What is Plumber Registration?
In keeping with the proposed new labour
regulations, and; also the compulsory regulations being developed under the
Water Services Act, and; also the requirements of an increasing number of local
authorities for registration of plumbers, the Institute of Plumbing of South
Africa had commissioned the establishment of inclusive system of registration of
all levels of participants practicing in the plumbing industry.
Under the auspices of the Plumbing Industry, formally represented by the
Institute of Plumbing of South Africa this body has been named the Plumbing
Industry Registration Board (PIRB).
This initiative was started principally to promote plumbing outcomes that are
legally compliant, s ustainable and to protect the health, safety and effective
use of water and protection of the consumers and also the environment for all
South Africans.
The PIRB to some extent is based on a model used by the Plumbing Industry
Commission in the (Australian) State of Victoria for training; qualification;
standard setting; registration; licensing; inspection; enforcement; insurance of
work; and quality assurance through the issuing of plumbing certificates of
compliance. The World Plumbing Council has complimented this model as one worthy
of emulation.
What we do?
The Plumbing Industry Registration
Board work proactively to promote plumbing practices that protect the
health and safety of the community and integrity of the water supply and waste
water systems by providing a comprehensive registration systems for plumbers and
monitoring the performance of plumbers.
Why must I register?
Many and increasingly more Metropolitans,
Local authorities and Insurance Company's require that any person working on
plumbing works within their jurisdiction or being part of their panel plumbers
must be registered with the Plumbing Industry Registration Board. It is illegal
for any person who works on plumbing installation if he/she is not a qualified
plumber or not working under the adequate supervision of a qualified plumber.
There are numerous people who call themselves plumbers in the South Africa, but
sadly not all of these plumbers hold qualifications or experience. Good plumbers
are vital to sanitation, clean drinking water and the control of disease. Many
of us could not go without the luxuries of hot water and a proper flushing
toilet, but yet plumbers are held in a very low regard by some people.
This problem is partly caused by the bakkie or cowboy trades-person who tarnish
the reputation of professional plumbers, endanger the public health, cause
damage to properties poor installations and have a total disregard for plumbing
standards. The problems consumers face in trying to find a competent plumber and
this will only get worse as the shortage of skilled trades people deepens.
The PIRB believes that registration will help make the bakkie element obsolete,
as all person wanting to be part of the plumbing industry will have to meet
certain criteria before being allowed to operate in the industry.
It is believed that registration will raise the standards of plumbing in the
public interest, and improve the image, standing and reputation of plumbers and
plumbing in South Africa.
PIRB Registered plumbers have demonstrated their qualifications and in some case
their experience, and required to have an appropriate level of insurance cover.
All PIRB Registered Plumbers are uploaded on to our Web Page for all consumers
to verify the authentication of the PIRB registered plumbers.