PAT flex outlets feeding wall heater

[hubsy]

Hi Guys,

Hope you can help me.

I am qualified sparks and have been pat testing for over 20 years.

I am in dispute over testing a wall mounted heater connected to a flex outlet spur box.

I say it's the PAT testers duty to test the heater.

Company is saying it 5yr fixed wiring check.

your thoughts please gentlemen.

hubsy

 

[dan86]

providing its residential or commercial, I'd say fixed wiring check

 

[hubsy]

quote from iee code of practive
other than the fixed installation, all electrical equipment in an installation, whether permanently connected or connected by a plug and socket, should be inspected and tested in accordance with the recommendations contained in this Code of Practice.
end quote

 

[BrianDB9]

So its a fixed item of equipment , unlikely to suffer absuse that "portable " equipment suffers therefore a risk assessment might deduce a reduced frequency of "inservice testing" say 5 years ?

Theres no doubt it forms part of the electrical installation and should be tested as such but i havent got the code of practise for in service testing to hand so cant verify that.
The HSE have for quite a while been saying PAT isn't required every 12 months its got to be risk assessed and the required frequency advised accordingly.

Hope thats useful ! god bottles empty again

 

[hazelm]

quote from iee code of practive
other than the fixed installation, all electrical equipment in an installation, whether permanently connected or connected by a plug and socket, should be inspected and tested in accordance with the recommendations contained in this Code of Practice.
end quote

Correct!

My interpretation also.

 

[hazelm]

So its a fixed item of equipment , unlikely to suffer absuse that "portable " equipment suffers therefore a risk assessment might deduce a reduced frequency of "inservice testing" say 5 years ?

Theres no doubt it forms part of the electrical installation and should be tested as such but i havent got the code of practise for in service testing to hand so cant verify that.
The HSE have for quite a while been saying PAT isn't required every 12 months its got to be risk assessed and the required frequency advised accordingly.

Hope thats useful ! god bottles empty again

ISITEE is required on a risk related basis. The table in the new 4th edition includes fixed items supplied from flex coming from a flex outlet. All good testers will have a copy!

 

[hubsy]

My company will not let me have a copy of the 4th edition. I've had to get bits from internet sites.
IET wiring matters is a good source.

I can't find a sample of the formal inspection and combined test form to wave under their nose.

 

[Adam W]

I say it's an appliance so needs testing as one - just because it's wired into a FCU and not a plug and socket doesn't make any difference to what it is.

- - - Updated - - -

My company will not let me have a copy of the 4th edition. I've had to get bits from internet sites.
IET wiring matters is a good source.

I can't find a sample of the formal inspection and combined test form to wave under their nose.

Could you buy one yourself and read it secretly without them knowing?

 

[hubsy]

£48 I don't have spare just now.

 

[hazelm]

£48 I don't have spare just now.

Compare that with the cost of a life - no comparison!

 

[hubsy]

try tell my bosses that,

 

[hubsy]

I say it's an appliance so needs testing as one - just because it's wired into a FCU and not a plug and socket doesn't make any difference to what it is.

Could you buy one yourself and read it secretly without them knowing?

- - - Updated - - -
My bosses boss and his boss are coming over to Norwich next week 'To Discuss' Pat testing.
I've splashed out on the 4th edition from Amazon, should be here on Thursday, so I'll be reading the words off the pages on Friday till the following Thursday.
Not sure if I should have a 3rd party present to back my corner.
They are being cagey about the meeting.

 

[hubsy]

Yes, reading the COP, it states where the fixed installation starts and finishes.

other than fixed installation, which is considered to be the installation from the meter point to the socket-outlet, or fuse connection unit, all electrical equipment in an installation, whether permanently connected by a plug and socket-outlet should be inspected and tested in accordance with the recommendation contained in this code of practice.

 

[hubsy]

Had a meeting with, boss, his boss, and his boss.

They do not want us to check fixed appliances with FCU flex outlets, because......





wait for it......






the guys are not competent to disconnect and reconnect appliances....






AND





they can't understand the theory of resistance.



words fail me....

 

[ste77]

your bosses are maybe correct, there are a lot of pat testers without any electrical qualifications, so wouldnt be classed as competent to be disconnecting and reconnecting items to test them. A wall mounted heater in my opinion would always come under fixed testing as its permanently connected to a supply.