Training: Frequently Asked Questions

Back to topWhy do people request training?

Unfortunately legislation has a major role to play, with Health and Safety issues arising daily with regard to leaking flanges/fugitive emissions/reportable incidents, and the request for training is generally driven by legislation.

Compare the skill requirements of a welder and that of a technician who has assembled and tightened the flanged connector. Legislation now recognises the skill levels have to be compatible, and there has to be a clear audit trail of competence within the Quality Management System.

Joint integrity has never received the focus it requires, Hydratight is championing the importance of a bolted connection to that of the welded connection and adoption of best practice, in ensuring a leak-free ‘right first time’ approach.

Back to topWhat is a candidate’s most appropriate background?

The best candidates suited to assembling and tightening bolted connections are mechanically minded, such as mechanical fitters and pipe fitters, who tend to have a basic working knowledge of the principles and practice of piping/flanged systems, which provide a foundation for the course.

Back to topWhat does this course offer to the candidate?

Successful completion of the two-day training, along with a portfolio recording their experience, combined with the one-day assessment, can lead to a recognised qualification such as ECITB TECSkills Units PF010 / PF018 / PF019. These awards can then be used towards obtaining a qualification, leading to NVQ / SVQ Unit.

Back to topWhat does this course offer the employer?

It ensures you adhere to legislation relative to providing the level of training expected in the safe use of high pressure hydraulic equipment.

Accredited training provides candidates with an understanding of the dynamics of bolts, gaskets and flanged joints, resultant pipe integrity problems are minimised and rework costs reduced.

Continual development of employees’ skills adds value to your company, whilst also ensuring the health and safety issues of the tasks expected of the employee are addressed well in advance.

It is sometimes believed that training employees is an expensive overhead, however in light of Health and Safety issues and legislation requirements, Hydratight would suggest that not offering training may be more expensive.

Back to topWhere can the training be delivered?

The current options include our training facilities in Aberdeen or Morpeth, or at your premises.

Bespoke courses can be designed to suit the client and the candidate, however the best practice of the TECSkills Units will be utilised within any bespoke course. Such courses are very popular as it is sometimes difficult to manage the logistics of shift patterns or manpower availability.

A workshop environment would be required, with an electric supply and a compressed air supply of 100psig/60scfm and a classroom facility is advisable.

Back to topWhat is the duration of the training course?

Courses consist of one-day or two-day accredited courses. It must be determined whether candidates require training in Torque, Tension or other elements.

However, bespoke courses have been designed to suit the client, from four-hour sessions to full nine-day programmes. Assessment/mentoring visits to clients’ facilities are also available, either onshore or offshore.

Hydratight remain flexible to meet the clients’ requirements, contact us at training@hydratight.com to discuss your needs.

Back to topWhat are the national standards?

The ECITB Training in Engineering Construction (TECSkills) units are as follows:

  • PF010 Jointing Pipework using Flanged Joints
  • PF015 Assembling and Tightening Bolted Connections
  • PF018 Assembling and Tightening of Bolted Connections using Bolting Tensioning Equipment
  • PF019 Assembling and Tightening of Bolted Connections using Hydraulic Torque Tightening Equipment

After completing the training, candidates are awarded an Attendance Certificate. They can then maintain a log book of workplace activity relating to the course and, following a further competence assessment, may be awarded the Certificate of Validated Achievement. This certifies competence in PF010 / PF018 / PF019, which can stand alone or be put towards the Pipe and Mechanical Fitter S/NVQ.

Hydratight also offer the API (American Petroleum Institute) Accreditation over a two-day period, which is very similar in instruction and content as the ECITB units. API is generally utilised overseas as it is widely recognised within the global oil and gas industry.

Back to topWhat does assessment involve?

Assessments are planned to cause the minimum of disruption to the normal working activities of the candidate. However, the assessment of candidates needs to be undertaken in a workplace situation, which can be on any site or platform. Normally it is carried out between one and three months after training, or at a specific time subject to logistics and manpower availability.

Back to topCan DVD/video induction be supplied specific to best practice?

Hydratight has developed various packages and can offer a quotation based on a site survey, to develop a 15 minute DVD to be used as an induction to all operators involved in joint integrity issues. This supports individual training and ensures on-site contractors are captured within the skill gap.

Back to topWhat certification will be delivered after the course?

Please note certificates are not a Competence Certificate; competence is delivered via an assessment period which may involve mentoring via a qualified trainer /assessor at the place of work, over an agreed period of time, depending on frequency in using such equipment.

The certificate issued following the training will be a Certificate of Attendance.

Below are examples of the certification issued to the delegates after the successful completion of the course. The certificates will be specific to the ECITB PF Standard.

Hydratight training certificate example

Back to top How long does certification last?

As with any training it is essential that the skills are used and practiced, and an assessment period is put into place by the employer. Mentoring/assessment is recommended after six months if the equipment is being used infrequently to enable the assessor to identify and monitor any issues. Hydratight has assessors who are able to carry out this task upon request.

Back to top How many candidates can be trained?

Class sizes are important as high pressure hydraulic is involved in the PF018 and PF019 courses; hence a ratio of four candidates to one trainer is recommended, however Hydratight can supply more than one training instructor.

On the PF010 course up to 10 candidates per training instructor can be accommodated.

Typical contracts for training candidates range from a six-month rota to cover 700 employees, to a class of four from a chemical plant. As demand is always changing Hydratight remain flexible to meet with site logistics.

Back to top Can you only carry out training using Hydratight equipment?

As Hydratight are a design and manufacturer of all such tightening equipment, training is generally delivered using Hydratight equipment as the preferred option.

However, as accredited training providers, Hydratight are authorised to provide such training with all equipment from different manufacturers.

Trainers have years of experience within the engineering field and have a wealth of knowledge in the safe use of such equipment. It would be expected however that the client could provide a calibration certificate and a clear demonstration of maintenance being carried out on such a bespoke product prior to training commencing.

Back to top What training equipment and rigs are required?

Hydratight has many training rigs, both fixed and purpose-built, and dedicated equipment which is portable for transportation.

Back to top What are the contents of the training course?

Hydratight can deliver clear training plans for all units however; a brief synopsis providing a basis of instruction is viewable here.

Back to topWho do I contact for further information relative to training?

Please contact the Training/Technical Manager as below who will be only too pleased to discuss and quote for any training requirement you may have. Remember the course can be designed to suit your logistical requirements.

training@hydratight.com

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Training Synopsis51.31kb