EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
and others. Suitable training in accordance with the law however comes at a cost. With cuts in education budgets it is no surprise that routine maintenance is sometimes carried out by site personnel. It is the duty- holder’s responsibility, however, to check that the person is suitably trained and qualified and able to certify the electrical work carried out. Without these the installation cannot be deemed satisfactory and the duty-holder may be failing to comply with their legal obligation.
“It is the duty-holder’s responsibility, however, to check that the person is suitably trained and qualified and able to certify the electrical work carried out.”
The British wiring regulations that all new electrical installations have to meet changed in 2018 with the introduction of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s 18th Edition of BS 7671. Outlined below are some of the changes that duty-holders of educational facilities will be expected to understand and adhere to.
One new regulation recommends that Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) are used as additional protection against fire in AC final circuits of fixed installations. Suggestions of areas where such devices are installed include buildings with sleeping accommodation or irreplaceable or high value items such as IT rooms, libraries, research labs etc, and anywhere with combustible materials being used or stored such as woodworking areas.
Installed electrical equipment such as light fittings, sockets and any fixed wire accessory such as over-sink water heaters, shaver sockets and hairdryers must now also meet the appropriate British Standard or offer the same degree of safety.
Duty-holders should be aware that the application of residual current devices (RCDs) has increased. 30mA RCD protection must now be provided for all socket outlets and mobile equipment for use outdoors up to 32A such as lawnmowers and power tools. This means that in a classroom with dedicated IT sockets, for instance, if an extra socket is required the whole circuit will need RCD protection. Schools, universities and colleges may consider limiting the number of workstations per circuit and even adding another circuit to reduce the risk of the RCD tripping. Another change under this section sees the period between testing RCDs (by pushing the Test button) increased from quarterly to bi-annually.
Additional safety requirements apply to metallic containment and fixings on cabling throughout the installation not just in escape routes so that in an event of fire they will not be liable to premature collapse causing risk to evacuees and emergency services entering the building.
The new regulations also require Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) where a transient overvoltage could result
64 | TOMORROW’S FM
in serious injury or loss of human life; an interruption in public services, commercial or industrial activity; damage to cultural heritage or it affects a large number of co- located individuals. For all other cases a risk assessment must be carried out.
Following testing of an electrical installation, duty-holders will see a change to the Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate issued which now indicates the presence of adequate earthing and bonding arrangements.
In a new appendix to the regulations duty-holders are asked to consider and understand the environmental impact of their buildings. This involves the energy efficiency of the electrical design and installation of their facility and the ways in which energy consumption can be reduced whilst still meeting required safety and service standards. A qualified electrician can advise educational facilities how they can achieve their environmental and budgetary objectives through the installation of energy efficiency measures such as LED lighting, PIR sensors, lighting control modules, smart metering, timeclocks and electric vehicle charging points.
Outsourcing of testing to an experienced electrician enables the duty-holder to share risk with a specialist provider who will have the qualifications and management systems necessary to deliver tailored and efficient solutions competently and safely. Through skilled engineers and investment in technology, greater savings can be gained whilst still maintaining service levels.
We find that testing during term breaks, for instance, is at least 20% more productive than in term-time. Some educational institutions like to benefit by fixing testing dates (and prices) up to three years ahead, with the same engineers who are familiar with the site returning year after year. This way the duty-holder can be confident that their facility remains compliant and safe whilst also demonstrating that value for money has been achieved.
A specialist electrician committed to building long-term relationships can play a valuable role in contributing to the development of a positive health and safety culture and the delivery of shared objectives that can improve performance, increase control and reduce costs.
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