Is Oftec compulsory yet?

[Duker996]

I'm wondering if it is compulsory to be Oftec registered yet to install/service oil boilers? All the answers I've found to this question date back a few years so i'm wondering if things have changed in recent years.

I'm just in the process of paying £1000's out on another course at the moment so can't afford to do Oftec right now. We install many oil boilers a year then get an Oftec registered engineer in to commission and sign it off.

I own the up to date Oftec books, always watch the registered engineer closely and know lots about commissioning/servicing already from many years of experience. So i'm thinking of buying a FGA to set boilers up then getting him to check and sign it off up until I get Oftec registered. I'd also like to start servicing some boilers myself, and from what I've read that is legal for me to do right now........unless the rules have changed?

 

[Best]

No, you are supposed to be qualified to service or commission oil boilers.
Installing them is different, from what I hear you can install them, but I would wonder how the warranty would work.
Don't see it all being policed anyhow. What if you service an oil boiler and for some reason, even unrelated to you the boiler puts fumes out and you end up in court without qualifications? You will look like a beginner doing work you know little about in front of a judge.
OFTEC 101 will allow you to service or commission and there are other ways of getting qualified apparently

 

[SimonG]

Basically it was all changed. It used to be the commissioning was the notifiable element but it has been changed to the installation.

Oftec only interested in oftec members. They wont chase rogue elements.

But as best said. You do the work with no qualification to show competence and it all goes pear shaped then you could at worse do time for manslaughter. Cant see a judge taking into consideration that you couldnt afford to do the assessments.

Its the only reason im oftec.

 

[Worcester]

As mentioned elsewhere, there are other bodies that you can be certified competent with for installation (all list on the gov't's website)

Installation or replacement of oil-fired boilers and storage tanks : APHC, Benchmark , BESCA, Blue Flame, Certsure, NAPIT, OFTEC, STROMA

see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...604_Building_Work_Leaflet_amended_version.pdf

For servicing and maintenance as mentioned above, for you and your clients safety you should be adequately trained and competent

 

[lame plumber]

part of proving competence is to have membership of a registered body, it's that simple, no membership no competence.

 

[Best]

Basically it was all changed. It used to be the commissioning was the notifiable element but it has been changed to the installation.

My mistake. I thought the install didn't need notified. That means the 101 oftec is not enough.

 

[SimonG]

My mistake. I thought the install didn't need notified. That means the 101 oftec is not enough.

Only changed it in April this year I think. It was to stop any tom dick or harry installing and then getting competent engineer to commission. I personally think its oftec changing the rules to increase their income. Dont think it will work though

 

[Duker996]

I know this isn't the correct way but your basically saying only Oftec registered can install and then any competent person can commission/service?

Also whats to stop anybody installing it and then paying somebody registered to commission it and then saying they installed it?

 

[SimonG]

Not just oftec. As worcester said, there are other competent person schemes.

Want me to notify somebody elses work? No problem 400 in advance. Any issues I walk away and no notification. My registration, my reputation, my rules.

 

[Duker996]

Not just oftec. As worcester said, there are other competent person schemes.

Want me to notify somebody elses work? No problem 400 in advance. Any issues I walk away and no notification. My registration, my reputation, my rules.

I understand completely what your saying, but the registered engineer who has signed ours off sees it as another commission to do and another yearly service. He knows our work is done to high standard and always conforms, he has a look over it then when he's happy to put his name to it he commissions and signs it off.

I know this isn't how it should be done in an ideal world but I don't see how they think this can ever be policed?!

 

[Best]

Very little can be policed properly, especially by the silly system that OFTEC or other bodies use. For example, it is so easy to do same with gas, - install a gas boiler system & pay a Gas Safe engineer to commission it & basically say they did it. We all bend rules.
It's all down to the honesty of the person on the job and it always will be that way.

