With the introduction of the Home Information Pack,(1st July 2007), a requirement for people wishing to sell their properties, will also require plumbing certificates and of course many plumbing works now overlap into Building Regulations work.
 

Regulation 1(2) defines an “approved contractor” as a person who-

(a) has been approved by the water undertaker for the area where a water fitting is installed, or, used, or

(b) has been certified as an approved contractor by an organisation specified in writing by the regulator;

Most Water Undertakings in the UK do not directly operate their own “Approved Contractor” scheme, they utilise the services of WIAPS a scheme that they finance and run (The Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme). Members of this scheme are deemed approved by the local water undertaker.

To join a scheme an operative must be competent, have adequate insurance and be knowledgeable on the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 or Water Byelaws in Scotland .

All the “Approved Contractor” schemes accept the BPEC Water Regulations Qualification for the purposes of the knowledge element of the scheme entry criteria.

Why become on “Approved Contractor”?

The Water Regulations/ Water Bylaw's do not require an “Approved Contractor” to give the 10 working days advance notice before;

(i) The extension or alteration of a water system on any premises other than a house.

(ii) a bidet with an ascending spray or flexible hose or

(iii) a reduced pressure zone valve assembly or other mechanical device for protection against a fluid which is in fluid category 4 or 5.

This enables an installer to undertake the above works without having to wait for approval from the Water Undertaking before starting the works.

Today, more and more companies and organisations are specifying that only “Approved Contractors” should tender for and undertake work. Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Health Care Trusts and many Builders and Developers are making “Approved Contractor” status a prerequisite. Contractors undertaking plumbing work on behalf of Water Undertakings are also required to be an “Approved Contractor”.

The Home Information Pack, a requirement for people wishing to sell their properties, will also require plumbing certificates and of course many plumbing works now overlap into Building Regulations work.

Regulation 1(2) defines an “approved contractor” as a person who-

(a) has been approved by the water undertaker for the area where a water fitting is installed, or, used, or

(b) has been certified as an approved contractor by an organisation specified in writing by the regulator;

Most Water Undertakings in the UK do not directly operate their own “Approved Contractor” scheme, they utilise the services of WIAPS a scheme that they finance and run (The Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme). Members of this scheme are deemed approved by the local water undertaker.