Sector Needs Analysis Level 6 FETAC Special Purpose Award ...

Sector Needs Analysis
Level 6 FETAC Special Purpose Award
Date: 14 July 2011
Version: 1.3
Commercial Gas Safety
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Sector Needs Analysis
1.1 Introduction
This document represents a Sector Needs Analysis for the development of a
FETAC Level 6 Special Purpose award in Commercial Gas Safety.
The analysis is provided under the following headings:
1.2 Context
o Context
o Rationale for the award
o The Standards Development Group
o Purpose of the award
o Award Type
o Proposed level of the award
o Field of learning
o Occupations
o Expected volume of learners
This award was proposed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (‘the CER’)
in 2009 to develop standards of training and assessment for commercial gas
installers.
The CER is the independent body responsible for overseeing the regulation of
Ireland's electricity and gas sectors. The CER was initially established and
granted regulatory powers over the electricity market under the Electricity
Regulation Act, 1999. The enactment of the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act, 2002
expanded the Commission’s jurisdiction to include regulation of the natural gas
market, while the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 granted the
Commission powers to regulate
o Electrical contractors with respect to safety
o Natural gas undertakings involved in the transmission,
distribution, storage, supply and shipping of gas
and
o Natural gas installers with respect to safety.
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The CER’s remit is further extended by the Energy (Biofuel Obligation and
Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010, to include the regulation of
o LPG installers with respect to safety.
In carrying out this responsibility, the CER developed the Gas Safety Framework
(GSF). The GSF sets out the CER’s policy with regard to the regulation of
Natural Gas and Natural Gas Installers with respect to safety. In 2008 the CER
appointed the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII) to act as the Gas
Safety Supervisory Body. The RGII are responsible for the registration,
inspection, auditing and monitoring of gas installers.
The CER proposed the development of a new award in Commercial Gas Safety
in March 2009 with the intention of putting in place standards of training and
assessment for installers of commercial gas appliances (e.g. large scale
heating, laundry, and catering equipment).
1.3 Rationale for the award
The rationale for this award centres on ensuring the safety of commercial gas
installations through the registration, audit and inspection of the installers of
these systems by the RGII.
The Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, as amended 1 allows the CER to appoint a
person to be the designated body to regulate the activities of natural gas
installers and LPG installers with respect to safety. The CER has appointed the
RGII to carry out this function. The legislation also granted the CER the powers
to regulate and designate a class or classes of works to be “gas works”. Once
designated, it will be illegal for any person other than a Registered Gas installer
(RGI) to carry out these works.
The CER initially designated a class of gas works relating to domestic
categories of gas works as there is a FETAC-approved Gas Installer Domestic
(GID) award currently in place which allows for assessment of this category of
Installer.
A FETAC Level 6 Domestic Gas Safety (DGS) special purpose award has been
developed and is due for publication in 2011. The DGS award represents a
migration from the current GID award and is expected to replace the GID by the
end of 2012.
The CER outlined in its draft decision paper on The Scope of Gas Works
(CER/09/032) its intention, in time, to regulate commercial classes of gas works.
1 By the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 and the Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 2010,
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The absence of a recognised commercial gas safety award means that it is not
possible, at this juncture, to regulate commercial gas works as the provision of
training is a key requirement for establishing the competency of individuals who
will seek inclusion into the regulatory scheme.
The inclusion of a commercial gas safety award in the FETAC system will lead
to consistency in the level of training received by all commercial members of the
RGII and a single recognised award in the area of gas installation for
commercial gas installers.
Holders of the new awards in commercial and domestic gas safety will be
permitted to register as commercial and domestic gas installers respectively with
the RGII.
It is recognised that FETAC awards are reviewed every 5 years and that
industry developments may require further training/assessment within this
period. To this end, learners will be subject to ongoing competency assessment
outside of the FETAC award system.
