How to Find a Good Ventilation Engineer

How to Find a Good Ventilation Engineer

15 May 2020
Ventilation chimneys on a roof

A good start for finding a good ventilation engineer is your circle of business contacts as this may elicit either a recommendation or an advisory to avoid a specific company. If this is not fruitful you can try a web search. However, if you do decide to embark on this route it is advisable to go with a supplier who has:

  • A good portfolio of expertise
  • Excellent testimonials and recommendations from previous work

This above is because past performance is one of the best indicators of future performance.

 

What is a Ventilation Engineer?

A ventilation engineer installs and services fume extraction systems in private homes and larger buildings such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Factories

 

The Role of a Ventilation Engineer

 

The ventilation engineer will both manage and deliver the process of a ventilation system being put into a location. Further they will ensure the delivery of engineering quality and technical oversight services. Further the ventilation engineer will:

  • Develop and control the plans, procedures and engineering strategies.
  • Evaluate and design the projects technical governance.
  • Both ensure the establishment and maintenance of the arrangements with the design authority.
  • Take on the governance of the project as is needed.
  • Create the organization necessary for the management of:
    • A fit for purpose engineering design
    • A safe project delivery
  • Resource requirement identification for the delivery of the engineering tasks.
  • Identification, validation and approval of the solutions identified for the project.
  • Control the creation, approving and issuing of the project’s technical specifications.
  • Ensure the application of the following for the engineering actions being performed:
    • Health and safety.
    • Waste management / environmental.
    • Ensuring specialist advise is acquired where needed.
  • Create and activate a safety and engineering case delivery strategy.
  • Provide support to the delivery of the project / programme of work and provide sanction to approvals.
  • Provide confirmation of completion of the activities so ensuring compliance with:
    • Quality standards.
    • Legislation.
    • Procedures.
  • Liaison with stakeholders and regulators.
  • Knowledge of modelling software.

 

Legal Requirements / Exposure for Ventilation Engineers

 

Within the UK it is the law that smoke ventilation systems be fully operational and regularly inspected. It is the responsibility of the management company / owner of the location for the maintenance/inspection of the smoke ventilation systems.

 

Ventilation Engineer Accreditation

 

The ventilation engineering company you are looking to engage should not only have a good reputation in the industry but, also be registered with the relevant regulatory trade bodies.  An example of these are below:

  • Gas Safe (Gas regulator)
    • The Gas safety regulator is the single office gas registration body for gas businesses and engineers within:
      • United Kingdom.
      • Isle of man.
      • Guernsey
    • It is the law that all gas businesses be on the Gas Safe Register.
    • It is only possible for a gas engineer to be aligned to a registered business if they hold a current/valid qualification.
      • This competency evidence is acquired by every engineer via a recongnised training route and assessment.

 

  • NICEIC (Electrical regulator)
    • NICEIC run an approved contractor scheme undertaking the following:
      • Maintenance of electrical installations to BS 7671
      • Comissioning
      • Insallation
      • Design
    • Electricians who work on industrial and commercial installations.
    • Electricians working on domestic installations.
    • Electrical installations condition reporting.
    • Any other activity covered by BS7671.