ACS Scheme Rules

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

1. Introduction

This document contains the BPEC Certification Ltd 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 an Assessment Centre approved by BPEC Certification Ltd, within the scope of accreditation awarded to BPEC Certification Ltd by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

2. Scope

These Scheme Rules cover the steps necessary for the Certification of an individual by BPEC Certification Ltd. 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. Appendix 1 lists the non-gas safety legislation and other requirements that are outside the scope of the Scheme. 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 BPEC Certification Ltd 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. BPEC Certification Ltd 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

The criteria that define Assessments are ratified by the Strategic Management Board (SMB). 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 for BPEC Certification Ltd. 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
• Non-Domestic Natural Gas (including Heating, Catering and Laundry)
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• 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 should be made with the local Assessment Centre, details of which can be found by calling 01332 376000 or visiting our website www.bpec.org.uk

5. Application

All formal applications shall be made on the Application and Result form – Part 1 provided, which must be complete in all its details before Certification can be processed. The application process requires the following information:

• Candidate name and address
• Candidate National Insurance number
• A recent passport sized photograph
• Copies of relevant qualifications and/or evidence of gas work experience. (e.g., Existing gas certificates/qualifications, Approved Managed Learning Programme Certificates, Qualifications in accordance with Guidance Note 8)
• A declaration of the category for the individual making the application (as detailed on Guidance Note 8 and Appendix 3 below)
• Proof of a minimum of twelve months from completion of qualification or core ACS (where required)
• Proof of identity

For further guidance, Individuals should refer to Appendix 3 below for any ACS Entry Routes and Changeover Requirements (Guidance Note 8) and/or contact their local Assessment Centre for advice if they are unsure of their category, or the requirements relating to it.

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. All individuals will agree to maintain confidentiality of all assessment examination materials and will not participate in any fraudulent test-taking activities.

6. 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 an 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

7. Certification Process

The Assessment Centre 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. Assessment Centres may only recommend Certification; the final decision rests with BPEC Certification Ltd.

BPEC Certification Ltd. will endeavour to provide successful Individuals with Certification within 20 working days of receipt of correctly completed paperwork from the Assessment Centre.

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 holder’s 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.

8. 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 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.

9. Complaints

Individuals may make a complaint concerning the operation of this scheme to the Assessment Centre attended or to BPEC Certification Ltd. Complaints will be investigated, reported, resolved and the results of any investigation will be communicated in writing to the individual.

Complaint procedures shall be in place at each Assessment Centre and BPEC Certification Ltd and shall be made available to any individual on request. The Individual has the right of appeal against any decision reached by BPEC Certification Ltd (see clause 10 below).

10. 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 BPEC Certification Ltd 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. BPEC Certification Ltd will thoroughly investigate any appeal and make a decision on the appeal within a reasonable time period (usually 30 working days) 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. The individual has the right to object to the constitution. In such cases an alternative panel will be proposed by BPEC Certification Ltd. Following evaluation of the appeal the decision will be formally notified to the individual. The total cost of appeals by an individual shall be borne by them where the appeal, at any stage, is not upheld by BPEC Certification Ltd under these Scheme Rules.

11. General Conditions

Certification is subject to the Scheme Rules. BPEC Certification Ltd 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.

BPEC Certification Ltd will not be responsible for any losses or allege losses incurred by any individual, company, or organisation where scheme rules are not met.

12. Publicity

The use of BPEC Certification Ltd or UKAS marks or logos is not permitted unless a formal agreement for such use is given. The scope of certification of an individual must be available to members of the public. Information about an individual’s Certification may be given either by BPEC Certification Ltd or by Gas Safe Register and shall be limited to facts concerning the scope of certification.

13. Confidentiality

BPEC Certification Ltd shall hold an Individual’s details in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and shall use the data only for the purposes as indicated on the application and result form.

All official parties to the Scheme (comprising BPEC Certification Ltd, Assessment Centres and the Gas Registration Body) shall ensure that they and all their staff shall keep in full confidence all information of a private and confidential 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 the Assessments carried out at the centre of your choice and BPEC’s Certification fees will be levied by the Assessment Centre and must be paid in full. Non payment to the centre may result in an individual’s 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 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.

16. Assessment Centre Arrangements

Start times, finish times, and break times etc will vary between Assessment Centres. Please contact the Assessment Centres for details of specific arrangements.

