Q. What is the meaning of “Guardians of Health”?
A. Since the supply of pure water and the safe disposal of sewage affect public liability and thus rightfully are matters of public concern, all plumbing installations should conform to established safety standards. Such conformity generally is enforced by law, it being on of the obligations of government to protect the health and lives of its citizens. This this why plumbers are truly considered "Guardians of Health".

Q. What does the term plumbing mean?
A. All fittings, fixtures, appliances, and connections, connecting building or premises to public or private water supply.

All piping, fittings, fixtures and appliances for sanitary drainage and related ventilation systems.

Air piping, medical and laboratory as systems including but not limited to oxygen and nitrous oxide.

Q. What is involved in becoming a Master Plumber?
A. APPRENTICE PLUMBER, JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER.

APPRENTICE PLUMBER
A person whose principal occupation is service with a master plumber or journeyman with a view to learning the art or trade of maintenance, installation or repair of plumbing.
He/she will attend 576 hours of schooling and will serve under the supervision of a licensed master plumber for a period of no less than four years.

When carrying out their duties, he/she must carry in their possession, at all times, an apprentice certificate issued by the department of labor specifying that person as an apprentice plumber.

JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER
A person who has completed 4 years of apprenticeship, whose principal occupation is the installation, maintenance or repair of plumbing. He/she can perform their duties, without the supervision of a licensed master plumber, but they cannot take out permits to perform work.

After completing 1 year as a journeyman they are eligible to take a test for procuring their master plumber license. All journeyman when carrying out their duties are required, by law, to carry in their possession at all time their journeyman’s license issued by the department of labor specifying that person as a journeyman plumber.

MASTER PLUMBER
Any person who engages in the business of installation, maintenance or repair of plumbing and take out necessary permits required to complete such work.

This person has completed 4 years of apprenticeship, 1 year as journeyman. He/she has taken and passed a written exam and received their master plumbers license from the department of labor.

This license must be in their possession at all times when engaging in the plumbing trade. If they own a plumbing business, they must display at all times a certificate of license. Any sign, listing, or advertisement of any type of a master plumber shall contain his name, address, and license number. This information shall be included on all trucks used by the master plumber in connection with his business.

Q. What code do plumbers follow?
A. Most states follow an amended version of the International Plumbing Code. The amendments relate to conditions of each state.

The International Plumbing Code addresses the design and installation of plumbing systems through requirements emphasizing performance. It meets these needs through model code regulations that safeguard the public health, safety and welfare in all communities, large and small.

This comprehensive plumbing code establishes minimum regulation for plumbing systems using prescriptive and performance related provisions.

These provisions do not necessarily increase construction cost, restrict use of new materials, products or methods of constructions; and do not give preferential treatment to particular types or classes of materials, products or methods of construction.