Part P Visit/assessment

[Daren]

Dear all, I've got my Competent Persons Scheme assessment with Stroma coming up and I wondered if anyone could give me some advice on what their hot topics are.

I'm flapping a bit because this will be the first time I've been through this as I've always worked with someone else.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Dear all, I've got my Competent Persons Scheme assessment with Stroma coming up and I wondered if anyone could give me some advice on what their hot topics are.

I'm flapping a bit because this will be the first time I've been through this as I've always worked with someone else.

From previous threads I've seen, they seem very hot on you locking off the main switch before removing the cover on the CCU.

 

[Octopus]

Make sure you have all your regs book, part p , test calibration, certs, example quotes and invoices, and most of all have a really decent job to go to with a squeaky clean EIC

 

[Pete999]

Make sure you have all your regs book, part p , test calibration, certs, example quotes and invoices, and most of all have a really decent job to go to with a squeaky clean EIC

And yer bank details

 

[Octopus]

And yer bank details

If he has got a date for his assessment he will have parted with his money already!

 

[Pete999]

If he has got a date for his assessment he will have parted with his money already!

Never thought of that, so you pay before you pass the assessment bit like asking the customer to pay before the job is finished.

 

[Octopus]

Never thought of that, so you pay before you pass the assessment bit like asking the customer to pay before the job is finished.

Ooh yes! Money in their bank very early on

 

[HandySparks]

Make sure you have all your regs book, part p , test calibration, certs, example quotes and invoices, and most of all have a really decent job to go to with a squeaky clean EIC

Gather together all the required documents and put them in a folder/bag/box so that you're not hunting around on the day. If anything (eg. your PL insurance) is attached to an e-mail, probably best to print it off. Also easier if you print off any test certificates you intend to show, particularly the ones for the on site inspection, and any calculations you've done.

I was told that they need to see a minimum of two new circuits.

The questions asked will depend on the particular assessor. There were quite a few areas that mine didn't cover at all, but I'm sure they'll come up on a later assessment.

If you can remember some of the basic technical stuff if makes things quicker and gives a better impression: RCD times, typical max Ze, current ratings for the sorts of cables you're using, IR testing limits, etc. You must be able to demonstrate or describe the safe isolation procedure.

 

[uksparks]

I've got my AC visit in a month, not had a visit for 19 months lol.

I I suspect there will be a few questions around AMD3.

i was thinking of having a few products that I fit to hand to show him what I like to install, something to talk about etc.

 

[uksparks]

I was thinking of having a small list of things to discuss, nothing special but things like 7/.036 in relation to 4-6mm twin etc, I was going to mention that i had obviously noticed it was not 6mm. Just makes just look a little more observant possibly.

ive got my Stubbs books to show him.

ill have a hager design 30 board to sit and discuss, maybe a JCC LED10 down light to show him so he can see what I like to fit.

 

[Dave OCD]

I was thinking of having a small list of things to discuss, nothing special but things like 7/.036 in relation to 4-6mm twin etc, I was going to mention that i had obviously noticed it was not 6mm. Just makes just look a little more observant possibly.

ive got my Stubbs books to show him.

ill have a hager design 30 board to sit and discuss, maybe a JCC LED10 down light to show him so he can see what I like to fit.

Chances are you'll be as knowledgeable as he is, if not more so. It's not nice being scrutinised like this but I like to dream up one or two tricky questions to test their knowledge as well. Having said that I have to say my assessor was good as gold, they can tell pretty quickly whether you know your stuff just as we would with another sparks.

 

[uksparks]

That's it, if you start beating round the bush and giving stupid answers then the day won't go too well.

so long as you can give things like max Zs for common sized breakers and rough ccc of cables, trip times, explain why you do certain things etc it's usually fine,

i had a jobsworth last time on the being of retirement, he kept making his own rules up.

 

[hightower]

so long as you can give things like max Zs for common sized breakers and rough ccc of cables

Is that strictly necessary? Or would being able to consult the BYB be allowable for Zs & CCCs?

 

[akwoody2]

I have just had my second year assessment with Stroma. None of the questions asked were that hard, simple things like what jobs would you notify? He did ask about having the Part P document, Risk assessment, complains policy. T first thing he asked for were my qualifications, once he seen them I got the impression he didnt feel the need to bother me to much. Sat down for an hour and a half chatting about what I have and what I could do with having. Went to site, had a look around the job, RCD test and ZS. That was it.

 

[Daren]

Thanks. That's great advice. I've just completed my 2395 so hopefully a lot of the stuff he asks will be still in my head. Although I've had a few beers since then which tends to act like a big eraser for me!

 

[sparksburnout]

I am not sure if anything has changed lately with Stroma, but I have had an email along the lines of they will be picking 2 jobs from the list of notified work from last year, to go and look at. Now, I have no problem with this, but being as all of them are domestic (obviously), how are we supposed to guarantee access? I asked one of the help-desk team and they are not sure, "getting back to me" as always. Seems a bit odd to. Do you not provide a job for them to go and look at?

