Major Areas of Change

• Atmospheric Vacuum Breakers (AVBs) Reclassified as high-hazard testable backflow devices, bringing Australia and New Zealand in line with international norms and expanding compliant options for backflow prevention.

• Flexible Hose Requirements Updated installation rules referencing AS 3499:2022, including clearer guidance on isolation valves and durability expectations to reduce water-damage incidents caused by hose failures.

• Appliances, Devices & Fixtures New deemed-to-satisfy provisions for connecting miscellaneous appliances, reducing ambiguity and improving consistency across installations.

• Multi-Building Developments Clearer sanitary drainage requirements for multi-unit sites, addressing common compliance issues and improving design certainty for complex developments.

• Polyethylene Water Pipes Revised pressure-class requirements—particularly for northern Australia—to address premature pipe failures and improve long-term system performance.

• Roof Drainage (Eaves & Valley Gutters) Simplified and clarified design provisions in Part 3 to reduce misinterpretation and improve stormwater planning and compliance.

• Waterless Urinals New provisions targeting struvite build-up, including minimum gradients and cleansing flush requirements to reduce maintenance problems.

• Polypropylene Pipes for Vacuum Drainage Added as an acceptable material, aligning the standard with international practice and supporting broader adoption of vacuum drainage systems.

• Rainwater Harvesting (NZ Only) New deemed-to-satisfy provisions for rainwater tanks and charged systems—usable in Australia only via performance solutions.