Probation Inspection!!

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Probation Inspection!!

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lew2412

Hey guys,

I have my probation inspection coming up in less than 2 weeks and i am petrified. I've been reading some of the previous posts about them but there a couple of years old.

I dont do much gas work im more of a plumber/bathroom fitter.i done my ACS around a year ago and cant remember much to be truthful. i have the books still and just wondered what sort of questions they ask so i can revise for them

i doubt ill be able to take them to any jobs i have done. what will they say about that? can i just do something on a family members boiler e.g. a service?

Any information will be great.

Thanks very much.
Lew
 
Hi lew and welcome to the forum. Firstly I'd say keep calm. It is quite terrifying waiting for your first inspection but honestly it really isn't that bad. What area are you in? Do you have gas appliances in your own home? The inspector is there to make sure that you are working safely. Simple as that. He won't be firing questions at you. Before you know it it's all done!
 
Know your basics, tightness testing, flueing and ventilation. How to use an FGA and some of the more common building regs we have to know and benchmark certs
 
get the inspection at your home, practice the basics on your own appliances, make sure that everything including the small things are bang on like stability devices, ventilation grills, new closure tape etc....

explain to him/her that you have no jobs to show due to your current work load but you can go through stuff in your own property.

things to read up on are:

using your FGA (dont forget they are needed on commission of boilers now)
tightness testing
Pressure testing (standing,working,burner)
gas rating
purging volumes and proceedures
testing appliance controls ( FSD, FFD,Ckr shutoff, Thermostats, etc....)
Gas pipework basics

make a cuppa tea at the start and talk with confidence and you will be fine

They will spot a BS'er a mile off so dont be afraid to say im not 100 percent sure about some things, better to be truthful, they dont expect you to know everything, consulting your books or phoning a tech helpline is part of the job.
 
Pretty much as above, use your own boiler (or a family members if thres one that you preffer) Know your Flue/Vents/Saftey Devices/GasRate-Burner-Working pressures, go over TB008 Flue in Voids incase they do ask anything about that.

Have your unsafe sits book handy (they are printed for a reason and thats so you reffer to it, he would expect you to look something up rather than guessing or BSing him)

Tightness testing and open flued checks you should be able to reel off the top of your head.

But biggest thing is just be honest with the guy, they will know very quickly if someones at it, so if your unsure look it up, if you can explain why and accept any advice he has for you, they know folk stress out about these things, they expect a little hesitation/panic. Just chill and get on with it.
 
Thanks very much for your replies guys.

I live in north London and i have gas appliances in my own home which are fairly new and also the same in members of the families house. i have a FGA thankfully and know how to use it.

I will practice on my appliances and go through everything step by step over the weekend and the next one.

Thanks,
Lew
 
As above. He is not there to catch you out, merely to assess that you know the basics, and know how to reference any other stuff needed.
 
scottishgasman said:
Pretty much as above, use your own boiler (or a family members if thres one that you preffer) Know your Flue/Vents/Saftey Devices/GasRate-Burner-Working pressures, go over TB008 Flue in Voids incase they do ask anything about that.

Have your unsafe sits book handy (they are printed for a reason and thats so you reffer to it, he would expect you to look something up rather than guessing or BSing him)

Tightness testing and open flued checks you should be able to reel off the top of your head.

But biggest thing is just be honest with the guy, they will know very quickly if someones at it, so if your unsure look it up, if you can explain why and accept any advice he has for you, they know folk stress out about these things, they expect a little hesitation/panic. Just chill and get on with it.
Click to expand...

In addition to this make sure you have the latest copy of TB008 printed off, the inspectors over here are looking to see a copy of that.
 
have yourself a little gas testing tool box, containing your manometer, earth lead(s), leak tester fluid, warning labels,gas tape labelling, ecv labelling tape, all in one place, inc your pads for servicing, warnings etc. your inspector will normally like that and puts you on a good footing to start.
 
No one enjoys the visit lew but usually once you meet them and start talking then you'l find that youre training will spring into action and once hes gone you,l think was that it,,,, but like all the guys are saying freshen up with the basics and the 3 places where you decide to take him repeatedly do all your checks on them, if you are struggling the guys on here are brilliant for any queries ,
 
Everything above and make sure your confident at Gas rating appliances, they will want to see that also.
 
Thanks very much guys you're all helping alot! Appreciate it tremendously.
 
If you’re on a nodding or friendly acknowledgement with someone local who has a good rep for gas work, why not knock on his door, explain your situation and ask him do give you a sort of dummy run at your home, just to settle your nerves.
Bung him a good drink for doing so.
 
no disgrace in having all the books to hand nobody knows it all but as already said its the basics they are looking for
most of them are pretty understanding in 30 years ive only had one A hole and i just told him to bugger of and come back when he had learnt a bit
 
I had my first inspection at the beginning of the year, it was nerve wracking at first as you dont know what to expect from the visit.

Once my local inspector had turned up, he put me at ease and ran through what we would be going through on the day and as it turned out he was great bloke.
The inspector is just there to make sure you work safely and not dangerously, they are not trying to catch you out so just be honest with them.

As others have said previously, if you know the basics and passed your ACS then you will be fine. Just ensure you have everything you need ready to go (FGA inc calibration cert, Tools, LDF, Cont Bonds, training book and unsafe book etc).
 
I had mine 4 weeks ago and, like others say, he's not trying to trip you up. I went blank on the tightness test, couldn't remember the stabilisation bit, what it was called or what the pressure should be! He just laughed and after a wee nudge I was back on track.
So tightness testing, gas rating, ventilation, book to hand.You'll be surprised at how much info is actually tucked away in your head!
 
Had my inspection in December, as the guys have said know the basics you are better to refer to the books for the more involved stuff.
i was asked about the height of the units from the hob which caught me out a bit!
start with a tea or coffee the inspectors are human and just want to make sure you're not a pay your way qual if you care about safety of others as you should you'll be fine.
 
Spreck said:
Had my inspection in December, as the guys have said know the basics you are better to refer to the books for the more involved stuff.
i was asked about the height of the units from the hob which caught me out a bit!
start with a tea or coffee the inspectors are human and just want to make sure you're not a pay your way qual if you care about safety of others as you should you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

If lower than 450mm from work top they need to be set back 50mm from the vertical line of the hob, if higher than 450mm from Worktop they can be in line with the edge of the hob, I thought everyone knew that ;-)
 
does anyone know what the guy for tamworth/birmingham is like? I have mine tomorrow and have only done a couple of jobs.
his name is nick deakin?
anyone know of him and what is he like?
 
I had my inspection today and Nick was a sound bloke. Very helpful and knowledgeable.
I enjoyed my time with him and there was nothing to be stressed about at all. I think they know if you know your stuff or not just by the conversation. He said I'll be left alone for four years or so! :)
 
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