FESS Experienced Worker Assessment
The FESS Experienced Worker Assessment is for people who have been working with fire, emergency or security systems typically for a minimum of five years and need to qualify to the industry Level 3 standard. There are different pathways to choose from to reflect the work you carry out on site:
- Installation
- Commissioning
- Maintenance
- Installation and Commissioning
- Full Pathway – covering all of the above
Each assessment is based on the same content as the FESS Apprenticeship, so both new entrants and existing workers are being assessed and accredited to the same standard.
Please check the EWA is the right route for you before you apply. If you already have an ECS card, or have queries about how to gain an ECS card, please visit the ECS website or call 01322 661622.
What do I have to do?
There are three steps to the Experienced Worker Assessment which you must complete within 12 months of starting the process. These sections can be completed in any order:
- You’ll need to carry out and record a range of specified tasks in your workplace and upload the evidence to the NETassess system. The tasks will be based on your chosen pathway and will cover relevant areas linked to your everyday work e.g: health and safety, installation, commissioning and maintenance. More detail on the digital assessment section is below. The evidence must be recorded from projects you are working on throughout the 12-month lifespan of the assessment. Historical work that you carried out prior to the EWA registration date cannot be accepted. These tasks will be verified by an authorised person to ensure it’s your own work, then independently assessed and marked by a NET assessor to confirm you have met the Level 3 industry standard. NET will also carry out quality assurance audits once marking is completed.
- In a NET-licensed centre, you’ll need to complete safe isolation of a single-phase circuit, under controlled conditions.
- You’ll also need to carry out an online knowledge assessment in a NET centre, under observation. If you hold certain fire and security qualifications, you may be exempt from the online knowledge assessment – view the list of accepted qualifications.
Who is my Authorised Person?
Your Authorised Person will be someone who can testify that the evidence you upload is your own work. They will be asked to view your submitted work in the NETassess system and verify that it has been carried out by you and no-one else.
This could be a team leader, supervisor, colleague, manager or other suitable person (e.g. an independent auditor) who may be regarded as a suitable witness to your competency. However, they must be technically competent in the process or skills that they are providing testimony for, to at least the same level of expertise as you or higher.
As part of your application, you’ll be asked to nominate your Authorised Person when you complete the checklist. Before your application is approved, NET will contact this person and carry out checks on their credentials and suitability to verify your work.
You can share ‘Your Role as an Authorised Person’ with your nominated person so they can understand more about what’s involved.
How do I apply?
Before you sign up, you’ll need to complete the correct FESS Experienced Worker Assessment Checklist for your chosen pathway (found on our Checklists page) to make sure you have all the required skills, knowledge and experience. If there are gaps, you will need to complete these before registering for the assessment.
Once you’re confident that you are ready for the assessment, you need to complete the Candidate Registration Form, upload your checklist and, if you want to be exempt from the knowledge assessment, a certificate showing your approved qualification.
NET will review your application and make all relevant checks into your nominated Authorised Person. If approved onto the assessment, you’ll be asked to make payment for the Experienced Worker Assessment before you gain access to the NETassess system.
How much does it cost?
Fire - Full Pathway
There are three components to the assessment:
- Digital Assessment – £660 – this is payable to NET once your application has been approved, before you can get access to the NET assess system.
- Safe Isolation – £165 – this must be paid directly to your chosen NET-licensed centre when you book your safe isolation assessment.
- Online Knowledge Assessment (if you are not exempt) – £165 – this must be paid directly to your chosen NET-licensed centre when you book the knowledge assessment.
These costs include all associated technical support, quality assurance and certification.
Some NET centres may charge VAT for the safe isolation and knowledge assessment – please check with your chosen centre before confirming your booking. VAT is not applicable for the digital assessment fee paid to NET.
Re-sit Costs:
- Safe Isolation and Knowledge Assessment – £165 each
- Digital Assessment – £235 per unit. If a candidate needs to re-sit multiple units, the charge will not exceed the maximum cost for the original digital assessment.
Fire – individual pathways: Installation, Commissioning or Maintenance
There are three components to the assessment:
- Digital Assessment – £375 – this is payable to NET once your application has been approved, before you can get access to the NET assess system.
- Safe Isolation – £165 – this must be paid directly to your chosen NET-licensed centre when you book your safe isolation assessment.
- Online Knowledge Assessment (if you are not exempt) – £165 – this must be paid directly to your chosen NET-licensed centre when you book the knowledge assessment.
These costs include all associated technical support, quality assurance and certification.
