F-Gas Training Course LCL level 3 RQF

There are 4 categories for this qualification, covering the industry competence certificate for Category 1.

You need a:

• Category 1 certificate – to carry out all activities
• Category 2 certificate – to install, maintain, service and recover refrigerant from systems containing less than 5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e)
• Category 3 certificate – to recover refrigerant from systems that contain less than 3 kg of F gas
• Category 4 certificate – to check equipment for leaks if you don’t break into the refrigeration circuit

Training includes the following topics:

• The fundamental principles of thermodynamics
• The environmental impact of refrigerants and corresponding environmental regulations
• How to carry out checks before putting in operation:
• After a long period of non-use
• After maintenance or repair intervention
• During operation
• How to check for leakage

You will learn how to handle the system and refrigerant during:

• Installation
• Maintenance
• Servicing or recovery in an environmentally friendly manner in accordance with the regulations.
• How to put into operation and maintain reciprocating, screw and scroll compressors, single and two-stage.
• How to install, put into operation and maintain air cooled and water cooled condensers.
• How to install, put into operation and maintain air cooled and water cooled evaporators
• How to install, put into operation and service Thermostatic Expansion Valves (TEV) and other components
• How to build a leak-tight piping system in a refrigeration installation.

Exclusion

This qualification does not cover the full installation of AC systems. It is focused upon the components within the AC system and refrigerant within those components.

Candidates wishing to undertake this course must hold a recognised qualification in refrigeration, heating & ventilation or other related industry sector or have a minimum of two years auditable experience working within the HVACR sector.

All candidates must have a good practical working knowledge of different soldering and brazing methods to undertake this type of work.

It is an open book assessment.

This qualification is DEFRA approved. Click here to check the Government guidance on qualifications required to work on equipment containing F-Gas.

Companies and operatives (sole traders) must be registered with an F-Gas Certification Body for the category they wish to work with. Examples of F-Gas Registration Bodies include:

• Refcom
• Quidos
• Bureau Veritas

More information can be found on the DEFRA website.

A copy of the F-Gas 517/2014 Reference Manual will be provided.

The following downloads provide useful background reading to F Gas training:

F-Gas-sample-questions

Guide to the use of hydrocarbons and refrigerants

Good-Practice-Guide-Leak-tightness-testing

Good-Practice-Guide-Record-keeping

Good-Practice-Guide-Labelling

The course typically lasts five days, combining theory and practical training. Assessment includes a written examination and a practical skills test. Successful candidates receive a regulated LCL Awards Level 3 RQF certificate.

This F-Gas certification must be renewed every five years to ensure compliance with current regulations and maintain competence in handling fluorinated gases.

This course acts as both an initial qualification and a reassessment qualification.

To renew your levle 3 F-Gas qualification, you will need to complete this course again.

Yes, the Level 3 F-Gas qualification covers heat pump systems that use fluorinated gases. However, for installation or servicing of heat pumps, you will need to complete additional heat pump training.