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Last November, the PIA council and its members gathered for the association’s 14th annual general meeting and dinner. Attendees heard about the activities and achievements of the association over the last 12 months and celebrated members’ contributions to the industry.

The PIA reported that it successfully held three Installation and Commissioning courses in 2017 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as two technical seminars in Brisbane and Melbourne. Melbourne also hosted a successful Breakfast Meeting in July where attendees were updated on the PIA’s cooperation with the Fire Protection Association Australia (FPAA) to promote better standards in the fire protection market.

The PIA council also discussed its continuing liaison with industry organisations and government departments to promote cooperation between industries, and improve standards.

Activities included:

  • FP008 Fire Pump Committee worked on AS2304 Fire water tanks which is now completed and was expected to be published by the end of the 2017
  • Reviewed DR AS2419.1 Hydrant Code and submitted strong commentary in respect of boosting by the Fire Brigade through the pump AS2118.1 ‘Sprinkler’ standard has finally been published and the NCC/BCA has accepted this new code thus allowing fire pump duty requirements to be more clearly specified
  • AS2417 – 2001 Pump test code has slowly worked its way through Standards Australia. The revised standard will be known as AS ISO 9906 – 2017 (or 2018 if publication is delayed
    further)

AS2941 Check List activities are still ongoing with a proposal submitted to the NCC to have the standard written directly into the NCC/BCA codes, however this was rejected and will remain as a ‘secondary’ standard in the sprinkler and hydrant codes.

The PIA council reported it is continuing to liaise with Energy Action, who are consultants for ABCB, to review the requirements of Section J of the NCC which covers the maximum power levels for pumps used in HVAC installations.

The PIA was also happy to report it has come to a formal agreement with Irrigation Australia (IA), and will work closely together on a range of activities.

The council also awarded the PIA Industry Innovation Award 2017 to Hydro Innovations for its test loop systems. To find out more about the award, go to page 18.

Concluding the evening, the council encouraged members to be actively involved in the PIA if they want to get the most benefit from the association, and to recommend fellow companies to join.

New Life Member welcomed into PIA

At the PIA annual general meeting last November, the association was excited to announce a new Life Member, Les Boelckey, for his significant contribution to the association and the industry.

During his early career Mr Boelckey worked in the steelweld fabrications and pressure vessel manufacture divisions at the Lance Reichstein’s Indeng Group in Australia, where he held positions as both contracts and general manager.

At the time, the group manufactured Licenses for United Centrifugal Pumps (UCP) in San Jose, California.

UCP were eager to continue a presence in Australia so negotiated a new joint venture with United Pumps Australia (UPA), in November 1984.

Due to his success at UCP, Mr Boelckey was chosen as the first general manager of a newly formed UPA.

The company started with six employees, but with Mr Boelckey at the helm it soon grew to be a respected market leader in Australia in the specialist area of API 610 Process Pumps for oil and gas.

Among his many achievements, Mr Boelckey has served as a former PIA President from the mid to early 90s, and was a long serving councillor of the Board.

Les Boelckey is welcomed as a Life Member by President Dave Alexander.

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