Consumer unit fire - advice please

[Geordie Spark]

I look forward to the day when these CU manufacturers start using decent quality screws with sensible (i.e. Allen type) heads that can be tightened properly without having to have four different types of screwdriver.

I may have a long wait .................

 

[Rockingit]

I found a Chint board like that on an inspection - neutral solid jumper was so shoddy there was only a whisker to hold it in the terminal clamp and it was nicely blacked and charred all over. Probably 10 pence worth of tri-rate solved the problem!! Should NEVER have been allowed to leave the factory, let alone land on our shores.

 

[Octopus]

What would a photo prove that a certificate won't?

Well... if its taken with the cover off at least you would be able to see if changes had been made. I always take a photo before I put the cover back on, and then another with the cover on.

 

[44ALLAN]

That's why I asked.
I saw a gas fitter taking pics of the work he'd done in my mates house and thought it was a sensible idea.
Least you could show how it was when you left it and any alterations couldn't be blamed on you if something went wrong when DIY blokey has been tampering.

 

[dan86]

very interesting thread this. I noticed the OP was over 3 months ago, and still ongoing. and indication as to when this will taken to conclusion?

 

[Sharpend]

Ok I submit that a photo will demonstrate the positions of cables and the like when left, whereas a certificate will only detail the cables.
So what do you all do, take photos at every job then download/print them to customer file? How long would you keep them for? I'd imagine that it wouldn't take long to have too many too manage??

 

[Lucien Nunes]

We take pics of all DB's and main pieces of switchgear and equipment inside and out. It helps in a few ways - doing the as-built drawings if there were changes, jogging one's memory when a customer rings up a year or two later asking for advice and you can't recall what's where, estimating for additions without a site survey etc. And of course as evidence, although we've not needed them for this purpose yet. It doesn't take long and a few thousand pics isn't much on a hard drive these days. I've got 50,000+ on the PC and no difficulty managing them. FWIW I also sign and date switchgear during commissioning.

 

[richy3333]

I always take photo's of installs - Never trust the public.

Interesting that the board was a Protek and someone else mentioned Chint being an issue. Quality boards! Spartykus posted a photo a year or so back of a burnt neutral in a board?

If the householders insurers try and recover their costs this will roll on for years...

 

[Geordie Spark]

That's why I asked.
I saw a gas fitter taking pics of the work he'd done in my mates house and thought it was a sensible idea.
Least you could show how it was when you left it and any alterations couldn't be blamed on you if something went wrong when DIY blokey has been tampering.

And yet sparks still seem to think that blokes who mess about with bits of pipe all day are thick!!

 

[Groundhog]

thanks for all your replies. I've got PLI and they are dealing with it but i still find it worrying that a job i did so long ago can come back and bite me on the rear. Agree completely with the need for improved termination connections . Householder had no indication of any problems until the CU went up.
Sky re your post : I say I have done approx 12 in 18 months and they are normally boards that are approx 5-8 yrs old - normally a late 16th board or early 17th.
What In your opinion was the main cause of the loose neutral terminal?

Re taking photos - yes great idea. In this case however as I supplied the CU even as everything was sound when I left, the damage caused by the subsequent fire still lands on my plate. If the connection has worked lose for some reason in the time since I was last there then from what I understand its tough unless householder admits to fiddling about which is not going to happen.
As for how long it's going to take to resolve - I have no idea. Sooner the better.

To end then, when I finally call it a day and based on this experience it may be sooner than I hoped, on the basis we as electricians remain liable for 5 years ( I thought it was 10 but hopefully not ) following completion of a job - does this mean We have to continue to pay PL insurance until this time has elapsed after we retire?

Is it time for a beer yet - so peed off.

 

[tidyboiler]

And yet sparks still seem to think that blokes who mess about with bits of pipe all day are thick!!

Your point being???? ....................... :rofl:

 

[Guitarist]

I wonder if the meter has been changed since the electrician last checked connections....

 

[LED Lighting]

I have just come across these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Warranty-Sticker-Tamperproof-Security-protection/dp/B007RFS6DE
and
Avery NoPeel Labels Tamper-proof Durable 24 per Sheet 63.5x33.9mm White Ref L6146-20 [480 Labels]: Amazon.co.uk: Office Products
Could completely remove the need for taking pictures as you can see that someone has been into the consumer unit - just ordered a pack of them - plus you can print your company name on them to prove you put the sticker on!

 

[trev]

Not a bad idea but in this scenario they may not be much use.

 

[LED Lighting]

In this case however as I supplied the CU even as everything was sound when I left, the damage caused by the subsequent fire still lands on my plate. If the connection has worked lose for some reason in the time since I was last there then from what I understand its tough unless householder admits to fiddling about which is not going to happen.
As for how long it's going to take to resolve - I have no idea. Sooner the better.

To end then, when I finally call it a day and based on this experience it may be sooner than I hoped, on the basis we as electricians remain liable for 5 years ( I thought it was 10 but hopefully not ) following completion of a job - does this mean We have to continue to pay PL insurance until this time has elapsed after we retire?

Is it time for a beer yet - so peed off.

If you have done everything as far as reasonably practicable to ensure that the terminals where tight when you left the board and sealed it up then the claim would not be on you.
How can you be responsible for something that you where directly not involved with - i.e. loosening the screws!
If the screw has worked its way loose over time then GOD HELP US ALL! and it is not by any means our fault! (nor yours!)
Your insurance company will be doing everything possible to pass the buck from you over to protus, this can be done by simply checking the tightness of the other screws in the board! - once this has been passed over to Protus then its not your problem anymore! and the blame does not fall on you.

Like has been said above let the legal team sort it out.

I can see it coming where we are expected to tighten all terminals with a torque wrench to ensure terminals are tight enough but before that happens the terminals will either have to have hex heads or alen key heads.

Good Luck mate!