What is the OFCERT® scheme?
OFCERT® is a product standards and licensing scheme administered by OFTEC for the benefit of liquid fuel heating industry.
Typically, equipment used in heating installations is manufactured to EU harmonised standards. However, the UK and Ireland liquid fuel heating markets are different to other Members States across Europe, as the kerosene we use has a lower flash point than general European heating fuel. This often calls for slightly different testing procedures. In addition, installation standards in the UK and Ireland often call for additional features on some equipment which help improve performance or lessen risks. To aid specifiers, where regulation exist, OFTEC standards automatically incorporate these additional features.
For additional assurance, products manufactured to OFTEC standards and issued with a unique licence number are confirmed to be manufactured under a current quality assurance schedule, such as ISO 9001, and testing for conformity has been independently performed by an accredited test laboratory.
The following table identifies what standards are available from OFTEC and for the purposes of the OFCERT® Scheme.
Product type |
OFTEC Standard |
Status |
|
Liquid fuel condensing boilers with atomising burners and outputs up to 70kW for use with HVO
|
BLPS A120 |
Current |
|
Liquid fuel pressure atomising nozzles for use with Kerosene |
OFS E100 |
Current |
|
Liquid fuel pressure atomising nozzles for use with Bio-fuels |
BLPS E130 |
Current |
|
Capillary type remote acting fire and overheat valves for use with liquid fuel supply systems connected to fixed combustion appliances |
OFS E101 |
Current |
|
Capillary type remote acting fire and overheat valves for use with liquid fuel supply systems connected to fixed combustion appliances |
BLPS E101 |
Draft in review |
|
Gauges for use with domestic liquid fuel supply tanks |
OFS E103 |
Current |
|
Gauges for use with domestic liquid fuel supply tanks |
BLPS E103 |
Current |
|
Filters, strainers, and water separation devices for use with liquid fuel supply systems |
OFS E104 |
Current / Under Review |
|
Filters, strainers and water separation devices for use with liquid fuel supply systems |
BLPS E104 |
Draft in review |
|
Polyethylene liquid fuel storage tanks and tank bunds for distillate fuels |
OFS T100 |
Current |
|
Steel liquid fuel storage tanks with and without secondary containments for use with distillate fuels, bio-fuels, lubrication oils and waste oils |
OFS T200 |
Current |
|
De-aerators – Minimum requirements and testing |
OPS 23 |
Current |
|
De-aerators – Minimum requirements and testing |
BLPS 23 |
Current |
Who can obtain an OFCERT® standards, licences, and how much does it cost?
OFCERT® product standards are provided in digital format.
Standards and the administration associated with issuing product licences is provided free of charge to trade association members.
Where can products be tested?
OFTEC currently has two test laboratories in trade association membership, which are
Impact Solutions who specialise in the testing of polyethylene fuel storage tanks, and
Kiwa Limited who offer a range of services to the construction and energy sectors, including product compliance testing.
OFTEC will accept conformity testing results from other laboratories, providing they hold current UKAS, INAB or equivalent accreditation for the relevant area of work.
What is the general process for obtaining product licences.
- Prospective scheme participants should familiarise themselves with the OFCERT®Scheme Rules.
- Obtain a copy of a product standard and evaluate whether an existing product can comply or does the designed need to be modified. Obviously, new product can be designed to comply with requirements.
- Commission a test laboratory to evaluate the product against the OFTEC standard, which should be summarised as a “Pass” or “Fail”.
- Consider the value of joining OFTEC as a trade association member or paying annual fees to maintain the validity of licences. Find out more about Benefits of OFTEC membership
- Once membership or annual licence fees are agreed, a licence application form, test reports, quality management systems details, etc., should be presented to OFTEC for consideration and the issuing of licences.
For further information on OFCERT®, contact the OFTEC Technical Team
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