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Logic Certification Improving Gas Training Standards in Cyprus

By Gary Quinn, testing services manager, Scottish Qualifications Authority

In April, Logic Certification approved centre Combined Heating Services Ltd (CHSL), based in Norwich, opened the first ever ACS centre in Cyprus.

Located in Limassol, the island’s second largest city, the centre has been well received and, as a consequence, the wheels have been put in motion to improve gas safety standards in Cyprus. Plans are now underway to implement a scheme similar to ACS in Cyprus – prior to Logic Certification and CHSL’s involvement, no legislation existed.

Cyprus is home to a large number of British nationals, many working for the MoD, which has held extensive bases in the country since 1960. A number of the personnel carry out gas installation services and are required to achieve the same qualifications (ACS) as they would in the UK. To meet this need, CHSL joined forces with Cypriot training provider Cambenefit Management Services (CMS) to deliver ACS training at CMS’ training centre in Limassol.

Beyond the requirements of the MoD, Cyprus has had no gas safety legislation. Following a number of serious incidents in January this year involving fatal gas explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning, the need for gas safety reforms became paramount. The lp gas market is of particular significance as the majority of Cypriot homes have some form of lpg appliance, with all commercial and catering establishments – of which there are many due to the country’s heavy reliance on tourism – using lpg.

Since the launch of the new centre, the process of implementing the ACS scheme in Cyprus has begun. Early last year, Logic Certification and CHSL met with the Ministry of Electro Mechanical Services, the Cypriot government department responsible for electromechanical planning and installation in government buildings and equipment.

ACS gas training

Following this meeting and the success and interest in the centre in Limassol, Cypriot gas installers are now required to be qualified under ACoP (Approved Code of Practice), the previous measure of gas safety (which was superseded by ACS in 1998 for domestic, and in 2000 for lpg). It is likely that in two years’ time ACS will be introduced.

To date, 29 candidates have come through the centre, a mixture of MoD and Cypriots, seven studying for ACoPs and the rest taking ACS. The courses, a range of qualifications for both commercial and domestic gas installation, have been well received. For the next round of training in November, 12 places have already been booked.

Chris Cooke, managing director of CHSL, said: “This project has been challenging, but is an exciting opportunity for all concerned. Given the positive feedback from the training we have carried out so far, I am certain the centre is set to go from strength to strength.”

CHSL has now applied to BSI to get relevant gas related standards translated into Greek to make life easier for Cypriot candidates. The centre intends to introduce solar training and other micro-generation technologies.

Steve Mulvany, scheme director for Logic Certification, said: “This is proving to be a successful exercise in improving the standards of gas safety in Cyprus, while delivering a service desperately needed by the large number of British nationals on the island. Logic Certification is proud to be associated with any attempts to raise gas training standards in industry, be it in the UK or abroad.”

Contact Logic Certification Ltd on 0208 839 2439
www.logic-cert.com