BESA Accredited Refrigeration Courses
Ensure you and your engineers are compliant and provide a service to the highest of standards.
Our range of refrigeration courses provide cost-effective, high-quality training and impartial assessments for operatives working on refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps.
All About The Refrigeration Courses
We offer a range of BESA accredited courses relating to F-Gas regulation requirements which are delivered in our Approved Training Centres throughout the country.
- Category 1 - leakage, recovery, install, maintain, service (FG Cat 1)
- Category 2 - leak check, install, service, maintain <3 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases or hermetically sealed equipment, which is labelled accordingly and contains less than 6 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases (FG Cat 2)
- Category 3- recovery of refrigerant (FG Cat 3)
- Category 4 - leakage checking (FG Cat 4)
CATEGORY 1 - LEAKAGE, RECOVERY, INSTALL, MAINTAIN, SERVICE (FG CAT 1)
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is designed for operatives who wish to carry out the installation, servicing, maintenance, removal/recharging and leak testing of refrigerants safely within systems to the standard required by EC Regulation 517/2014, known as the ‘F Gas’ Regulation.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course consists of both theory and practical activities and delegates will be assessed across both.
The theory and practical exercises include:
- health and safety
- building a leak-tight piping system (welding/brazing/soldering)
- leak testing both direct and indirect methods
- evacuation/dehydration
- checking cylinder weights/capacity
- installation of major system components
- charging refrigerant
- draining F Gas contaminated oil
- system tests
- refrigerant recovery and handling
- basic thermodynamics
- use of logs to determine actions and record significant data
- environmental impact
- legislation and regulations
- refrigeration theory
- refrigeration practices
ON SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT YOU WILL:
Be able to safely carry out the installation, servicing and maintenance, removal/recharging and leak checking of refrigerants to the standard required by EC Regulation 517/2014 Cat 1 or Cat 2 (F Gas Regulation.)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You must have recognised qualifications with refrigeration content from the following trades:
- refrigeration
- air conditioning
COURSE DURATION
Course duration varies by training centre. Find a training centre near to you.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
Multiple choice question paper and practical assessment
CERTIFICATION
Accredited by BESA
HOW TO BOOK
Register your interest by completing our short online form.
CATEGORY 2 - LEAK CHECK, INSTALL, SERVICE, MAINTAIN
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is designed for operatives who wish to carry out the installation, servicing, maintenance, removal/recharging and leak testing of refrigerants safely within systems to the standard required by EC Regulation 517/2014, known as the ‘F Gas’ Regulation. As a Category II course this is restricted to systems with less than 3 kilograms of fluorinated greenhouse gases, or, if hermetically sealed systems which are labelled as such are concerned, containing less than 6 kilograms only.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course consists of both theory and practical activities and delegates will be assessed across both.
The theory and practical exercises include:
- health and safety
- building a leak-tight piping system (welding/brazing/soldering)
- leak testing both direct and indirect methods
- evacuation/dehydration
- checking cylinder weights/capacity
- installation of major system components
- charging refrigerant
- draining F Gas contaminated oil
- system tests
- refrigerant recovery and handling
- basic thermodynamics
- use of logs to determine actions and record significant data
- environmental impact
- legislation and regulations
- refrigeration theory
- refrigeration practices
ON SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT DELEGATES WILL:
Be able to safely carry out the installation, servicing and maintenance, removal/recharging and leak checking of refrigerants to the standard required by EC Regulation 517/2014 Cat 1 or Cat 2 (F Gas Regulation.)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Operatives with relevant allied trade experience, such as:
- plumbing
- heating and ventilating
- gas
- electrical
large scale refrigeration/air conditioning (e.g. experienced ammonia plant operator)
COURSE DURATION
Course duration varies by training centre. Find a training centre near to you.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
Multiple choice question paper and practical assessment
CERTIFICATION
Accredited by BESA
BECOME A BESA ACCREDITED TRAINING CENTRE
Register your interest by completing our short online form.CATEGORY 3 - RECOVERY OF REFRIGERANT (FG CAT 3)
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is designed for operatives who wish to carry out the recovery of refrigerant from appliances and systems containing less than 3 kilograms of fluorinated greenhouse gases, or, if hermetically sealed systems which are labelled as such are concerned, containing less than 6 kilograms of fluorinated greenhouse gas charge.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course consists of both theory and practical activities and delegates will be assessed across both.
