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PIRB DESIGNATIONS

PIRB DESIGNATIONS:

A plumber may register for the below designations, providing they meet the relevant criteria of the specific designation.

PIRB registered plumbers have demonstrated their qualifications and in some cases, their experience, and are required to have an appropriate level of insurance cover.

The various categories under which plumbing practitioners are registered with the PIRB:

Master Plumber

Designation Requirements:

Any applicant for the Master Plumber Recognition program must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be a qualified and Licensed plumber in good standing with the PIRB
  • Must hold at least 2 PIRB specialization designations: For example, solar and heat pump;
  • Must have completed an appropriate Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) training course or can show the relevant SHE experience
  • Must submit a comprehensive CV that gives evidence and support that the above requirements have been met;
  • Must have paid the initial application Fee (See PIRB Rate Card);
  • Must have a minimum of 5 years* post plumbing qualification experience in both the maintenance and contracting fields of the plumbing industry;

*Consideration may be given to applicants who have less than 5 years post qualification experience. The applicant will be required to have proof of at least 10 years of plumbing experience (maintenance and contracting) prior to them obtaining their qualifications

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM ENTAIL?

The PIRB Master Plumber Recognition Program (MPRP) is not a training program. The program is a recognition
program of an individual’s previous learning and years of experience. This designation recognizes prior learning by
the candidate in the 5 key areas identified by the PIRB as the areas that is a Master Plumber. This program requires
participants to provide proof of competence, knowledge and understanding in these 5 key areas. The program will
also guide a candidate in the direction if they need to upskill themselves in the respective areas.
Should an applicant meet the entry requirements for this designation (see section B) above, the applicant will
register on the program, which consist of the following two phases:

Phase 1:

During this phase of the program a candidate will be required to demonstrate their knowledge, skill, experience and competency in the 5 key areas of a Master Plumber.

These include:

  • Business Management
  • Leadership & Ethics
  • Contract Management
  • Training & Mentoring
  • Applied Plumbing Principles

Details of each area can be found on the PIRB website under Master plumber tab. Once the candidate has completed their online portfolio of evidence via the PIRB learner management system, their portfolio will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. Upon successful completion of the review board they will move onto phase 2.

Phase 2:

This Phase is an evaluation and an interview by a panel of master plumbers. During this phase the candidate will be required to complete a thesis on a specific topic related to the plumbing or building industry. As part of the evaluation and interview process the candidate will be required to do a presentation on their topic. Candidates will be required to complete this final phase successfully before being awarded the Master Plumber designation and enter the Master Plumbers Guild.

*A final evaluation fee will be levied on the applicant, at the time, as a part of this phase (See PIRB Rate Card)

Licenced Plumber

 

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Licensed Plumber Designation;

  • Must have completed and passed the relevant plumber trade test as specified in the Manpower training act section 28 or 13
  • and/or have obtained a plumber qualification in terms of the Skills Development Act
  • Pass PIRB’s practical and written board assessment in the 5 Core PIRB designation levels
  • Obtain CPD points over the 12-month cycle within the CPD Rewards Program
  • Re-register every 12 months

Licensed Plumber Specialisations

Licensed Plumber- Solar

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Licensed Plumber Solar Specialisation Designation;

  • Must hold a Licensed Plumber Designation
  • Must have completed and passed the relevant PIRB approved Solar Water Heating accredited training
  • Pass PIRB’s practical and written board assessment in Solar Hot Water Heating

Licensed Plumber- Heat Pump

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Licensed Plumber Solar Specialisation Designation;

  • Must hold a Licensed Plumber Designation
  • Must have completed and passed the relevant PIRB approved Heat Pump Hot Water Heating accredited training
  • Pass PIRB’s practical and written board assessment in Heat Pump Hot Water Heating

Licensed Plumber – Gas

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Licensed Plumber Solar Specialisation Designation;

  • Must hold a Licensed Plumber Designation
  • Holds and maintains registration at SAQCC (Gas)
  • Pass PIRB’s practical and written board assessment in gas

Licenced Plumber – Plumbing Arbitrator

 

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Plumbing Auditor designation;

