Competent person training
Competent persons scheme
Revisions to the Building Regulations in England and Wales are currently being introduced on a phased basis. Of particular significance to the h&v sector is Part L of the regulations, which addresses a range of issues surrounding energy efficiency and fuel conservation.
Part L1, which relates to residential premises, and Part L2, which relates to non-residential buildings, both came into force on 6 April 2006.
In summary, the new Part L sets out mandatory standards aimed at conserving fuel and power, minimising heat loss and raising energy efficiency levels through the use of fuel-efficient materials and methods – and requires all work to be measured in terms of carbon emissions.
To ensure a high degree of compliance with the new regulations, the Department for Communities and Local Government is promoting the development of Competent Persons schemes that will allow suitably qualified firms to self-certify any work they carry out which is covered by the wider scope of the Building Regulations, thus avoiding the need for inspection by local authority building control departments.
These developments led the HVCA to create a new organisation – Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation Ltd (BESCA) – to develop and operate a Competent Persons scheme in relation to both Part L1 and Part L2, and to Parts F, G and J, which relate to the installation of central heating and domestic water systems in domestic premises.
The fact that it has successfully undergone HVCA independent inspection and assessment will assist an HVCA member in qualifying for membership of a BESCA Competent Persons scheme – provided that it employs one or more individuals who have received relevant self-certification training and can demonstrate an appropriate level of qualification and competence.
BESCA is also progressing applications to operate similar schemes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For further information on the Competent Persons schemes that may apply to HVCA members, click here to visit the BESCA website.
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Frequently asked questions | 126KB |
HVCA competent person training
HVCA has been appointed by BESCA as its sole training provider in respect of the latter's Competent Persons schemes.
This has led so far to the development of: (a) a series of half-day seminars designed to promote understanding of the new Building Regulations among directors and senior managers; and (b) a series of one-day seminars/ assessments designed to train and approve accredited certifiers to certify work on behalf of "competent persons".
All assessment in relation to the "approved training provider" seminars is undertaken by HVCA, which also issues the certificates confirming the successful completion of a self-certification assessment.
Accredited Certifier (Building Regulations) training
Courses are being scheduled; a list of current dates (by HVCA Region) follows.
| HVCA Eastern Counties Region | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 24 June 2008 | Romford, Essex | ESA Training Ltd |
| Tuesday 8 July 2008 | Norwich | ESA Training Ltd |
| Thursday 17 July 2008 | Romford, Essex | ESA Training Ltd |
| HVCA East Midland Region | ||
| Thursday 10 July 2008 | Peterborough | ESA Training Ltd |
| Thursday 24 July 2008 | Nottingham | ESA Training Ltd |
| HVCA London Region | ||
| Tuesday 29 July 2008 | Watford, Herts | ESA Training Ltd |
| HVCA Northern Region | ||
| None planned at present | ||
| HVCA North West Region | ||
| None planned at present | ||
| HVCA Northern Ireland | ||
| None planned at present | ||
| HVCA South East Region | ||
| Thursday 3 July 2008 | Reading, Berks | ESA Training Ltd |
| Tuesday 15 July 2008 | Bedford | ESA Training Ltd |
| Tuesday 22 July 2008 | Coulsdon, Surrey | ESA Training Ltd |
| HVCA Scotland | ||
| None planned at present | ||
| HVCA Wales and West of England Region | ||
| Wednesday 9 July 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 23 July 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 6 August 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 20 August 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 10 September 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 24 September 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 8 October 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 22 October 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 5 November 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 19 November 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 26 November 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| Wednesday 10 December 2008 | Bristol | Vital Resources Ltd |
| HVCA West Midlands Region | ||
| Tuesday 15 July 2008 | Leamington Spa | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Tuesday 5 August 2008 | Leamington Spa | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Tuesday 26 August 2008 | Leamington Spa | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Tuesday 9 September 2008 | Leamington Spa | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Tuesday 16 September 2008 | Leamington Spa | Amba-QA Ltd |
| HVCA Yorkshire Region | ||
| Thursday 10 July 2008 | Halifax | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Thursday 24 July 2008 | Halifax | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Thursday 7 August 2008 | Halifax | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Thursday 28 August 2008 | Halifax | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Thursday 11 September 2008 | Halifax | Amba-QA Ltd |
| Thursday 18 September 2008 | Halifax | Amba-QA Ltd |
Training providers and contact information
- Alpha Building Services, Stratford, East London (Fred Hampton on 020 8221 0321);
- Amba QA Ltd, the Midlands and Yorkshire - (Martin Glenny on 01926 885377 or Fax: 01926 313 945 or Mob: 0771 259 3482 email at mg@ambaqa.org.uk);
- Ambient Controls, Hampshire (Tony Wootton on 01256 844 693);
- Cannon Training, West Horndon, Essex (Paul McLeod on 01268 793 573);
- Celsius, Yorkshire - (Stuart Ellis email at sellis@goosenet.net or info@celsius-training.co.uk;
- ESA Training Ltd, London, E. Midlands; South East & Eastern England (Mike Malina on 07879 890 926 or mike.malina@virgin.net)
- Duel Safety Services, Cheshire - mobile (Mike Taylor on 07736 776 964);
- Glenn Associates, Barking, Essex - (Rod Glenn on 020 8594 9008);
- J C McDonald Associates, Yorkshire and North East - mobile (John McDonald on 01943 609 586 or email at jcmcdonald@btinternet.com);
- Knowsley Associates, Knowsley, Liverpool (John Edmonds 0151 477 5760);
- Coriolis International Ltd, Bury, Lancs; Ireland & Scotland - mobile (Mark Forsyth on 07831 377 215) Web www.coriolisinternational.co.uk
- Piper Assessment, Swanley, Kent (Administration 01322 662 180);
- SPS, Chatham, Kent – (Peter Sims on 01643 830 045); and
- Vital Resources, Bristol (Scott Crump email at scott.crump@vital-resource.com or Ralph Preston on 0117 904 1250).
The delegate fee for the one-day course will be £150 for employees of HVCA members and £200 for non-members.
