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News Release from: Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors | Subject: Competent Persons Schemes
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 April 2006
APHC advice on Competent Persons Schemes
Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors is advising the plumbing and heating industry to 'shop around' before signing-up to the first scheme available.
April has seen the launch of a number of Competent Persons Schemes designed to help plumbing and heating contractors self-certify their work to meet Building Regulations in England and Wales But with so many schemes offering various parts of the Building Regulations, it can be difficult to know which scheme is best for your needs?
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 6 Dec 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors is advising the plumbing and heating industry to 'shop around' before signing-up to the first scheme available and to make sure they pick the scheme most suited to the type of work they do.
Otherwise it could be a costly mistake to find that the Competent Persons Scheme Provider you signed up with doesn't cover all the disciplines you require.
Clive Dickin, Chief Executive Officer of APHCL comments "We firmly believe that the introduction of the Home Information Pack and particularly the Home Condition Report in June 2007 will be the key driving force behind the adoption of Competent Persons Schemes as it will be the homeowner who will demand a Compliance Certificate for their Home Information Pack".
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It is for this reason why APHCL are advising plumbing and heating contractors to consider the options carefully and not to feel pressured into making a decision too quickly.
It is a buyers market and according to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) there is likely to be a second wave of providers coming into the market in October, perhaps offering a scheme more suited to your needs?.
Clive Dickin, Chief Executive Officer of APHCL went onto comment "There are currently about ten Competent Persons Scheme providers in the market and October will see this number increase, giving the installer an even greater choice".
"I can't stress enough how important it will be for installers to assess each scheme and not to rush into a decision".
"It is also important to ensure you review the cost, not just to join but also for training and what standards are imposed".
Dickin continued "A great deal of the current marketing is using terms such as 'One-Stop-Shop' and 'Comprehensive Coverage', but I would urge all plumbing and heating contractors not to take this at face value and to do your homework to find out exactly what elements of the Building Regulations each scheme will allow you to self-certify for and to what level".
The following bodies currently offer a Competent Persons Scheme for various areas of Building Regulations: BRE Certification Limited, www.partp.co.uk British Standards Institution (BSI), www.kitemarktoday.com Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA Limited), www.hvca.org.uk CORGI Services Limited, www.corgi-gas.com ECA Limited, www.eca.co.uk ELECSA Limited , www.elecsa.org.uk HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme), www.hetas.co.uk NAPIT Certification , www.napit.org.uk NICEIC Group Limited, www.niceic.org.uk OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association Limited), www.oftec.org.uk [Source ODPM].
The Association of Plumbing and Contractors (Certification) is currently progressing a self-certification scheme with the ODPM to cover most daily plumbing activities.
The areas applied to cover include: Part J - heat producing appliances (oil and solid fuel) Part L - energy efficiency in buildings Part P - electrical (limited to and forming part of the gas installation) Part G - plumbing (including water regulations - non building regulations) Part H - waste water Water Regulations will also be included.
If you require further information on Competent Persons Schemes please contact APHCL on 024 7647 2503, or you can visit the ODPM website www.odpm.gov.uk.
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