ACS done again, 5 more years to go.

[Darren Jackson]

Hi all, just finished my ACS re-assessments, to keep my qualifications up to date. Thats me good for another 5 years. There were dozens upon dozens of guys there doing met1 to fit smart meters, with no related background whatsoever. One guy I talked to was a truck driver and never been on a site or in the building game at all. and was using the met1 to be able to go back in 6 month to do ccn1 + appliances. Scary thought!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Anything changed ?

 

[Scott_D]

Did you learn anything?

 

[Darren Jackson]

Anything changed ?

mop tightness procedure changed with an introduction of a mandatory 2nd ecv, not that iv'e ever seen one outside of the assessment centre though. cpa1 is now part of ccn1. ncs is no more but thats been around a long while now so its AR, AR AR or ID. long screw no more hemp unless existing installation. Live test on pipework before touching. Gas rating smart meters & Flues in voids (inspection hatches) nothing else major changed except the 10 mbar letby and 20 mbar tightness has changed to allow for digital manometers now.

 

[Darren Jackson]

Did you learn anything?

Yes I did mate, always learning in this game. I didn't know that we had to live test pipework nowadays. I new about the recent changes to unsafe situations but was not really sure of the correct procedure and labeling without the NCS being relevant anymore. Also the pressure changes to let by and tightness testing has changed to allow for digital readers. that's about it.

 

[jtsplumbing]

So nothing that couldn't be covered with a 1 day refresher course instead of having to cover the same old ground, what a money spinner the ACS is

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yes I did mate, always learning in this game. I didn't know that we had to live test pipework nowadays. I new about the recent changes to unsafe situations but was not really sure of the correct procedure and labeling without the NCS being relevant anymore. Also the pressure changes to let by and tightness testing has changed to allow for digital readers. that's about it.

Live test ?

 

[Scott_D]

Do you mean with a volt pen?

 

[Darren Jackson]

Yes with a volt pen Scott I should have said an electrical live test not just 'live' test. JTS exactly mate no need at all, a 1 day refresher is all I did. Then a day doing the theory exams & half a day doing the practical tests and an hour doing the PAWS. All done for half past 2 and into the local pub to chill out after once again being put through the mill.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Safe isolation test. You cannot do it with just a volt pen. You need a multi meter

 

[Darren Jackson]

Safe isolation test. You cannot do it with just a volt pen. You need a multi meter

No Harvest I was not meaning a safe isolation test mate where your trusty multi meter comes in. ACS just require us to use a volt pen on the gas pipe to make sure there was not any voltage running along the pipework before we touch any part of the installation and that was it.

 

[Harvest Fields]

No Harvest I was not meaning a safe isolation test mate where your trusty multi meter comes in. ACS just require us to use a volt pen on the gas pipe to make sure there was not any voltage running along the pipework before we touch any part of the installation and that was it.

Ohhhhhhh ok.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Totally agree with JTS , it's a complete sham and disgrace that they fleece us for money.
Shold be one day a year refresher course.

Dunno why we all protest to the HSE about it.

 

[townfanjon]

Just booked my next and hopefully last ever ACS for June .
+1 for a yearly one day refresher.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Just booked my next and hopefully last ever ACS for June .
+1 for a yearly one day refresher.

Retiring mate?

 

[Darren Jackson]

Totally agree with JTS , it's a complete sham and disgrace that they fleece us for money.
Shold be one day a year refresher course.

Totally agree mate, good idea.

 

[townfanjon]

Retiring mate?

Erm , defo not retiring pal , but semi maybe .

 

[Darren Jackson]

Erm , defo not retiring pal , but semi maybe .

I feel the same mate. This may just be my last time as well. we'll see in 5 years if the knees and back are still up to it .

 

[townfanjon]

I feel the same mate. This may just be my last time as well. we'll see in 5 years if the knees and back are still up to it .

Yep it took a lot of thought for me to do it again ,I nearly didnt . I can easily survive on plumbing work , plumbers are harder to find that gas men IMO.

 

[Darren Jackson]

Yep it took a lot of thought for me to do it again ,I nearly didnt . I can easily survive on plumbing work , plumbers are harder to find that gas men IMO.

Plenty of 'plastic' so called plumbers about! but almost impossible to find a good reliable, experienced old school apprentice trained copper man like us guys now a days. Dread to think what the industry will be like in another 10-15 yrs. Glad i'll be out of it by then.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Plenty of 'plastic' so called plumbers about! but almost impossible to find a good reliable, experienced old school apprentice trained copper man like us guys now a days. Dread to think what the industry will be like in another 10-15 yrs. Glad i'll be out of it by then.

I like this. There is a little bromance going on here. Better than daytime TV this

 

[Darren Jackson]

I like this. There is a little bromance going on here. Better than daytime TV this

Someone's gotta fly the flag for us Yorkshire folk. And the 'Terriers' are holding their own in the Prem unlike LUFC

 

[townfanjon]

Someone's gotta fly the flag for us Yorkshire folk. And the 'Terriers' are holding their own in the Prem unlike LUFC

We have our biggest game since winning at Wembley last year , Everton at home on Saturday, a win should do it , otherwise we are relying on other teams . Last 3 games , Man City. Chelsea and Arsenal Pffttttttt .

 

[quality]

Just booked my next and hopefully last ever ACS for June .
+1 for a yearly one day refresher.

just booked mine for the same but will not be my last unless I drop dead

 

[king of pipes]

Got to do mine this year are you all doing your unvented again aswell ?

 

[townfanjon]

Got to do mine this year are you all doing your unvented again aswell ?

Yep , you cant not really , it was supposed to be for life !! Pfftttttt