Church Test advice

[sparkmanuk]

I have to test a church, It is a different enviroment than i am used to,as it is open to the public, I would be greatfull if any one could give me any advice as to what to look out for, and not get caught out on.

Thanks

 

[eddielarge]

I have to test a church, It is a different enviroment than i am used to,as it is open to the public, I would be greatfull if any one could give me any advice as to what to look out for, and not get caught out on.

Thanks

Just make sure you do all tests and no short cuts as church's are prone to electrical fires due to age of cableing, plus have you allowed for a tower so you can reach all the high level lights

 

[UNG]

Make sure you allow enough time to do it properly depending on the size / age of the church it could take more than a day to complete and as Eddie says a scaffold to get to the lighting

You normally find alot of dodgy wiring round the alter and organ

Depending on the age of the original wiring you may find alterations / extensions to the wiring and then alterations / extensions to the original alterations / extensions

If you have accessible roofspaces be sure to use good dust masks and gloves as they tend to have a good amount of bird droppings and other dried animal matter which is not good for the lungs

The last church I checked had an motorised bell ringer at the top of a tower which needed harness and ropes to access safely ( I am rope access trained )

One to check with the client is whether there is any WAN data radio equipment located in the bell tower, churches make good relay points to feed local schools with wireless broadband and it is usually fed from the church supply

 

[Guest123]

Make sure ALL your insurances are in order....places of worship with all those religious artefacts and members of the public in and out.....

You need to go through the procedure of the test with the warden or whoever is in charge and agree any limitations at the outset. Explain what you will need to do with regard to access equipment and the like, just make sure you're singing from the same hymn sheet as it were....

 

[sparkmanuk]

Thanks for all your advice it is much appreciated, apparently they had the church tested five years ago, and alot of the wiring was condemned, so they have told me it will probably need rewiring, luckily they are not in a rush so i will have time to plan my test when i take a look, I am planning to visit some churches to get an idea of how others have been wired.

I have done more houses and factories than public/commercial installations. I am thinking pyro cable as this is what every church seems to have, but i am not sure on where and where not to drill holes through historic walls, but saying that i have seen some pritty bad cable installation in old walls.

 

[pennywise]

Look out for dodgy MICC IR readings, alot of churches have it in abundance.

 

[UNG]

Rewired a church in pyro many years ago and had to get the pyro and the clips pvc covered to match the stone colour of the church as the church wardens wanted the wiring as unobtrusive as possible

With regard to drilling holes it is best avoided due to the possibility / probability of bursting the face of the stone as you drill through if it is possible make use of existing holes

 

[Des 56]

Dont forget to chack the baptising pool, if there is one

If you give an unsatisfactory you may have to answer to the top man himself,so be warned

Hell is full of over zealous sparks who angered the man in charge