The theory and practical exercises include:
- health and safety
- checking cylinder weights/capacity
- refrigerant recovery and handling
- environmental impact
- legislation and regulations
ON SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT DELEGATES WILL:
Be able to safely carry out the recovery of refrigerant to the standard required by EC Regulation 517/2014 CAT 3 (F Gas Regulation.)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Category 3 applicants are regarded as new entrants to the industry. As such, they are without a relevant related qualification and/or experience, entering employment for the first time or changing career direction.
COURSE DURATION
Course duration varies by training centre. Find a training centre near to you.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
Multiple choice question paper and practical assessment
CERTIFICATION
Accredited by BESA
CATEGORY 4 - LEAKAGE CHECKING (FG CAT 4)
WHO IS IT FOR?
This is designed for operatives who wish to carry out leak checking of systems without breaking into the system.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course consists of both theory and practical activities and delegates will be assessed across both.
The theory and practical exercises include:
- health and safety
- checks for leakage – indirect and some direct methods without system break in
- basic ISO standard units
- environmental impact of refrigerants and corresponding environmental regulations
ON SUCCESSFUL ASSESSMENT DELEGATES WILL:
Be able to safely carry out leak checks without breaking into the system, to the standard required by EC Regulation 517/2014 Cat 4 (F-Gas Regulation)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
No entry requirements. Category 4 applicants are regarded as new entrants to the industry and as such, are without a relevant related qualification and/or experience, entering employment for the first time or changing career direction.
COURSE DURATION
Course duration varies by training centre. Find a training centre near to you.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
Multiple choice question paper and practical assessment
CERTIFICATION
Accredited by BESA
BESA Academy F-GAS Courses
Working with Flammable Refrigerants
This course aims to upskill qualified F-Gas engineers to ensure they are aware of the specific requirements which must be applied when handling flammable refrigerants.
Course summary
As the environmental legislation drives the sector towards lower global warming potential refrigerants our technicians are increasingly having to deal with and handle flammable refrigerants.
Our Working with Flammable Refrigerants Course aims to upskill qualified F-Gas engineers to ensure they are aware of the specific requirements which must be applied when handling flammable refrigerants.
Duration
The online course can be completed in approximately 90 minutes.
Assessment
Knowledge check questions will be asked throughout and there is an assessment at the end of the course. On successful completion you will receive a BESA certificate which is recognised by REFCOM.
Cost
BESA members and REFCOM members £60+VAT.
Standard price £95+VAT.
Nb: cost includes one attempt at the test.
F-Gas Awareness
This short online course provides you with fundamental awareness of some of the F-Gas terms and regulatory requirements which must be adhered to by those working in the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry.
- Do you work with refrigeration or air-conditioning engineers or technicians?
- Do you have conversations with engineers or customers about F-Gas related jobs?
- Are you responsible for ensuring your engineers qualifications are up to date and would benefit from greater awareness of the regulations they must abide by, and the basic principles and terms used?
If you have answered yes to one or more of the above, then this course could be for you.
Our F-Gas Awareness Course will give you the confidence to communicate with customers and engineers alike, ensuring a professional and efficient service.
Duration
The course can be completed in approximately 90 minutes.
Assessment
Knowledge check questions will be asked throughout. Once you have completed the course, you can download a CPD certificate.
Cost
BESA members and REFCOM members £15 exc VAT
Non-members £25 exc VAT
Nb: cost includes one attempt at the test.
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.
BESA Certified Ventilation Hygiene Courses
Your way to enter the industry or to upskill, ensuring you provide a service to the highest standard.
Our courses are designed to meet the cleaning requirements of industry recognised specifications and guidance, TR19® Air and TR19® Grease.
Why Should I Consider The Ventilation Industry?
The ventilation hygiene sector is growing as building owners face rising costs and more stringent conditions imposed on them by insurers concerned about fires being spread through poorly maintained ventilation systems. There may also be implications from the Building Safety Act as many food businesses are often integrated into multi-use buildings.
All employers are subject to health and safety at work legislation, which requires them to maintain conditions in occupied spaces that protect the well-being of their staff. Clean air within the working environment is vital to prevent respiratory conditions such as Covid-19 or asthma, from having bacterial spores present within the ductwork.