  • Must hold a Master Plumber Designation
  • Must have completed and passed the relevant PIRB accredited auditor course
  • Pass PIRB’s written board assessment for a Plumbing Auditor

Licenced Plumber – Plumbing Estimator

 

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Plumbing Auditor designation;

  • Must hold a Master Plumber Designation
  • Must have completed and passed the relevant PIRB accredited auditor course
  • Pass PIRB’s written board assessment for a Plumbing Auditor

Technical Operator Practitioner

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Technical Operator Practitioner designation;

  • 3 Years* proven practicing experience in the plumbing industry and respective designation being applied for
  • Pass the PIRB’s Practical test for each respective technical operator practitioner designation being applied for
  • Obtain CPD points over the 12-month cycle within the CPD Rewards Program
  • Re-register every 12 months

* Proof of practicing experience form to be completed and accompany this application

Technical Operator Practitioner- Drainage

Technical Operator Practitioner-Cold Water

Technical Operator Practitioner -Hot Water

Technical Operator Practitioner- WATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Technical Assistant Practitioner

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Technical Assistance Practitioner designation;

  • 3 Years proven practicing experience in the plumbing industry
  • Obtain CPD points over the 12-month cycle within the CPD Rewards Program
  • Re-register every 12 months

Learner

Designation Requirements:

The following designation requirements must be observed to hold and/or maintain a Learner designation

• The Learner candidate must be at least 18 years of age and not more than 36 years of age

• The Learner candidate must have successfully attended and passed the PIRB’s applicable Induction programme

• The Learner candidate must provide details of the Licensed/Qualified Plumber under whose supervision and/or mentorship he/she will be doing their plumber training

• The Learner candidate must provide a training/apprenticeship contract or confirmation letter from the applicable training provider

• The Learner candidate will not be allowed to hold a Learner Designation for more than 4 registration cycles i.e. 48 months

• All Learner candidates must obtain CPD points over their respective 12-month registration cycle within the CPD Rewards Program

• The Learner candidate will be required to re-register every 12 months and pay the prescribed fee

*T’s and C’s Apply*

Compulsory for all registered plumbers:

All PIRB registered Qualified Plumbers, Licensed Plumbers, Master Plumbers and Director Plumbers shall have, in their possession, the current compulsory SANS Codes of Practice, Building Regulations and Local Water Bylaws documentation for ease of reference.
(Copy of the SANS regulations can be obtained from South Africa Bureau of Standards (SABS) and or the Institute of Plumbing of South Africa (IOPSA).

THE PIRB PLUMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT:

  • PIRB registered plumbers agree to conduct themselves and their business in a professional manner which shall be seen by those they serve as being honourable, transparent and fair.
  • PIRB registered plumbers agree to proactively perform, work and act to promote plumbing practices that protect the health and safety of the community and the integrity of the water supply and wastewater systems.
  • PIRB registered plumbers agree to promote, protect and encourage the upliftment and advancement of the skills development and training in terms of the National Skills ACT. for themselves and individuals in the plumbing sector or wishing to join the plumbing industry. PIRB registered plumbers agree to monitor and enforce compliance with technical standards of plumbing work that comply with all requirements of the relevant SANS codes of practice and regulations set out in the compulsory National Standards of the Water Service Act 1997 Amended (8th June 2001) as well as relevant local municipal bylaws.
  • PIRB registered plumbers agree to actively promote and support a consistent and effective regulatory plumbing environment throughout South Africa.
  • PIRB registered plumbers agree to regularly consult and liaise with the plumbing industry in an open forum free of any political or commercial agenda for the discussion of matters affecting the plumbing industry and the role of plumbing for the well-being of the community and the integrity of the water supply and wastewater systems.
  • PIRB registered plumbers agree to promote, monitor and maintain expertise and competencies among our registered and non-registered plumbing professionals.
  • PIRB registered Licensed plumbers agree to issue a PIRB Plumbing Certificate of Compliance (COC) on all plumbing works undertaken as a PIRB Licensed Plumber and shall further issue the COC in terms of the prescribe requirements for issuing of a PIRB Plumbing COC.