January 2004
The big freeze?
It looks as though the weather is taking a turn for the worst and freezing conditions are expected throughout the UK next week.So, what do you do in such an emergency? How do you avoid hiring a cowboy who is going to make the situation worse and then charge you a small fortune? Obviously, if water is pouring through your ceiling it is difficult not to panic. We all know prevention is better than cure, but it doesn't help much when you find yourself in such a crisis. The Institute of Plumbing gives the following advice:
- If water is leaking, turn off your stopcock.
- If you have been lucky enough to find a trustworthy, competent plumber in the past, they should be your first port of call.
- If you haven't, visit www.plumbers.org.uk for a list of Registered Plumbers in your area. The database is updated daily.
- Or look in Yellow Pages, Thomson Directories for the Institute's corporate advertisements
- If you are using a local paper, look for plumbers displaying the Institute's logo.
And remember, if you are going away on a winter's holiday, leave the thermostat set low to help prevent pipes from freezing.
ENDS (269 WORDS)
January 2004
Is it time for compulsory registration?
The covert operation carried out by Surrey Trading Standards has highlighted, yet again, the need for plumbers to be experienced and fully qualified before they are allowed to carry out work in people's homes.Andy Watts, chief executive of the Institute of Plumbing (IoP), appeared on BBC 2's Working Lunch programme following media interest in the 'Surrey Sting'. He told Adam Shaw, the presenter of the lunch-time programme, that consumers should be protected.
"The Institute has strived to achieve compulsory registration of plumbers since the Register of Plumbers began, 118-years-ago. Successive governments have rejected this suggestion because not enough people have died yet!"
Institute member Colin Topp, helped Surrey Council set up the house with faults and monitored the operation as an expert in his field. Colin said: "Although the Institute endorses the work of Trading Standards in uncovering unscrupulous tradesmen, the negative side is that media coverage often gives householders the impression that all plumbers are out to rip them off. This is not the case. There are a lot of decent, hardworking plumbers who do a professional job for a fair price."
Colin added: "Out of all the TV programmes on rogue traders and the yearly undercover operations carried out by Surrey Trading Standards - not one person, claiming to be a plumber, was a member of the Institute of Plumbing."
Consumers wishing to find a Registered Plumber should either visit www.plumbers.org.uk or ring the Institute on 01708 472791.
ENDS (250 WORDS)
January 2004
New look IoP CD Directory
The 2004 Directory CD from the Institute of Plumbing is now being sent out free of charge to Libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Trading Standards offices, Housing Associations and other consumer organisations.
The interactive CD has been revamped to reflect the corporate image of the Institute and is packed full of information and advice. Although it is primarily aimed at consumers, it is also extremely useful to other organisations that may need the services of a professional Registered Plumber.It is user friendly and very easy for consumers to find a Registered Plumber. All they have to do is type in the first part of their postcode and it will list a selection of members in their area. There are nearly 3,500 Registered Plumbers in business throughout the UK listed on the CD. Because of the facility to link up to the Institute's on-line database, contact details are always up-to-date.
Directory 2004 includes information about training to become a plumber; top ten plumbing tips; Master Plumber Certificate; manufacturers contact details and a free screen saver. It also includes product and technical information from Industrial Associate members of the Institute. Users can also download copies of a selection of Dataflow technical sheets.
Andy Watts, Chief Executive of the Institute, commented: "It is important that consumers choose the services of a professional plumber. This CD will make it easier to find a Registered Plumber in their area."
ENDS (240 WORDS)
January 2004
Watts in the news
Andy Watts, chief executive of the Institute of Plumbing appeared on BBC 2's Working Lunch programme yesterday. He was asked to give comment on the 'sting' operation carried out by Surrey Trading Standards.The covert operation was carried out over a period of six months and secretly filmed 44 tradesmen, including plumbers, washing machine engineers, drainage specialists, boiler and aerial engineers. The results were shocking to say the least. One in four either carried out sub-standard work or grossly overcharged. One man used a naked lighter flame to check for gas leaks and another relieved himself into vase he found in the attic and then poured the contents into the feed and expansion cistern - he then rinsed the jug in the cold water cistern.
Adam Shaw, the presenter of the lunch-time programme, asked Andy Watts what could be done to protect consumers.
"The Institute has strived to achieve compulsory registration of plumbers since the Register of Plumbers began, 118 years ago. It appears government have not granted this request because not enough people have died yet!"
Andy went on to say that a number of countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Germany, already have licensed plumbers and they have to be experienced and fully qualified before they are allowed to practise. This would certainly go a long way to getting rid of the 'cowboy' problem that we have in the UK.
ENDS (235 WORDS)
January 2004
Change of name for IoP Journal
After 33 years the Institute of Plumbing has changed the name of its journal from plumbing magazine to Plumbing & Heating Engineering magazine.The editor, Carol Cannavan, said that members of the Institute come from many disciplines and the new title reflects this more accurately.
Dale Courtman, IoP Technical Director, is enthusiastic about the change of name.
"I believe it helps to reinforce the Institute's position as a professional body for all aspects of the plumbing and heating engineering industry."
ENDS (86 WORDS)
January 2004