Some NET centres may charge VAT for the safe isolation and knowledge assessment – please check with your chosen centre before confirming your booking. VAT is not applicable for the digital assessment fee paid to NET.
Re-sit Costs:
- Safe Isolation and Knowledge Assessment – £165 each
- Digital Assessment – £235 per unit. If a candidate needs to re-sit multiple units, the charge will not exceed the maximum cost for the original digital assessment.
Fire – Installation & Commissioning
There are three components to the assessment:
- Digital Assessment – £520 – this is payable to NET once your application has been approved, before you can get access to the NET assess system.
- Safe Isolation – £165 – this must be paid directly to your chosen NET-licensed centre when you book your safe isolation assessment.
- Online Knowledge Assessment (if you are not exempt) – £165 – this must be paid directly to your chosen NET-licensed centre when you book the knowledge assessment.
These costs include all associated technical support, quality assurance and certification.
Some NET centres may charge VAT for the safe isolation and knowledge assessment – please check with your chosen centre before confirming your booking. VAT is not applicable for the digital assessment fee paid to NET.
Re-sit Costs:
- Safe Isolation and Knowledge Assessment – £165 each
- Digital Assessment – £235 per unit. If a candidate needs to re-sit multiple units, the charge will not exceed the maximum cost for the original digital assessment.
Digital Assessment Detail
Fire Pathway - Full
You must carry out and record a range of specific tasks in your workplace, then upload documents, videos and other evidence to the NETassess system. This will be independently assessed and marked by a NET Assessor. You will have to demonstrate you are competent by providing specific evidence across the following areas:
- Health & Safety
- Installing Systems and Equipment
- Commissioning
- Inspection and Servicing
The evidence must be recorded from projects you are working on throughout the 12-month lifespan of the assessment. Historical work that you carried out prior to the EWA registration date cannot be accepted.
These tasks will be verified by your Authorised Person to ensure it’s your own work, then independently assessed and marked by a NET assessor to confirm you have met the Level 3 industry standard. NET will also carry out quality assurance audits once marking is completed.
Fire - Installation only
You must carry out and record a range of specific tasks in your workplace, then upload documents, videos and other evidence to the NETassess system. This will be independently assessed and marked by a NET Assessor. You will have to demonstrate you are competent by providing specific evidence across the following areas:
- Health & Safety
- Installing Systems and Equipment
The evidence must be recorded from projects you are working on throughout the 12-month lifespan of the assessment. Historical work that you carried out prior to the EWA registration date cannot be accepted.
These tasks will be verified by your Authorised Person to ensure it’s your own work, then independently assessed and marked by a NET assessor to confirm you have met the Level 3 industry standard. NET will also carry out quality assurance audits once marking is completed.
Fire - Commissioning only
You must carry out and record a range of specific tasks in your workplace, then upload documents, videos and other evidence to the NETassess system. This will be independently assessed and marked by a NET Assessor. You will have to demonstrate you are competent by providing specific evidence across the following areas:
- Health & Safety
- Commissioning Fire Systems & Equipment
The evidence must be recorded from projects you are working on throughout the 12-month lifespan of the assessment. Historical work that you carried out prior to the EWA registration date cannot be accepted.
These tasks will be verified by your Authorised Person to ensure it’s your own work, then independently assessed and marked by a NET assessor to confirm you have met the Level 3 industry standard. NET will also carry out quality assurance audits once marking is completed.
Fire - Maintenance only
You must carry out and record a range of specific tasks in your workplace, then upload documents, videos and other evidence to the NETassess system. This will be independently assessed and marked by a NET Assessor. You will have to demonstrate you are competent by providing specific evidence across the following areas:
- Health & Safety
- Maintenance of Fire Systems & Equipment
The evidence must be recorded from projects you are working on throughout the 12-month lifespan of the assessment. Historical work that you carried out prior to the EWA registration date cannot be accepted.
These tasks will be verified by your Authorised Person to ensure it’s your own work, then independently assessed and marked by a NET assessor to confirm you have met the Level 3 industry standard. NET will also carry out quality assurance audits once marking is completed.
Fire - Installation & Commissioning
You must carry out and record a range of specific tasks in your workplace, then upload documents, videos and other evidence to the NETassess system. This will be independently assessed and marked by a NET Assessor. You will have to demonstrate you are competent by providing specific evidence across the following areas:
- Health & Safety
- Installing Fire Systems & Equipment
- Commissioning Fire Systems & Equipment
The evidence must be recorded from projects you are working on throughout the 12-month lifespan of the assessment. Historical work that you carried out prior to the EWA registration date cannot be accepted.
