What needs to be done first?

With most staff requiring registration under the F Gas Regulations you need to carry out a training needs analysis, this is simply to find out how much new training each individual needs. 

For a newcomer to the trade, as much as ten days training and ‘time in the field’ may be needed before an individual is up to the required standard to enable him/her to pass the written paper and practical assessment.  More experienced personnel may only need one or two days of theoretical and/or practical training. 

Some candidates may need some coaching in brazing technique whilst many may need a full blown brazing course, usually of two days duration. 

It is envisaged that almost all prospective candidates will require some training prior to assessment, if only to introduce (or re-introduce) the subject of pressure-enthalpy charts.  Many skilled personnel will need a wider understanding of vapour compression refrigeration to include suction superheat, liquid subcooling, coefficient of performance and basic thermodynamics. 

Some technicians or engineers may be fully knowledgeable and skilled enough to attempt an assessment without any further training; this is allowed under the new rules. 

The current C.SKILLS Safe Handling of Refrigerants (JO1) certificate and qualification is legally valid until July 2011 as long as it is in date.  This qualification is still available so if candidates become out of date they can simply renew their existing qualification for the time being. 

However, all operatives must upgrade to the new F Gas qualification (C.SKILLS J11) by July 2011.   

All of these requirements are principally the same as for the equivalent City and Guilds 2079 as required by European Regulation EC303/2008 and consequent British Parliament Statutory Instruments.