 

[lame plumber]

the way I see it it, is that those not complying with the regs are undermining my living, so if any approach me they get 2 fingers and reported be it gas or oil. If the installer cant be arsed to get the right quals then they are the ones looking at hassle if and when things go wrong after all who is telling them of technical updates, new regs etc etc if they dont get registered???

 

[Dotty]

Very rare I say this but I agree with Mr Grumpy.

 

[Duker996]

If the installer cant be arsed to get the right quals then they are the ones looking at hassle if and when things go wrong after all who is telling them of technical updates, new regs etc etc if they dont get registered???

If they work closely with the person who signs it off then that person would keep them up to speed with everything. Not correct I know but as Best said, most people bend rules, with the exception of some.

 

[Duker996]

So if i've read correctly, only registered people can install but technically anyone can service/commission.

Or is it only competent people can service/commission which in other words means only registered people can do that as well as install?!

 

[lame plumber]

only registered technicians can install and then commission, if you want a non qualified person fiddling with your boiler crack on, they only have to prove they are competent, and your not competent in the eyes of the law unless you belong to a registered body, are you finally getting the picture yet???

 

[Duker996]

only registered technicians can install and then commission, if you want a non qualified person fiddling with your boiler crack on, they only have to prove they are competent, and your not competent in the eyes of the law unless you belong to a registered body, are you finally getting the picture yet???

Theres no need to try and be patronising now is there Mr Grumpy?

What i'm trying to ask is if the only way to be competent is to be registered then why do they not say only registered people can install, commission and service? Just skip the word "competent" all together.

 

[lame plumber]

only those doing it illegally tell you you dont have to belong to a registered body as laid down in British Standards from which the registered bodies then make up the rules etc, Mr Dipstick

BTW I never try to be patronising....

 

[Duker996]

BTW I never try to be patronising....

Unfortunately some people are just born that way :yawn:

 

[lame plumber]

Only patronizing to those that are low down the Darwinian scale...............

 

[Duker996]

I'm struggling to find the keyboard warrior smiley...........

 

[lame plumber]

Only offered some sensible advice, your choice not to take it initially

 

[SimonG]

OP, you asked a qestion, you were given the answer, no point getting arsey if you dont like the answer.

If you are installing so many boilers as you say then its a poor excuse to say you cant afford to get the qualification.

Take the assessments and join a competent person scheme.

 

[Duker996]

I appreciate everybody's advice on here, especially registered technicians who know more about this subject than me.......hence me asking the question in the first place. I just don't appreciate being patronised when I'm trying to fully understand something.

In my eyes there wasn't a right or wrong answer or one that would please me more than another. I was questioning it further to try and get a definitive answer, and I've learnt that the words "registered" and "competent" are used for different things but basically competent means registered.

All I really wanted was "To install, commission and service you need to be registered" or "to install/commission you need to be registered but anybody can service". Just a straight forward answer like that really.

And some unforseen circumstances have come along which mean I can't afford oftec just yet.

 

[SimonG]

So ultimately if you cant afford it then dont fit them, its simple.

I pay my money to be part of a competent person scheme, so I'm afraid I have no sympathy with somebody trying to justify that it's alright no too. In fact, I find that patronising.

Just my two penneth.

 

[Duker996]

Thats your opinion, whether I agree or disagree is irrelevant.

I just asked a question I didn't fully know the answer to, I wasn't asking peoples opinion if I should or shouldn't install boilers, just what is legal and what is not. Then with the correct knowledge it's up to me to proceed how I choose.

 

[lame plumber]

So having gained the correct knowledge, you need to choose how to proceed.....................

 

[Duker996]

Exactly, Im now thinking of holding off on the other course and making Oftec the priority but i'll have to sleep on that decision.

