Amendment 3. Dis Board

[sparkzalot]

Im currently testing communial lighting etc etc in blocks of flats. If not locked away in meter rooms the distribution boards are generally in a small meter cupboard on the ground floor hallway/stairwell. Now i assume that this is classed as a "commercial" installation and replacement of such dis. boards would not have to be of a non-combustible material as that only applies for domestic?? (Getting a metal board small enough to fit isnt going to happen)

Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[nickblake]

look at it this way you state its under a stairwell so that could be classed as an escape route, if you were carrying out an inspection and the consumer unit is located on an escape route then it should should be coded as a C3 as its installed under a stairwell which in the event of a fire, could possibly block the escape route, so the answer you are looking for is a consumer unit made of a non combustible material which at the moment is metal ,it may well be January it comes into force for non combustible consumer units but realistically if they are available they should now be installed, as for the RCDs no RCD's on socket outlets is a code 3 , how ever a risk assessment , could possibly render it a code 2 depending on its usage , so risk asses and use a bit of common sense

 

[sparkzalot]

If you are working to amendment 3 already then that's good, but not mandatory just yet. The reg affecting the answer you seek does not also become mandatory until January as has already been stated.

If you are employed and are working to other specifications then this question needs to be to your employer. We can't advise you on what the regs does not yet require you to do, but your employer might.

True. Already discussed with gaffer was just after others opinions

 

[sparkzalot]

I believe that the current guidance in 7671 is that it should be a C3 for no RCD protection on sockets which could be used for equipment outdoors, This is backed up by the sample form in the OSG which has this exact item filled in as an example of how to complete the form!
The simplest soloution if the DB doesn't need changing for other reasons is RCD sockets.

NICEIC say C2

 

[shanky887614]

NICEIC say C2

the nic can say what they like, they don't make the rules

 

[davesparks]

NICEIC say C2

IET says C3 in the sample form in the onsite guide
IET > NIC

 

[davesparks]

look at it this way you state its under a stairwell so that could be classed as an escape route, if you were carrying out an inspection and the consumer unit is located on an escape route then it should should be coded as a C3 as its installed under a stairwell which in the event of a fire, could possibly block the escape route, so the answer you are looking for is a consumer unit made of a non combustible material which at the moment is metal ,it may well be January it comes into force for non combustible consumer units but realistically if they are available they should now be installed, as for the RCDs no RCD's on socket outlets is a code 3 , how ever a risk assessment , could possibly render it a code 2 depending on its usage , so risk asses and use a bit of common sense

Where on earth have you got a regulation concerning consumer units under stairwells or in escape routes from?

 

[nickblake]

wasnt a regulation it what was said at an IET forum ,

 

[sparkzalot]

IET says C3 in the sample form in the onsite guide
IET > NIC

We are a NICEIC contractor. Filling in NICEIC test forms so thats what we go by. Did you not read the bit about housing association aswell?? So anything deemed C2 is rectified straight away.

 

[sparkzalot]

the nic can say what they like, they don't make the rules

Correct. But if you were registered with them would you disregard there coding??

 

[Andy78]

True. Already discussed with gaffer was just after others opinions

But others' opinions don't matter if you are working to a specification provided by a client and a doctrine of coding supplied by your boss passed down from the NICEIC. You get paid to do what you are told.
Unless of course you are trying to disagree with your boss and gather others' opinions to work with a more common sense approach.
But that's not what you are doing, you are defending everything you have been asked to do and disagreeing with the forum's advice.
This thread is pointless.

 

[Slowhand]

Correct. But if you were registered with them would you disregard there coding??

Yes I would. They are not and never have been a regulatory body regardless of what they think.

 

[Anthony S]

We are a NICEIC contractor. Filling in NICEIC test forms so thats what we go by. Did you not read the bit about housing association aswell?? So anything deemed C2 is rectified straight away.

Ask the NIC for the advice your looking for that's what your membership fee covers "Technical Help" if your not sure

 

[LankyWill]

Anybody else hate the way HA plots get treated. The get more than private houses and live in them like caged animals.

 

[sparkzalot]

But others' opinions don't matter if you are working to a specification provided by a client and a doctrine of coding supplied by your boss passed down from the NICEIC. You get paid to do what you are told.
Unless of course you are trying to disagree with your boss and gather others' opinions to work with a more common sense approach.
But that's not what you are doing, you are defending everything you have been asked to do and disagreeing with the forum's advice.
This thread is pointless.

True. But the thread went away from the original question didnt it!?

 

[SPARTYKUS]

We are a NICEIC contractor. Filling in NICEIC test forms so thats what we go by. Did you not read the bit about housing association aswell?? So anything deemed C2 is rectified straight away.

davesparks gave you the answer.

They are not NICEIC forms, they are probably jazzed up versions of the IET form, jazzed up by the NICEIC.

repeat after me

" they are not NICEIC forms" :bomb2: