new cu changes 1st jan/16

[scootknew]

can someone please clarify this for me im at my wits end,

there are currently no plastic fuse boxes that are non cumbustible for sale from wholesales?

if fit a plastic cu, need to box it in with plaster board ect?

if i wire in new circuit from a new plastic cu to say a socket in hallway, i cant issue minor works cert? then its a fail? then say the client who wanted a £50 socket wired to hall needs to pay 100's to ge cu changed to metal? or enclose it? whos responsibility is it to enclose it? a joniner or builder? they will prob change a **** load too?

any info much appreacited

 

[davesparks]

so what would u do if doing an eicr and came across a plastic cu? mark it as unsatifactory? well what if its rental flat ?

I would code it according to the guidance printed in my copy of the regulations, which I can't quote because it's in the van and I can't be bothered to go and get it. I think the answer is going to be no code though.

Codes are exactly the same for a rental flat as they are for any other installation.

 

[scootknew]

yeah but if eicr is unsatisfactory it means the flat cant be tenanted or let

 

[davesparks]

so to my knowledge , there are no 17th edition am 3 "plastic" consumer units?

well see, plasterboard has 2 hour fire rating, so if not want to change cu to metal then need to put in enclosure as per regs. so i wud assume plasterboard is easyiest way?

Different plaster boards have different fire ratings, but the regulations do not specify a fire rating for the enclosure, rather they specify a non combustible enclosure.
Fire rating and non combustible are two different things. A standard wooden door can have a 30min fire rating but it is sure as hell combustible.

 

[davesparks]

yeah but if eicr is unsatisfactory it means the flat cant be tenanted or let

No it doesn't, it means that the electrical installation has been found to be unsatisfactory when judged against the current diction of bs7671 (with allowance made for age of installation etc)

Why do you think that it has any effect on it being able to be let?

 

[Octopus]

IMHO you can't give a C1 or C2 for having a plastic CU

 

[scootknew]

eicr needed to comply with statutory guidance on electrical inslations and appilances in private rented propery? so if plastic cu then its a c code at least coz plastic cu not to 17th amd 3 then eicr is unsatisfactory, therefore, property not safe therefore no tentant can move in until sorted?

 

[Andy78]

so what would u do if doing an eicr and came across a plastic cu? mark it as unsatifactory? well what if its rental flat ?

eicr needed to comply with statutory guidance on electrical inslations and appilances in private rented propery? so if plastic cu then its a c code at least coz plastic cu not to 17th amd 3 then eicr is unsatisfactory, therefore, property not safe therefore no tentant can move in until sorted?

What does this mean ?

 

[andyb]

eicr needed to comply with statutory guidance on electrical inslations and appilances in private rented propery? so if plastic cu then its a c code at least coz plastic cu not to 17th amd 3 then eicr is unsatisfactory, therefore, property not safe therefore no tentant can move in until sorted?

But a plastic cu would not warrant a code 1 or 2, maybe a code 3, so why would the eicr be unsatisfactory?

 

[davesparks]

eicr needed to comply with statutory guidance on electrical inslations and appilances in private rented propery? so if plastic cu then its a c code at least coz plastic cu not to 17th amd 3 then eicr is unsatisfactory, therefore, property not safe therefore no tentant can move in until sorted?

What statutory guidance? Please can you at least give a reference or a link to any statutory document you think supports this?

What is a C code? Eicrs only have C1, C2 or C3 as codes, there is not a C.
Not complying with the 17th edition does not automatically warrant the eicr being considered unsatisfactory. It is only unsatisfactory if danger is present or if potential danger is present.
Would you give an unsatisfactory assessment for earth wire sleeves with solid green or a lack of red or brown ident on sw/lives?

Who says a tenant can't move in?

 

[Andy78]

What statutory guidance? Please can you at least give a reference or a link to any statutory document you think supports this?

What is a C code? Eicrs only have C1, C2 or C3 as codes, there is not a C.
Not complying with the 17th edition does not automatically warrant the eicr being considered unsatisfactory. It is only unsatisfactory if danger is present or if potential danger is present.
Would you give an unsatisfactory assessment for earth wire sleeves with solid green or a lack of red or brown ident on sw/lives?

Who says a tenant can't move in?

I think he is on about the new mandatory EICR for rented accommodation in Scotland. I do not know the ins and outs of this though.

 

[scootknew]

yes its for scotland private landlords. surley plastic cu is now fire hazard as cud potentially burst into flames coz loose neutrals. so wud be c2 code. c2 is unsatisfactory. which means flat dont have ecir, therefore no tenants move in, so what does landlord do? pay ton of dosh for metal cu?

 

[Andy78]

yes its for scotland private landlords. surley plastic cu is now fire hazard as cud potentially burst into flames coz loose neutrals. so wud be c2 code. c2 is unsatisfactory. which means flat dont have ecir, therefore no tenants move in, so what does landlord do? pay ton of dosh for metal cu?

As Murdoch has said, you need to download and read and understand the latest copy of the best practice guide to EICR.
Also the section about the above average competence required of the inspector from GN3 may be pertinent.

 

[Simonslimline]

yes its for scotland private landlords. surley plastic cu is now fire hazard as cud potentially burst into flames coz loose neutrals. so wud be c2 code. c2 is unsatisfactory. which means flat dont have ecir, therefore no tenants move in, so what does landlord do? pay ton of dosh for metal cu?

Get someone competent to carry out the EICR perhaps!

 

[badwolf]

Napit accept a minor works certificate for new circuits, their minor works cert is called new circuit/minor works!

 

[andyb]

yes its for scotland private landlords. surley plastic cu is now fire hazard as cud potentially burst into flames coz loose neutrals. so wud be c2 code. c2 is unsatisfactory. which means flat dont have ecir, therefore no tenants move in, so what does landlord do? pay ton of dosh for metal cu?

Where are you coming from Scoot? plastic CUs are now fire hazards! They are not and never have been fire hazards.
The regs were changed to require domestic CUs to be non combustible, how do you go from there to 'plastic CUs are fire hazards'?