Uncategorised

With rapidly increasing population and mounting pressure from climate change, electrical innovations are more important than ever before. While there is no silver bullet that can solve all our issues, there are a broad range of technologies that may help make power more abundant, eco-friendly and efficient.

From Centralisation to Decentralisation

For decades, the electricity sector in Australia and across the modern world has operated on a model of centralised, state-owned power plants. These are typically located at the major sources of fuel and clustered together. It made more economical sense to be positioned closer to the fuel source (e.g. coal or large hydro) at the expense of having to transport power long distances to major population and industrial areas.

In future, we may move towards a more decentralised system. New technology and the economic dynamic of the market have created shifts in the basic cost parameters of many sources of energy, allowing power generating facilities to be built closer to where it is used. Instead of a small number of large power plants being owned by a few companies, we could have a larger number of small generation facilities with a larger number of owners and investors, spreading the risks and rewards of investment.

Salt Powered Energy

A new technology is in development that leverages the isothermal expansion of sodium and solar heat to directly generate electricity. In this system, electricity is generated from solar heat by using thermal energy to drive a sodium redox reaction on opposite sides of a solid electrolyte. A single system could be used to power a house.

Energy from Nuclear Waste

This new technology in development is set up in a similar way to photovoltaic devices (solar energy capture) except it uses high energy electrons from nuclear waste instead of photons from the sun. One betavoltaic device could generate about one watt of power continuously for 30 years. This makes it around 40,000 times more energy dense than the lithium ion batteries we use from our remote devices.

Flexible Energy Generators

Another innovation involves using polymers in thermoelectric generators. This would be innovative due to its flexibility and low thermal conductivity. This could drastically reduce production costs as the system could operate without cooling. These devices could displace batteries in certain situations such as on wearable devices like a personal thermostat that warms your clothes up.

Need a Commercial Electrician? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

If you require an industrial electrical contractor, Brisbane’s EPG can help. Our experts have extensive experience providing domestic, commercial and industrial electrical maintenance and installation services in Brisbane and around Queensland.

In addition to assisting with electrical issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial plumbing (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your industrial plumbing requirements or contact us online.

Buying any property requires due diligence and careful inspection to ensure what you’re getting is safe, suitable for your requirements and worth what you’re paying. This is even more important when it comes to commercial and industrial properties, where the safety and functionality of the space is a legal requirement as well as in your interests.

Plumbing systems in industrial premises tend to be complex and placed under more pressure than usual. A thorough plumbing inspection is essential for ensuring the system has no faults. If pipes are aged, damaged or in disrepair, it can lead to costly downtime and major hazards for employees and the general public in some cases. If you are borrowing to purchase the property, a plumbing inspection may also be required by the lender.

What’s Involved in a Plumbing Inspection?

A thorough industrial plumbing inspection should involve an inspection of the installations under the building slab including the water supply pipes and sewer lines. This can be achieved using a camera to check if there are any leaks, structural problems or accumulation of debris, all of which may cause failure in the future or create issues with water pressure or backflow.

The inspection should also include a visual assessment of the plumbing system above the floor. In an industrial plumbing building, this is likely to be extensive. A pressure test should also be performed to check if the premises is suffering from low or excessive water pressure.

Checking Pipes for Debris

Pipes in industrial plumbing systems can have a build-up of particulates, chemical solutions and sediment which can all affect water pressure or degrade the plumbing itself. It’s important to have these issues assessed and repaired prior to purchasing the industrial property.

The Importance of Checking Water Pressure

Problems with water pressure in industrial buildings can cause a host of problems and interfere with industrial operations. One of the biggest potential problems is backflow. This is a key issue in a lot of industrial properties as it’s common to have two separate water systems. For example, reducing overall water consumption by using a mix of mains water and recycled water.

Anything that increases your water pressure, such as secondary water pumps, industrial machinery, pressure intensifiers and laboratory equipment can cause backflow issues, which can contaminate drinking water sources, causing a health hazard to the general public. Because of this risk, it is a highly regulated area. Assessing water pressure and having the right backflow preventers in place is crucial.

Need Help with Industrial Plumbing? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Need a thorough plumbing inspection before buying an industrial property in Brisbane? At EPG, our experts have extensive experience providing industrial plumbing maintenance and installation services in Brisbane and around Queensland.

In addition to assisting with industrial plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your industrial plumbing requirements or contact us online.

Nearly 70 per cent of Australians still use gas to cook their food, heat their water and keep their homes warm. But with environmental concerns become increasingly critical and new energy technologies on the rise, things may change. However, this needs to be balanced with Australia’s growing population. Energy systems need to meet increases in demand while remaining reliable, affordable and eco-friendly.

