of water is not directed at the operator?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 5.11.3 (d) and (g). Drainage point 2
Does the TPR drain line terminate at an appropriate height as per AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 clause 5.11.3 (e)?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 5.11.3 (e). Drainage point 3
Does the TPR point of discharge from each drain line been located so that the release of steam or hot water does not cause a nuisance (including not causing a slip hazard), is readily available and incurs no risk of damage to the building or injury to persons?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3500.4:2021 cl 5.11.3 (d). Question and rating Relevant standards and references Water temperature 2
Does the maximum delivery temperature comply with the requirements?Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification
AS 3498:2018 cl 7.1 and 7.2, PCA NCC volume 3 2022, part B2, B2D5. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Decommissioning 1
If the decommissioned product is left on site, is it disabled so it cannot be used again?Applicable rating: Improvements identified
Not applicable. Decommissioning 2
Have any existing gas inlet/outlets related to the new hot water installation, been capped/sealed as required?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 5601.1:2022, Section 3.4.2. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Other
Other auditor concerns and/or comments relating to the installation. Full details to be provided in commentary.Applicable rating: Unsafe / Needs rectification / Improvements identified
Not applicable
Electrical system
Question and rating Relevant standards and references Earthing 1
Have all exposed conductive parts of the hot water been provided with an appropriately sized bonding conductor that is connected to the electrical installations earthing system?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 5.4.1.1. Question and rating Relevant standards and references Connections 1
Is there evidence of loose connections in the hot water cables and connections with signs of heat?Applicable rating: Unsafe
AS/NZS 3000:2018 5.4.1.1. Connections 2
Is there evidence of loose connections in the hot water cables and connections with no signs of heat?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 3.7.2. Question Relevant standards / references ***NEW*** Electrical 25
Has all electrical equipment and wiring been installed according to all applicable standards and additional manufacturers requirements?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000. Electrical 1
Has the hot water electrical components, wiring system and circuit protection been installed to manufacturer’s instructions?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000: 2018 Wiring Rules Clauses 2.1.2 (f), 3.1.2(g) and 4.1.2(e). Electrical 2
Has basic protection been provided from access to live parts of the HW installation?Applicable rating: Unsafe
Section 43(1) of the ESA 1998 (Defect code 112002). Electrical 3
If a new hot water final sub-circuit has been installed, is it adequately mechanically protected and supported if it is likely to be disturbed?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 3.9.3.3.2. Electrical 4
Has basic protection been provided from access to live parts of the switchboard?Applicable rating: Unsafe
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 2.10.3.1 (defect code 212186). Electrical 5
Has an over current protection device been installed at the origin of HW final sub-circuit to protect it from over current?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules cl 2.5.1.3. Electrical 6
Is the hot water final sub-circuit protected by a residual current device rated at no more than 30mA, and not of type AC, and has been installed so that it operates correctly?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000: 2018 Clause 2.6.3.2.2 and 2.6.2.2.2. Electrical 7
Do all switched poles of the residual current device protecting the hot water final sub-circuit operate to disconnect the final sub-circuit?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 8.3.10. Electrical 8
If a new hot water final sub-circuit has been installed has the neutral conductor of the final sub-circuit been marked or arranged to identify its corresponding active conductor?Applicable rating: Improvements identified (for information)
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 2.10.5.4. Electrical 9
If a new hot water final sub-circuit has been installed has the neutral conductor of the final sub-circuit been provided with a separate terminal at the switchboard?Applicable rating: Needs Rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 2.10.4.3 (d) (ii) Electrical 11
If a new hot water final sub-circuit has been installed, has it been suitably installed where it enters the switchboard?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 3.10.3.5 - 3.10.3.6. Electrical 12
If a new hot water final sub-circuit has been installed has the switchboard been sealed to prevent the spread of fire (If required) where the final sub-circuit enters the switchboard?Applicable rating: Improvements identified (for information)
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 2.10.7. Electrical 13
If a new hot water final sub-circuit has been installed has double insulation of the final sub-circuit been maintained where it enters the switchboard, if not installed in a wiring enclosure?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 3.10.1.2. Electrical 14
If a new hot water system circuit has been installed, is the hot water protective device marked on or adjacent to the switchboard to identify the final sub-circuit it protects?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 2.10.5.2. Electrical 15
Is the resistance of the hot water final sub-circuit protective earthing conductor low enough to permit the passage of current necessary to operate the over current protective device in the required time?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 8.3.5.1 Table 8.2. Electrical 16
Is the insulation resistance between all live conductors of the hot water final subcircuit and the installation earthing system no less than 1 MEG OHM?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 8.3.6.1. Electrical 17
Are all circuits connected to the corresponding terminals of the electrical equipment such that an immediate unsafe situation is present? Example transposed earth and active conductors?Applicable rating: Unsafe
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 8.3.7.1 Defect code 212938. Electrical 24
Are all circuits connected to the corresponding terminals of the electrical equipment, such that an immediate unsafe situation is not present, however safety issue could occur at some stage in the future (for example: transposed active and neutral conductors, or transposed earth and neutral conductors)?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules cl 8.3.7.1. Electrical 18
Have all conductors been connected in a manner that provides reliability, electrical continuity, and appropriate level of insulation, mechanical strength and no undue mechanical stress on any connection?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
ASNZS 3000:2018 Wiring rules Clause 3.7.1. Electrical 19
If required has a lockable isolating switch been installed adjacent to, but not on the hot water itself?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000: 2018 AMDT 2 Clause 4.19. Electrical 20
Does all electrical equipment installed have the characteristics appropriate to the conditions to which it is installed?Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 4.1.3. Electrical 21
Confirm that the electrical installation for the hot water as presented is consistent with the details in the Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES)?Applicable rating: Improvements identified
Section 44(3) of the ESA 1998 Defect code 111009. Electrical 22
Does the installation match the information provided on the COES?Applicable rating: Improvements identified
Section 44(3) of the ESA 1998 Defect code 111009. Electrical 23
Has the hot water socket outlet been installed in a manner that is subject to undue mechanical stress or damage in normal service? For plug in installation:- without the use of a power board or double adapter
- without needing to be extended, altered or strain put on the connection
- not subject to mechanical damage.
Applicable rating: Needs rectification
AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules Clause 4.4.2.2.
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