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It is a fact that while many areas in rural India are not even aware of the concept of plumbing, there is very little to be said of urban plumbing, especially during the rainy seasons. Millions fall prey to epidemics and many lives are lost annually due to faulty plumbing systems.
The plumbing situation of the entire nation can change if we have the twin advantage of having a uniform plumbing code and an army of trained professionals. And to help us get there is the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, popularly known as IAPMO. IAPMO an 83-year-old American organisation who have recently tied up with Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), which is 13 years old, to formulated a Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) meeting global standards of plumbing. They have also launched different levels of coaching on the subject for interested candidates.
Text book on plumbing
Tom Collings, senior building inspector at IAPMO in the USA observed that the difference in the plumbing systems of India and his country are as varied as night and day. He felt that since we are living in a global village we must adopt UPC for all-round progress.
IAPMO decided that the best way to launch their idea was through the various channels of our education system. They’ve structured the course in a very academic manner. The courses have a common textbook on UPC and has been re-written by the members of IAPMO keeping in mind the Indian conditions and availability of material. The prescribed text book has been submitted to the Bureau of Indian Standards for approval.
Initially, the drive to spread awareness on the subject of plumbing will be undertaken at four levels. Students of engineering in civil, environment and architecture streams will be able to take up the course for two semesters to add value to their course.
Who are eligible
Students who have completed their PUC or tenth standard board examinations with one or two years of experience in the field have the option to take up a diploma or a degree course in the subject on a part-time or fulltime basis. A successful student will become a Certified Assistant Plumber (CAP) after a diploma course and a Certified Master Plumber (CMP) after a two-year course.
IAPMO has also offered to give in-house training to plumbers, contractors, construction managers, supervisors, architects and interior designers working under various builders and realtors to help them learn the science and art of plumbing on the job.
Students who take up any form of the course will have to answer an examination worth a hundred marks which will be a combination of theory and practical tests. Subash Deshpande, Director-Education & Certification, IAPMO said that the examinations will be centralised to maintain standards of safety and superiority and the candidates will have to establish their knowledge on the subject in as best a manner as they can.
Abdul Matheen, director, IAPMO said that plumbing, which was considered a dirty job in the past, can become a matter of pride with suitable education. Besides teaching, the organisation hopes to place their trained plumbers in secure jobs or find them lucrative opportunities through their Plumbing Education to Employment Program (PEEP).