 

[lame plumber]

Exactly, Im now thinking of holding off on the other course and making Oftec the priority but i'll have to sleep on that decision.

moving up the scale now, you wont have sore knuckles soon

 

[Duker996]

Here's to hoping

 

[Robert Tyrrell]

To my limited cerebral amenity the word 'Competent', in this case, refers to a person who is 'Registered' on a competent persons scheme, be it OFTEC or any other. 'Registered' & 'Competent' do not mean the same thing but you cannot be classed as competent without being registered because the 'Competent' persons scheme 'Registers' your competency.
If that makes any sense

 

[Malcolm Farrow]

The legal position is that the fitting of combustion appliances is work covered by building regulations and should be done under the supervision of the local authority building control department (or LABC). Typically a fee is charged for the pleasure.

In regions where competent persons schemes such as OFTEC are active, because registered technicians have already been assessed and deemed to be competent, they can sign off their own work and there is no need to contact LABC.

Aside from the other benefits of registration, my advice to technicians that want to abide by the law in England and Wales, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, is that they should consider the price of OFTEC registration against the cost of LABC involvement on each installation.

Regarding the old days of the commissioning technician signing off the installation work, this was never acceptable practice and left the commissioning guy completely exposed. Nowadays, the commissioning of appliances is considered part of the installation work, which comprises of the specification, installation, commissioning, and handover, and is the responsibility of the main contractor, typically the installer.

For a technician’s protection if disputes arise, OFTEC would not condone registered commissioning technicians signing the paperwork for the installation. Once your name and signature is on an installation completion report, it would be very difficult to argue that you are not responsible for the installation.

Hope this clarifies the situaion.

Malcolm Farrow – OFTEC marketing and communications manager

 

[Ray Stafford]

Welcome Malcolm - please feel free to pop in now and then.

 

[Atouchofgas]

Always good to get it from the horses mouth so to speak

 

[SimonG]

Welcome to the forum Malcolm.

Lets play devils advocate for a minute.

You could just add in the local building control fees to the job.

Also when will OFTEC get off the fence and start addressing the issue of non competent installers?

 

[Dotty]

Welcome to the UKPF Malcolm.

How likely is it that OFTEC, to pick the most recognised registration body, would ever get the same powers as gas safe with regards to non registered, non competent persons?

 

[Best]

Hi Malcolm and welcome.
I honestly do not believe oftec has made much of a difference to what work is done.
I have a friend who did the full oftec exams and passed with little bother. But he has no background or experience whatsoever in plumbing, heating, or boilers.
I reckon oftec, while undoubtedly improving the industry in some ways, have simply qualified any Tom, Dick and Harry to install or service oil systems. Money is all it takes.

 

[Duker996]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, if I've read what you've said correctly then your saying oil boilers can be fitted/installed then signed off by LABC, also that commissioning is now considered part of the installation work. So a person who is not registered can install the boiler, commission it and then get the LABC to sign off the work??

Or am I miles off the mark?!!

 

[SimonG]

Once upon a time it was the commissioning that was the notifiable element. But OFTEC in their wisdom, or is it their money grabbing, decided that the install was the notifiable element. Hence stopping any Tom, Richard or Harry from installing and then getting mister competent to commission and notify. As usual its a money thing, oh cynical me, but as the french say cest la vie.

But.

The appliance must be commissioned by a competent burner engineer as the mi's go.

So, you pay your money, you toe the line and come under oftec or a n others wing. Who will jump on you from a great height if you screw up. But if you dont bother with a competent person scheme then you can be quids in and fear only killing somebody.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

I'm still amazed OFTEC isn't like Oilsafe yet if you know what i mean.

 

[Malcolm Farrow]

Many thanks all for the welcome. I’ll do my best to answer the questions you’ve raised:

LA building control typically charge between £75 – 150 to sign off an installation (my understanding is that fees vary from council to council). So, if you're not registered, you could just add these fees to the job and then get the LABC to sign off the work. However, if you’re thinking of going down this route, you should be aware that many officers within LABC are nervous about taking on the responsibility for the commission and are likely to want an OFTEC registered technician to look over the installation and commission it before they declare its compliance.

