College Turns Up The Heat On Gas Safety
Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Middlesbrough College is now offering assessment for the ACS Gas Safe Certificate – a legal requirement for those working on gas fittings and appliances.

Assessments are carried out at the college in a purpose-built gas centre, which houses a collection of faulty cookers, gas fires, chimney breasts, and boilers.

Tradesmen wanting to be accepted on to the Gas Safe Register must identify a range of faults, and show they can correct them competently.

Leading the team in the assessment centre are lecturers Kevin Lindo and Colin Bacon.

Both have extensive experience - before they became involved in teaching and assessment they worked on a range of industrial systems and domestic jobs. Lead assessor Kevin worked at British Gas, ICI Billingham, NETA Training, and was a self employed plumber for 20 years, while internal verifier Colin began his career at Smiths Dock, and also spent time as a household plumber.

Kevin said: “We’ve included a range of different appliances, different fittings, and different faults, all of which replicate the potential problems a plumber or gas fitter might come across in a household setting.

“Some of the faults can be deadly if not identified and corrected, and before we pass someone we have to be confident that person can deal with a full range of problems and systems.

“Assessment can take up to a week, but we appreciate that the self-employed plumber can’t afford to take a week out, so we’re happy to tailor the duration of the assessment to meet the needs of the individual.”

As well as gas systems the assessment centre is able to ensure tradesmen adhere to water regulations – a legal requirement when working on unvented hot water systems, which are potentially explosive if they are not fitted correctly.

The college hopes to hear from self-employed plumbers and gas fitters as well as larger companies. Contact the college on 01642 333333.