Hello all,
I would like some information as to what qualifications will be necessary to legally carry out plumbing work(not gas) as part of a building maintenance/developing buisness. I have a background in mechanical engineering so would not be completely green but would like to be able to offer guarentees and become a member of a recognised organisation ideally.
All help appreciated.

Thanks for the reply,
How do you go about being able to self certify? Training, experience?

Minimum of NVQ level 2 - this will be introduced within the next couple of months.  We have been informed by our local training officer that soon, nobody will be able to carry out wet plumbing work without a minimum of NVQ level 2.

Personally I think you need more than this; a couple of years experience with a good firm before you start getting yourself into hot water (when you come across odd situations) plus if you ever work for local authorities they will demand qualifications.  You can get yourself into a whole lot of trouble by entering a field of trade in which you have no experience or expertise.   Even after 15 years and countless training courses, I still come across situations which test my knowledge to the full or which require that I ask advice or re-train!

Take care.

its not just about the level of difficulty of fitting pipe, its knowing whne you need to use check valves, when to use singles, when to use doubles, do you need a type A air gap etc etc

we take it for granted in this country that when we turn on the tap that we get clean drinking water, this is only because of the level of protection that our mains water gets

Quote:


Thankyou.

Thats my point - there's more to basic wet plumbing than just push fit and Hep2o!  A little knowledge, as they say, can be a dangerous thing.  There are instances where simply fitting a new tap can have consequences with Legionella for example.

Best for everyone if we all achieve a minimum recognised standard of safety at least.  Experience of the myriad of systems you can come across can only really come with time.

The only gripe I have with self certification for the Water Board is that by taking the exam and doing such mains water work yourself you are then taking on direct and personal responsibility for the work and all relevant/related regulations associated with it.  (Basically doing the Water Boards job!)

HM - Legionellas is not a contact bug, it needs to be breathed in so as to get to the lungs, but any tap / outlet that creates a spray / mist is potential to spreas it.  Cooling towers, showers, spa baths etc etc need particular attention

As for part P type action for plumbing - plumbing is already there in so much as certain works require notification to water authority and inspection by water authority at first and second fix stage unless you are able to self certify - but i would expect it to get tighter still yet