BICSc | The British Institue of Cleaning Science
The British Institute of Cleaning Science Founded 1961 with 5,000 members Largest independent body within the cleaning industry
+44 (0)1604 678710
The British Institute of Cleaning Science
Founded 1961 with 5,000 members
Largest independent body within the cleaning industry
When costing a tender how much do I allocate per head for toilet rolls, black and white sacks, paper hand towels, liquid soap consumables?
Approximate minimum figure per head is 35p per employee per week (£22 – £28 per head per annum, dependant on quality). This approximate figure excludes on site visitors use of the facilities and relates to contract tender submissions for 2012.
Does BICSc have a Diagnostic Tool for Business Start-Up
Yes, we have created a Business Start-Up Diagnostic Tool for reference when starting a new business. To download the tool click here.
How do I open up a BICSc Approved Assessment Centre?
For more information regarding BICSc Approved Assessment Centres please contact info@bics.org.uk
Where do I get bio-hazard training?
Please contact helpdesk@bics.org.uk for more information.
How does BICSc supervise/check the standards delivered by the Accredited Training Organisations?
Annual audits are carried out to ensure compliance with the BICSc standards. Assessors are also verified to ensure their competence at the annual audit.
How long is a BICSc course?
On average we recommend the following time allocation for training:
CPSS Mandatory Units (max. 4 people) – 1 full day
CPSS Skills – approximately 3 days, for 7 skills & 3 mandatory units (dependant on skills)
Train the Trainers – 2 days
Assessor Training – 2 days
How much is a BICSc course?
Please contact bbs@bics.org.uk for more information about training costs.
How many people will be on a BICSc course?
For CPSS training, BICSc advises no more than 4 candidates on each course.
For Train the Trainer courses a maximum of 5 candidates (recommended)
For Assessors courses a maximum of 4 candidates (recommended)
How do I get in touch with the nearest verifier and how much will a visit cost?
Please contact info@bics.org.uk or call 01604 678710 for further information.
How do I source specific products and specialist products (i.e. hand held steamers)?
Some sources of information are held by BICSc but no subjective recommendations can be made. Details of several manufacturers may be available in the members handbook. Please contact info@bics.org.uk for further assistance.
Does BICSc have any cleaning specifications for dental practice?
The Technical Helpdesk holds some dental practice cleaning specifications; please contact helpdesk@bics.org.uk for further information.
Does BICSc have information on green cleaning guidance, environmental policy and best practice?
The technical helpdesk has a standard pack of information which is available for BICSc Corporate Members. To receive a copy of the pack please email helpdesk@bics.org.uk.
What are BICSc opinions on the use of bleach within a cleaning environment?
BICSc does not support the use of bleach because of three fundamental reasons:
1. Breathing small amounts of pure chlorine for short periods of time can adversely affect the human respiratory system, causing coughing and/or chest pain.
2. It can irritate the lungs, eyes, and skin, as we have seen from our swimming pools (consider instead salt water pool systems, which contain much less chlorine).
3. Disposal of bleach into the water ways will pollute the environment and plant life.
It should be emphasised that there are many less harmful, greener and just as effective cleaning products.
What are the CHAS or Safe Contractor Schemes?
In many respects both schemes are very similar. They ask you to complete a health and safety competency based questionnaire supplemented by supporting evidence. The adequacy of your response is then assessed against health and safety legislation and industry 'good practice'. In both cases this would be a desktop exercise – it would not require an assessor to visit your premises. The assessor will also take into consideration both the size of your organisation and your specific working activities when judging your response.
If your response is considered to be both adequate and appropriate then your management system will become accredited with that particular scheme.
This allows you to use the CHAS and / or Safe Contractor logos on your internal materials. It should be noted that, in both cases, you don't have to be operating in the 'construction' sector to be able to apply.
In Stan Atkins' (CEO) viewpoint, the CHAS accreditation is held in higher regard within the industry.
The CHAS evaluation questionnaire has specially designed sections for a particular discipline e.g. Contractor, Designer, CDMC or Principal Contractor. Interestingly the CHAS website is far superior to its competitors. It allows you to download the requirements of the scheme, whereas Safe Contractor requires you to contact them in the first instance and request the information.
Both schemes require an annual subscription fee and appear to be very similar in price, however Safe Contractor also boasts a 24 hour response line to assist you with health and safety queries.
There would be no additional benefit to having accreditation with both schemes.
For further information the websites are attached below:
www.chas.gov.uk
www.safecontractor.com
Can the BICSc helpdesk provide information on HR and Employment Law?
BICSc have teamed up with Citation to offer our Corporate Members support and advice for all topics surrounding HR and employment law. For further information about Citation, or to receive HR and Employment advice, please visit the Citation website or call 0845 844 4848.
Does BICSc have any information on redundancy rights and entitlements?
For information and support, including a redundancy calculator, please visit direct.gov
Do you have any Cleaning Industry statistics, including labour market intelligence?
BICSc does not produce annual Industry statistics, however please visit the Asset Skills website for further information and statistics.
Does BICSc provide a recommended colour coding chart for the cleaning industry?
Yes, BICSc has produced the following recommended colour coding chart for use within the cleaning industry: View Colour Coding Chart
Does BICSc produce supporting documentation for the BICSc recommended Colour Coding Chart?
Yes, BICSc does have supporting documentation for the recommended Colour Coding Chart which is available to all members. To receive a copy of the documentation please email helpdesk@bics.org.uk
What is the CPSS qualification?
The Cleaning Professionals Skills Suite (CPSS) is a BICSc qualification for skills required within the industry. The qualification consist of 3 mandatory units;
Chemical Competence, Equipment Safe Use and Care, and, Storage of Equipment and Materials.
Following completion of the mandatory units, there are a number of skills available.
For further information please visit our education pages
Do I need to take a refresher course for my CPSS mandatory units?
Yes, mandatory unit cards require renewal every three years. In order to renew a candidate must attend a refresher course.
For further information contact info@bics.org.uk
Will mandatory units be included on a certificate?
No – Mandatory Units (MU's) will not be included on CPSS certificate. They will be issued on a MU card which shows its expiry date. MU's will need to be taken every 3 years.
Who can purchase a CPSS Assessors kit?
Kits for CPSS can only be purchased for/by accredited CPSS assessors who are linked to an accredited organisation. Each kit will have a unique accredited assessors number printed on each page. Each assessor accredited to run CPSS must have their own assessor's kit.
CPSS Assessors Kit's may also be purchased by the accredited training organisation on behalf of their accredited assessors.
Who can I contact for more information about CPSS?
Please email info@bics.org.uk or call 01604 678710.
Does BICSc still offer COPC, FPCC and HPCC qualifications?
No, the CPSS qualification is an updated version of all previous BICSc qualifications, including COPC, FPCC and HPCC. If you would like further information about previous BICSc qualifications please contact info@bics.org.uk.
Do I need to do a written examination to receive a BICSc qualification?
There are no written examinations; each candidate is assessed individually on each skill, to ensure the required standard is met.
Some of our other qualifications (e.g. QCF) will require an element of writing; however you are not required to complete a written exam.
For more information please contact info@bics.org.uk.
What prior learning do I need to enrol on a BICSc course?
None! BICSc training caters for everyone. The mandatory units within CPSS, will cover the safety element of working within the cleaning industry; health and safety is then endorsed in every skill. Furthermore, as most of our qualifications are practical based and don't assume prior knowledge.