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              SCHEME RULES

 

 

Scheme Rules for the Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Individual Gas Fitting Operatives

1. INTRODUCTION

This document contains the Scheme Rules for the operation of the UK gas industry’s ‘Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Individual Gas Fitting Operatives’. A definition of terms used throughout this document is given in appendix 2. The document contains details about how to obtain Certification by undergoing Assessment at our Assessment Centre approved by BPEC Certification Ltd, within the scope of accreditation awarded by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

 

2. SCOPE

These Scheme Rules cover the steps necessary for the Certification of an individual. These Scheme Rules apply only to Assessment and Certification and not to any training which may have been undertaken prior to the Assessment.

The Scheme will assess an individual’s competence to carry out gas work safely. The Scheme is not intended to assess an Individual’s competence in other areas of work.

Employers, employees and self-employed individuals should recognise the responsibilities and duties they have under all legislation that encompasses their full range of work.

 

3. POLICY STATEMENTS

It is the policy of Oxford Energy Academy that impartial assessment shall be open to any and all individuals meeting the Scheme entry requirements regardless of race colour, creed, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, religion, sexuality, political belief, ability or age. Preparatory training is not a pre-requisite for assessment.

Individuals are invited to indicate any special needs that they wish to be taken into consideration at the time of application. Each declared situation will be considered on an individual basis. Oxford Energy Academy to take all reasonable steps to offer methods of Assessment that provide for the needs of individuals with learning and physical difficulties.

 

4. SCHEME CRITERIA

These Scheme Rules cover the steps necessary for the Certification of an individual. These Scheme Rules apply only to Assessment and Certification and not to any training which may have been undertaken prior to the Assessment.

The Scheme will assess an individual’s competence to carry out gas work safely. Employers, employees and self-employed individuals should recognise the responsibilities and duties they have under all legislation that encompasses their scope of work.

 

5. SCHEME CRITERIA

The criteria that define Assessments are ratified by the Standard Setting Function for Gas Safe Register. The Scheme is modular in design and the number and nature of modules available are subject to periodic change.

A current list of modules is available on request. The current scope of UKAS accreditation can be obtained via the UKAS web site (see section 16 for contact details). Modules are grouped into general work sectors, comprising:

  • Domestic Natural Gas
  • Commercial (Non Domestic)
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
  • Commercial Catering
  • Emergency Service Provider/Meter installer

For individuals working in two or more of the above sectors, changeover Assessments are available to avoid re-assessing common areas where competence has already been proven.

Candidates applying for the first time under this scheme will undertake an initial assessment. Candidates who are renewing their assessments under this scheme may be eligible to take a re-assessment.

For advice regarding the appropriate modules required to cover the work activities of an individual, contact Oxford Energy Academy for advice on 01993 771155  

 

6. APPLICATION

All formal applications shall be made on the application form provided, which must be complete in all its details before Certification can be processed. The application form requires the following information.

  • Candidate name and address
  • Candidate National Insurance number
  • 2 passport sized photographs
  • Copies of relevant qualifications and/or evidence of gas work experience
  • A declaration of the category for the individual making the application
  • First-time applicants will also be required to provide an acceptable  form of photographic identification e.g. a passport or driving licence

All Individuals should declare to the Assessment Centre any situation in the past where: they have been deemed incompetent in matters of gas safety; they have had a gas competency certificate or qualification or gas registration withdrawn or they have been dismissed from employment on the grounds of gas safety incompetence. A failure to declare any such issues may invalidate any Certification awarded.

 

MOT Certification Process

Candidates undertaking reassessment are eligible for the MOT style certification process. This enables candidates to undertake reassessment up to six months prior to the expiry date of their ‘initial’ ACS certificates without loss of time off the 5 years time period.

Candidate Categories

Category 1

Applicants who are experienced gas-fitting operatives who hold ACS, ACoPs, S/NVQ or City & Guilds Gas Qualifications and who is either seeking:

  • Initial ACS assessment
  • Re-assessment on initial ACS assessment
  • Extension of certification to include additional work range

Category 2

Application conditions require that this applicant obtains employment with a gas registered business that is willing to provide an extended period of gas training with our gas foundation course, prior to taking the ACS assessment.

