ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Do
remedial work
Remedial work
completed
Fixed wire Electrical Inspection and Testing
Certificate completed and signed
Satisfactory Condition Report
Adequate Test
coverage
Confident Compliance Assessment
Figure 2: The process flow above describes the steps required for a Confident Compliance Assessment. Importantly, it highlights the fact that a completed Condition Report is not in itself sufficient; the remedial work and test coverage must also be taken into consideration in order to make a confident assessment.
distribution boards, numerous buildings, and perhaps thousands of circuits, the task is not straightforward. Figure 2 shows the process required to make a confident electrical compliance statement. Each of the three deliverables are further described below.
Never signed off
One of the common issues that we have seen is that many electrical inspection condition reports are created, partially completed, and never signed off by the test engineers. This lack of record-keeping is difficult to track, and, as a result, the reports are not signed off – principally due to other ‘higher priority’ tasks that need to be undertaken at the expense of completed documentation. One solution is to insist that a draft report is created before the work is started, which in turn allows easy tracking of incomplete
reports, as an incomplete draft can be monitored until is it completed. An alternative approach is to ensure that electrical work is only paid for after a certificate has been certified, received, reviewed, and filed. Without a completed and certified condition report, the responsible person has no proof that the testing has been carried out to the required standard.
Addressing the recommendations If the overall assessment provided by the electrician in the electrical inspection condition report is ‘unsatisfactory’, the observations and recommendations accompanying the electrical installation condition report must be addressed. Observations and recommendations are coded based on standard codes defined in the model forms of BS7671 – 18th Edition – IET Wiring Regulations, as follows:
Observations and Recommendations (Open C1, C2, and FI)
Open Actions No Open Actions
Code C1 (Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required) Our observation is that C1 issues are usually promptly addressed as part of the electrical inspection and testing by making them safe as they are discovered.
Code C2 (Potentially dangerous – urgent remedial action required) Our observation is that these are ultimately addressed, albeit over a longer period. If a code C2 is found, the overall status identified in the electrical condition report will be ‘unsatisfactory’.
Code C3 (Improvement recommended) There is no immediate risk or danger, but an improvement will enhance the safety of the installation. A code C3 does not warrant an overall ‘unsatisfactory’ report.
Satisfactory DEEMED NOT COMPLIANT
DEEMED COMPLIANT
Code FI (Further investigation required) Further investigation is required if there is a reasonable expectation that there is a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation. Our observation is that the FI issues are not promptly addressed, and therefore risks remain unknown. Based upon our experience, we find it useful to include the following codes to provide additional clarity for the follow-on remedial work:
Unsatisfactory DEEMED NOT COMPLIANT
DEEMED COMPLIANT
Code FIO (For information only) THE FIO, ‘For Information Only’ code is provided as a convenience for the testers and their client if they want to make a note or statement that will assist the client at some future date.
Code NCFF (Non-conformance found and fixed)
Figure 3: The grid describes the status for an area that has undergone fixed wire testing; it assumes there are no limitations and adequate test coverage. If the test coverage is not adequate, a confident assessment of the electrical condition cannot be made.
30 Health Estate Journal June 2020
If a Code C1 (Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required) is found, it should be attended to immediately. After it has been
Overall Assessment in the Electrical Inspection Condition Report
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