I think from what I'm reading here most are coming from the same direction. Problem is we are the men in the field. The pen pushers who think up all these wonderful ideas are (once again) nowhere to be seen.
As Oldtimer says, the NICEIC are NOW providing the appropriate EICR as opposed to PIR's. But and its a big but, they have only JUST started doing it. So much for a 7 month lead in.
Now, here is my thought on the situation based IMHO on a common sense and dare I say helpful aproach to electrical contractors and tradesman in the situation.
Unlike a change in regulations that can directly effect the way an installation is constructed or improved upon by way of safety or otherwise.
A report on the electrical condition of an installation is just that (A REPORT) And its based on the written opinion of the person or persons signing that report.
The FORMAT or WORDING of that report has absolutely no affect on the condition or safety of that installation as it stands, because your not altering or working on the installation other than to examine, and REPORT back to your client the condition of that installation.
That said,and this is where my gripe kicks in.
If a PIR has been conducted or an EICR, by virtue of the fact that it has been completed correctly, and by a competant person, I can see no reason why either document, should not be considered valid.
You can't simply say a document dated today is valid. But if you date it tommorrow its not, although, thats exactly what has happened.
As far as I am concerned the phase in PERIOD of the new documents should have been provided by the governing bodies/suppliers on a supply and demand basis. ie as they start to supply the new EICR, the older type PIR would be gradually phased out/used up. With the new being supplied and phased in.
Thats is NOT the way that this has happened. Instead warnings of the changes have been publicised even advertised to the TRADE with pricing for attending refresher courses ect. But no real action or help regarding implementation.
That is WHY I am annoyed that A cut off date of the 1st of january this year has been virtually made mandatory, leaving the poor old PIR out in the cold like some disregarded worthless piece of paper. That in my humble opinion is WRONG. Yes I am 59 this year, Yes I have been in the trade commercial and domestic from age 17, and Yes I smell a rat on this kind of administrative (cut off date without support from scheme provider) nonsense, which I am convinced as been motivated primarily for profitable reasons, and is no help whatso-ever to the poor old sparks.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with change for the better.
But I no longer kid myself when poor implementation practices are being observed (Thats what generates threads like this)
Or in some cases change for change sake, ching ching !!
The PIR and EICR should BOTH have been readily available to sparkies for a phase out phase in period of at least six months. Instead of suddenly being made available ON a cut off date that makes the old format instantly obsolete. WRONG! very WRONG.
Yet another rant over. _