At OFTEC we’re acutely aware about the issue of sub-standard work and know that poor or unsafe work would concern anyone who does the job properly. To combat this, we’ve set up a reporting system on our website for registered technicians (you’ll need to login to use it). We will take whatever action we can to get your concerns addressed. This could be by involving local authority building control, regional trading standards or contacting those affected directly. We can’t promise to resolve all your concerns, but we’ll do everything we can to make those who can take enforcement action do it. We also promise to give you regular feedback on our progress.

The new government favour a light touch to regulation so it’s unlikely that OFTEC (or any other CPS) will become mandatory at present.

Naturally, I don’t agree with the point about training and assessment but, if you have genuine concerns, please talk to our training manager.

Finally, the changes to who should notify were decided by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Welsh Government, not us, so any cynicism is unjustified. In actual fact OFTEC is a not-for-profit organisation.

Hope this is useful.

 

[GasmanNI]

OFTEC is another parasite on the back of the plumbing industry.

Competence is when you pass the assessment and not membership of an organisation. If membership defined competence then belonging to the AA would mean you can drive a car?

OFTEC have no legal standing on the statue book but maybe could be asked to assist in an investigation.

Competence is subjective, can you follow the manufacturers instructions and comply with the BS standard for fluing, ventilation, oil storage etc in doing work, yes competent, no not competent.

 

[Worcester]

OFTEC is another parasite on the back of the plumbing industry.

Competence is when you pass the assessment and not membership of an organisation. If membership defined competence then belonging to the AA would mean you can drive a car?

OFTEC have no legal standing on the statue book but maybe could be asked to assist in an investigation.

Competence is subjective, can you follow the manufacturers instructions and comply with the BS standard for fluing, ventilation, oil storage etc in doing work, yes competent, no not competent.

Not so.

You have to be a member of one of the organisations I listed earlier, if you wish to be considered competent by the buidlng control departments, these organisation then assess your competence, initially on application based on qualifications, experience and physical assessment and with annual inspections to re-assess your continued competence,

The bodies that are allowed to assess and certify you as competent are appointed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, see here: Competent Persons Register | Home and here: https://www.gov.uk/building-regulations-competent-person-schemes.

It would be good it that website was actually populated by the competent person scheme providers, the only part done so far is for electrical and that's only because of a spat bewteen Napit and NICEIC with electrical safety registers

There is a complete list of who can deem you competent for each type of work is here: https://www.gov.uk/competent-person...nd-how-schemes-are-authorised#current-schemes

Those organisations are actually named in the appropriate legislation, i.e on the statute book, see the recent The Building Regulations &c. (Amendment) Regulations 2015 The Building Regulations &c. (Amendment) Regulations 2015 see SCHEDULE 1 Regulation 2(12) page 9

So yes they DO have some (non-exclusive) legal standing on the statute book, be it shared with other bodies.

 

[lame plumber]

i can never understand why:

someone who bothers to go out and learn the skills needed to work on an oil boiler,
who then joins a registered body such as oftec,
who obviously wants to follow the rules and do the job well

SHOULD THEN HAVE TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE FROM THE REGISTERED BODY TO ENSURE THAT IF THEY ARE FOUND TO BE WANTING AND HAVE LEFT THE INDUSTRY THAT THE CUSTOMER CAN HAVE THE FAULTS PUT RIGHT.


Bloody world is all arse about face, surely the onus should be on hitting the idiots out there undercutting the ones following the regs correctly rather than hitting those trying to tow the line once again. If you go to the trouble of doing things right and professionally, why on earth do we need insurance in case we dont. Bloody industry regulators and pen pushers getting it all wrong at the cost of those actuallly doing the job right in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!

Any comments Malcolm?

 

[Worcester]

With all MCS installations our insurance premiums are even higher! - We also haveto comply with RECC guidelines on our business practices! - So we have Ofgem Rules, MCS standards and fees, RECC Code of Practice and fees, Insurances, Competent Scheme Rules and Fees, - we spend over £5k a year just to be able to trade....

