PIR Question

[kme]

Thanks I-patch

 

[professional]

The fact that PIR`s are covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance, rather than Public Liability Insurance, means that a very high proportion of them have no insurance cover whatsoever - since they have been carried out by people who the insurance companies would not deem as acceptable in the event of a claim.

The attitude that you need no qualifications to carry out a PIR is true, but there is no way an insurance company will pay out when offered such an easy "get-out" by people who`s powers of self-delusion are astounding.

 

[avinalarf]

Nat: its a catch 22 thing. You`ll never have the confidence if you don`t do it, but you need the confidence, and competence, to carry out safely. I`d look for a repeat PIR, wherew previous records ARE available (rare as rocking horse poo), and use the previous readings as a base.

Thanks KME. I'm glad you [and others] appreciate my position. I'm hoping a spark I know will do this PIR on the coffee shop and let me assist. I'm sure this will help a great deal. . Whilst we're on the subject - I've managed to persuade my neighbours to upgrade their CU. Do I need to do a PIR first?

 

[Andy™]

Do I need to do a PIR first?

depends... it can be useful to highlight any faults, but normally i just change CU then test. stick a note in quote saying that any faults discovered will be chargeable and circuit may not be connected unless faults rectified first

So far, only had a few minor faults (and just about all of them was something small that i didnt bother charging more for)

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Thanks KME. I'm glad you [and others] appreciate my position. I'm hoping a spark I know will do this PIR on the coffee shop and let me assist. I'm sure this will help a great deal. . Whilst we're on the subject - I've managed to persuade my neighbours to upgrade their CU. Do I need to do a PIR first?

There is no specific requirement or guidance saying that you should do a PIR before replacing a CU.

Some prefer to do one. others don't.

All of the circuits will need testing at some stage during the replacement.

and an EIC will need to be written out anyway.

personally I have never done a PIR specifically before doing a CU change..

can't see the point in creating more paperwork.. and charging the customer more expense,

and then for it to become obsolete within a short time.

A general look around the installation if often enough to suss out any other areas requiring improvement.

 

[avinalarf]

Right! I guess my next issue is trying to price up the job

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Right! I guess my next issue is trying to price up the job

Stoopid as it may seem allow a bit more time if its a stand on a step ladder job rather than a sit on the floor job!

And if its stuffed in the narrow end of an under stairs cupboard compared to an easy access garage wall.

Double check if you bonding is ok.. & allow time for that as well!

the same physical box in an awkward place can take twice as long!

 

[Riggy]

To add to what Specs says (which is absolutely spot on), also look at the length of the cables and space around the CU. If the cables have plenty of slack, or you can mount the new CU higher up the wall to gain some slack, then Robert's your Mother's Brother. If you have to extend every cable, then he definitely isn't and you need to allow loads more time.

 

[avinalarf]

Quite lucky as CU in garage, so lots of space to work in, but will require steps. Checked bonding on gas - that needed upgrading, but didn't check water. Just wondering what would happen if water bonding needed upgrading (which I assume does), but customer didn't want any drilling done through walls (if this was required)???

 

[Andy™]

if bonding needs upgraded.... it needs upgraded

If they dont want damage inside, might be possible to take cable along external wall then inside next to stop tap

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

if bonding needs upgraded.... it needs upgradedIf they dont want damage inside, might be possible to take cable along external wall then inside next to stop tap

Concur

Reg 131.8 would be the pivotal point IMHO..

no alteration temp or permanent shall l be made to an existing installation without .. .. blah .. .. blah... and earthing & bonding are adequate..

or words to that effect! :^O:^O:^O:^O

 

[ian932]

Give customer a copy of this

http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/safety-in-the-home/Earthing-bonding-ESC.pdf

This one is also usefull (guide 1)

http://esc.org.uk/business-and-community/electrical-industry/best-practice-guides.html

 

[extension15]

Having just read this thread, I'm disappointed...

It is just my opinion, but without at least the following 3:

1 2381

2 2391

3 Several years experience.

(Let alone a full apprenticeship)

How can you competently do an Inspection?????????????????????

:| :|

 

[professional]

The insurance companies don`t think that you can.

In the event of a claim, the guys who insist that they know what they are doing (either on THEIR say so, or because their Scheme provider has told them what they want to hear) will get thrown to the wolves by their Scheme Providers, a mass shaking of heads will then take place, much "tutt-titting" and they`ll move on to the next guy in line............

Funny that someone should mention experience............. ]

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I was told that a person needs experience after being qualified to be deemed competent. Then the lawyers can argue it out.

 

[avinalarf]

Give customer a copy of thishttp://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/safety-in-the-home/Earthing-bonding-ESC.pdf

This one is also usefull (guide 1)

http://esc.org.uk/business-and-community/electrical-industry/best-practice-guides.html

Thanks Ian - very useful.