Question 1

LCL Awards Level 3 in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pump Systems (non-refrigerant circuits)

Accepted Answer

The LCL Awards Level 3 in the Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pump Systems is a regulated RQF qualification designed for those wanting to achieve a nationally recognised qualification in the installation and maintenance of air source heat pump systems (non-refrigerant circuits).

This qualification is recognised by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as a demonstration of competency and is required to join the scheme.

What does the course cover?

This course covers the following qualification units:

1. LCL-R3035: Core unit in Heat Pump Technology (Non-Refrigerant Circuit)

The learner will know what a heat pump is, the principle of the vapour compression system and system components.
The learner will know the different operational characteristics of each type of heat pump unit and system arrangement.
The learner will know the fundamental principles of heat pump efficiency and design selection that are common for heat pumps. The learner will know the
fundamental principles of domestic hot water cylinder selection and system design that are common for heat pumps.
The learner will know the fundamental principles of hydraulic system design that are common for heat pumps.
The learner will know the fundamental principles of heat pump controls.
The learner will know how to plan and prepare for the installation of heat pumps.
The learner will know the requirements to install and test heat pump systems.
The learner will understand the requirements to commission heat pump system installations.
The learner will understand the requirements to handover heat pump system installations.
The learner will know the requirements for the handover of a heat pump installation
The learner will know the requirements for routine service and maintenance of a heat pump system installation.
The learner will undertake fault diagnosis work on a heat pump system installation.

2. LCL-R3036: Air Source unit in Heat Pump Technology (Non-Refrigerant Circuit)

The learner will know the preparatory work required for the installation of an air source heat pump.
The learner will know the common requirements for the installation of an air source heat pump connected to hydraulic emitter circuits.
The learner will install heat pump units (non-refrigeration units).
The learner will test and commission an air source heat pump system (non-refrigerant circuits).

The learner will be able to undertake the non-refrigerant circuit routine service and maintenance of an air source heat pump system (non-refrigerant circuits).

What qualifications do I need?

Candidates on this course must hold a valid WRAS Water Regulations qualification in addition to one of the following: 

A Level 2 or Level 3 NVQ or SVQ in plumbing / heating & ventilation / gas / oil – Installation and Maintenance qualification.
A valid Core Gas Safety (CCN1) certificate with CENWAT & must be involved in the installation of heating systems.
An OFTEC Oil certificate.
A valid HETAS certificate (must be for wet systems)
CPS registration for plumbing systems.
Two years minimum of verifiable experience on the installation of heating and hot water systems.

NOTE – If you apply for MCS registration for install only of heat pumps you will be required to demonstrate that you have a contract in place with a qualified design engineer who must also be MCS registered as a designer of heat pump systems.

Those looking to be MCS registered for the Installation and Design of heat pumps will need to hold the LCL Awards Level 3 Award in Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Systems Design in Dwellings in addition to WRAS.

Learn more about MCS certification here.

Question 2

Level 3 Award in the Design, Installation and Commissioning of Electrical Energy Storage Systems

Accepted Answer

The Level 3 qualification is for learners wishing to achieve a regulated qualification in the Design, Installation and Commissioning of EESS. This qualification is in accordance with BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations and the IET Code of Practice for Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS).

Learners undertaking this qualification will typically be updating their electrotechnical sector competence or undertaking continuous professional development.

What does the course cover?

The learner will:
• know the key requirements for installation of EESS
• know and identify equipment, arrangements and operating modes of EESS
• know the requirements for design and installation of EESS
• be able to prepare for the installation of EESS
• be able to install EESS
• know the requirements for initial verification and handover of EESS
• be able to conduct initial verification and handover of EESS.

What qualifications do I need?

This qualification is intended for qualified and practicing electricians who are age 18+.

On application for the qualification, Aira Academy will carry out an initial assessment of the learner’s capability to complete the qualification.

Prior to registering for the qualification, learners must provide evidence that they meet the qualification pre-requisites by holding a:

Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671 (current edition).

And one of the following:

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Installation or Maintenance)
Level 3 Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Qualification
Level 3 NVQ in Electrotechnical Services Experienced Worker
Level 3 Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification
Level 3 Electrotechnical in Dwellings Experienced Worker Qualification
Building Services Engineering (Level 3) Electrotechnical Installation Qualification
SVQ in Electrical Installation at SCQF level 7
Equivalent Qualifications. See Tables A4.7 and A4.8 of the EAS Qualifications Guide
Current ECS Gold Card issued by the JIB or SJIB – Installation Electrician, Approved Electrician, Maintenance Electrician or Domestic Electrician.

Question 3

Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Small-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Accepted Answer

The Level 3 qualification is for learners wishing to achieve a regulated qualification in the Installation and Maintenance of SPV. This qualification is in accordance with BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations and the IET Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems.

Learners undertaking this qualification will typically be updating their electrotechnical sector competence or undertaking continuous professional development.

What does the course cover?

Learner will:

know the health and safety risks and safe systems of work associated with solar photovoltaic system installation work.
know the requirements of the relevant regulations/ standards relating to practical installation, testing and commissioning activities for solar photovoltaic system installation work.
know the fundamental differences between AC and DC circuits within solar photovoltaic systems.
know the purpose of solar photovoltaic system components.
know the types, silicon characteristics and typical conversion efficiencies of solar photovoltaic modules.
know the fundamental design principles used to determine solar photovoltaic system module array size and position requirements.
know the preparatory work required for solar photovoltaic system installation work.
know the layouts and the requirements for installing solar photovoltaic module arrays.
know solar photovoltaic system DC and AC circuit installation layouts within the scope of the relevant Engineering Recommendation for grid tied systems.
know solar photovoltaic system protection techniques and components.

What qualifications do I need?

