Introduction To Plumbing

You have made the decision to learn about plumbing and you are probably looking forward to working in the industry. In this section, we explore what a plumber actually does and give you
an insight of what to expect on site.

What do we mean by ‘plumbing’?
Anyone 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 systems
• Meeting 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’s role a little further and you will see that
most plumbers usually carry out the: Installation, Service, Maintenanceof a wide range of domestic systems such as:

• Cold water, including underground services to a dwelling
• Hot water
• Heating systems fuelled by gas, oil or solid fuel
• Sanitation (or above ground drainage) including the installation of baths, hand wash basins, water closets (WCs) and sinks
• Rainwater systems, gutters and fall pipes
• Associated electrical systems

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, cisterns

Sanitary appliances, sinks, baths, WCs, washbasins

Domestic appliances including washing machines and dishwashers

Heat exchangers, boilers, radiators

Pumps, accelerators and motorised/isolating valves

Gas 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
• Sheet weatherings, 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, specialise 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 on 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 times
• Thoroughly plan the job including making sure that all the tools, materials and equipment are present on the job
• Agree a schedule of work with the customer or client
• Provide a cost estimate for the job
• Prepare the work location, making sure that there is adequate access
• Protect the customer’s property
• Mark out, measure and work out the installation requirements
• Fabricate, position and fix system components
• Pre-commission (including testing), commission and de-commission systems
• Service and maintain system components
• Work effectively with customers, workmates and other site visitors
• Work in an environmentally friendly manner
• Promote the products and services of the plumbing business.
  
  We also think that the plumber should have a working knowledge of:
• Regulations
• Codes of Practice
• Principles of plumbing systems including basic design
• Where to find manufacturers’ technical data
• Health and Safety legislation and guidance
• Commercially 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.