Why join?
Through their commitment to Professionalism, Responsibility and Competence members of the Institute play an active role in the advancement of plumbing standards to safeguard public health and safety. Institute members are professionals who can be trusted whatever their role in the industry.If you are qualified to do so, joining the Institute means identifying with the very best in the plumbing and heating services industry, not just in the UK but around the world. The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering is a world wide organisation with members in approximately 38 countries including over 800 members in Hong Kong.
The Institute is also the Secretariat of the World Plumbing Council – see www.worldplumbing.org – which is developing links with the World Health Organisation and other international agencies.
Recognition
To identify members to the public and elsewhere the Institute awards designatory letters and also allows corporate members (Fellows, Members and Associates) use of the IPHE logo on stationery and vehicles.
Designatory letters appear at the end of a person's name and denote their level of membership. There are four levels of membership which hold designatory letters, Associate (AIPHE), Member (MIPHE), Fellow (FIPHE) and Companion (CompIPHE).
Eligible corporate members can also be enrolled on the Register of Plumbers and hold the designatory letters RP. Members engaged in a responsible position in an installation and maintenance business may apply to be granted the description Registered Plumbing Company.
Approved Contractor Person Scheme
Corporate Members enrolled on the Register of Plumbers can achieve government recognition by applying to become Approved Contractor Persons (ACPs), who can self-certify under the Water Regulations (Bylaws in Scotland).
Directory Database
As there is no statutory regulation of plumbers in the UK, the Institute maintains the voluntary Register of Plumbers to protect the public. The Register was established in 1886 by the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and has been maintained by the Institute since 1970.
Every day the Institute is inundated with calls from the public searching for professional plumbers. In fulfilling its role as a professional body the Institute supplies contact details of members on the database via phone, fax and email.
For a small annual charge of £20 (including VAT) a year, Fellows, Members and Associates also enrolled on the Register of Plumbers have the opportunity to be included in the Directory Database which offers:-
- inclusion on the Institute's popular website www.iphe.org.uk;
- inclusion in the annual interactive CD, sent free to libraries, Trading Standards Offices, Citizens Advice Bureaux and consumer organisations where it is available for public reference. The CD also goes out to local and health authorities, housing associations and other official organisations that request it;
- the opportunity to be included in the Institute's "corporate" advertising schemes in Yellow Pages and Thomson Directories at advantageous rates;
- identification to the public via phone, fax and email.
The Institute is made up of a network of Branches. Each Branch is run voluntarily by dedicated members of the IPHE. Members are affiliated to a Branch in their area (or overseas division) most of which hold Professional Development events and Technical Evenings for its members. Branch activities offer a good way of meeting like-minded people, networking, expanding knowledge and personal development.
Technical literature and support
The Institute is the technical body for the industry. The IPHE publishes a wide range of technical information including Dataflow sheets, DataByte notes, technical papers and the internationally recognised Plumbing Engineering Services Design Guide. It works in conjunction with other bodies to produce technical information and can be contacted by members for information on seminars, technical literature and technical queries.
P&HE magazine
This bi-monthly magazine is packed with technical articles, news from the IPHE and its Branches, the latest from the industry and changes in regulations. An informative read, P&HE magazine includes Dataflow sheets and pull-out technical literature for reference.
Further your career
Membership of the Institute can lead to further qualifications, such as registration with the EC(UK) as an Engineering Technician, Licentiateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute, or you may be eligible to obtain the Master Plumber Certificate.
www.iphe.org.uk
The Institute is believed to be the first organisation of its kind to establish a website. Since its launch in 1995 it has received widespread acclaim from visitors throughout the world. Recent statistics show the website attracts on average more than 800 visitors each day. One of its unique features is the automated updating of membership information, this enables the address details of Registered Plumbers in business to be updated daily. The website is continually evolving and if you have any observations or recommendations you wish to share with us please contact joannem@iphe.org.uk
Members Only Area
Members of the IPHE have their very own private website closed to the public and non-members. The Members Only Area contains downloadable Dataflow Sheets, a Members Only Forum, holds information on membership services and carries a wealth of other information of use to members such as recruitment advertising. The Members Only Area is a growing part of the Institute's internet presence.
Any more membership services?
Membership of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering also gives access to a number of membership services supplied through Plumbing Promotions Ltd, a company which covenants all its profits to the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering. These include:-
- a legal helpline (advice given in initial telephone call is free)
- Contractors Liability Insurance
- independent financial advice
- mortgages
- vehicle insurance
- workwear and footwear
- pipes and fittings
- discount on hotel leisure breaks
- website design service
- national car rental