Test & inspection with certification

[Stuart Parker]

I'm looking to getting into the test and inspection route. And certification
I currently have 18th edition I did city & guilds level 2 / 3 I am a ecs card holder and have completed a pat testing course. What course's qualifications do I need to achieve this
Thanks in advance
Stuart

 

[SparkyChick]

Hi Stuart, welcome to the forums.

You could take C+G 2391, which I believe is their current testing course.

However, you only need to be competent to produce an EICR and it can be argued that the competence required cannot be acquired in an exam room, but instead must be learned via experience in the field.

It seems like you may be intending to specialise in I+T. I would seriously look at the long term viability of this. Personally I do EICRs occasionally... the main reason is compared to the drive by gang I'm very expensive. For an average family home I'd be looking at spending a day inspecting, testing and then writing up the report... I can't compete with the 2 hour EICR for £80 produced by the drive bys because I like to sleep at night.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I'm looking to getting into the test and inspection route. And certification
I currently have 18th edition I did city & guilds level 2 / 3 I am a ecs card holder and have completed a pat testing course. What course's qualifications do I need to achieve this
Thanks in advance
Stuart

Are you talking about Initial Verification on new installations and issuing EICs?
Or Periodic Inspections on existing installations and issuing EICRs?

 

[rolyberkin]

I spoke to an employee of a large local electrical contractors (who will remain nameless!) as fancied some testing work to fill in down days. They told me their company paid £30 per new build for inspection and certification!? Apparently their testers can do up to 10 houses per day?..........!

 

[Rpa07]

Ok so now we need an ‘unbelievable’ button - we’ll not have space!

I spoke to an employee of a large local electrical contractors (who will remain nameless!) as fancied some testing work to fill in down days. They told me their company paid £30 per new build for inspection and certification!? Apparently their testers can do up to 10 houses per day?..........!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ok so now we need an ‘unbelievable’ button

Maybe also a believe button (Having experienced the "quality" of new build electrics)

 

[The Ghost]

Frankly I do not believe it is possible to do 10 EIC per day unless you are working 30 hours a day. The firm/people doing such must be sitting in the van filling in certs. If so they should be put forward for investigation if I knew who it was I would be a whistle blower. That said...in response to @Stuart Parker, if you have done levels 2 + 3 you should be competent to do initial verification and testing and inspection that is what those levels are about. Therefore as the question was asked by @spinlondon, you are talking about the 2391 EICR. No doubt it is a vital qualification but it is unlikely to yield dividends in the future as the whole arena of EICR is a cut throat business as evidenced by the preceding posts. My general impression is that there is immense pressure to give a "satisfactory" result and turn a blind eye to obvious dangers that would warrant an "unsatisfactory". So it is a bit of a poisoned chalice in some respects as you will find.

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

I agree with the post above about the pressure for a 'satisfactory' result wether its from a potential home buyer or building owner/manager. It's good to explain before hand that the report is a fully independent survey based on your professional opinion, you will not be influenced, any the report may come back as unsatisfactory especially on older and neglected installations.

A friend of mine worked for a council contractor doing EICR's, he was expected to do 4-5 a day. He literally had just over an hour of testing time once he was set up at the board. When he raised his concerns he was given his marching orders, what a sad state of affairs.

 

[Pete999]

I agree with the post above about the pressure for a 'satisfactory' result wether its from a potential home buyer or building owner/manager. It's good to explain before hand that the report is a fully independent survey based on your professional opinion, you will not be influenced, any the report may come back as unsatisfactory especially on older and neglected installations.

A friend of mine worked for a council contractor doing EICR's, he was expected to do 4-5 a day. He literally had just over an hour of testing time once he was set up at the board. When he raised his concerns he was given his marching orders, what a sad state of affairs.

Yes Agree seen it happen

 

[jay sean]

I used to work for a small contractor who worked for a housing association in the midlands we were told to do 3 houses a day, I only worked there for 3 years as I kicked up a fuss about the timescales.

Like PAT testing most EICRs are not worth the paper they are written on.

 

[gazdkw82]

Yep, it's the true reality. Testers are sometimes expected to test quick. I guess it also depends on the sample rate which would have been agreed prior to the tester turning up. Alot of testers will literally Zs a few circuits, IR the board and check the back of a few sockets. JD,....

 

[sparksfly]

I do EICRs occasionally but charge proper time for it. 4-5 hours av 3 bed or all day plus for larger properties + write up time. There will always be someone cheaper and yes you are competing with organisations/firms who cut corners for a quick buck. I explain to customers that I am thorough and get recommended as such. If they want a cheap report , I walk away. A cheap report can be more costly to the customer in the long run.(sell that one to them) The general public, et all, do not have a clue what is involved, while big companies advertise cheap electrical insurance cover and so called testing.
Don't be put off by the negative reality of it all and give it a go. You never know, you might just turn the tide.
In the meantime, I need to book my van in for an MOT at "BlowMyExhaust & CostyerLots Ltd" for only £3 ....hope it passes ok.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I went to test 8 circuits in the swimming pool at the Olympic site.
Took me 2 weeks.

 

[Toneyz]

Yes Agree seen it happen

We now it happens, you are not telling me all the items open for inspection on the list of an EIC or EICR are inspected!

 

[Dave OCD]

I went to test 8 circuits in the swimming pool at the Olympic site.
Took me 2 weeks.

I'm not surprised, it can't be easy testing underwater.