- Where can I buy COCs?Plumbing Certificates of Compliance can be purchased by licensed plumbing practitioners through any of the following methods: Directly from the PIRB: COCs can be purchased at the PIRB offices, or telephonically or digitally via the PIRB's Audit-IT system. From nation wide Resellers:
Gauteng Reseller Name Contact Nr Address Plumbalot (011) 568-5325 7 Terrace road, Eastleigh, Edenvale Plumberama cc (011) 953-6312 Cnr Albertina Sisulu & Luipaard street Wentworth Park, Krugersdorp Plumb Station PTY Ltd (087) 822-1131 Unit A4, Canero Business Park, Jacaranda ave, Olivedale, Randburg MRM Plumbing (011) 450-2593 19 North reef road, Rietfontein Germiston LJR Plumbing Supplies (012) 333-0910 1232 Lawrance street, Queenswood, Pretoria Unlimited Solar PTY Ltd ta Conschef (011) 656-4530 Unit A, Woodmead Commercial Park,17 Waterfall Crescent , Woodmead, Sandton Conschef pty ltd ta Premier Plumbing Supplies (011) 485-1169 426 Louis Botha Avenue Highlands North, Bagleyston, Johannesburg Water ways Vanderbijl Park ta Gir Trading cc (016) 981-5001 9 Edison Boulevard , Vanderbijlpark CE6, Vanderbijlpark Water Ways Northriding (011) 794-4828 254 Honeydew West Road, Sundowner, Randburg Waterways Alberton (011) 907-4820 Shop 7, Alberton Lifestyle Centre, New Redruth, Alberton Plumblink Springs (087) 158-1615 198 Nigel Road,Selcourt View, Springs Plumblink Krugersdorp (087) 087-4591 Shop M07B Keywest Shopping centre cnr Paardekraal & Andries Pretorius, Krugersdorp Plumblink – Germiston (078) 285-5522 Shop 5 The Lake shopping center, Germiston Plumblink Blackheath (011) 793-1071 309 Pendoring street, Blackheath, Johannesburg North West Reseller Name Contact Nr Address Plumblink Klerksdorp (087) 285-9489 N12 Cnr Jolene avenue, Klerksdorp, Nort West Plumblink Potchefstroom (087) 2852488 BULT BOULEVARD STEVE BIKO STR CNR CHIEF ALBERT LUTHULI STR, Potchefstroom Kwazulu Natal Reseller Name Contact Nr Address Plumblink Stranger (076) 846-9803 8 Hayson road Ushaka Mall, Stranger Plumblink Ladysmith (087) 159-1475 389 Murchison Street, Ladysmith Plumblink Manaba (087) 285 – 0521 226 Marine drive, Manaba Plumblink Kokstad (087) 285-9525 1A Railway street, Kokstad Plumblink Pinetown (087) 285-6851 31 Oppenheimer road, Pinetown Plumblink Riverside (031) 579-9600 590 Riverside Road Ontap Pietermaritzburg (033) 394-0870 231 Greyling street, Pietermaritzburg Western Cape Reseller Name Contact Nr Address One Stop Plumbers Shop Parklands (021) 569-2888 22 Columbus Crescents Rivergate Business Park, Parklands Blouberg Sunningdale Sanitary and Plumbing (087) 997-1055 Block A Building 1 The Emporium, Parklands Blouberg Durbanville Plumbing and Sanitary (021) 975-1930 8 Cattle Baron centre Marais cres, Durbanville One Stop Plumbers Shop (021) 982-7480 BF01 Orion Park,cnr Orion &Old Paarl Road, Brackenfell Bathroom4U Stellenbosch Pty Ltd (021) 883-9861 15 George Blake Avenue, Stellenbosch Megador 121 cc ta Stiles Plumbing and Sanware (044) 871-3222 12 Commercial Close, George CP and B Stilbaai (028) 754-1548 Indraf sentrum, hoofweg wes, Stilbay On Tap – Paarl (021) 871-1656 25 Jan van Riebeeck Road, Paarl On Tap Mosselbaai (044) 695-2047 Gericke street, Mosselbay On Tap George (044) 873-0340 5 Market street, George Plumblink Plettenberg Bay (087) 283-2458 Shop 1 A and DU3 Upper Level, Market square, Beacon way, Plettenberg Bay Plumblink Worcester (087) 310-8425 Windpomp Motor City,Mountainmill drive, Worcester CP and B Stilbaai (028) 754-1548 