New Pipework & Damper Qualifications

Over the past few months, we have brought two new qualifications to market to fulfil the demand of operatives needing to meet their legal competence and compliance requirements.

Industrial and Commercial Heating and ventilating Pipework Systems qualification

Based on the relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS), this qualification has been approved by the Standard Setting Body who have instructed SKILLcard to issue any successful candidate with a Blue CSCS SKILLcard to help them prove their competence and compliance for their working role.

This standard is for people who install and test industrial and commercial heating and ventilating pipework systems. The person performing this work must be able to comply with the correct procedures and practices for installing and testing industrial and commercial heating and ventilating pipework systems.

The qualification has been developed using several NOS, including the BSEHV04, Installation of Industrial and Commercial Pipework Systems, the BSEHV06, covering inspection and precommission activities, and the BSEBSEHV01 for health and safety within the workplace.

Successful candidates will know and understand the methods, procedures and techniques for fitting, fixing and connecting components and accessories, and the pipework requirements of the following systems:

• Hot water
• Hot water heating
• Cold water
• Chilled water
• Compressed air
• Fire protection
• Steam

Fire Dampers and Smoke Control Dampers Selection and Design Certificate

This certificate has been developed to help support the competence requirements as mandated by Item 35 of the Building Safety Act 2022, and Part 2A of the Building Regulations 2010. It is for those who are involved with the design and selection of fire dampers and smoke control dampers. It contains the BSEFSD05, SUMMES8 and BSEBSE02 NOS, which contain defined skills and knowledge for the individual to achieve.

Individuals will identify clients’ needs and obtain current and relevant information with regards to the building services engineering system. They will liaise with clients and customers and present and provide accurate technical and functional information, advice, and guidance with regards to fire dampers and smoke control dampers.

This certificate is for those who:

1. Design for, and select fire damper devices (FDs) to maintain compartmentation where ventilation systems (ducts) pass through compartment boundaries, and
2. Design for and select smoke control damper (SCDs) devices for smoke control systems to allow the release of smoke and heat and provide compartmentation protection to walls/floors/ducts where the release path is to be constrained.

The person performing this work will know and understand that fire dampers and smoke control dampers are two different devices. The person designing and selecting for both FDs and SCDs will understand:

• the principles of compartmentation
• the standards and principles for testing FDs and SCDs
• the applications of FDs and SCDs
• the correct procedures for the selection and installation of FDs and SCDs
• building services spatial coordination
• the correct procedures for access to, regular testing, maintenance etc for FDs and SCDs.
• demonstrate good behavioural and ethical competence

Both these new qualifications contain the skills and knowledge requirements as defined by the Sector Skills Council for Building Services Engineering. These standards will be achieved in-line with the Sector Skills Council’s assessment strategy, and the quality assurance standards for learning and development.

Both will help meet the competence requirements as outlined in Part 2A 11G of the Building Regulations 2010:

PART 2A Amendment of the Building Regulations 2010

Amendment of the 2010 Regulations

Competence: principal designer

11G.— (1) A principal designer must have—

(a) where the person is an individual, the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours necessary

For more information on either qualification please get in touch with the team today: [email protected] / 02920 105312.