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jarsmith83  
#1 Posted : 21 August 2015 13:39:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jarsmith83

Hello All Can anyone help? What is the testing regime for a firemans switch? and who carries out the maintenance? Thanks
paulw71  
#2 Posted : 21 August 2015 15:36:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
paulw71

electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/27/fire-safety.cfm?type=pdf This link may help. Regards
paul.skyrme  
#3 Posted : 21 August 2015 19:21:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
paul.skyrme

The firefighters switch is provided to comply with the requirements of BS7671? It would come under PUWER98 & EAWR89 would it not? It would be part of the testing regime required for periodic inspection under BS7671. There is no specific statute requirement to test these, it is driven by EAWR/PUWER, and guidance from the IET in the way of recommended intervals between inspection and testing of installations suggested in IET Guidance Note 3. As part of an EICR then switching would be checked and verified. However, it is rare that a duty holder is aware of their duties under EAWR, and it is even more rare for their finance people to pay for an EICR to be done correctly to ensure adequate safety. Also, it is rare for contractors to do these correctly. I have seen the paperwork for 4 EICR's recently that were just laughable. Also the client had no certification for the installations work that had been done in the last 4 years. Therefore no proof that the work had been done in compliance with BS7671, which is generally accepted as a short cut to compliance with EAWR89. Please also realise that BS7671 has been amended 3 times since that article in WM was published.
Buck32925  
#4 Posted : 13 November 2020 10:45:53(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Buck32925

Originally Posted by: paul.skyrme Go to Quoted Post
. There is no specific statute requirement to test these, 

Yes there is - it's been a specifc explicit requirement in the Fire Safety Order since it came into force in 2006.

Most fire safety measures are not explicitly required in the legislation, just the broad function requirements leaving the detail up to the risk assessment - but fire fighters switches earn their own paragraph in the Order itself making them a fire safety provision subject to the maintenance requirement of Article 17.

HSSnail  
#5 Posted : 13 November 2020 11:07:42(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
HSSnail

Originally Posted by: Buck32925 Go to Quoted Post

Originally Posted by: paul.skyrme Go to Quoted Post
. There is no specific statute requirement to test these, 

Yes there is - it's been a specifc explicit requirement in the Fire Safety Order since it came into force in 2006.

Most fire safety measures are not explicitly required in the legislation, just the broad function requirements leaving the detail up to the risk assessment - but fire fighters switches earn their own paragraph in the Order itself making them a fire safety provision subject to the maintenance requirement of Article 17.

I think you misunderstood Paul - Like him i agree there is a statutory requirement under PUWER etc to maintain these - but i do not belive there is a statutory time scale in the same way that there is for LOLAR - the Time scale suggested in the BS are best practice

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