Sector: I-GAS Industrial Combustion and Utilisation (Gas)

Code: I-GAS Level 1 – AWA, I-GAS Level 2 – IPW, I-GAS Level 3 – COM (I-GAS Level 4, I-GAS Level 5 – in development)

Course                  I-GAS INDUSTRIAL GAS ACCREDITATION SCHEME (I-GAS)

Pre-requisite         See below

Course code           

I-GAS Level 1 – Industrial Gas Safety Awareness (AWA)

I-GAS – Safe Isolation of Gas Assets (ISO)

I-GAS Level 2 – Industrial Gas Pipework Maintenance (IPW) 

I-GAS Level 3 – Industrial Gas Combustion Technician (COM)

I-GAS Level 4, I-GAS Level 5 – in development

I-GAS Industrial Gas Accreditation Scheme (I-GAS) 

The CEA’s Industrial Gas Operations Accreditation Scheme (I-GAS) qualification has been devised in collaboration with industrial gas training providers, manufacturers of combustion equipment, and employers.  It is the only formal training and accreditation scheme currently available that is specifically designed for maintenance staff and technicians working with gas in industrial premises.

Course Programme and Qualification Level

The qualification is available in various categories as follows:

Courses now available

Industrial Gas Safety Awareness (AWA) – also know as I-GAS Level 1

• Is an entry level knowledge and awareness course for candidates with little gas work experience and does not permit a successful candidate to carry out any work on gas systems.
• For New Entrants to familiarise candidates with gas industry standards, legislation and procedures.
• This is a 2-day course, consisting of theoretical training and industrial gas utilisation examples
• The Candidate will be required to complete a 90 minute Multiple Choice exam paper (open book).
• I-GAS Scheme
• The Gas Safety (I & U) Regulations
• Provision of Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
• The Gas Industry and UK Supply Network (Beach to Burner)
• Properties and Characteristics of Gases
• Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedures
• Fundamentals of Gas Combustion and types of Explosion and Emergency Actions
• Introduction to Pressure and Flow
• Appreciation of Gas Pipework Systems
• Types of Gas Plant and Equipment used in Industry
• RAMS and Gas Work Records
• Progression to I-GAS Levels and Evidence Requirements

Safe Isolation of Gas Assets (ISO) 

• This course is designed to introduce the candidate to the fundamental principles of safe isolation of gas assets and the basic knowledge required of industrial gas operatives and technicians.
• The objective of the Safe Isolation of Gas Assets Course is to enable candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to familiarise themselves with current gas legislation, HSE guidance, gas and electrical standards, and basic principles of isolation so that they feel confident in applying the procedures used in industry.

Industrial Gas Pipework Maintenance (IPW) – also know as I-GAS Level 2

• For Candidates working on pipework, safe procedures for gas work, breaking into gas ways, repairing or replacing gas line components, strength test, tightness testing, purging & relighting end of line equipment.
• This is a 5-day course, consisting of practical and theoretical training with written examinations (open book) and practical assessment.
• This is designed for a factory maintenance operative who carries out maintenance on the gas infrastructure and may:
• Repair gas carrying components on the gas line
• Test the gas lines and purge to air and replace components
• Then test the gas tightness and commission Purge
• Finally re-light any equipment affected by the work.
• The training would cover the following Subjects:
• Regulations – Unsafe Situations – Gas Supply Networks
• Characteristics of fuel gas – Installation Pipework Practices
• Testing and Purging

Industrial Gas Combustion Technician (COM) – also know as I-GAS Level 3

• For Candidates working on gas burners, gas pipework, understanding combustion principles and equipment, combustion analysis and emissions, setting regulators.
• This is a 5-day course, consisting of practical and theoretical training with written examinations (open book) and practical assessment.
• This is designed for a factory maintenance operative who carries out maintenance on the gas fuelled equipment which contains combustion applications and may:
• Repair gas carrying components on the combustion equipment
• Carry out preventative maintenance on fuel burning equipment
• Test the gas lines and purge to air
• Replace gas carrying components
• Test and re-commission equipment.
• Install new combustion equipment
• Regulations – Unsafe Situations – Gas Supply Networks
• Characteristics of fuel gases and exhaust gas analysis
• Installation pipework principles
• Testing and Purging of gas pipelines and gas burner controls
• Flueing and Ventilation provision
• Gas combustion controls
• Testing and checking combustion controls
• Fault finding technique

F.A.Q.’s

Qu. 1   Can I attend I-GAS level 2 or 3 without completing I-GAS level 1 ?

Ans.    Yes, if you have a current Gas Safety competence qualification, i.e. Commercial ACS, Commercial Gas Safe, ACOP 16 or other commercial gas certification.

Qu. 2   Do I have to complete I-GAS level 2 prior to attending I-GAS level 3 ?

Ans.    No, I-GAS level 2 and I-GAS level 3 have been designed for two separate work types

• Level 2: Industrial Gas Pipework Maintenance
• Level 3: Industrial Gas Combustion Technician

However, if you work on gas pipework infrastructure and on burners / combustion equipment, you will require I-GAS level 2 and I-GAS level 3

Qu. 3   Can I attend I-GAS level 2 or 3 as soon as I complete I-GAS level 1 ?

Ans.    Yes, providing you have completed I-GAS level 1 (or have an acceptable prerequisite certification) and have a minimum of 6 months gas work based experience or have completed supervised gas work, you can attend I-GAS level 2 or 3

Qu. 4   Will I be fully competent to work on industrial gas systems on completion of I-GAS ?

Ans.    HSE define competence as the combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge that a person has; and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely. Other factors, such as attitude and physical ability, can also affect someone’s competence.

I-GAS focuses on gas safety compliance and also core practical competences (see topics listed for each level).

Qu. 5   On completion of I-GAS, can SGAS provide additional specialist training on our site and equipment ?

Ans.    Yes, SGAS have a number of options that can be tailored to individual site requirements.  This may be vary from site to site depending on operation and production requirements.

Qu. 6   Do I need to be Gas Safe Registered to work on industrial gas equipment ?

Ans.    The Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations give some notable exemptions, i.e. Save for regulations 37, 38 and 41 and subject to regulation 3(8), these Regulations (and therefore Gas Safe Registration) shall not apply in relation to the supply of gas to, or anything done in respect of a gas fittings and equipment at the following premises:

• • A Mine or Quarry       
  • A Factory
  • Agricultural Premises
  • Sewage Treatment Works
  • Ships and Vessels

But the Regulations will apply if part of the site is used for domestic purposes, or any other sites such as Shops, Universities, Hospitals, Schools ? etc.

Course fees @ SGAS (POA)

I-GAS Level 1 Industrial Gas Safety Awareness – now known as AWA

I-GAS Level 2 Industrial Gas Maintenance – now known as IPW

I-GAS Level 3 Industrial Gas Technician – now known as COM

On site courses can also be arranged at suitable venues.  Please email your enquiries to I-GAS@sgas.co.uk