Joining the ranks of Oftec!

[Dannypipe]

I'm finally going to get Oftec registered. Worked with oil for a few years (not my bread and butter) but I know a bit.

I'm doing 101 & 105e and 600a (tanks).

The thing is, the books they say I need are £150.00!!:bigcry:

One of them is for central heating. I can't honestly think I'll need a book on central heating after working on it for years.

Anyone any experience of this?

I'm booked in on the 30th of July. Looking forward to it, as I won't have to pay a rival firm to come out and commision my appliances anymore, and I can fit tanks.

 

[Dannypipe]

Its about 500 for company reg and 240 for engineer, every 5 years. They train you then assess, you then get your certs through the post and then register (££££) with OFTEC. Take the inspector (prob 6 months down line) to a good one. He'll assess your install and want to see you commission it, again. Big on tank base sizes, tank clearances, ventilation, earth bonding to oil lines, flue terminal locations.

I have to do the assessment at a college right? Or are you saying someone from Oftec can come out and do it with me direct?

Yes, I would imagine I won't need much training. I have a smoke pump, and obviously an analyser for my gas work. So I'm ready to rock N roll.

Thanks for all the answers so far everyone.

 

[stani]

Two registrations? That sounds expensive and un-neccessary!

My thoughts as well

 

[SimonG]

Assessment on training at college then your 'oftec' inspection with 12 months on site (of your choosing)

 

[Dannypipe]

Oh and have the correct guage for setting the pump. I'm set!!

 

[SimonG]

Two registrations? That sounds expensive and un-neccessary!

Aye bit of a rip of. The company is registered and then there's a fee for each technician.

 

[Dannypipe]

OK, I get it. College it is then.

I'm sure I'll learn something. Decided not to to do vaporising burners, as it's only really Aga's and I don't know anything about them, so wouldn't feel comfortable doing a day in college and then going out to service them!

I'm going to have to make sure this is worth forking out all the money for. I do have a boiler to install in the next couple of weeks. With possibly a new tank too, so it would start earning me money straight away.

These people that are Gas Safe registered, Heatas Registered, Part P registered, Oftec Registered must spend every day at college. There's a bloke lives round by me, who's van is so badged up it looks like a racing car!

 

[Roger Welton]

I have OFTEC, Domestic and Commercial Gas also LPG, somehow they are all come up for renewal at the same time :icon9: I don't look forward to that year, costs a fortune and have the best part of a month not being able to work whilst at college .

 

[Dannypipe]

Yeah, I can't imagine that. My qualifications are all spread across the years, so luckilly no big lumps.

Next to expire is my unvented in a year or two. Think I can just about afford that one.

What do you do more of Roger, gas or oil?

 

[Roger Welton]

About 50:50 not so much commercial or LPG but keep them going as they wipe there noses over 5 years

 

[Dannypipe]

Right, well I guess that makes it a bit more interesting and certainly means its worth all the hassle and money to keep registered.

Commercial, I've done jobs that are borderline and it's always interested me, but I'm not going down that road. Next thing I'll look at will be solid fuel. That's in a couple of years I think. I've been asked to fit combined systems with solid fuel and oil. So like you say, if it wipes its nose in the five years, why not.

Cheers all. Very interesting. I'll obvioulsy report back on here how it went. Looking forward to putting a nice green sticker on me van!!!

 

[ecowarm]

Been Oftec for over 2 years and never been inspected

 

[Dannypipe]

Brilliant!! LOL.

 

[kimbo]

Just had my second inspection in 10years, it took about 2.1/2hrs, he will check everything including analyser certificates.
Technically you cant install or commission until your registration is through, as with Unvented it is not just a case of getting qualified you have to be part of a competent persons scheme.
Oh and by the way I think you will be caught for the new insurance scheme which costs about 52pds a year to protect the customer if you go bust.
Happy days

 

[Dannypipe]

Little wonder cowboys can under cut us is it? No qualifications, no insurance, will work cheaper for pound notes.

Oh well, I've made my mind up to go for it, and will follow it through now. I could well see like Roger, I could get 50/50 gas and oil if I pushed the oil more. Which I will do once I've ironed out over a grand to get it sorted.

 

[Roger Welton]

I don't know why this new insurance thing wasn't just rolled into the registration fee, it's so specialised I can't see there being many options as to underwriters.