landlord certs

[choccy]

Evening all not long done some testing for landlord that is letting out house. done basic tests like earth cont on gas, water, rcd check, polarity of outlets.

Problem is not bonded properly, no earth continuity on lighting circuits, no rcd within property.

Gave them a cert saying unsatisfactory and pointed out my findings.

Now the landlord is hounding me to do everything apart from the lighting earths and give them a cert saying the install is ok.

I have told them no and that the lighting needs done also before I can pass it.

Anyone had this type of problem before. ut the kettle on

 

[Andy™]

providing all lights / switches are class II, circuit RCD'd etc, then worst you can do is code 4.

 

[matt.leung]

have u attached a lable at the CU stating that the lighting circuit contains no cpc & metal light fittings and switches should not be installed.

 

[Doc Hudson]

This is one of the debatable areas and there are some best practice guides that refer to the no CPC on light problems, such as the CU changing & PIR guides. Providing no class I accessories or fittings it is possible to leave the installation as is if the customer insists. Obviously you need the warning sticker by the CU as well.

Doc H.

 

[PC Electrics]

Best practice guides : Electrical Safety Council

Are there any class I light units with no earth continuity? if there are, code 2. If there's only class II then code 4.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 21:14 ---------- Previous post was made at 21:13 ----------

Oh yes, warning sticker on CU

 

[choccy]

thanks everyone for the replies, sticker is on and will speak to them about the fittings being class II

 

[Andy™]

dont forget the switch screws will be an exposed conductive part. so either change backbox to plastic, or use nylon screws

 

[Manator]

Good point Andy, I once saw a PIR that someone had carried out who had overlooked this, back boxes are available with plastic screw terminals, this will ensure no potential differences in the event of a fault.

 

[sparkytim]

I hate to question the above but I understood that the screw heads holding PLASTIC accessories are not deemed exposed conductive part due to the small surface area and being recessed.

BRB PG 45 410.3.9 (iii)

 

[Manator]

Some older designed plate switches had the screw heads proud of the fitting, sometimes a "tingle" could be present, especially the kitchen light switch due to wet hands, Most modern switches now have the recessed fitting you mention, some even have what I like to call dust caps. There were some back boxes made with plastic screw lugs, this prevented the metal screw from being in contact with any metal. The effects as you say are negligible, but did for a time cause concern.

 

[Theorysparky]

light switches can have the plastic covers on the screws

Designa from Denmans have them

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

[quote name='Andy

 

[Risteard]

[quote name='Andy

 

[steptoe]

I disagree. It's up to the inspector what recommendations he/she wishes to apply. Personally I would be more inclined towards "2 - requires improvement". Incidentally, a recommendation code "2" does not necessarily mean that you must judge the installation Unsatisfactory - that is an NICEIC requirement and is contradicted by IEE guidance.

where did you get that snippet of misinformed information?

NICEIC do not state that a code 2 is necessarily an unsatisfactory installation.

I have been assessed on loads of PIRs with satisfactory code2s and its never been an issue, the assessor likes to know my reasoning, but has not yet questioned it.

 

[sparky b]

I disagree. It's up to the inspector what recommendations he/she wishes to apply. Personally I would be more inclined towards "2 - requires improvement". Incidentally, a recommendation code "2" does not necessarily mean that you must judge the installation Unsatisfactory - that is an NICEIC requirement and is contradicted by IEE guidance.

How can you code it 2 when it's acceptable to reconnect on a cu change and there is a best practice guide for such situations (provided class II accessories fitted), also i thought code 2 had to be unsatisfactory, which IEE guidance states it's not?

 

[steptoe]

code 2 is not always 'unsatisfactory'

this is one of the places where experience perhaps comes into play somewhat,

something may require improvement, but is not yet an immediate danger,

inadequate labels on consumer unit for example,

someone may say this requires improvement, wont make it any safer, or no sleeving on switch lines,

things like this to some people would be a code 2=requires improvement, but deffo in my mind not an unsatisfactory.

only an opinion mind, we all are entitled to one.

 

[NozSpark]

IMHO no stickers and no switched line identification is a code 4

 

[Zeespark]

Code 2 in My view would be a metal back box without a grommit, that the edge of the knockout has abraised the insulation of the cable, showing bare copper.

Andy

 

[steptoe]

IMHO no stickers and no switched line identification is a code 4

why, in what regs was it acceptable to use any colour you wanted for a line/phase/etc. ?

I dont IMHO think it was ever acceptable to use mono colouring for all conductors, therefore if a live/line/phase is not identified its greater than non compliance.

 

[NozSpark]

Also undersized cables for OCPD