Habitation / MH service technician, what qualifications are required ? ? (1 Viewer)

[scotjimland]

Not sure if that is the correct name for the trades person who does the service and checks.. anyhow

my question to all in the know ...

What qualifications and or training does a MH / Caravan habitation tester require ?

I imagine he / she would require at the very least an electrical and a mobile LPG qualification.

What certificates should you ask to see before employing someone to do your tests ?

.. or can just anyone set themselves up with some basic DIY knowledge, a white van, box of tools and hit the road ?

 

[weekenders]

Hi ScotJimland

Geo should be able to tell you.

 

[Douglas]

At a guess Jim I would say "nothing" in fact I would guess that most of them have not even served a recognized apprenticeship of any kind, but that's the way it is going in many "Trades" these days.

Gone are the day's when an apprenticeship lasted 5 years and you had to go to technical college once a week for most of the 5 years.

Doug...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotjimland]

At a guess Jim I would say "nothing" in fact I would guess that most of them have not even served a recognized apprenticeship of any kind, but that's the way it is going in many "Trades" these days.

Gone are the day's when an apprenticeship lasted 5 years and you had to go to technical college once a week for most of the 5 years.

Doug...

Indeed Doug .. but surely if they are going to issue LPG and Electrical test certificates they must have SOME qualification/training to do so ... ?

my worry is that some may be doing as you say , hence my question about what certificates should you ask to see before employing ...

 

[Wildman]

well I can see an electrical test cert and a gas safe cert should be held, but what cert for damp and general motorhome bits and bobs, I think there is an instiute of acredited caravan repairers. chances are a firm will have seperate people doing different jobs, but a one man band could be a different story.
A qualification can be obtained
http://www.cito.org.uk/attachments/article/70/C&G%20Application%20Pack%20-%20WB.pdf

 

[Douglas]

I think there is an instiute of acredited caravan repairers.

I bet there is now formal training for this certificate and every one passes providing they have attended!!!

Doug...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[656]

Mark at CLS has MCAE traing - MCAE Training

 

[Wildman]

not wishing to belittle anyone with such a qualification as they may well have other practical training. However become a fully qualified acredited engineer in just 5 days, 5 days not five years. Wow that is really hopeful.

 

[scotjimland]

Mark at CLS has MCAE traing - MCAE Training

thanks for the link Dave ..

having just read the course syllabus ,

you can learn all this in 5 Days ?

Health and Safety
European Standards
Liability Insurance Requirements
Advertising/Marketing
Setting Up Your Business
Customer Care and Relations
Pricing Structure
Stationery/Book Keeping Requirements
Vehicle Choice Recommendations
Tools Required
Parts Stock Required
Materials/Consumables Required
Sourcing of Supplies of Spares/Components etc.
Service Schedule - Full/Short/Safety/Check
Chassis/Brakes Problems
Floor Delamination Detection/Rectification
Use of Damp Meter and Detect Water Ingress
Cures for Water Ingress and Treatment
Fridge Problems and Rectification
Tap/Pump Problems and Rectification
Toilet Flush Systems, Fault Finding and Rectification
Window Replacement
Door Lock/Hinge Problems and Rectification
Space Heater/Fan Master Problems and Rectification
Skylight Replacement or Repair
Wheels/Tyres Regulations & Checks
Road Lighting/Awning Lights
Gas Problems and Tests
Heating Systems, Gas/Electric Faults
Hot Water Systems, Gas/Electric Faults
12v Electrical Faults and Rectification
240v Electrical Faults and Rectification
Blind and Fly Screen Adjustments


It took me FIVE years to qualify as a maintenance electrician

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotjimland]

not wishing to belittle anyone with such a qualification as they may well have other practical training. However become a fully qualified acredited engineer in just 5 days, 5 days not five years. Wow that is really hopeful.

beat me to it Roger ...

 

[hilldweller]

thanks for the link Dave ..
you can learn all this in 5 Days ?

They have very short tea breaks.

