Authorised SAP Assessors
Faero's competent person scheme launched on 2nd April, 2007. Whilst Faero's systems were in development, the Authorised Energy Rating Organisations (AEROs) continued to offer their own systems to register SAP Assessors as Authorised SAP Assessors. Each AERO provided some degree of training and a test of competence prior to registering candidates as Authorised SAP Assessors, but their systems for this were all different.
The organisations that become members of Faero's scheme have all agreed to operate to a common set of standards, including a common test of competence. It is anticipated that most of the current AEROs will sign up to Faero's scheme, as will a number of the current approved software providers. Of the previously licenced AEROs, Elmhurst Energy Systems and NES/NHER have demonstrated their compliance with Faero's standards and became members on 2nd April.
If you are considering becoming registered as an Authorised SAP Assessor, your first step should be to contact both of these organisations for more information about what they currently offer. You may then decide to proceed to register as an Authorised SAP Assessor with one of them, or to delay, as you choose. On registration as an Authorised SAP Assessor, you will be able to follow approved procedures to upgrade to competent person status for a limited period. The scheme launched on 2nd April 2007, and it is anticipated that this option will expire on 2nd October 2007.
Remember that as well as these AEROs, some of the approved SAP software providers also intend to join Faero's scheme and will, in the future, be able to register you as a Competent Person. It is not compulsory to first register with one of the current AEROs to become a Competent Person. Currently, of the approved SAP software providers, BuildDesk has achieved Faero's scheme standards and is now registered as a scheme member.
Should you decide to register as an Authorised SAP Assessor with one of these AEROs, you can choose to join the one that suits you best. You will then take any necessary training, pass the test of competence set by the AERO, and register with your chosen provider. Once registered, you will have access to software and support to enable you to provide CO2 emission rate calculations in accordance with Part L. Your CO2 emission rate calculations will be monitored, to ensure that you are working to a defined quality standard. Finally, you will have the option to follow the upgrade route to register as a competent person, for a limited period following the scheme launch.
It is unlikely that the option to register as an Authorised SAP Assessor will remain open for long. Defra has indicated that its approval of Authorised Energy Rating Organisations has been superceded by CLG's approval of Competent Persons. Building Control do not recognise Authorised SAP Assessors as Competent unless they are formally registered with Faero Ltd. In short, CLG's new system of approving SAP Assessors as Competent Persons has now replaced Defra's older system of approving Authorised SAP Assessors.
Links
AEROs were licensed by Defra to register Authorised SAP Assessors. The following former AEROs currently offer SAP2005 software that has been approved for Building Regulations calculations, on behalf of Defra and DCLG; they pre-registered with Faero during 2006; and their systems were audited by Faero in March 2007. They became members of Faero's scheme on 2nd April, 2007.
Alison Cutland
– Membership Services Manager Roger Jones
– NHER Account Manager National Energy Services |
Stephen O'Hara – Director |
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