Australia is a gas rich country. It’s an important energy source, especially in remote areas that rely on gas generators and bottled gas. But as electricity prices become unstable and climate change action becomes more pressing, more people are calling for renewable energy to carry us into the future. What does the role of gas play in our future?

Gas Vision 2050

In 2018, an independent review into the energy sector lead by Australian Chief Scientist Alan Finkel supported the ongoing use of gas in Australia for electricity generation and a way to help reduce emissions from the energy sector. The Gas Vision 2050 report highlights how gas and renewable energy sources can support each other to achieve a near zero carbon energy sector by 2050, including a decarbonisation pathway for natural gas beyond 2050.

According to the Gas Vision 2050 reports, natural gas delivers 44 per cent of household energy while accounting for 13 per cent of household greenhouse gas emissions. 6.5 million Australians use gas mains or bottled gas and 130,000 businesses use natural gas. Australia’s gas infrastructure can currently store the equivalent amount of 6 billion Tesla powerwall batteries in gas energy.

What is the Future of the Gas Sector?

By 2050, the gas sector claims it will be able to deliver energy using reliable and secure sources while reducing carbon emissions as planned. This will be achieved using three new gas fuels:

• Biogas generated from organic waste
• Hydrogen produced from methane
• Hydrogen produced from electrolysis

These new fuel sources can use existing energy infrastructure, eliminating the need to overhaul the entire system.

Gas as a Transitional Energy Source

If Australia turns towards a renewable-led grid, natural gas may be an essential transitional energy source. It’s abundant and less polluting than other fossil fuels while still having the desirable ability to turn on and off when required. Gas may be the energy sources that can ‘stabilise’ a future in renewables.

Need a Plumbing Company? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Need maintenance of your gas fittings? Get in touch with the expert plumbers at EPG today. In addition to fixing residential plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Industrial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your requirements or contact us online.

Flexible water hoses, or flexi hoses, are a common plumbing feature in our homes. Made from rubber and fabricated steel, they replaced standard copper pipe installations in older homes and are found in connections from the wall outlet to sinks, basins, tubs and taps. They are also used in toilets to connect water from the stop tap to the cistern.

Replacing faulty flexi hoses is one of the most common jobs a plumber attends to. This has people wondering; why are flexi hoses so prone to damage and what can be done to prevent problems related to them?

Limited Lifespan

Many failures are simply due to the fact that flexi hoses have a limited working life. Since 2006, flexi hoses have required WaterMark certification. However, they have been on the Australian market for 8 years before that, and it’s unclear which hoses installed during that time were certified.

The risk of flexi hoses bursting and flooding the house increases significantly a decade after a property is built. Some hoses may come with a 10-year warranty while others have no warranty at all. These hoses will often fail well before the 10-year mark.

Incorrect Installation and Maintenance

The biggest problem with flexi hoses is damage prior to or during installation. Over tightening, over stretching and looseness can all cause the pipe to fail. It’s quite easy for this to happen, especially when someone other than a licenced plumber is installing it. Incremental damage like rusting, fraying, twisting and kinking can create a weak point, leading to failures down the track.

As the system pressurises overnight, the water seeks a path of escape. This pressure can cause the weak point in the flexi hose to bulge ever so slightly. This point will cycle through a process of being under pressure, stretching and then having the pressure released once water is used again. Like blowing up a balloon slightly and then letting the air out, this stretches the inner rubber tube over time until it bursts.

How to Minimise the Risk of Bursts

To avoid major water damage from a burst flexi hose, ensure you take the following steps:

• Check your hose on a regular basis for rust spots, bulging, fraying and kinking
• Only use flexi hoses with a reasonable warranty period
• Have licenced plumbers carry out all installations and repair works
• Get your flexi hoses maintained every two to five years by a plumber who can also check for signs of hidden leaks

Need a Plumbing Company? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Need an issue with a flexi hose resolved? Get in touch with the expert plumbers at EPG today. In addition to fixing residential plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Industrial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your requirements or contact us online.

When you’re running an industrial business in Queensland, you are subject to hundreds of laws including ensuring backflow prevention according to the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003. Backflow is when water in a system of pipework flows the opposite way to its correct direction back into the main reticulation system and water supply.

When the backflow is from a contaminated or polluted source, which is often the case in industrial plumbing, the outcome can be serious, ranging from severe sickness to death in some cases.

Why Backflow Prevention Matters

Backflow doesn’t just affect you and the people on your premises. If the contaminated water enters the main potable (drinking) water supply, it can flow into any other property connected to the water main, affecting a significant number of people. For this reason, every business owner or manager is obligated to get a licensed industrial plumber to fit and maintain backflow prevention devices.

