C&G 2079-11 F-Gas Category I
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
City & Guilds 2079-11 (F-Gas and ODS Regulations, Category I) is a UK vocational qualification for technicians who handle fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump work. Category I is the widest category, aimed at engineers who carry out the full range of activities - installation, commissioning, servicing, leak checking, recovery and decommissioning - rather than the narrower task sets covered by the lower categories.
Assessment is commonly split between a written or multiple-choice theory paper and a practical assessment in which candidates demonstrate handling skills on real equipment. The syllabus is organised around themes including the F-gas and ODS regulations, legal duties and environmental impact; refrigerant safety, cylinder handling, PPE and risk assessment; leak checking, containment, record keeping and reporting obligations; installation, commissioning, pressure testing and evacuation; and servicing, maintenance, recovery, recycling and decommissioning.
Preparation should combine a careful read of the current F-gas and ODS regulations with hands-on practice: recovery procedures, evacuation and vacuum testing, leak detection methods, and accurate record keeping. Because the regulations are revised periodically, always study against the current official version rather than older training notes.
Please note: the City & Guilds qualification page for 2079 returned a '404 Page Not Found' error when checked, so figures such as question count, exam duration, pass mark, fee, retake rules and certificate validity are not published on this page. Confirm them with City & Guilds or your approved training centre before booking.
What you'll study
About C&G 2079-11 F-Gas Category I preparation
What does the 2079-11 Category I assessment actually test?
Expect a theory element covering the F-gas and ODS regulations, environmental impact, refrigerant safety, leak checking and record keeping, plus a practical element where you demonstrate installation, pressure testing, evacuation, recovery and servicing tasks on real equipment. The practical side carries real weight, so theory-only preparation is rarely enough.
How many questions are there and how long do I get?
We cannot state these figures. The official City & Guilds page for this qualification returned a '404 Page Not Found' error when checked, so no question count, time limit or pass mark is published here. Ask your approved training centre or check the current City & Guilds qualification page before you book.
How difficult is the exam?
Most candidates find the theory manageable and the practical demanding. Difficulty depends on how much hands-on time you have had with recovery machines, vacuum gauges, manifold sets and leak detectors. Engineers who work on live systems daily generally cope well; career changers usually need supervised practice before attempting the practical.
Can I retake if I fail, and how much does it cost?
Retake policy and fees are not published on this page because the City & Guilds source returned a 404 error. Retakes are normally arranged through your approved centre, and some centres charge per element resat. Confirm the current policy and cost directly with the centre before booking your first attempt.
Which topics should I study first?
Start with the regulations, legal duties and environmental impact, because every later topic depends on that framework - charge thresholds, leak check frequency and record keeping all flow from it. Then work through refrigerant safety and cylinder handling, leak checking and containment, installation and pressure testing, and finally recovery, recycling and decommissioning.
Where do candidates most often lose marks?
Common weak points are evacuation and vacuum testing, incomplete recovery, poor brazing and pressure-testing technique, failing to purge hoses, sloppy record keeping, and not selecting the right PPE. Examiners also notice candidates who cannot explain why a step is required, not just how to perform it.
Do I need experience before taking Category I?
Category I assumes you already work with refrigerants and can operate equipment safely without step-by-step guidance. It is not an entry-level course. If you are new to the industry, build practical experience under supervision first, or discuss a lower-category route and progression with your training centre.
How long is the certificate valid, and where do I confirm my booking details?
Validity period, exam dates, fees and venue arrangements are not stated on this page, since the City & Guilds qualification page returned a 404 error. Check the live City & Guilds website or speak to your approved centre to confirm all administrative details before paying for a course.