Autogas Approved Installers Scheme


Work on LPG Vehicle in Garages	Approved Installer Scheme

LPGA APPROVED INSTALLER SCHEME
(Revised November 2005)

How the LPGA Approved Installer Scheme could boost your business

Public and government recognition by participating in the only scheme to receive official government support. The Scheme provides customers with the assurance of a safe and satisfactory installation backed by a Quality Assurance Programme and full complaints process.
Opening your business to the market where insurance companies require a conversion to be by an LPGA Approved Installer.
Inclusion on our register of converters which appears on the BoostLPG websites (over 500 visits per day) and posted to enquirers.
The opportunity to become "Powershift" approved for conversions which are eligible for 100% discount on London Congestion Charging.
Providing free advertising holders and leaflets for you to display at local fuel stations with your company details.
Press releases for your local papers.
Articles for magazines and your local papers.
If you are approaching a business or local authority you can go with the strength of the Association behind you. We can supply Sales Information Packs, each with an introductory letter individually tailored to your company.
We can also assist if you are giving a talk or presentation to local groups or business. We can supply you with a Powerpoint presentation geared towards your audience. This can be by way of printed slides or a presentation on CD.

What the LP Gas Association also provides

The official logo of the Scheme for you to use in advertising and on documentation.
MOT style LPG Conversion Certificates increasingly being asked for by insurance companies.
Technical support on COP11 issues.
A dedicated resource to assist installers with customer complaints and general enquiries.
Regular inspections both to assist in maintaining standards and help with technical issues.
A special area on our website available only to Approved Installers providing industry information and cautionary notices relating to problem vehicles.
Quarterly Newsletters keeping you up-to-date on industry and technical matters.
Regular Forums - Speakers come from the industry and relevant bodies such as the Energy Savings Trust and Trading Standards, plus an opportunity to speak to other installers and raise issues in general debating sessions.
An Approved Installers Committee to ensure that the views of the Approved Installers are reflected in the activities of the Association.

1. Introduction

In order to maintain satisfactory standards of safety for vehicles which have been converted to run on LP gas, a system of approving installers has been introduced. Companies who are engaged in the conversion of vehicles from petrol to LP gas operation will need to demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and knowledge in order to carry out this work in a safe and satisfactory manner.

This approval system is a voluntary one, and its existence has been made known to transport operators, local authorities, Government departments and the general public, etc., in order that these people can choose on an informed basis a competent conversion company.

The approval scheme is being operated by the LP Gas Association and has been drawn up in consultation with the DfT. The Association represents all the major LP gas companies in the UK, together with the principal conversion companies, and it sets out and publishes the technical and safety standards for this industry.

Increasingly membership of the LPGA Approved Installer Scheme is being sought by the public and industry bodies. The LPG vehicle market has become well recognised and accepted. Most leading insurers will not insure the vehicle unless the conversion work is by the vehicle manufacturer or undertaken by an LPGA Approved Installer.

A survey completed in February 2005 in conjunction with the Association of British Insurers, showed that out of the top twenty companies which accounted for around 98% of all premium income, all would insure a vehicle that was converted by an LPGA Approved Installer and only two would charge an extra premium.

16 companies reported that they would NOT insure a vehicle at all unless it was a manufacturer fitted or LPGA Approved Installer fitted conversion

2 companies would only insure the vehicle subject to a Safety Check Report by an LPGA Approved Installer or an independent engineer.

Details of the insurance companies who will provde cover without additional premium can be found on our consumer website, www.boostlpg.co.uk.

Click here for a list of Distributors of Equipment and Training Providers

Click here for a copy of the LPG Vehicle Equipment Supplier and Trainer Code to see the support provided by the training companies

2. The Requirements for Approval

Approval is granted to named company, with nominated technician(s), installing equipment as detailed on their training certificate(s) who have satisfactorily completed Initial Assessment and Inspection of Workmanship and Facilities. The technician(s) will have responsibility for checking and verifying the quality of LPG conversion work carried out by the company and sign Certificates of Conformity in accordance with COP11. Where more than one technician is required to be approved, separate approvals will be necessary for each.

