I recently completed the HETAS Chimney Sweeps 5 Year Refresher & Technical Update Course and have the certificate to prove it! It was a day long course completed at the H Firkins Training Centre in Milton Keynes and there were 8 other sweeps undertaking the course along with myself. The course was packed with lots of interesting material and updates as a lot has changed in the short time since I undertook the chimney sweeping 5 year refresher training course with the guild. Updates included advice about safe Covid working practices, risk assessments and procedures for customers who are currently shielding. Somethings were just nuggets of information or practicle advise I had not previously heard about.

There were also a number of technical updates, providing useful information on recent changes. These included an update on the new DEFRA rated stoves and their installation, information on what should be done with old redundant back boilers. There was technical information on rear flued appliances and the differing ways they can be completed outside of Approved Document J (Technical bulletins BS EN 15287 & BS 8303). There was in addition a section on documentation that should be carried whilst working including how to complete a Method statement, COSHH Documentation and RIDDOR forms. A very useful and informative days training.