April 2002
Institute given go-ahead for self-certification under the Building Regulations
Alan Whitehead, Minister for Building Regulations, has approved the Institute of Plumbing for a self-certification scheme under the new Building Regulations in England and Wales.In August 2000 the Institute became the first organisation outside the water supply industry to receive approval for its Approved Contractor Person Scheme, as set out in Part 1.2(b) of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and Water Byelaws 2000 in Scotland. At present, to become an Approved Contractor Person (ACP) an IoP Registered Plumber is required to take a test dealing with knowledge of Water Regulations. This test will be extended with an option to cover Building Regulations, where this is sought.
An individual registered under the ACP Scheme (Building Regulations) by the Institute of Plumbing is exempt from the requirement to give building notice or deposit of plans in respect of:
- a service or fitting in relation to which Part G of Schedule 1 (unvented hot water) imposes a requirement;
- a foul water drainage system in relation to which paragraph H1 of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement; or
- a rainwater drainage system in relation to which paragraph H3 of Schedule 1 imposes a requirement, which is installed in a building with no more than three storeys (excluding any basement) and which does not involve connection to a drainage system at a depth greater than 750mm from the surface.
There is currently no charge for ACP recognition under the Institute's Water Regulations scheme and this would also apply to the ability to self-certify under Building Regulations Part H.
ENDS
APRIL 2002