Indraf sentrum, hoofweg wes, Stil bay Eastern Cape Reseller Name Contact Nr Address Plumblink Beacon Bay (071) 676-3272 Unit 9 Building 4 The Hub, Bonza Bay road, East London Plumblink King Williams Town (087) 285-7809 99A Cambridge Street, King Williams Town Plumblink – Grahamstown (043) 722-2531 4 and 6 High street On Tap Port Elizabeth (041) 367-5135 2 Springfield Road, Port Elizabeth CP and B Cape Plumbing and Bathroom Supplies PE (041) 364-0919 58 Pickering street North Cape Reseller Name Contact Nr Address Vermeulens Build it Kimberley (053) 832-9666 42 – 50 George street Limpopo Reseller Name Contact Nr Address Plumblink Bela Bela Express (087) 758-7858 Extention 20 ,R101 Bela Mall Shop No 59, Bela – Bela Plumblink Mokopane (015) 292-1604 35 Thabo Mbeki Drive Shop 5, Mokopane Plumblink Louis Trichardt (087) 285-1200 89 Kruger street, Limpopo Plumblink Burgersfort (087) 086-1186 Shop Platcorn Building Cnr of R 555 & R 37, Burgersfort Plumblink Tzaneen (087) 288-0475 Shop 2 Veritas Building 34 Skierving street Plumblink Thohoyandou Express (087) 158-1783 Shop 15 & 16 Phangani Mall c/o R 524 Pundamana road Freestate Reseller Name Contact Nr Address Plumblink Langenhoven Park (087) 106-7270 The Towers Complex Shop 1, 1 Koppie road, Bloemfontein Plumblink Welkom (087) 288-4033 190 Jan Hofmeyer road, Welkom - What is a PIRB Certificate of Compliance or PIRB CoC?A PIRB CoC is a self-certification and declaration by the PIRB licensed plumber that the work undertaken by them is up to standard and professionally conducted as per their training.
- When must I issue a PIRB CoC?A Certificate of Compliance (COC) is required for most plumbing work where the total value of the work, including materials, labor, and VAT, exceeds R1500.00. It is also required, regardless of cost, with the installation, repair, or replacement of Electric Water Heating Systems, Hot Water Solar Water Heating Systems, Heat Pump Water Heating Systems; and the construction, installation, or alteration of any above or below-ground sanitary drain.
- Why does a PIRB CoC cost money?Part of the PIRB purpose is to monitor compliance of a plumber works. Through the CoC process, 5% of all plumber’s work is physically audited and if required the plumber is notified of any non-compliance. This physical audit and the associated administration functions bear a cost that is recovered through the associated cost of the PIRB CoC. The cost of the CoC has always been kept as low as possible without jeopardising the mandated functions of the PIRB and that of being a registered professional body. Click HERE to view costs
- Why can only Licensed Plumbers issue PIRB CoC’s?Licensed plumbers have not only met the prescribed requirements of PIRB registration but have undertaken and passed the required PIRB assessment. Furthermore, licensed plumbers have maintained their prescribed 25 CPD points throughout their registration cycle.
- Is it a legal requirement to issue a CoC?In terms of the PIRB requirements and a licensed plumber maintaining their PIRB registration, a licensed plumber must issue a CoC on all plumbing work undertaken by them which, includes but is not limited to geysers, solar water installations, heat pumps, etc.
- I have lost a PIRB CoC, what now?Contact the PIRB as soon as possible to discuss the matter. If you suspect that it was stolen, or if it has already been fraudulently used by another party, please make sure you obtain all details about the incident.