These tasks will be verified by your Authorised Person to ensure it’s your own work, then independently assessed and marked by a NET assessor to confirm you have met the Level 3 industry standard. NET will also carry out quality assurance audits once marking is completed.
Safe Isolation Detail
Time allowed 30 mins, plus 10 minutes reading time
To demonstrate your occupational competence and ability to work safely, you’ll need to carry out the correct sequence for safe isolation of a 230V safety service circuit.
This section will be carried out at a NET-licensed centre and fully observed by the Centre Assessor.
Safe Isolation Procedure
- Identify your point of isolation
- Inform the relevant parties that you will be isolating the supply.
- Operate the isolation device and lock off and fit warning notice
- Select approved test equipment and prove that it is working.
- Test that the equipment/circuit you have been requested to isolate is safe to work on:
- Line to Earth
- Line to Neutral
- Neutral to Earth
- Re-prove your test equipment to ensure it is still working.
Knowledge Assessment Detail
Fire Pathway - Full
The knowledge assessment is a ‘closed book’ assessment, which means you will not have any reference material on the day. So it’s very important that you prepare for this exam and do not attend without looking closely at what you’ll be asked to do.
It’s a 90-minute, 60 question multiple choice assessment covering the following areas. It’s based on the same rigorous, comprehensive assessment that an apprentice undertakes, so everyone is being assessed to the same standard.
The questions cover a range of knowledge and understanding linked to current standards and regulations:
- Health and Safety – Health and safety legislation, codes of practice, relevant regulations (e.g. CDM) and safe working practices, BS5839, Electricity at work regulations, handling of situations and materials.
- Core systems – Fundamental design criteria, installation, commissioning, handover and maintenance of fire, emergency lighting, security systems and components. Types of units, cabling and electrical resistance will be assessed.
- Electrical and electronic principles – Installation and testing techniques for electrical and electronic components, equipment and control systems for fire, emergency and security systems. There will be an emphasis on testing and commissioning as well as connection to control panels, British Standards such as BS7671, BS5839
- Practices and procedures – Fundamental principles and quality processes associated with industry/company codes of practices. Use of Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS), British Standards associated with what is being fitted, relevant quality manual, sign off for design and commissioning and understanding certification
- System technologies – How to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive data/information electronically in a digital form across a range of ICT applications (e.g. personal computers, digital transmission over IP, email, mobile communication technology).
- Communication – Different communication styles, how to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner and how to adapt communication style to suit different situations.
- Commercial awareness – Commercial risks and responsibilities. Managing time, resource and job planning for economy, business and client convenience and sound business principles
- Customer service – Principles of high-quality customer service and the needs of others. Building and maintaining relationships, managing conflict and dispute and offering sound and mutually productive information, advice and guidance.
- Environmental principles – Compliance to environmental legislation and the impact of processes and technologies associated with fire, emergency and security systems. Questions to assess the apprentice on the culture of re-use and recycle, WEEE Regulations (Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment) and the dangers of asbestos.
Safety critical items such as isolation of mains electricity and the identification and testing of a viable loop circuit will be questioned throughout the entire assessment process.
For the full Fire Pathway, you will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:
- Understanding the relationship of fire detection and alarms to the fire industry, the principles and features for design criteria and the methods of surveying new and existing systems.
- Planning and project management for system design and installation
- Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS)
- Commissioning and handover (including zone charts).
- The Installation section will include questions on wireless technology, alarm transmission systems, aspirating systems, issues and procedures when installing
- The preventative and corrective maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems, emergency systems and components, including periodic fault diagnosis or faults and system age-related maintenance.
Fire - Installation only
The knowledge assessment is a ‘closed book’ assessment, which means you will not have any reference material on the day. So it’s very important that you prepare for this exam and do not attend without looking closely at what you’ll be asked to do.
It’s a 60-minute, 40 question multiple choice assessment covering the following areas. It’s based on the same rigorous, comprehensive assessment that an apprentice undertakes, so everyone is being assessed to the same standard.
The questions cover a range of knowledge and understanding linked to current standards and regulations:
- Health and Safety – Health and safety legislation, codes of practice, relevant regulations (e.g. CDM) and safe working practices, BS5839, Electricity at work regulations, handling of situations and materials.
- Core systems – Fundamental design criteria, installation, commissioning, handover and maintenance of fire, emergency lighting, security systems and components. Types of units, cabling and electrical resistance will be assessed.
