The importance of a well-qualified heating engineer cannot be overstated. Whether a system runs on oil or gas, building owners are obliged to meet strict safety standards to avoid potentially dangerous problems.
Working with technicians and engineers who are experienced and certified to do the job is perhaps the simplest way to be assured you are meeting those obligations, but you need to know what you’re looking for. Depending on your system, there are a range of qualifications that are either a legal minimum requirement, or a way for the best engineers to set themselves apart.
Gas Safe Register
Probably the best-known body in this area, the Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI in 2009. By law, all gas engineers must be on the register and you can check whether an individual or a business is compliant on the organisation’s website.
The Gas Safe Register makes sure engineers are qualified to work with boilers, fires, cookers and other appliances, and conducts regular inspections. It also tracks down illegal gas workers and investigates unsafe work, of which there are around 250,000 cases each year.
OFTEC
For oil heating, look for an OFTEC registration. Launched in 1991, OFTEC provides training and conducts regular inspections. In 2016 it created a commercial assessment course, covering the servicing and commissioning of large multi-stage burners in commercial appliances.
If an installer is registered with the body they can self-certify installation work as a competent person, so it does not need to be checked by a building control officer. This saves both time and money on building regulation compliance.
ISO and BS OHSAS Certification
Less specific to installation and maintenance, ISO and BS OHSAS certificates are important marks of quality for a company. ISO 9001 is one of the best known standards and certification is proof of consistently strong quality management. 361 Degrees holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, as well as BS OHSAS 18001, which shows we provide superior working conditions for staff by meeting internationally recognised standards of occupational health and safety management.
Go A Degree Further
Beyond the legal requirements and international standards, 361 Servicing engineers hold a wide range of qualifications that can put your mind at rest, whatever your servicing needs. These include:
- ACOP L8 Training
Improves the quality of water treatment and management and helps reduce the risk of legionella bacteria contamination.
- PASMA and IPAF Training
For the safe use of scaffold towers and scissor lifts, respectively.
- CSCS
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme provides proof of training and competency for individuals to work on construction sites.
- DBS Checks
Disclosure and Barring Service checks (previously known as Criminal Records Bureau checks, or CRBs) show our staff are suitable for work in schools, care homes and other similar environments.
If you’re not sure about the qualifications or certifications an engineer might need to visit your site and carry out work safely, contact the 361 Servicing team for advice.
