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SANS 10142 October pre 1992
I have just again re-tested an installation that was tested a month before. The installation is done before 1992 and the previous electrician excuses is "reasonably safe" and "is not covered pre-1992"! Why test the installation then? It is of my opinion that it is bull s..t that you can hide behind the fact of an installation being done before 1992 and "reasonably safe". Sorry guys we contractors need to take pride and stand for good practice, safety & quality installations...... How can leave a house with a fuse board, earthing issues, open wiring and say you have tested & found all in order, i will not stay in an house with such a useless COC issued or maybe i am taking it too far?
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case for consideration
8.6.3 l in the case of installations that existed before...and is reasonably safe.
I'm sure you refer to this. Well a-j (exception being k) needs to be in order. I point out 'h' circuits, fuses.... Marked or labelled..
Either you have ulterior motives and want to point out ever fault for the extra bucks or the other dude genuinely has no idea on how to test an installation and/or is still reading from sabs 0142.. :?
I'm a firm believer in safe while used correctly..
Just my view.
Im with stupid --> ooo wheres he gone?? -
It brings me back to the question, what is reasonably safe? As an accredited person ,taking the responsibility of testing and certifying an installation-how will you answer when asked in a court after a house that you tested has partly burnt down and a child has lost its life" what measures did you take as the accredited person to make sure the installation was safe? I am not prepared to leave an installation with unsafe electrical apparatus and cover it with reasonably safe, its not worth the risk. I will rather leave it to the the guys that are prepared to take the risk to make " a quick buck"Comment
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What 8.6.3.1 means is that that speciffic section of the installation(original) is not required to comply with ALL of the standards of today. Todays safety standards(ELCB, earthing..) DO however apply, as well as ALL the relevant standards that existed at the time of installation. Any "unsafe" apparatus may not be certified as reasonably safe. This would be issuing an invalid COC which happens to be illegal. Unfortunately there is no recourse through the "official" channels. I suggest that you advise the homeowner to approach his legal advisor about instituting a claim for damages against the offender. If the home is newly purchased his best option is to cancel the purchase if he is still within the cooling off period.Comment
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That is the unfortunate truth, there is no official channel where these kind of issues can be settled- it always ends up "your word against mine". The home owner only moved in after the transfer has been done. It is a concern to me that a fuse box can be classified as reasonably safe, what about those re-wireable fuses that most of the time have the incorrect fuse wires? This is a very grey area to me, thus I feel when in doubt, follow the latest code of practice.Comment
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You cannot issue a COC on an installation that has Fuses.
You cannot buy the fuse wire anymore therefore rendering the fuses useless
rendering the installation NOT reasonably safe. The fuses must be replaced by circuit breakers of the correct rating for the cable it protects.To make a mistake is human, to learn from that mistake is knowledge and knowledge is strength.Comment
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not to mention the earth leakage relay . i fail all boards with fuses and inspect all installations as if they were built post 92.Comment
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Hi Guys ,their is legal recourse thru the Approved Inspection Authority.If the customer feels that they got a raw deal,they can have a audit done on the installation.If it is found that there is any irregularities ,the accredited person needs to fix all defects at his cost in a certain period of time.Their is however a cost attached to the investigation.
The customer can also contact the local Municipal Inspector who can issue a ITR (instruction to repair notice) which needs to be repaired within 21 days.Comment
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Sorry to burst your bubble NTS2011, but the sad truth is that I am in possesion of an AIA, as well as DOL declaration issued last year that a COC issued by mr JP Bornman of Volta Electrical is invalid yet to date neither of the two instances nor the Chief Prosecutor, who also has these reports, have taken any steps to have the condition rectified. Mr Bornman(highly recommended) continues to issue illegal COCs. The municipal inspector has no authority over an electrical contractor. Should the municipal inspector find out about the invalid COC his only course of action is to give the homeowner 21 days in which to have the repairs done whereafter the supply will be cut if not done. More expences and inconvenience for the buyer of a home certified by Volta Electrical and the likes of mr JP Bornman. Feel free to browse the older posts for all the gory details. Sad but true. That is why I say to hell with the new SA, bring back the Onbudsman.Comment
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back to the buyer once again...if the buyer used his head...considering it could be the biggest investment he ever makes...would have got a second opinion.
a fuse box being a good example...if there was a fuse box installed prior to 1992...then the buyer could make the decision...i dont mind the fuse box...but will upgrade at a later stage...or no i want a new db...come to an agreement with the seller...who if...decided to hell with that he is not prepared to replace at the price he is asking...could tell the buyer to go fly a kite...or if desperate to get rid of the house could replace it...at his cost.
the seller might say...but it has been working for 50 years...why do i have to now have to replace it (heard this on more than one occassion) and he is right...what made it safe while he was living in the house...now sudden a new owner comes along...it becomes unsafe?
if new plugs have been installed or additions done to the installation...then it becomes a legal issue.Comment
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I have now refer`d this case to the WCAEIA (Western Cape approved electrical inspection authority) Not to sure what their powers are? but at last I am left with a frustrated client that thinks all electrical contractors are "skelm" and ready to take a chance and steal your money. We are giving our own trade a bad name!!!Comment
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Why take a chance to issue an COC on an risky installation, its the owner (seller) that has to pay for the repairs? The problem is that when you sell your house you don't want to spend more money on it, resulting on getting the cheapest guy out there to take a chance.Comment
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I just don't get why this "still at original standard when built" door is left open at all. If we're issuing a COC today, it should be done at today's standards.
Customer expectations have increased.
Safety expectations have increased.
Technology has improved and become ever more affordable.
And of greater concern, people have become more and more blasé about the perils electricity can pose (yes, even standard 220V installations).
50 years ago people were as nervous as heck of electricity and electrical cables and stayed clear.
Not anymore. More like hook it up to the back of your truck live and drive to the nearest scrap metal dealer as fast as you can.Participation is voluntary.
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