If you are interested in applying for approval, please complete the attached Application Form, enclose photocopy(ies) of your training certificate(s) and your payment to the LP Gas Association for us to start the approval process.

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The following requirements must be met before application for Approval is made:

had adequate training in the installation of LP gas conversion equipment. This training should be provided by the equipment manufacturer or their authorised UK agent, whose equipment is being installed and who will provide a training certificate. The training certificate will need to specify that the technician has received full training and found to be competent to convert a vehicle to run on LPG in accordance with the LPGA's Code of Practice 11 (Autogas Installations);
We strongly recommend that training is provided by one of the companies (see "Click here for a list of Distributors of Equipment and Training Providers) who have signed up to the Code of the Association to provide extensive advice and technical support to installers. A copy of this Code can be obtained from the Association;
a thorough understanding of the LP Gas Association Code of Practice No.11 : June 2001 edition, "Autogas Installations" plus amendments;
a thorough understanding of LPG Technical Fundamentals (1997) - publication available from the LP Gas Association;
a clear understanding of the appropriate sections of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended);

The requirements for Approval are:

Completion by the company of the Application Form which includes an undertaking to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme;
The candidate(s) undergo initial assessment by taking the LPGA "Technical Assessment Questionnaire".

(Note: The Technical Assessment Questionnaire consists of a paper based on COP11 of the LP Gas Association, and the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, and also assesses candidate(s) knowledge of the properties of LPG. The time allowed for the questionnaire is one hour. 45 of the 70 questions must be answered correctly to obtain a pass). If a candidate fails then an application can be made to re-sit the exam when required. If not passed on the second attempt, further re-sits are normally not permitted until further training has been completed and verified to the Association.

A copy of the Drivers Operating Manual has been supplied and is satisfactory;
inspection of the workshop confirms that the facilities and equipment are adequate for the purpose;
inspection of one vehicle converted by each candidate confirms that the work has been undertaken with the required skill and competence and the applicant is able to demonstrate sufficient practical experience to handle conversion work on other types of vehicles.
If after a period of 12 months from the date of the Technical Assessment Questionnaire was passed, the approval process has not been completed, then the application will lapse and it will be necessary to re-apply and re-take an exam.

3. Validation

Certificates will be provided for all individuals and their companies who meet the approval requirements. This certificate will state the equipment that they have been approved to install. Each certificate is identified with a unique number.

A list of all approved installers will be maintained by the Association and made available to all interested parties.

Approval will be withdrawn at any time if sufficient evidence of malpractice, poor workmanship or unsatisfactory customer service is brought to the attention of the Association (see Terms and Conditions).

Approval is valid for a period of 5 years (subject to the payment of all fees) and is subject to re-validation after this time.

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4. Costs

The approval scheme is being operated in the interest of safety and is, therefore, being done on a non-profit making basis.

Initial assessment (for each named applicant from the company)	£20 + VAT = (£23.50).
Inspection (for one named applicant from the company), fee for the first year of participation in the Scheme and a free pad of 50 LPG Conversion Certificates	£570 + VAT = (£669.75).
Inspection for subsequent named applicants from the same company if the inspection is made at the same time	£50 + VAT = (£58.75).

A vehicle converted by each applicant will be required for inspection.

In addition, expenses incurred for locations off the mainland of England, Wales and Scotland in undertaking the inspection will be charged extra at cost.

A subsequent annual fee of £150 + VAT (£176.25) is payable, which covers maintaining the records and providing relevant information.

This annual fee is not applicable to full members of the Association.

Liability

The approval system is being operated in good faith to try and maintain good standards of workmanship and safety. However, neither the DfT nor the LP Gas Association accepts any liability for any work undertaken by approved companies.

