Working Groups
There are currently 7 working groups as follows:- Domestic Heating Group
- Domestic Sprinkler Information Group
- Drainage Group
- Industrial Associate Support Group
- Plumbing Design and Supervision Group
- Education and Training Group
- Water Supply Group
There follows a brief description of the objectives and scope of each group.
Domestic Heating Group
This group was originally conceived as the domestic Water Heating Group and was intended to deal with the technology of water heating related standards, education and training. Through Convenor Alan Sims, the now established Domestic Heating Group continue to fulfil their aims by providing a facility for Industrial Associates who have an interest in hot water supply and space heating systems to discuss relevant technical matters.
Current objectives include:
- Further the knowledge and understanding of technical matters, facilitated by meetings and correspondence
- Prepare technical articles and papers
- To organise technical seminars on subjects of interest
- To foster closer links with other organisations
- To raise the profile of unvented hot water systems
Domestic Sprinkler Information Group
Sprinkler systems have been around for well over a century but mainly concentrating on commercial and industrial applications. In 1994, at the request of Copper Development Association, the IPHE established the Domestic Sprinkler Systems Group (DSSG) to provide a formal structure to co-ordinate technical information relating to fire sprinkler systems designed to suit residential and domestic properties.
In part, this group led to the formation of the Residential Sprinkler Association (RSA), a Trade Association who promoted and developed a market for the design, installation and maintenance of domestic and residential fire sprinkler systems. The DSSG and the RSA worked in parallel helping to establish a BSI Standard Specification for domestic sprinkler systems in the form of a Draft for Development DD251, published in April 2000. Work over the following years on DD251 have led to the publication in February 2005 of BS 9251 - Sprinkler systems for residential and domestic occupancies - Code of Practice.
In February 2002 it was agreed that the DSSG had run its course and standards work and market development were carried on by the RSA. The RSA merged with the Association of Fire Protection Engineers (AFPE) to form the Fire Sprinkler Association (FSA) and it is the FSA that now offers technical advice and training courses for designers and installers of domestic and residential fire sprinkler systems.
To ensure that the plumbing industry is kept abreast of development in the sprinkler field, it was agreed that Nicholas Hay of Copper Development Association would act as Convenor of a Domestic Sprinkler Information Group. As Convenor he attends TSB meetings to provide the IPHE with regular updates on relevant industry activity, including training and technology, as well as being a vital link with the FSA.
Important documents
BS 9251:2005 Sprinkler systems for residential and domestic occupancies - Code of practice (PDF: 19Kb / 1 page)BS EN 12845:2004 Fixed fire fighting systems - Automatic sprinkler systems - Design, installation and maintenance (PDF: 37Kb / 1 page) Residential sprinkler systems for life safety & property protection (PDF: 26Kb / 1 page)Useful contacts
Fire Sprinkler Association
Park Court
Brimpton
READING
Berkshire RG7 4ST
Tel: 0118 971 2322
Info@firesprinklers.info
www.firesprinklers.info
BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
LONDON W4 4AL
Telephone: 020 8996 9000
www.bsi-global.com
Nicholas Hay
CDA
5 Grovelands Business Centre
Boundary Way
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Herts. HP2 7TE
Tel: 01442 275700
Nick.hay@copperdev.co.uk
Drainage Group
Drainage makes up a large part of the IPHE Plumbing Engineering Services Design Guide and it was agreed that this subject would benefit from better representation. Therefore, an all-embracing Drainage group was established with the help of Convenor Brian Whorlow in 2002, to cover all areas of interest including sanitation and building drainage.
Current objectives include:
- Organise seminar meetings to create a forum for discussion
- Review Building Regulations Document H.
- Explore possibility of reviewing BS EN 12056 Parts 2 and 3
- Produce technical literature.
Industrial Associate Support Group
Formally the Industrial Associates Liaison Committee, this new support group consists of any IPHE Industrial Associate (IAs) who wishes to be involved and give general support to the Institute. Although many IAs have a specific working group for their particular area of expertise, keeping IAs abreast of the Institutes "work in progress" is important for possible future involvement and is ably led by Convenor Stuart Butler.
Current objectives include:
- To continue working with I/A’s to develop a continued good relationship with IPHE
- Obtain assistance from individual IAs for activities requiring support
- Liase with other working groups to assist with projects
Plumbing Design and Supervision Group
The PDSG was created for members who are engaged in the design of "plumbing" systems, including those involved with Public Health engineering, consultants, technicians and those responsible for supervising and managing plumbing work. The group Co-Convenors are John Griggs and Robin Oakley.
Current objectives include:
- To hold seminar style meetings for specialist speakers to introduce new techniques and advanced technology
- Pursue various project possibilities
- Produce technical papers
- Continue to attract proficient engineers and installers to the group
Education and Training Group
The Education and Training Group (ETG) has been established to ensure that the Institute has a dedicated working group to address the many and varied issues relating to education and training. The two convenors Jenni Wood, Plumbing Lecturer at Canterbury College and Terry Stephenson of Water Training International (Wti), provide representation from both the current college training and private training provider sectors. Please note that the Professional Development Group (PD) activity is now a sub group of the ETG.
The objectives include:
- Pursue involvement with SSC
- IPHE training
- Building Regulations training
- TMV training
- Standards setting
- NVQ level 4 in Building Services and Public Health Engineering
- Progress re introduction of a web based distance learning
- Encourage a working relationship with NAPT
- Contribute to the ongoing trainee retention programme
- Career guidance
- College awards
- Increase awareness of the IPHE / RIBA PD providers scheme.
- Increase number of IA's providing IPHE / RIBA approved courses.
Water Supply Group
In late 1993, the Water Regulations Study Group was established to comment on two important DETR consultation documents, "Using Water Wisely" and "Replacing the Water Byelaws".
Upon publication of the second edition of the Water Regulations guidance document, the group changed its focus to improving and developing a better relationship between the Institute and the Water Industry. With this new objective, the group name was also changed to the IPHE Water Industry Liaison group.
Despite concerted efforts, by various Convenors the group failed to establish itself in the same manner as the other working groups and in February 2003 it was agreed that the group would become the Water Supply group and will address a wider range of subjects that relate to water supply generally.
Tony Gorman has been appointed as Convenor.
Important Documents
Water Supply Group Report (PDF: 37Kb / 4 pages)Water Supply Group Action Log (PDF: 38Kb / 4 pages)Please note the above is indicative in nature and is intended to provide a summary only of the numerous and varied activities that each group undertakes.