Editing Plumbing (section)

== Regulation ==
[[File:pipewrench.jpg|thumb|100px|A [[pipe wrench]] for holding and turning pipe]]
Much of the plumbing work in populated areas is regulated by government or quasi-government agencies due to the direct impact on the public's health, safety, and welfare. Plumbing installation and repair work on residences and other buildings generally must be done according to plumbing and building codes to protect the inhabitants of the buildings and to ensure safe, quality construction to future buyers. If permits are required for work, plumbing contractors typically secure them from the authorities on behalf of home or building owners.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

=== Australia ===
In Australia, the national governing body for plumbing regulation is the [[Australian Building Codes Board]]. They are responsible for the creation of the [[National Construction Code]] (NCC), Volume 3 of which, the Plumbing Regulations 2008<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_reg/pr2008216/s11.html|title=PLUMBING REGULATIONS 2008 - REG 11 Plumbing work that may be carried out by unlicensed or unregistered persons|website=classic.austlii.edu.au|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> and the Plumbing Code of Australia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ablis.business.gov.au/service/ag/the-plumbing-code-of-australia-pca-/31066|title=The Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) - Australian Government|date=November 14, 2018|website=ablis.gov.au|access-date=November 14, 2018}}</ref> pertains to plumbing.

Each Government at the state level has their own Authority and regulations in place for licensing plumbers. They are also responsible for the interpretation, administration and enforcement of the regulations outlined in the NCC.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=[[Australian Building Codes Board|ABCB]]|url=https://www.abcb.gov.au/ncc-online/Regulatory-Framework|title=Regulatory Framework {{!}} Australian Building Codes Board|website=www.abcb.gov.au|access-date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> These Authorities are usually established for the sole purpose of regulating plumbing activities in their respective states/territories. However, several state level regulation acts are quite outdated, with some still operating on local policies introduced more than a decade ago. This has led to an increase in plumbing regulatory issues not covered under current policy, and as such, many policies are currently being updated to cover these more modern issues. The updates include changed to the minimum experience and training requirements for licensing, additional work standards for new and more specific kinds of plumbing, as well as adopting the Plumbing Code of Australia into state regulations in an effort to standardise plumbing regulations across the country.

=== Norway ===
In Norway, new domestic plumbing installed since 1997 has had to satisfy the requirement that it should be easily accessible for replacement after installation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nytt om føringsveier for tappevann - Byggebransjens våtromsnorm|url=https://www.byggforsk.no/nyheter/3/nytt_om_foeringsveier_for_tappevann/1585|access-date=December 25, 2021|website=www.byggforsk.no}}</ref> This has led to the development of the [[pipe-in-pipe system]] as a [[de facto]] requirement for domestic plumbing.

=== United Kingdom ===
In the United Kingdom the professional body is the [[Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering]] (educational charity status) and it is true that the trade still remains virtually ungoverned;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciphe.org.uk |title=The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) |access-date=March 29, 2014}}</ref> there are no systems in place to monitor or control the activities of unqualified plumbers or those home owners who choose to undertake installation and maintenance works themselves, despite the health and safety issues which arise from such works when they are undertaken incorrectly; see ''Health Aspects of Plumbing (HAP)'' published jointly by the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) and the [[World Plumbing Council|World Plumbing Council (WPC)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldplumbing.org|title=World Plumbing Council|access-date=October 11, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/plumbinghealthasp/en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613024052/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/plumbinghealthasp/en/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2006|title=WHO Health aspects of plumbing|access-date=October 11, 2009}}</ref> WPC has subsequently appointed a representative to the World Health Organization to take forward various projects related to Health Aspects of Plumbing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldplumbing.org/sep07.html|title=World Plumbing Council|access-date=October 11, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117061821/http://www.worldplumbing.org/sep07.html|archive-date=January 17, 2009}}</ref>

=== United States ===
In the United States, plumbing codes and licensing are generally controlled by state and local governments. At the national level, the [[Environmental Protection Agency]] has set guidelines about what constitutes [[lead]]-free plumbing fittings and pipes, in order to comply with the [[Safe Drinking Water Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/section-1417-safe-drinking-water-act-prohibition-use-lead-pipes-solder-and|title=Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Prohibition on Use of Lead Pipes, Solder, and Flux|access-date=December 20, 2016|date=August 3, 2015}}</ref>

Some widely used Standards in the United States are:{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
* ASME A112.6.3 – Floor and Trench Drains
* ASME A112.6.4 – Roof, Deck, and Balcony Drains
* ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 – Plumbing Supply Fittings
* ASME A112.19.1/CSA B45.2 – Enameled Cast Iron and Enameled Steel Plumbing Fixtures
* ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 – Ceramic Plumbing Fixtures

=== Canada ===
In [[Canada]], plumbing is a regulated trade requiring specific technical training and certification. Standards and regulations for plumbing are overseen at the provincial and territorial level, each having its distinct governing body:

* '''Governing Bodies:''' Each province or territory possesses its regulatory authority overseeing the licensing and regulation of plumbers. For instance, in [[Ontario]], the [[Ontario College of Trades]] handles the certification and regulation of tradespeople, whereas in [[British Columbia]], the Industry Training Authority (ITA) undertakes this function.

* '''Certification:''' To achieve certified plumber status in Canada, individuals typically complete an apprenticeship program encompassing both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Upon completion, candidates undergo an examination for their certification.

* '''Building Codes:''' Plumbing installations and repairs must adhere to building codes specified by individual provinces or territories. The [[National Building Code of Canada]] acts as a model code, with provinces and territories having the discretion to adopt or modify to their specific needs.

* '''Safety and Health:''' Given its direct correlation with health and sanitation, plumbing work is of paramount importance in Canada. Regulations ensure uncontaminated drinking water and proper wastewater treatment, underscoring the vital role of certified plumbers for public health.

* '''Environmental Considerations:''' Reflecting Canada's commitment to environmental conservation, there is an increasing emphasis on sustainable plumbing practices. Regulations advocate water conservation and the deployment of eco-friendly materials.

* '''Standards:''' The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) determines standards for diverse plumbing products, ensuring their safety, quality, and efficiency. Items such as faucets and toilets frequently come with a CSA certification, indicating adherence to required standards.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Norah |title=Plumbing Company in Canada |url=https://capitalplumbing.ca/ |website=Capital Plumbing & Heating |publisher=Norah Brown |access-date=October 11, 2018}}</ref>