Next dates:
Brisbane - Australia
8:30 am - 4:30 pm, AEST
Thu 10 Sep 2026
Register here
Online - ANZ
9:30 am - 5:30 pm, AEDT
Tue 13 Oct 2026
Register here
*All online sessions are recorded, with access to the recordings granted for 30 days.
About this Course:
This course has been developed in conjunction with AHSCA QLD, CIBSE, HCAA and ICC.
This course equips hydraulic designers, engineers, plumbers, and regulators with the knowledge and skills needed to understand drainage system challenges in reactive and unstable soils and determine when specialist expertise is required.
This training establishes a practical and consistent framework for managing the challenges associated with soil movement and reactive ground conditions. It is designed to enhance participants’ understanding of current industry practices, emerging methodologies, and risk-based decision-making approaches that can help minimise reliance on performance solutions where appropriate.
While this course is not intended to be a definitive “fix-all” solution, it aims to provide valuable insights into the key considerations, principles, and requirements needed to support better outcomes across the industry. By increasing awareness and understanding, the course seeks to contribute to more informed decision-making and improved practice.
Who should attend:
This course is suited to those wishing to develop a practical understanding of drainage design considerations in reactive and unstable soils, improve their ability to identify potential risks and limitations of standard solutions, and better understand when specialist geotechnical or engineering input is required.
- Hydraulic consultants and designers
- Engineers and project managers
- Plumbing contractors
- Plumbing regulators, inspectors and certifiers
- TAFE instructors and vocational trainers
- Builders
- Architects
Learning outcomes:
On completion of this course you will have an understanding of the following:
- Understand reactive and unstable soil behaviour in drainage design
- Understand the requirements of the BCA, AS 2870, AS 2566.1 and interpret the requirements of the PCA and AS/NZS 3500 correctly for plumbing applications
- Understand what other experts are required to determine and develop the correct solution
- Identify when to use DTS solutions vs Performance Solutions
- Navigate jurisdictional differences and plumbing regulators' expectations
- Apply real-world design techniques through case studies and exercises
Course Agenda:
Session 1 Defining The Problem And The Context
Session 2 Ground Behaviour and Site Characterisation
Session 3 Soil–Structure–Pipe Interaction & AS/NZS 2566.1
Session 4 Drainage System Design for Reactive Soils
Session 5 Applied Code Analysis
Session 6 Structural Integration for Unstable Conditions
Session 7 Design Verification & Dual Case Studies
Session 8 Case Studies & Interactive Workshop
Session 9 Developing a Performance Solution
Meet the Trainers:
Chris Ferguson - Course facilitator
Chris is currently a Technical Specialist with Plastec Australia and brings more than 30 years of experience in the plumbing industry. He has managed the design and implementation of Plastec's range of articulated joints and risk-proofing technologies, contributing to innovative solutions for plumbing systems in challenging environments.
Chris has also played an active role in industry standards, participating in standards working groups and development committees. He travels extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand, working closely with geotechnical professionals, regulators, engineers, hydraulic consultants, and tradespeople to promote best practices in plumbing and construction for reactive and unstable ground conditions. In addition, Chris delivers professional training to TAFEs and industry groups, sharing his expertise in plumbing and drainage design for reactive and unstable soils.
Chris Taylor - Course facilitator
After more than 40 years in the plumbing industry and nearly two decades in hydraulic consultancy, I found this training both practical and insightful. It reinforced key principles, challenged existing assumptions, and provided valuable guidance for designing, installing, and inspecting drainage systems in reactive soils. The trainers' knowledge and real-world experience were outstanding, making this a course I would highly recommend to anyone seeking best-practice outcomes.”
— Paul Lind, Hydraulic Consultant, South Australia
As a hydraulic consultant with over 25 years of industry experience, I found the Fundamentals of Drainage Design in Unstable Soils course to be exceptionally valuable. The course provided a strong technical foundation in soil behaviour, moisture management, surface and subsurface drainage design, and the interaction between drainage systems and foundation performance. The practical examples, case studies, and design principles reinforced best-practice approaches and offered insights that can be immediately applied to real-world projects involving unstable and reactive ground conditions.
— Adam Johnston, Hydraulic Designer, Verto, Tasmania
Course Contributors
