Stroma Certification Scheme 1st Stroma assessment

[Tim collins]

Hi everyone got my 1st assessment coming up with Stroma / a governing body just wondered if anyone had any tips with regards the whole process as I’d imagine I’m feeling the same way everyone else did when they and their 1st assessment! Any tips will be appreciated

Thanks

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

If you dont know the answer to any question then look it up in the books, you are not expected to know everything off by heart but should know where to find it if required.
Dont blag them and make sure all the t's are crossed and i's dotted. as long as you are not a complete tool you should be alright. ensure the job you show them is upto scratch and no major issues.
make sure you know your safe isolation

 

[Marti]

A "me too" moment. Mine's in October
As well as the obvious skills, they seem to like back up paperwork in order. MFT calibration. Complaints procedure documented - that sort of thing.
Good luck.

 

[rolyberkin]

Make sure you have a complaints procedure, register, letter etc They also want to see copies of eaw regs and part p (can be electronic versions!) also have an on site risk assessment. Make sure you have certificates for qualifications. They will ask you to test pfc and external earth fault and probably a ZS. They photograph everything so don’t expect to blag any documentation! Good luck.

 

[PEG]

Isolation and testing....

Is the cheque not connected to the cheque book?

Do the numbers match expected values?

 

[Octopus]

The Stroma assessment is far stricter than the Elecsa assessment

Make sure your sample jobs are 100% spot on and your certificates are also prefect...

 

[HappyHippyDad]

The Stroma assessment is far stricter than the Elecsa assessment

Make sure your sample jobs are 100% spot on and your certificates are also prefect...

That should relax him nicely Murdoch

 

[Octopus]

That should relax him nicely Murdoch

It's rabbit in headlight stuff, so let's not pretend it's easy .....

But if the person is properly prepared ....

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Stroma insist on the following..
1. Complaints procedure.
2. Complaints ledger.
3. Complaints list.
4. PL insurance (minimum £2 million)
5. Pdf or booklet of building regs (explanatory booklet).
6. Pdf or hard copy of Part P.
7. Pdf or hard copy of up to date EAWR.
8. Bs7671 AND on site guide.
9. Health and safety sheet.
10. Risk assessment.
11. Calibration certificate.

I can't think of any others.
Try to relax, they are not there to fail you.
It's unlikely you'll have all the bits they require on your first assessment. They'll Just put it down as a non conformity and ask you to rectify it.

We all still get nervous on assessment date!

 

[Taylortwocities]

I can't think of any others

Coffee or tea and chocolate Hobnobs.

 

[Octopus]

17th edition exam and books or 18th?

Serious question

 

[Wilko]

17th edition exam and books or 18th?
Serious question

Hi - I think either will be fine just now

 

[HappyHippyDad]

17th edition exam and books or 18th?

Serious question

Actually, if it's like the assessor I've just had he'll ask you to take the 17th to cover you for the next 3 months and then take the 18th in 3 months!

Only kidding OP

 

[Pete999]

Coffee or tea and chocolate Hobnobs.

Brown bulging envelope would be a help.

 

[rolyberkin]

I had to produce both copies of BS7671 and On Site Guides. The argument being that you could now implement 18th edition if you wanted to or continue with 17th am3 until 1st Jan. I think if you did not have 18th they would put it down as a non conformity.

 

[Pete999]

I had to produce both copies of BS7671 and On Site Guides. The argument being that you could now implement 18th edition if you wanted to or continue with 17th am3 until 1st Jan. I think if you did not have 18th they would put it down as a non conformity.

Obviously not a large enough envelope Mate, Law unto themselves these people, trouble is they hold the upper hand.

 

[Fitzy]

Stroma insist on the following..
1. Complaints procedure.
2. Complaints ledger.
3. Complaints list.
4. PL insurance (minimum £2 million)
5. Pdf or booklet of building regs (explanatory booklet).
6. Pdf or hard copy of Part P.
7. Pdf or hard copy of up to date EAWR.
8. Bs7671 AND on site guide.
9. Health and safety sheet.
10. Risk assessment.
11. Calibration certificate.

