Benchmark, the quality mark for the installation, commissioning and servicing of domestic heating and hot water systems, has been updated with new best practice for manufacturers and installers to follow.
The Benchmark checklists have been revised to reflect current practice and will be included in the installation instructions of all participating companies of new gas boilers; mains pressure hot water storage systems and vented cylinders.

Completing the benchmark checklist is a way of meeting and commissioning requirements within Part L of the Building Regulations as the regulations during the next few months are tightened.

The Benchmark Code of Practice is a set of best practice guidelines that installers should adhere to when undertaking an installation. Under the revised scheme, installers who wish to carry the Benchmark logo will be able to do so from April 2008.

Benchmark has been reviewed by the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC) and National Association for Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT). The scheme originally introduced in 1999, was launched to product manufacturers and suppliers in January.

The Benchmark scheme:-

requires installations to be carried out competently to manufacturer's instructions.

requires compliance with Building Regulations.

encourages regular servicing and maintenance

gives support for competent installers and increased isolation of unregulated or illegal installers.

provides a means for members of competent persons schemes to notify local authorities about commissioning.

offers assurance for product suppliers that products are installed correctly, so that there is a reduction in warranty callouts and an improvement in after-sales support

The HHIC intends to increase its scope to include checklists for solar thermal and heat pumps among other products in the near future.