ACS Gas Scheme
What is the ACS Gas Scheme?
The Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) is the industry recognised and accepted route for gas operatives to gain the certificate of competence needed to become a member of the Gas Safe Register.
ACS covers all areas of gas work including domestic natural gas, LPG, commercial heating, commercial catering, commercial laundry, meter installation and emergency service provision.
The scheme is overseen by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
In order to work legally and safely, all gas operatives must:
- Have undertaken suitable ACS gas courses
- Hold a valid ACS certificate of competence
- Be registered with the Gas Safe Register
What does it cover?
In all areas of gas work there is a core gas safety element which must be achieved before an individual appliance assessment, or competence extension, can be undertaken. There are core gas safety elements for domestic natural gas, LPG, commercial heating, commercial catering, emergency service provider, commercial laundry and metering.
For example, once CCN1 has been successfully completed, learners can go on to achieve further specific gas safety elements for central heating boilers & water heaters, cookers, gas fires, meter installation and warm air heaters.
N.B. For those moving from one ACS core to another there are changeover assessments that will assess the candidate in the areas that are not common to the original core. The candidate would then take the relevant appliance elements in relation to their specific job. Candidates should speak to Develop Training before undertaking the changeover assessment as additional training or experience may be necessary.
Initial assessment
CCN1 assessment takes the form of practical tests and multiple choice question papers. Initial assessment covers:
- Gas safety regulations and other relevant legislation
- Combustion, relevant pressures and gas rates
- Gas pipe work
- Tightness testing and purging, including low and medium pressure
- Chimney systems recognition and testing
- Ventilation
- Gas controls
- Flue gas analysis
Our CCN1 initial assessment course covers installation, commissioning, servicing and maintenance and basic gas safety fault finding in four of the following appliances:
- Cookers
- Fires
- Water Heaters
- Boilers
- Warm Air Heaters
Alongside CCN1, operatives can go on to take initial assessment in other appliances they may be working on.
When do I need to reassess?
On passing the initial core CCN1 assessment, gas operatives will receive the ACS certificate of competence needed to join the Gas Safe Register – this is valid for five years.
Reassessment can take place any time in the six months prior to expiry. It is down to the operative to ensure they are re-assessed during this time.
Failure to hold current evidence of competence will result in suspension or removal from the Gas Safe Register, so it is essential to keep your ACS qualifications up to date.
Is ACS Gas for me?
To qualify for ACS assessment you must satisfy certain criteria:
- Category 1 applicants are experienced gas engineers who already hold a relevant qualification. They may be renewing an existing ACS certificate or a certificate that has expired in the past 12 months, or seeking certification in a new area of work.
- Category 2 applicants can undertake ACS assessment if they can demonstrate evidence of a recognised qualification in a trade associated with gas work, for example, plumbing, and that they have ‘on-the-job’ experience under direct supervision of a Gas Safe Registered and competent operative.
- Category 3 applicants are new entrants to the gas industry, and need further qualifications and/or experience before they can undertake the ACS assessment.
We offer a Gas Foundation Managed Learning Programme (GGFO) for all new entrants. Once this course has been successfully completed, applicants can move on to ACS assessment.
Gas Safe Register and the law
Registration with the Gas Safe Register is a legal requirement for anyone carrying out gas work in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Each registered engineer will be issued with a Gas Safe Register ID card which shows you are competent and safe to work with gas.
Play your part in spreading the Gas Safe message by proudly presenting your ID card at every opportunity, making sure your customers understand the Gas Safe Register brand is the only trusted, safe and legal organisation for trades people working with gas.
Enrol with Develop Training
Develop Training Ltd is a registered ACS Assessment Centre and we offer an extensive range of gas training courses and packages. Whether you’re an experienced installer looking to renew your ACS qualification, or a new entrant wanting to become Gas Safe registered for the first time, we have a course for you.
