IHEEM 2022 AE CONFERENCE


Paul Harris focused on the development of BS 7671. IHEEM has been a major contributor to this standard for nineteen and a half years.


HD (harmonised document), it contains Exceptions, i.e. ‘normative annexes’ (mandatory annexes). So,” he added, “take the issue of sockets in bathrooms – and we would have in IEC 60364-7, but more importantly in HD 60364-7-701, the stipulation that ‘sockets may not be closer than 2.5 metres from the edge of Zone 1, in other words the bath or shower’. That’s a specific example as to where we are allowed to put that restriction into the UK, thus demonstrating slight differences in the use of harmonised documents to those of the BS EN.”


Development cycle of BS 7671 Looking at the development cycle for BS 7671, Paul Harris said: “When we get a new work item, that item, with relevant representation, goes to the national committee, which in our case is JPEL 64. Once agreed, this work item is then submitted to the international committee known as TC 64 for international standards. From TC 64, the item(s) will be collated, and be put to the relevant IEC 60364 committee – referred to as a ‘Maintenance Team’, after which it will often go to CENELEC, in the parallel voting process, and we will drive the relevant part of 60364 forward to create an HD.” He continued: “The HDs are collated, assessed by the national committees and sub- committees, and then put into our national standard – BS 7671.” Once either a European or harmonised


standard has been published, the UK must, the speaker explained, accept the technical intent of that European standard – except for those exceptions agreed and recorded in the Za Annex. As a member of CENELEC, the UK must implement the standard (HD) into UK standards by a pre-determined date. Paul Harris said: “This means that if we don’t contribute to international standards, the interests of the UK may not be preserved – which is a really important factor. The UK therefore needs ‘suitably qualified experts with a robust, reliable, support network’. Now, what does that mean?” Answering his own question, he said: “In my case, that


Paul Harris stressed that ‘if we don’t contribute to international standards, the interests of the UK may not be preserved – a really important factor’.


means I am a member of (Maintenance Team) MT40 for IEC 60364-7-710, but not of MT3, MT4, or MT9. However, as a recognised expert, I am often called upon to add my knowledge to support a UK expert on another Maintenance Team, as appropriate. This arrangement forms part of the ‘reliable support network’.” Paul Harris explained that the way


to ensure that the UK’s interests are maintained in Europe was for those with real-life learning and expertise in particular fields to come forward and get involved at ‘grass roots’ level ‘to support and become those experts we can call upon for expertise, input, and advice’.


Medical Locations He continued: “If we look at the example of Medical Locations, we have the UK National Committee, we have IEC Maintenance Systems – in this instance MT40, and from that we derive IEC 60364- 7-710, and, looking to Europe – via parallel voting – HD 60364-7-710. The Committee votes on it, and then HD 60364-7-710 is effectively imposed on the UK. What we thus need, if we are to have influence, is to get involved at a European or international level.” Focusing next on IHEEM’s contributions


over the years, Paul Harris explained that the Institute now has representation for the four JPEL 64 sub-committees, and the National Committee. He added that representation was as follows: Darren Griffiths – JPELA/64 – Verification, Mark Richards – JPELB/64 – Thermal Effects, Phil Greenough – JPELC /64 – Shock Protection, and himself on both JPELD/64 – External Influences, and JPEL 64, the UK National Committee. He then showed a slide indicating some of the standards work undertaken by the Electrical Technical Platform. He explained: “In addition to the IHEEM representation on the four sub-committees, we have ETP members, Matt Mears – an individual member of JPELD/64, and Peter Angel – who is also a member of JPELD/64, but is the Certsure (NICEIC) liaison representative to the ETP.”


IHEEM’s contribution to guidance Paul Harris explained that through the ETP, IHEEM had also contributed to IET guidance, including IET Guidance Notes 3, 5, 6, and 7 – respectively Inspection & Testing, Protection Against Electric Shock, Protection Against Overcurrent, and Special Locations. The speaker added: “We’ve also


contributed to our specific healthcare- related guidance such as the HTMs and SHTMs etc.” The Electrical Technical Platform was, he said, keen to work with the IHEEM membership, to provide representation with not only the JPEL 64 ‘Wiring Regulations’ National Committee, but also with other national committees, such as the FSH12 Fire Alarm Standard Committee, and other relevant Committees, to provide representation and assistance to the industry. Paul Harris said the IHEEM ETP was


also keen for other IHEEM Technical Platforms, with the Chairs’ agreement, to work with the membership, to look at other British Standard National Committees across the various disciplines. Here, he thanked the audience for listening, and said he and his co-presenter, Brian Kirk, would be pleased to take questions.


Thanks from the CEO Pete Sellars said after the AE Conference: “It was fantastic to be able to return to this in-person event, and at such a high- quality venue. The overall feedback I have received has been extremely positive. I am delighted that we were able to bring together not just our IHEEM AE and technical specialist community, but also tradespeople and apprentices from our sector, who were sponsored to attend as part of our commitment to support and develop members across all levels. I would like to thank all the speakers, whose presentations were both informative and thought-provoking, and our exhibitors and affiliates, who continue to provide their support to the Institute, and without whom we would not be able to deliver these successful events.”


August 2022 Health Estate Journal 45


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