Technical Publication & Training Bundles
In today’s heightened regulatory landscape, fire safety is paramount. The BESA Academy’s Fire Damper Awareness Course (DW145) is designed to equip professionals with essential knowledge based on the newly updated BESA DW145 standard—an industry benchmark for the installation, testing, and maintenance of fire dampers.
The Course
With a strong focus on protecting people and property, this course responds to the urgent need for technical competence and rigorous safety practices underscored by the Grenfell tragedy and the Hackitt Review. Participants will dive into the core elements of DW145, exploring everything from legal obligations under the Fire Safety Order to best practices in damper installation that ensure maximum fire-stopping integrity.
The Technical Publication
This updated guidance ensures contractors can meet the highest standards in design, installation, and inspection, while emphasising critical aspects such as penetration seals, accessibility for maintenance, and robust evidence of compliance.
With practical examples, clarity on manufacturers’ instructions and a focus on photographic documentation, DW145 sets a new industry benchmark, supporting designers, builders, manufacturers, local authorities, mechanical services, ductwork and other specialist contractors in protecting lives and property under today’s rigorous safety regime.
The Bundle
If you haven’t yet bought the BESA DW145 Installation of Fire Dampers publication, you can do so on the BESA website. Each purchase also includes free access to the training, which another member of your team can complete.
Popular Courses
BESA F-Gas Category 2 Renewal
This course is the only online F-Gas renewal course available on the market and is aimed at refrigeration engineers who are either approaching the end of their five-year certification period for CITB J11 Cat 1 and CITB J12 Cat 2 F-Gas or want to ensure they are up to date with the latest mandatory F-Gas requirements.
Our F-Gas Renewal course includes 'Working with Flammable Refrigerants'. This additional module highlights the considerations you must make when handling flammable gases, enabling you to get ahead of the upcoming legislative changes as well as your competition.
If you can provide current evidence of F-Gas Cat 1 or F-Gas Cat 2 working on live RACHP systems and your existing F-Gas certificate is valid, you can recertificate online at your own pace*.
Once you have successfully completed the course and passed the online assessment you will be legally entitled to work on stationary RACHP systems within the UK. Both qualifications will be valid for five years and will enable you to renew your F-Gas registration with REFCOM and apply for an ACRIB Refrigerant Handler SKILLcard.
*You must complete the course and assessment before your certificate expires.
Duration
No longer than five hours for experienced workers.
The timed assessment is one hour and you will receive immediate confirmation of your score and a downloadable certificate if passed.
Taking the online test
We use specialist online proctoring software to verify who is taking the test to prevent plagiarism.
Once your prerequisite documents have passed, you will be able to start the onboarding process. You cannot start the assessment until your onboarding status has been approved.
PLEASE NOTE ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE VERIFICATION PROCESS IT CAN TAKE UP TO 48 HOURS TO CONFIRM BEFORE YOU CAN SIT THE TEST!
Find out more about our online assessment proctoring.
Cost
Exclusive discount for BESA and REFCOM members: £195+VAT
Non-members: £295+VAT
BESA F-Gas Category 1 Renewal
Our online course is aimed at refrigeration engineers who are either approaching the end of their five-year certification period for CITB J11 Cat 1 and CITB J12 Cat 2 F-Gas or want to ensure they are up to date with the latest mandatory F-Gas requirements.
Course summary
This course is the only online F-Gas Renewal course available on the market and is aimed at refrigeration engineers who are either approaching the end of their five-year certification period for CITB J11 Cat 1 and CITB J12 Cat 2 F-Gas or want to ensure they are up to date with the latest mandatory F-Gas requirements.
The course includes a 'Working with Flammable Refrigerants' module, which highlights the considerations you must make when handling flammable gases, enabling you to get ahead of the upcoming legislative changes as well as your competition.
If you can provide current evidence of F-Gas Cat 1 or F-Gas Cat 2 working on live RACHP systems and your existing F-Gas certificate is valid, you can recertificate online at your own pace*.
Once you have successfully completed the course and passed the online assessment you will be legally entitled to work on stationary RACHP systems within the UK. Both qualifications will be valid for five years and will enable you to renew your F-Gas registration with REFCOM and apply for an ACRIB Refrigerant Handler SKILLcard.
*You must complete the course and assessment before your certificate expires.
Required evidence
In order to complete the course and assessment you will need to upload evidence to the Besa.Academy portal, which proves you have been working regularly on RACHP systems at Cat 1 or Cat 2 over the last five years. You will not be able to start the assessment until your evidence has been passed.
Nb: if you upload your evidence after 4pm on a Friday this will not be checked until the following Monday.
