HETAS registrant inspections – upholding the highest standards

At HETAS, we are committed to upholding the highest standards in solid fuel and biomass installation. As part of this ongoing commitment, our robust inspections of our registered installers’ work involve random inspections of notified installations.

Random inspections

Historically, installers were able to nominate specific installations for inspection – now a random selection of notified work is inspected to ensure our ongoing surveillance is a representative sample of each registrant’s work.

Importantly, we will always look to inspect work that falls under the installer’s highest level of competence. This means inspections will be relevant, meaningful, and focused on the areas where the installer is most experienced and qualified.

These inspections form a crucial part of the HETAS Competent Person Scheme and align with Condition 12 of UKAS’s Conditions of Authorisation, which requires scheme operators to:

“Undertake surveillance of its registrants’ work, including carrying out periodic random assessments of a representative sample of each registrant’s work, during or after completion, to check compliance with the Building Regulations.”

Frequency of inspections

The number of inspections businesses are subject to in a given time and the frequency of inspections varies based on multiple factors including, but not limited to:

• Length of registration
• Level of competence
• A risk assessment (based on numerous factors such as previously failed inspections, complaints received, or changes in registered installers)

New registrants are annually assessed for the first two years following initial assessment to establish a clean track record.

Further information can be found in the Conditions of Authorisation for Competent Person Schemes.

Enabling transparency

This enhancement to our inspection process is not just about compliance – it’s about credibility. Ensuring the work that is inspected is a true reflection of the work our installers regularly undertake and that these inspections are of a registrant’s highest level of competence ensures that all work undertaken is of the highest quality.

We are proud that our registrants have responded positively to this proactive approach, recognising that these inspections support professionalism, maintain high standards, and provide reassurance to consumers who put their trust in HETAS registrants.

Alan Young, HETAS Quality Assurance Manager, commented: 

These inspections aren’t about catching people out – they are an important way of ensuring installers demonstrate their competence. It’s a valuable opportunity to showcase best practice and give customers confidence in the HETAS name and our valued registrants. It also providers installers with an excellent opportunity to meet with our inspectors and showcase their work.

As the leading competent person scheme specialising in the installation of solid fuel and biomass appliances, HETAS remains focused on supporting our installers and other stakeholders, delivering quality assurance, and driving standards forward while maintaining safe and compliant installations. This approach to inspections helps reinforce the standards we strive to achieve, and positive feedback from registrants ensures our goals are aligned.

Our inspectors fully understand that it isn’t always possible for you to put forward the installation randomly selected, and that a homeowner’s routine may not always align with inspection requests. We’ll always look to work with you to find a solution that works for all parties whilst maintaining the credibility of the inspection.