Energy Management Systems (EnMS) Auditor/Lead Auditor

Course details

An Energy Management System (EnMS) provides organisations with a framework to systematically evaluate, manage and improve their energy performance. Rising energy costs and inefficiency in plants and buildings has encouraged a significant uptake of ISO 50001 in various industries since it was introduced in 2011. This is creating a growing demand for trained and experienced energy auditors.

Frequent auditing of an EnMS is required to ensure its continued effectiveness. An effective EnMS can help to reduce costs, ensure compliance and create a competitive advantage for the organisation.

This course is designed to give delegates the knowledge and skills to enable them to competently audit an entire energy management system against the requirements of ISO 50001. The course presents the most up-to-date approaches to auditing and utilises case studies and accelerated learning to allow delegates to apply and practise their knowledge and skills throughout all the main phases of the audit process.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this training course, delegates should be able to:

• Interpret the requirements of ISO 50001 in the context of an audit.
• Describe the purpose of: an energy management system, energy management systems standards, management system audits and third party certification.
• Explain the role of an auditor to plan, conduct, report and follow up energy management system audit systems to establish conformance (or otherwise) with ISO 50001 in accordance with ISO 19011 (and ISO 17021 where appropriate).

Entry Requirements

Delegates are expected to have the following prior knowledge as this information will not be covered in this training course:

(a) Knowledge of the following energy management principles and concepts:

• the principles of fuel combustion, heat transfer and energy flow;
• the relevant sources of energy regulation, guidelines and standards;
• the typical methods and technologies for increasing efficiency;
• energy measurement units, sources, costs, tariffs and scheduling;
• energy use data analysis methods;
• energy performance indicators, monitoring and performance measurement;
• the impact of organisational processes and equipment on energy efficiency;
• electricity use: motors, drives, lighting, computers.

(b) Knowledge of the requirements of ISO 50001

• This prior knowledge may be gained by completing an SQT EnMS Foundation training course or equivalent.

(c) Fluency in spoken and written English.

• If you have access to a copy of the ISO 50001 standard, please bring it with you.
• The IRCA exam is quite challenging with a pass mark of 70%. To achieve a pass mark requires a good understanding of the ISO 50001 standard so pre-reading is strongly encouraged.

Course Programme

• Introduce the purpose and benefits of an EnMS, and third party certification.
• Explain the structures, purpose and interrelationship of ISO 50001 and ISO 19011 and the difference between auditable standards and guidance documents.
• Describe the certification/registration and accreditation processes, types of audits (first, second and third party) and the differences between legal compliance and conformance with ISO standards.
• How to plan and prepare EnMS audits including the ability to develop and use checklists and audit plans, using appropriate information gathered during the document review and/or stage one audit.
• Audit a case-study EnMS through both team and individual desk and role-play exercises.
• How to conduct, report and follow-up EnMS audits using various audit methodologies, questioning techniques etc.
• The roles and responsibility of the audit stakeholders.
• How to collect and analyse evidence, exercise objectivity and make decisions on the significance of observations made in accordance with relevant audit criteria.
• Outline IRCA auditor certification requirements.

Course Accreditation/Assessment

This course is pending certification by IRCA, course certificate number A17695. The International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) is the world's original and largest international certification body for auditors of management systems.

Delegates are assessed throughout the course by continual assessment and then by a written examination at the end of the week.

Continual assessment is based upon the delegate’s participation and demonstrable performance during the exercise, role-play, case study and question & answer sessions. It is essential that delegates take an active part in all course activities during the week in order that the tutor can make a full assessment of the delegate’s performance. Feedback on individual delegate’s performance will be provided (confidentially) during the week. Please note it is essential for delegates to be in attendance for the full course.

The written exam is 2 hours duration. It is a closed book exam.

An appropriate dictionary (not provided) plus a copy of the ISO 50001:2011 Standard may be taken into the examination. For those delegates whose first language is not English additional time may be given and the use of a bilingual dictionary will be allowed (not provided). Please contact us in advance if you require any special accommodation.