Installer, Service & Training (IST) Meeting - Thursday 28th September HHIC, Camden House
This is a summary of the upcoming Installer, Service & Training (IST) meeting on Thursday, 28th September at HHIC, Camden House. The agenda covers various topics including welcome and apologies, compliance with The Competition Act, and matters arising such as ACS reassessment proposal, boiler servicing guide, inhibitor test method proposal, weather compensation, plume management kits, and more.
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Presentation Transcript
Installer, Service & Training (IST) meeting Thursday 28thSeptember HHIC, Camden House
1. Welcome and Apologies Apologies received from: Justin Toman SSE, Chris Bielby SGN, Robin Adams EDF Energy, Dave O Shaughnessy Carillion, Martin Garbutt HomeServe
2. The Competition Act Members are reminded of the requirements of The Competition Act: As a reputable trade association, HHIC s meetings must comply with the requirements of The Competition Act. This means that we must avoid any discussion that could be construed as being anti-competitive and in particular there must be no discussion about pricing of products and services. By attending this meeting and having your names included in the minutes, all participants confirm that they agree to comply with this policy.
3. Matters Arising 1) ACS reassessment proposal - ACTION: NM to recirculate proposal and specify a deadline for feedback to HHIC, before EU Skills deadline of 14thJuly. Members to feedback any comments. COMPLETE some feedback received, further update under agenda 2) Boiler Servicing guide - ACTION: NM to redraft and recirculate in line with feedback received. Members to contribute any further views they may have whilst this takes shape Covered by agenda, feedback received, proposed final draft produced
3. Matters Arising 3) Inhibitor test method proposal ACTION: NM to feedback IST group questions/queries for comment and/or clarification from HHIC WT group Complete, feedback shared with HHIC WT group, response circulated (review) 4) Weather-compensation installer fact-sheet; ACTION: NM to make amendments and HHIC to produce final installer-facing document Complete, covered by agenda 5) Plume-management-kits (PMK s) - ACTION: NM to clarify ownership of TB 016 and, initially, produce an article on PMK s (the need to use manufacturer approved flue components) for trade press Complete, covered by agenda
3. Matters Arising 6) Checking heat-input (gas-rating smart meters) ACTION: watching brief for HHIC No further concerns or information communicated since last meeting 7) EPBD query raised under AOB: NM advised he would speak with HHIC Director Stewart Clements to check for any shift in stance and report back to GF/JK. ACTION: HHIC Complete Can the previous minutes be taken as approved?
4. HHIC industry leaflets Review of draft HHIC leaflets: 4.1 Weather-compensation (installer fact-sheet) 4.2 Water-treatment leaflet for consumers
5. Which? Best-practice quotations Which? recognise how important the installation/commissioning phase is to the overall lifetime and reliability of the boiler, and how if a consumer typically opts for a cheap quote/installation it may not include some essential elements like a system flush Initial questions posed to HHIC by Which?: - What is the gold standard for a quality installation? - What should it cost? - What are the correct questions to be asking the engineer? - What level of cost breakdown should be expected in a quotation? - What are the warning signs at the quotation stage for a potentially poor installation?
5. Best-practice quotation Which? meeting / BEIS Over the summer HHIC met with Which? at their Paddington offices to discuss best-practice quotation Which? advised they would be including a small section within the best boilers edition of their magazine on this topic, as well as producing a dedicated online piece of work (both now published). Discussions on the day focused on the key things consumers should look for in a quote, and discuss with quoting installers, in order to help ensure they receive a quality and compliant installation, better understand the package of works required, and the importance/necessity of each aspect Key topics identified: Water Treatment (e.g. Powerflush, inhibitor, system filter) Time/temperature controls Optional extras (nice to have but not essential) Boiler location Type/model of appliance
5. Best-practice quotation Which? meeting / BEIS http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boilers/article/new-boiler-what-you-need-to- know-before-you-buy-a-new-boiler/how-to-get-the-best-boiler-installation Update: BEIS have now indicated their interest in a wider piece of work to ensure consumers receive consistent messaging from different sources
6. Boiler servicing industry code of practice & service guide Proposed final draft produced in line with feedback from HHIC IST, Installer Committee and Boiler Technical Panel group s Show document
7. Benchmark update Talks continue on the partnership proposal between Benchmark and Gas-Safe- Register The HSE have confirmed they will make a 150,000 funding contribution to the project It is being proposed that the provision of the online Benchmark/LABC notification facility is written into the tender document for the next provider of the Gas-Safe-Register contract, to provide future-proofing for the investment, and continuity for industry Current proposals suggest the engineer will declare compliance with Benchmark (tick-box), perhaps recording reduced key information. Notified appliances will be eligible to have service data recorded against them.
8. Review of NOS for domestic NG installation & maintenance HHIC circulated a request for comment from EU Skills, on a review of these NOS, which traditionally outline the high-level skills and competencies required of a profession, and have underpinned apprenticeships and qualifications IST group member David Matthews (IDHEE CEO) presented a proposal at the last SCF meeting, initially focused on DSG 3.3 Install gas water heating and wet central heating appliances This was initially to specifically reference heat-loss calculations as performance criteria within the NOS, but in discussion was expanded to other related elements such as system design The SCF were supportive of the proposal and noted that IG/1 requires training in gas work to now cover areas such as system design Do the IST group support this proposal?
