Explainer: How to register with the PIRB

Read the following article to find out exactly why and how a plumber should register with the PIRB:

It’s quite simple, really and it all comes down to this: If a plumber is not registered with the Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB), he/she won’t be able to issue PIRB Plumbing Certificates of Compliance (CoC’s).

Why CoC’s?

The Plumbing Industry Registration Board CoC is a system and process whereby a licensed plumbing practitioner will self-certify their plumbing work by issuing a plumbing certificate of compliance to the relevant owner, municipality, local authority and/or insurance company.

Through the process, the licensed plumber shall take ownership of their plumbing work and be held accountable for the said works.

Apart from that, municipalities, insurance companies, and the building industry require PIRB Plumbing Certificates to sign a plumber up for the job.

A plumbing certificate of compliance will be issued for most plumbing work, including SANS 10254 –  which is now Compulsory

• Where the total value of work, including materials, labour and VAT, is more than R1500.00 (material costs must be included, regardless of whether the materials were supplied by another person)
• The installation, repair or replacement of any Electric Water Heating System, regardless of the cost
• For every separate installation on a site.
• The construction, installation or alteration of any above or below ground sanitary drain; regardless of the cost
• The installation, repair or replacement of any Hot Water Solar Water Heating System
• The installation, repair or replacement of any Heat Pump Water Heating System
• A Plumbing certificate of compliance shall be issued to the relevant owner with five working days of the completion of the said plumbing works. Only a licensed plumber may purchase and issue compliance certificates.

SANS 10400 A18 also states that no person shall perform the trade of plumbing unless he/she is a trained plumber or works under the adequate control of a trained plumber or approved competent person.

Registered persons under the category of qualified plumbers are qualified plumbers and may carry out plumbing works and may supervise non-qualified plumbers or plumbing learners, however, they will not be allowed to purchase or issue Plumbing Certificate Compliance for plumbing installations.

Plumbers are also reminded that when signing the PIRB Registration Form, the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT section subsequently reads:

“I acknowledge that if I register for the designation of a Licensed/Qualified Plumber including any specialisations, I shall agree to issue a PIRB Plumbing Certificate of Compliance (COC) on all plumbing works undertaken as a PIRB Licensed Plumber.”

Licensed plumbers and CoC’s:

When you register with the PIRB and write the necessary assessments, then ONLY will you be able to purchase and issue CoC’s.

Here’s how to register with the PIRB

• Download the PIRB registration form by visiting pirb.co.za or by clicking over here
• Choose the category of registration and complete the form and send it to registration@pirb.co.za
• Remember to attach a clear copy of your ID and a clear copy of your trade qualification to the application

It takes ten working days to become a registered qualified plumber on the PIRB database, after which plumbers are still required to write the necessary assessments to become a Licensed Plumber before they can issue PIRB CoC’s themselves.

Additional steps for the PIRB licensed registered plumber:

• Upon registration, plumbers have to choose their designation. A licensed designation refers to categories under which plumbing practitioners are registered with the PIRB. Your assessment will be based upon the designation you choose.
• Schedule a date and time to write your assessment by emailing assesment@pirb.co.za
• Pay the assessment fee (if applicable)
• Only upon passing the assessment will a plumber be fully registered at the PIRB and may he/she issue CoC’s