Notes for Guidance Code Implementation and Review

How do you know that the plumber you choose will work to the correct quality standards and mandatory requirements? Members of the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering voluntarily commit themselves to be governed by a Code of Professional Standards. Because members are vetted before being accepted into the Institute, the public can be confident that they will be employing someone with the necessary skills and commitment to high standards.

The Institute's Professional Standards Committee oversees adherence to the Code and should a complaint be received about a member, has the ultimate power to remove that person from membership. Professional Standards Inspectors have been appointed to inspect members' work or to investigate complaints if the Committee considers this necessary.

The IPHE logo identifies a professional who is competent, responsible and dedicated to the ideas represented by the Code.

Whilst at work each individual member of the Institute must:-

1.	Perform professionally, competently and responsibly Carry out their own work or supervise the work of others with due regard to technical quality, appropriate insurance cover and the interests of employers, employees and clients; communicating and performing to an acceptable standard; and with a duty of care to employers, employees and clients.
2.	Safeguard the environment and public health and safety Take all reasonable care to avoid damaging the environment or creating any danger of death, injury or ill-health to any person or damage to property.
3.	Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, standards and codes Work in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements and conform to the appropriate British Standards Codes of Practice. In the case of Fellows and Members, registered with the Engineering Council, also conforming to that Council's Codes of Professional Practice.
4.	Broaden, improve and maintain their skills, knowledge and personal qualities Keep up-to-date with developments in the plumbing mechanical engineering services industry by attending and participating in Continuing Professional Development and other relevant training activities.
5.	Uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the Institute and the plumbing mechanical engineering services industry Act professionally and adopt a form of behaviour and appearance that will not cause offence or embarrassment to others.

Notes for Guidance

The Code applies to all members including Trainees and Companions but not Industrial Associates. In the unlikely event of possible infringement of the Code by a Trainee or Companion member, the investigating committee of the Institute will take into account that those so enrolled are regarded as "non-qualified".

The following guidance (in italics) is given for advice only. It is not definitive and each possible infringement of the Code will be judged upon the evidence available.

1. Perform professionally, competently and responsibly.
   "Professional" means carrying out work with due regard to technical quality, in the interests of an employer, employees and of the client and dealing expeditiously with complaints and the Institute's complaints resolution procedures.
   
   "Communicating" means utilising the appropriate form of written or verbal communication to ensure employers, employees and clients are kept fully informed at all times.
   
   "Competently" means the ability to perform to an acceptable standard.
   
   "Responsibly" means a duty of care to an employer, employees or client.
   
   "Work" means activities relating to plumbing mechanical engineering services. "Supervise" means being responsible for the work and professionalism of others.
   
   "Appropriate Insurance Cover" means such insurance cover, including without limitation Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance, covering such risks and up to such levels as would be considered appropriate for the nature of the member's business.
   
   
2. Safeguard the environment and public health and safety.
   Members must take all reasonable care to avoid causing damage to the environment, or creating any danger of death, injury or ill health to any person or damage to property arising from their work.
   
   
3. Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, standards and codes.
   The Institute expects all members to work in accordance with the statutory requirements applicable to Plumbing and in addition conformity with British Standard Codes of Practice is expected. Fellows and Members registered with the Engineering Council are also obliged to conform with the Council's Codes of Professional Practice.
   
   
4. Maintain, improve and broaden their skills, knowledge and personal qualities.
   If work is to be performed "professionally", "competently" and "responsibly", members need to keep up-to-date with developments in the plumbing mechanical engineering services industry. The generic term for this is "Professional Development" or "PD". Whilst PD is initially purely voluntary and not monitored, it is strongly recommended and the Institute is likely to take such activity into account upon application for membership, when existing members apply for a transfer to a higher category of membership or during a complaints investigation. PD activities include Attendance at Branch technical meetings; Annual Conferences; Manufacturers Seminars and Courses; Approved Code of Practice covering the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984; Building Regulations and Water Regulations/Byelaws Courses; relevant evening courses at Adult Education Centres; Maintaining a technical library; Involvement with other professional and kindred bodies. The Institute plans to develop a systematic approach to "Certificate PD" in conjunction with Industrial Associate members and other Authorised Providers.
   
   
5. Uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the Institute and the plumbing mechanical engineering services industry.
   To maintain the Institute's good name and that of the industry generally, members in the course of their work are expected to act professionally and adopt a form of behaviour and appearance that will not cause offence or embarrassment to others.
   
   

Code Implementation and Review

This revised code will come into effect on 1 June 2001. It will be reviewed periodically by the Board of Trustees and changes will be advised to all members via P&HE magazine and elsewhere.

The Board of Trustees appreciates that members may experience extenuating circumstances relating to their work which may lead to an unintentional contravention of the Code. Such extenuating circumstances need to be recorded in writing for future reference so that such evidence is available if and when a complaint is lodged.

The effective implementation of the Code will depend largely on the attitude of members and the trust and confidence placed in them whilst membership of the Institute is maintained.

By order of the Board of Trustees
20 March 2001

Code of Professional Standards (First introduced 5 June 1994. First revision 20 March 2001) made by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Article 9 and Bye-Law 11(b).