Queries regarding Inspection Report I've just had completed

[Risteard]

Also do you insulation test between live conductors? If not, why not?

 

[Darkwood]

Also do you insulation test between live conductors? If not, why not?

was taught to and still do... it's like life when a property price estimator can drive passed a house now without any in-depth survey ... fast track and sidestepping half the survey.

 

[Risteard]

was taught to and still do... it's like life when a property price estimator can drive passed a house now without any in-depth survey ... fast track and sidestepping half the survey.

You insulation test between live conductors during periodic inspection and testing? Seriously? In large industrial installations? Without unnecessary dismantling?

 

[Darkwood]

You insulation test between live conductors during periodic inspection and testing? Seriously? In large industrial installations? Without unnecessary dismantling?

Throughout this thread it has been maintained that we are discussing domestic, no one is talking industrial, this brings in many limitations and agreements just not seen or practised in the domesic arena, I have expressed we were taught differently and also given you the reasons, you still haven't give a view as I asked in your professional position that for the sake of a small amount of effort and time you can possibly identify dangerous scenarios that your routine would simply miss, I understand that we simple cannot identify all issues as there are clear limitations to what can be discovered with an EICR but given that a R1 + R2 is a small detour from your routine and it is not a major disruption or effort do you not agree that it provides a better scope on the condition of a domestic install and crucially can identify several issues that could be classed as a danger and missed in your method. I no longer care how you are taught here or who is right or wrong, I just want your professional opinion and not another reply justifying your method.

Finally I will say I seem to be chasing my tail here trying to get you to see my point and you to answer it directly so will bow out of the conversation if you again misdirect the conversation to avoid a direct answer.
We were taught differently, my method is the one I prefer to use, if your method was the only way to do things then why do they even bother putting the result boxes on the certificates regardless where you source them, to me if there was only your method to doing an EICR then the paperwork would not include R1+R2 as space is at a premium on those sheets as it is.

 

[Risteard]

I expressly gave you my view several posts ago had you cared to read it. And talk of insulation testing between live conductors during periodic inspection is frankly laughable.

 

[sheppertonspark]

A difficult one Butch, I don't know the legalities, but if you continue to talk to the CAB and the NICEIC, then copy the Electrician in question as well, this may result in a reaction from the Electrician in question, but it may/should act as a resolution should you, or more importantly the Electrician, should he invoke the payment within 7 day clause on the invoice. I'm sure any attempt to invoke this clause by the Electrician will be looked on favorably, by any resulting court case, be open in all your correspondence to all parties, again good luck, the convening authorities don't like little people, you in this instance (no offence) getting shafted, hope it all goes well.

 

[sheppertonspark]

NICEIC rules state that you the Customer should ask the Contractor for a complaints form which he must provide you with. Failure to do so I believe would result in his expulsion from the "Club".
In my opinion it is a poor report anyway. The summary of the condition of the installation has 2 options satisfactory or unsatisfactory.It should be broken down into concise sections for example in the most basic of installations: Earthing and bonding, circuit and shock protection, wiring system and accessories, the comments he has written here belong on page 3 of the report. Also what is the point of quoting regulation numbers to a layman ? Are you going to spend a hundred quid buying a regs book ? He has correctly stated unsatisfactory because of the shock risk from the sockets being left loose. Why he didn't he just screw them back. Since he wants to be pedantic perhaps play him at his own game. He had a duty of care under Health & Safety laws to take steps to remove the danger present. He did not do so but had "in law" guilty knowledge of the fault present. Did he issue a danger notice ? I doubt it. Seems he has forgotten who the customer is and that he is being paid for his knowledge and expertise, unfortunately a lot of sparks think they are the "Electricity Police".
The NIC's procedure is to encourage the member and customer to resolve the dispute between themselves, if you have fallen out with the guy that is not likely to happen, it will be a long drawn out procedure to get the work done again for free.
My advice would be to bite the bullet and employ another sparks who likes to look after his customers (most of us trade on word of mouth recommendation and are careful not to offend).
I understand you will lose out financially.
P.S. my own personal opinion is that electrics should be left to the professionals.
Rant over.

 

[Santa]

"
P.S. my own personal opinion is that electrics should be left to the professionals.
Rant over."

Herein is my problem as a not quite ignorant member of the public. If the 'professionals' on this forum cannot agree as to what should be included in such a basic test; let alone what is a reasonable charge and a proper approach, how on earth am I supposed to identify a 'competent' electrician?

Also, like many people, including the OP, I (think) I am quite capable of doing my own minor work, like running a spur or even a new RFC. I don't really know, and reading this board I am probably even less clear, about what I am allowed to do. "Get a professional in" you will all chorus but read my first paragraph.

This is not unique to your trade; I have had problems with every trade from plumbers to car repairs, and I bet that most householders have too.

Incidentally, I see that faulty electrical wiring is quite a way down on the list of causes of domestic fires. Curious children are more dangerous it seems.

The Most Common Causes of House Fires

1. Cooking Equipment. Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves cooking unattended. ...
2. Heating. ...
3. Smoking in bedrooms. ...
4. Electrical Equipment. ...
5. Candles. ...
6. Curious Children. ...
7. Faulty Wiring. ...
8. Barbeques.

 

[sheppertonspark]

Does not warrant a comment