The most important initiative this year for the FMB is our work to develop a Competent Person Self-Certification Scheme.
The FMB has already had a number of meetings with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to discuss the FMB’s application to ensure that when the formal application is made next month it stands the best chance of being approved. The FMB is also anxious to ensure that the scheme will be compliant with the demands of the Government’s Green Deal retrofit programme when it starts next year.
RATIONALE
The rationale for the scheme is based on two key drivers:
First, the fact that members have indicated that there is industry demand for a scheme that covers a number of types of general building work.
Secondly, the current progression towards lower carbon, more energy efficient housing continues to result in more consumer demand for retrofit work to improve the fabric of existing homes. In particular, the introduction of the Green Deal scheme in 2012 will see a substantial increase in consumer demand for solid wall insulation.
SCOPE
The FMB intends that its scheme will eventually offer as wide a scope of general types of building work as is appropriate to the best interests and needs of all relevant stakeholders. However, the FMB recognises that to attempt introduce a scheme with a wide scope of types of work in a single-stage process would not be appropriate or practicable.
We have carefully considered what type of work would be relevant to include in the initial development of the scheme and the proposed scope is:
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Installation of external solid wall insulation to existing buildings
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Installation of internal solid wall insulation to existing buildings
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Installation of loft insulation to existing buildings
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Installation of insulation to suspended timber floors in existing buildings
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Installation, as replacement, of a window, rooflight, roof window or door in an existing building
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Installation, as a replacement, of the covering of a pitched or flat roof and work carried out by the registered person as a necessary adjunct to that installation (excluding structural alteration and the installation of solar panels).
OWNERSHIP AND PROPOSED LEGAL STATUS OF THE SCHEME
The scheme will be established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the FMB. It is proposed that the scheme will be established as a private limited company.
SCHEME MEMBERSHIP
It is proposed that scheme membership will be open to any enterprise that is able to meet the membership criteria.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION
The FMB intends to develop a quality management system that aligns to the requirements of BS: EN 45011:1998. It is proposed that the scheme will achieve UKAS accreditation within two years of the date of authorisation to operate the scheme.
COMPETENCE OF MEMBERS
We understand that there is a review of minimum technical competence requirements in progress. Where available, the proposed scheme will adopt existing agreed minimum technical competence requirements. Where unavailable, the FMB will seek to develop relevant minimum technical competences in collaboration with the Competent Person Forum. Where available, National Occupational Standards would be employed as a platform from which to develop minimum technical competence requirements.
The competence of potential members will be assessed by means of:
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A desk-based review of documented evidence of competence and experience
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An initial workplace inspection. It is proposed that registered scheme members will have access to a free technical support helpline.
It is proposed that the scheme will identify when further mandatory training is required in relation to regulatory change and/or changes to EN/BS standards. The FMB is proposing that the scheme will support its members in identifying and accessing relevant training solutions.
NEXT STEPS
The FMB is currently preparing a draft application in preparation for the submission of a formal application to the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) next month. Subject to receiving authorisation to operate the scheme, the FMB plans to launch the scheme in October 2011.