- What does ‘logging’ a PIRB CoC mean?All PIRB CoC’s are uniquely numbered. Once you have requested a PIRB CoC(s), the CoC will be allocated to you. A certificate allocated but not issued or associated with work undertaken by you is referred to as an “unlogged” certificate. Once a certificate is written out, issued and captured on the PIRB auditing system this certificate is referred to a “logged” certificate. The action of capturing the details on the PIRB auditing system is referred to as “Logging”. A PIRB certificate is only logged once it is issued and captured on the PIRB auditing system.
- Why must I log a PIRB CoC?Without logging a PIRB CoC, the PIRB considers that CoC to be unissued (although it has been allocated to you). You can only have a limited number of unlogged CoC’s in your possession, and in turn, limiting the practice of issuing without logging. It is a requirement that a CoC is logged within five days of issuing.
- How do I log a CoC?To log a CoC, log onto your profile on the PIRB system or the Plumbers App and navigate to the “CoC Statement” function for a list of your CoC’s logged and unlogged. Select an unlogged CoC and after completing all the necessary fields, click “Log CoC”.
- How soon after completion of the work should I issue a CoC?A PIRB CoC’s must be “logged” within 5 working days after completion of the work. The physical issuing of the PIRB CoC must be done within a reasonable time frame or as agreed by the owner of the property where the work was undertaken.
- Why can I only purchase a limited number of CoC’s?You are not limited to the number of PIRB’s CoC’s that you can purchase, but rather limited to the number of “unlogged” PIRB CoC, that you may have in your name. This prevents a plumber from just purchasing CoC’s without logging and not allowing for the 5% auditing process to take place. For example, assuming your limit of unlogged PIRB CoC’s is 10, to be able to purchase 5 more you need to issue and log five, which will reduce you unlogged count down to 5 and put you in a position to purchase five more.
- I have my own CoC. Why can I not use that?If you have your “own” driver’s license, it does not mean that you are legal to drive. Similarly, you can have and issue your own CoC, however subject to the requirements for issuing a PIRB CoC, a PIRB CoC must still be included and issued on all plumbing work undertaken by a Licenced plumber which includes but is not limited to geysers, solar water installations, heat pumps, etc. Furthermore, there are no real substances to a plumber having their own CoC. If this is the case they would be acting as the “Judge, Jury and Hangman”.
- I am a qualified Plumber. Why can I not issue a PIRB CoC?Because you can drive a motor car does not mean you can legally drive. In the same way just because you have a qualification in plumbing does not necessarily mean you can do plumbing work and or, more importantly, that you are complying with the respective South African National Standards and regulations. Your qualification merely denotes that you have met the requirements at a point in time. The PIRB process including that of the PIRB CoC and CPD denotes ongoing checks and balances of you as a professional. Only PIRB Licensed plumbers can issue PIRB CoC. Licensed plumbers have not only met the prescribed requirements of PIRB registration but have undertaken and passed the required PIRB assessment. Furthermore, licensed plumbers have maintained their prescribed 25 CPD points throughout their registration cycle.
- Can I issue CoC’s on another plumber’s work?If you can prove that the work undertaken by another “plumber” was done under your adequate supervision, then as the professional and accountable plumber you are allowed to. We do however like to draw your attention to the fact that once you have signed a PIRB CoC you are not only self-certifying that the work is done correctly and compliant, but YOU are personally and legally accountable for the said works. Signing a CoC without doing the actual work and or under your adequate supervisors is fraught with dangers, so beware.
- When must I log a COC?A PIRB CoC’s must be “logged” within five working days after completion of the work. The physical issuing of the PIRB CoC must be done within a reasonable time frame or as agreed by the owner of the property where the work was undertaken.
- The client has not paid me, can I withhold the CoC?Unless a contract prescribes and/or your client agrees otherwise, you may withhold the issuing of the physical PIRB CoC for payment, however, it does not detract from the fact that you must still “log” the PIRB CoC within five workings days after completion of the work.
- Can I issue one PIRB CoC in a complex or group of houses?No, each installation should have its own CoC issued. In terms of issuing a PIRB CoC on installation, the PIRB’s defines an “installation” as any plumbing works that is downstream of any installed water-meter. For example, in the case of a complex or group of houses, it is a legal requirement that each unit or house in a complex or group of houses must be individually metered with a water-meter. As such, each unit or house constitutes an installation and a CoC must be written out for every unit/house.
