Which Regs do you work to ?

[Evans Electric]

A few years ago we were installing a 16mm SWA cable to a control panel at a factory. The panel controlled a large pump to boost the pressure on their sprinkler system as the water company could no longer guarantee the pressure .

Their insurance company sent us a set of Regs to do with fire and sprinkler systems etc. and one bit read; The cable should be connected to the main switch , have no means of isolation or fuse links . We refused to connect it like that as our 40 mtrs of SWA would have been connected to a 500 amp switch fuse !!

Told them it was connected according to the electrical regs and we were not prepared to alter it. We connected to a 60 amp switch fuse and had a big label made to stick on it.

What would you have done ??

 

[Andy™]

install a cable large enough for a 500A switch fuse...

Or ask the insurance co if they will cover any work not done to 7671 - when they say no, ask why they are telling you to wire something that isnt done to 7671

would probably be best to speak to a specialist who designs these systems for advice

 

[Evans Electric]

I got totally p****d off with all the paperwork flying backwards and forwards, We had quoted for a 16mm X 4core SWA . People were trying to push us into areas we didn't want to go, hence " work is done to 7671 , ball is in your court" Thats as far as we go .

Paperwork , people phoning me , yet another meeting on site was all costing me a lot of money, as no one was paying for it all.

Andy, a 400 mm X 4 core cable would have been somewhat OTT !!

 

[Andy™]

Andy, a 400 mm X 4 core cable would have been somewhat OTT !!

400mm may be OTT, but at least its safer than a 16mm on 500A 'protection'

 

[Evans Electric]

400mm may be OTT, but at least its safer than a 16mm on 500A 'protection'

Well as I said , that is what their insurance co. wanted us to , we were only prepared to work to the IEE Regs. I know it is still the same as I've been there since for other work. A 400mm cable would have been out of the question, the cost would have been astronomical and certainly not quoted for.

 

[steptoe]

deviations box on your cert.

have done a couple of sprinkler systems similar set up to that, ie,, NO MEANS OF ISOLATION

just photostat your work order(specifying sheet) and attach it to the cert as an additional sheet, numbered accordingly.

as far as I am concerned the design is then passed to the person specifying the connection type(as such). (dont sign the design part of the cert!)

 

[green-hornet]

If you want my opinion I would say always wire to the wiring regulations as they stand.

People who have no experiance often give silly guidlines or wiring specs that are totally inapropiate.

If they insist on a deviation as part of their request then note it on the certificate giving the reason.

 

[batty]

Does this not come under reg 433.3.3. ie omission of overload devices.

Batty

 

[green-hornet]

Does this not come under reg 433.3.3. ie omission of overload devices.Batty

Thats one reason why suits should not do wiring specs for a job they have no knowledge of.

I would always do it to the wiring regulations.

I had a similar problem with one council, they eventually changed their specs but it cost me loads of work.

 

[batty]

Thats one reason why suits should not do wiring specs for a job they have no knowledge of.I would always do it to the wiring regulations.

I had a similar problem with one council, they eventually changed their specs but it cost me loads of work.

I would agree the designer needs to know there stuff.

Batty

 

[sparkyrj]

How about wiring the circuit with a switchfuse installed which could then be locked in the on position with labelling saying not to be switched off.

 

[WarrenG]

Would have done as you did and fused down, seems a bit OTT connecting back to a 500amp switch fuse??? Especially 40 meters away!

 

[Evans Electric]

The main point with this thread is whether you do as you are told by a third party , although you know it is wrong . If you told them to supply the EIC I bet they would back down .

 

[Andy™]

The main point with this thread is whether you do as you are told by a third party , although you know it is wrong . If you told them to supply the EIC I bet they would back down .

'whats an EIC?' springs to mind

 

[Apache]

'whats an EIC?' springs to mind

Electrical Installation Cert you plonker

 

[Andy™]

Electrical Installation Cert you plonker

jeez, i thought it was Engineer In Charge - looks like i need to remove 'EIC' from my title...

 

[Apache]

jeez, i thought it was Engineer In Charge - looks like i need to remove 'EIC' from my title...

Don't worry Andy - it can mean whatever you want it to

 

[Andy™]

Don't worry Andy - it can mean whatever you want it to

so i can keep my name?!

'EIC Andy' sound so much better than 'Dr Andy PH whatever-im-not-qualified-in'

 

[green-hornet]

so i can keep my name?!'EIC Andy' sound so much better than 'Dr Andy PH whatever-im-not-qualified-in'

PrayPray:coat

 

[Apache]

so i can keep my name?!'EIC Andy' sound so much better than 'Dr Andy PH whatever-im-not-qualified-in'

How about EIC Andy Esq?

Has a certian ring