The importance of complying with industry specifications and using compliant operatives to carry out ventilation hygiene work has never been more important and has taken on even greater significance due to the problems created by Covid-19.
All About Our Grease Hygiene Courses
Our Grease Hygiene short courses are your way to enter the industry or to upskill, ensuring you and your operatives provide a service to the highest of standards.
There are two BESA Certified Grease Hygiene courses:
GREASE HYGIENE OPERATIVE (GHO)
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is aimed at those who are working in or are about to start work within the building engineering services kitchen extract cleaning industry.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course has been mapped to the current National Occupational Standards (NOS) as well as industry recognised guidance and specifications including TR19® Grease.
It consists of both theory and practical activities and delegates will be tested across both. The theory and practical exercises include aspects on:
- Safe working practices
- The principles of kitchen extract systems and associated components
- Preparing the work location
- Cleaning of kitchen extract systems and associated components
- Working sustainably
- Problem solving
The candidate will be trained and tested on all of the above. They will be expected to prepare the work location, gain access through to and clean kitchen extract systems and associated components through access panels. They must select the correct materials, tools and equipment to carry out the activities and they must apply the correct cleaning methods and techniques to meet industry standards.
Find a Training Centre near to you.
ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE CANDIDATES WILL:
- Have developed a greater understanding of health, safety and environmental issues within the workplace specific to Grease Hygiene
- Appreciate the importance of sustainable working
- Have an understanding of the principles of kitchen extract systems and associated components
- Know how to prepare the work location for cleaning activities to be carried out
- Be able to select the correct materials, tools and equipment for the work activity
- Have the ability to safely carry out the correct cleaning methods and techniques
- Be able to problem solve within their scope of responsibility
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid certificate for one of the following is required:
- BESA Academy Online Health Safety Environment test certificate
- CITB Health, Safety and Environment test certificate
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two-day Safety Passport Scheme course
- CITB Supervisory Site Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) course
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two-day Safety Passport Scheme course
- National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Construction Certificate (NOT the General Certificate)
- Institute of Safety & Health (IOSH) Managing Safely
- CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course
COURSE DURATION
Three days
FINAL TESTING
- Multiple choice question paper
- Practical test backed-up as necessary by supplementary questions
Register your interest by completing our short online form.
GREASE HYGIENE TECHNICIAN (GHT)
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is aimed at those who are working in a supervisory or managerial role in the building engineering services kitchen extract cleaning industry.
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course has been mapped to the current National Occupational Standards (NOS) as well as industry recognised guidance and specifications including TR19® Grease.
The course consists of both theory and practical activities and candidates will be tested across both. The theory and practical exercises include in-depth knowledge, techniques and skills related to:
- Creating Risk Assessments and Method Statements
- Pre and post clean testing and reporting to meet the expectations of TR19® Grease
- The marking out and removal of a suitable area and then to install an access panel to industry standards
Find a Training Centre near to you.
ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE DELEGATES WILL:
- Be able to demonstrate the requirements of and create an industry level Risk Assessment and Method Statement on behalf of their company
- Have an understanding of health, safety and environmental issues within the workplace
- Appreciate the importance of sustainable working
- Have an understanding of the principles of kitchen extract systems and associated components
- Know how to prepare the work location for cleaning activities to be carried out
- Be able to select the correct materials, tools and equipment for the work activity
- Have the ability to mark out and remove a suitable area and then to install an Access Panel to industry standards
- Solve problems within scope of responsibility
- Understand and carry out pre and post cleanliness testing and reporting
- Appreciate the commercial implications of actions or omissions
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid (dated within the last five years) Grease Hygiene Operative certificate is required plus a valid certificate for one of the following:
- BESA Academy Online Health Safety Environment test certificate
- CITB Health, Safety and Environment test certificate
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two-day Safety Passport Scheme course
- CITB Supervisory Site Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) course
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two-day Safety Passport Scheme course
- National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Construction Certificate (NOT the General Certificate)
- Institute of Safety & Health (IOSH) Managing Safely
- CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course
COURSE DURATION
Two days
FINAL TESTING
- Multiple choice question paper
- Practical test backed-up as necessary by supplementary questions
Register your interest by completing our short online form.