Backflow prevention is especially important if you have more than one water system on your industrial property and there is a possibility of cross-contamination between the two systems. For example, if you have a separate water system that used recycled water for irrigation or industrial processing.

Back Siphonage

Backflow usually happens for one of two reasons. The first is back siphonage, which is when the supply pressure drops due to a leak or a fault. This may be caused by damage to the water main, a failed supply pump or another local user taking an excessive amount of water from the mains. When this happens, you may not notice anything other than a slight reduction in the water flow.

Without a backflow prevention device, low supply pressure causes water from your property to be drawn back into the main water pipework. The risk of this happening increases if your water pipes are cross-connected to a secondary system, especially if you have a booster pump.

Back Pressure

The second reason for backflow is back pressure, where the downstream pressure unintentionally increases at your premises. Anything that increases your water pressure, such as secondary water pumps, industrial machinery, pressure intensifiers and laboratory equipment can cause back pressure.

If any of these are being used on your site, you must not connect it to the water main directly as it will pump water back into the reticulation pipework and contaminate the supply. Inadvertent cross-connection is the most common cause of back pressure. Many industrial processes reduce water consumption by using a mix of mains water and recycled water. If recycled water is pumped into industrial equipment and isn’t prevented from entering the mains water feed, there is a cross-connection.

Need Help with Industrial Plumbing? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Do you need a backflow prevention device installed or maintained at your industrial premises? At EPG, our experts have extensive experience providing industrial plumbing maintenance and installation services in Brisbane and around Queensland.

In addition to assisting with industrial plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your industrial plumbing requirements or contact us online.

High water pressure is a good thing, right? It means comfortable showers, easier dishwashing, quick garden watering and faster filling bathtubs. However, too much water pressure can be a safety hazard and can cause costly damage to your plumbing system and home. Excessively elevated water pressure is often the cause of leaks, pipe damage, failing hot water systems and wasted water.

Signs of Excessive Water Pressure

There are several signs that your water pressure may be too high. This includes a “water hammer”, which is a loud banging noise in your pipes caused by a pressure surge when fast moving water brought to a sudden stop when shutter down. Other signs include:

• Leaking faucets
• Running toilets
• Taps splitting on the outlet
• Water spitting out of faucets
• Leaks from hot water system valves
• Higher costs of heating water because of unnecessarily high-water pressure
• Flooding in the septic drain field and failure where a private septic system is used
• Increased sewer bills in areas where charges are based on metered water usage
• Shorter lifespan of appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and hot water systems.

When is Water Pressure Too High?

Water pressure is adjusted by the local water authority to suit the needs of the area. For example, tall apartments require higher pressure to reach all the residents at the top of the building. It may also need to be adjusted for properties on high hills. It may also be increased for short periods if a fire hydrant is being used.

Properties at the bottom of hills are more prone to having excessive water pressure. Water pressure that is between 60 to 70 PSI (400-500 KPA) is normal. Australian standards state that water at any outlet within a building shall not exceed 70 PSI/500 KPA. However, many homes are supplied with water pressure well above this. When it’s above 80 PSI, things start to get dangerous.

When Happens When Water Pressure is Too High?

The most common problem with high water pressure is the deterioration and failure of plumbing systems inside homes. Excessive water pressure can cause small pinhole leaks that may damage flooring, walls and ceilings as well as cause mildew and mould. When water pressure is extremely high (80 to 100 PSI), drastic things can happen, such as the hot water system exploding.

Fixing Water Pressure Issues

If your water pressure is higher than 80 PSI, sometimes all your water line needs is a pressure regulator. This will slow down the volume of water entering your home, keeping the pressure at reasonable levels. This allows you to reduce your water bill so you aren’t paying for water you don’t need while saving your appliances, faucets and plumbing from early wear and tear. A plumber can install this for you.

Need a Plumbing Company? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Need plumbing issues fixed in your home? Get in touch with the expert plumbers at EPG today. In addition to fixing residential plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Industrial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your requirements or contact us online.

Water leaks can come in different levels of severity. Some are immediately apparent and easy to fix. Others are sudden and cause disastrous flooding in your home. In many cases however, leaks are not obvious and occur without being noticed. A huge proportion of water leaks are hidden. These hidden leaks waste a lot of water over time, increasing your water bill exponentially.

Hidden leaks can occur due to degradation of pipes and fixtures over time, misuse of the plumbing system, poor construction or damage from an external source such as a tree root penetrating a water pipe.

