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E.I.C.R. Limitations and Safety.

Zoomup
I have been recently working in an old house where the P.V.C. insulated wiring dates back to the 50's and early 60s. The owner and I have found many bodges made by the previous owner, like single unsheathed wires used on the mains circuits. Also I have found twin cables with exposed cores and joints made by Screwits under the floor. The joints were just left floating in the air above the ceiling below. These items would not normally have been seen during inspection and testing as many bad joints and wrong use of cable were only discovered when thick glass fibre was moved in the lofts.


But, despite the bad practices used, and unapproved jointing methods, no real dangers were found such as heat damaged cables or shock risks mainly because the offending items were not open to touch or exposed.


This does though show the limitation of an E.I.C.R.



Z.


Z.
  • 0
    You have realised yourself Z, it is impossible to fully survey an installation without complete dismantling, which is rather counterproductive. However, as you say yourself, nothing was actually dangerous, and it does often strike me that the fascination with mechanical protection in enclosed spaces might be excessive. This is not a limitation as such, it is inevitable unless every floor is taken up, all the roof insulation moved (and not usually put back properly), all the wall chases knocked out to ensure exact compliance, every accessory opened for examination, etc. In principle, we are looking for "degradation or damage" from the original installation, not that there are no deviations from the letter of regulations. This is often forgotten by inexperienced inspectors, it is much better to leave well alone if it is working properly, disturbing everything will inevitably introduce faults, and thus nullify the report.

    The EICR is a report on the condition, as found, and if something is hidden no one would expect it to be found by unnecessary and damaging ripping a property apart. Compare it to the MOT if you like, does the inspector take your brakes apart to check the condition of seals? Of course not, this would probably do more harm than good even on vehicles in otherwise good condition. He does check that the brake pads (which are easily visible) are not worn out but is unlikely to comment on the disks unless seriously damaged. He does not get out a vernier to check the exact thickness, because this is not at all critical. One needs to understand the importance of various potential defects, not just the possible presence. Balance in all things is the watchword here as in most other stuff.
  • 0
    Zoom


    You have found non-compliances with the current edition of BS 7671 so they should be reported. Then comes the tricky bit of coding the non-compliances. These non-compliances must be a C3 at the very least. This is required to advise the client that it is recommended that he/she upgrades their installation to current safety standards. That way if something goes wrong it stops them saying if only you had told me I would have done something (which in some cases is a defensive lie) "Its all your fault". If you have reported these conditions you are on safe ground s you are making "observations and recommendations" as it says on the form, it is very much up to the client if they accept your recommendations and act upon them as you cannot compel them to do anything.


    There was a reported death of a plumber who reached under a bath whilst touching a copper pipe and came in to contact with an un-enclosed joint. If the wiring is 50s and 60s dated with multiple bodges then without seeing it for me it is going to ne "Unsatisfactory".


    Your report your signature your liability!

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