- Electrical and electronic principles – Installation and testing techniques for electrical and electronic components, equipment and control systems for fire, emergency and security systems. There will be an emphasis on testing and commissioning as well as connection to control panels, British Standards such as BS7671, BS5839
- Practices and procedures – Fundamental principles and quality processes associated with industry/company codes of practices. Use of Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS), British Standards associated with what is being fitted, relevant quality manual, sign off for design and commissioning and understanding certification
- System technologies – How to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive data/information electronically in a digital form across a range of ICT applications (e.g. personal computers, digital transmission over IP, email, mobile communication technology).
- Communication – Different communication styles, how to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner and how to adapt communication style to suit different situations.
- Commercial awareness – Commercial risks and responsibilities. Managing time, resource and job planning for economy, business and client convenience and sound business principles
- Customer service – Principles of high-quality customer service and the needs of others. Building and maintaining relationships, managing conflict and dispute and offering sound and mutually productive information, advice and guidance.
- Environmental principles – Compliance to environmental legislation and the impact of processes and technologies associated with fire, emergency and security systems. Questions to assess the apprentice on the culture of re-use and recycle, WEEE Regulations (Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment) and the dangers of asbestos.
Safety critical items such as isolation of mains electricity and the identification and testing of a viable loop circuit will be questioned throughout the entire assessment process.
For the Fire Installation Pathway, you will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:
- Understanding the relationship of fire detection and alarms to the fire industry, the principles and features for design criteria and the methods of surveying new and existing systems.
- Planning and project management for system design and installation
- Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS)
- Wireless technology, alarm transmission systems, aspirating systems, issues and procedures when installing
Fire - Commissioning only
The knowledge assessment is a ‘closed book’ assessment, which means you will not have any reference material on the day. So it’s very important that you prepare for this exam and do not attend without looking closely at what you’ll be asked to do.
It’s a 60-minute, 40 question multiple choice assessment covering the following areas. It’s based on the same rigorous, comprehensive assessment that an apprentice undertakes, so everyone is being assessed to the same standard.
The questions cover a range of knowledge and understanding linked to current standards and regulations:
- Health and Safety – Health and safety legislation, codes of practice, relevant regulations (e.g. CDM) and safe working practices, BS5839, Electricity at work regulations, handling of situations and materials.
- Core systems – Fundamental design criteria, installation, commissioning, handover and maintenance of fire, emergency lighting, security systems and components. Types of units, cabling and electrical resistance will be assessed.
- Electrical and electronic principles – Installation and testing techniques for electrical and electronic components, equipment and control systems for fire, emergency and security systems. There will be an emphasis on testing and commissioning as well as connection to control panels, British Standards such as BS7671, BS5839
- Practices and procedures – Fundamental principles and quality processes associated with industry/company codes of practices. Use of Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS), British Standards associated with what is being fitted, relevant quality manual, sign off for design and commissioning and understanding certification
- System technologies – How to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive data/information electronically in a digital form across a range of ICT applications (e.g. personal computers, digital transmission over IP, email, mobile communication technology).
- Communication – Different communication styles, how to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner and how to adapt communication style to suit different situations.
- Commercial awareness – Commercial risks and responsibilities. Managing time, resource and job planning for economy, business and client convenience and sound business principles
- Customer service – Principles of high-quality customer service and the needs of others. Building and maintaining relationships, managing conflict and dispute and offering sound and mutually productive information, advice and guidance.
- Environmental principles – Compliance to environmental legislation and the impact of processes and technologies associated with fire, emergency and security systems. Questions to assess the apprentice on the culture of re-use and recycle, WEEE Regulations (Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment) and the dangers of asbestos.
Safety critical items such as isolation of mains electricity and the identification and testing of a viable loop circuit will be questioned throughout the entire assessment process.
For the Fire Commissioning Pathway, you will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:
- Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS)
- Commissioning and handover (including zone charts).
Fire - Maintenance only
The knowledge assessment is a ‘closed book’ assessment, which means you will not have any reference material on the day. So it’s very important that you prepare for this exam and do not attend without looking closely at what you’ll be asked to do.
It’s a 60-minute, 40 question multiple choice assessment covering the following areas. It’s based on the same rigorous, comprehensive assessment that an apprentice undertakes, so everyone is being assessed to the same standard.
The questions cover a range of knowledge and understanding linked to current standards and regulations:
- Health and Safety – Health and safety legislation, codes of practice, relevant regulations (e.g. CDM) and safe working practices, BS5839, Electricity at work regulations, handling of situations and materials.
- Core systems – Fundamental design criteria, installation, commissioning, handover and maintenance of fire, emergency lighting, security systems and components. Types of units, cabling and electrical resistance will be assessed.
