[Question] Validity of Certificate of Compliance

[TrevorBin]

Lets assume a homeowner has (according to his knowledge) a valid COC.

A few months after the COC was issued his house burns down or someone is electrocuted.

An investigation reveals that the cause of fire is attributed to undersize wiring / oversized circuit breaker. (Or, electrocution occurred because there was no earth leakage device).

Upon further investigation it is found that the COC was issued by a non-registered person and therefore the COC was not valid. (The person who issued the COC cannot be located because the contact details and registration number are false).

QUESTION:
1) How will an insurance company view this scenario in terms of settling a claim.
2) Is the homeowner responsible to verify that an electrician is registered or that the COC is in fact a genuine COC.

Thanks
Trevor

[Leecatt]

Hi Trevor
Interesting question, let me try and give you an answer based upon my opinion and how I see things.

1. False coc - the insurance will reject it outright, with a big smile and a sigh of relief.
2. Yes, the home owner is responsible for the safety of the electrical installation. That is written upon the test report (see attached)



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[TrevorBin]

Thanks Leecatt.

I've tried the DOL website but can't seem to find a link for checking whether an electrician is registered/licenced or not. Any tips on what to do to verify that a COC is authentic or/and that the electrician is licenced with DOL?

[Leecatt]

I don't know of a database but I am sure that the Chief Electrical Engineer at the Department of Labour will have one. Finding out after the fact is difficult
The procedure that should be followed prior to employing an electrical contractor is as follows

Ask to see his registration with the DOL.
We all have to register every year to stay current.
We get a certificate of registration once we have completed the process
Only once he has complied with all of the necessary steps required can he register with the DOL

All of the registration details should appear on the certificate

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[ians]

The user or lessor is responsible for the safety of the electrical installation...I dont think people actually realise what this means.

[Leecatt]

It means that they are responsible insofar as they have to take all reasonable steps possible to ensure that their electrical installation is in a safe, working order. That includes hiring a fully qualified and registered electrician to inspect it.

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[Lourens.dL]

It means that they are responsible insofar as they have to take all reasonable steps possible to ensure that their electrical installation is in a safe, working order. That includes hiring a fully qualified and registered electrician to inspect it.

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FYI,
My last registration with DOL was valid for three years. Actually, the previous one as well.

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[Leecatt]

FYI,
My last registration with DOL was valid for three years. Actually, the previous one as well.

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Correct, the choice of registring for one or three years is up to you.

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