As a business we sub contract out the electrical installation of our systems to outside companies. As part of the project deliverables, we ask these companies to test the electrical installation and produce the required documentation (certificate of electrical installation).
We check the companies to make sure they have the correct qualifications and personnel and they are accredited to the required standards and controlling organisations.
Our business has the correct insurance and complies with the correct standards etc.
My question is this, do we as a business have to be accreditied to the same governing body as the installation company e.g. NIC/EIC to be able to sign off/check there work or are we covered?
If we trained our engineers in testing with the relevant test and inspection course can we self-certify our installations?
Yes. There's no legal reason why you need to use subcontractors if your people are appropriately qualified.
Do we need to be accredited in some way for it to be worth anything?
Worth anything to whom?
If you're worried about insurance, then check your insurance documentation. They may require independent testing, even if the law doesn't. If you don't meet their requirements, they may not pay out if something goes wrong.
If you're worried about the Health and Safety Executive, then you need to keep appropriate evidence that your people are qualified. If you don't do that, then you could be prosecuted if something goes wrong.
Of course, one advantage with using external contractors, is that if your building burns down because of an electrical fault, you can claim off their insurance. If the Health and Safety Executive turn up, you can point to the subcontractor, say it was their fault, and you showed due diligence by employing a member of a recognised scheme. Never underestimate the value of blame transfer if things go bad.
And if you want proper legal advice, ask a lawyer, not just some random person on the internet.
If we trained our engineers in testing with the relevant test and inspection course can we self-certify our installations?
Yes. There's no legal reason why you need to use subcontractors if your people are appropriately qualified.
Do we need to be accredited in some way for it to be worth anything?
Worth anything to whom?
If you're worried about insurance, then check your insurance documentation. They may require independent testing, even if the law doesn't. If you don't meet their requirements, they may not pay out if something goes wrong.
If you're worried about the Health and Safety Executive, then you need to keep appropriate evidence that your people are qualified. If you don't do that, then you could be prosecuted if something goes wrong.
Of course, one advantage with using external contractors, is that if your building burns down because of an electrical fault, you can claim off their insurance. If the Health and Safety Executive turn up, you can point to the subcontractor, say it was their fault, and you showed due diligence by employing a member of a recognised scheme. Never underestimate the value of blame transfer if things go bad.
And if you want proper legal advice, ask a lawyer, not just some random person on the internet.