I can't think of any others.
Try to relax, they are not there to fail you.
It's unlikely you'll have all the bits they require on your first assessment. They'll Just put it down as a non conformity and ask you to rectify it.

We all still get nervous on assessment date!

When you say Health & Safety Sheet and Risk Assessment, what do we actually need? Is it just a basic H&S sheet or an electrician specific sheet and the risk assessment, is that for the work you’re showing them or a genetic risk assessment guide?

 

[Fitzy]

Stroma insist on the following..
1. Complaints procedure.
2. Complaints ledger.
3. Complaints list.
4. PL insurance (minimum £2 million)
5. Pdf or booklet of building regs (explanatory booklet).
6. Pdf or hard copy of Part P.
7. Pdf or hard copy of up to date EAWR.
8. Bs7671 AND on site guide.
9. Health and safety sheet.
10. Risk assessment.
11. Calibration certificate.

I can't think of any others.
Try to relax, they are not there to fail you.
It's unlikely you'll have all the bits they require on your first assessment. They'll Just put it down as a non conformity and ask you to rectify it.

We all still get nervous on assessment date!

When you say Health & Safety Sheet and Risk Assessment, what do we actually need? Is it just a basic H&S sheet or an electrician specific sheet and the risk assessment, is that for the work you’re showing them or a genetic risk assessment guide?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Had our first assesment today, NIC. After the initial part of nerves etc it went well. Went to 3 jobs, carried out a range of tests at each of them. Answered questions he had on why we did certain things from the regs, eg where does it say what size earth bond should be in place and what IP rating should the bathroom fan be to name a couple. Asked the reasons behind each test. Went through the 18th edition, changes and that i need to do the update before 01.01.2019.

I had everything set out ready in plastic wallets so it was easy to hand him things as he asked for them duribg the office audit. Made a few coffees.

I have done 3 previous inspections as a QS but this was defibatly the most nervy.

 

[Dillb]

Hi everyone got my 1st assessment coming up with Stroma / a governing body

Thats a good one

 

[Pete999]

Thats a good one

the definition of governing - https://www.dictionary.com/browse/governing

 

[Marti]

17th edition exam and books or 18th?

Serious question

Appreciate the clarity. I have both versions, reg's and OSG. 17th is well tagged. The big blue book still need some attention.

Test circuits are lighting and sockets on a mini-CCU and TT earth. All the T&E is in plastic Kopex and glanded. SWA earthed at the far (out building) end, not the house CCU. SWA is 200mm above ground, attached to the concrete fence posts; can't see the fence being a "permanent structure".

...Tea bags are Yorkshire Gold and biscuits are choccy.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

When you say Health & Safety Sheet and Risk Assessment, what do we actually need? Is it just a basic H&S sheet or an electrician specific sheet and the risk assessment, is that for the work you’re showing them or a genetic risk assessment guide?

Here are mine. I realise they don't look very professional but Stroma are happy with them. As a small sole trader the only time they come out is to show the assessor once a year.

 

[-Matt]

On a similar subject...

I have my Niceic Domestic installers annual assessment in two weeks time.

My problem is i have done hardly any domestic work in the last 6 months, as its been mostly commercial. Most of the domestic has been little filler jobs.

So i am struggling to find a domestic job i can take the assessor to, where the home owner will also be at the time.

Does anyone know if i can show a commercial job on a domestic installers assessment?
Im guessing no!

Im seriously concidering ditching them now i do little Domestic, but seems they have already had my £500....

 

[Deleted account]

My assesment was yesterday. Nic. One of my jobs was commercial. No problems.

As for stroma. They seem to do there assessments over the phone so should be easy.

 

[Fitzy]

Here are mine. I realise they don't look very professional but Stroma are happy with them. As a small sole trader the only time they come out is to show the assessor once a year.

Thanks happhippydad, went to the Link on your examples and if I’ve read & understood the hse.gov webpage correctly I don’t need to complete either form as I don’t employ 5 or more people, in fact it’s only Moir. But I’ll still create an editable PDF in case I’m asked for them.

