pvc trunking caulk cowboys?

[hamish mcchlery]

Iv just seen a whole flat rewired with surface mounted pvc trunking at coveing and skirting height. they have used no elbow or t joints, no small-to-large connecting pieces, no collars at surface boxes, and no end caps. all joints have been smeared with standard decorators caulk. the end holes, mainly 16x40 trunking, have simply been stuffed with caulk. big gaps everywhere, up to 6mm at some connections. IS THIS IN COMPLIANCE WITH IEE? the wiring itself seems fine.

I am a joiner to trade but work closely with excellent electricians all the time, in commercial and residential properties, and i am sure they would never leave a finish of that kind. I can get 2 fingers inside the trunking at some points, without trying to force them. IS THIS RIGHT?

cheers Gents.

 

[hamish mcchlery]

the reason 4 surface mounting was that its a cocrete structure. i think their right on that one.

 

[Sintra]

As phil says get the clerk of works in for a look. IMO all work should be left in as neat a way as possible and that certainly isn't neat.

 

[Engineer54]

if it`s a council or housing association job i would get the clark of works in there as although it may not be against the regs im sure the clark of works will have plenty to say on the matter.

Surely, ...It's part of the Clerk of Works dept responsibility to inspect all such installations prior to any payment being made by the housing association, for completed work???

 

[iconnect]

Looks like the council have been there lol When I used to do installation and mainentance on council offices this kind of work was everywhere I have seen this type of **** work mostly in commercial buildings.

 

[somersetsparks]

I have seen corridors in large care homes with triple stacked mt2 down the corridors from various additions over 30 years, caulk and cables everywhere!

Im sure the clerk of the works will have something to say about that, mini trunking doesn't look that bad if done proper.

 

[iconnect]

I have seen corridors in large care homes with triple stacked mt2 down the corridors from various additions over 30 years, caulk and cables everywhere!

Im sure the clerk of the works will have something to say about that, mini trunking doesn't look that bad if done proper.

You are right when done right it is ok but done bad eg drops in the middle of the room just wrong !!! People think the worst when you say trunking lol

 

[Phil]

Surely, ...It's part of the Clerk of Works dept responsibility to inspect all such installations prior to any payment being made by the housing association, for completed work???

as a norm they will tend to sample a percentage of works carried out by a company. the usual is for the company to sign it off internally and the the council or association will do say one in ten on a big contract. if it were my guys who had done it i would have them replace it out of their wages. jobs finished like that are contract loosers. i have worked with plenty of guys who do a rough job on council properties. i for one treat every job the same regardless of who is or has paid for it as its my name on the job. what an absolute mess they have left. trouble is some of the firms know whats going on and turn a blind eye to it

 

[iconnect]

Too many firms do!! I know the company I did some council work for could not understand why I had bothered to mitre the corners on 50x50 plastic trunking down to the fuse box my answer was because I am putting my name to the job !! And before someone pipes up and asks why did I not use bends the wholesalers had none and the council wanted job done

 

[Engineer54]

Too many firms do!! I know the company I did some council work for could not understand why I had bothered to mitre the corners on 50x50 plastic trunking down to the fuse box my answer was because I am putting my name to the job !! And before someone pipes up and asks why did I not use bends the wholesalers had none and the council wanted job done

They don't go out checking works in progress these day's?? If that's the case, they should cut the salaries of these so-called Clark of Works, cause that is a part of what a standard Clark of Works was all about, .....ongoing checking and verification of the standard of work being provided, according to the contract specifications...lol!!!!

 

[iconnect]

I worked 6 months on one site never saw a sole !! The only time they visited was if there was a problem and a complaint had been made hence I never saw them

 

[Des 56]

Trunking angles, bends and such look the bees knees on a display board, or on perfect walls
Given the average council flat wall angles, they would look horrendous, never mind who installed them
A badly sitting manufactured external or internal corner looks absolutely abysmal and the worst of the trunkers could make a mitre that is superior

As you can tell I have no time whatsoever for manufactured trunking bits
Having said that,the ability to make a poor installation method look good is usually down to experience
The sparks fitting that stuff on the walls may never have been pulled up about that standard, and be unaware of its poor quality
Council rewires are always "rush it" jobs, because of the tight on money contract awards they think are the best investment

The only consolation is the job is usually done free of cost and sinking them in the walls and redecorating should work out a lot cheaper than what the wiring could have cost privately

 

[Engineer54]

In the long run, this is basically false economy on the councils and associations part. Far better for electrical installations to be installed in the traditional manner. It's far easier for the numpty DIY'ers, to start playing around with these surface installations.

Where there is no other alternative than to go surface, then it's even more important that it be done to the highest standards, after all they DO have a duty and a responsibility to the safety of there residents....

 

[pennywise]

Not when there's money involved sad but true

 

[Phil]

In the long run, this is basically false economy on the councils and associations part. Far better for electrical installations to be installed in the traditional manner. It's far easier for the numpty DIY'ers, to start playing around with these surface installations.

Where there is no other alternative than to go surface, then it's even more important that it be done to the highest standards, after all they DO have a duty and a responsibility to the safety of there residents....

it is false economy when some of it gets kicked off the walls as well as tampered with. seen some states after some of the tenants have moved out.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hamish, standard decorators caulk and silicone sealant not fire rated. Intumescent sealant or fire retardant silicone are building regulation approved fire rated products that should be used in compliance with Parts A, B, E & P.