Monthly Archives: February 2012

It’s ACS time again

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If you’re a gas engineer chances are it’s time to renew your ACS. Things have changed a bit since you last did this – here’s a low down of what’s new:

The Gas Safe Register

The most notable change is that the Gas Safe Register’s been replaced by CORGI. What this means for gas engineers is a slightly different approach to ACS.

The scheme itself is now run by E & U Skills with the input of sector skills councils and industry representatives to provide a more balanced viewpoint. Under the Gas Safe Register, engineers are considered competent once they’ve got an ACS certificate. When CORGI was in charge installers were only accepted onto the register once they had been seen by a representative who effectively went through the same questions covered during assessment – doubling up the process. The Gas Safe Register will come out to view work within three months and operatives must keep a log of activity carried out during this period but there review is based on practical application, rather than re-assessing again in the same way as ACS.

New appliance modules

Central Heating (CEN1) and Hot Water (WAT1) became CENWAT: As of April last year, CEN1 and WAT1 have been withdrawn, replaced by new module CENWAT – available as both initial training and reassessment.

Introduction of Combustion Performance Analysis (CPA1): By 1st April this year, all installers who hold the ACS appliance elements CENWAT or Space Heaters (HTR1) must also hold their Combustion Performance Analysis of Domestic Appliances (CPA1). Domestic heating engineers have until the end of March 2012 to complete their CPA1 (if they don’t already have it) – from 1st April, CCN1 will incorporate CPA1 requirements.

More information about our Gas ACS training and reassessment can be found here.

Changes to City & Guilds courses

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Several City & Guilds (C&G) training courses are being redeveloped to reflect changes to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations and in order to bring them in line with the QCF (Qualification and Credit Framework).

Logic4training courses affected by these changes include C&G 2391-10: Inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations (level 3), which is being split into two distinct qualifications: 2394 and 2395.

C&G 2394: Initial verification of electrical installations (level 3) – This qualification will deal with electrical installation and minor works certificates.

C&G 2395: Periodic inspection, testing and reporting of electrical installations (level 3) – This qualification will focus on Periodic Inspection Reports.

It is anticipated that the achievement of the two level 3 qualifications (2394 and 2395) will effectively demonstrate a level of technical knowledge and understanding relevant to the requirements of a Qualified Supervisor (QS).

The reason 2391-10 has been split into two is to make each course more obtainable and relevant to the different roles within the electrical industry. Currently, on a national basis, about 60% of students fail the 2391-10 on their first go – usually the written exam.

The downside for candidates is that two courses = more time off work and more fees.

Get trained before the deadline! Certification for 2391 will cease by December 2013, with the last exams likely to be available until mid-summer, answered to the 2011 (green book) version of the regulations. Book now to avoid disappointment: http://www.logic4training.co.uk/course/item-id-119-4-2.html

Replacement boilers drives demand for Green Deal

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New building regulations have been put-forward this week that will drive demand for the Green Deal. Announced by Communities Minister, Andrew Stunell, under the proposals, from October this year, existing homes that undertake works such as new extensions could be required to invest in energy efficiency improvements – financed through the Green Deal.

Other works covered include replacement boilers and the installation of multiple domestic windows – these won’t be included until April 2014 however and at this point non-domestic buildings will also feature.

“The DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Govenment) estimates there are 2000 new extensions every year, 1.4 million boiler replacement and one million new windows replaced. This could be a significant demand driver (for the Green Deal) if it goes ahead,” a spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said.

Under the Green Deal, the Government aims to insulate 14 million homes by 2020. From the autumn, it will allow homeowners to take out loans to pay for energy efficiency measures with the guarantee that the savings on their energy bills will be greater than the loan repayments. At its peak the Government estimates it could support up to 250,000 jobs.

In the same announcement, the Government also set out how it would like to see move towards zero carbon standards for new buildings from 2016. The proposed changes are complex, but would be introduced from 2013 and would tighten the CO2 targets for new buildings and introduce a specific energy efficiency target for new homes.

The Government’s preferred standards for new non-domestic buildings are more ambitious, and are likely to require renewable energy generation technologies, such as solar panels, being integrated into the building, as well as improvements to the building fabric.

“The Coalition is committed to being the greenest government ever, so improving the energy efficiency of our existing buildings through the Green Deal, and ensuring that all new homes are zero carbon by 2016 is a top priority,” Stunell said.

The Building Regulations consultation, which also looks at electrical safety in homes, among other issues, runs until April 27 2012. Responses to Green Deal proposals, however, need to be in by March 27 2012.