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Key Facts: ACS CCN1 Exam

118

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

Open book

Theory + Practical

ACS / Gas Safe

20-21 mbar

Tightness Test Pressure

IGEM/UP/1B

0.004

Max CO/CO2 Ratio

BS 5440 / Gas Safe

Every 5 years

Re-assessment Cycle

ACS

Gas Safe

Required for Registration

Gas Safe Register

ACS CCN1 (Core Domestic Natural Gas Safety) is the core assessment a gas operative must hold to register with the Gas Safe Register for domestic natural gas work in Great Britain. It is open book, combining written theory (multiple-choice, short-written and scenario questions) with an observed practical, and covers the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, tightness testing and let-by (20-21 mbar over 2 minutes, with permissible drops set by IGEM/UP/1B — U6/G4 meter tables under Edition 3, installation volume under Edition 4 from 1 October 2026), gas rating and calorific value, pipework, ventilation (BS 5440-2), flueing and spillage testing, combustion and CO/CO2 analysis (0.004 ratio limit), and the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (ID/AR — NCS was withdrawn in 2016). CCN1 is typically re-assessed every 5 years. This free prep includes 118 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample ACS CCN1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ACS CCN1 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 118+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which set of regulations places the primary legal duty on gas operatives to ensure domestic gas appliances and installations are safe?
A.The Gas Act 1986
B.The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR)
C.The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000
D.The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
Explanation: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) is the principal legislation governing the installation, maintenance and use of gas fittings and appliances in domestic premises. It requires anyone carrying out gas work to be competent and on the Gas Safe Register.
2Under GSIUR 1998, a person carrying out gas work for hire or reward in domestic premises must be registered with which body?
A.CORGI
B.The Gas Safe Register
C.OFGEM
D.The Health and Safety Executive
Explanation: Since 1 April 2009 the Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the official gas registration body in Great Britain. Regulation 3 of GSIUR requires businesses and operatives working on gas for reward to be on the Gas Safe Register.
3What is the approximate gross calorific value (CV) of UK natural gas used when calculating heat input?
A.19.4 MJ/m3
B.29.3 MJ/m3
C.38.76 MJ/m3
D.93.0 MJ/m3
Explanation: UK natural gas has a gross calorific value of approximately 38.76 MJ/m3 (about 10.76 kWh/m3). This is the standard industry teaching figure used in the heat-input formula: kW = m3/h x 38.76 / 3.6, converting a measured gas rate in m3/h into kW.
4When gas rating a domestic appliance on a metric (m3) meter, what does the timed test dial reading allow you to calculate?
A.The standing pressure only
B.The gas rate in m3/h, from which heat input in kW can be derived
C.The flue draught
D.The CO/CO2 ratio
Explanation: Gas rating times one revolution (or a known volume) of the meter dial. Gas rate (m3/h) = volume x 3600 / time(s). Multiplying the gas rate by the calorific value (kWh/m3) gives the gross heat input in kW, which is compared with the data plate.
5What is the standard nominal operating (working) pressure for natural gas at the outlet of a domestic meter?
A.7 mbar
B.21 mbar
C.37 mbar
D.50 mbar
Explanation: Domestic natural gas is supplied at a nominal working pressure of 21 mbar (commonly stated as 20-21 mbar) at the meter outlet. The meter regulator controls the supply down to this pressure.
6Before applying a tightness test on a domestic installation with a U6/G4 meter, why is a let-by test performed first?
A.To purge air from the pipework
B.To confirm the emergency control valve (ECV) is holding and not letting gas pass
C.To set the meter regulator
D.To measure appliance gas rate
Explanation: The let-by test checks that the emergency control valve seals correctly. With the ECV closed and around 7-10 mbar applied, the gauge must show no rise over one minute; a rise means the valve is letting by and the tightness test cannot be relied upon.
7On a domestic natural gas installation, what test pressure is applied during a tightness test using a U6/G4 meter?
A.7 mbar
B.10 mbar
C.20-21 mbar
D.30 mbar
Explanation: The tightness test on natural gas is carried out at the normal working pressure of 20-21 mbar. The system is raised to this pressure, allowed to stabilise, then timed for the test period.
8What is the duration of the timed tightness test (after stabilisation) on a domestic installation?
A.30 seconds
B.1 minute
C.2 minutes
D.5 minutes
Explanation: After raising the system to 20-21 mbar and allowing a 1-minute stabilisation period, the timed tightness test on a domestic installation is run for 2 minutes, during which the permissible pressure drop is assessed.
9On an existing installation with a U6/G4 meter and pipework up to 28mm with appliances connected, what is the maximum permissible pressure drop over the 2-minute tightness test?
A.No drop permitted
B.1 mbar
C.4 mbar
D.8 mbar
Explanation: For an existing installation on a U6/G4 meter with pipework up to 28mm and appliances connected, a maximum drop of 4 mbar is permitted over the 2-minute test (IGEM/UP/1B). For pipework over 28mm the allowance is reduced to 2.5 mbar.
10On a NEW domestic installation with no appliances connected (pipework only), what pressure drop is permitted during the tightness test?
A.No pressure drop is permitted
B.Up to 4 mbar
C.Up to 2.5 mbar
D.Up to 8 mbar
Explanation: On a new installation tested as pipework only (no appliances), no pressure drop is permissible over the 2-minute test. Any detectable drop indicates a leak that must be traced and rectified before commissioning.

