Got 2391,what next to actually become a tester?

[vaughant]

A simple question but I'm sure not an easy answer!!!

For me,this will be mainly part time,as I'm a full time industrial control specialist,but my 2391 cert is sitting in the draw at home with my test equipment having never really been used!!!

I'd like to get into it a bit,even if it's just testing my families properties for now as I don't want to have done all that work for nothing,also a good friend of mine has over ten rental properties that he has to do a periodical on every year,so it could be quite lucrative as well.

I can recall from the course that I needed to become a member of some sort of body (elecsa,nic spring to
mind) and there was a mention of part p of the building regs to complete as well,a 1 day course I believe?

I'd love to hear from you boys who actually do this for a living,I'm very unlikely to be taking much work off anyone as I'm only really considering it to get some use of the qualification and perhaps get one or two of those properties to cover my fees,insurance,joining fees etc.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[malcolmsanford]

For doing a PIR you will not need to be fully conversant with the building regs, as your commenting on the continuing use and suitability of the installation.

You will need though is to be able to interpret the regulations as they stand now and what relation you can apply them to an installation that most likely is not installed to them.

You will need the building regs and part p more when your installing.

Are you testing these properties under the banner of your friends company, or will you be solely doing them independently? If you doing it independently then you will need at a minimum Public liability Insurance and I recommend you also get public indemnity for PIR work. You don't necessarily need to be a member of a scheme to carry out PIR work, but as these are rental properties the rental agency may stipulate that the tests must be done by an affiliated member of a recognized scheme, you will need to check what they want.

 

[RexT]

Hi vaughant,

I guess the next step is getting out there and doing it!

Well done on getting the 2391.

Best wishes

Rex

 

[vaughant]

Thank you Rex,some good info there.

Personally I'd like to set up a small sole trader type company and keep it all above board with proper invoices etc,my boys 16 this year and it maybe nice to hand him over some sort of set up in the future should he take this path,or as I stated,just to keep my hand in,if the market goes wild like it did 4-6 years ago,I'd like a little piece of the pie!!!

I'm going to do a 17th Ed course just to familiarize myself with the latest changes as it's been a while since I did the regs (1998!!!!).

Thanks for the great advice as well malcom,is there much work out there for you boys lately?
Sadly seems to be a lot of sparkies out of work right now,not sure if it's affecting the testing boys as much?

 

[RexT]

Hi vaughant,

I think the work can be patchy at the moment and the best way is to keep at it as they say.
I cant speak for everyone else but I believe if you apply yourself and honestly try then doors normally open.
There are some great guys on this forum and they do speak it how it is!
Yes it is true jobs that are very well paid are scarce but the work will always be there but I guess it is for what pay that counts.
I have heard the stories of good electricians being under cut but until the law andregs are policed better then it will probably still go on.
All I can say is good luck stick at it and where possible get the qualifications.
The 17th is another good start!
Best wishes,
Rex

 

[vaughant]

Thanks Rex.one area that always confused me is 3rd party testing.
Our instructor said in his opinion it was a huge no no,but then he also brought up the fact that if you wire up a property you can pay the council a one off fee to come and inspect it,hence their offering to 3rd party test effectively!!!which apparently the majority of electrical bodies are ok with.

I'm not sure how the lads in general would feel about it as of course not every spark has 2391 therefore 3rd party testing must go on??

Confusing!!!

If it was an acceptable practice I could get a lot of work this way.

 

[malcolmsanford]

No the LABC will inspect at stages through the install. The normal practice is you would 1st fix and the council will send someone in to inspect that, normally the guy that is going to test it in the end. On the 1st fix he will check the installation method for not only the BS 7671 but also the building regs part.
Then if it passes he will let you continue with the work and then test it when it is finished. The same as a QC does for a large company.