Applicants must provide evidence that they hold qualifications demonstrating competence in work activities associated with fossil fuelled appliances/equipment and/or pipe work installation. Examples of appropriate qualifications include:

  • Plumbing craft qualification or S/NVQ
  • Pipe fitter/welder craft qualification or S/NVQ
  • Heating and Ventilating craft qualification or S/NVQ
  • Refrigeration Engineer craft qualification or S/NVQ

Category 3

Category 3 applicants are new entrants to the gas industry and have no relevant qualifications or experience.

Application conditions require that this applicant obtains employment with a gas registered business that is willing to provide an auditable extended period of company “in house” gas training and organisational support prior to taking the ACS assessment. (The alternative route for this category of applicant is to have training and on our gas foundation course.

Individuals should contact Oxford Energy Academy for advice if they unsure of their category, or the requirements relating to it.

 

7. ASSESSMENT

The Scheme comprises a number of gas-safety related Assessments; Each Assessment is subdivided into elements that reflect the competence that an individual is required to demonstrate in accordance with the Assessment Criteria. The Assessment(s) require and Individual to complete practical and/or written assessments dependent on the modules selected. Where necessary, individuals may be asked oral questions by an Assessor.

Individuals must comply with instructions given to them at the Assessment Centre regarding conduct and safety and must abide by any documented requirements, including the following:

  • General conduct
  • Provision of tools and equipment necessary to undertake any required practical Assessment. In the event that an individual provides his/her own tools or equipment, these will be subject to approval by the Assessor before use.
  • Provision of protective clothing and safety equipment necessary for the Assessments attempted. In the event that an individual provides their own protective clothing and safety equipment, these will be subject to approval by the Assessor before use.
  • Provision of necessary reference documentation, and industry or legislative source publications and other material for use in the Assessments. In the event that an individual provides his/her own material, then these will be subject to approval by the Assessor before use.
  • Provision by the Assessment Centre of full instructions to enable the completion of both written and practical Assessments.
  • In the event that an individual does not satisfy the full range of performance and knowledge criteria required by an Assessment, a partial re-assessment may be allowed, covering only those elements or tasks where Assessment was incomplete.
  • Assessment Centres shall advise such individuals as to the areas where re-assessment may be necessary.

 

8. CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Oxford Energy Academy will indicate to individuals the provisional outcome of their Assessment within 10 working days of the completion of their assessment. This result will still be subject to verification, following which records will be transmitted to BPEC Certification Ltd. Oxford Energy Academy may only recommend Certification; the final decision rests with BPEC Certification Ltd.

BPEC Certification Ltd. will endeavour to provide successful Individuals with Certification with 20 days of receipt of correctly completed paperwork from Oxford Energy Academy.

Certificates of competence issued contain the following details: the scope of the Certification; the Individuals full name; certificate number; national insurance number; date of birth; a description of each assessment; the expiry date of the certification; the certificate holders signature; and a clear warning statement that the certificate is only valid when presented on original paper. Photocopied certificates are not evidence of competence and should not be accepted as such. The certificate remains at all times the property of BPEC Certification Ltd.

Replacement or duplicate certificates can be obtained from BPEC Certification Ltd. A fee, paid in advance and in line with current Certification fees will be charged by BPEC Certification Ltd. in the event of any such request.

Unless BPEC Certification Ltd. has a specific formal arrangement with an employer or any other third party, certificates will be issued directly to the individual assessed. Where employer agreements exist, they will specifically require that original certificates must be issued to the certificated Individual.

 

9. SUSPENSION OR WITHDRAWAL OF CERTIFICATION

BPEC Certification Ltd. reserves the right to suspend or withdraw Certification upon evidence of a breach of the Scheme Rules, misuse of the BPEC Certification Ltd mark or logo or failure to pay the agreed fees (also see section 14). BPEC Certification Ltd may prescribe corrective actions to remedy the breach with a reasonable time limit for implementation, normally one month. If, after the time limit expires, implementation of corrective actions has not been completed, instigation of withdrawal procedures will commence.

Upon receiving written notification of the withdrawal of Certification, the individual shall forth immediately: return to BPEC Certification Ltd Ltd. appropriate certificates; cease carrying out work within the scope of certification that has been withdrawn; cease use and distribution of any stationary, advertising or literature bearing the BPEC Certification Ltd logo; and follow any other instructions included in the written notification.

