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Scheme Details and FAQs

Scheme Details and FAQs

The Elmhurst Accreditation Scheme for commercial and public buildings enables members to produce Government endorsed Energy Reports using  the appropriate approved methodology. The Elmhurst Scheme will support the use of all approved software systems that produce the standard export files, however initially, and throughout your training, we will utilise freely available generic iSBEM and Operational Rating (OR) software.

Click here to download -your free copy of iSBEM -, and – manuals –

Click here to download -your free copy of Operational Rating Software -, and – manuals -

 

All Energy Reports need to be produced by accredited (licensed) CEAs and lodged with the Government’s central database in order to be legally valid. The key functions of the Scheme are to ensure all members:

  • Are sufficiently trained, qualified and or experienced in Commercial Buildings energy rating
  • Have thorough knowledge and understanding of all relevant building regulations and technical standards
  • Are appropriately insured
  • Abide by code of professional conduct
  • Are subject to ongoing independent quality assurance
  • Have access to an independent complaints resolution service

 

Insurance

Elmhurst Energy will not be providing Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance as part of this Commercial Energy Assessor Accreditation Scheme.  You will be required to provide evidence (copies of valid certificates of insurance) that shows suitable cover is in place in accordance with the levels of work you will be carrying out.  Elmhurst Energy is recommending a minimum of £1,000,000 Professional Indemnity cover, but ultimately it is the duty of each CEA assessor to ensure that they carry the appropriate levels of cover depending on the volume and value of work to be undertaken.

 

Accreditation Scheme Code of Conduct

All members of the Elmhurst EPC accreditation scheme will be subject to strict codes of conduct and quality assurance monitoring covering the members EPC production and professional conduct relating to all activities within the scope of the scheme. Members found to be in breach of the code or who fail to meet the required technical standards will be subject to disciplinary action which ultimately can lead to removal from the scheme. 

Download and view the -EES Code of Conduct-

 

FAQs

If I am already qualified as a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), can I join the CEA Accreditation Scheme?

Yes, either by completing an approved qualification or if via the APEL route if you can demonstrate an appropriate level of experience in the commercial sector, please see application forms for full details.

 

I have been a user of the Elmhurst Design SAP Software for some time, and I would like to produce EPCs for commercial buildings, how do I go about it?

The Government are very clear that the APEL route is only available to those who have two years of experience in commercial buildings. All others they will have to obtain the Level 3, 4 or 5 qualification. Due to timescales Elmhurst is concentrating on the APEL route, but in the future may run courses through to a qualification.

 

I am not a member of a professional body and realise that I need to show a level of knowledge and understanding against the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for soft skills – why do I need to do this?

Although you are very likely to have all the skills necessary on soft skills such as health and safety and client relationships in your present or previous positions; all persons who obtain a licence through the APEL route must prove and demonstrate that they do meet the required standards. Elmhurst has produced a comprehensive distance learning module which is easy to understand and covers all the required knowledge and understanding, by undertaking the assessment questions in this module, you will clearly show to Government that you are of the correct standard required.

 

What is this relevance of the National Occupational Standards (NOS)?

The Government use independent bodies called Sector Skills Councils, and in the case of the construction industry, one called Asset Skills, to write the NOS for energy rating buildings. The NOS define the level of skills, knowledge and understanding required to be able to competently undertake a particular job. This forms the standard by which individuals will be judged in regards to competence by the Accreditation Scheme or when completing a formal qualification.

Elmhurst has been granted the ability to use the Approved Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) to ensure existing skilled persons can become licensed to produce EPCs and DECs without having to undertake a formal qualification. Basically Elmhurst will map your existing skills against the framework (NOS) and allow you to fill in the missing blanks to complete a full set of necessary skills.

 

I have previously trained on SBEM with the BRE, do I have to undertake more SBEM training?

This is not straight forward and ultimately depends on what SBEM experience you have and when it was undertaken. We recommend that all persons who have previously undertaken SBEM training to individually contact us to clarify how this may affect your individual training requirements.

 

Does Elmhurst offer any business opportunities at the end of the course?

Elmhurst are experts in training and providing software solutions to persons and organisations. Although we will not be providing or guaranteeing work or contacts, we will help to direct our members to opportunities where they exist via our website and newsletters. We strongly suggest that assessors do there own marketing and understand their business opportunities.

 

Once accredited as a CEA, am I able to produce EPCs for all commercial buildings?

The simple answer is no. CEAs will only be able to produce reports on buildings that meet the definition of the level(s) for which they are accredited. Therefore, once you begin to practice as a CEA , you must work closely with your clients to ensure that their buildings fall within your skills category. This will avoid wasted site inspections and client frustration.  Please note once accredited and practising at one CEA level/type you may wish to expand your accreditation to cover a wider range of buildings.

 

As a DEC assessor can I offer a service to provide DECs and associated reports on buildings other than those that mandatorily require them?

Yes, it is Elmhurst’s opinion that many non-public organisations will wish to have DECs produced on there buildings; as energy costs effect a business bottom line and corporate/social responsibility requirements increase, we believe these reports will be beneficial to a wide range of organisations.