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HI ALL
PLEASE TELL ME IS IT ALLOWED TO CLAIM THAT A PORTION OF THE INSTALLATION IS INACCESSIBLE AND THUS NOT COVERED BY THE COC?
FOR EXAMPLE WHERE CABLES ARE RUN IN A CEILING IN WHICH THERE MAY OR MAY NOT BE BOXES WITH JOINTS INSIDE?
2. IS THERE AN INSTRUMENT WHICH CAN INDICATE WHERE A CABLE EXITS A DWELLING WALL DIRECTLY
If you're doing a CoC then exclude the area on your report. If you're really keen try accessing from outside if it's a tile roof. But there are risks to that
If you can see in from somewhere then try and get a look - You cannot exclude it from the COC
I have seen a report done by AIA where the new owner of the house took a selfie stick and took photos of the enclosed roof space , somehow.
Contractor was forced to go back and repair
I don't get involved in coc jobs often but I have been saying to guys that ask - rather allow to cut a trapdoor in the ceiling space - As a I say difficult one
When testing on a flat roof house, it is not possible to visually inspect wiring between the ceiling and roofing irrespective of whether there's a trapdoor or not.
In these cases I always note on test report that wiring in these inaccessible places was not inspected visually.
Important is to check that all neutrals have been brought down to switchpoints and plugpoints and by counting the wires at these points, it's not too difficult to establish that there are no connections above the ceiling.
Next one, doing a CoC and there was a plug point behind a befuk expensive piano which needed more than 4 men to even move. Not to mention the risk of breaking it, How do you test that socket.
Also that piano was antique worth a hell of a lot more than my inspection testing quote.
What do you do ?? If the rest of the house is good can you assume that that one socket is ok ?.
Just include the cost of replacing that plug in your quote including a callout fee for in case it's faulty, then you're covered if it needs replacing. If it's ok then you've scored.
Contrary to some narratives created by some articles and statements, YOU MOST CERTAINLY CAN EXCLUDE PARTS OF THE INSTALLATION ON THE COC, AND THERE IS A DEDICATED SPACE PROVIDED FOR THAT PURPOSE ON THE COC UNDER SECTION 3. It would not "render the coc invalid" or be "against the law"
Here is an example from sans 10142 of the format of the coc approved by the chief inspector and enacted by law: As you can see there is a clear section to comment on parts you want to EXCLUDE.
Contrary to some narratives created by some articles and statements, YOU MOST CERTAINLY CAN EXCLUDE PARTS OF THE INSTALLATION ON THE COC, AND THERE IS A DEDICATED SPACE PROVIDED FOR THAT PURPOSE ON THE COC UNDER SECTION 3. It would not "render the coc invalid" or be "against the law"
Here is an example from sans 10142 of the format of the coc approved by the chief inspector and enacted by law: As you can see there is a clear section to comment on parts you want to EXCLUDE.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]8881[/ATTACH]
Maybe I need to clarify
If the house is being sold you are doing a COC to state that the entire installation is safe as per fundamentals - You cannot then start excluding parts of the installation , it will come back to bite.
If you do an alterations you can cover just that alteration and exclude the balance of the installation that you have not worked on
On the sale of a property you would be contracted to check the entire installation
Provided the customer can supply a valid COC/test report for the balance of the installation.
Your work will require a supplementary COC/test report.
As pointed out to me during an investigation, as a qualified skilled person with experience in the industry, you should know better than to turn a blind eye to non compliant parts of the installation.
At some point you would have to open an existing DB to connect your supply cable, or connect plugs and lights to the existing installation.
Fortunately for us the electrical industry is winning the race to the bottom of all industries, chances are you will get away with just about anything.
Originally posted by GCE
If you do an alterations you can cover just that alteration and exclude the balance of the installation that you have not worked on
Comments are my opinion, unless regulations are attached to support the comment. This is social media, not a court room.
I think this thread is not about turning a blind eye to sections of an installation that are non compliant, it's more about excluding sections that for some or other reason, are either extremely difficult or sometimes virtually impossible to access in order to inspect.
I take it that that is what the exclusion section on the test report is for.
Ther are occasions that crop up where doing things 100% by the book are virtually impossible. That's where being reasonable comes into play.
At the end of the day, you are signing a declaration that the installation is REASONABLY safe.
Its a fine line, some might say they exclude the solar or backup system, because they are not qualified to test the installation.
I have heard all the excuses:
The room was locked,
There was a large cupboard in front of the socket or switch,
The appliance or light was out of arms reach,
The labels are being printed,
There were dogs in that area.
My inspecting must have missed that par tof the building,
and many many more
Comments are my opinion, unless regulations are attached to support the comment. This is social media, not a court room.
So often something is discussed here and then within a day or two I am faced with a situation where it's much easier making that decision after having that discussion.
We were talking about excluding certain sections from a COC.
This cropped up today. Requested to issue a coc for a cottage in order for occupation to take place.
This property was bought voetstoots so the buyer needs to organise the COC before occupation. It is one ERF consisting of a main house with a cottage fed from the main house.
The property is in the process of being subdivided.
The main house is basically still a construction site but the cottage has been renovated and is tenant ready, bar for the COC.
I have decided to issue a COC for the cottage with the exclusion being the main house.
I think this is a perfect example of using the exclusion facility on the test sheet for what it was intended.
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