How to Find a Good Ventilation Engineer

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 when choosing a ventilation engineer.

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 and 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 or owner of the location for the maintenance and inspection of the smoke ventilation systems, which is why hiring a qualified ventilation engineer matters so much.

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.

Related reading: What is Good Ventilation? · Commercial Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, HVAC · Does a Boiler Room Need Ventilation?

Useful resource: Gas Safe Register