Periodic inspection

[Steve22]

Hi am doing my first periodic inspection for a restaurant, my understanding is that I need to test a percentage of installation, so can I test some circuits and leave others? And if I could perform a certain test on a circuit how can I fill the schedule of results? Thanks

 

[James]

Depending on the age and condition of the installation, it could be 100% of circuits need to be tested.

Paperwork from previous tests is a good place to start if they are available

 

[westward10]

The percentage test is 100% unless the client has decided otherwise.

 

[Steve22]

Depending on the age and condition of the installation, it could be 100% of circuits need to be tested.

Paperwork from previous tests is a good place to start if they are available

The installation to be honest looks in a good condition, the problem is I could find any paper work from previous tests, and some circuits I can't power them off to do all tests, and now am confused how to fill the schedule of test results

 

[westward10]

You need to do it when the site is closed.

 

[Andy5678]

Anything you cant inspect or test write it in limitations. On the schedule of results insert LIM into the sections you can’t do

 

[telectrix]

percentage testing means testing a percentage of points on each circuit, but all circuits need to be tested. it does not allow for any circuits to not be tested at all.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I thought all circuits initially need fully testing no excuses

Then once you have done this you can agree to test a certain percentage of circuits at regular intervals

 

[sparks1234]

You can "not test" a circuit, for instance it is quite normal not to turn off a comms supply. However, use your initiative. In a restaurant its probable that there is little you cannot test, on the certificates there is a box which says operational limitations

 

[westward10]

Out of hours I never have problems turning off comms cabinets.

 

[sparks1234]

Out of hours I never have problems turning off comms cabinets.

Depends on what companies you are working for, You could still do a Zs reading, I've worked for many a company that don't want you to turn their equipment off, depends on the company

 

[Zerax]

Out of hours I never have problems turning off comms cabinets.

I'm sure you didn't... but did they have problems after you'd left ??

 

[sparks1234]

We did an EICR a few years ago, everyone was happy we were turning power off and on etc, Monday morning, 2 network switches had blown their power supplies, just due to power off, power on,

 

[westward10]

I'm sure you didn't... but did they have problems after you'd left ??

Nope none at all do it most days of the week.

 

[GMES]

Too many limits though and you end up with a piece of toilet paper.
You should have a really good reason for not powering down a circuit, just limiting circuits means you could be leaving potentially dangerous circuits in play.

 

[ipf]

We did an EICR a few years ago, everyone was happy we were turning power off and on etc, Monday morning, 2 network switches had blown their power supplies, just due to power off, power on,

Did you have to pay for the damage?
Have they never had a power cut? If so, it'd be interesting to find out the consequences.

 

[Gavin Price]

Before carrying out the inspection, the inspector and the client or duty holder are to agree on an amount of the installation to be inspected. Depending on the installation you may find that only a small amount of the installation can be tested and inspected due to operational limitations and you may want to consider the frequency of inspections dependant on those limitations. There is no requirement only guidelines on percentages to be tested and inspected.

 

[westward10]

This is a restaurant not a global banking concern and with agreed early hours access there should bet no concerns.

 

[Gavin Price]

yes you may be right but my reply was just concerning the actual requirement for percentages during an EICR

 

[westward10]

yes you may be right but my reply was just concerning the actual requirement for percentages during an EICR

The thread in question is a restaurant so unless it is a 24/7 concern the actual testing would be 100% unless the client has confirmed otherwise.

 

[Gavin Price]

The thread in question is a restaurant so unless it is a 24/7 concern the actual testing would be 100% unless the client has confirmed otherwise.

Regardless of the type of premises it doesn’t negate the fact that it may not be possible to carry out 100 percent inspection. I’m not arguing that a 100 percent test shouldn’t be done I’m just saying that it’s not always possible and the reasons behind it.

 

[westward10]

Regardless of the type of premises it doesn’t negate the fact that it may not be possible to carry out 100 percent inspection. I’m not arguing that a 100 percent test shouldn’t be done I’m just saying that it’s not always possible and the reasons behind it.

Maybe so but I test from small retail outlets to concerns in the City of London and with correct corporation, foresight and planning it can happen.

 

[Gavin Price]

Maybe so but I test from small retail outlets to concerns in the City of London and with correct corporation, foresight and planning it can happen.

Ok I’m not disputing that. I’m just saying that it is not always possible due to operational and other limitations to test 100 percent of the installation within the recommended frequency of inspection time frame and that perhaps it would be better to do more frequent but smaller inspections to allow for a near to a 100 percent inspection and minimum disruption to business.

 

[GBDamo]

My issue with not 100% testing of circuits is the "critical" circuit is always likely to be unavailable for testing.

More regular test intervals only result in highlighting the circuits "unavailability" more often.