work worries

[James]

so i've been in the trade for 7 years now (since i left school) and i have always worked for established electricians companies...

I have started a new job recently for a local company who are not primarily an electrical company. They are designing, building and installing 6 rides into a new tourist attraction in the south west.

Now the job should be a very nice job indeed to work on but my problem is this.....

I havnt been given a spec/drawing/anything!! for the installation, every part of the installation has been CAD designed apart from the electrical side!!
I'm un-certain on alot of the aspects of the installation, one example being:
There is a maze and a funhouse. If the power goes out you will be left in the dark so i need to put in emergency escape lighting.

What i want to know is....

In the collective experience of the forum, should i try and undertake the task of designing the emergency escape lighting system or do i tell my boss he's asking too much of me and i dont have the experience/confidence to do what i have been asked to do?

Also he wants me to sign some paperwork for his application to the ECA, should i be wary of this as i believe he is cutting corners and i dont know or understand my rights or my legal obligations if he does sign up/sign me up to the ECA??

The experience i can get from doing this job could be invalueable so i am keen to stick it out. I just feel at the moment im being thrown in the deep-end and i feel im not capable of doing what i have been asked to do..

help..

 

[UNG]

I would suggest that if you have no experience in this area it may be best left to somebody else or try to get somebody to mentor you while you do the design

If you do go ahead and design the installation then a copy of BS 5266 would be a good starting point but there are plenty of books and loads of info on the web on this subject

With regard to the ECA paperwork without knowing what it is I wouldn't like to comment

 

[Doomed]

Building control should of picked up on this, assuming they have seen the plans.
I would suggest to your boss that you have a site meeting with building control to discuss matters such as emergency lighting and escape routes.
This will both look good to your boss as you are dealing with matters properly, and secondly allow you to draw on building controls advice, and it is important to have them on your side when doing work of this nature (trust me, I know about this!)

 

[Notsosmart]

All I would add to Ung's comment is that if you feel out of your depth then you probably are, but with a little confidence if you approach your boss a tell him that whilst you lack the experience, research and mentoring on the first installation means the subsequent installations will be relatively hassle free.

It may also be worth contacting one of the larger light fitting manufacturers, they have reps who can advise on the correct applications and methods.

Gaz.

 

[Guest123]

Only thing I will say is, If you're not sure.....ask. Nowt worse than trying to do something you're not sure of yourself and making a bit of a mess of it, especially in an area where the public will be present.

As the lads have said, plenty of books and guidance around on this type of thing, the IEE have got a couple of new guides out now.....

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electricians-Guide-Emergency-Lighting-Paul/dp/0863415512/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270571522&sr=8-2]Electrician's Guide to Emergency Lighting: Amazon.co.uk: Paul Cook: Books[/ame]