The Institute provides a professional home for qualified owner managers, sole proprietors, journeymen, designers, lecturers, inspectors and consultants. All corporate members (Fellows, Members and Associates) agree to abide by a five point Code of Professional Standards, which requires them to act professionally, competently and responsibly, as outlined below. A Professional Standards Committee meets monthly to consider possible contravention of the Code.

The IPHE has a total current membership of over 12,000 including 260 manufacturers and distributors. Whilst the majority of members live in the UK, some 750 are resident in Hong Kong and a further 300 are resident in over 30 other countries. In Britain there are some 50 active local Branches grouped within six areas.

Registered Plumbers may use the designatory letters "RP" after their names and display this logo on stationery, vehicles and in advertising, if they operate as a sole proprietor or employee. Every year the Institute publishes a Directory of those Registered Plumbers in business who wish to identify themselves to the public. The Directory is circulated to water suppliers, local authorities, citizens advice bureau and principal libraries.

Suitably qualified Institute members also enrolled as Registered Plumbers, are recognised by the Secretary of State, DEFRA, as "Approved Contractor Persons" under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 in England and Wales and the Water Byelaws (Scotland) 2000..

The Institute is a member of the Construction Industry Council - www.cic.org.uk - and a licensed member of the Engineering Council (UK) - www.engc.org.uk. The Institute is also a founder member of the Plumbing and Heating Industry Alliance - www.phia.org.uk

Internationally, the Institute acts as Secretariat to the World Plumbing Council - www.worldplumbing.org - which is developing links with the World Health Organisation and other United Nations agencies.>

• Perform professionally, competently and responsibly.
Carry out their own work or supervise the work of others with due regard to technical quality, appropriate insurance cover and the interests of employers, employees and clients; communicating and performing to an acceptable standard; and with a duty of care to employers, employees and clients.


• Safeguard the environment and public health and safety.
Take all reasonable care to avoid damaging the environment or creating any danger of death, injury or ill-health to any person or damage to property.


• Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, standards and codes
Work in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements and conform to the appropriate British Standards Codes of Practice. In the case of Fellows and Members, registered with the Engineering Council, also conforming to that Council's Codes of Professional Practice.


• Broaden, improve and maintain their skills, knowledge and personal qualities
Keep up-to-date with developments in the plumbing mechanical engineering services industry by attending and participating in Continuing Professional Development and other relevant training activities.


• Uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the Institute and the plumbing mechanical engineering services industry
Act professionally and adopt a form of behaviour and appearance that will not cause offence or embarrassment to others.

Do not to confuse Registered Plumbers (qualified plumbers) with Gas Safe Registered Installers (gas installers). They are not the same. Gas Safe Registered Installers have passed stringent examinations which prove they are competent to undertake gas installation work and carry out safety checks on gas systems and appliances. Rely on a Gas Safe Registered Installer to service your boiler properly but he won't necessarily have extensive experience with bathrooms, being a specialist in gas!