Another PIR question

[Evans Electric]

Another customer with an installation from the early 1950,s asked us to do a PIR some months ago. We know there are loads of VIR cables, some in a bad state, plus old cast iron fuseboards with exposed busbars,all with missing insulators /segregators and a lot containing asbestos. Only about 50% marked up.

Machines fed from 800 amp busbars at high level.

To give you an idea of the place there are about 60 fuseboards. Because it is a nightmare I didn't want I didn't commit myself, so they got this national testing company in , who were very thorough , produced massive sheets of faults etc.

Now they are asking us to start working through the sheets in shutdown periods ,as and when they can afford it, so its a Forth Bridge type job.

Thing is, after all that, not one test seems to have been carried out. Is it normal to only do a visual check ?

 

[spinlondon]

I have heard of these visual PIRs, in fact I think some of the Part P bodies produce pads of them for you to purchase. i thought it was n April Fools joke when I heard of it, 'cept it was in November.

I guess it is between the client and the tester to work out limitations etc.

 

[stephenf8542]

Some people ask for a visual PIR so they dont get charged for a certifcate that says unsatisfactory .If they get a visual done, complete the essential remedials then do the PIR the certificate will look better and wont have to be re-tested again for a PIR thats satisfactory

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

If there is loads of VIR cables.. it is possible to cause more problems disconnecting to test rather than just observing the fact they are there & advising customer to replace ASAP anyway.

General guidance i have read about VIR normal states..

"Leave Undisturbed & replace at earliest convenience."

so no point in testing... cuz they need replacing anyway?

 

[binky]

There's also an element of not risking yourself whilst inspecting old crap installations

 

[Andy™]

Some people ask for a visual PIR so they dont get charged for a certifcate that says unsatisfactory .If they get a visual done, complete the essential remedials then do the PIR the certificate will look better and wont have to be re-tested again for a PIR thats satisfactory

in which case you could tell customer what needs sorted and get permission to carry out remedials before PIR cert is written

or give unsatisfactory PIR, then when work is done, name a note on EIC that items on PIR have been done

 

[green-hornet]

It is possible because of the faults found that there would be no point in doing any testing. Just as Special said in his post.

The visual inspection is probably the one "test" carried out that is often not used as it should be.

It would appear the company who tested the installation did it correctly.

 

[Evans Electric]

Thanks guys, some good comments there. I'm not criticising them , reckon they made the best of a bad job, every board,socket, switch, spur has their sticker on it . I would guess that a lot of it will never get done.