CPA1 Combustion Performance Analysis of Domestic Appliances

Within the UK are the approximately 120,000 registered gas service engineers and some 45,000 use a flue gas analyser. Despite 75,000 gas service engineers holding competency in HTR1 (gas fires) and CEN1 (central heating boilers), they do not possess an assessed competence in the operation of flue gas analysers. It will shortly become a requirement for all gas service engineers to correctly operate a flue gas analyser. The introduction of the CPA1 Combustion Performance Analysis of Domestic Appliances is a gas safety course and assessment designed specifically for gas service engineers for compliance with the requirements of BS7967 Parts 2 to 4.

Safe Operation of a Heating Appliance

Alarmingly, it is becoming a quite common story of deaths caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning because of incorrectly operating or dangerous conditions of heating appliances within dwellings. Therefore it is imperative that gas service engineers are able to competently check the safe operation of a heating appliance after installation or during a service call. This has led to the government to legally require that all gas service engineers are certified in the understanding the proper and safe use of a flue gas analyser.

Operating a Flue Gas Analyser Effectively

Unfortunately, a vast majority of gas service engineers are unaware of the full potential that a flue gas analyser has to offer or indeed how to operate the equipment effectively – a common mistake is simply failing to select the required operating mode on the flue gas analyser for a particular type of fuel. From February 2010, all gas service engineers completing or holding HTR1 and CEN1 will be legally compelled to complete their CPA1 first.

CPA1 Course and Assessment

The Combustion Performance Analysis of Domestic Appliances course and assessment comprises of:

• Commissioning, servicing and testing appliances requirements when new components have been installed
• The Gas Industry Unsafe Situation category given to gas appliances that do not reach a satisfactory combustion performance
• Allowances made for gas cooker carbon monoxide (CO) levels
• Comprehension of action levels for gas appliances
• Remedial action required if carbon monoxide (CO) / carbon dioxide (CO2) ratio levels continue to be above suitable performance levels after adjustment

With the introduction of the CPA1 flue gas analyser assessment course, which is ratified by the Approved Certification Scheme (ACS), both the government and the heating industry have implemented necessary action to provide gas service engineers with a thorough understanding of combustion performance gas analysis required for commissioning at installation, re-commissioning after servicing or replacement of parts or the recognition of full service requirements on gas-fired appliances listed in BS 7967 Part 3 2005 Guide.