OFTEC Technician Forum outcomes

In October OFTEC held its second technician forum of the year where views were sought from heating technicians on industry matters and OFTEC’s operations. The meeting was held via Teams with some interesting topics discussed.

Technicians attending were –

• Antony, a long-serving oil heating technician from Liskeard, Cornwall first registered in 2007.
• Adrian, from Roxburghshire, Scotland who works on oil heating, but is also MCS registered for heat pumps.
• Dean from North Yorkshire, who works on oil heating and is also MCS registered for heat pumps.
• Brian from Waterford, Ireland, a technician on oil heating, who also works as a trainer of OFTEC courses at an approved centre.

Staff from OFTEC head office and regional inspectors also attended.

MCS Scheme update

The first topic of discussion was of particular interest to Adrian and Dean (who currently hold MCS registration) and will next year be required to transition over to the new MCS installer certification scheme (called MCS:2025). Jonathan King (OFTEC Registration Manager) updated that the registration department are busy working with UKAS to obtain ISO 17065 accreditation for MCS:2025 before rolling the new scheme out in 2026.

OFTEC assessments

David Knipe (OFTEC Technical and Training Manager) then gave an update on the OFTEC assessments. This included the OFT101 single-stage and the OFT201 multi-stage commissioning courses, which are currently being looked at by an industry working group with a view to including the latest pressure jet burner technology (i.e. modulating burners).

Q&A time

Then it was over to the technicians’ questions. Brian asked about oil pipework testing and the need to exclude a de-aeration device (if fitted) on the test. David Knipe confirmed this was the case. He also took an action to separately reinforce the requirements of pressure testing oil pipework and the regularity. Brian then went on to ask about alternatives to limestone chippings used on condensate soakaways. Again, Technical took another action away to find out what alternatives could be used.

OFTEC control documentation also came up and what the group thought would be the demand for digital versions of these forms. Views were given and OFTEC’s management will take these comments away and decide whether to make a digital option available in the future.

The final point was made by Antony who asked if oil delivery tanker drivers are qualified to risk assess a tank before filling. The view was that they would not be required to hold the OFTEC oil tank installation course but should have in-house training provided by the fuel supplier on safe working practices to ensure safe delivery of fuel.

The group were thanked for their valuable input, and all discussions will be fed into the OFTEC Scheme Committee and help shape future decisions.

The next meeting will take place in Spring 2026.

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