The GPVS is a scheme that seeks to raise standards in membrane inspection, verification and reportings and provide all stakeholders involved in land contamination management with confidence that risks associated with ground gas have been adequately managed.

Yes, it is hoped that the whole of the UK will embrace the scheme.

Yes the scheme is voluntary; however you may find that some regulators and clients start to signpost to the scheme and ask for the GPVS to be followed.

The economic advantages to the developer/client of having recognised competent professionals working on their projects and getting their reports “right first time” will create the driver to use the scheme. The more projects that use the scheme, the more time will be freed up for Regulator(s) to scrutinise and challenge substandard reports. This in turn creates the incentive for companies to employ people that are accredited through the scheme next time.

The technical standards to which work must be performed will be set with clear reference to compliance with current established industry guidance. This creates a clear expectation as to the standard of work to be performed.

The SGPV signing off the work is required to make a clear declaration of compliance that the work carried out and the verification report have been prepared in line with industry guidance.

The Gas Protection Verification Accreditation Scheme fits well with the NQMS for Land Contamination Management as it demonstrates to an SQP that the gas protection verification work has been undertaken by competent personnel.

The new scheme does include a register, but it is about getting the right people with the right skills to perform specific activities within a defined process. The aim is to raise the quality of gas protection installation and verification. Currently there is no scheme in place that assesses people's competencies in gas membrane inspection, verification and reporting.

The quality mark applies to a specific verification report that has been produced for a residential or commercial/retail site.

For a residential site, the declaration identifies which plots (up to 50 plots per declaration) it refers to. Therefore, multiple reports may be required to be produced for a large phased development scheme.

For a commercial/retail site the declaration identifies the building unit that has been inspected and a verification report prepared for.

Technician level of accreditation (TGPV)

Intended for field technicians who confine their work to inspections and do not prepare verification design or method statements (although they will follow ones prepared by others) and do not prepare verification reports (although they do prepare field records that form part of the verification report.

Specialist level of accreditation (SGPV)

Applies to those involved in the whole range of gas protection verification including design of the verification, preparation of method statements, inspections and verification reports.

Further details including specific competency requirements are listed at: https://www.claire.co.uk/what-is-gpv-accreditation

As the scheme relies upon the integrity of an individual to prepare the reports it makes sense for them to hold the authority to apply the Quality Mark to a report. This also avoids the potential difficulties and costs which might be involved in auditing companies.

This scheme is an accreditation scheme and is looking at people's experience and competencies in gas protection verification. All individuals applying for either SGPV or TGPV will need to agree to work to the GPVS Code of Conduct. Some SGPV will be chartered by professional institutions but it is not mandatory for this scheme. The scheme is open to all practitioners that work in the gas protection verification industry and most TGPV will not be degree educated and therefore not be chartered so it would be an unsuitable and unnecessary barrier. This scheme is about raising the standards in the whole range of gas protection verification including design of the verification, preparation of method statements, inspections and verification reporting.

For any scheme to be trusted by the Regulator(s) there must be a credible threat of sanctions against those who may be tempted to abuse the system. CL:AIRE has developed a robust complaints and disciplinary procedure.

In stepping back from scrutinising individual projects for regulatory compliance the Regulator(s) should be assured that the work will have been carried out to appropriate standards and that those checking or auditing the products can be trusted.

CL:AIRE has developed the GPVS accreditation scheme at the bequest and with the support of the gas verification industry.

CL:AIRE is an independent not for profit organisation so it was felt that CL:AIRE would be the most appropriate organisation to develop and run such a scheme. with the assistance of an experienced industry working group has developed the scheme.

No, as the GPVS has developed the examination process and the scheme is being run and managed by CL:AIRE.

CL:AIRE will inform you that you have been successful and a certificate valid for 4 years will be issued.  If you have been awarded SGPV you will be directed to GPVS website and asked to pay an annual subscription to be on the SGPV register.  Once the SGPV has paid their subsciption, CL:AIRE will provide you instructions on how the Declaration Process will work.

You must meet the required standards as set here: https://www.claire.co.uk/what-is-gpv-accreditation. If you do, you may then apply. See the Application process: https://www.claire.co.uk/gpvs-application.

The GPVS is designed to be operated within existing quality management systems (often accredited such as ISO140001) which rely upon the concept of peer review/checking and sign-off. It works best if the SGPV has an intimate knowledge of both the project in question and the staff undertaking the work who typically will also be accredited TGPV under the GPVS. 

The quality mark applies to the individual report being prepared (and the team preparing it). The SGPV has to consider the reliability of any data collected in vouching for the reasonableness of any conclusions drawn from that data. Any critical uncertainties have to be identified as part of the process.

Visit the help desk https://www.claire.co.uk/help-desk and raise a ticket under GPVS. SGPVs will be listed on the GPVS register https://www.claire.co.uk/projects-and-initiatives/sgpv-register

The application of the quality mark indicates that the work has been undertaken by recognised, competent professionals and that the SGPV has verified that the work has been carried out in accordance with industry standards.  

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Yes, an SGPV from one company can sign off from another company.

The SGPV needs to have satisfied themselves of the competencies of those that have undertaken the work which they can obviously do through CVs, company skills frameworks, other industry accreditation scheme etc .

The important thing would be for the SGPV ideally to be involved from the outset of the project to ensure that things are correct from the outset and guides what they consider is good practice. The risk of using someone from another company is that they may not agree with the conclusions, as they have not been involved earlier enough.

No.  Inline with CIRIA 735 installers can't verify their own work.