 

[Peter JohnsCross MH]

All my lot have 'tickets' and attend refresher training courses from time to time at enormous expense

Peter

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ubuntu1]

Engineer

I'm a trained MCEA engineer, the five days is misleading as I have gone on to do training with people like Thetford, Truma, BPW etc.. The MCEA continues to support and train engineers well past the five days. You should consider the five days as an introduction and if your serious you will go on and do more specialised training.

In terms of gas certification then nothing is mandatory but the recommended qualification is ACOPS Gas certification which is designed for the touring vehicle industry.

You should ask to see public liability insurance too. Its shows the engineer is serious and gives you some peace of mind.

I hope this helps.

 

[scotjimland]

In terms of gas certification then nothing is mandatory but the recommended qualification is ACOPS Gas certification which is designed for the touring vehicle industry.

.

Thanks for your informative post .. however , the above statement is a worry ..

also,
who checks the 230v electrics ? This can only be done by a competent electrician.

IMO these two checks, are the most critical, a poor damp inspection won't kill any one...

 

[Geo]

Thanks for your informative post .. however , the above statement is a worry ..

also,
who checks the 230v electrics ? This can only be done by a competent electrician.

IMO these two checks, are the most critical, a poor damp inspection won't kill any one...

My eldest boy Simon does,he will have a stand at Newark this year and offers a full electrica safety inspection test, full report with certificate if all is well, he is, I belive doing some inspections at newark too
Im hopefully doing the acops course soon, and can then offer full in house base vehicle service and repair, as well as the all important safety issues of the habbitation side
Geo

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Pammy]

Hi Jim

We at our college are approved to run the ACoPs training and assessments for the caravan and motorhome industry. The ACoP qualification is for the dealers who do not hire out the motorhomes. However, you do get the likes of Lowdham Leisure who sell and hire out so Lowdham have so many certificated to ACS standard and they then have to be Gase Safe registered. Then they also have the rest qualified to ACoP certification.

Anyone can take the ACoP training and we like other centres offer 5 days with assessments in each element. Engineers then have to recertificate after 5 years but can do the re-assessment which takes 3 days only.

I would advise anyone to take the ACoP - ok you have to sit through the Health & Safety, CoSHH, Regulations etc, all the mundane stuff but you do get on to the LPG and appliance stuff in time.

It makes me quake in my boots when I read some of the threads about what some funsters are doing with their appliances. oh:

As for the electrical side, then maybe my son who is also registered on this site may be able to tell you more. He is a certified Electrician who is qualified to do Inspections and offer certificates. If you have any urgent queries pm him SIMANJO is his forum name. He will be at the Newark show as well, he will be having a trade stand and will no doubt be joining us for the usual evening get together as well in the Fun camp.

Pammy

 

[Pammy]

My eldest boy Simon does,he will have a stand at Newark this year and offers a full electrica safety inspection test, full report with certificate if all is well, he is, I belive doing some inspections at newark too
Im hopefully doing the acops course soon, and can then offer full in house base vehicle service and repair, as well as the all important safety issues of the habbitation side
Geo

You just pipped me at the post - lagging behind as usual

 

[Wheelie]

you need to speak to NCA, there engineers are trained by cito and are workshop approved,they are gas and electrically trained and certified and approved by the national caravan council, i myself took the periodic inspection report qualification and i am able to carry out this electrical test and produce a bona fide certificate

Link Removed

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Douglas]

Well I have changes my pants now, I could not get to the toilet quick enough, I p****d my self with laughter at reading at all the qualifications and training that goes into a caravan engineer, Oh! s**t, I've wet my self again!!!

Doug...

 

[Pammy]

Well I have changes my pants now, I could not get to the toilet quick enough, I p****d my self with laughter at reading at all the qualifications and training that goes into a caravan engineer, Oh! s**t, I've wet my self again!!!

Doug...

Really??? You're an engineer in various subjects?? how much closed book examination did you do then and have to get 100% to pass or fail.

These guys have to jump through hoops to earn their living - they're the ones that put their clients' lifes at risk every time they do a job. and I suppose you wouldn't condemn the man who fails to do his job correctly and causes a fatality - no you'd probably just wet yourself laughing again :Sad:

 

[ubuntu1]

engineers and 240v

Well its a very different subject when it comes to 230 volt electrics. A motorhome is basically an electrical appliance that plugs into the mains rather like a vacuum cleaner.