17. Contact Details

Thank you for choosing a BPEC Certification Ltd and your BPEC Certification Ltd approved Assessment Centre. We are committed to providing a fair and impartial assessment. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact BPEC Certification Ltd or your local Assessment Centre.

Appendix 1

Legislation and Requirements outside the Scope of the Scheme

This appendix lists legislation and requirements that lie outside the scope of this Scheme and which are not covered by competency assessment. The list is not definitive but is intended to provide guidance to the breadth of work of gas fitting operatives where relevant qualifications and training should be encouraged.

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

Appendix 3

ACS Entry Routes and Changeover Requirements – Extract from GN8

INTRODUCTION

This Guidance Note (GN8) details the entry routes to ACS Assessment and the requirements for extending scope or range of work. GN8 (Table 2) it is not intended to prevent or restrict movement but to ensure consistency and provide practical guidance to assist compliance with GSIUR – Regulation 3 Qualification and Supervision by ensuring gas engineers do not undertake gas work on appliances or systems for which they have insufficient training and experience.

Where extension of scope or range training is required for experienced engineers, the training content shall be taken from the relevant IGEM/IG/1 training specification and upon satisfactory completion the engineer shall be issued with a certificate or validation of training report identifying the training that was undertaken and the training provider.

DEFINITIONS

• Recognisers of Training
  Certification/Awarding Bodies approved by IGEM to develop Managed learning Programmes (MLP’s)
• Guidance Note 8 Appendix 1:
  List of UK Qualifications and Certification Schemes that are suitable to access ACS assessment. These qualifications /courses have been identified as either Category 1 or Category 2. https://www.euskills.co.uk/download/guidance-note-8-appendix-1-version-9-3/
• Guidance Note 8 Appendix 2:
  List of UK Qualifications and Certification Schemes that are known NOT to be suitable for accessing ACS assessments. http://www.euskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/GN-8-Appendix-2-V3.pdf
• Experienced Gas Engineer:
  Holding a recognised Gas Qualification as listed and indicated as Category 1 on Guidance Note 8 Appendix 1.
  Renewing an existing or expired ACS or Group Competence Scheme (GCS) Certificate or Gas Qualification with equivalent ACS Certificate
• New Entrant:
  A person wishing to achieve a recognised industry qualification to undertake gas work and gain Gas Safe Registration in that work category, this includes persons holding qualifications recognised as Category 2 (GN8 Appendix 1)
• Experienced Engineer:
  An engineer who is registered or previously registered on GSR. The engineer must be in possession of or previously held an ACS core (or relevant qualification) for a minimum of 12 months.
• Extend Scope:
  Moving from one sector to another e.g., Domestic to Commercial (see table 4)
• Extend Range:
  Remaining within the sector but adding additional appliances e.g., holding CCN1 & CENWAT adding HTR1 (see table 3)
• MLP:
  Managed Learning Programme (MLP) approved by the Authoriser of Training (IGEM) in accordance with the requirements of IGEM/IG/1.
• MLP – Bridge:
  Recognisers of Training are required to use derivatives of their approved MLP’s for engineers that are extending Scope or Range with less than twelve months from completion of their qualification or core ACS.
• MLP – RPL:
  Recognisers of Training are required to use derivatives of their approved MLP’s to develop changeover MLP’s, taking into consideration any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• RPL – Bridge:
  This route is designed to build on an existing MLP or Qualification
• RWE:
  Realistic work environment- Appliances and equipment installed within an approved training centre, replicating typical installations (or part of) which would be found in the workplace.

Guidance Note 8 is supported by the following:

• GN8 Appendix 1 – List of UK Qualifications and Certification Schemes that are suitable to access ACS Assessments, these Qualifications have been identified as either Category 1 or Category 2
• GN8 Appendix 2 – List of UK Qualifications and Certification Schemes that are known NOT to be suitable for accessing ACS Assessments

ACS Core assessments have been classified into 3 groups (Table 1); Category A, Category B and Category C, with defined routes to follow when extending scope from Category B and C to Category A.

Table 1

Table 2

Yellow Routes (7, 8, 11 & 12) are within the Recogniser of Training Scope of IGEM

Green Routes (1 – 6, plus 9, 10 & 13) are outside the Recogniser of Training Scope of IGEM

TABLE 2 NOTES

NOTE 1: Where opportunities are limited or not available for experienced GSR engineers to gain onsite experience to extend their Scope or Range of work, Realistic Work Environment (RWE) evidence must be used as an alternative. The RWE evidence must be obtained with a record retained in the candidates’ file and identified as RWE. Appliances and equipment used for RWE training purposes should be installed within an approved training centre, replicating typical installations (or part of) which would be found in the workplace.

