RAMS & CPP for Plumbing & Heating
What compliance documents you need for boiler installations, pipework, and heating systems — and how The Site Book handles it for you.
What compliance do you need?
Plumbing and heating work involves a wide range of risks — from gas safety and hot works through to legionella and asbestos. Whether you're fitting a new boiler, running pipework on a new build, or replacing a heating system, CDM 2015 applies alongside gas safety regulations.
Do you need a CPP?
Yes. A Construction Phase Plan is required under CDM 2015 for all construction work. For plumbing and heating, your CPP should cover gas safety procedures, isolation of services, hot works management, and how you'll work safely in confined spaces like lofts and airing cupboards.
Do you need RAMS?
RAMS are strongly recommended for plumbing and heating work. Gas work, hot works, and confined space entry all carry significant risks. On commercial sites, RAMS are almost always mandatory. They're also good practice for domestic work, particularly boiler installations and unvented systems.
Common hazards
- Gas leaks and carbon monoxide exposure
- Scalding from hot water and steam
- Hot works — soldering, brazing, and use of blowtorches
- Working in confined spaces (airing cupboards, lofts, risers)
- Legionella risk in stored water systems
- Asbestos disturbance in older pipe lagging and boiler flues
- Manual handling of boilers, cylinders, and radiators
- Slips and trips from water spillage
How The Site Book handles it
Describe your job — "boiler swap, combi to combi, 2-bed flat" — and The Site Book creates your RAMS and CPP automatically. It identifies plumbing-specific hazards including gas safety, hot works, legionella risk, and asbestos in older pipe lagging.
Frequently asked questions
- Do plumbers need RAMS?
- RAMS are strongly recommended for plumbing and heating work, especially for boiler installations, unvented hot water systems, and gas work. Most commercial clients and principal contractors will require RAMS. They're also good practice for domestic work where there are significant risks like working with gas, hot water, or in confined spaces.
- What gas safety requirements apply?
- All gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This includes boiler installation, gas pipework, and flue work. The engineer must leave a Building Regulations compliance certificate and notify the work to the local authority. Gas safety is regulated under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
- Do I need a CPP for a boiler installation?
- Yes. Under CDM 2015, a Construction Phase Plan is required for all construction projects, including boiler installations and heating system work. Your CPP should cover gas safety procedures, hot works permits if soldering, working in confined spaces like loft and cupboard installations, and coordination with other trades.
Get your plumbing docs sorted
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