This qualification is intended for qualified and practicing electricians age 18+.

On application for the qualification, Aira Academy will carry out an initial assessment of the learner’s capability to complete the qualification.

Prior to registering for the qualification, learners must provide evidence that they meet the qualification pre-requisites by holding a:

• Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671 (current edition).

And one of the following:

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Installation or Maintenance)
Level 3 Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Qualification
Level 3 NVQ in Electrotechnical Services Experienced Worker
Level 3 Electrotechnical Experienced Worker Qualification
Level 3 Electrotechnical in Dwellings Experienced Worker Qualification
Building Services Engineering (Level 3) Electrotechnical Installation Qualification
SVQ in Electrical Installation at SCQF level 7
Equivalent Qualifications. See Tables A4.7 and A4.8 of the EAS Qualifications Guide
Current ECS Gold Card issued by the JIB or SJIB – Installation Electrician, Approved Electrician, Maintenance Electrician or Domestic Electrician.

Question 4

Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition)

Accepted Answer

The This qualification relates to the requirements of electrical installations has been designed to enable learners to demonstrate their knowledge of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations.

This qualification may be required for electrical operatives wishing to join Electrical Registration Bodies, Competent Person Schemes or the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

What does the course cover?

Learner will:

This regulated qualification is for learners to demonstrate a knowledge of the scope, object and fundamental principles of BS 7671, along with the definitions, how to assess the general characteristics of electrical installations and the requirements of protection for safety of electrical installations.

Learners will know the requirements for selection and erection of equipment for electrical installations along with the requirements for the inspection and testing of electrical installations.
Leaners will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the requirements of special installations and locations as identified in BS 7671, the information contained within Part 8 and the appendices of BS 7671.

What qualifications do I need?

There are no pre-requisites for learners to enrol on to the qualification. However, Aira Academy shall carry out an initial assessment of the learner’s capability to complete the qualification.

Learners should contact Aira Academy for further advice and guidance on suitability to undertake the qualification.

Question 5

Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS)

Accepted Answer

The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) course is designed for heating and plumbing professionals, providing essential knowledge to comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.

This course is ideal for industry professionals who want to join their local Water Industry Approved Plumber Scheme (WIAPS), Competent Person Scheme (CPS) or the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

What does the course cover?

WRAS training covers the following topics:

Water regulations; interpretation and definitions
Materials and substances
Requirements, design and installation
Backflow and contamination prevention
Hot and cold-water services
Flushing devices
Sanitary appliances, both internal and external

The course is fully approved by WRAS, meeting its qualification standards. Successful candidates will receive a WRAS Certificate issued by LCL Awards.

What qualifications do I need?

To qualify for the WRAS course, candidates should have two years plumbing experience.

Do I need anything else?

The comprehensive WRAS Water Regulations Guide and a workbook is supplied online as part of the Water Regulations course. You can find the guidelines online here.

More details of the WRAS Approved Plumber Scheme, which operates in England and Wales, can be found here.

Question 6

Hot Water Systems and Safety (HWSS)

Accepted Answer

The Hot Water Systems and Safety (HWSS) course certifies operatives in compliance with G3 Building Regulations. This updated course replaces the previous unvented hot water training and now covers all hot water systems.

Depending on the candidate’s needs, training and assessment take 1–2 days, with tailored evaluations for initial certification or re-assessment.

Recognised by Competent Person Schemes (CPS), the HWSS course enables participants to self-certify under Approved Document G. Candidates will be issued with a HWSS certificate of competence from LCL Awards upon completion.

What does the course cover?
The course covers both vented and unvented hot water systems training, covering the following topics:  

Installation and safety
Regulations, standards and guidelines
Theory of hot water expansion
Principles of hot water storage
Design considerations
Components and function
Safety controls, discharge and integration
Maintenance and servicing

What qualifications do I need?

To take the HWSS course, candidates must have experience installing both domestic hot and cold vented and unvented water systems, along with a Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) recognised competency in conventional fuels.

For those in the plumbing field, an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification/experience is required.

The initial assessment is for those without an up-to-date HWSS certificate. This qualification lasts for 5 years, and re-assessment every 5 years is needed to maintain validity. Re-assessment applies to those whose qualification has expired within the last 12 months.

Do I need anything else?

All candidates must be aware of and familiar with Section G3 from the new Part G Building Regulations. This will be provided before the beginning of the course.

Question 7

Level 3 Award in Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Systems in Dwellings

Accepted Answer

Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Systems in Dwellings course equips learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to install low temperature heating systems in homes.

The course covers the principles and requirements for these systems, allowing candidates to demonstrate their understanding of their application and installation.

The training spans 2 days and includes a multiple-choice online exam to assess knowledge.

What does the course cover?

After the 2-day course, applicants will:

After the 2-day course, applicants will:
Be aware of the latest industry standards and regulatory framework relating to heating design
Know the requirements for undertaking room-by-room heat loss calculations
Understand how to correctly size heat emitters
Know how to correctly size pumps and pipework
Understand how to correctly size a domestic hot water system
Be familiar with the basic design principles of system configurations

What qualifications do I need?

You don’t need any prior qualifications or experience. We’ll carry out an initial assessment when you apply for the qualification. This will help us understand your ability to complete the course successfully.

Installation & Maintenance of ASHPs	£575*
HWSS	£190
WRAS	£190
Low Temperature Heating & Hot Water Systems	£250
18th Edition - Level 3 Electrical Installations	£400
Design, Installation and Commissioning of Electrical Energy Storage Systems	£500
Installation and Maintenance of Small-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems	£725

Complete Certification Bundle (all four courses)	£1100*
Installation & Maintenance of ASHP, HWSS & WRAS	£900*
HWSS & WRAS	£300

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