Withdrawal of an individuals Certificate(s) will be publicised in suitable industry publications and details of the withdrawal will be submitted to the Gas Registration Body. Individuals have the right of appeal to BPEC Certification Ltd as described in clause 10 below.

 

10. COMPLAINTS

Individuals may make a complaint concerning this scheme to Oxford Energy Academy.Complaints will be investigated, reported, resolved and the results of any investigation will be communicated in writing to the individual. Complaint procedures are in place at Oxford Energy Academy and shall be made available to any individual on request. The Individual has the right of appeal against any decision. 

 

11. APPEALS

Individuals have the right of appeal against any of the following: the results of a complaint investigation; a decision not to issue a certificate; or a decision to withdraw a certificate.

Individuals have the right to be represented at an appeal hearing, but must inform Oxford Energy Academy in writing of this intention. Representation may be by a legal, trade union or any other body or colleague.

The initial appeal must be made within 15 days of notification of a decision. Oxford Energy Academy will thoroughly investigate any appeal and make a decision on the appeal within a reasonable time period (usually one month), and submit the findings of the investigation to the appellant. If the appellant wishes to appeal against this decision, they must notify BPEC Certification Ltd within 7 days of notification of the decision. An independent Appeals Committee will then be convened and its constitution will be communicated to the individual.

 

12. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Certification is subject to the Scheme Rules. Oxford Energy Academy reserves the right to carry out verification as deemed necessary to confirm continuing satisfactory performance, or act upon evidence received concerning lack of competence. Certification does not discharge or lessen an Individual’s responsibilities, statutory or otherwise.

Oxford Energy Academy will not be responsible for any losses or allege losses incurred by any individual company or organisation where scheme rules are not met.

 

13. CONFIDENTIALITY

Oxford Energy Academy shall hold an Individuals details in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and shall use the data only for the purposes as indicated on the application form.

All official parties to the Scheme (comprising BPEC Certification Ltd, Oxford Energy Academy and the Gas Safe Register) shall ensure that they and all their staff shall keep in full confidence all information of a private, confidential or secret nature. At no time shall such information be disclosed to any third party except as permitted within these Scheme rules to enable the official parties to carry out their duties and obligations.

 

14. FEE STRUCTURE

Fees for Assessment and Certification will be levied by Oxford Energy Academy and must be paid in full. Non payment to the centre Will result in an individuals assessments results being held at the centre.

The cost of any complaint investigations or appeals by an individual shall be borne by the individual where the complaint or appeal is not upheld by Oxford Energy Academy or BPEC Certification Ltd under these Scheme Rules.

 

15. GUIDANCE ON REGISTRATION

When issuing a certificate of competence, BPEC Certification Ltd shall download the scope of Certification to the Gas Registration Body to update the National Database of Gas Fitting Operatives. Individuals should contact the Gas Registration Body for information regarding the issue of an identification card or an update of that card to cover new areas of Certification.

Individuals working within the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations should note that gas work must not be carried out by any individual unless that individual is both registered (either by a sole trader or via their employer) and in possession of a valid certificate of competence covering the work area concerned.

Note: An Individual holding an ACS certificate may still be refused Gas Registration. Applicants should also seek guidance from the Gas Registration Body on the full requirements of registration.

 

APPENDIX 2

Definition of Terms

  • Assessment The activity that an Individual must complete to demonstrate competence (see section 6 for details).
  • Assessment Centre A location approved by BPEC Certification Ltd where assessment can be undertaken.
  • Assessor A person approved and registered by BPEC Certification Ltd who is qualified to supervise Assessments.
  • Certification The Issue of a certificate of competence following successful Assessment.
  • Gas Safe Register™ Appointed by the Health and Safety Executive as the Gas Registration Body for England, Scotland and Wales to operate a National Database of Gas Fitting Operatives.
  • Individual A person applying for: Assessment/Certification, undergoing Assessment or in receipt of certificate(s).
  • BPEC Certification Ltd BPEC Certification Ltd, accredited by UKAS for operating the Scheme described herein.
  • Scheme The Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme for Individual Gas fitting Operatives (ACS), as described in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.
  • Scheme Rules This Document
  • UKAS The United Kingdom Accreditation Service, the organisation recognised by the UK Government as the national body for accrediting certification bodies such as BPEC Certification Ltd
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