Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


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Adjudication

Cost indices Manufacturing stats
Apprenticeships Courses Materials
Arbitration Employment Medical companies
ATEX Energy stats Professional indemnity insurance
Business Engineering stats Presidential addresses
Careers Expert witness Pressure vessels
CDM regulations 2007 Images Renewable energy
Code of conduct Inspection Salary
Companies Invention Six sigma
Consultancy Legal advice Voluntary work
Contracts Legislation Work placements

Browse FAQs:

  1. How do I find an adjudicator?
  2. Where can I find out about apprenticeship schemes?
  3. How do I find an arbitrator?
  4. Where can I download guidance about the ATEX directive?
  5. How can I find out about setting up my own business?
  6. Where can I obtain careers advice?
  7. How can I get hold of a copy of the 2007 Construction Design and Management Regulations?
  8. Where can I access the IMechE's Code of Conduct?
  9. Where can I find a list of engineering companies?
  10. What guidance is available on becoming a Consultant?
  11. What are the main forms for engineering contracts?
  12. Where can I find out about the standard rates to charge for mechanical engineering services or products?
  13. Where can I find out about engineering short course providers?
  14. I am in dispute with my employer. Where can I find out about my employment rights?
  15. Where can I find statistics about energy use and emissions?
  16. Where can I find statistical information about the number of engineers in the UK?
  17. Where can I find out how many engineering students and graduates there are in the UK?
  18. How do I find an expert witness?
  19. Where can I obtain engineering images?
  20. How can I find someone to test my pressure equipment?
  21. Where can I get advice about protecting and developing my invention?
  22. Where can I get free legal advice?
  23. How can I get hold of a copy of a UK Directive?
  24. How can I get hold of a copy of a EU Directive?
  25. Where can I find up-to-date manufacturing statistics for the UK?
  26. How can I find out about the mechanical properties of a particular material?
  27. Where can I find details of medical device companies?
  28. Where can I obtain copies of IMechE Presidential Addresses?
  29. How can I find out about the pressure vessel regulations?
  30. Where can I get professional indemnity insurance?
  31. Where can I find out about companies in the renewable energy sector?
  32. Where can I find information about six sigma?
  33. How can I benchmark my salary?
  34. Which charities organise overseas voluntary work for engineers?
  35. Where can I find out about work placements?

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Adjudication

How do I find an adjudicator?

For a list of IMechE adjudicators please contact Katherine Dike on tel: (+44) 020 7304 6857 or mailto:k_dike@imeche.org

The Institution maintains a list of trained and experienced adjudicators, who are capable of resolving disputes in the engineering and construction industries. The Institution’s adjudicators are Chartered Engineers, who have undertaken further rigorous training in the procedures and practices of adjudication.

The Institution will normally appoint an adjudicator within 24 hours of a request being made. Further information is also available from the following websites:

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Apprenticeships

Where can I find out about apprenticeship schemes?

IMechE doesn’t offer apprenticeships. For information about engineering apprenticeships please visit the following websites:

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Arbitration

How do I find an arbitrator?

The IMechE is an appointing body for arbitrators. We maintain a list of Chartered Arbitrators, all of whom are Chartered Engineers who have obtained further qualifications and experience in settlement of disputes by arbitration. For further information please contact Katherine Dike on mailto:k_dike@imeche.org or tel: (+44) 020 7304 6857. Information is also available from the following websites:

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ATEX

Where can I download guidance about the ATEX directive?

You can download guidance from the following websites:

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Business

How can I find out about setting up my own business?

The following websites provide guidance on setting up your own business:

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Careers Advice

Where can I obtain careers advice?

The Benevolent Fund of the IMechE can provide members and their dependents help with finding a job by putting them in touch with a leading HR consultancy, Chiumento. Please contact mailto:info@bfime.org or tel: +44 (0) 20 7304 6816

for further information.

The following websites also provide careers advice:

SEMTA: Careers & Qualifications Centre

The National Engineering & Construction Recruitment Exhibition

Engineering Opportunities
Information on educational opportunities and corporate sponsorship schemes

Inside Careers
Graduate vacancies and guidance

IMechE Library careers guide [38.5 kb]
Vacancy websites and resources

Learndirect
Course and careers guidance

Nextstep
Promotes learning and work to all adults aged 20 and over

Prospects
Official Graduate Careers Site

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CDM Regulations 2007

How can I get hold of a copy of the 2007 Construction Design and Management Regulations?

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, Statutory Instrument 2007 No.320 can be accessed online at
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20070320.htm

Guidance and advice regarding the regulations can be found at:

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Code of Conduct

Where can I access the IMechE’s Code of Conduct?

This is available online at http://www.imeche.org/about/trusteeboard/charterandbylaws.htm

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Companies

Where can I find a list of engineering companies?

The Kompass and Kellysearch directories can be used to search for companies by product or name. The library has a subscription to the Kompass database and can conduct advanced searches, contact mailto:library@imeche.orgor tel: +44 (0) 20 7973 1274.

Hemscott and Hoovers provide brief market/financial profiles of companies.