- What constitutes an installation?In terms of issuing a PIRB CoC on installation, the PIRB’s defines an “installation” as any plumbing works that is downstream of any installed water-meter. For example, in the case of a complex or group of houses, it is a legal requirement that each unit or house in a complex or group of houses must be individually metered with a water-meter. As such, each unit or house constitutes an installation and a CoC must be written out for every unit/house.
- What is a non-compliance notice?As the name implies, a non-compliance notice is a notice that will give notice of any non-compliance issues. In the case of plumbing, it is a requirement that a plumber undertaking plumbing works, is required as part of the work to notify the homeowner (consumer) of any issues of plumbing non-compliance. This notification must be done in writing.
- Who is responsible for fixing and or carrying the cost of the non-compliance?The homeowner is responsible. Your responsibility as a professional plumber is to draw attention to the pre-existing non-compliance and the risk associated with it.
- What will happen if I do not issue a non-compliance?First and foremost, all notifications of non-compliance are a requirement of both the Consumer Protection Act and the mandatory standards. Not issuing the notice means you are falling foul of the regulations and further you will be issued with a rectification notice by the PIRB. Secondly, in the case of any future liability, you may be held jointly and severally liable for claims resulting from the installation.
- Can I quote the customer on any non-compliances?Your duty as a professional plumber is to notify the homeowner of non-compliance. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to rectify the non-compliance. If the homeowner wishes for you to quote on the rectifying of the non-compliance and make use of your services, you are free to do so. You are not precluded from doing this in any way. We do however caution you that the notification and quoting should be done before any work been undertaken as this will most likely lead to a dispute if done after.
- Where do I log in as a reseller on the PIRB’s new system?http://audit-it.co.za/login/resellers
- What is the PIRB's Complaints Procedure for Installations?It is important for the Plumbing Industry Registration Board to support both the consumer and the plumber within the plumbing industry, to ensure a safe and healthy environment. The Consumer Protection Act ascertains for the promotion of a fair, accessible, and sustainable marketplace for consumer products and services. In addition, the Act makes provision for improved standards of consumer information to prohibit unfair business practices. The PIRB’s Complaints Procedure creates a platform for consumers to raise concerns in cases of incorrect plumbing installations, which in turn gives an opportunity for those concerns/complaints to be addressed in a professional manner. This process should only begin once every attempt has been made to resolve the matter with the plumber who completed the work/installation. For the PIRB to address consumer grievances, the following ought to be considered:
- Complaints are registered only on receipt of a completed complaints form. Consumers are urged to fully complete the complaints form with as much detail as possible and to attach all supporting documents.
- To enable PIRB to implement its Complaints Procedure, the complainant must be willing and able to submit relevant evidence supporting the complaint.
- It is important to note that PIRB assists in facilitating a resolution between the complainant and the plumber. Ultimately, the plumber remains responsible for fixing any non-compliant plumbing work if such non-compliance is confirmed.
- If the complaint is received within the first six months of the initial plumbing work, the PIRB can authorize an audit depending on the merits of the complaint. Once the audit report is completed, the PIRB will engage with the responsible plumber about potential refixes.
- Should the complaint be received more than 6 months and less than 3 years after the initial plumbing work, the PIRB can only compile an audit report that the complainant may use if they wish to take further action in accordance with the CPA.
- For work done more than 3 years prior a motivation may be submitted to the PIRB to justify evaluation of the complaint. Such requests will be evaluated based on the merits of the motivation.
- All the communication between the plumber, the consumer and the PIRB is kept confidential. In addition, it is required that consent is given by the homeowner before any form of investigation is conducted.
- Why is it important to issue a non-compliance notice?The purpose of the non-compliance notice is twofold: firstly, so as to protect the consumer of any and or potential dangers and performance issue that are or may arise from the existing installation, and secondly, so as to protect the you the plumber in terms of any future liability of the homeowner of any pre-existing items of non-compliance. It is therefore critical that the licensed plumber is aware of the standards to notify accordingly. Notification of non-compliance is a requirement of both the Consumer Protection Act and the mandatory standards.