What do we mean by 'plumbing'?

Plumbing Edmonton

PlumbingAnyone new to the industry will probably have a view of what a plumber does. How would you describe plumbing? Think about this for a while and jot down a few notes. We tend to find when speaking with people that their view of plumbing is of someone clearing a blocked drain, or repairing burst pipes. Whilst a plumber does this work, the job is much more involved than that.

Generally, we think that plumbing meets people's basic requirements by:

Keeping them healthy and clean by providing cold water for drinking, hot water for washing and sanitation systems for the removal of waste products

Keeping them warm with the help of hot water heating systemsMeeting the above requirements together to ensure maximum comfort and convenience

for them by providing heating, hot and cold water systems and sanitation 365 days a year, and 24 h a day.

Explore the plumber role a little further and you will see that most plumbers usually carry out the:

InstallationServiceMaintenance

Of a wide range of domestic systems such as:

Cold water, including underground services to a dwellingHot waterHeating systems fuelled by gas, oil or solid fuelSanitation (or above ground drainage) including the installation of baths, hand wash

basins, water closets (WCs) and sinksRainwater systems, gutters and fall pipesAssociated electrical systemsSheet lead weathering's (at Level 2, this includes things, such as chimney weathering's,

and soil vent pipe weathering's).In fact, you will see that the above list matches the content of the Technical Certificate.

In addition to the systems, the plumber will also have to work on the appliances and components contained within them. Here are a few examples:

Storage vessels, cylinders, cisternsSanitary appliances, sinks, baths, WCs, washbasinsDomestic appliances including washing machines and dishwashersHeat exchangers, boilers, radiatorsPumps, accelerators and motorized/isolating valvesGas appliances (natural or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), boilers, water heaters, cookers

and fires)Pipe materials, fittings, fixings, controls that constitute the above systems.

Plumbers also work on:

Cabling and electrical components, only if qualified to do soSheet weathering's, aprons, back gutters, step flashings, soakers, lead slates.The Level 2 Technical Certificate focuses on all aspects of domestic plumbing work.

Some plumbing companies, however, specialize in specific work such as central heating, or industrial/commercial, which is basically working on much bigger systems in non-domestic premises. So, we are now beginning to build up a picture of the extent of a plumber's job. What skills and knowledge do you think a plumber needs in order to be able to carry out the job competently?

Here are our thoughts on what a competent plumber should be able to do:

Follow health and safety legislation and guidance at all timesThoroughly plan the job including making sure that all the tools, materials and equipment are present on

the jobAgree a schedule of work with the customer or clientProvide a cost estimate for the jobPrepare the work location, making sure that there is adequate accessProtect the customer's propertyMark out, measure and work out the installation requirementsFabricate, position and fix system componentsPre-commission (including testing), commission and de-commission systemsService and maintain system componentsWork effectively with customers, workmates and other site visitorsWork in an environmentally friendly mannerPromote the products and services of the plumbing business.

Can you think of anything else? We also think that the plumber should have a working knowledge of

RegulationsCodes of practicePrinciples of plumbing systems including basic designWhere to find manufacturers' technical dataHealth and safety legislation and guidanceCommercially agreed standards.

A plumber must also be able to read and interpret details contained within a number of information sources including drawings, specifications and manufacturers' catalogues.

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