RAMS for Plumbers and Heating Engineers — A Practical Guide
What RAMS do plumbers and gas engineers need under CDM 2015? Covers domestic plumbing, heating installations, unvented systems, and commercial pipework.
5 min read
TL;DR
What RAMS do plumbers and gas engineers need under CDM 2015? Covers domestic plumbing, heating installations, unvented systems, and commercial pipework.
Plumbing and heating work carries more H&S risk than most people give it credit for. Scalding, legionella, gas, confined spaces, working at height — a solid RAMS covers all of it. Here's how to do it properly.
Do Plumbers Need RAMS?
If you're doing construction work — and fitting bathrooms, installing heating systems, or running pipework definitely counts — CDM 2015 applies. That means you need to plan and manage your work safely, and for most jobs, that means having a written RAMS.
Even on domestic jobs where the client is a homeowner, the contractor duties under CDM 2015 still apply to you.
Key Hazards for Plumbing and Heating RAMS
### Hot Works and Burning
Soldering, brazing, hot works with a blowtorch — these need specific risk controls:
- Clearing the work area of combustibles
- Proximity to existing joinery, insulation, or plasterboard
- Fire extinguisher availability
- Fire watch after hot works
On a notifiable project, hot works usually require a Permit to Work.
### Scalding and Burns
Hot pipework, boilers, unvented cylinders. Your RAMS should note the risk of contact with hot surfaces during installation and testing, particularly during commissioning when systems are being pressurised for the first time.
### Unvented Hot Water Systems
Unvented systems (G3 work) carry specific risks — incorrect installation or commissioning can result in catastrophic failure. Your method statement should reference the G3 specification, the test procedures, and the commissioning process.
### Gas Work
Gas work is regulated separately (Gas Safe), but your RAMS should still address the hazards:
- Purging and pressure testing pipework
- Working near existing gas supplies
- What to do if gas is suspected or detected
### Legionella
On commercial and larger domestic projects, any work on hot and cold water systems should reference legionella risk — particularly if the system is being modified, extended, or if the building has been unoccupied.
### Working in Roof Spaces and Under Floors
These are restricted access areas. Your RAMS should cover access arrangements, head injury risk, working posture, and emergency egress if something goes wrong.
### Manual Handling
Cylinders, boilers, radiators, copper pipework runs — address the weights involved and how they'll be handled safely.
### COSHH
Flux, solder, jointing compounds, chemicals used for descaling or system treatment — each one needs a COSHH assessment. Reference them in your RAMS.
Method Statement for a Heating Installation
A heating system installation method statement might follow this sequence:
- 1Survey and measure — confirm existing pipework routes, boiler location, flue path
- 2Drain down existing system (if applicable)
- 3First fix pipework — run, secure, leave ends capped
- 4Boiler installation — hang, connect, check flue clearances
- 5Cylinder and pump installation
- 6Second fix connections — radiators, valves, stats
- 7System fill and pressure test (cold)
- 8Commission — light, balance, test all controls
- 9Inhibitor and filter installation
- 10Customer handover and documentation
Tailor this to your actual job. A commercial pipework installation will need more steps and more detail.
What Catches Plumbers Out
- No mention of hot works controls despite using a blowtorch
- COSHH substances used but not documented
- Roof void access described as "normal working" with no specific controls
- No reference to legionella on commercial system work
- G3 work with no reference to test and commissioning procedures
Not sure which RAMS tool to use for plumbing and heating work?
The RAMS software hub walks through every major UK option — the ones most plumbers ask about are The Site Book vs RapidRAMS (pay-per-document) and vs RAMS Pro (per-seat templates). If you're on a bigger site with a main contractor, you might also see HandsHQ.
Get Your Plumbing RAMS Done in Minutes
Describe your job — the scope, the building, the systems involved — and The Site Book generates a RAMS with the specific hazards and controls for that job pre-filled. Download a professional PDF, share it with the client or principal contractor.
Ready to sort your compliance?
The Site Book handles RAMS, CPP, site inductions, and everything else. All in one place.
Try The Site Book →