 

[Octopus]

I am not sure if anything has changed lately with Stroma, but I have had an email along the lines of they will be picking 2 jobs from the list of notified work from last year, to go and look at. Now, I have no problem with this, but being as all of them are domestic (obviously), how are we supposed to guarantee access? I asked one of the help-desk team and they are not sure, "getting back to me" as always. Seems a bit odd to. Do you not provide a job for them to go and look at?

Hum.... that sounds a bit hit and miss. How can you guarantee access, people moving, properties rented out with "difficult" tenants...., difficult customers not wanting you back, bob the builder having a go after you have finished......

 

[not clever]

Nicey DI have changed their criteria, have to have access to 2 jobs but only need to visit one, if there are no issues at first job they don't go to the second at all.

 

[sparksburnout]

Nicey DI have changed their criteria, have to have access to 2 jobs but only need to visit one, if there are no issues at first job they don't go to the second at all.

That's absolutely ridiculous. So you get in touch with 2 customers, tell them to book a day off work so you can bring the assessor round to "check" your work, then he goes to the other job first and decides he doesn't need to go to the second. Customers are going to love that, what a load of crap. The more I hear about these scams the more I am inclined not to bother and just crack on regardless.

 

[Octopus]

The "scams" would do better if they actually followed up on the dodgy work that some of their members are doing..........

 

[HandySparks]

That's absolutely ridiculous. So you get in touch with 2 customers, tell them to book a day off work so you can bring the assessor round to "check" your work, then he goes to the other job first and decides he doesn't need to go to the second. Customers are going to love that, what a load of crap.

I've never told a customer to book a day off work. Aren't any of your customers retired or work from home or looking after kids at home?

OK, I may not have many to choose from, but it's never been a problem.

 

[sparksburnout]

I've never told a customer to book a day off work. Aren't any of your customers retired or work from home or looking after kids at home?

OK, I may not have many to choose from, but it's never been a problem.

Yes, they are. But apparently, Stroma are picking them from the list of Notified jobs. I am sort of part-time so do not have a massive list to be honest. The thing that cheeses me off about them as well, is the fact that they are ****ing hopeless to communicate with. They never respond to emails, and if you phone them you just end up talking to some bimbo who has to refer it on. Sorry, but that's how it is. If I register again I reckon I am going back to NAPIT.

 

[Andy78]

I've never told a customer to book a day off work. Aren't any of your customers retired or work from home or looking after kids at home?

OK, I may not have many to choose from, but it's never been a problem.

I'm same. I've not had a customer yet who hasn't been comfortable to give me keys to their house when I've asked them.

 

[sparksburnout]

I'm same. I've not had a customer yet who hasn't been comfortable to give me keys to their house when I've asked them.

So would you just hand over your house keys then?? I wouldn't

 

[HandySparks]

Yes, they are. But apparently, Stroma are picking them from the list of Notified jobs. I am sort of part-time so do not have a massive list to be honest. The thing that cheeses me off about them as well, is the fact that they are ****ing hopeless to communicate with. They never respond to emails, and if you phone them you just end up talking to some bimbo who has to refer it on. Sorry, but that's how it is. If I register again I reckon I am going back to NAPIT.

Sure, if it's Stroma, NIC, etc. picking two from those notified in the last year, it may be a problem. On the other hand if I'm doing the picking, then one main job plus a backup isn't too bad.

 

[Andy78]

So would you just hand over your house keys then?? I wouldn't

No, in most circumstances I wouldn't. But my customers seem to trust me enough to extend that courtesy to me to enable work to get on. It's how most of my domestic work goes on really. People would rather do that than lose a day off work I find.

 

[Dave OCD]

No, in most circumstances I wouldn't. But my customers seem to trust me enough to extend that courtesy to me to enable work to get on. It's how most of my domestic work goes on really. People would rather do that than lose a day off work I find.

I get this too fairly often, much easier to have the place to yourself when cracking on with a job.

 

[Richard Burns]

Stroma specified to me which job they would like to see which was installed through another company for a new rental property via the landlord and would now be occupied by new tenants so no way to get back to it.
I told them it was impossible and they selected a different job that I could go to, unfortunately it was an ancient install with lots of problems but that's life.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Dear all, I've got my Competent Persons Scheme assessment with Stroma coming up and I wondered if anyone could give me some advice on what their hot topics are.

I'm flapping a bit because this will be the first time I've been through this as I've always worked with someone else.

It's quite normal to 'flap a bit' Daren, if you didn't it would probably mean you're over confident.

I have had 3 visits from Stroma now. I generally get the same assessor who is very thorough, but fair. You may well find that he does not pass you there and then, try not to be disheartened by that, it simply means you have to take a few pictures of the bits he wants to see and send them through, then you get passed. I'm talking about a 'complaints procedure' or 'health and safety policy', which most small sole traders will never have heard of before they try and get assessed. However, you need these sort of things to become registered.

If you don't have all the bits that he asks for he'll explain what he needs and (like I've already said) then you send them through.

Off the top of my head you'll need:

Part P document (up to date)
Public liability insurance (proof of)
calibration documents for your MFT or whichever test equipment you use for your certs.
complaints procedure
health and safety policy
risk assessment
BS7671
qualification certificate.
(some ask for you to have a cal card)


Good luck!