NOTE 2: Before extending Scope or Range of work, gas engineers must provide evidence to the centre that there has been a minimum duration of twelve months from completion of their qualification or core ACS.

Exceptions to note 2:

• Where an engineer extends Scope or Range with less than twelve months since completion of their qualification or core ACS they will be required to undertake an MLP- Bridge via a recognised training provider in accordance with the requirements of the relevant IGEM/IG/1 training specification.
• Upon satisfactory completion of the MLP- Bridge the engineer shall be issued with a “Certificate of Training” or alternatively a “Validation of Training Report” by or on behalf of the Recogniser of Training.
• Where an engineer holds CCN1 they will not require twelve months since completion of their qualification or core ACS before undertaking training and assessment for MET1, REGT1 or CESP1/CMA1/CMA3.

NOTE 3: A Declaration signed by the engineer (Foreign National) must include detail of the Scope of work previously undertaken and be supported by translated evidence of the license to work in the engineers’ native country.

NOTE 4: MLP – RPL: This route is designed to build on an existing MLP or Qualification. A documented technical interview must take place to determine what training and experience gaps exist prior to undertaking the agreed MLP or Qualification RPL route. Centre training duration would be similar, if not the same as required for New Entrant MLP, reduction can be applied if cross referenced to qualifications held, this reduction also applies to onsite experience durations and evidence. Evidence must be within the previous three years. Centres must agree with their Certification or Awarding Body in advance of any MLP reductions.

NOTE 5: Witnessed Testimony (GSR Engineer): A signed declaration made by the GSR engineer with whom the experience was gained must detail the exact work experience covered and be supported by evidence. This type of evidence is only allowed to support the MLP and not as a complete replacement for evidence specified by the MLP provider. Evidence must be within the previous three years and amount to no greater than 50% of the portfolio content.

NOTE 6: Realistic Work Environment (RWE) evidence can be used to support onsite experience gaps e.g. where the range of appliances or flue systems are not available. The RWE evidence must be obtained at an approved MLP training centre, be no greater than 10% of the portfolio content and recorded in the candidates’ portfolio and identified as RWE.

NOTE 7: The training course must be relevant to the limited scope ACS Assessment applied for. Onsite experience must be supported by a Witnessed Testimony made by the GSR engineer with whom the experience was gained, this must detail the exact work experience covered.

NOTE 8: Evidence to include a Witness Testimony statement signed by the engineer and each (if more than one) employer declaring that all evidence and supporting documentation provided is correct, accurate and a true account of the gas work undertaken. The statement shall include the name, address and contact details of each employer and include details of the gas work undertaken at each location. Supporting evidence for each address where gas work was undertaken should also be included.

NOTE 9: RPL – Bridge: This route is designed to build on an existing MLP or Qualification. A documented technical interview must take place to determine what training and experience gaps exist prior to undertaking the agreed RPL Bridge route. Refer to table 4 for the training duration.

NOTE 10: Where an engineer has not been previously Gas Safe Registered and their qualification ‘pre-dates’ the ACS aligned qualifications then a technical interview will be required to determine if training is required.

(This section was previously known as GN8 Appendix 3)

Guided Learning Hours

The durations indicated in Tables 3 & 4 are for guidance when existing GSR operatives extend either Scope or Range of work.

Some examples of activities which can contribute to Guided Learning include:

• Classroom-based learning supervised by a teacher
• Work-based learning supervised by a teacher or a Gas Safe Registered mentor with experience and competencies relevant to the task
• Live webinar or telephone tutorial with a teacher in real time
• E-learning supervised by a teacher in real time
• All forms of assessment which take place under the Immediate Guidance or Supervision of a teacher, supervisor, or other appropriate provider of education or training, including where the assessment is competence-based and may be turned into a learning opportunity.

Note 1: The durations are indicative and should not be considered as a minimum, maximum or fixed.

Note 2: The learning inputs are predominantly based on guided learning within a classroom environment with a teacher present, other complimentary learning input methods including E-learning, project work or experience gained by working with a Gas Safe Registered mentor etc. may be acceptable subject to External Verifier approval.