Benefits of Joining

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 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 (FIOP, MIP and AIP) use of the IoP 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 (AIP), Member (MIP), Fellow (FIOP) and Companion (CompIP).

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.plumbers.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.

Branching out
The Institute is made up of a network of Branches. Each Branch is run voluntarily by dedicated members of the IoP. 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 IoP publishes a wide range of technical information including Dataflow sheets, 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.

plumbing magazine
This bi-monthly magazine is packed with technical articles, news from the IoP and its Branches, the latest from the industry and changes in regulations. An informative read, plumbing 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 Engineering Council (UK) as an Engineering Technician, or you may be eligible to obtain the Master Plumber Certificate.

www.plumbers.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 jennic@plumbers.org.uk

Members Only Area
Members of the IoP 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 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. These include:-

• a free legal helpline
• Contractors Liability Insurance
• financial advice
• mortgages
• vehicle insurance
• vehicle purchase scheme
• MasterCard affinity credit card
• discount on hotel leisure breaks
• golf society

So what are you waiting for? Go to the How to Join section and request a membership pack crammed full of reasons why as a plumbing and heating professional, you should be a member of the Institute of Plumbing.

How to Join

Can I Join?

If you are working:

• on the tools
• at college (as a student or lecturer)
• as a plumbing designer, consultant or engineer
• for a manufacturer or merchant

the answer's probably "yes"

What's it all about?

The Institute is the professional body for the plumbing industry. It was founded in 1906 and, as an educational charity, it stands for higher standards of plumbing.

What qualifications do I need?

There are membership categories for most people in the plumbing industry. These range from Companion which needs no qualifications, to Fellow which requires NVQ Level 4 or equivalent. For working plumbers, the Register of Plumbers established in 1886 offers the use of the coveted designatory letters "RP" after your name - this requires a minimum of NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.

I'm a working plumber - will my work be inspected?

If you don’t have formal qualifications, we can accept practical experience instead, together with suitable references from others in the profession. In some cases we may ask one of our Professional Standards Inspectors to assess your work.

What is the joining process?

Upon completion of the website form (see below), an information and application pack will be sent out to you. Unless you are applying for a Trainee form, you MUST send in with your completed application (which will be assessed) photocopies of ALL qualifications relevant to your career e.g.: City and Guilds Craft/Advanced Craft - Plumbing or NVQ Levels 2/3 in Plumbing. In addition, you must give details of your practical plumbing experience, describing the types of plumbing work you have been involved with throughout your career and whether you are self-employed or an employed plumber. You must also send in the appropriate fee. Please remember to include as much detail as possible - it will help to speed up the application process.

Two references are also required. These must be people who know you in a professional capacity e.g.: Other Plumbers, Architects, Builders, Plumbing Lecturers or Consultants. Once the form is received at this office it will then take 4-5 weeks to be processed if we have all the information we require. Please remember to include as much detail as possible to aid your application.

Like to know more?

Contact our membership section:

membership@plumbers.org.uk
Phone: 01708 463108     Fax: 01708 448987
Carol Fleetwood    Phone: 01708 463111

 

Levels of Membership

The Institute is a professional body for the individual. Its members are made up from people, not businesses, from around the UK and beyond. There are three categories of membership for people working as plumbers or within the plumbing industry. For trainees and those who are associated with plumbing, there are a further two categories of membership.

Only those who can prove their competence through recognised qualifications or extensive experience are permitted to join the Institute and display the coveted IoP 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@plumbers.org.uk.

Here follows the Institute's three levels of individual corporate membership categories:

Associate (AIP)
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 you need:

• qualifications at least equivalent to N/SVQ Level 2;
• a minimum of 18 months on-site experience;
• a minimum age of 20;

Eligibility for membership of the Institute is based around the N/SVQ system, plus "on-site" experience, but is not restricted to those who have gained N/SVQs. Other qualifications, like City & Guilds, apprenticeships and BTEC are also recognised and in some circumstances, those with no formal qualifications but having extensive experience in the industry will also be considered.

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 AIP and entitles the holder to all the advantages of membership.

Member (MIP)
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, the required qualifications are:

• at least N/SVQ Level 3 or equivalent, or appropriate experience at that level;
• minimum age requirement is 25;

OR

• aged over 23;
• a minimum of 3 years experience in plumbing;
• engaged in a professional, technical or supervisory capacity;
• AND meeting the requirements of the Engineering Council (UK) for registration with them as an Engineering Technician (EngTech).

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 MIP and entitles the holder to all the advantages of membership.

Fellow (FIOP)
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 FIOP.

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 be a Fellow of the Institute the applicant must be: 

• aged over 25;
• working for example as a director, manager or senior engineer in a consulting, manufacturing, distributing or installation company.
• formal qualifications equivalent to N/SVQ Level 4 or 5, or appropriate experience at that level;

OR

• aged over 25 years;
• a minimum of 5 years experience in plumbing, the last 3 of which holding a responsible position in a technical, professional or managerial capacity;
• and meeting the requirements of the Engineering Council (UK) for registration with them as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng).

The Institute of Plumbing has two non-corporate levels of membership and a membership category for manufacturers and service providers.

Companion (CompIP)
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 IoP's aims and demonstrate this commitment by using the letters CompIP after their names. However, they cannot use the IoP logo, nor can they vote at the AGM.

Trainee
As part of its continuous efforts to improve plumbing standards, the Institute of Plumbing 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.

Trainee members have no designatory letters, cannot use the logo and are unable to vote at the IoP 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 through educating members and supporting the Institute's primary concern - raising standards of plumbing.