Hidden Leaks Waste Enormous Amounts Over Time

In modern societies, we waste water on a monumental scale and we often don’t know the source of it. Minor drips and leaks in our toilets, taps and showerheads can add up to significant amounts of water over time.

• Around 10 per cent of homes have hidden leaks that waste over 340 litres a day.
• A leaky tap or showerhead that drips once a second wastes over 11,000 litres a year. A showerhead or tap that drips 10 times every minute wastes enough water in a year to operate a dishwasher 60 times.
• Irrigation systems at 60 PSI with a 1.35mm thick leak wastes around 24,000 litres every month.
• Toilets are notorious for hidden leaks and can waste over 750 litres a day when they are faulty and constantly run water. This is one of the most common causes for sudden increases in the water bill.

Sometimes hidden leaks are due to a pinhole leak or other forms of damage in the pipes. In these cases, the level of damage and associated costs can be far higher.

Signs of a Hidden Leak in the Plumbing System

There are some warning signs of hidden leaks homeowners can identify on their own. This includes unusual moisture or dampness in areas of the home. This can come in the form of wet spots in the carpet with no apparent cause or persistent growth of mould or mildew. Other signs can include damaged walls, paint or wallpaper, stains on ceilings and odd musty or earthy smells that may indicate old, accumulated water.

Using Your Water Meter to Identify Hidden Leaks

You may be able to identify a hidden leak occurring in your home by checking the water meter. This is usually near the front gate or fence. Turn off all the taps in your home except for the stop tap next to the water meter and make sure no one uses water during the testing period.

Record all the numbers displayed on the dial. Wait 10 minutes and record the numbers again. If anything has changed, it may be an indication of a leak somewhere in the system. Watch the tell-tale wheel. If it moves, you may have a leak. Repeat the test to double check and then call a plumber for assistance.

Need a Plumbing Company? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Suspect you have a hidden leak in your home? Get in touch with the expert plumbers at EPG today. In addition to fixing residential plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Industrial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your requirements or contact us online.

Mining and construction are significant industries in Brisbane, Queensland and all around Australia. Most of us know that the mining and construction industry is massive and often involves massive things. From massive holes in the ground and massive equipment to massive contracts, budgets and legislative constraints. Plumbing in the mining and construction industry is equally large and complex, but something that isn’t necessarily understood.

Special Plumbing in Mining and Construction Projects

Regardless of what you are mining for, the process involves a lot of mess and dirt. This is where plumbing plays a crucial role in ensuring the process is carried out in an efficient, tidy and safe manner. Mining involves removing unwanted water through draining as well as distributing water to other areas where it is required.

Water is a precious resource and both construction and mining projects need to use a lot of it for everything from dust suppression to cleaning heavy machinery. Plumbing systems on mining and construction sites need to be effective and efficient, reusing water where possible. Plumbers may also be responsible for the pipework associated with cooling and heating and tend to work with other professionals like bricklayers and joiners to ensure that the entire construction or mining operation flows and functions properly.

General Use Plumbing on Mining and Construction Sites

Plumbers are essential for ensuring those who work on a mining or large construction site are working in a sanitary environment with a proper plumbing sewage system. This is essential for protection from disease-carrying waste. Considering this system may get used by up to 800 employees on larger sites, it’s a very large-scale job that is crucial for everyone’s safety and comfort. Designing facilities that are adequate enough for the project’s needs requires precise expertise.

Plumbers assess how much water passes through a fixture, which often depends on the amount of people working and living in the area and then go on to create precise designs for the construction or mining site that ensures sanitary sewer lines are always available. Industrial plumbers also work to ensure that repairs are carried out swiftly on all fixtures and pipes and that blockages are quickly dealt with.

Need Help with Industrial Plumbing? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Finding a reliable and professional industrial plumber is essential for any construction or mining project. At EPG, our experts have extensive experience providing industrial plumbing maintenance and installation services in Brisbane and around Queensland.

In addition to assisting with industrial plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your industrial plumbing requirements or contact us online.

Modern plumbing systems and fixtures in our homes and businesses are designed to work flawless without odour. When you do find you have stinky drains and water, it’s a sign that something is wrong. Not only are the sulphurous smells unpleasant but the sewer gases caused by bacteria also pose health hazards.

When you notice awful smells emanating from your drain, don’t hesitate to contact a plumbing company. Brisbane residents can contact EPG for fast and reliable plumbing services. Below we look at the top three causes of stinky drains and water.

1. P-Trap Issues

Every drain in your property should have a P-trap. In addition to trapping debris drained from the sink, this plumbing fixture creates a water seal at the bottom of the U-curve in the pipe, allowing fluid to flow into the overflow pipe and preventing it backing up into the sink. It also helps prevent gases and odours from the overflow pipe entering your home.