AND STILL RECC and the Competent Sheme bodies do ***** all about closing down or penalising the cowboys....

BMW moment over...

 

[Ray Stafford]

i can never understand why:

someone who bothers to go out and learn the skills needed to work on an oil boiler,
who then joins a registered body such as oftec,
who obviously wants to follow the rules and do the job well

SHOULD THEN HAVE TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE FROM THE REGISTERED BODY TO ENSURE THAT IF THEY ARE FOUND TO BE WANTING AND HAVE LEFT THE INDUSTRY THAT THE CUSTOMER CAN HAVE THE FAULTS PUT RIGHT.


Bloody world is all arse about face, surely the onus should be on hitting the idiots out there undercutting the ones following the regs correctly rather than hitting those trying to tow the line once again. If you go to the trouble of doing things right and professionally, why on earth do we need insurance in case we dont. Bloody industry regulators and pen pushers getting it all wrong at the cost of those actuallly doing the job right in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you are missing the point.

This is no difference from a solicitor or architect having professional indemnity insurance, or a Doctor having malpractice insurance or a travel operator paying into the ABTA scheme.

Sure, I expect my solicitor to give me good advice anyway, and my doctor to be diagnose and treat me correctly, and my travel operator not to go bust whilst I am abroad. But the point is to signal to the potential customer that these are responsible and stable practitioners who can be relied upon, and in the very unlikely event of a problem, they have paid into a scheme which will compensate anyone affected.

Its this sort of signalling which allows the customer to identify the reliable from the cowboy. Effectively, its a form of marketing.

Dealing with incompetent or dangerous workmanship is a completely different field of activity, and the two are not mutually exclusive. Doing more or less of one, does not in any way mean that there will be more or less of the other.

 

[SimonG]

Do gas safe engineers have to buy indemnity insurance off of gas safe?

To me gas safe is law, oftec is a joke, but to appear professional I pay my money. About time we had a combustion safe authority that combined all forms of heating appliances and make it that if you decide to install outside the law then somebody drops on you from a great height and cuts off your gonads. Then I woke up and smelt the coffee.

 

[Ray Stafford]

I appreciate that this is not a popular view, but I actually think that the current regulatory system works reasonably well, and any changes would attract an equal amount of criticism, just from different people.

I start from the point that the purpose of regulation is to prevent harm to the general public.

The purpose is not to force up prices to consumers, or to restrain trade, or to create closed shops like the old medieval guilds. We should also not use technical regulation as an adjunct to general consumer protection. Once you put safety to one side, the protections against being ripped off should be no different for a gas boiler than it is for a washing machine. People have the right to make what you or I would consider to be poor decisions when buying goods or services, and regulation should content itself with safety, and not with trying to second guess those decisions.

So if you want me to support additional regulation, then you need to show me the body-count or hospitalisation statistics, and convince me that the proposed regulatory action will reduce it.

Forcing people to register does not, in itself, make all work safe. I have seen some horribly dangerous work done by registered engineers.

We have enough regs already. What we need is to see some more active enforcement of the regs we have, and I would like to see the HSE enforce the law a little more actively, but that's all that is required.

<dons the flak-jacket and helmet that he first wore into the forum>

 

[SimonG]

But then we are talking more gas than oil again.

 

[lame plumber]

I see where your coming from Ray, but my gripe is the fact that people doing the right thing are more likely to be hit for an honest mistake than any cowboy out there botching on a daily basis. I feel more like a motorist and the way government hits the law abiding driver more and more, leaving the uninsured to crack on driving as they please. Its about time they regulators got the equivalent of a few anpr cameras going against the cowboys and not just hitting on the lawful trades.

Re the oftec insurance its not an indemnity cover as such it just seems to be there for once youve gone out of the trade! if you havent dont it right. I already carry an indemnity cover as part of my insurance package.