Founded in 1906, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry.
Membership is made up of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds such as consultants, specifiers, designers, public health engineers, lecturers, trainers, trainees and practitioners.
The CIPHE has a membership of around 10,000 including approximately 260 manufacturers and distributors, which support its work as Industrial Associates. 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 around 50 active local Branches grouped within six areas. Suitably qualified CIPHE 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 CIPHE 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.
For more information on CIPHE please download the history of the CIPHE.
Advancing Science, Practice and Principles of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
Aims and Objectives

Public Safety & Health
To benefit and educate the public worldwide
By:
p Defining & monitoring professional standards
p Compiling and publishing a list of competent persons
p Co-operating with professional, research & educational bodies
Research
To promote study, research and publication
By:
p Encouraging research groups in building engineering services
p Supporting technical advances within the industry
p Publishing research and development papers
Education
To further education of the profession, worldwide
By:
p Promoting technical training programmes with colleges and the industry
p Supporting new and emerging technologies.
p Publishing technical guidance
Membership
To raise the standards of individual Members
By:
p Setting basic standards progressing to higher professional development
p Working towards Chartered status for members
p Development of Apprentice, Journeymen, Master Plumber Certificate and CPD programmes