P-traps can fail to function properly for a few reasons, such as:

• A leak causes the P-trap to lose its seal.
• A blockage, such as a large clump of hair, blocks the passage and siphons the water out of the P-trap.
• Prolonged periods without use, causing the water in the P-trap to dry out and let noxious odours through.

Proper function of the P-trap and vent system is crucial as the pressure in sewer lines can fluctuate. The vent allows air to come in and equalise the pressure so sewer gases go up the stack to the outside. Without proper venting, water and air can be pushed through the P-trap and break the protective water seal, letting awful smells in.

2. Drain and Sewer Line Issues

From rotted or cracked drain pipes to loose-fitting pipe connections and blocked, overflowing drains, there are a variety of other issues that can cause bad smells. Sewer blockages in the private lines that connect your plumbing system to the main sewer lines can be locked by foreign objects like:

• Cooking oil and fat
• Diapers
• Tampons
• Pet litter
• Solid food

If the main sewer line backs up, then it is the local council’s duty to fix the problem. However, you’ll often need to consult with a plumbing professional to determine the reason.

3. Bacteria in the Hot Water System

Another source of bad smells could be your hot water system. Every water heating system features an anode rod that protects the tank from corrosion and rust. Over time, the rod decays, creating hydrogen sulphur gas that reacts with sediment in the tank to create rotten smelling showers and bad tasting water.

If the temperature is set too low on the hot water system, bacteria can also grow and multiply. In other cases, a hot water system may not have been in use for a long time, causing bacteria to multiply in an environment where they aren’t destroyed by heat.

Need a Plumbing Company? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help

Got a smelly drain in your house? Get in touch with the expert plumbers at EPG today. In addition to fixing residential plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:

• Industrial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
• Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
• Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)

Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your plumbing problem or contact us online.

Did you know that stormwater is the most destructive, high risk issue for property owners around the world? Flooding causes more damage every year than nearly every other type of natural disaster combined. Stormwater management, therefore, is a high priority for businesses, including rural and industrial operations.

The days when people dug a few ditches around a property and hoped the drains were effective are long gone. Modern stormwater management is a true science. It includes system inspection, hydrology, historic studies, surveying, and meticulous planning.

Creating A Good Stormwater Management Plan

A good stormwater Management plan is based entirely on data. Factors include:

• Historic flooding
• Geomorphology (the shape and nature of the land)
• Local drainage conditions
• Soil types (types of soil may include clay, hard soils over which water flows freely, etc.)
• Risk factor evaluation (local rivers, creeks, and other sources of water flow)

From this data, an integrated stormwater management plan is developed. Typically, a stormwater management plan will include:

• Drainage works sited to catch and divert stormwater
• High-capacity drains to manage large volumes of water
• Outlets into canals and other drainage systems, often including automated pumps and drainage

The problem, naturally, is that every site is different. Custom designed stormwater management plans are best practice. There is definitely no One-Size-Fits-All drainage plan configurations, because land and topography will always vary.

Example – Stormwater Management in Brisbane

Brisbane is a very good example of the issues involved in stormwater management. Recent flooding in Brisbane did considerable damage to commercial, industrial, and residential properties, and highlighted significant deficiencies in stormwater management. Old, outdated drainage systems couldn’t cope with the high volumes of water.

In the wet season, Brisbane and Queensland in general receive extraordinary amounts of rain. Brisbane is sited on a major river, with highly variable coastal and inland topography. The need is to create appropriate stormwater management systems for local conditions.

Custom stormwater management planning and design is currently underway to manage flood risks. The current move is to drastically improve stormwater management capacity and configurations to alleviate flood risks. This work is being done by expert electrical and plumbing consultants in conjunction with local government and property owners.

Getting Your Own Stormwater Management Plan

If you’re looking at improving your stormwater management, or installing a new stormwater management plan:

• Talk to the experts: Your consultants will be able to provide all the important information and guidance you need to design, plan, and install a good stormwater management system.
• Understand the risk factors: Stormwater management includes a lot of unsuspected possible issues. Being downstream from a possible flood source is an obvious risk, but most people don’t realise that floodwaters can come from many kilometres away.

Talk to EPG Electrical Plumbing Group Pty Ltd About Stormwater Needs In Brisbane

The solution to your stormwater management needs is just a phone call away. EPG Electrical Plumbing Group Pty Ltd can provide all the industrial plumbing services you need for stormwater management planning in Brisbane. Call or contact us online to arrange for a meeting.