Hot water system upgrade
1 September 2025
The Committee is addressing rising risk from ageing hot water infrastructure, commissioning Pipe Fix Plumbing to inspect all units’ cylinders, with the inspection costs to be covered by the Body Corporate.
Cylinders over 15 years old will need upgrading with compliant fittings; costs will be on-charged to owners, leveraging bulk-buy savings.
A bulk replacement programme with 10% interest payment plans will be offered, though owners may arrange their own compliant upgrades.
Upgrade options for 14-unit and potentially 12-unit star blocks are being investigated, including centralised hot water systems.
The Committee hopes to be able to soon introduce unit-level water metering, as part of the upgrade works programme.
Freemans Park has commissioned a hot water cylinder audit for all units, to identify any ageing hot water infrastructure.
As we are aware, Freemans Park faces increasing risk from its ageing hot water infrastructure.
Following on from the email survey earlier this year, the Committee has commissioned our plumbers, Pipe Fix Plumbing, to inspect all units’ hot water cylinders. The cost of this audit will be paid for by the Body Corporate. The audit will commence in late September.
To reduce our ageing hot water infrastructure risks, and therefore improve our insurance position, in principle:
Any hot water cylinders found to be over 15 years old will need to be promptly upgraded, with the new hot water cylinders being fitted with drip trays, drains and quality pressure reducing valves.
Costs will be on-charged to owners – the bulk buying power of the Body Corporate will deliver savings that most owners would not otherwise be able to access.
The Body Corporate will facilitate a bulk replacement programme and offer progressive payment terms at 10% interest for owners unable to pay upfront.
Owners may commission their own remedial hot water cylinder works, but must supply the Body Corporate with evidence of compliance with the requirements.
Hot water upgrade options are also currently being investigated for 14-unit star blocks, including centralised hot water systems and per-unit replacement with drip trays. Depending on the outcome of that investigation, water upgrade options for 12-unit star blocks will be considered.
The Committee also hopes to be able to introduce unit-level water metering throughout Freemans Park, as part of its hot water upgrade works programme.