Goal: Aligning experienced RPZ AIM Issue 2 Testers to the new RPZ AIM Issue 3 (AIM 3) Technical Standards.
1. Course Format & Engagement This is a fully online technical transition course that requires active tester engagement. It is a structured learning experience where delegates will view material to guide them on the key points of AIM 3 and listen to audio commentary provided as a primary learning aid. This ensures all testers are supported through the specific 2026 technical shifts with precision.
Course Duration: Upon successful payment and enrolment, delegates have 30 days to complete the course content and the associated assessment.
Delegate Requirements (Prior Reading & Knowledge): This course is intended for testers who have qualified against RPZ AIM Issue 2 and are recognised by water undertakers. To successfully engage with this course, delegates are expected to have a working knowledge of, or have pre-read, the following:
- The RPZ AIM Issue 3 (AIM 3) Standard.
- The RPZ Equipment Checklist: Ensuring your kit is compliant before beginning the assessment.
- Calibration Certificates & Test Report Forms: Knowledge of the mandated precision levels and reporting fields.
- Digital RPZ Test Kits: Understanding the industry shift from mechanical gauges to digital testing technology.
2. Technical Equipment Standards To remain compliant with 2026 standards, all delegates must ensure their equipment meets the following criteria:
- Differential Test Kits: RPZ test kits must be differential and capable of completing all parts of the testing procedures as mandated by the new standards.
- Digital Transition: The course provides visual and audio guidance on the transition to digital kits and the associated calibration requirements for 2026.
3. Key Transition Focus (What’s Changing)
- Precision Reporting: Transitioning from previous Issue 2 paperwork to the new, more precise reporting forms required for AIM 3 compliance.
- New Pressure Units: Mandatory use of kPa and bar for all range and accuracy reporting.
- Spring Identification: Technical updates on identifying and testing devices according to BS EN 12729 (Firm) and BS EN 13959 (Soft) standards.
4. Assessment & Competency Validation The formal assessment is completed following the transition and workbook sections to verify competency in the new standards.
- Format: A 10-question multiple-choice assessment.
- Competency Requirement: To ensure industry safety, the assessment is weighted toward Core Technical Mastery. A successful result requires 100% accuracy on the 6 core questions (covering gauge specifications, calibration, and mandatory reporting) alongside a 75% pass on the general transition material.
- Assessment Integrity: This is a “closed” result assessment. Delegates will be provided with their final score but will not be able to review individual questions or correct answers upon submission.
- Successful Completion: Upon a successful result, delegates will be issued a certificate. It is the delegate’s responsibility to download and forward this to their registered scheme; CWU Backflow Ltd will not update schemes for successful passes.
- Unsuccessful Results: Delegates are permitted one resit. In the event of an unsuccessful first attempt, it is strongly recommended that delegates exit the assessment and revisit the course material to revise the core technical standards before attempting their final resit. If still unsuccessful after the second attempt, the result is recorded as “Not Yet Competent” and reported directly to your Registered Scheme (WIAPS/SNIPEF) or relevant Water Undertaker.
5. Course Information, Costs & Policies
- Cost: £160.00 + VAT.
- Enrolment Requirement: Delegates must identify their certifying body during enrolment. Members of WIAPS or SNIPEF must provide membership details. If you are not on a national scheme but are recognised by a Water Undertaker, you must select “Other / Not on a Scheme Register” and identify the relevant Water Undertaker.
- Availability: Open for enrolment until 31 October 2026. Upon payment and enrolment, the course will be immediately available and the 30-day completion window begins.
- The Resit Policy: Resits must be completed within one month of the first attempt. Final date for any resit is 30 November 2026.
- Refund & Dispute Policy: Due to the digital nature of the content, the course fee is fully payable upon enrolment. No refunds will be issued once the course material has been accessed.
- Data Protection: By enrolling, you provide explicit permission for your training results and professional details to be shared with your Registered Scheme or relevant Water Undertaker in the event of a “Not Yet Competent” result. This is a mandatory requirement for maintaining the integrity of the RPZ testing network.
To maintain your professional standing, you must ensure you bridge the gap from your existing Aim 2 qualification to the mandatory new requirements of Aim 3. These additional standards are significantly different from previous practices, with a major move toward the technical recording of field test data for on-site RPZ valve testing.
The Priority Pathway to Aim 3 Compliance:
- Water Undertaker Recognition: Ensuring your qualification remains officially recognised by the water undertakers through the 2026 transition.
- Aim 3 Test Kit Standards: Understanding the mandate for higher-accuracy test equipment required to meet the tighter tolerances of the new standards.
- Calibration & Certification: Navigating the critical link between your equipment’s Calibration Certificate and the data you record in the field.
- Technical Reporting & Corrections: Mastering the move to SI unit reporting (kPa/bar) and the mandatory requirement for applying calibration corrections to paperwork to ensure 100% data integrity.
- Spring Identification (BS EN 13959 & BS EN 12729): Identifying the critical performance differences between Soft Spring (BS EN 13959) and Firm Spring (BS EN 12729) configurations.
Technical Note: Because the pressure differentials required to verify these springs are so precise, your test kits must be significantly more accurate. Aim 3 ensures you have the expertise to recognize these differences and record them correctly on every site visit.
The Four Pillars of the Aim 3 Transition
1. Equipment Suitability & Safety
The transition mandates a shift to Differential Pressure Gauges; static gauges are no longer acceptable.
- Differential Capability: You must use a differential RPZ test kit capable of completing all required differential readings across all valve components.
- Operating Conditions: The kit must be specifically designed for normal operating conditions, including system pressure and fluid temperature.
- Tester Safety: A compliant gauge is not considered suitable if the physical environment or installation is unsafe for the tester.
- Technical Specs: Kits must have a minimum measuring range of 0 to 34 kPa (0.34 bar) and a digital accuracy of ± 1.0 kPa (0.01 bar).
- Prohibited: Use of Full Scale Deflection (%FSD) or percentage-based accuracy is strictly prohibited.
2. Enhanced Traceability: UKAS Calibration
- UKAS Requirement: All equipment must hold a valid UKAS-accredited certificate.
- Annual Validity: Certificates must be no more than 12 months old at the time of testing.
- The 4-Point Rule: Your certificate must explicitly verify the kit at 0.5, 7.0, 14.0, and 34.0 kPa.
3. Reporting Deadlines & Repair Protocols
Submission of results is now governed by strict timelines to ensure water system safety.
- Passed Tests: A copy of the compliance report must reach the water undertaker within 10 working days.
- Repairs & Maintenance: If the valve requires repair or maintenance, the report must be submitted within 24 hours.
- Failed Repairs: If you are unable to complete a repair, you must contact the local water undertaker immediately.
- Actual Value Reporting: You must record specific numerical kPa readings for all check and relief valves—simple “ticks” are prohibited.
- Correction Formula: You must apply the mandatory formula: Displayed Reading + Certificate Correction = Reported Value.
4. Valve Replacement Limits
- Like-for-Like: This qualification permits the replacement of an existing RPZ valve only for an identical make and model.
- Non-Identical Replacement: Replacement with a non-identical valve is not covered by this qualification. Such work is prohibited unless authorized by the local water undertaker and requires a new notification and consent process.