Only those who can prove their competence through recognised qualifications or extensive experience are permitted to join the Institute and display the coveted IPHE logo. Members agree to a five-point Code of Professional Standards which is designed to uphold and improve the standards of plumbing and its related services.
Members are encouraged to take advantage of the Institute's Professional Development programme which offers courses on a wide variety of subjects and includes distance learning (home study) opportunities.
Membership forms are strictly vetted. A decision is taken on the most appropriate membership category after taking into account of qualifications and experience. If you have any queries please contact the membership secretary on 01708 463108 or email membership@iphe.org.uk.
Here follows the Institute's three levels of individual corporate membership categories:
Associate (AIPHE)
The Associate category is suitable for those working perhaps in a self-employed capacity or as an employed operative. To be an Associate member of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering you should hold a full NVQ Level 2 plus relevant post-qualification experience or City & Guilds Craft Certificate (three years minimum experience required).
Associate membership falls into the "corporate" membership category. This means Associate members can use the Institute logo, vote at the Annual General Meeting and be enrolled (if qualified) on the Register of Plumbers. Associate membership grants the designatory letters AIPHE and entitles the holder to all the advantages of membership.
Member (MIPHE)
The Member category of the Institute calls for higher qualifications and greater experience than the Associate level. It is open to individuals in the industry who may be working in an established self-employed capacity, as a partner, foreman, supervisor or technician.
To be a Member you must hold a minimum of full NVQ Level 3, or City & Guilds Advanced Craft Certificate with appropriate practical experience (five years minimum experience required).
OR City & Guilds Craft Certificate plus sufficient professional development (i.e. Water Regulations/Oftec/manufacturer's training courses) and experience.
The Member category falls under the "corporate" membership section. Members can use the Institute logo, vote at the Annual General Meeting and (if qualified) be enrolled on the Register of Plumbers. The Member category grants the designatory letters MIPHE and entitles the holder to all the advantages of membership.
Fellow (FIPHE)
The highest category of individual membership of the Institute is Fellow. Fellows are corporate members and have all the advantages of membership including use of the logo, the ability to vote at the Annual General Meeting and the designatory letters FIPHE.
Today's plumbing engineers, system and product designers are highly qualified technicians to whom membership of a professional body is an opportunity to be in direct contact with the "sharp end" of the industry. It also offers the possibility of discussing mutual matters of interest with like-minded people in a non-commercial forum.
To become a Fellow of the IPHE you must hold a HNC/HND/Degree in a relevant engineering discipline and should be employed in a senior managerial position (i.e. consultant, manager).
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has three non-corporate levels of membership and a membership category for manufacturers and service providers.
Affiliate (new category)
Introduced at the IPHE Conference in June 2004, the Affiliate category recognises those who have recently qualified, but do not yet reach the experience or criteria sufficient of the Associate (AIPHE) level of membership.
To be an Affiliate of the Institute, you must have attained either Level 2 Technical Certificate in Basic Plumbing Studies or full NVQ Level 2.
Affiliate members have no designatory letters, cannot use the logo and are unable to vote at the IPHE AGM.
Companion (CompIPHE)
While the vast majority of Institute members are qualified plumbers, technicians and engineers, there are those connected with the industry who, despite not falling into this category, still support the Institute's work. The Companion membership category is designed to cater for such people and includes journalists, senior company executives and researchers.
Companions of the Institute endorse the IPHE's aims and demonstrate this commitment by using the letters CompIPHE after their names. However, they cannot use the IPHE logo, nor can they vote at the AGM.
Trainee
As part of its continuous efforts to improve plumbing standards, the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering seeks to encourage new generations to enter the Industry. Students should start making decisions about their working lives at an early age, and the Institute is keen to encourage plumbing as a career opportunity. Once in an apprenticeship or at college undertaking an approved plumbing course, budding plumbers can apply for Trainee membership of the Institute. This enables them to attend Institute Branch meetings where technical information is readily available and there is the opportunity to talk to those who already have experience in the industry.
To become a Trainee member you must be currently studying for an approved academic qualification in a plumbing or heating discipline at an accredited training centre.
Trainee members have no designatory letters, cannot use the logo and are unable to vote at the IPHE AGM.
A number of colleges offering courses in plumbing related disciplines have chosen to become Industrial Associate members of the Institute.
Industrial Associate
In order to give organisations the opportunity to display their support for the Institute's aims, the Industrial Associate membership category was introduced in 1973. Today it has around 260 members, including the top UK manufacturers, plus colleges, water suppliers and even publishers who operate within the industry.