If an electrician checks a motorhome under domestic regulations it will fail - you have mains, water, gas and 12v often running next to each other. You have mains very close to the kitchen sink, sometimes directly below. None of this would comply with 17th edition wiring codes.

You sometimes need to be careful what you wish for as the consequences could be very far reaching.

Motorhome engineers are trained to deal with 230v in touring vehicles - very different to 230v in a house or office. For example if your using a generator you probably haven't even got an earth! Cabling is different, in a motorhome you need to use cable that can flex without fracturing a solid connector that you would use in a house. Its different and its different for very good reasons - would a domestic electrician know this difference, I doubt it.

We did have some of the industry pushing mandatory electrical testing of motorhomes and caravans but they have had to water this down as the failure rate was HUGE.

Again I hope this helps, its a complicated area and ill-informed comments can often mislead people. Look for a trained motorhome engineer, check they are insured and talk to them about what you need.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Simannjo]

Good morning...

The National Caravan Council issued guidance last August Link Removed, which basically advise caravan & M/H electrics to be inspected every 3 years or more frequent if required etc etc.

For more free advice and guidance we'll be at Newark.

(Apologies if this oversteps the 'traders posting requirements').

Simon

 

[scotjimland]

We did have some of the industry pushing mandatory electrical testing of motorhomes and caravans but they have had to water this down as the failure rate was HUGE.

The 17th edition specifically covers the testing and inspection of caravans/motorhomes.

IMO electrical testing should be mandatory .. if vans were failing then they either had faults or were sub standard installations.

The National Caravan Council issued guidance last August Link Removed, which basically advise caravan & M/H electrics to be inspected every 3 years or more frequent if required etc etc.

same as above,

testing should be mandatory, simply leaving it up to owners will inevitable lead to dangerous installations going undetected..

An annual hab service by an approved engineer is a step in the right direction but with all due respect to them, they are not qualified or equipped to do a proper electrical test.

 

[hilldweller]

Anyone can take the ACoP training
Pammy

Even Geo ?

Will he get an A*.

Will your wardrobe suddenly fill with new dresses ?

These questions need asking.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Pammy]

Even Geo ?

Will he get an A*.

Will your wardrobe suddenly fill with new dresses ?

These questions need asking.

1. Yes Brian even Geo
2. He better
3. His won't but mine will

 

[betterthenatent]

You lot must have a great selection of anoraks between you. If your motor homes are so unsafe why do you use them.

 

[hilldweller]

You lot must have a great selection of anoraks between you. If your motor homes are so unsafe why do you use them.

Live dangerously, Die young.

That's the FUN motto.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Pammy]

You lot must have a great selection of anoraks between you. If your motor homes are so unsafe why do you use them.

Do you not have anything running on gas at home then, if not then I can understand your comment but if you have then surely you have them checked. The same applies to motorhomes - better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Dalek]

I used to work for a company here in Norwich that repaired cookers, washing machines, dish washers basically any white goods and they employ anyone to do these repairs with little training. If we got a call from a caravan dealer to mend an Electrolux product, they did it. When I worked for Goodalls in Huddersfield all the lads from the workshop were sent on the appropriate courses related to their job and not on a 7 day course but 3 years day release.

 

[rainbow chasers]

The Gas Fitters as fully qualified, and to gain a gas safe LPG caravan certification, you must have worked as a plumber for 2 years as a starting point. If you go onto the gas safe website, you will see what plumbers/gas fitters in your area are qualified for what - you would be surprised how many are qualified for caravans. These are not general either, as things like statics or park homes are serperate.

The courses they advertise are really only introductory courses, it is one of those small print things - yes you can be an engineer in a week, but only by description. There are lots more courses to attend to KEEP that, or allow you to work on certain things, so it is on-going.

As it stands, to work on anything except you gas, you don't NEED to be qualified for private use. So you could tinker with your motorhome if you are capable but at your own risk.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}