Testing others peoples' work.

[Phil]

so basicly when you are signing it off you are saying it "WAS" you that did it. now thats something that i would not be comfy with but thats just me and maybe a ott but i would only pop my name on something i would be happy to be held accountable for. now if you don`t mind taking the rap for anything that may go wrong then thats fine mate. don`t take this as a lecture i am just telling you what i would not do, i know many who do.

 

[sbrown2]

Yes and interesting! I think whats more important is the type of work these people are undertaking that needs signing off. If additions to original circuits or final circuit additions could the work be deemed minor works. You are just testing and verifying that circuit and passing comment on the remainder of the installation. I tend to listen to these threads and get confused as people want to install a consumer unit and issues a EIC but they guarantee the consumer unit only but if we add an additional circuit to an installation the reverse cannot ne said.
I think there are many rules of thought that can be applied to this theory a main one being the prescence or ommission of RCDs which aids the integrity of the circuits.
My only interest in this is coming from the mining industry how do I test and take responsibility for every circuit I expose from coal face to pit top. The answer is you don,t you sign for the part you have tested and inspected and rely on such as earth loop integrity and circuit protection reliability.

Anyway, thats my thoughts on the matter!!!!!! and I do have the big red book.

 

[Johno]

The bottom line is DON'T sign off someone elses work! (unless it's good money) lol

 

[sbrown2]

and you've tested and inspected it and made an assessment of the installation.

 

[SimpleSimon]

and you've tested and inspected it and made an assessment of the installation.

Which is usually hard/impossible by the time it comes to it because all flooring,plastering,fixings are back in place and cable runs,lengths,mechanical protection,external influences can't be assessed and all these and more are tick boxes on a schedule of inspections.
Touchy subject which is commonly misconstrued with the general public that any old sod can do it.

 

[sbrown2]

Thats a bit different, all you are 'certifying' there is the work you have carried out, the CU upgrade, as this is what you will have entered in the extent covered box.

Which is usually the sort of work somebody else could have done, and is quite visable, and mostly easy to assess, whether good or bad. But importantly the upgrade if to current standards and not tripping every 2 secs should massively increase the protection of the installation. Also what are the chances of doing a upgrade and not finding some faults. Should we take responsibility for these circuits.
Seems to me like the answer should be other people can perform the works but a PIR should be required by a competent person, which in turn increases the costs. Or that Part P should be enforced. I am on the cusp of joining one of these schemes, namely NAPIT, so I am interested in these types of threads.

Regards

Sbrown2

 

[SimpleSimon]

People work differently. If asked for a CU change, it's best to cone round and assess the scenario. Check the bonding and earthing first. Visual checks on the circuits make sure no loose wires or sockets hanging off.
Your right there could always be something on a circuit that won't show until you start testing.
Personally when testing I correct any quick faults that I find to make all circuits pass, any faults that need further investigating I keep de-energised and notify the customer it's not safe to connect up. It's best to give a pre-warning before you start that this could happen, people think your going to be there for an hour and you're done, they don't realise the extent of it all.

 

[mattmoo1974]

A mate i have nt seen for yrs asked me to sign his work off.
When quizzed who did it he said he had "Its ok i looked on the internet its all done properly"
Amazing how many new friends you have again when your registered