Rank: Super forum user 
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A client is expanding their business to include new-build domestic cleaning prior to handover which involves the use of a heavy duty vacuum cleaner fed from the house elec supply.
What frequency would persons who know the construction industry expect for periodic test/inspections (ie not daily visuals) to be carried out please?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Is the hovering work to be undertaken after the construction clean up as a final handover action or as part of the final CDM clean up - answer this and you will go most of the way to answering your question as it depend on the risk assessment as heavy industrial use is different to light industrial use
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Rank: Super forum user 
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http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg107.pdf
There is a table on page 13 which seems to indicate that 110v is 3 monthly and 240v is monthly.
I expect the sparks will have a more in depth knowledge of the requirements though.
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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Nice one Max, says it all.
I would PAT the unit every 12 weeks. Takes about 5 mins and covers ones bottom! Record data in a log book and every thing will be just fine.
Visual inspection on a daily basis.
A very good move, and one that will pay dividends in the long run will be to get someone trained in Portable Appliance Testing and invest in something like a Robin SmartPat 5000 machine.
If a 230V vacuum machine is used ensure that it has a working RCD device fitted to the mains lead. Better still get, a 110V unit + 230/110 reduced voltage transformer (but still use RCD at mains). That way you can use in for domestic and site work.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Probably double-insulated, not hand held. The biggest risk issue being the constant movement and rougher handling in and out the van etc.
I think you have considerable scope here on the testing (up to and including not testing at all) but should be focussing on a pretty strict regime of inspection before use and formal visuals (I suggest not more than 3 month intervals for the formal visual).
I take it the equipment is up to the task, something better than domestic type vacuum with a heavier cable and rubberised plug and preferably in-built cable winder. It's the plug and cable that's going to suffer here after all.
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Rank: Super forum user
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As I understand it, the work will be both pre-paint and immediately before handover to the occupier.
After looking at hsg107 (thanks Max), I feel the use will be best classified as light industrial, so a 6-monthly formal visual, 12 monthly test.
Anyone have another way of looking at this?
Many thanks
S4B
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Rank: Super forum user
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I just look at it from an electrician and electrical inspectors point of view. Pre handover the place is still a construction site.
Treat it as such and follow the advice in #5
Better to test than die :-)? We don't do it to pass the time. Out of test date...Out of the site
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Rank: Super forum user 
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However...................what if the machine becomes defective soon after its 12 week test?
Some would argue that a pre use inspection by the user is a better method?
Pre use inspections are a requirement of PUWER whereas PAT is only a recommendation of HSE.
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Rank: Forum user
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S4B I would have to agree with zimmy's perspective that this should be classed as construction related and the 3 monthly recommendation should be followed.
Depending on how urgent this is I can double check with a contact who is part of a cleaning company (including builders cleans) and who does some of the H&S management there. Let me know if you want me to follow this up for you. He should also be able to let me know if they use solely 110V, in combination with transformers or 240V.
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Rank: Forum user
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Curse lack of edit on this as I wanted to add something, which Chris has aluded to. HSG107 also recommends weekly user inspections and monthly formal visual (checklist for plug, lead, condition of unit etc) inspections.
Daily pre-use on the power cable should not be too much of an issue either, as identified elsewhere, if it's in and out of a van a lot this could be one key source of insulation damage.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Pre use inspection is a must not an option. I have nothing more to add to this. As an electrical inspector I know what I would do.
and have said so :-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Domestic new build (or major refurb.) in a completed in-door structure with 230V RCBO system with electrical certification complete, using Class II non-hand held appliance.
I see no justification for 110V, which tends only to become another manual handling issue?
Hmmm.....pre-painter cleaning. I think you'll need more than vacuum cleaners. Construction trades don't tend to be too fastidious in cleaning-up before the cleaners come!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Agreed Ron, but vacuum is merely one of the tools. My client is aware of the nasty habits of some people, although thankfully they do not anticipate having to deal with post-evictions (yet).
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Rank: Super forum user
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Prior to handover it's a construction site. 110V.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sorry, pressed the post button a bit too quick there.
Why not ask the Principal Contractor what the site rules say about electrical equipment allowed on site prior to handover? If his RA etc says 230V then ok and away to go!
If it were my site...
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Rank: Super forum user
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zimmy wrote:Prior to handover it's a construction site. 110V.
Why?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sorry Ron, not sure I understand the question. But... Because it isn't handed over so remains incomplete and is a 'site' as far as I can tell. Just ask the Principal Contractor his call. Why not be as happy as a tick in a blood bank, revert to safety and use 110V instead of talking a chance on 230V for what is, as I see it, 'site' work. RCDs fail to danger. For the sake of a small transformer I don't understand what the fuss is about, really don't. The vac is in and out of a van god knows how many times a day, most porbably treated roughly as happens (and we all know that to be true so please no throwing up arms at that comment)
Stay safe!
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Rank: Super forum user
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zimmy wrote: RCDs fail to danger.
oops!!!
As above. The indoor installation at pre-painter stage is complete. Modern installation, certificate available etc. No need to knee-jerk to 110V convention at all. and no need for sourcing of dual-voltage kit or for the company to carry 2 lots of kit.
I'm entirely with you on the rough handling issues and need for pre-use and formal visuals etc. but 110V (55V CTE) isn't without risk either. Let's not kid ourselves that 110V is "safe".
230V isn't banned on construction work.
In use, the operative is holding an isolated piece of tubing - not an electrical appliance.
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Rank: Super forum user
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BS7671:2008
704.410.3.10
NOTE1
'The reduced low voltage system is strongly preferred for the supply to portable hand held lamps for general use and portable hand tools and local lighting up to 2kW' I don't knee jerk, I play safe.
Get between L/N of a 230V supply with RCD on it...you may well die as the RCD will not and should not work. RCBO at say 32A X 30mA...same thing
Get between P1 and P2 of a 110V Centre tap to earth and you have a better than average chance of walking away. Come to think of it, I've not heard of anyone being electrocuted/killed using a reduced voltage unit, but then again I may be wrong. Let me know.
You do it your way Ron, I'll do it my way :-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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Indeed. Thanks for discussing Zimmy.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I don't half sound a pompous old tart on times! Being Dyslectic can be a right pain as I have to make do with as few words as possible but still manage to go on and on... Sorry about that :-)
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