Rank: Forum user
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I've approached a contractor to carry this out and they have suggested that they would normally stage this over a 5 year period – carrying out a 20% check each year, is this acceptable? I've put this suggestion to my insurance company but wanted to know if this type of arrangement is common practice?
Thanks
Martin
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Rank: Super forum user
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We do the same, it's more managable for both parties in my experience.
The key (assuming not new build) is starting from 100% checked first time round, and then 20% per year thereafter. As long as you start with 100% checked no part of the fixed installation will be left untested for more than 5 years.
If you last tested the fixed installation nearly 5 years ago clearly implementing the 20% per year policy would leave 80% of the installation untested for 6 years, 60% for 7 years, 40% for 8 years etc. etc. untill the cycle is complete.
Hope this makes sense.
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Rank: Super forum user
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If the initial installation is just about to reach the 'next test due date' then it's time to re test so: The amount of testing required would be dependent on the maintenance and use of the installation. Again, if the testing throws up problems then the percentage of testing would be extended. The problem with percentage testing is that if 20% is carried out then 80% is of an unknown quantity. However, in some circles some testing is better than none. If I were you I would contact someone like http://www.quantectest.co.uk/I'm not linked to them but they are the best in the business and they will offer good sound advise. I hope the mods let this stay for a while but they really are the business (and I'm dam good at testing myself). Rob
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thanks for the help guys
Martin
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The so called experts have a number of errors on their web pages.
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Let them know Tony I'm sure they would apprecate your imput. I have to say that I din't see you offering any suggestions though, but from what you have stated so vividly you must have something worthy to pass on to us all. From what I've seen in the happy land of inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations they come up on top when push comes to shove.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Forgot the spelling button
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Nah Zimmy, they fall well short of one I&T'er I can think of! ;) ;) ;)
(How do you do a tongue in cheek smiley?) ;)
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Before you engage a contractor to carry out an inspection and test of your installation ensure it is clear what you are looking for, so that you wont be disappointed, ask for a refernce and copies of insurance etc Have a look at guidance note 3 for some advise. Well worth buying prior to engaging a contractor If your project is in Scotland, maybe use a Scottish Contractor instead of someone in the Kent area.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Probably a max of 5% of my clients carry out 3-5 yr installation tests.
Personally I'm happy if they can demonstrate on-going maintenance (which is actually all H&S legislation requires). Installation checks are expensive and so a rolling programme, to me, would be an acceptable solution.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Dear Martin You tell the contractor what YOU want done. It fits in the box marked limitations. If you want all the work done then have them start on one or other floors. If cost is not a problem it would be far better to have the work done in one hit. That way you will at least know the state of the wiring and all repairs can be done rather than have the repair work done in stages. At the very least have a full visual safety survey carried out and then prioritise the task.
GS 3 is for guidance for electrical inspection and testing and lists a number of things. As aramchair electricians and others...if you listen to that sort of advice god help you son. :-)
Paul mate there are two :-)
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Rank: Super forum user
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And most H&S people don't have much of a clue about electrical work. I see the effect of on-going maintenance. If anyone would like pictures of this let me know or look at the mag 'Professional Electrician' As ever H&S it goes along the line of 'Do the minimum'
By the way, I did anyone from here kick off about the Emma Shaw case? Let me know will you I'm working on a project to find out why the HSE and others white washed the thing.
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Rank: Super forum user
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But you need to look at the bigger picture Zimmy. Electrics is not the only issue that needs to be managed and therefore has a cost implication.
Sure, where resources are not an issue electrical installation checks are the standard to achieve but when there are companies that dont even have routine maintenance (and they are in the majority) then demanding electrical installation checks is unrealistic. Persuading to have maintenance is far more realistic.
I'm not disputing the possible consequences of poor electical maintenance but sometimes you have to be pragmatic to get end results. That is what myself and others as consultants have to accept. Better to achieve something than nothing.
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I am more than aware of the 'bigger picture' thanks. Electrical safety checks are not an option. I'm not sure why people in H&S treat electrical safety as if it were way down the list of 'things to do'. Even changing a double socket outlet should be tested for polarity and Zs and by this I do not mean using one of the pointless plug-in toys from Martindale or B&Q. That particular 'tool' should only be used by people who know what the thing does NOT do that is a lot, same goes for the so called 'volt sticks'. You will find that most if not all 'maintenance' people use them (and then of course they are not, for the most part qualified just classed as 'competent' by some equally unqualified person in H&S. So for ongoing maintenance... you pays your money.
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Clairel at #12
'Personally I'm happy if they can demonstrate on-going maintenance (which is actually all H&S legislation requires).'
Do you understand the test reports that you no doubt have placed in front of you regarding demonstrating on-going electrical maintenance or do you just assume that because the are from the NICEIC/ECA etc that all is well? Same question to all the other consultants here.
This is not an attack on you Clairel I would just like to know how you consultants base you judgments.
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Rank: Super forum user
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We have our checks carried out for 1/3rd of the system every 3 years thereby ensuring the system is tested every 3 years. This is the recommendation from the IET and, as fixed installations are not easy to visually inspect, we are happy to take this stance.
However, money is a consideration. I know that Zimmy is seeing this from an electricians perspective and so that is taking precedence, but the generalist or the consultant will have to eke the funds out to cover a myriad of issues and some of these may be more urgent or more immediately dangerous.
So while it would be nice to throw money at issues, in a real world situation one has to make sure that EVERYTHING is maintained in a safe manner first and foremost and then do those things that are "best practice" afterwards with whatever budget is left.
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sorry that should have been 1/3rd of the system every year.
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Martin#1 wrote: I've approached a contractor to carry this out and they have suggested that they would normally stage this over a 5 year period – carrying out a 20% check each year, is this acceptable? I've put this suggestion to my insurance company but wanted to know if this type of arrangement is common practice?
Thanks
Martin
Yes, its both acceptable and common place, or a 1/4 over 4 or 1/3 over 3 or 1/2 over 2 or the whole lot in one go. It's what you can justify/afford along with the rest of your 1,2,3,4,5 year overall risk reduction/legal compliance/statutory inspection/nice to have/best practise OHS&E continual improvement strategy/plan. It's no more or less important than anything else with the potential to cause harm.
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Zimmy, your make a good point I think. I'm not a consultant, but I am in a position where I have to understand what's in electrical inspection reports. Am I an electrician? No. Do I understand them? Bits. So what I do is use the services of our Estates team, which does include (proper, qualified, experienced) electricians, otherwise I guess I'd be a bit at sea,
John
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Jane, What I want to know is do the people in charge of the building pass on the test documents to the H&S consultants. If electrical circuits are modified they should be tested. If they are tested they should have documents to verify this. Such as a minor works for a small alliteration and installation certificates for new circuits. Without this paper work there can be no means to verity that the works has been a) carried out and b) tested and hence good maintenance has been carried out as per H&S requirements such as 'safe to use'.
jwk, at least you get the reports and that is a big plus. You seem to have a good in-house team.
What I'm trying to find out is does this happen to consultants who are 'running' a few companies of such as shops and other concerns. Do these consultants have these documents passed to then in order to verify that the people they look after have safe electrical systems. I'm not after state secrets or anything :-)
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