RCD Regulations

[Wyxie]

I'm a landlord and I've recently had an electrical safety check done. I've been told that I need to have RCDs installed accross the board (with a fairly hefty quote I might add) and that this is a legal requirement.

However the rating on the certificate was satisfactory.

I've been trying to find out whether what I've been told is accurate and the information I've found on the internet seems to say that RCDs are mandatory on new installations, and that they should be used on sockets that are likely to be used for outdoor appliances. The property is a first floor flat so they wouldn't be used with outdoor appliances.

Could anyone advise or point me at the relevant regulations.

Thanks.

 

[Sintra]

If the installation was installed prior to July 2008 then you do not need to install RCD's. If it was installed later than this then they should already be in place.

There is no requirement to upgrade.


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[miner69er]

agreed with sintra, if the building works were pre- 2008 when your system was installed, it was to the current regs at that time. now the regs have moved on there is no requirement to update along with the new regs.
unfortunately we can't show you a regulation about this issue as the regs are only for what is current and do not deal with what is effectively a past issue.
if you can find the Electrical Safety Council website you may be able to find a copy of Periodic Insecting and Reporting issue 2a of the best practice guides. the last page of this booklet specifically states "the following items are commonly included in the report as requiring action but are not departures from the current issue of BS7671 and therefore should not be recorded:-
the use of re-wireable fuses where they provide adequate circuit protection.
hope thats clear for you

 

[accordfire]

I'm a landlord and I've recently had an electrical safety check done. I've been told that I need to have RCDs installed accross the board (with a fairly hefty quote I might add) and that this is a legal requirement.

However the rating on the certificate was satisfactory.

I've been trying to find out whether what I've been told is accurate and the information I've found on the internet seems to say that RCDs are mandatory on new installations, and that they should be used on sockets that are likely to be used for outdoor appliances. The property is a first floor flat so they wouldn't be used with outdoor appliances.

Could anyone advise or point me at the relevant regulations.

Thanks.

Hi Wyxie

If your installation pre-dates July 2008, then there is no requirement, legal or otherwise, to have an RCD installed.

If the installation was put in after this date, then you need to speak to the contractor who installed it, as it should have RCD protection.

As far as a Periodic Inspection goes, did you have a full PIR, or one of those "visual condition" reports?

 

[Wyxie]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful.

I had a full P.I.R. done. The only issue was the lack of RCDs and this was presented to me as work I had to have done in the covering email and letter (the installation was in around 2000), but the document itself had it in the "additional" section, which made me suspicious. They did however state that this was a departure from BS7671. I will look up the Periodic Ipnsecting and Reporting issue 2a as suggested and go back to the company concerned.

The PIR also said the bonding conductors were not accessible to inspect, which I'm a bit irrated about because I'm pretty certain they are in an unlocked shared area of the property where all the meters etc are immediately under the flat. I will speak to them about this separately. I assume if there is an issue with the bonding conductors or they are missing, that this is work I will need to have done. If someone could clarify this I would appreciate it.

Everything else was absolutely fine.

Thanks again for the replies, much appreciated.

 

[accordfire]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful.

I had a full P.I.R. done. The only issue was the lack of RCDs and this was presented to me as work I had to have done in the covering email and letter (the installation was in around 2000), but the document itself had it in the "additional" section, which made me suspicious. They did however state that this was a departure from BS7671. I will look up the Periodic Ipnsecting and Reporting issue 2a as suggested and go back to the company concerned.

The PIR also said the bonding conductors were not accessible to inspect, which I'm a bit irrated about because I'm pretty certain they are in an unlocked shared area of the property where all the meters etc are immediately under the flat. I will speak to them about this separately. I assume if there is an issue with the bonding conductors or they are missing, that this is work I will need to have done. If someone could clarify this I would appreciate it.

Everything else was absolutely fine.

Thanks again for the replies, much appreciated.

The absence of an RCD is at best a code 4 - not compliant with CURRENT regs. However, as the installation was put in as you say in 2000, there is no REQUIREMENT for an RCD protective device, though desirable.

The electrical checks carried out will have confirmed the existence of main bonding conductors.

However, it may be that the tester was unable to find incoming gas and water pipes, which is where he would have inspected for proper connection and integrity, as well as visual confirmation of the CSA of the bonding cable.

It isn't a fail in itself, so much as an observation.

For peace of mind, however, you may choose to have them inspected, providing they can be identified.

 

[oldtimer]

Yep would agree with you all but remember when you put the comment on the PIR "Does not comply with BS7671 some sparks see this as an opportunity to scare the wits out of the customer with regards to no RCD protection when in fact the authorities do want you to go down this road but in reality they and the PIR can only recommend you do and although you are not obliged to fit RCD protection it would be good practise to do so down the road as when you read about someone getting electrocuted it does not hit home as hard as when one of your tenants is electrocuted so my advice and I do work for a letting agent and some landlords just will not spend a penny on the property unless they have a gun to their head as a landlord you should treat your property like a car where you put money into a repair and maintenance fund say 10% of the rental income and plan ahead so when you ge a fund set up you may get the DB upgraded because remember today it is just an recommendation but tomorrow it will be an instruction to get it done by a certain date then you will have a gun to your head from some sparks who will have a field day if this happens

 

[mechelec]

the only thing I would add is that in the 16th edition iee regs it was always required to have RCD protection on socket outlets capable of suppling equipment outdoors and if this applies then it should be a code 2 requires improvment and that circuit would have to be brought up to current 17th edition regulations.

 

[telectrix]

the only thing I would add is that in the 16th edition iee regs it was always required to have RCD protection on socket outlets capable of suppling equipment outdoors and if this applies then it should be a code 2 requires improvment and that circuit would have to be brought up to current 17th edition regulations.

i agree. if a ground floor flat, it should have had RCD protection on sockets to comply with 16th