Become an Approved RPZ Valve Tester
RPZ Valve Tester sector is special sector within WIAPS. Its purpose is to approve RPZ Valve Testers who can verify conformity of an RPZ valve against the requirements of the Water Undertaker’s RPZ AIM and the Regulations, through reporting observations, test results and failures when they occur.
There are three principle requirements to become an Approved RPZ Valve Tester.
You must hold an RPZ Valve Tester qualification recognised by the Scheme.
You must hold the relevant minimum level of liability insurance.
You must hold and maintain calibration certification for all test equipment.
Qualification
RPZ valve testers must have qualifications to the Water Industry Approved Installation Method for RPZ valves (Water Undertaker’s RPZ AIM)
Recognised RPZ Valve Tester qualifications
Qualifications certificates from the following organisations are recognised for RPZ Valve Tester Sector membership
Awarding organisation | Qualification title | Dates accepted | |
From | To | ||
City & Guilds accredited programme (issued by Hydro-X Training) | HXT-W17 - RPZ Valve Tester Training | 18/05/22 | 31/05/25 |
LCL Awards | RPZ Valve Commissioning, Testing and Inspection (LCLRPZ) | 12/06/23 | 11/06/26 |
NICEIC Certification (issued by Develop Training Ltd) | Type BA – Verifiable backflow preventer with reduced pressure zone | 02/11/21 | 31/10/24 |
Historic qualifications
The following qualifications can be recognised provided they were issued within the dates detailed below.
Please note applicants must hold both qualifications to be recognised.
Awarding organisation | Qualification title | Dates accepted | |
From | To | ||
1) City & Guilds | WNCS11 issued by Develop Training (or its predecessor WTI) Type BA Verifiable Reduced Pressure Zone Device Testing Training Course Water, and | 01/06/1996 | 7/01/2021 |
2) Water Regulations Advisory Scheme | RPZ AIM 08-01 Issue 2 Conversion Training and Assessment | 1/01/2020 | 28/02/2021 |
If you do not have an recognised qualification then the following providers may be able to offer training.
Providers of recognised RPZ Valve Testing training
The following providers offer sector specific RPZ valve testing training.
Certification / Training providers
NICEIC Certification | Develop Training Ltd - developtraining.co.uk |
City & Guilds Accredited Programme | Hydro-X Training - hydro-x.co.uk/hx-training |
Insurance requirements
For a company employing more than one person, the minimum required level of insurance required is £5m employer liability and £2m public liability. For sole traders, a minimum of £2m public liability insurance is required.
Scope
An approved RPZ Valve Tester sector can issue reports on the operations and tasks associated with the commissioning and compliance testing of RPZ valves. The purpose of the reports is to verify conformity with the AIM and the Regulations through reporting observations, test results and failures when they occur.
RPZ Valve testers are not approved to issue certificates of compliance for:
any commissioning, testing or installation work of water fittings or plumbing systems;
work on waste pipes or drainage systems.
Individual approved RPZ Valve Testers are NOT Approved Contractors as defined in the Regulations and are therefore not exempt from the notification requirements set out in Regulation 5 and are not permitted to issue certificates of compliance. The only exception to this is where an individual is also a current Approved Contractor.
Notification or other work associated with installing or replacing RPZ valves are outside the scope of the RPZ Valve Tester sector. When installing or replacing RPZ valves every installer must meet the requirements as set out in the AIM and the Regulations.
Where an approved RPZ Valve Tester is separately approved as an Approved Contractor (approved plumber etc.), they must meet their scheme’s requirements.
Membership fees
An annual fee of £78 plus VAT will be introduced from 1st April 2024 for any business that has sector members.
Sector members include: external services installers, sometimes called Water Supply Pipe Installers or groundworkers, Catering installers, Point of use installers and RPZ valve testers.
The £78 plus VAT fee will be the same for all businesses, regardless of the number of approved individuals
Application and resources
If you meet the above requirements, download the application form to join the scheme click here, or to enquire further about the sector, please contact WIAPS: email wiaps@waterregsuk.co.uk or telephone 01495 983 010 option 1.
By signing up to WIAPS, you are agreeing to abide by the Terms and Conditions for the RPZ Sector Scheme and make yourself available for audit as and when required. Below is a list of resources relating to WIAPS RPZ Valve Tester membership.