December 2005
Competence and Commitment
This is the title of a book about the Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (IPHE) published to coincide with the Institute’s centenary in 2006. At a gathering at City and Guilds London Institute on 8th December, the book was officially launched by Chris Humphries CBE, Director General, City & Guilds. Guests included James Brokenshire, MP for Hornchurch.
‘An Illustrated History of the Institute of Plumbing & HeatingEngineering’ was written by Nigel Watson and is published by James & James. The 120-page book highlights that the activities of ‘cowboy’ plumbers were just as prevalent hundred years ago as they are today.
Incompetent and unscrupulous plumbers were of great concern to both the public and professionals of the day and this led to the Worshipful Company of Plumbers creating the Register of Plumbers in July 1886 in a bid to protect public health. The Institute has maintained the Register since 1970 when it merged with the Registered Plumbers Association. This, according to Andy Watts, IPHE Chief Executive, ‘is ironic as the Institute tried to prevent the Register being established in the first place!’ Andy also added, ‘the need to set professional and technical standards to protect public health is as important today as it was in 1906. In the 21st centenary world of technically complex and largely unenforceable statutory regulations, this remains the Institute’s core activity’.
Chris Humphries CBE, who wrote the foreword to the book is the IPHE Centenary Year Patron.
‘An Illustrated History of the Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering ’ costs £25 including postage and packing (in the UK). To order a copy please ring 01708 463100.
ENDS (274 WORDS)
DECEMBER 2005
