CIPHE welcomes 70,000th registered plumber

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering – CIPHE – is celebrating its latest milestone, having welcomed its 70,000th registered plumber, Sam Demeza, the managing director of Newmarket-based Bentley Mechanical Services.

“It was quite a surprise to find out that I was the 70,000th registered plumber, but it’s a title I'll happily wear with pride,” Demeza said. “Bentley Mechanical Services only employ skilled and experienced personnel, who are committed to providing workmanship at the highest of standards.

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“The ethos of professionalism is core to what we do and what we stand for, so attaining CIPHE membership and registered plumber status was really important to me,” he added. “I want prospective customers to see we are part of the institute and we’re competent. Our commitment to quality gives us an edge over other contractors.”

The Register of Plumbers was established in 1886 to help protect the public from poor plumbing work. Previously managed by the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and the Registered Plumbers Association – RPA – the CIPE took over management in 1970 when it merged with the RPA. In 2009, the CIPHE expanded the role of the register to add the Register of Heating Professionals.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to hit 70,000 registered plumbers,” said CIPHE membership director Tim Sainty. “There is just as much a need for registered professionals today as there was back in 1886 where the threat of water-borne diseases such as cholera were fresh in people’s minds.

“Today, the issues around poor plumbing work still exist, but we have further challenges to tackle, such as water and energy conservation. Talented members of the plumbing industry will have a long-lasting impact on society for generations to come.”