Documents you will need to upload online before you get started:
- Signed Statement of Eligibility from your employer (self-declaration if self-employed) Download form
- Current F-Gas Cat 1 or Cat 2 certificate.
- Cat 1: BESA – Cat 1, CITB – J11, C&G – 2079-11, Logic4training – Cat 1
- Cat 2: BESA – Cat 2, CITB – J12, C&G – 2079-12, Logic4training – Cat 2
Download our full step-by-step prerequisites guidance.
Duration
No longer than five hours for experienced workers.
The assessment is one hour and you will receive immediate confirmation of your score and a downloadable certificate if passed.
Taking the online test
We use specialist online proctoring software to verify who is taking the test to prevent plagiarism.
Once your prerequisite documents have passed, you can start the onboarding process and assessment.
If you are unsuccessful at passing the course first time, you can repurchase the course a further two times. After the third attempt, you will need to complete the full assessment which includes a practical test. You can book your assessment at one of our approved training centres here.
Please note once you have completed the verification process, it can take between 48 hours to confirm before you can sit the test. Find out more about our online assessment proctoring.
Cost
Exclusive discount for BESA and REFCOM members: £195+VAT
Non-members: £295+VAT
Nb: cost includes one attempt at the test.
Health & Safety Environment Test (Online)
Our online Health and Safety Environment test meets the requirements for all Craft and Operative SKILLcards and enables those working on site a minimum level of health and safety awareness.
Nb: this test is not suitable for Management and Supervisory SKILLcards - find out which test you need to take on the SKILLcard website.
Completing the online test
The Health Safety and Environment test for operatives requires an online assessment, which takes place through the support of proctoring. Before registering for the test ensure you have your photo ID to hand - this can be a valid driver's license or passport.
To ensure you pass the test:
- Your PC or laptop will need to have a camera and make sure it is pointing towards you
- Turn all mobiles, tablets, devices off
- Make sure no one walks into the room by accident
- Don't look at anything outside of the view of the camera
- Focus fully on the screen
Please note once you have completed the verification process, it can take up to 48 hours to confirm before you can sit the test.
Duration
Approximately 45 minutes
Format
100% online
Cost
£19.50+VAT
Nb: cost includes one attempt at the test
Health & Safety Environment Course and Test (Online)
Our Health and Safety Environment course and test meets the requirements for all Craft and Operative SKILLcards and is designed for those within the HVAC industry. Exclusive discounts available for BESA members and SKILLcard holders.
Course summary
The Health and Safety Environment course and test meets the health and safety requirements for all Craft and Operative SKILLcards and is designed for those within the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration occupations.
The full online course enables those working on site a minimum level of health and safety awareness and removes the hassle of booking and travelling to a test centre or taking time out of work.
What does the course cover?
The Health Safety and Environment course is made up of five modules:
- The principles of risk assessment and maintaining and improving H&S at work
- The importance of safe manual handling
- The importance of working safely at height
- Risks to health within a construction environment
- Working around plant and equipment safely
The Health Safety and Environment Test for operatives can be taken as part of the course or as a standalone test. Both the course and test can be completed on a laptop or PC whilst at work or home - saving you time and money travelling to a test centre.
Nb: this test is not suitable for Management and Supervisory SKILLcards.
Duration
Approximately three hours.
Format
100% online.
The Health Safety and Environment test requires an online assessment, which takes place through the support of proctoring.
Cost
BESA members or SKILLcard holders: £50 +VAT. BESA member discount is applied automatically.
Non BESA members: £95+VAT.
Nb: cost includes one attempt at the test.
"Our technical cohort at Richard Irvin FM Limited have been utilising many of the courses and CPD content made available via BESA Academy, the HSE course and test has proven to offer user friendly online content which our technicians and engineers can access via their tablets ensuring minimum fuss maximum efficiency.
Most importantly however is the knowledge and understanding gained/refreshed and the demonstration of defined health and safety competence."
FAQ
Why Register for BESA Academy?
BESA Academy is the online learning solution for the Building Engineering Services Sector. It is free to use & sign up. This will allow you to explore our extensive catalogue of courses. We offer both free & paid courses to help you learn & develop your skills & knowledge.
How to book on a course?
After you Register for a BESA Academy account, you can view our course catalogue. It can be found in the left hand side navigation under online courses.
After you find a course you are interested in, you can either add it directly to the cart or click the details button.
If you click the details button, it will open a page giving you further information about the content of the course, expected length to complete it & the assessment type (if applicable).
Can I study in person?
Yes you can, we offer a range of short courses in Refrigeration & Vent Hygiene. You can read more about it here.
How do I find a Training Centres?
BESA Academy have a range of approved training centres across the country. You can learn more here.