All About Our Air Hygiene Courses
Our Air Hygiene short courses are your fast-track way to enter the industry or to upskill, ensuring you and your operatives provide a service that meets the industry recognised TR19® guidance documents and the expectations of customers.
There are two BESA Certified Air Hygiene courses:
AIR HYGIENE OPERATIVE (AHO)
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is aimed at those who are working or are about to start work within the building engineering services ventilation hygiene industry. It enables you to demonstrate your compliance with the TR19® Air guidance.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course consists of both theory and practical activities and delegates will be assessed across both.
The theory and practical exercises mirror TR19® Air, focusing on safely cleaning ventilation systems with sections covering:
- Working safely with ventilation systems
- Recognising different types of components, ductwork and systems
- Accessing components and ductwork safely
- Cleaning standard ventilation systems
- Cleaning standards, methods and techniques
- Sustainability
- Problem solving
You will be trained and assessed on all of the above and will be expected to prepare the work location. You must clean a variety of ventilation components: air handling units, extract fans, ductwork, using the appropriate cleaning methods and techniques to industry recognised standards.
ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE YOU WILL:
- Have an understanding of health, safety and environmental issues within the workplace
- Appreciate the importance of sustainable working
- have an understanding of the principles of ventilation hygiene systems and associated components
- Know how to prepare the work location for cleaning activities to be carried out
- Be able to select the correct materials, tools and equipment for the work activity
- Have the ability to safely carry out the correct cleaning methods and techniques
- Be able to problem solve within you scope of responsibility
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid certificate for one of the following is required:
- BESA Academy Online Health Safety Environment test certificate
- CITB Health, Safety and Environment test certificate
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two day Safety Passport Scheme course
- CITB Supervisory Site Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) course
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two day Safety Passport Scheme course
- National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Construction Certificate (NOT the General Certificate)
- Institute of Safety & Health (IOSH) Managing Safely
- CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course
COURSE DURATION
Course duration varies by training centre. Find a Training Centre near you.
FINAL TESTING
- Multiple choice question paper
- Practical assessment and professional discussion
AIR HYGIENE TECHNICIAN (AHT)
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is aimed at those who are working in a supervisory or managerial role in the building engineering services ventilation hygiene industry.
COURSE OVERVIEW
The course consists of both theory and practical activities and delegates will be assessed across both.
The theory and practical include understanding, developing and applying the skills, knowledge and behaviours to include:
- Developing Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS)
- Cutting-out and installing access panels
- Testing and reporting of cleanliness
These activities are needed to support Air Hygiene Operatives and other team members to meet the following sections of TR19® Air guidance:
- New ductwork system cleanliness
- Design and access to internal surfaces of the ventilation system
- Specific considerations for system components
- System risk assessment (inspection/monitoring/testing)
- Cleaning methods
- Now standalone as TR 19® Grease
- Hazardous Contamination
- Verification of cleanliness
- Health and Safety
- Cleaning of LEV systems
- Waterborne contaminants in AHUs
ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE YOU WILL:
- Have an understanding of health, safety and environmental issues within the workplace
- Appreciate the importance of sustainable working
- Have an understanding of the principles of ventilation hygiene systems and associated components
- Know how to prepare the work location for cleaning activities to be carried out
- Be able to select the correct materials, tools and equipment for the work activity and use this knowledge to develop suitable RAMS
- Have the ability to cut-out and insert suitable access panels
- Have the ability to safely carry out the correct cleaning methods and techniques
- Solve problems within scope of responsibility and that of others under their control
- Work reliably and effectively and lead by example when supervising others
- Understand and carry out pre and post clean testing and reporting
- Appreciate the commercial implications of actions or omissions
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid Air Hygiene Operative (AH03) plus a current certificate for one of the following:
- BESA Academy Online Health Safety Environment test certificate
- CITB Health, Safety and Environment test certificate
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two day Safety Passport Scheme course
- CITB Supervisory Site Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) course
- Client Contractors National Safety Group (CCNSG) two day Safety Passport Scheme course
- National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Construction Certificate (NOT the General Certificate)
- Institute of Safety & Health (IOSH) Managing Safely
- CITB Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) course
COURSE DURATION
Course duration varies by training centre. Find a Training Centre near to you.
FINAL TESTING
- Multiple choice question paper
- Practical assessment backed-up as necessary by a professional discussion