9. MCS / RHI Last month BEIS announced increased tariffs and the introduction of heat demand limits for domestic heat pump and biomass installations. These regulations will come into force on 20th September 2017. Homes with an annual heat demand listed on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) above the limit will be eligible for the RHI, but their payments will be calculated using the annual heat demand limit. Payments will continue to be made on the renewable proportion of the heat demand, in line with current rules.
9. MCS / RHI MCS had announced plans to raise the installation fee from 15 to 35, and reduce the annual installer fee from 110 to 55 Following feedback from the industry, the MCS Scheme has taken the decision to postpone the implementation of the Installation Fee increase which was due to come into effect on 22nd September 2017. The implementation of the Installer Fee decrease is unchanged. The Scheme appreciates the process of raising the installation fee has caused issues and concern for the industry. Although the implementation of the Installation Fee increase has been postponed, the Credit Cap will remain at 70 to provide installers the opportunity to purchase the credits they require. Installers may purchase additional credits in excess of the Credit Cap by providing evidence for installations which have been commissioned or to which they have committed to an agreed fee at the current installation fee rate.
10. SCF update Future of standards setting body (SSB) currently performed by EU Skills The SSB is owned by the industry for the industry. Funding is currently provided from Gas Safe register revenue, via a contract between Capita and Energy & Utility Skills which expires on 31stMarch 2019. The SSB is responsible for the governance and industry consultative structure and associated processes that determine and agree the Matters of Gas Safety criteria relating to training and assessment of gas fitting operatives. HSE wishes to maintain the separation between the SSB and the Register, therefore the functions and services of the SSB will not be brought into the register. To ensure continuity of service, Capita and Energy and Utility Skills have been asked to consider extending the current contract by 12 months to March 2020, with the contract to be migrated to the new provider
10. SCF update ACS reassessment proposal Having received further comments, the next step is to start to amend the criteria with the proposed changes. An important aspect of this is to provide UKAS with a rationale to why changes have been made and therefore not allow UKAS to delay the implementation process. It was agreed that UKAS need to engage with the process prior to implementation.
10. SCF update A revised referral process was produced by the working group, with the significant change being that on key safety defects operatives will only get one opportunity to pass the assessment. The CBs have provided data on the number of referrals under trials of the new arrangements. A high level of failure was observed, and it is suggested that to move this project forward a working group would be convened to identify the following: Discuss results of referral exercise Set parameters for first time failures i.e. key safety defects Set guidance notes for the implementation of re-assessment Produce amended criteria Produce practical provisions Write rationale for proposed changes to the re-assessment criteria
10. SCF update IGEM IG/1 Standards of Training in Gas Work By the end of September all nine Awarding Organisations should have been audited by a third party auditor. The plan to implement IGEM/IG/1 by the 1stOctober 2017 has not been changed. However, the major issue will be that although Recognisers of Training have received their audits, evidence of training centre activities will have not been audited and therefore will need to a set time period to be fully compliant with IGEM/IG/1. A suggestion from the SCF was to set a date for full compliance at 1stOctober 2018. This proposal needs to be agreed by the SMB (27.09.17). A final governance document, and the appointment of an independent body to implement and maintain IGEM/IG/1 needs to be finalised. IGEM have been approached by the SMB to carry out this role, however, a formal agreement needs to be reached. Confirmation of this proposal needs to be discussed and agreed at the next SMB meeting (27.09.17).
10. SCF update Safe Electrical Isolation It was confirmed that this competence is included in the competence criteria used in Oil and Solid Fuel. There are still mixed views on whether safe Electrical Isolation should be included in the MoGS. Large companies will include this type of training with their employees on a regular basis whereas sole traders will not always have the opportunity to learn Safe Electrical Isolation requirements. The favourable outcome is to include theses additional items in the IGEM/IG/1 Training Specifications. However, it was agreed by the group that the proposal would be put on hold and revisited at a later date.
11. LBF update Grenfell Tower and IGEM/G/5 There was a conversation regarding the incident that took place at Grenfell Tower. The previous/current research being undertaken assessing insulation around gas pipework and gas flues was discussed. It was agreed that there was a need for everyone to bring themselves up to date with IGEM/G/5 in light of the incident. G/5 panel to reconvene and review standard at the end of September
11. LBF update Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) The GIUSP is now under the ownership of IGEM. The HSE have given financial support for the GIUSP for the next 6 years. The document is and will remain downloadable from the Gas-Safe-Register web- site The latest IGEM GIUSP meeting was held on 16thAugust and considered a number of challenges to the visual risk assessment. There have been a number of minor amendments made to the classifications but more significantly the working group agreed to remove TB0012, with an updated version of the Visual Risk Assessment included in the GIUSP. This constitutes a significant change to previous version and IGEM have now produced a new IGEM version 8 of the procedure draft for comment
11. LBF update Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations The HSE informed the group that the editorials to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 were now complete and that they will be put to the minister in spring 2018, with the view of the amended version being released in October 2018. Gas Engineer Training Enquiry Government think tank- Policy Connect are in the early stages of an inquiry into minimum training standards for gas engineers. The principal objective of this inquiry is to investigate whether the government needs to fundamentally rethink and improve its regulatory framework for minimum standards of gas engineers. This inquiry comes following a report* commissioned by IGEM and GISG (The Gas Industry Safety Group) from Accent, containing a series of in-depth interviews with recently qualified gas engineers to gain insights in their professional background prior to their training as well as the skills and knowledge they received during their gas engineering training.
