Periodic frequency question

[piggyitm]

Hey up,Im wondering what the recomended time for next inspection is where there have been code 2 defects?Cheers

 

[malcolmsanford]

If your doing the remidial then you don't put one as I would do another PIR for them with the changes on it and then 5 yrs if it's an older domestic.

If your not doing the remedial than no longer than a year. Could be less depending on what you found

 

[piggyitm]

Cheers for fast reply.Its for a landlord so I might not be doing the remedials.What is the landlords obligation to remedy code 2's?

 

[malcolmsanford]

Code 2's could be wrong size bonding, no RCD protection for sockets or circuits buried in a wall, that kind of thing so are outside the regs as of now.

As a landlord I would point out to him that he should want a care of duty to his tenants, and though bonding sizes if smaller are not ideal, something is better than nothing, perhaps a non RCD socket ring or radial would be felt to be more of a concern. If anything should occur while the property is let ie electric shock and your report was used in evidence it would be highlighted that your recommendation was a required improvement on the exisitng installtion.

If he did not carry out that improvement within a reasonable time he could be held liable. Mostly any technical talk normally makes landlords sit up and think.

What were the code 2's by the way/

 

[Baal]

Code 2's could be wrong size bonding, no RCD protection for sockets or circuits buried in a wall, that kind of thing so are outside the regs as of now. /

I think you're confusing code 2 and code 4 defects here!
The defects you've listed are more likely to be code 4 defects.
Code 2 defects will certainly need to be rectified if a 'satisfactory' assessment is to be issued, check out the Electrical Safety Council Best Practice Guide here: http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/electrical-industry/BPG4_08.pdf

 

[Johno]

I think you're confusing code 2 and code 4 defects here!
The defects you've listed are more likely to be code 4 defects.
Code 2 defects will certainly need to be rectified if a 'satisfactory' assessment is to be issued, check out the Electrical Safety Council Best Practice Guide here: http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/electrical-industry/BPG4_08.pdf

I agree

 

[gamblor6]

me too. code 2s are a fail on a pir

 

[f1nn1]

please can anyone tell me the recommended next test time period on periodics. Lots of code 2's and I have been writing 3 months but my boss wanting me to write 5 years. surely this is too long

 

[bcuk04]

from my experience you can issue a 5 year ticket but it will be unsatisfactory, to bring it up to satisfactory all code 1&2 obs need to be corrected with minor works completed for each fault which is added to PIR, this negates having to complete a new PIR.
If its rented accomodation then it still requires a yearly check by a responsable person, or new PIR at change of occupancy.

 

[baldsparkies]

Gents, I think a domestic PIR has an interval of 10 years if owner occupied and not used for commercial gain.
If its a rented property, although still domestic its classed as commercial, and therefore 5 yearly. We do advise on change of tennant also.

 

[nickblake]

you are correct in saying 10 years for domestic , having said that thats up to the descretion of the inspector , if the installation is showing wear and tear may be an old installation but in a satisfactory condition but the condition of the cabling is old then the time period between inspections can be reduced so that closer inspection and monitoring of the deterioration ,if any, can be carried out ,but that would be up to the person who carried out the inspection like has been said if a PIR has code 1's and 2's then it can be 10 years , 5 years or even 12 months depending on the condition of the install and noted as unsatisfactory

 

[PC Electrics]

Guidance Note 3 makes it quite clear that the recommended time interval to the next inspection is within the judgement of the inspecting engineer. The general list of time periods given in GN3 are maximum periods, assuming all is well. The inspecting engineer is quite at liberty to put reduced periods down if he feels the results warrant such.

The notes on the PIR form also make it clear that the recommended interval is only valid provided code 1s are rectified without delay. Unfortunately they make no mention of code 2s. The client could interpret this as not needing to fix code 2s and therefore the installation is okay for whatever period is put down. He is however holding an unsatisfactory report. To my mind this is misleading / confusing to the layman, "requires improvement" is not a clear and unambiguous statement that items need rectification. IMO this confusion is best dealt with by putting a short retest period. Three months for a report containing code 2s seems reasonable.

 

[PC Electrics]

please can anyone tell me the recommended next test time period on periodics. Lots of code 2's and I have been writing 3 months but my boss wanting me to write 5 years. surely this is too long

Who is the competent engineer here? If yourself, then surely you are being employed for your engineering skill and judgement. If you have exercised that skill and judgement properly then you have carried out your duty in the best interests of both client and employer. Perhaps you should ask "the boss" why he doesn't trust your judgement. You are, after all, his eyes and ears.

 

[bcuk04]

IMO this confusion is best dealt with by putting a short retest period. Three months for a report containing code 2s seems reasonable.

if the code 1&2 obs are rectified, with minor works, which are appendixed to original PIR then a new PIR is not needed as you have now brought the property upto standard

 

[baldsparkies]

Agreed with regards to discretion of the inspector and based on the age and overhaul condition of the install. Recommended time periods for those reading the books, as is usual for us poor old sparks its down to which books we look at