NICEIC Certification Scheme Periodic Inspection and Testing for NICEIC

[i=p/u]

just check 10% unless you find dodgy work. and remember guys you are required to make circuit charts and diagrams if none are available...

 

[imago]

I'm not having a dig at you, just expressing an opinion on what you've said. It's not the way to do things IMHO. As has been said already, physically inspecting the installation can be done on a sampling basis. You look at the overall and make a judgement how much or little you want to check. However, when it comes to testing, test all the circuits.

Lets be reasonable here. A PIR cost around £120 to £150. If you would do a full 100% of the installation then you might as well go being a laborer for the money you earn.

Vary the price according to the size of the installation. A 'standard' installation in a 2 or 3 bed house would be half a day, so OK at that price. A larger installation (larger building, more circuits, more workstations/machines/appliances/sockets etc) take more time and therefore cost more.

Also, it is simple common sense to not remove every single light fitting, is it not?

Sort of, in that you would check the circuit at the furthest point and mid-point. If you're not happy with the results check more. That would apply to both/all the lighting circuits though.

I always fully test the ring, the shower and the cooker circuit. The rest I sample.

Why pick those? They're no more or less dangerous than any other circuit.

If that is not good enough I will stop doing PIR`s because simply I can earn more pulling in cables and not worry about anything at all.

It could be argued that you aren't doing a PIR anyway, just a part inspection and test.
So

 

[Short Circuit]

It could be argued that you aren't doing a PIR anyway, just a part inspection and test.
So

Well said!

 

[Mikes]

Hi alli

I think your client is confusing the NICEIC requirement for 100% TESTING with SAMPLING.

As you are no doubt well aware periodic inspection reporting is a two part process and usually conducted in the following order. First the installation is fully inspected then all relevant circuits are tested.
With bigger installations and ones consisting of multiple sub mains and dis boards, each area served by a particular board would be inspected and then the sub and board tested before moving on to next one.

The process of inspection requires the inspector to visually assess the installation for any obvious deviations to BS7671. A sample of the accessories and equipment is then looked at. In domestic installations this usually means dropping a few lighting pendants/downlighters, socket outlets and switches. This is known as sampling. As has been said before, it simply isn't feasible to look at every single item and its certainly not required by the NIC. Depending on the condition of the items sampled, and how they've been installed, further sampling may be required. If major deficiencies are found, the client should be informed immediately and isolation may have to be considered.

The process of testing refers only to the actual testing of the circuits with a suitable test instrument. These specific test procedures detailed in guidance note 3 are to be applied to all relevant circuits i.e the NICEIC requirement of 100% Testing. This is where your client is mistaken.

Now obviously 100% testing doesn't mean you have to test every single piece of cable at every single point available. Its quite acceptable for heating control, low-voltage, intruder/fire alarm wiring etc to be omitted from the testing procedure however, this should be recorded in the "extent of installation covered" section of the report and ideally, agreed with the client beforehand.
All other mains circuits that form part of the consumers installation must be tested unless there's a specific reason why they cant, i.e they cant be traced, must stay energized, are inaccessible etc. Again these reasons must be recorded in the "limitations" section of the report.
As has been said by the others, there's no need to test at every point but each circuit must be tested preferably at the furthest point from the supply. Every circuit including sub-mains must be recorded in the circuit details section of the report along with the relevant test results.


Hope this helps with your awkward client...

 

[JamesBrownLive]

I thought the whole point of having a section titled 'Extent of the Installation and Limitations of the Inspection and Testing' and making sure it is completed BEFORE you begin, was to avoid situations like this arising.

Ask your customer this...

Why, if the NIC want 100% done, is there a section detailing 'Extent' and 'Limitations' on their own forms?

If the requirement was 100% then there would be no need for this section in the first place...:banghead:

 

[IQ Electrical]

I really don't know where this has come from, certainly not from NICEIC.

The reason for DETAILED INSPECTING of a percentage of accessories/luminaires/switchgear etc. is that faults will actually be created as a result of opening enclosures, disconnecting and reconnecting cables etc.

This is why the inspector should have an above average knowledge of BS7671 and very good experience of the type of installation being inspected, in order to make good engineering decisions.

Competency is a good mixture of education, experience and knowledge, sadly lacking in the majority of PIR's that I see regularly!

The requirement for diagrams/charts etc (assuming their absence) will normally be highlighted as a defect on the report unless the original scope of work was to complete these as part of the inspection.

 

[RISElectrical]

If you mean you havent tested all circuits and your client is insistant that you do then he may have a point, it should have been discussed and agreed before you started. I previously used to test a large chain of pubs. We would do 10% sampling and then around 25% of circuits every year, not repeating any circuits etc so that over a 4 year period a full 100% test and a 50% sampling would have taken place. This was agreed with the client as to not disrupt trading as they wanted us in and out before they opened the doors at 1 o clock.

The best way to go about it is to always agree in advance what the limitations will be with the client and then there will be no comebacks.

What was the outcome with the client? did you go back to complete the 100% as requested?