VIR's and c/u change (or not)

[baldsparkies]

A young sparks was talking today about a couple of old age pensioners who had been informed that there install had no earth. This had been brought to light by a gas safe engineer, and the sparks was called to sort the problem. He had considered a TT system with a new dual rcd board following a pir.
Problem was when he got on site the whole house was wired in vir. The couple had a nicely decorated property, with little spare cash, and in the 50+ years they had lived there never had any electrical issues. (But for the grace of god me thinks )
He advised them of the potential dangers and the need for a re wire. But what concerned him was that as a proffesional he had walked away from the situation and felt he had little choice, because the old boy was very defensive about how long the electrics had given them trouble free service, plus his wife was getting upset about the costs and work that would be needed.

So an elderly couple are left with no earth, but what do you do. anyone see a compromise on this one because to be fair, I could see his view point.

 

[Notsosmart]

Tricky one this for a caring sparky with integrity; Good on you.

Walk away knowing that there is a potential for someone getting hurt?
Undertake the work at a loss in a display of charitable spirit, but having the glow of knowledge that (maybe) some good karma may come your way?
Or how about seeing if the elderly couple have children &/or grand-children whom can all contribute; maybe offering discount so coming to a compromise & maybe further future custom.

 

[Jason Smith]

Difficult this one this, if they have been in their house for so long, I assume thay are old peeps. I am sure the government will help. Trying to think who you would phone.

 

[baldsparkies]

I agree with you, and the replies. I said the main priority would be to supply a satisfactory earth, cover the pir route to establish the current integrity of the installation and install a TT system with rcd protection. Also The board was the usual wylex rewirable so plug ins as a compromise to disturbing the c/u. I also said you are going to have issues with the lighting not having a cpc so check all fittings are class 2.
I felt for him though because hand on heart although he would be leaving the install much safer his head could be on the chopping block with regards to the powers to be and cossing the Ts and dotting the Is. Sometimes you wish that common sense and fair judgement could prevail.
Another point though, why the hell can't the supply authorities start to be more accountable for there older service heads and earthing arrangements. I have been to installs (one was a pub) that had a two wire system and the only earth return was the bond to the water supply Lead pipe. What annoyed me was the meter had been replaced less than a year ago. Now what decent spark would leave an install like that.(But than again they would probably quote where there responsibility started and ended) Off soap box.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I would say that if it was all VIR then the existing installation should not be touched at all,any attempt to improve the existing would be a minefield.Put it in writing to the owners that their installation is in a dangerous condition and requires a full rewire,i'ts then up to them....hard I know but the only option.

 

[Guest123]

Is he NIC????

If so then he could issue a Danger Warning Notice, these are signed by the contractor and the customer saying that the contractor has made the customer aware of the potential dangers and any action neccessary to remedy. In this case a full re-wire.

 

[baldsparkies]

He has NAPPIT on the side of his van, so I would assume they cover in the same way as NIC. To be fair its a cut throat world out there. Often you can get to involved and try to help out, only to get kicked in the teeth at a later date. Make the customer aware YES. Don't touch anything once you have done so (Unless they are prepared to go down the right road ie full rewire) And once done, sadly, asta la vista. Shame but I think he has to cover himself first.

 

[Guest123]

Sorry mate I meant if he is NIC he can use one of their Danger Notice forms.

Do Napit do anything along the same lines I wonder????

 

[scotsparky]

Difficult this one this, if they have been in their house for so long, I assume thay are old peeps. I am sure the government will help. Trying to think who you would phone.

The electrical safety council as far as i am aware can help with grants for this as well as organuising qualified registered sparks to do it. I had a full board change onan old boys house.

 

[TPES]

Is he NIC????

If so then he could issue a Danger Warning Notice, these are signed by the contractor and the customer saying that the contractor has made the customer aware of the potential dangers and any action neccessary to remedy. In this case a full re-wire.

This is a good way forward, I have used these in the past, also for this very same situation.