 

[rolyberkin]

Obviously not a large enough envelope Mate, Law unto themselves these people, trouble is they hold the upper hand.

Stroma are simply 100% by the rules, a shame some of the other schemes aren't as far as I am concerned!

 

[markc123]

The Stroma assessment is far stricter than the Elecsa assessment

Make sure your sample jobs are 100% spot on and your certificates are also prefect...

Not sure I agree here Murdoch.

I’ve been elecsa , niceic and napit in my time and they’re all embarrassing. The questions they ask are so blooming basic, a drunk monkey could pass.

It would be nice, if just once an assessor asks me something relevant but niche e.g something that’s not the norm, but could quite likely raise its head on any given job.

Examples would be:
1) Lightning Protection
2) Installation of cables outside zones (non bathroom)
3) Part M
4) Emergency Lighting
5) Non-Copper CPCs

None of the above is relatively difficult to either understand or follow; but I’m getting increasingly tired of so called “electricians” that know how to wire a socket, a light and maybe just maybe underfloor heating at a push. The basics of house bashing. Give them anything outside of this and they’re completely useless.

 

[Marti]

I’ve been elecsa , niceic and napit in my time and they’re all embarrassing. The questions they ask are so blooming basic, a drunk monkey could pass.
.........
The basics of house bashing. Give them anything outside of this and they’re completely useless.

It's about being inquisitive I suspect. Recently I repaired a cement mixer for a landscaper. That led to "can you 'ave a look at the concrete breaker" and so on; as much for my own interest as the payment. Long may such learning opportunities continue.

By the same score, sparks who take on a job they haven't prepared for / can't handle, get paid and then call for the answer - yea right!

 

[Taylortwocities]

@Tim collins Have you had your assessment yet? How did it go?

 

[Tim collins]

@Tim collins Have you had your assessment yet? How did it go?

Not yet got it in a couple of weeks

 

[Marti]

@Tim collins Have you had your assessment yet? How did it go?

Thank for askin' Tim,
It's the 3rd of October. Brick workshop, CCU, two circuits - T&E in plastic Kopex and TT earth. IP rated light RCBO at the house end.

Clever log-in name you have Taylor

 

[Marti]

Good luckTim,
Mines's the 3rd of October. Brick workshop, CCU, two circuits - T&E in plastic Kopex and TT earth. IP rated light RCBO at the house end.

Clever log-in name you have Taylor

 

[Tim collins]

@Tim collins Have you had your assessment yet? How did it go?

Not yet got it in a couple of weeks

Good luckTim,
Mines's the 3rd of October. Brick workshop, CCU, two circuits - T&E in plastic Kopex and TT earth. IP rated light RCBO at the house end.

Clever log-in name you have Taylor

didnt realise you had yours comming up aswell, good luck to you too

 

[MDJ]

Hi everyone got my 1st assessment coming up with Stroma / a governing body just wondered if anyone had any tips with regards the whole process as I’d imagine I’m feeling the same way everyone else did when they and their 1st assessment! Any tips will be appreciated

Thanks

Make a cuppa and make sure the Cheque clears and it will be no hassle at all, a breeze in the park.

 

[Octopus]

Examples would be:
1) Lightning Protection
2) Installation of cables outside zones (non bathroom)
3) Part M
4) Emergency Lighting
5) Non-Copper CPCs

None of the above is relatively difficult to either understand or follow; but I’m getting increasingly tired of so called “electricians” that know how to wire a socket, a light and maybe just maybe underfloor heating at a push. The basics of house bashing. Give them anything outside of this and they’re completely useless.

Hum......... wishful thinking

But seriously ALL sparks need a general understanding of the building regs

I think the schemes focus on the wrong things .................

 

[Marti]

That was interesting! Can't comment on whatever the experience of others was in their CPS assessment but I can say an initial interview with a Stroma was "challenging". Questions ranging from VR insulated cable to the 18th and everywhere between. Every document scutinised and decision questioned. A few non-comm's to address and, hopefully, it's a positive but nothing is certain yet. SO....Are Stroma setting a standard or are the others ticking boxes?