brummydave
Senior Member
I was called to a ground floor flat yesterday to inspect and advise on several issues. It's just been vacated by a tenant and is going to have new ones in a fortnight. The owner had an EICR done in October 2011 but was surprised when I said another was due because of change of tenancy. My findings are based on an inspection only.
The minor issues are -
-a faulty storage heater,
-condensation problems in the bathroom so an extractor fan needs fitting.
-rear security light not working.
The main issue was that British Gas had issued a little warning triangle on the main consumer unit. They were there to change the meter as there's no gas in the flat. The installer said the red wires on the metal consumer unit were exposed and presented an immediate danger. The customer was concerned as the installation had 'passed' its inspection last October. I'm awaiting a copy of the EICR!
As you can see in the first picture, the fuse cover is missing and the circuit cables are visible, however the gap is about 8mm and a test finger cannot enter. So it's meeting the IP2X requirement. But obviously any object smaller can be waved through, and if done so at the right angle, could just about connect with the top of the fuse holder. If poked through at the bottom the busbar may be accessible but it seemed hidden to me.
The cover is also missing from the Economy 7/Storage Heating plastic consumer unit in the second picture but there's no gap around the fuses.
The 'power breaker' sticker refers to a single RCD socket that was fitted in the porch to supply equipment that would be used outdoors. Well front outdoors certainly, but not likely the rear!
After inspection I found the earthing conductors and the main protective bonding conductor to be satisfactory, although there was no visual evidence of supplementary bonding in the bathroom or airing cupboard. The kitchen sink however was bonded to the pipes below
The supply is TNC-S and rated at 60A. The main consumer unit has six metal conduits for circuit cables - just live and neutrals. I presume the circuits are earthed through the conduit and protective conductors would be present at outlets. Obviously if i undertake any work, I'll make sure of this!
I advised that although the main board was abiding by BS7671, it wasn't an ideal situation and that safety could be improved by installation of RCDs, ie a new board.
On the minor issues,
-I said the heater elements could be tested at a later date and was not a priority.
- an extract fan could be fitted and surface wired, however it would have to be RCD protected. Also, a wall mounted fan heater was present in Zone 2 so I suggested it be moved outside the zones and also RCD protected. It had no IP ratings marked so if it were not to be moved then I would disconnect it! The bathroom also revealed a faulty shower - no mains present. If it were to be replaced, it would need RCD protection. I gave them the ESC leaflet on RCDs and tried to impress how important they are, and as a landlord did they want to not provide the safest installation possible?
-the rear security light was corroded, flooded and well overdue replacement. 10W LED would do
I'm greatful for helpful advice on best procedure from here please?
Cheers.
The minor issues are -
-a faulty storage heater,
-condensation problems in the bathroom so an extractor fan needs fitting.
-rear security light not working.
The main issue was that British Gas had issued a little warning triangle on the main consumer unit. They were there to change the meter as there's no gas in the flat. The installer said the red wires on the metal consumer unit were exposed and presented an immediate danger. The customer was concerned as the installation had 'passed' its inspection last October. I'm awaiting a copy of the EICR!
As you can see in the first picture, the fuse cover is missing and the circuit cables are visible, however the gap is about 8mm and a test finger cannot enter. So it's meeting the IP2X requirement. But obviously any object smaller can be waved through, and if done so at the right angle, could just about connect with the top of the fuse holder. If poked through at the bottom the busbar may be accessible but it seemed hidden to me.
The cover is also missing from the Economy 7/Storage Heating plastic consumer unit in the second picture but there's no gap around the fuses.
The 'power breaker' sticker refers to a single RCD socket that was fitted in the porch to supply equipment that would be used outdoors. Well front outdoors certainly, but not likely the rear!
After inspection I found the earthing conductors and the main protective bonding conductor to be satisfactory, although there was no visual evidence of supplementary bonding in the bathroom or airing cupboard. The kitchen sink however was bonded to the pipes below
The supply is TNC-S and rated at 60A. The main consumer unit has six metal conduits for circuit cables - just live and neutrals. I presume the circuits are earthed through the conduit and protective conductors would be present at outlets. Obviously if i undertake any work, I'll make sure of this!I advised that although the main board was abiding by BS7671, it wasn't an ideal situation and that safety could be improved by installation of RCDs, ie a new board.
On the minor issues,
-I said the heater elements could be tested at a later date and was not a priority.
- an extract fan could be fitted and surface wired, however it would have to be RCD protected. Also, a wall mounted fan heater was present in Zone 2 so I suggested it be moved outside the zones and also RCD protected. It had no IP ratings marked so if it were not to be moved then I would disconnect it! The bathroom also revealed a faulty shower - no mains present. If it were to be replaced, it would need RCD protection. I gave them the ESC leaflet on RCDs and tried to impress how important they are, and as a landlord did they want to not provide the safest installation possible?
-the rear security light was corroded, flooded and well overdue replacement. 10W LED would do
I'm greatful for helpful advice on best procedure from here please?
Cheers.
