Gas

A key requirement of working on Domestic, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Commercial and Commercial Catering appliances is to hold a valid Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) certificate. A ConstructionSkills certificate from an approved centre will form part of the requirements of registration on to the Council of Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) database.

Who's it for?

Gas operatives, plumbers, heating and ventilation engineers and any other individual who undertakes gas work. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states that they must be competent to work on gas.

How to get an ACS certificate and card

You must provide information to the assessment centre regarding your gas industry experience and qualifications on the ConstructionSkills 'Application for Assessment' form.

There are three categories based upon knowledge and experience:

Category 1

Applicants are experienced gas fitting operatives seeking certificate renewal and/or assessment and certification to extend their work range. An expired or expiring Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) / ACS certificate is required as evidence for assessment.

Category 2

Applicants must provide evidence of qualifications relevant to the area of gas work they are seeking certification in.

Examples of appropriate qualifications include:

  • plumbing craft qualification or National/Scottish Vocational Qualification (N/SVQ) (oil and/or solid fuel options) - suitable initially for domestic or commercial central, water heating or pipework installation
  • pipefitter/welder craft qualification or N/SVQ - suitable initially for commercial pipework, pipework commissioning and meter installation
  • heating and ventilation craft qualification or N/SVQ - suitable initially for commercial pipework and appliance installation
  • refrigeration engineer/fitter craft qualification or N/SVQ - suitable initially for commercial appliance and pipework installation
  • Written evidence from the employer of 'on-the-job' gas installation and/or maintenance gas work, carried out under direct supervision of competent operatives employed by a CORGI registered business, must be provided.

Category 3

Applicants unable to provide a relevant related qualification and/or experience, have a number of options. New entrants are advised to seek training and experience which will result in attainment of a N/SVQ in Gas Services, at Level II or III. Career changers need to seek training and experience which will result in attainment of a N/SVQ in Gas Services.

Alternatively applicants should obtain employment or extended placement with a CORGI registered business who is willing to provide an audited 'in-company' extended period of gas training and experience. This can be linked to the ConstructionSkills 'Intermediate Certificate' which will help to collate the evidence in a portfolio and provide the 'off-the-job' training record.

Training prior to undertaking assessment is not mandatory. However, it is recommended to ensure knowledge of changes to legislation, British Standards and industry best practice. Attendance on training courses will not influence independent impartial assessment testing.

Gaining CORGI registration

Details of successful ACS candidates will be uploaded by ConstructionSkills on to the CORGI national database. This does not mean automatic CORGI registration. You must still apply to CORGI to become registered.

Renewals and Conversions

All ConstructionSkills cards are valid for five years. You will require renewal thereafter and will be notified by ConstructionSkills six months prior to the expiry of any categories.

Why have one? 

The ConstructionSkills gas card is:

  • evidence of qualifications (this can be used onsite for employers/clients)
  • a requirement for CORGI registration which is essential for working within the Domestic, LPG, Commercial or Commercial Catering environment
  • Information for existing gas operatives

If you hold a current CORGI registration e.g. for domestic work and wish to extend the range of work you do to another e.g. commercial, you can apply to your nearest centre and undertake the appropriate assessment.

BES provides a range of publications used by approved ConstructionSkills training centres. These are used as part of training delivery and in some assessments. They can also be used for self-study and workplace reference.

Working to the correct industry standards is vital. Our publications are constantly updated to reflect changes to British Standards, Codes of Practices and industry regulations.

 

You can download the relevant list of all our available approved centres. This list is updated on a regular basis.