More Work Electrical Qs

Hi all

The DIY bit is that I will be overseeing!

This is a follow up to "Electrical Regs and Business Requirements" from

17-05-16.

Adam has defined the lack of RCDs on our workplace power circuits as C3. In the Electrical Safety First document, this is listed as Improvement Recommended. How do the insurance companies view this category? If it has been recommended, do they consider this mandatory?

My initial reaction was to suggest that we fit an external RCD protected socket for any outside work and prohibit "extension leads through the window" type situations.

In terms of the general use, the only items that will be regularly plugged and unplugged to present a possible danger are the kettle and the vacuum.

Phil

Reply to
thescullster
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All I can add is what I've seen my employer do (a big university).

Nothing by default has RCD protection.

But sockets in public and meeting room areas have built in RCDs - these are sockets you expect students and visitors to be using.

Sockets in the office (including recently added ones) I do not believe are RCD protected and I have never seen an RCBO in any of the industrial panels in a university environment (and they definately will not use an RCD that knocks out a bunch of circuits).

Reply to
Tim Watts

A C3 should not matter to the insurance company.

That is your risk assesment. Do you use extention leads and use power outside? If so then your risk assement is good and I would fit RCD sockets [1].

That's PAT testing - unless you want to hoover the car park:-)

The EICR has two words on it that are relevant

Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory.

If there are no C1 or C2 codes then the installation is maked as Satisfactory and the insurance company will be happy.

[1] I would prefer the RCD to be on the inside eg via a RCD fused spur - I am not a big fan of external RCDs and believe that they should be tested every 12 months
Reply to
ARW

The kettle is probably used at one particular socket near a sink. Change socket for an RCD one.

Consider using an RCD plug fitted to the vacuum cleaner flex, although they're less reliable than RCD sockets especially when they get bashed about. You might also schedule those two appliances for more frequent than annual visual inspections.

Owain

Reply to
spuorgelgoog

Not that uncommon to take the vacuum outside to clean a car interior, though.

Owain

Reply to
spuorgelgoog

All three of my domestic vacuum cleaners are Class 2. Unless damaged in some way I'm not sure how an RCD would improve their safety outdoors when cleaning the car?

Garden tools like mowers and hedge clippers are far more of a risk - the chances of cutting the flex.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Henrys are Class 1

Reply to
charles

At an office? It's bad enough the staff buggering around and using a works computer to post to usenet in works time-:))

but hoovering out the car with the works hoover in works time?

Reply to
ARW

I have not seen one that is Class I

Reply to
ARW

when it was a "Works Car" we did that with one of Henry's relatives.

Reply to
charles

One for each floor?

Reply to
ARW

Depends on the type of work, the type of car, and the type of owner.

In some places it would be normal for the janitor or handyman to clean the boss's car, especially if it was going to be used to transport a valued client.

Owain

Reply to
spuorgelgoog

Don't be silly. I said 3, not 6.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Thanks to all responders.

I'll discuss the comments with the testing company (who will probably end up doing the work) and try to avoid being conned into unnecessary work. Yes I know it's not my money, but there's a principle here.

Phil

Reply to
thescullster

Which is why I said that it is Phil's risk assesment as to the need for a RCD socket.

Reply to
ARW

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