12. Standards update IGEM UP/17 (Shared flues) Panel reconvened, HHIC represented, first meeting held on 11thSeptember Comments received during consultation mainly editorial, although HHIC feedback has been some amendments are required to make it readily apparent that conventional Shunt-duct, SE-duct and U-duct systems are not suitable for condensing boilers (without suitable lining or modifications), with only modern CFS designed for this purpose
12. Standards update BS 7593 code of practice for treatment of water in domestic hot water central heating systems BSI committee CII/062 are currently convening a panel to undertake a revision of BS 7593 (code of practice for treatment of water in domestic hot water central heating systems) HHIC will participate directly. All UK boiler manufacturers, in conjunction with the Benchmark scheme, require the installer to comply with the requirements of BS 7593 (e.g. for warranty purposes)
12. Standards update BS 6172 Specification for installation, servicing and maintenance of domestic gas cooking appliances (2nd& 3rdfamily gases) BS 6172 has now been published, to include the updates required for cooker hoses
12. Standards update Other IGEM standards There has been one standard recently published; IGEM/PRS/3 covering meter regulators. There are 22 x standards which will be progressed in 2017. Standards to look out for. IGEM/UP/1 Edition 3 - strength, tightness testing and purging IGEM/UP/1A Edition 2 - strength, tightness testing and purging of small low pressure I & C installations.
13. Industry updates Heat in Buildings Government consultation, full title Heat in Buildings The future of Domestic Heat Ran from 8thDecember 2016 to 27thJanuary 2017 Considered several policy options which might form the basis of new regulation to drive energy and carbon savings at the time of appliance replacement Initially considered mandatory weather-compensation, alongside other options HHIC met with BEIS in early March at the Domestic Heat Strategy Group, to consider and discuss their initial appraisal of consultation feedback, and potential next steps
13. Industry updates Heat in Buildings Minimum gas boiler efficiency to be uplifted to 92% ErP For combi boilers, at least one additional option will need to be specified by the installer, from: 1) Weather-Compensation 2) Load Compensation 3) Flue Gas Heat Recovery 4) Smart Controls (automated optimisation) Not applicable for new-build No announcement at time of writing but could be approved imminently this Autumn, for entry into force from April 2018
13. Industry updates Each Home Counts The introduction of a new Quality Mark The review proposes to establish a quality mark for all energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, and for all companies operating in this sector. Those who wish to use the quality mark will need to adhere to three key elements which, together with the quality mark, make up the new framework: A Consumer Charter which ensures that all consumers receive excellent levels of customer service, a clear redress process and guarantee protection; A Code of Conduct which sets out how companies behave, operate and report, the requirements of which must be met or exceeded for the company to operate; and Codes of Practice which are relevant to the installation of each measure under consideration so that the risk of poor quality installation is minimised. This will enable the consumer, who seeks to have retrofit work done to their property, to know instantly what to look for to receive high-quality installations or advice.
13. Each Home Counts Review of HHIC letter to Greg Clark MP (Secretary of State - BEIS)
13. Each Home Counts Dear Alison, I have received a reply from Margot James MP, a copy is attached for your convenience. I must point out that the Minister may have jumped the gun regarding HHIC s engagement given that we said at the meeting, if we had in writing from BEIS that; Manufacturers were excluded from new accreditation schemes for their products Installers would not have to pay for the Each Home Counts Quality Mark to install products We would recommend to our members that they re-engage. Two weeks from our meeting, we have received no such confirmation, consequently we are not able to make any recommendations to our members. I look forward to hearing from you in due course. Yours sincerely Stewart Clements Director
14. Press / PR HHIC trade press articles: An invaluable installation option HPM; September edition http://www.hpmmag.com/digitaleditions/hpm-sep- 2017/pubData/mobile/index.htm#/19/ Illegal installers under the hammer H&V News; September edition http://digitalissues.hvnplus.co.uk/2017/Sep/html5/index.html?page=19&noflash Take action to counteract corrosion RGE magazine; September edition Installers First update see document from Laurah
14. Press / PR Gas Safety Week 2017: HHIC attended Parliamentary launch on 13th September. This event was facilitated by Policy Connect, and hosted by Barry Sheerman MP. A variety of influential speakers discussed the need for consistent improvements in gas safety, ahead of what seems set to be the most successful year yet. Future industry projects were mooted, including the possibility for the Gas Safety Trust to match funding for SME s and sole-traders with coherent initiatives to improve gas safety.
15. A.O.B. Next meeting date is Thursday 7th December (10:30, Camden House)
