PIR on consumer unit only?

[drew35]

Never encountered this before but a customer I'm trying to land, as he could well be a good source of income in the future, has asked for a report on a consumer unit only. Its in a shop and its been requested by Health and Safety, they only want to see a piece of paper saying that the fusebox is safe.

I questioned it assuming what they were asking for was a PIR, but the customer is not going to pay for a full PIR when they only want to see a report on the consumer unit, and have not requested one. But I can hardly hand him a piece of paper saying consumer unit ok!

So my question is do I just carry out a PIR on the consumer unit only, test no circuits, just measure Ze, fault current, and test the RCD? I have never been asked to do this before and it threw me a little?

Any help gratefully received.

 

[keith915]

If thats what they want that's what they should get. Just make sure you put everything you have or havn't done on the extent and limitations.

If it was me I'd cover my --- with a letter explaining that the inspection you've carried out does not mean the installation is safe...

 

[Graeme Harrold]

All you can do is a visual on the box and an instrumented test on the supply and bonding. I wouldnt bother with a cert and just give a detailed report in a letter and also indicate at the end (distribution) who the copies have been given to. First list the exclusions or just a big bold statement "Inspection covers visual inspection of consumer unit and supply, plus instrumented testing of the supply only". Then list your findings both visual and measured, then recommendations and finaly your advised state of the installation.

Also add a caveat that without testing the final circuits connected to the CU the accuracy and validity of the tests can not be relied upon fully.

 

[oldtimer]

Are you sure that it is H&S that want a bit of paper ? I dont think

Me thinks your customer is at it so explain to him that it would be better to get a PIR for H&S because if they have asked for a report on the board but not on the installation well maybe they are having an off day (I dont think)

 

[drew35]

Thanks for all the advice, it will definitely come in handy. I think the guy has been shafted several times of late for fire alarm tests and the like for insurance, and H&S so he is now very careful.

Thanks again to all.

 

[sparkylad]

AS has been said-- Inspection and test of the consumer unit with Long list in the Limitations box.

 

[antony73993]

Sounds a bit dodgy to me I have never heard of anyone wanting only the CU checked I can understand a domestic customer asking for advice on the state of there fuseboard but filling out a certificate seems a bit pointless, just make sure you get something signed like a job order so the customer signs to say he is paying you to look at his fuseboard make sure you cover yourself state on the certificate that you have not carried out a full test and inspection make that very clear.

http://www.omegatesting.co.uk

 

[nickblake]

One thing that no one has said , when was the last PIR ???? commercial premisis should be tested every 5 years , even doing just a visual inspection of the board may not be enough if the board has RCD's these should be checked etc ,if something happens after you have inspected it you could well be liable even if you have just done a visual and marked the certificate just that , if say the place burn down 2 weeks after youve been there the insurance companies / Fire authoriteis could be after you if i were you i would insist on a full inspection and high light the points why at the end of the day he will respect you for you honesty and youve then covered yourself

 

[thomsonminis]

we have done this type of test for insurance companies we use pir and make it very clear exactly what you test company we work for insist you put full load on consumer and test heat build up on consumer with thermal camera

 

[Sparky Ninja]

I'd just say No. Providing a PIR document without inspecting any of the installation is not what they are for. The limitations are for the consideration of BS7671, and shouldn't be used as a reason not to. Particularly when it would be against the electricity at work regs to not maintain the system.