Determining Whether the Full or Reduced Standard Applies

Water heaters installed to serve dwellings defined as class1a, class 1b and class 2 by the Building Code of Australia are subject to these standards, for example:

• Houses, whether detached, semi-detached or attached (class 1a);
• Town houses and maisonettes (class 1a);
• Single storey flats and units, including granny flats (class 1a);
• Small hostels (class 1b); and
• Single apartments in multi-storey buildings (class 2).

Water heaters that exclusively serve a shed (as opposed to a dwelling) are exempt from these standards.

New Homes, Alterations and Additions

When you install a water heater as part of the construction works of a new or renovated home subject to development approvals, it needs to meet the approvals for that home. Ask the builder for further details.

Download the guide for new homes, alterations and additions.

Established Homes

The Standards apply to established homes that have an SA Water supply, whether or not this is used. Other homes are exempt.

Flats, Apartments and SA Housing Trust

Water heaters installed into individual flats or apartments in multi-storey apartment buildings and dwellings owned by the SA Housing Trust need to meet the Reduced Standard. Shared water heaters in apartment buildings are exempt from these standards.

Houses

When you are installing or replacing a water heater into an established house, you will need to use the following table to determine the standards to apply:

Notes:

Metro / Near Adelaide, Regional and Remote Areas
Click here for a definition of Metro / near Adelaide, Regional and Remote Areas.

Purchased Properties
In Metro / near Adelaide and Regional Areas, installations into houses purchased on or after 1 July 2008 will need to meet the Full Standard. As such, there are many cases where you’ll need to find out from the home owner or agent when the property was last purchased.

In most cases, a property is purchased if there has been a transfer of ownership (as recorded on the certificate of title). But there are exceptions, namely:

• If the property was inherited or given as a gift; or
• If the property was purchased as a result of a contract established prior to 1 July 2008.

The most recent purchase of the property, as per the above definition, should be considered for the purposes of these standards.

Click here for more information.

Standard Replacements
A Standard Replacement is possible when:

• The water heater being replaced is located outside of the dwelling or in a shed, garage, etc; and
• The new installation requires no more than 6 metres of additional hot water pipes (ie, it can be installed within 6 metres of the failed water heater) and is not installed in front of the house façade; and
• The new installation can be installed at least 3 metres from the nearest neighbour’s door or openable window to a bedroom or living space.
• Click here for more information.