Install and Commission Fuel Systems: Oil

URN: BSEPH12
Business Sectors (Suites): Plumbing and Domestic Heating
Developed by: BSE Skills
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is for those who install, test and commission/decommission oil fuel systems. The person performing this work must be able to comply with the correct procedures and practices for working with oil fuel systems. This work must be in accordance with the current versions of the appropriate industry standards and regulations; the specification; industry recognised working practices; the working environment and the natural environment. They must know and understand:

  • direct and indirect cold water systems
  • direct, indirect and instantaneous hot water systems
  • hydronic heating systems (low temperature and high temperature)
  • unvented hot water systems
  • drainage systems
  • site services and system supplies
  • methods and techniques for connecting systems, appliances, components and accessories

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1.    verify that the job information and documentation are current and relevant and that the plant, instruments, access equipment and tools are fit for purpose
2.    confirm before work starts that the work location and work area can be accessed safely and has been checked for the risk to other personnel on the site, and take appropriate action if a risk is present
3.    select systems, appliances, components and accessories and confirm that they are:
·         of the right type and size
·         fit for purpose in accordance with the system design
·         suitable for the working environment in which they are to be installed
4.    confirm that the site services and system supply are compatible with the system design
5.    produce a risk assessment and method statement for the work to be carried out, including the identification and use of personal protective equipment, in accordance with the working environment
6.    determine at the outset, that the plans for positioning and fixing the systems, appliances, components and accessories are in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
7.    comply with industry practices and organisational procedures to ensure the co-ordination of site services and system supply and the activities of other trades
8.    measure and mark out the locations for fitting and fixing the selected systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         manufacturer instructions
9.    fit, fix and connect the selected systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
10.  confirm the integrity of the installed system using appropriate testing procedures
11.  complete appropriate testing procedures in line with industry practices
12.  accurately identify the cause of faults and those parts/components that need to be repaired/replaced
13.  carry out service and maintenance activities and procedures in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
14.  complete repairs/replacements as necessary
15.  perform visual and manual checks to ensure that the systems, appliances, components and accessories have been fixed, fitted and connected in accordance with:

  • the system design
  • the working environment
  • manufacturer instructions

16.  comply with industry practices and organisational procedures to ensure the co-ordination of site services and system supply and the activities of other trades
17.  inspect and pre-commission systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         manufacturer instructions
18.  confirm the integrity of the installed system using appropriate testing procedures
19.  commission systems, appliances, components and accessories, adjusting safely and effectively the control features in accordance with:

  • the system design
  • the working environment
  • manufacturer instructions

20.  decommission systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with industry practices and organisational procedures
21.  ensure that the system cannot be accidently reactivated or become dangerous
22.  confirm with the relevant others:
·         those variations to the planned programme of work
·         the actions to be taken to ensure that any variations to the  
·         planned programme of work will minimise the potential for hazard risk
23.  implement organisational procedures for the safe transport and/or disposal of waste material, substances and liquids in accordance with supplier and manufacturer instructions
24.  complete all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational procedures


Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

1.    the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your working practice and to which you must adhere
2.    the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3.    the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
4.    the applications, advantages and limitations of different oil fuel systems
5.    the applications, advantages and limitations of systems, appliances, components and accessories in relation to the working environment
6.    the appropriate industry standards and regulations relevant to working with oil systems
7.    how to verify that job information and documentation is current and relevant and that the plant, instruments, access equipment and tools are fit for purpose
8.    methods and procedures to produce a risk assessment and method statement for the work to be carried out, including the identification and use of personal protective equipment, in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         the conditions of the working environment
·         organisational procedures
9.    the methods for determining the type of size of systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with industry recognised organisational procedures
10.  how to interpret diagrams and drawings for the system to locate site services and system supply
11.  how to interpret diagrams and drawings for the system to identify the planned location of the systems, appliances, components and accessories
12.  the purpose, operating principles, application and differences between boiler types
13.  the organisational procedures for confirming, before work starts, that the work location and work area can be accessed safely and has been checked for the risk to other personnel on the site, and for taking appropriate action if a risk is present
14.  the methods and techniques for fitting, fixing and connecting the selected systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
15.  the appropriate testing procedures for confirming the system integrity at each stage of the work
16.  basic fault-finding techniques
17.  the methods and techniques for servicing and maintaining systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
18.  the methods and techniques for replacing/repairing the systems, appliances, components and accessories in accordance with:
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
19.  the visual and manual checks required to confirm that the systems, appliances, components and accessories have been fixed, fitted and connected in accordance with:

  • the system design
  • the working environment
  • organisational procedures

20.  the organisational procedures for confirming, before work starts, that the work location and work area can be accessed safely and has been checked for the risk to other personnel on the site, and for taking appropriate action if a risk is present
21.  the methods and techniques for inspecting and pre-commissioning the system in accordance with: 
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
22.  the methods and techniques for commissioning the system in accordance with: 

  • the system design
  • the working environment
  • manufacturer instructions

23.  the methods and techniques for decommissioning the system in accordance with: 
·         the system design
·         the working environment
·         manufacturer instructions
24.  the methods and techniques to ensure the system cannot be accidentally reactivated or become dangerous
25.  the organisational procedures for confirming with the relevant others the appropriate actions to be taken to ensure that any variations to the planned programme of work will not introduce a hazard and have minimum negative impact on the installation work to be undertaken
26.  the methods for the safe transport and/or disposal of waste materials, substances and liquids in accordance with supplier and manufacturer instructions
27.  how to complete relevant documentation in accordance with organisational procedures


Scope/range

Working environments (internal and/or external)
·         domestic
·         commercial
·         industrial

Oil fuel systems

  • direct and indirect cold water systems
  • direct, indirect and instantaneous hot water systems
  • hydronic heating systems (low temperature and high temperature)
  • unvented hot water systems
  • drainage systems

    Boilers

  • Combi

  • Regular
  • System

    Site

  • new build construction – building or structure

  • existing building or structure

    Work stages

  • Installation and test

  • Service and maintenance
  • Commissioning
  • Decommissioning

    Site services and system supply

  • electricity

  • water

  • gas
  • oil
  • solid fuel
  • solar thermal
  • heat pumps
  • water harvesting
  • drainage

    Organisational procedures

  • information management

  • project management
  • risk assessment and management
  • implementing and monitoring health and safety requirements and issues
  • implementing and monitoring issues relating to the natural environment
  • customer service
  • accident reporting
  • emergencies
  • communication with clients, customers and stakeholders

    Plant

  • generators

  • transformers for low voltage hand-tools
  • lifting equipment
  • access equipment

    Systems, appliances, components and accessories
    ·         accelerators
    ·         backflow prevention devices
    ·         boilers
    ·         cisterns
    ·         control devices
    ·         heat exchangers
    ·         pipework
    ·         pumps
    ·         sanitary appliances
    ·         storage vessels
    ·         valves

Relevant others
·         customers/clients
·         client representatives
·         supervisors
·         site/contract manager
·         other contractors/trades
·         members of the public
·         work colleagues

Appropriate testing procedures
·         pressure tests for pipework systems
·         static pressure tests
·         air tests
·         system hygiene and charging
·         performance tests


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2030

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

BSE Skills

Original URN


Relevant Occupations

Plumbing Engineers

SOC Code

5314

Keywords

Plumbing. Heating. Install. Commission. Oil.