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Click here for SEQUENCE FOR APPROVAL ON THE LPGA APPROVED INSTALLER SCHEME

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LP GAS ASSOCIATION APPROVED INSTALLER SCHEME

THIS FORM NEEDS TO BE PRINTED OUT AND COMPLETED BY HAND

APPLICATION FOR INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Company

'CCC

Trading Name (if different)

Legal Status (i.e. sole trader, partnership or limited company). If a limited company please state the company registration name.

Proprietors/Partners/Directors

Address

County

Post Code

Contact Name

Telephone

Fax

E-Mail / Website

We hereby apply for Initial Assessment under the LP Gas Association Approved Installers Scheme. Our candidates are as follows. We understand that any Approval issued will be on the basis of a named person using conversion equipment for which training has been demonstrated for work at our premises. We undertake to make no claim of LPGA Approval until a Certificate has been issued by the Association.

We have read and hereby comply with the Terms and Conditions of the LPGA Approved Installer Scheme dated January 2006.

We attach a copy of our current Public Liability Insurance Certificate

Click here for TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LPGA APPROVED INSTALLER SCHEME

Date

Signature

Name (Please print)

(Note: Signature should be the Owner, Partner or Director of the Company)

Candidate Name(s):

Please list Training certificates and attach copies thereof

(Note: The Training Certificates must reflect the equipment fitted on the vehicle submitted for Inspection)

LP GAS ASSOCIATION APPROVED INSTALLER SCHEME

INSPECTION OF PREMISES

AND MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS

Conversion of vehicles to operate on LPG should only take place in appropriately designed and equipped premises. LPGA Code of Practice 11 gives guidance on garaging, repair and maintenance. LPGA inspectors will, in particular, be looking to ensure that:

installation work is carried out in a weather-proof garage area;
there is adequate lighting;
portable/hand held lights are flameproof;
purge gases are able to be discharged safely;
there is a pit or ramp equipment for working underneath vehicles whilst standing;
if a pit is provided, gas detectors and forced ventilation are fitted;
where necessary flameproof or intrinsically safe electrical equipment is installed;
where welding or other hot-work is carried out there is a written scheme or a "permit to work" system in use;
dry-powder fire extinguishers are readily available for immediate use;
fire extinguishers are within test date.

If bulk LPG or LPG cylinders are stored on site or if there are refuelling facilities, the inspector will seek to ensure that:

the storage tank location complies with required safety distances in COP1 Part 1 or Part 4 from buildings, property or sources of ignition;
warning notices are posted;
cylinders are kept in a suitable area per COP7;
access for road tanker deliveries is satisfactory;
refuelling facilities comply with safety distances in COP20.

Conversion of vehicles to operate on LPG generally requires few specialist tools, however, the inspector will expect to see:

four gas analyser or compatible MOT analyser (Note: Preference should be given to types acceptable for MOT testing);
flaring tool capable of flaring both 6 and 8mm copper or steel pipe with a double lap flare;
pipe cutter suitable for copper pipe and steel pipe;
lambda tester for testing the condition and the signal wire on the lambda sensor in the exhaust;
leak detection fluid

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Companies will also be expected to hold an up-to-date copy of Code of Practice 11 and Suppliers instruction literature.

Management procedures and systems vary immensely from company to company. Formal systems to BSEN ISO 9002 are encouraged; however these may not always be appropriate. The inspector will seek to establish that:

customer requirements have been clearly established;
orders to suppliers clearly identify the type of vehicle for which the conversion equipment is required (make, model, year, VIN, registration number);
goods received from the supplier are clearly identified as being appropriate for the vehicle to be converted;
before work commences an 'MOT' type emissions test has been carried out to ensure the vehicle is fit for conversion;
after conversion emissions on the original fuel have not deteriorated (within the lists of the measurement method) and that those on LPG are an improvement on the original fuel;
a Certificate of Conformity has been completed and the customer has been supplied with a Drivers' Operating Manual as described in COP11.

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June 2003