- Electrical and electronic principles – Installation and testing techniques for electrical and electronic components, equipment and control systems for fire, emergency and security systems. There will be an emphasis on testing and commissioning as well as connection to control panels, British Standards such as BS7671, BS5839
- Practices and procedures – Fundamental principles and quality processes associated with industry/company codes of practices. Use of Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS), British Standards associated with what is being fitted, relevant quality manual, sign off for design and commissioning and understanding certification
- System technologies – How to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive data/information electronically in a digital form across a range of ICT applications (e.g. personal computers, digital transmission over IP, email, mobile communication technology).
- Communication – Different communication styles, how to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner and how to adapt communication style to suit different situations.
- Commercial awareness – Commercial risks and responsibilities. Managing time, resource and job planning for economy, business and client convenience and sound business principles
- Customer service – Principles of high-quality customer service and the needs of others. Building and maintaining relationships, managing conflict and dispute and offering sound and mutually productive information, advice and guidance.
- Environmental principles – Compliance to environmental legislation and the impact of processes and technologies associated with fire, emergency and security systems. Questions to assess the apprentice on the culture of re-use and recycle, WEEE Regulations (Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment) and the dangers of asbestos.
Safety critical items such as isolation of mains electricity and the identification and testing of a viable loop circuit will be questioned throughout the entire assessment process.
For the Fire Maintenance Pathway, you will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:
- The preventative and corrective maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems, emergency systems and components, including periodic fault diagnosis or faults and system age-related maintenance.
Fire - Installation & Commissioning
The knowledge assessment is a ‘closed book’ assessment, which means you will not have any reference material on the day. So it’s very important that you prepare for this exam and do not attend without looking closely at what you’ll be asked to do.
It’s a 60-minute, 40 question multiple choice assessment covering the following areas. It’s based on the same rigorous, comprehensive assessment that an apprentice undertakes, so everyone is being assessed to the same standard.
The questions cover a range of knowledge and understanding linked to current standards and regulations:
- Health and Safety – Health and safety legislation, codes of practice, relevant regulations (e.g. CDM) and safe working practices, BS5839, Electricity at work regulations, handling of situations and materials.
- Core systems – Fundamental design criteria, installation, commissioning, handover and maintenance of fire, emergency lighting, security systems and components. Types of units, cabling and electrical resistance will be assessed.
- Electrical and electronic principles – Installation and testing techniques for electrical and electronic components, equipment and control systems for fire, emergency and security systems. There will be an emphasis on testing and commissioning as well as connection to control panels, British Standards such as BS7671, BS5839
- Practices and procedures – Fundamental principles and quality processes associated with industry/company codes of practices. Use of Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS), British Standards associated with what is being fitted, relevant quality manual, sign off for design and commissioning and understanding certification
- System technologies – How to store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive data/information electronically in a digital form across a range of ICT applications (e.g. personal computers, digital transmission over IP, email, mobile communication technology).
- Communication – Different communication styles, how to communicate in a clear, articulate and appropriate manner and how to adapt communication style to suit different situations.
- Commercial awareness – Commercial risks and responsibilities. Managing time, resource and job planning for economy, business and client convenience and sound business principles
- Customer service – Principles of high-quality customer service and the needs of others. Building and maintaining relationships, managing conflict and dispute and offering sound and mutually productive information, advice and guidance.
- Environmental principles – Compliance to environmental legislation and the impact of processes and technologies associated with fire, emergency and security systems. Questions to assess the apprentice on the culture of re-use and recycle, WEEE Regulations (Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment) and the dangers of asbestos.
Safety critical items such as isolation of mains electricity and the identification and testing of a viable loop circuit will be questioned throughout the entire assessment process.
For the Fire Installation & Commissioning Pathway, you will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas:
- Understanding the relationship of fire detection and alarms to the fire industry, the principles and features for design criteria and the methods of surveying new and existing systems
- Planning and project management for system design and installation
- Risk Assessment Method Statement (RAMS)
- Commissioning and handover (including zone charts)
- The Installation section will include questions on wireless technology, alarm transmission systems, aspirating systems, issues and procedures when installing.
Knowledge Assessment - Study Guides
You can download and use our Study Guide for the Fire Pathway to get an idea of the types of questions you’ll be asked in the online knowledge assessment. In addition to this, please ensure you’re up to date with all the areas outlined in the section above which gives more details about the knowledge assessment.
We have produced a version where the answers are not shown, if you’d like to test your knowledge on these first. The ‘with Answers’ document has the answers highlighted.
Any Questions?
You can take a look at our FESS EWA frequently asked questions for more advice on the assessment. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for please contact us on ewa@netservices.org.uk
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