Gas Training, from A to B

[Aqua Mechanica]

Ok, easy question hopefully.

Just finishing my Plumbing Tech Cert Level 2, the Plumbing NVQ Level 2 (All Domestic), have already got my Unvented and will be doing all the other short courses (solar, water regs, Energy Efficiency) but after that, rather than do the Tech Cert and NVQ 3, I'm gonna hit the gas training.

So, how do I get started? Can someone please bullet point the certificates I need to get and in order? I have heard of ACS, Gas Foundation Courses, Gas courses, CCN1 courses, clockin up hours of work. What do you need just to be able to go in and pipe up and install a Gas Boiler? And more importantly, what order do I have to do these certs in? I work on Pricework and I don't wanna miss out the boiler work as there's a lot of money in it on my firm.

Thanks to all who answer and help ;-)

 

[Bernie2]

ACS are the pass that counts.

ACS are written and practical examinations to find out what you know about gas. They are not training. A bit like a driving test.

You require the core Gas Safety and then the modules that suite the work you are going to do.

The Gas foundation courses are intended to teach you about the various modules.
A bit like driving lessons.

There seem also to be, catch up with technology type courses, intended for those who took their ACS five years ago to catch up with any changes in technology.

Hope this helps!

 

[Aqua Mechanica]

It does thanks,

So I need to get myself on a Gas Foundation course first of all then? That will teach me the basics of Gas Safety?

Then I can study for my CCN1 is it?

Then the modules, then the ACS?

Is probably easier to phrase it like this.

I'm about to do my ACS, what should I have done before getting to this stage?

And more importantly, how did I start? What was my very first action to become a gas fitter?

 

[danielp]

well basically i done plumbing nvq l2 and and the add ons to the course were envented water regs and energy eff then after done nvq l3 this includes training for gas because there are 2 written exams within the course that u require to pass nvq l3 but these do not qualify u to do any thing at this stage then at the end of the course we went to the gas centre done the acs once completed tranined and done 4 more elements ie boilers fires cookers water heaters

 

[Aqua Mechanica]

Ah, see, my mate went to do his ACS and a guy turned up who did his Tech Cert and NVQ level 3 and they turned him away.

I won't be doing the Tech Cert Level 3 so I need to go straight into Gas Training, assessment, certification, then registration.

I just need to know my first move.

 

[danielp]

you can do what some places do is a 10 week course but u MUST have experience and have to build a portfolio aswell

 

[Aqua Mechanica]

So the Portfolio is the very first thing I need?

I work for a company who do regular Gas work and can easily get the experience.

Where do I get a Portfolio/how do I make one?

 

[danielp]

u will do it there i think i didnt because i done my level 3 it was part of the course accept the assesments

 

[Aqua Mechanica]

Ok, thanks for all the help. Much Appreciated ;-)

 

[gav]

HI
If you have pipework knowledge then you can do an APL gas course followed by a 12 job portfolio with photo graphic evidence,then you can do CCN1 core gas and appliances.You are then ACS qualified which will allow you to apply to join Gas Safe Register.
But if you want be to commission any new boiler you will need to do a CPA1 course.
Gav

 

[Mushybees]

You can commission a boiler with CEN1

 

[jpm]

total nonsense CPA1 is not needed to commission ALL boilers.some MI's require it but not ALL article in this months Gas Installer

 

[Beeline]

True jpm true.
Still i reckon any engineer who doesnt use a CPA is missing a trick. I got blagged to sit CPA1 and still havent installed a boiler that requires it BUT i use my analiser on nearly all my gas jobs, It saves me time, helps diagnose problems and can print provable records of tests with time/date. Before and after tests can also help clarify the repairs or service you have done for the customer. ie. fire spilling or dirty boiler burning badly.
Maybe they will change the rules and make eveyone use them.

 

[Dale44]

What is a CPA ?

I am looking for gas foundation courses at present . My local training centre do a 32 week foundation course but I am looking for something a little more intense.
I live in the West Midlands but can travel for good training .
Any recommendations ?

 

[Beeline]

CPA = combustion products analyser.

 

[derrybongo]

I recently completed my ACS core gas , boilers heaters and cookers and i was recommended by the instructors to do the CPA1 as they reckon that this will become mandatory when installing new boilers to cover warranty