Instalation Next Inspection Labels

[RussellR]

Hi Guys

Wondered what your thoughts and practices are on this one. Our NICEIC inspector picked me up on this one, normally I pretty much agree with him, but this one has me puzzled.

He picked me up for not putting Instalation Next Inspection Labels on to the Disboards where I have added or amended a circuit (I put them on New Instalations or if I have done a periodic). Now to me if I add a circuit for say an A/C unit I am going to test my circuit and the parameters I need to test to ensure my work complies, however I am not inspecting the other say 20 circuits, so to me it makes no sense to then stick a label on the board saying it should be inspected again in 5 Years, that to me is surely just confusing.

He also picked me up as on one job another electrician put in a spur for me to connect a control panel into, so I stuck my Next Inspection Label on the Control panel.

 

[green-hornet]

The inspection or periodic labels are required to be placed near the consumer unit or distribution board.

We have had a post like this in the past, my reply to that post was as this one.

You must always place a periodic even if only one circuit is worked on, this will be noted on the sticker and the certificate. Any electrician following you will easily understand what you have tested and what you have not.

It is a common mistake to think that a label means all the installation has been tested.

It can, as in your case only refer to one or more circuits.

 

[RussellR]

I agree with you Green Hornet that an electrician following behind would understand, but in many commercial premises the client takes note of it, and every single one even the savvy ones get confused would make more sense if the label refered to circuits rather than the installation, and to be honest i don't think they thought about the implications of this one, imagine the situation in a court heavens forbid, trying to argue that the label you stuck on doesn't mean what it says !

 

[kme]

I have NEVER provided a "next inspection" label; without having doen an EIC or PIR on the premises.

I do not see how you can specify how long that installation will be safe, if you have not inspected & tested the whole installation.

IMO, whenever the next inspection is called for; your wiring should be capable of lasting AT LEAST that long; be it 6 months or 6 years!

My area engineer has never questioned this!

 

[RussellR]

Thanks KME, My view is the same quite happy to provide the label if It is stuck to something I have completely tested. Otherwise I don't put one on, but he picked it up on three jobs he looked at this year. I still can't bring myself to put the labels on though.

However what Green Hornet says is correct from how BS7671 reads. Just don't think they thought about the implications of this one.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

As GH says...

BS7671

Regulation 514.12.1

Page 93.

A durable notice shall be fixed near to the origin of the installation..

etc.. etc..

Date of last inspection

Recommended date of next inspection.

NOTE:-

the second line is "Recommended"

So in your view based on your expertise and knowledge..

when would the installation be due for a formal inspection????

Lets consider the scenarios.. Either

1/ there is an existing label..

(which would still be valid no mater what work you are doing)

2/ No label..

I ask the customer to see any previous certificates to allow me to work out when a next inspection would be due..

If NO certs available...

I write "Unknown" in the last inspection date...

and "ASAP" in the next due date!

If certs are available look at dates of previous work... & make a reasonable estimate of next inspection date!



either way I always put a sticker on a job that doesn't already have one!

So compliance with 514.12!