The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre

A new era of green buildings that require commissioning, fine tuning and maintenance so their full green potential is met, is under way. Without informed and trained plumbers these buildings could be serious under-performers, potentially resulting in loss of amenity and investment as well as delivering poor environmental outcomes.

The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), in Albert Street, Brunswick, is an industry-led facility funded by the the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia, PTEU and the Plumbing Joint Training Fund. It is proudly supported by the Victorian Government and the Plumbing Industry Commission. It is easily accessible and only six kilometres from Melbourne's CBO.

Buildings produce 40 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions - the PICAC offers a solution to deal with this issue expediently and economically.

The Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre is:

• A world class facility in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• A centre with a high level of water and energy savings and a commitment to continuing performance improvement
• An educational and research facility
• A high profile facility with on-going promotion to the general public and industry stakeholders
• A public building used by diverse stakeholders

The first facility of its kind in the world

The PICAC integrates industry training and research with a built environment that is living testimony to a greener, cleaner future. It is a working laboratory for the trialling and testing of plumbing and building technologies, some that have not previously been seen in Australia.

Until the PICAC there was no practical training centre in Australia for the plumbing industry, dedicated to educating and training to cut greenhouse gas emissions, save water and address the key issues around climate change in our buildings.

The green aspects of plumbing available at the PICAC add another dimension to a plumber's skill base and expands their role.

Leading by example

The Centre is a 5 Star Green Star rated building that promotes and trials new technologies. It is a working example of innovative design and sustainable plumbing. Among items of significance, is a large solar thermal system that provides heating and cooling, a small package absorption chiller for solar cooling and a one litre single flush toilet. The latter items are not currently available in Australia. By showcasing the world's leading-edge technology the PICAC broadens industry horizons. It is accessible to anyone wanting to resource sustainable plumbing and water saving information in a "hands on" and practical way. The PICAC users will include:

• 20,000 plus registered and licensed plumbers in Victoria
• Pre-apprentices
• Employee and employer groups
• General public
• Building owners and managers
• Industry partners
• Government
• Service groups

So, whether you are a building owner, a plumber. a developer or a home-owner. you will be able to learn about the systems on show with expert guidance by industry educators and technical staff.

Key to a sustainable future

The plumbing industry is vital in driving a sustainable future.  More than 70 per cent of the energy requirements in domestic buildings and over 76 per cent in commercial buildings is delivered by plumbing systems. This highlights the important role of plumbing.

Plumbers have the ability to advocate energy and water saving devices and strategies in both domestic and commercial applications.

In commercial buildings, greenhouse gas emissions are due to cooling (28 per cent), air handling (22 per cent), lighting (21 per cent) and heating (13 per cent). This sees over 60 per cent of these greenhouse emissions falling under the watch of plumbers. This means that plumbers are poised to provide industry with the best advice and processes to comply with Government regulations and targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

In this drought there is pressure on our scarce water resources. This sees consumers turning to plumbers to steer them in the right direction on water efficiency as well as reducing running costs.

The PICAC will train and educate local, interstate and international students to do just this.