1.4 The Standards Development Group
This Sector Needs Analysis has been prepared with input from the Standards
Development Group which is composed of 16 members representing the
following industry groups:
o FETAC
o The CER (lead body)
o FÁS
o Bord Gáis Energy
o Bord Gáis Networks
o Private training providers from Ireland and the UK (including
METAC, Chevron and Blueflame)
o RGII (appointed by the CER to act as the Gas Safety
Supervisory Body)
o Combustion Technicians Association
o ILPGA ( Irish Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association)
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1.5 Purpose of the award
The purpose of this award is to ensure that commercial gas installers carry out
commercial gas works safely, in accordance with applicable standards,
legislation and guidelines.
The installers may be performing the works themselves or they may be
supervising the work of others.
1.6 Award Type
It is proposed to make this a Special Purpose award because of the specialised
nature of the learning outcomes and assessment, the profile of the learners, and
the expected duration of programmes leading to this award.
1.7 Proposed level of the award
The Commercial Gas Safety Award is proposed at Level 6 on the National
Framework of Qualifications for the following reasons
1.8 Field of Learning
o The Domestic Gas Safety award (due for publication in 2011) is a
Level 6 award, and the Commercial Gas Safety award is an
equivalent award for commercial installers.
o The access requirements for learners to participate in
programmes leading to this award are stringent (e.g. learners
must hold a craft certificate in nominated disciplines, a certificate
in Gas Installation Domestic, a certificate in Domestic Gas Safety,
a relevant award from a higher level on the NFQ, or equivalent)
Each award in the FETAC awards directory is classified by field, sub-field, and
domain.
Code Description
Field 1 7 Engineering and Manufacturing
Sub-Field 7.1 Engineering
Domain 7.1.6 Gas Fitting
1 This is the current classification for the existing Gas safety awards.
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1.9 Occupations
As this is a special purpose award, it is anticipated that only commercial gas
installers will pursue this award.
The installers may come from a variety of backgrounds and occupations
including plumbers, fitters, engineers (various), and electricians
The tasks, responsibilities, and KSC requirements for commercial gas installers
are given in the table below.
Occupation Summary of the main
tasks and
Commercial Gas
Installer.
These may be
practicing
plumbers, fitters,
engineers in
related fields, or
electricians.
responsibilities
Design safe commercial
gas installations
Ensure commercial gas
appliances are removed
repaired installed
replaced safely
Assess the safety of
commercial gas
installations
1.10 Expected volume of learners
Summary of Knowledge,
Skill and Competence
Requirements
The role holder should be able
to:
Describe and apply the
provisions of relevant
standards, legislation, and
guidelines in relation to
commercial gas safety
Use the appropriate tools
and techniques to ensure
the safe operation of
commercial gas
installations
Provide guidance to
customers and other
stakeholders in relation to
commercial gas safety
It is expected that over the next 4-5 years approximately 1500 learners will
undertake programmes leading to this award.
It has been estimated by the CER and the gas industry, that there are
approximately 4,000 people who carry out gas work in Ireland. These include
commercial and domestic installers. Currently c. 2,700 domestic gas installers
are registered with the RGII. This number is expected to increase by up to 300
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in 2011 with the inclusion of domestic LPG installers. The CER estimates there
are approximately 1,000 installers currently involved in commercial gas
installations. There is currently no register for commercial installers.
It is a requirement of legislation (described above), that any person who carries
out ‘gas works is a member of the Gas Safety Supervisory Body, and key criteria
to domestic membership is to hold a GID/DGS award. Once the CER
designates classes of gas works to be commercial gas works it will be a legal
requirement to register with RGII should a person wish to carry out commercial
gas works. The CGS award will become a key requirement to commercial
membership.
All existing commercial installers as well as new entrants to the gas industry will
require the CGS award in order to legally continue to carry out commercial gas
works (post designation of commercial gas works).
In addition, the gas supply area in the Republic of Ireland is being developed
with new commercial and domestic connections creating a further demand for
qualified and registered gas installers.
Research of the Forfás Expert Group on Future Skills Needs has revealed no
specific gas industry data.
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