What Is Benchmark?
Benchmark ensures that customers are provided with the correct domestic heating and hot water product for their needs; that the product is installed, commissioned and serviced to the manufacturer’s instructions.
How Does This Affect Me?
You are legally required to complete a commissioning checklist as a means of complying with the appropriate Building Regulations that are applicable for England and Wales.
At present, it can be found on the inside back pages of the installation instructions supplied with the product.
Benchmark Goes Digital
The Benchmark app, from Benchmark, is a digitised version of that checklist for boiler installations.
The app enables completion of the checklist on your smartphone or tablet, as well as providing quick access to the installation, servicing, and commissioning data, acting as a ‘boiler passport’.
In 2022, Benchmark will be launching a homeowner version of the app to help build greater transparency between heating engineers and homeowners.
For more information and updates, please visit Benchmark’s website below.
Q. We are all happy to complete the digital benchmark but do not want any of the customers details sent to benchmark, this should stay with the boiler manufacturer. Can you give us confidence that this would be the case?
A. Absolutely, all of the data is secured using the best industry standards. The app developers use the same encryption methods used by the U.S Government for state secrets, and additional encryption on the way to/from your device. Data from all installs and services are only shared with the manufacturers and is not accessible by anyone else, including Benchmark admin. Personal data is never sold or exposed to any third parties.
Credit – Answers provided by Benchmark. Questions asked by a Worcester Bosch panel of installers (February 2022).
Q. A mandatory wet signature is not realistic as we all work in vacant or key entry properties. If a signature is required this should also be digital or a toggle on the form to say “customer not present”?
A. This can be included in future app update, any feedback from the installer network is key in the further development of the app
Credit – Answers provided by Benchmark. Questions asked by a Worcester Bosch panel of installers (February 2022)
Q. Accessing all service records and boiler history from the benchmark app is not acceptable, regardless if the engineer is present in the property or not.
A. We believe information should be available, as it is for systems, such as Car MOT. This data should already be present on site as hard copy, currently within the benchmark section of the installation manual. Providing access to the basic information is designed to assist engineers and installers not for any other purposes. Access to the installer app and this data requires qualification to gain access, so cannot simply be looked up without having the required information to pass the related verification check.
Credit – Answers provided by Benchmark. Questions asked by a Worcester Bosch panel of installers (February 2022)
Q. If it is not mandatory we should have the option to send the info to benchmark while registering the boiler with the manufacturer.
A. This can certainly still happen, the app is available to use stand alone as well as through manufacturers platforms.
Please note: Worcester Bosch are working to incorporate Benchmark digital within its current digital platforms.
Credit – Answers provided by Benchmark. Questions asked by a Worcester Bosch panel of installers (February 2022)
Q. We all work very hard to keep our customers so sharing all of their information is very concerning especially with GDPR regulations.
A. The app is fully compliant with GDPR and the information is only held for legitimate purposes for the management of warranty/guarantee and to provide a service record. The details will only be passed to the manufacturer if completed as a standalone submission for the purpose of warranty validation, and for any legal body that request reasonable access to specific records, such as the HSE - as an example in the event of a product recall. It will not be shared beyond this.
Credit – Answers provided by Benchmark. Questions asked by a Worcester Bosch panel of installers (February 2022)
Q. We also would like reassurance this is a free service and that there is no plans now or in the future to charge per registration or monthly subscription plans.
A. The manufacturers are fully supportive of the system and have committed to supporting the running costs for the app. The system is not a profit or revenue generating tool and has never been designed as such, therefore there are no plans or mechanism to charge for the use of the system for all supported heating appliances.
Credit – Answers provided by Benchmark. Questions asked by a Worcester Bosch panel of installers (February 2022)