OFTEC | Oil Firing Technical Association

The body for registered professionals in the the oil heating and cooking industry

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Why become an OFTEC Registered Technician?

Competent Persons and Oil Technicians

Training Competent Persons The introduction of the Competent Persons Scheme by the Governments of England and Wales gives Registrants that belong to a Competent Persons Schemes the right to Self Certify their installation and Commissioning works and to notify these works through the OFTEC Works Notification system. This is intended to remove some of the inspection burden from Building Control departments, so that they can concentrate on tracking down and prosecuting the 'cowboy' element within the construction industry.

 

The Building Act of 1984 requires a person carrying out certain types of building work to give building notice or deposit full plans to Building Control.

 

As from 1st April 2002, an amendment to Regulation 12 of the Building Regulations which covers Combustion Appliances came into force. This exempts OFTEC Registered Installation Technicians, Commissioning and Servicing Technicians and Tank Installation Technicians from the above requirement when carrying out replacement or major change to a system, in the areas covered by their class of registration from

 

From 1st April 2005, Works Notification requirements were introduced by CLG in England and Wales (Department of Communities and Local Government) entitling OFTEC Registered Businesses to notify the above works through their Competent Persons Scheme. This has also been introduced in Guernsey on 1st May 2007, and Jersey and the and the Isle of Man on 1st July 2007

 

Works Notification through OFTEC is considerably cheaper than through Building Control, it is convenient in that it can be done either online or by fax and it save time for both the Registered Business and householder because there is no requirement for Building Control to visit the premise.

 

This means that OFTEC Registered Technicians can avoid the time and expense in submitting plans and applying for a Building Notice. However OFTEC Registered Technicians are required to keep a record of any work they undertake.

 

The types of work covered under these Regulations are for replacement installations and the commissioning of the installation, oil tank installation, associated pipework and major change to flueing systems. These areas of work are covered under the new Part J of the England and Wales Building Regulations. Those involved in New Build will have to ensure that the architect or builder has submitted building notice and plans for the complete job before commencing work. The Building Act falls under criminal law and there is a structured fining system for those who are found not to comply.

 

It is an important step to acknowledge those in the industry who work to Regulations and Standards, and to help customers recognise that OFTEC Registered Technicians have had their competence independently assessed.