F-Gas Category I

Category I is the highest competence category under the F-Gas and ODS regime, and City & Guilds 2079 is one of the qualifications used to certify it. The Category I exam tests the full range of duties, including work on systems at or above the 5 tonnes CO2e threshold, so expect broader and deeper coverage than Category II.

We cannot state this reliably: the official source page for this qualification returned a 404 error when checked, so no official question count or duration is confirmed here. Check the current assessment guidance from your awarding organisation or training centre before you book, as format and timing can be revised.

No official pass mark is published in the source available to us, so it is not stated here. Multiple-choice F-Gas assessments usually require a high percentage, often with a minimum score in each section, but confirm the current requirement with your centre rather than relying on older figures.

Retake arrangements are set by the awarding organisation and the centre delivering the assessment, and were not confirmed in the source we could access. Ask your training provider about resit windows, whether you must repeat the practical element, and any additional fees before booking.

Start with the regulations and environmental obligations, because leak-check frequencies, record keeping and recovery duties all follow from them. Then cover refrigerant properties and impact, installation and records, service and leak detection, recovery and disposal, and finish with safety and cylinder handling, which underpins every practical task.

Common weak spots are leak-check frequency calculations based on tonnes CO2e, the difference between recovery, recycling and reclaim, what records must be kept and for how long, and safe cylinder practice such as never overfilling or decanting into a non-reclaimable cylinder. These are the areas where regulatory detail matters most.

No. The F-Gas qualification certifies competence in handling fluorinated greenhouse gases and ODS, not in brazing, electrical installation or system design. Those are separate qualifications or competence schemes, so do not expect the F-Gas exam to assess them.

Category I is a standalone category rather than a formal progression, but the practical demands assume you can already service and leak-check smaller systems confidently. Most candidates complete Category II first or have substantial supervised experience before attempting Category I.

The assessment assumes familiarity with recovery machines, vacuum and leak detection equipment, manifold gauges and refrigerant cylinders, and with completing the paperwork that accompanies a real job. Build that experience on live systems under supervision before booking, as the written exam tests the reasoning behind the practical steps.

No. This profile is independent study material and is not affiliated with City & Guilds or any awarding organisation. The official qualification page was unavailable when we compiled it, so always verify fees, format, validity and assessment requirements directly with your awarding organisation or training centre.