The Plumbing Code

There are many members of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) who actually volunteer themselves to be overseen by a Code of Professional Standards, and as the members are vetted before they are allowed to join the Chartered Institute, it means that the public can be sure that they will be using a professional with the correct skills and high working standards. Next there are also things called Codes of Practice (CoPs) that are made to make recommendations related to maintaining good working practices. The codes are not legally binding as documents but are used by people like clients and Architects. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 are a specific set of Regulations that are only applicable in England and Wales, and replace the old water bye-laws. These Regulations are national and are made by the Government’s Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The bye-laws, however were made locally and wereonly for that area, like, Yorkshire Water, Thames Water etc. A London Power Flush expert works to the current codes of practice. The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) used to be called Water Bye-laws Scheme. The WRAS has been testing water fittings for many years and will keep advising on Water Regulations in the future. The European Standards have EN in front of the standard followed by a standard number, in just the same way as for British Standards. When a product is certified to an EN standard it indicates that the manufacturer has taken the product through a multitude of tests that are regularly checked under EC Quality Control Schemes. London Power Flushing are trained professionals. International Standards begin with ISO and are followed by a number, for example ISO9000, which is a quality standard.



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