Responsible manufacturers and service providers within the plumbing industry support the concepts of higher plumbing standards. Apart from a duty to the public, manufacturers in particular benefit by reductions in service calls and guarantee claims resulting from poor installation. Industrial Associate (IA) members contribute a great deal to the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering through educating members and supporting the Institute's primary concern - raising standards of plumbing.
Here follows a description of further designations:
Registered Plumber (RP)
The Register of Plumbers was established in 1886 by the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, an ancient City of London livery company with its origins going back to 1365 and still highly active today.
The Register was set up in response to widespread concern over the appalling health risks presented by the standards of plumbing in Victorian Britain.
In 1970 the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, as the UK's professional body for plumbers, became responsible for the Register which includes the majority of its members.
In order to be entered on the Register, a plumber must first be accepted in one of the membership categories Fellow, Member or Associate and meet the following criteria:
- be 20 years of age or over;
- having completed recognised training in plumbing;
- be 23 years of age or over;
- having been regularly and gainfully engaged in plumbing for a period of no less than three years;
- able to prove competence to the equivalent of N/SVQ Level 3;
- be 28 years of age or over;
- having been regularly and gainfully engaged in plumbing for a period of not less than five years;
- able to prove competence to the equivalent of N/SVQ Level 2.
Registered Plumbing Company
The Registered Plumbing Company description recognises that some plumbing companies may employ operatives who are not members of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering. Provided that a partner, director or principal of such a company is a Registered Plumber, he or she can apply for the company to become a Registered Plumbing Company.
If accepted, there must be one nominated Registered Plumber to every ten operatives. The Registered Plumber then takes responsibility for the work of unregistered operatives, ensuring that they will perform to a standard of competence not less than that of a Registered Plumber.
Engineering Technician (EngTech)
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has been awarded a licence from the Engineering Council (UK) to register Members (MIPHE) and Fellows (FIPHE) as Engineering Technicians (EngTech) providing they reach the relevant qualifications and experience.
Members and Fellows can follow two routes to become an Engineering Technician, the Academic Route or the Senior Technician in Industry Route (open to those who do not have an accredited qualification).
Academic Route
An applicant must:
- be at least 23 years old;
- be educated to a standard exemplified by completion of an accredited BTEC/SCOTVEC Higher/National Certificate or City & Guilds Licentiateship with the appropriate award and subject as specified by Engineering Council (UK) regulations.
An applicant must:
- complete a 2 part Assessment Paper;
- undergo an assessment in the workplace carried out by a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Engineering Technician (EngTech).
For further details on Registering as an Engineering Technician contact the Membership Secretary on 01708 463108 or email membership@iphe.org.uk. You can also find out more and see if you can qualify as an Engineering Technician by visiting the Engineering Council (UK) website at www.engc.org.uk.
Please note that at present the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering cannot register individuals as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). For more information on registration as an Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer please visit the Engineering Council (UK) website at www.engc.org.uk.
Logos
Only corporate members (Associate AIPHE, Members MIPHE and Fellows FIPHE) of the Institute can display the Institute logo. The Institute has strict guidelines covering the use of its logo.
This Institute logo may be displayed with certain designations which are listed and explained below:
Corporate members may use the logo with the designation "Member" written underneath to show membership.
Corporate members who satisfy the requirements to be entered on the Register of Plumbers may display the designation "Registered Plumber" underneath the IPHE logo.
Registered Plumbers awarded use of the description Registered Plumbing Company may use the IPHE logo with the designation "Registered Plumbing Company" written underneath.
In addition to corporate members, Industrial Associate members of the Institute may display the IPHE logo with the designation "Industrial Associate" written underneath.
Please Note: IPHE logos cannot be downloaded from this website. Please contact Head Office on 01708 463107 to verify membership and request a logo.
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The IPHE also produces van stickers displaying the designation "Member", "Registered Plumber", "Registered Plumbing Company", and "Industrial Associate". Van stickers are self adhesive for external use and are available in sizes 200mm x 280mm or 85mm x 120mm.
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Van stickers, electronic and bromide versions of the IPHE's logo are available to members from Head Office. Members can either use the merchandise order form available in every issue of P&HE magazine or download a PDF version of the form in the members only section. Members can also phone Head Office on 01708 463100.
Logo abuse is illegal. The IPHE works closely with Trading Standards who further prosecutions under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 in respect of persons misusing logos.
Members listed in the Directory are entitled to display the IPHE logo at their premises, on vehicles, stationery, work clothes and in their advertising.
The above membership designations are for guidance only. Those wishing to apply for membership of the IPHE can obtain full details by writing to The Membership Secretary, The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6NB. Tel: 01708 472791, fax: 01708 448987, e-mail: membership@iphe.org.uk.