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Fixed Wiring Testing, Inspection and CertificationOur dedicated Field Technicians can provide testing and inspection of electrical installations as an essential part of ensuring compliance with the requirements of The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989.Most electrical installations suffer damage and deterioration or alteration throughout their operational life, therefore, electrical inspection and testing will be essential to confirm the safe operation of the installation and its various components. The necessity for this procedure is usually dictated by influences such as insurance companies or by health and safety departments or companies. To clarify, it is a requirement of the Health and Safety At Work Regulations that electrical systems installed in places of work comply with the requirements of The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989. An increasing number of people and companies are being made aware of these requirements and are developing proactive regimes to ensure compliance thus creating a safe working environment. Most electrical installations are designed and installed to a high standard, however, certain factors can decrease the general stability of the system and its components for example:
At TCS we offer a comprehensive testing and inspection service by a dedicated team of highly qualified and experienced Technicians. State of the art multifunction test equipment is utilised in conjunction with electronic reporting formats that can be provided in disc and PDF formats. The periodic testing will follow three main processes, Planning, Testing and Reporting. 1 Planning Prior to submission of a schedule, the specification for the test will be discussed and agreed. Points for discussion would include locations, Health & Safety considerations, approximate duration of tests, frequencies of retest, working hours, access equipment requirements, security arrangements, reporting formats etc. Once approved, the schedule can be drafted and submitted. We recognise that the scheduling of multi sited electrical installation testing is paramount to ensuring an efficient service provision. TCS have in place, systems that enable us to schedule multi-sited contracts using Technicians in various locations. This schedule will be provided at the outset and based on geographical location, previous test dates or other criteria that may be relevant. Once created, the schedule will be submitted for approval and subsequent implementation. Generally we have no preference as to how the individual sites are informed of the impending works however we are willing and capable of informing them ourselves prior to our visit. This would be in accordance with the previously submitted schedule and we would endeavour to contact them at least 1 week prior to our visit where practicable. At times it may be necessary to adjust the schedule if certain sites prove smaller or larger then estimated. Changes to the schedule such as this can be accommodated quickly and easily with regular updates forwarded as necessary. We realise it is important for customers to be informed of the progress of the works so regular monthly reports of completed sites can be provided, upon request. 2 TESTING The electrical installation testing will be performed by our directly employed Field Technicians. Our recruitment criteria require all candidates to be qualified to the following standards: JIB Approved Electrician City & Guilds 2360 parts 1 & 2 City & Guilds 2391 Demonstrated experience in electrical installation systems and safety. (The above are minimum qualifications) Pass TCS bespoke pre-employment assessment exam All Field Technicians are issued with state of the art test equipment and placed on contracts under the supervision of our Dedicated Supervisor. On site, our Technicians wear company uniform at all times and display identification. We set high standards for our employees to follow, as they are often the first contact that our customers will have with TCS. The testing will be performed in the most convenient manner for the particular site. We appreciate that a general specification can be agreed at the outset however, once on site, slight variations may be necessary. This may require some out of hours work or highlight certain areas where caution is to be exercised. We are very flexible in the way we work and as such any variations can usually be accommodated. It is anticipated that our operatives will test between 15 and 25 circuits per 9-hour shift. The tests are performed in accordance with the enclosed method statement. Any installation or part thereof that is deemed to be in an unsafe/dangerous condition is failed and reported to the site contact immediately for action. A Technicians report is then completed to highlight rectification work. SEQUENCE OF TESTS (1) Detailed Inspection ( Visual). Inspection is the vital initial operation and the testing subsequently carried out is in support of this. The inspection will include a check on the condition of all the electrical equipment, with regard to the following:
(2) Operation of Devices for Isolation and Switches. Where means are provided in accordance with the requirements of the regulations for isolation and switching, they shall be operated to verify their effectiveness and checked to ensure adequate and correct labelling. (3) Continuity of all Protective Conductors. A continuity test will be made between all exposed-conductive parts likely to be touched in normal use to ensure they are effectively earthed. (4) Continuity of Ring Circuit Conductors. A test is carried out to verify the continuity of each conductor including the circuit protective conductor of every ring final circuit. (5) Insulation Resistance. Where practicable the tests are applied to the whole of the installation with all fuse links in place and all switches closed. Alternatively, the installation may be tested in parts, a distribution board or circuit at a time. (6) Polarity. Tests shall be made to verify that:
Earth fault loop impedance tests are carried out at the locations indicated below:
The prospective short circuit current will be determined at every relevant point in the installation. (9) Earth Electrode Resistance. On TT systems the resistance of the earth electrode will be verified. (10) Faults. Any faults requiring urgent attention will be reported to the client or his representative at the earliest opportunity. (11) Untraceable Faults. Every effort will be made to trace unidentified and unmarked circuits. Circuits that cannot be traced within a reasonable time will be marked as an unknown. A charge based on the standard circuit rate will be made for this work. (12) Electrical Shutdown. Please note that due to the requirements of BS 7671:2004, Guidance Note 3, a complete shutdown of your electrical system will be necessary to confirm the PSCC and Earthing arrangements for the installation are safe and to the required standard. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that in the event of a fault on your installation, all protective devices will function correctly/ safely. Our Technicians are familiar with the consequences of a shutdown and will work with your staff to ensure that all systems are properly shutdown before disconnecting the electricity supply. REPORTING. All reports are completed and issued shortly after completion of testing at each site. The certificate can be issued in PDF, Disc or Printed Copy at your request. For further information on this service please direct your enquiry to our Middlesbrough Office |
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