IMechE produces a List of Accredited and Registered Organisations that operate the Institution’s Monitored Professional Development Scheme.

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Consultancy

What guidance is available on becoming a consultant?

IMechE runs regular seminars on “Setting up your own consultancy” which provide guidance on the main legalities. Copies of past seminar papers can be borrowed from the IMechE Library service. Please contact mailto:library@imeche.orgor tel: +44 (0) 20 7973 1274. Abstracts of recent past seminar papers can be accessed below:

Setting up and running a successful consultancy 2004
Setting up and running a successful consultancy 2006

Other webpages of interest:

IMechE Consultants Directory

Association of Consultancy and Engineering (ACE): Find a Consultant

Model Forms of Contract MF/4 PDF Free download MF4 [37 kb]
2003 edition. Home or overseas agreements for the provision of consultancy services by engineering consultants.

The following websites provide guidance on setting up your own business:

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Contracts

What are the main forms for engineering contracts?

Model Forms of Contract

The IMechE, publishes jointly with the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Model Forms of Contract (with forms of tender, agreement and performance bond included) These are available from the Information and Library Service mailto:a_clement@imeche.org, tel: +44 (0) 20 7973 1267. For more information please visit the library's Model Forms webpage.

The other main forms of engineering contract are:

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Cost Indices

Where can I find out about the standard rates to charge for mechanical engineering services or products?

National Statistics: Monthly Digest of Statistics
Twenty chapters of tables, including prices and wages i.e. Retail Prices Index (RPI)

BEAMA Statistics

National Schedule of Rates produced by NRS Management . This is a priced publication which is not available from the library but may be available to members via interlibrary loan. The library does hold a reference copy of Spon's Mechanical and Electrical Services Price Book .

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Courses

Where can I find out about engineering short course providers?

The following websites provide information about UK courses

Course directories:

Hotcourses
A database of degree and non degree courses

IET Events and training search
Click on the IET Training courses tab for a list of upcoming courses

Learndirect
Search for UK courses

Underoak
A database of 29,000 short courses in the UK

General engineering course providers:

Cranfield University

MCP Langcet

Center of Professional Advancement

OakCAD Training

Empower

Railway courses:

GoSkills: Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport

Pressure Systems Courses

IMechE Pressure Systems Events

Matthews Engineering Training Ltd

Offshore Training courses:

Petrofac Training

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Employment

I am in dispute with my employer. Where can I find out about my employment rights?

The Benevolent Fund of the IMechE offers a free legal advice line. The service is operated by Law Express. Please contact mailto:info@bfime.orgor tel: +44(0) 20 7304 6816

The following websites may also be of interest:

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Energy

Where can I find statistics about energy use and emissions?

The following websites provide energy statistics:

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Engineering Statistics

Where can I find statistical information about the number of engineers in the UK?

Statistics are available from the following websites:

Engineering UK
Published by ETB. Contains engineering statistics related to education, graduate recruitment, salary levels, and the number of professional engineers in the UK

National Statistics: Labour Force Survey
Data relating to employees, self-employed, full-time and part-time workers by occupation group and by sex

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Where can I find out how many engineering students and graduates there are in the UK?

Statistics are available from the following websites:

Engineering UK
Published by ETB. Contains a statistical review of the number of engineering students and graduates

Higher Education Statistics Authority

UCAS: Statistics

Prospects: What do graduates do? Mechanical Engineering - 2005 graduates

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Expert Witnesses

How do I find an expert witness?

You can search for expert witnesses using the IMechE Consultants Directory . Select the Expert Witness category from the “Search in” option.

The following websites may also be of interest:

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Images

Where can I obtain engineering images?

The IMechE Information and Library Service can supply images from their vast historical collection. Please contact Mike Claxton mailto:m_claxton@imeche.orgor tel: +44 (0)20 7304 6836.

Selected images can be viewed in the library's online Picture Gallery .

If you are seeking modern images you may find the following image sites of interest:

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Inspection

How can I find someone to test my pressure equipment?

UKAS - United Kingdom Accreditation Service for testing bodies
maintain a directory on their website.

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Invention

Where can I get advice about protecting and developing my invention?

The following organisations can provide advice:

Organisations that can help with funding:

Useful websites:

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Legal advice

Where can I get free legal advice?

The Benevolent Fund of the IMechE offers a free legal advice line. The service is operated by Law Express. Please contact mailto:info@bfime.org or tel: +44 (0) 20 7304 6816

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Legislation

How can I get hold of a copy of a UK Directive?

All UK Statutory Instruments from 1987 are available to download from
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/stat.htm

The UK Statute Law Database (SLD) is the official revised edition of the primary legislation of the UK made available online.

How can I get hold of a copy of an EU Directive?

EU Directives can be downloaded from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm

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Manufacturing Statistics

Where can I find up-to-date manufacturing statistics for the UK?

The following websites provide manufacturing statistics for the UK:

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Materials

How can I find out about the mechanical properties of a particular material?