About the ACS CCN1 Exam

The ACS CCN1 Core Domestic Natural Gas Safety Assessment is the core competence assessment required for Gas Safe registration in domestic natural gas work. It is an open-book assessment combining written theory (multiple-choice, short-written and scenario questions) with an observed practical, covering GSIUR 1998, tightness testing, gas rating, ventilation, flueing, combustion analysis and unsafe situations.

Exam sponsor: Gas Safe Register via ACS-approved assessment centres (e.g. LCL Awards, BPEC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Open-book written theory (multiple-choice, short-written and scenario questions on GSIUR, tightness testing, ventilation, flueing and combustion) plus an observed practical assessment; each subject area must be passed. This practice bank is 118 selected-response items for the theory knowledge.

Time Limit

Varies by ACS centre and assessment package

Passing Score

Each subject area must be passed (centres typically require around 80% on theory components)

Exam / Certification Fees

Approximately £350-£600 (varies by centre; initial vs re-assessment differ)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

15%

Gas Safety Legislation (GSIUR 1998)

GSIUR 1998, Gas Safe registration, landlord duties (Regulation 36 / CP12), and operative responsibilities

15%

Tightness Testing & Let-By

Let-by test of the ECV, tightness test at 20-21 mbar over 2 minutes, and permissible pressure drops per IGEM/UP/1B (Edition 4, effective 1 October 2026, sets drops by installation volume rather than U6/G4 meter tables)

11%

Gas Rating & Calorific Value

Gas rating, gross CV (about 39.5 MJ/m3), heat input, natural gas properties, working and standing pressure

10%

Pipework Sizing & Installation

Pipework materials, 1 mbar maximum pressure drop, sleeving, purging, and equipotential bonding within 600mm of the meter

10%

Ventilation Requirements

BS 5440-2 ventilation, the 5 cm2/kW open-flue rule above 7kW, adventitious air, air vents, and flueless-appliance ventilation

13%

Flue Types, Flue Flow & Spillage Testing

Open-flued, room-sealed and flueless appliances, flue flow and spillage testing, and terminal siting (BS 5440-1)

12%

Combustion & CO/CO2 Ratio Analysis

Complete vs incomplete combustion, flue gas analysis, the 0.004 CO/CO2 ratio limit, CO hazards and flame picture

14%

Emergency & Unsafe Situations (GIUSP / RIDDOR)

GIUSP ID/AR (NCS was withdrawn in July 2016), warning notices, the ECV, gas escape procedures (0800 111 999), and RIDDOR reporting

Preparing for the ACS CCN1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Each subject area must be passed (centres typically require around 80% on theory components)
  • Assessment: Open-book written theory (multiple-choice, short-written and scenario questions on GSIUR, tightness testing, ventilation, flueing and combustion) plus an observed practical assessment; each subject area must be passed. This practice bank is 118 selected-response items for the theory knowledge.
  • Time limit: Varies by ACS centre and assessment package
  • Exam / certification fees: Approximately £350-£600 (varies by centre; initial vs re-assessment differ) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 118 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ACS CCN1: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorise tightness-test values: 20-21 mbar, 2-minute test, 1-minute stabilisation; know the U6/G4 permissible drops (4 mbar / 2.5 mbar) for Edition 3 assessments and the installation-volume method from IGEM/UP/1B Edition 4 (effective 1 October 2026)
2Know the GIUSP classifications cold: Immediately Dangerous (ID) and At Risk (AR), and the correct actions and warning notices for each — NCS was withdrawn from the procedure in July 2016 and must not appear on warning notices
3Practise the gas-rating and heat-input calculation: gas rate = volume x 3600 / time, then multiply by the gross CV (about 10.76 kWh/m3)
4Because CCN1 is open book, practise quickly locating values in GSIUR, BS 5440 and IGEM/UP/1B rather than memorising every figure
5Learn the 5 cm2/kW open-flue ventilation rule above the first 7kW and the difference between open-flued, room-sealed and flueless appliances
6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before sitting the assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ACS CCN1 assessment and why do I need it?

CCN1 is the Core Domestic Natural Gas Safety assessment. It is the core competence required to register with the Gas Safe Register for domestic natural gas work, so you must hold it (alongside relevant appliance modules) to work legally on domestic gas in Great Britain.

How is the CCN1 assessment structured?

CCN1 is open book and combines written theory (multiple-choice, short-written and scenario questions) with an observed practical. Each subject area must be passed, and theory components at most centres require around 80%.

What pressures and pressure drops should I know for the tightness test?

The tightness test on natural gas uses 20-21 mbar over a 2-minute timed test after a 1-minute stabilisation. Under IGEM/UP/1B Edition 3 (valid until 30 September 2026), the permissible drop on an existing U6/G4 installation with appliances is 4 mbar for pipework up to 28mm and 2.5 mbar over 28mm; a new pipework-only test permits no drop. From 1 October 2026, Edition 4 sets permissible drops by installation volume instead of meter size.

What CO/CO2 ratio is considered safe in combustion analysis?

A CO/CO2 ratio of 0.004 or below indicates safe, complete combustion for a modern domestic appliance. A ratio above 0.004 suggests incomplete combustion and a potential carbon monoxide hazard that must be investigated.

What do the GIUSP classifications ID and AR mean?

Under the current Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (IGEM/G/11 Edition 2, amended to July 2025), Immediately Dangerous (ID) is an immediate danger to life or property and At Risk (AR) is a fault that could become dangerous. Not to Current Standards (NCS) was removed from the procedure in July 2016 and is no longer recorded on warning notices.

How often must CCN1 be renewed?

ACS gas competencies such as CCN1 are typically re-assessed every 5 years to keep operatives current with standards and to maintain Gas Safe registration.