The library subscribes to the ILI Metals Infobase and the World Metals Index advisory service. They can search for properties on your behalf and email you the results. contact mailto:library@imeche.orgor tel: +44 (0)20 7973 1274.

The following links may also be of interest:

The following databases are available in the IMechE Virtual Library . Please login to the Members' Area and select the Virtual Library menu option.

Knovel
Contains fulltext materials properties handbooks

Efunda
Provides basic materials properties information.

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Medical Companies

Where can I find details of medical device companies?

The following services are available via the IMechE Virtual Library . Please login to the Members' Area and select the Virtual Library menu option.

Snapshots
Provides market research reports listing the main companies in this sector.

EBSCO
Provides datamonitor market research reports for this sector.

The following websites may also be of interest:

Kompass
This company database is available in the library. Staff can conduct a search on behalf of members for company contact details. Please contact mailto:library@imeche.orgor tel: 020 7973 1274.

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Presidential Addresses

Where can I obtain copies of IMechE Presidential Addresses?

Copies of all Presidential Addresses published since 1996 are available to download from the President's Choice website.

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Pressure Vessels

How can I find out about the pressure vessel regulations?

The following links provide information about the regulations:

DTI: Pressure Equipment - Guidance Notes on the UK Regulations [579 kb]
Covers the design, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies with a maximum allowable pressure greater then 0.5 bar.

DTI: Simple Pressure Vessels - Guidance Notes on UK Regulations [106 kb]
Covers pressure vessels with an internal pressure greater than 0.5 bar

DTI: Pressure Equipment - UK Conformity Assessment Bodies [177 kb]

DTI: Simple Pressure Vessels - UK Approved Bodies [91 kb]

DTI: Simple Pressure Vessels Directive 87/404/EEC

DTI: CE Marking - Frequently Asked Questions

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Professional Indemnity Insurance

Where can I get professional indemnity insurance?

A special IMechE rate is agreed with the following companies:

Marsh UK – Orchard Brae House, 30 Queensferry Rd, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 311 4200

Insurancescenta scheme offered by ETB in liaison with Howden Insurance Brokers Tel: 020 7623 3806

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Renewable Energy

Where can I find out about companies in the renewable energy sector?

The following websites provide information about companies in this sector:

REPP Global Energy Marketplace (GEM)
GEM is a gateway to sustainable energy information on the web it covers hydro, bioenergy, geothermal, wind, solar, micropower and efficiency

The Source for Renewable Energy
Online buyer's guide and business directory to the renewable energy sector

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Salary

How can I benchmark my salary?

There are a number of engineering surveys freely available on the web:

Engineering and Technology Board's 2005 Survey of Registered Engineers

Amicus: Engineering Pay Survey Report 2006
This survey provides information on wages, hours, bonuses and other benefits for professionals and semi-professionals working in the engineering sector.

Hays: Engineering Salary Guides
Published by Hays Recruitment

IChemE: Salary Survey Calculator

National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)
Provides Information by industry and occupation

PayScale
Enter your job details, salary and skills and receive a free summary of the average salary for your peer group.

Scenta: Pay & Prospects article Sep 2007

SRG Salary Survey
The SRG is a recruitment agency which specialises in science, clinical and engineering vacancies. The main website contains vacancy listings but also gives access to a free searchable salary survey. Registration is required.

Library held salary surveys:

CELRE/Remuneration Economics Salary Survey of Engineers 2005
Some free sample tables available on the CERLE website. The full report is available in the Library. Tables can be faxed if they are for your personal use.

EEF Management and professional engineers' pay survey

Engineering Rewards 2007
Published by Croner

Pay and conditions in engineering 2006/07
Published by IDS. Contents list available on IDS website

M&E Services Engineers Fees
A survey of the fees charged by consulting M&E Services Engineers, 2007 ed.

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Six Sigma

Where can I find information about six sigma?

Please see our list of six sigma resources on our library catalogued.

Members can also access ebooks on this subject from Books24x7 and e-articles from EBSCO. Both Books24x7 and EBSCO are available via the Virtual Library . Please login to the Members' Area and select the Virtual Library menu option.

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Voluntary Work

Which charities organise overseas voluntary work for engineers?

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Work placements

Where can I find out about work placements?

UK work placements:

Gap work vacancies and providers:

Justjobs4students
Work placements and graduate vacancy site

Hobsons
Provide directory of graduate employment and training

National Volunteering Database

National Council of Work experience
Work experience vacancies – advice on finding placements

Royal Academy of Engineering: Schemes for secondary school students

Support 4 learning

STEP
Shell Technology Enterprise Programme work placement provider

Talentladder.com
Specialises in finding student placements and vacation work

Year in Industry Scheme
Helps students find quality, paid, degree-relevant work placements.

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Work placements abroad:

AIPT
Association of International Practical Training arranges work experience in the USA. Provides an online placement database

IAESTE
International Association for the Exchange of Students of Technical Experience.
Arranges paid course-related vacation training abroad on an exchange basis.

VSO
International development charity offers volunteer placements:

WiTEC (European Association for Women in Science Engineering and Technology)
Arranges grants and work placements for female engineering students across Europe

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